Achieving Complete Peace-of-Mind: Why Our Fire Suppression System Sets Birch Apart
When we created Birch's secure car storage facility, we analysed every risk and we built a site that mitigated every single one of them. Theft and vandalism? We installed 24/7 surveillance and fingerprint scanners. Accidental damage while moving cars? We implemented a racking system that didn’t require any additional car movements, only the one we need to access. Fire? An industry-first fire suppression system above each and every vehicle in the facility.
More than any of the technologies and philosophies that we implemented at Birch, it’s the fire suppression system that really encapsulates what we do. As far as we know, no other facility has implemented a set-up like ours, with dual sprinklers above each and every car. It was expensive and logistically difficult to install, but we refused to cut corners when it came to risk management.
The Importance of Fire Suppression in Car Storage
We realise that the risk of fire is low, but it’s certainly not zero. We took the decision from the outset that we couldn’t offer complete peace-of-mind for our clients without some kind of mitigation against that minimal risk. While Birch was under construction we witnessed the devastating fire at Luton Airport that destroyed over 1,400 cars. In 2020, around 300 cars were destroyed by a fire at a storage facility in Cheshire, including some worth millions. Also, lets not forget that in 2019 a fire in Indiana destroyed countless valuable cars at a secure facility, including a 1920s Bugatti. So, it happens.
Our Industry-Leading Fire Suppression System
At Birch, we have implemented several key features to ensure that your vehicle is safeguarded against fire risks:
- Dual Sprinkler System Per Car: Each vehicle in our facility is protected by an automatic dual sprinkler system. This system is designed to localize any fire threat, ensuring that the suppression response is targeted and effective, minimizing potential damage.
- 90,000L Reserve Water Tank: Our fire suppression system is supported by a 90,000 litre reserve water tank, dedicated solely to fire safety. This enormous water reserve ensures that there's always ample supply to combat any fire, even in the event of a failure in the main water supply. This level of preparedness is unmatched by any other car storage facility in the UK.
- Localized Threat Management: The ability to localize the response to fire threats is a key feature of our system. By focusing the suppression efforts precisely where needed, we protect other vehicles and property within the facility from potential damage.
Beyond Fire Suppression: Comprehensive Security Measures
- 24/7 Surveillance: Our facility is under constant surveillance with high-definition cameras covering every angle. The footage is monitored in real-time and stored securely for later review if necessary.
- Biometric Access Control: We utilize fingerprint scanners and other biometric security measures to restrict access to the storage areas. Only authorized personnel can enter, providing an additional layer of security against unauthorized access.
- Regular Maintenace Checks: To prevent any issues that could lead to fire hazards, we conduct regular inspections and maintenance of all vehicles and facility equipment. This includes checking electrical systems, ensuring proper storage of combustible materials, and verifying that fire suppression systems are in top condition.
- Secure Battery Conditioning: Each car bed has a dedicated three-pin supply of electricity for its own dedicated battery conditioning device. No extension cables or overloaded sockets in sight.
Birch: Storage with Complete Peace-of-Mind
The team behind Birch is made up of an expert mix of petrolheads who all have a wealth of experience with cars. The board of Directors includes Daniel Wood a senior Lloyd’s Insurance Underwriter who, alongside Desmond Boughton – another industry leading Lloyd’s Broker - co-founded an Ultra High Net Worth Insurance brokerage based in London. Daniel and Desmond both remain heavily involved in the insurance sector and were influential in the philosophy behind Birch, guiding the vision for a car storage facility that pioneers new technologies and security measures to become the safest and most secure in the world.
