A new phenomenon in archive storage and electronics warehousing is the emergence of massive multi-level buildings designed to accommodate vast quantities of paper records or electronic equipment. Such warehouses are characterised by their extensive use of rack systems and open metal gridded flooring, with lengthy passageways of 150 metres or more running between the racks. The fire risk in such buildings is substantial. Paper documents, in particular, will burn readily, and the long open corridors act like colossal chimney flues, allowing fire to race rapidly through the warehouse. What's more, because the levels of the building are divided by metal grids, the floors are effectively 'invisible' from a fire detection point of view. To compound the problem, these warehouses are typically situated in remote areas, so rapid fire brigade attendance is not possible.
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