— Marks First Major Revision in 15 Years —

WASHINGTON — The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) today issued the fourth edition of the “Recommended Fire Protection Practices for Distilled Spirits Beverage Facilities” manual.

The voluntary guide is a valuable reference tool for those in the distilled spirits industry, including engineers and architects, who are planning extensions to existing facilities or new installations of distilled spirits production plants, such as storage and warehouse facilities.

The reference guide was developed by the DISCUS Fire Protection Committee made up of industry experts from DISCUS member companies charged with evaluating new fire protection technologies, as well as developing and sharing technical data, procedures and best practices.

“Fire safety is paramount in the distilling industry. With the growth in craft distilling, this manual will be of particular use to those looking for guidance on how to incorporate important fire safety protections in the building or expansion of distilleries,” said Chris Swonger, president of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

Added DISCUS Chief Legal Officer Courtney Armour, “Developed by top safety experts in the distilling industry, the manual outlines specific protection measures based upon sound engineering principles, test data and field experience.  We are very fortunate to have these experts among our membership and greatly appreciate their hard work on this critical project.”

Some key topics in the manual include: distillery processes; fire protection mechanisms; barrel warehouses; alcohol handling; electrical engineering; maintenance and inspection procedures; and emergency planning.

The publication is available for $795 for non-DISCUS members, $295 for government officials and free for DISCUS members.  Those interested in obtaining a copy should click here.  For more information, email [email protected].

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The Distilled Spirits Council is the national trade association representing leading producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States.