GB2591980A

GB2591980A - Fire safety device

Info

Publication number: GB2591980A
Application number: GB1917291.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clifford Ryman Michael; Latham David
Original assignee: Container Safety Tech Uk Ltd
Current assignee: Container Safety Tech Uk Ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-27
Filing date: 2019-11-27
Publication date: 2021-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-27
Also published as: GB201917291D0; GB2591980B

Abstract

A fire safety device, such as a sprinkler, comprises a nozzle from which liquid extinguishant can be released. The nozzle is provided with means for releasing extinguishant in two or more different forms, e.g. with different droplet sizes or different velocities. The extinguishant may take the form of a mist or spray. A heat trigger may be provided to initiate the release. The extinguishant liquid may be contained in a bladder inside the shell. The outer shell of the device may be lined on the inside to protect it from high temperatures. There may be an onboard pressurising system in the form of spring-loaded concentric pressurising platforms which press on the bladder. A mesh may be provided downstream of one or more outlets for misting the extinguishing liquid. The device may be used in shipping containers and cargo holds.

Description

FIRE SAFETY DEVICE

The present invention relates generally to a fire safety device and particularly, although not exclusively, to a sprinkler device.

A fire sprinkler or sprinkler head is the component of a fire sprinkler system that discharges extinguishant (such as water) when the effects of a fire have been detected, such as when a predetermined temperature has been exceeded.

The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to fire safety systems.

An aspect provides a fire safety device comprising a nozzle/sprinkler head from which liquid extinguishant can be released, the nozzle is provided with means for releasing extinguishant in two or more different forms.

The different forms may, for example, have different liquid droplet sizes. One form may, for example be a fine mist; another form may be a substantially continuous spray.

The different forms may, for example, have different velocities and/r different pressures.

In some embodiments a nozzle can release extinguishant in a spray form and/or a mist form.

Devices formed in accordance with the present invention may comprise a triggering mechanism for initiating release of extinguishant. The trigger may be automatic and/or may be manually activatable.

The trigger may comprise a heat trigger i.e. triggerable by heat A further aspect provides a fire safety device comprising a dispensing nozzle for releasing liquid extinguishant, in which the nozzle is multi-functional, having a plurality of different dispensing modes/types.

In some embodiments the nozzle can either express the liquid as a mist or directional spray or both simultaneously.

A further aspect provides a fire safety sprinkler device comprising onboard means for generating extinguishing pressure.

10. A device according to claim 9, in which the means for generating extinguishing pressure are selected from: 1) Spring loaded pressure; or 2) Compressed air/inert gas pressure.

In some embodiment an onboard supply of extinguishant is provided. Alternatively or additionally the device may be connected or connectable to a permanent water supply. In some embodiments the device provides a fire suppressing agent/additive, which is mixed with water or another liquid. The mixing may, for example, occur before or at the point of dispensing/release/expression. Therefore, for example, the device may provide just the agent ready for mixing with liquid provided from another source, or the device may provide both the agent and the liquid; or the device may provide the liquid and the agent may be provided from another source.

In one embodiment extinguishant liquid may be retained by the device and is mixed with the incoming water.

Mixing, where provided, may be achieved using a venturi valve.

Some embodiments use a bladder for containing extinguishant liquid (e.g. water and/or fire suppressing agent).

Devices may comprise an outer cover, for example to prevent damage from external sources.

In some embodiments a lining (e.g. Kevlar) may be provided on the inside of an outer shell.

The outer casing may comprise/contain a nozzle and spraying mechanism.

Devices may comprise a base to house pressure components (e.g. for generating pressure) and/or triggering devices.

Devices may, for example have a shape selected from generally: hexagonal, tubular, oblong or round. Other shapes are possible.

The device may be colour coded, for example to identify an onboard extinguishant material type.

Devices may comprise a camera to record the condition of the surrounding space and/or indicate the presence of an invasive activity.

