“Fortunately, this is only a test.”
These words reflect the reality of industrial fire preparedness at Wergeland Halsvik, where oily sludge and offshore waste are handled every day as part of critical processing operations.
Strengthening Industrial Fire Safety in Offshore Waste Processing
Matre Maskin AS has delivered a fully automated fire suppression system to Wergeland Halsvik, part of the Wergeland Group, supporting safer operations within industrial waste treatment and offshore drilling waste processing.
Wergeland Halsvik handles complex waste fluids from offshore oil and gas operations, including drilling waste, mud, slop and contaminated process water. Depending on the waste type, treatment may involve thermal processing, separation of oil, water and solids, and advanced water treatment.
Due to the combustible and oil-based materials handled at the site, robust fire protection is essential for safe and reliable operation. Matre supplied an advanced industrial fire suppression system designed to help safeguard selected critical process areas, strengthen fire safety preparedness and reduce operational risk.
Automated Fire Suppression Designed for High-Risk Industrial Environments
Matre delivered a container-based fire suppression package for selected high-risk process areas at Wergeland Halsvik. The containerized unit houses key components for the foam-based suppression system, supported by field-mounted fire detection, dedicated discharge nozzles and modular satellite foam proportioning units located close to the protected areas.
Upon signal from the field-mounted detection system, the suppression system is activated to deliver foam solution through dedicated discharge points, helping to control or suppress fire where rapid response is critical.
The container-based design supports efficient installation, flexible placement of the main system package and modular foam skids, good service access and robust operation in demanding industrial environments.
The modular skid-based design provides several advantages for industrial facilities:
Efficient installation and commissioning
Flexible placement and future scalability
Adaptability to site-specific risk areas and process layouts
Reliable performance in demanding industrial environments
Simplified access for inspection, testing, maintenance and service
The fire suppression system is engineered to provide rapid response and reliable foam solutions delivery capacity in the event of a fire emergency. Automated activation significantly reduces response time, enabling early intervention where every second is critical to controlling fire development and limiting potential damage to critical infrastructure and production systems.
A main containerized fire protection package housing the pump system, control system and monitoring functions, including automatic pump activation upon signal from the fire detection system
A dedicated containerized high-capacity foam proportioning skid
Two field-mounted modular foam proportioning skids
Matre DY-20 Flexi Nozzles for foam solution discharge in the protected areas
Advanced field-mounted fire detection equipment
Full commissioning, testing and start-up support
Investing in Safety Beyond Regulatory Requirements
Although the facility was not legally required to install this type of fire suppression system, Wergeland Halsvik chose to make the investment as part of its long-term safety strategy.
“The company had no regulatory requirement for this type of fire suppression system, but Wergeland Group chose to invest in a solution with sufficient capacity for our own interests, for safety, and with insurance considerations in mind.”
— Erik Brohjem, CEO, Wergeland Halsvik
The investment reflects a proactive approach to industrial risk management, where prevention, operational continuity, and personnel safety are prioritized above minimum compliance standards.
Reducing the Consequences of Industrial Fires
Industrial facilities handling oil-contaminated waste and combustible materials face unique fire risks. Even when the probability of fire incidents is low, the potential consequences can be severe.
“It is not necessarily that the risk itself is extremely high — it is the consequences of a potential fire that make this important.”
— Linda Semjonova, Safety Representative, Wergeland Halsvik
Fire incidents in industrial processing plants can result in operational shutdowns, environmental damage, equipment loss, safety risks for personnel, extended downtime, financial losses, and increased insurance exposure.
By implementing an automated industrial fire suppression system, Wergeland Halsvik strengthens both operational resilience and emergency preparedness.
Industrial Fire Protection for the Energy and Waste Management Industry
Matre specializes in customized fire suppression systems and industrial pumping solutions for demanding applications across the offshore and oil & gas industry, waste management and recycling facilities, industrial processing plants, marine and maritime sectors, energy infrastructure, and heavy industrial operations, where containerized fire suppression skids are increasingly used due to their reliability, mobility, and rapid deployment capabilities.
Why Automated Fire Suppression Systems Matter
Modern industrial fire suppression systems play a critical role in protecting personnel, infrastructure, and production continuity.
Key benefits include:
Faster Emergency Response
Automatic fire detection and pump activation eliminate delays and ensure immediate response during critical situations.
Improved Operational Safety
Continuous monitoring and automated protection help reduce risks associated with combustible industrial processes.
Reduced Downtime
Early fire suppression minimizes damage and helps facilities return to operation faster.
Enhanced Insurance and Risk Management
Facilities with robust fire protection systems may improve insurability and reduce exposure to catastrophic losses.
Scalable and Modular Solutions
Containerized skid systems can be adapted for different industries, capacities, and operational requirements.
For facilities operating in demanding industrial environments, proactive fire protection is increasingly becoming part of long-term operational strategy — not only for compliance, but for preparedness when it matters most.
