A rapidly developing fire fueled by polypropylene plastics in a warehouse facility overcame the building’s automatic sprinkler system, exhausted the water supply and destroyed over 60% of the 900,000 square foot building.

Drake exhibits developed a 3D computer model of the fire building, automatic sprinkler system and underground water supply system for the purpose of creating images to use in a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation that introduced the site, described the fire protection system components and function, reconstructed the fuel load in the building, and illustrated witness views of the fire.

Drake Exhibits also produced two scale models for the trial. One represented the entire building and underground water supply system. The second recreated the fuel load of 156 polypropylene sprayer tanks in wooden crates and the portion of the sprinkler system meant to protect the area where the fire started demonstrating the improper class of material stored for the level of protection provided.

In a joint effort with Courtroom Visuals of Atlanta, an animation was produced to demonstrate the water flow capacity of the fire protection system from the first 8 sprinkler heads open to the point where 256 heads opened and the system had virtually no water flow.

for Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, PC
Des Moines, IA