Some embodiments have an onboard supply of electrical energy, such as a battery. Some embodiments may be mains drive.

A further aspect provides a fire safety device including an onboard pressurising system for pressuring liquid extinguishant for release.

The device may, for example, comprise spring-loaded concentric pressurising platforms. In one embodiment when activated the platforms move to Some aspects and embodiments provide a device in combination with extinguishant, for example fire suppressing agent / extinguishing additive mixed with water at a rate of, for example, I%-5% as the extinguishant.

The fire suppressing agent/ extinguishing additive may be an aliphatic surfactant such as F500 or similar.

Devices formed in accordance with the present invention may comprise a nozzle, and the nozzle may have a triggering device to enable a fire sprinkler to activate.

A base section of a fire sprinkler device may be formed as a series of spring pressurised concentric platforms.

A sealed inner bladder may be filled with the extinguishant and is expressed when a heat trigger is deployed from the external pressure of sprung platforms.

Devices may comprise one or more spray outlets.

Devices formed in accordance with the present invention may comprise means for producing a liquid mist, for example a mesh for misting liquid. The mesh could, for example be provided as a "canopy" downstream of one or more outlets, so that the fluid passes through the mesh as it is released.

A further aspect provides a fire safety device from/through which liquid extinguishant can be released, the device is provided with means for releasing extinguishant in two or more different forms.

Extinguishant may be caused to be released from the device by means of one or more of: I) Spring loaded pressure; or 2) Compressed air/inert gas pressure; 3) Liquid/gas pressure; 4) Permanent mains water feed pressure; 5) Pumped liquid pressure.

The present invention also provides a fire safety system comprising one or more devices as described herein.

Some aspects and embodiments relate to the ability of a nozzle to express as a directional spray and also mist.

Some aspects and embodiments relate to the pressurisation of a stand-alone device.

Devices may be used automatically to extinguish a fire in a building, a room, a shipping container, or rear compartments or cargo holds of transporters for example.

Devices may comprise a base to house pressure components and/or triggering devices.

Devices may have an outer cover to prevent damage from external sources.

In some embodiments an inner bladder may be provided to retain a liquid extinguishant Devices may have a spraying nozzle which can either express the liquid as a mist or spray or both.

Devices/systems may use a fire suppressing agent or extinguishing additive. The agent/additive may, for example be mixed with water at a rate of I%-5% as the complete extinguishant.

The fire suppressing agent may be an aliphatic surfactant such as F500 or similar.

The extinguishant may be non-toxic, biodegradable, non-corrosive, and not harmful to health.

The extinguishant agent may, for example, enables water to act six times faster in suppressing a fire and actively works on the control of free radicals in heat exchange.

The presence of such a device may preserve life and property, inhibit rapid fire expansion and be an additional safety element in an enclosed space.

In some embodiments a device may include a small camera to record the condition of the surrounding space or indicate the presence of an invasive activity. Such devices would also require a small supply of electrical energy such as a battery.

The device may be fitted at high level; more than one device may be required in larger spaces.

The construction of the outer shell of fire sprinkler device may be of suitable fire resisting material such as metal or of high grade fire barrier composition.

Lining the inside of the outer shell is a layer of Kevlar fleece to prevent extremes of heat or cold affecting the spray liquid.

Inside the Kevlar lining is a bladder of rubroid material or similar to contain the liquid extinguishant In some embodiments there is a venturi mixing valve particularly when there are larger volumes of water fed into the device which then contains 100% of the suppressing agent.

The nozzle may comprise a spraying or misting component or both and it may also include a triggering mechanism for heat The nominal size of the fire sprinkler device may be such that it can hold approximately 1-1.5 litres of liquid. I0

The present invention also provides a room, container or other space fitted with one or more devices/systems/nozzles as described herein.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims. Each aspect can be carried out independently of the other aspects or in combination with one or more of the other aspects.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

Figure I shows a spray nozzle for a sprinkler device formed in accordance with the present invention.

