The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), a world- leading professional society for fire protection and fire safety engineering, invites fire protection engineering professionals to the SFPE Engineering Solutions Symposium on Storage Fire Protection Challenges, Aug. 12-14, 2025, in Chicago.

Join us for a technical symposium dedicated to addressing the evolving challenges of protecting modern storage facilities, including warehouses, distribution centers, cold storage, and the integration of new storage materials and technologies. As storage operations continue to grow, complexity, and automation, the need for innovative fire protection strategies and solutions has never been more urgent. 

SFPE's technical symposia are structured to convene and educate engineers on emerging topics and challenges facing the fire protection profession. These programs are delivered by distinguished experts in the relevant field and the format maximizes the exchange of ideas among attendees and speakers through brief technical presentations followed by discussion periods with the audience.  

This symposium directly supports SFPE’s mission to advance the science and practice of fire protection engineering, offering critical insights into automated storage systems, protection of multi-row racks, cold storage design considerations, lithium-ion battery storage, and fire department response to large storage occupancies. Following the completion of the two days of educational content, day 3 will consist of a large-scale fire test (LSFT) at the nearby UL Solutions campus in Northbrook, Illinois. 

Key Symposium Highlights: 

Day 1: 

• Latest research findings and design strategies related to traditional and automated storage. Suppression system solutions for evolving challenges, including ESFR sprinklers, high-challenge commodities, and complex layouts.
• Session topics include:
  • Analysis of Automated Storage Retrieval Systems and Fire Protection Guidance 
  • AutoStore – Testing for the Future 
  • Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems and FM Data Sheet 8-34   
  • Top-Loaded Automated Storage Systems and Fire Service Response 
  • Water Supply Analysis and Methods 
  • Commodity Classification – A Critical Consideration in Automatic Fire Sprinkler System Design 
  • Performance-Based Design for Storage Occupancy 

Day 2 : 

• Expert panels and technical presentations from leading researchers, engineers, and industry practitioners on best practices, failures, lessons learned, and emerging codes and standards. Comprehensive discussions on cold storage fire protection, lithium-ion battery storage risks in warehouses, and new approaches for analyzing and mitigating risk.
• Sessions include: 
  • Lithium-ion Battery Manufacturing and Storage – Understanding Loss Prevention Recommendations and the Research Behind Them 
  • In-Rack Sprinkler Independence   
  • Cold Storage Performance-Based Design Solution   
  • Sprinkler Protection for Multiple-Row Rack Storage Systems – How Big is Too Big? 
  • Applying Storage Criteria in the Real World 

Day 3:  

Exclusive tour of UL Solutions’ built environment test laboratory in Northbrook, Illinois, where attendees will have the unique opportunity to observe a full-scale fire experiment. Attendees can engage with fire scientists and industry experts while exploring the test structure firsthand. This event promises to be a remarkable experience, showcasing fire safety and research in action. 

Early-bird registration discounts are available through July 21, 2025. 

To learn more and to register for the SFPE Engineering Solutions Symposium on Storage Protection Challenges, visit www.sfpe.org/storagesymposium today.