Protecting the Cold Chain at the Border of Innovation
Advanced fire protection for a multi-phase, high-performance cold storage campus in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
Valley Cold Storage (VCS) set out to expand its owner-operated cold storage and transportation footprint in the New Mexico Borderplex with a scalable, multi-phase development strategy. The objective was to deliver high-performance, multi-temperature warehouse environments—including freezer, cooler, blast freezing, and refrigerated dock operations—while prioritizing operational safety, energy efficiency, and long-term expandability. As the campus evolved from adaptive reuse to ground-up construction, VCS required fire protection systems engineered to support tall storage, advanced racking and mission-critical cold environments without interrupting throughput.
Value Delivered
North American Fire Protection delivered a fully integrated fire sprinkler solution engineered specifically for high-hazard cold storage operations. Working closely with Primus Builders through multiple project phases, NAFPCO designed systems capable of protecting high-bay freezer storage, refrigerated truck docks, and convertible temperature zones—while addressing the unique challenges of condensation control, freeze protection and rapid system response.
The result is a robust, code-compliant life-safety solution that supports Valley Cold Storage’s advanced refrigeration infrastructure, high daily blast-freezing capacity and future expansion plans—helping safeguard people, property and critical food supply chains in one of North America’s fastest-growing logistics corridors.
Scope of Services
North American Fire Protection provided complete design and installation of fire sprinkler systems across multiple phases of the Valley Cold Storage campus, including:
All systems were designed to meet the demands of cold storage operations while supporting efficient installation and long-term reliability.
Background on Building Owner
Valley Cold Storage is a growing cold storage and transportation provider serving food producers and distributors across the Southwest and cross-border markets. The Santa Teresa, New Mexico campus represents a strategic investment in the Borderplex region, leveraging proximity to major transportation corridors, international trade routes, and agricultural supply chains. Through a multi-phase approach, including adaptive reuse, expansion and new greenfield development, VCS continues to build state-of-the-art, energy-efficient facilities designed to meet the evolving needs of modern cold chain logistics.
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.
