Safeguarding a National Distribution Hub Built for Scale, Speed and Safety
Advanced fire protection engineered for one of Trader Joe’s largest cold storage investments in the U.S.

Trader Joe’s set out to develop a next-generation distribution and cold storage campus in Franklin, Kentucky, a $259 million, nearly one-million-square-foot investment designed to serve as a major Mid-America logistics hub.

The facility needed to support high-volume automated operations while maintaining uncompromising life safety and asset protection across extreme temperature environments.

Key objectives included:

• Maximum Safety: Protect employees, inventory and infrastructure across cold storage, processing and office spaces
• Operational Efficiency: Integrate fire protection seamlessly within automated and high-bay warehouse systems
• Future-Ready Scalability: Design systems capable of expanding with additional phases and long-term growth

Value Delivered

North American Fire Protection delivered a fully customized, high-performance fire protection solution across both IDS Phase 1 and Phase 2, engineered specifically for large-scale cold storage and food distribution environments.

By deploying advanced ESFR technology, preaction systems, nitrogen generation and high-capacity fire pumps, the NAFPCO team ensured rapid fire suppression response, system longevity and uninterrupted operational flow.

Key Results:

• Comprehensive Cold Storage Protection across cooler rooms, food processing areas, high-rack storage and automated spaces
• High-Efficiency Installation using advanced ESFR Rapid Install sprinkler technology
• Built-In Expansion Capacity supporting Trader Joe’s multi-phase development strategy
• Enhanced Reliability through corrosion mitigation and early detection technologies

Scope of Services

Phase 1 — IDS Main Building | 257,690 SF

• 2,500 GPM diesel-driven fire pump system
• (6) Quell preaction systems with galvanized Schedule 10 piping for cooler storage areas
• (3) wet pipe systems for office spaces
• (2) ESFR wet pipe systems for conditioned storage
• Integrated nitrogen generator package
• Linear heat detection systems
• ESFR sprinklers installed through IMP ceilings in banana rooms and food processing areas

Phase 2 — Expanded Campus | 710,377 SF across three buildings

Following the success of Phase 1, Trader Joe’s selected NAFPCO again to protect the expanded facility, including:

• (2) additional 2,500 GPM diesel-driven fire pumps
• (11) Quell preaction systems for cooler storage environments
• (3) integrated nitrogen generator packages
• Linear heat detection throughout critical areas
• (13) wet pipe systems for office and ESFR conditioned storage
• Dry pipe systems for cold docks, machine rooms, and select office areas
• Dry pendant protection in food processing zones
• In-rack sprinkler protection for butter and oil storage racks

Background on Building Owner

Trader Joe’s operates more than 500 grocery stores nationwide and is recognized for its innovative supply chain, private-label products and customer-first approach.

To support continued growth and improve distribution efficiency across the Midwest and Southeast, the company launched the Franklin, Kentucky development as one of its most advanced cold storage and automated distribution facilities to date, creating more than 800 jobs and anchoring long-term regional economic development.

The IDS campus now serves as a critical logistics backbone for Trader Joe’s expanding national footprint.