Engineering Protection for One of North America’s Most Advanced Cold Storage Facilities
Supporting NewCold’s $275M automated logistics expansion in Hagerstown, Maryland
NewCold set out to develop one of the most technologically advanced automated cold storage and logistics facilities in North America, designed to support high-volume frozen goods distribution while serving key East Coast markets. The project required a fire protection system capable of safeguarding a towering high-bay structure filled with robotics, ASRS technology and temperature-controlled environments, all while maintaining operational reliability in extreme cold conditions.
Beyond scale, the facility needed to meet rigorous safety standards without disrupting automation workflows, throughput efficiency or long-term expansion plans.
Value Delivered
North American Fire Protection delivered a custom-engineered fire sprinkler solution tailored to the demands of high-bay automated cold storage.
Key outcomes included:
By aligning fire protection design with NewCold’s advanced automation strategy, NAFPCO ensured life safety, asset protection and uninterrupted logistics performance in one of the most sophisticated cold storage projects in the region.
Scope of Services
North American Fire Protection provided comprehensive fire sprinkler design and installation services to support the facility’s specialized operating environment, including system engineering for high-bay storage, cold temperature performance and automated warehouse layouts. Project execution focused on coordination with construction teams and automation infrastructure to ensure seamless system integration and compliance with applicable fire protection standards, as outlined in NAFPCO’s project proposal.
Background on Building Owner
Founded in 2012, NewCold is a global leader in automated temperature-controlled warehousing and advanced cold chain logistics. The company operates a growing network of high-tech facilities across Europe, North America and Australia, leveraging proprietary automation, robotics and ASRS technologies to deliver faster, safer and more efficient frozen food supply chains.
The Hagerstown, Maryland facility represents a major milestone in NewCold’s North American expansion, backed by over $275 million in investment and supported by state and local economic development initiatives. Strategically positioned near major interstate corridors, rail connections and the Port of Baltimore, the site is designed to serve both domestic and international distribution networks while creating 125–150 skilled technology and logistics jobs in the region.
Project Impact at a Glance
Dry pendent sprinklers are typically installed in food process plants and box-in-box freezers where temperatures are below 40 degrees F.
Dry pipe sprinkler systems are generally used in cold climates and are highly effective in cold-temperature fire protection.
Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) systems are quick-responding, high-volume sprinkler systems that provide exceptional protection for high-piled storage occupancies.
Fire pumps are an essential part of many water-based fire protection systems. Fire Pumps are used to increase the water pressure (measured in psi) when the original water source is not adequate for the system it’s supplying.
Fire pumps are an essential part of many water-based fire protection systems. Fire Pumps are used to increase the water pressure (measured in psi) when the original water source is not adequate for the system it’s supplying.
Pre-action fire sprinkler systems employ the basic concept of a dry pipe system in that water is not normally contained within the pipes.
Wet pipe systems are the most common fire sprinkler systems. A wet pipe system is one in which water is constantly maintained within the sprinkler piping.
A special hazards fire suppression system is used to put out fires in areas where water damage from fire sprinklers can cause costly or irreparable damage to the assets being protected.
Linear Heat Detection (LHD) is an important component of fire protection systems, as it is designed to detect heat along the length of a sensor cable.
