South African Retail Giant's Safety Transformation: Mitigating Fire Risk in 500+ Stores with PFC Upgrades
A major South African retail giant successfully mitigated catastrophic fire risk after discovering faulty Power Factor Correction (PFC) equipment had caused three separate fire incidents. Their solution involved temporarily disabling systems, conducting comprehensive PFC Surveys, and installing fire suppression systems across 500+ sites to ensure the safety of assets and customers.
The Challenges They Faced
Their decision to temporarily disable PFC systems came with its share of challenges. PFC is essential for optimising energy efficiency, and disabling these systems meant higher monthly energy costs. However, their leadership understood that the risks of maintaining faulty PFC equipment outweighed the immediate costs.
The fires that occurred within their PFC panels were a stark reminder of the critical need for action. They knew that the safety of their customers, employees, and valuable assets was paramount. It was time to invest in a solution that would ensure both safety and energy efficiency.
The Path to Safety
The first step was to conduct a comprehensive PFC Survey of every PFC panel across their stores and distribution centres. This survey, performed by Augos technical experts, provided the audit-grade data required to identify areas where Repairs and Upgrades were required to bring the equipment up to safe specifications.
In parallel, they decided to take a proactive stance against the risk of fires in PFC panels. They made a strategic, quantifiable decision to install certified fire suppression systems in every operational PFC panel. This move, representing a substantial investment in asset safety across their 500+ South African sites, further safeguarded their facilities and mitigated the risk of fire-related incidents, directly supporting their commitment to staff and customer wellbeing.
The Results: Safety, Efficiency, and Peace of Mind
The retail giant's decision to address the safety concerns within their PFC systems has yielded remarkable results. By conducting necessary repairs and upgrades, they not only mitigated fire risks but also improved the energy efficiency of their electrical systems.
The installation of fire suppression systems in PFC panels brought an additional layer of safety, giving them the peace of mind they needed to continue their operations with confidence. This project delivered a tangible ROI in asset protection and operational continuity.
PFC Safety Transformation
For a major South African retail chain, we conducted comprehensive PFC Surveys and installed fire suppression systems across 500+ sites, protecting assets and ensuring operational continuity.
Key Takeaways
Proactive PFC surveys identify critical safety risks before catastrophic failures occur
Fire suppression systems provide essential protection for high-value electrical assets
Strategic safety investments deliver measurable ROI in asset protection and operational continuity