Case Study: Patties Foods protects its plant and saves A$80,000 on expansion with Xtralis VESDA

Baked goods manufacturer pleases their insurance co., & saves money on their expansion project by installing VESDA

Patties Foods, a major Australian baked-goods manufacturer, needed to upgrade fire detection as part of a plant expansion. The facility presented a difficult mix of environments—hot ovens, refrigerated areas, flour dust, steam wash-downs—and managers wanted nothing mounted on ceilings that could trap dust. Analogue point detectors risked false alarms and rapid failure, and installation time was severely limited by production schedules and strict food‑safety rules.

Deanmac Emergency Services recommended a VESDA aspirating very‑early‑warning smoke detection system integrated with sprinklers. The aspirating design avoided bulky ceiling devices, allowed fast, preplanned sampling‑point installation during short shutdown windows, and provided simple, real‑time alerts usable by rotating shift supervisors. The system satisfied insurers, cut construction and compliance costs (saving about A$80,000 by removing planned exit tunnels), and can be easily expanded for future growth.

Patties Foods

Joe Rettino

Assistant General Manager, General Manager Purchasing and Logistics