This unique spray nozzle has the effect of providing both directional spray and mist In this embodiment the extinguishant released using the two mechanisms (spray and mist) is the same; in other embodiments it may be different e.g. plain water from one mechanism and water mixed with a fire suppression additive from another.

When attached to the outlet position of the extinguishant mix this device can express liquid at the required density of suppressing heat in the air and directly onto burning material.

It may be able to express liquid of variable pressures.

It may be made, for example, of metal or similar heat resisting material and may have resistance to heat and rapidly rising temperatures.

In some embodiments the nozzle may contain a triggering device to enable a fire sprinkler to activate.

In this embodiment a triggering device is provided in the form of a capsule placed internally that melts when the external heat engulfs the nozzle and opens up the internal feed pipe allowing the flow of extinguishant to pass.

Figure 2 shows a fire sprinkler device formed according to the present invention and having a spring-loaded pressurising system.

The device comprises spring loaded pressurised concentric platforms.

A base section of the fire sprinkler device in this embodiment is formed as a series of spring pressurised concentric platforms.

A sealed inner bladder is filled with the extinguishant and is expressed when the heat trigger is deployed from the external pressure of the sprung platforms, which squeeze/compress/press on the bladder.

Figure 3 shows a fire sprinkler device shown with an outer cover removed.

This embodiment (outer cover removed) shows the amniotic sac (bladder) inside the base.

Key marker fixtures indicate the external cover fixing point.

The liquid mix (extinguishant) fills the bladder and expresses only on heat triggering action.

The outer casing contains the nozzle and spraying mechanism.

Whenever the heat around the device reaches triggering temperature the pressure device operates and liquid extinguishant is expressed, resulting in free radical depletion above and around the fire causing rapid transfer of heat to water and fire suppression Occurs.

Figure 4 shows a fire sprinkler device formed with a compressed air and/or gas activator.

In this embodiment compressed air or inert gas is provided as the propulsion mechanism.

This mechanism is immersed in the liquid extinguishant inside the containment bladder and is operated when the heat trigger is deployed.

The liquid is pressurised from within the bladder and is expressed as fine spray or mist Figures 5 and 6 show alternative embodiments.

The devices may be fixable on a ceiling.

In some circumstances where they are connected to a permanent water supply the internal extinguishant liquid may be mixed with the incoming water via a venturi valve designed for the purpose.

The device could be designed with a type of extinguishing pressure including: I) Spring loaded pressure.

2) Compressed air/inert gas pressure.

3) Liquid/gas pressure.

4) Permanent mains water feed pressure.

5) Pumped liquid pressure.

The type of shape depends on ascetic values. Alternative shapes are shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The device may, for example, be hexagonal, tubular, oblong or round.

The device may, for example, be colour coded to identify its extinguishant material.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A fire safety device comprising a nozzle from which liquid extinguishant can be released, the nozzle is provided with means for releasing extinguishant in two or more different forms.
2. A safety device as claimed in claim I, in which the different forms have different liquid droplet sizes.
3. A safety device as claimed in claim I, in which the different forms have different velocities.
4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the nozzle can release extinguishant in a spray form and/or a mist form.
S. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a triggering mechanism for initiating release of extinguishant.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, comprising a heat trigger.
7. A fire safety device comprising a dispensing nozzle for releasing liquid extinguishant, in which the nozzle is multi-functional, having a plurality of different dispensing modes/types.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7, in which the nozzle can either express the liquid as a mist or directional spray or both simultaneously.
9. A fire safety sprinkler device comprising onboard means for generating extinguishing pressure.
10. A device according to claim 9, in which the means for generating extinguishing pressure are selected from: I) Spring loaded pressure; or 2) Compressed air/inert gas pressure.
I I. A device according to any preceding claim and being connected or connectable to a permanent water supply.
12. A device according to claim I 1, in which extinguishant liquid is retained by the device and is mixed with the incoming water.
13. A device according to claim 12, in which mixing is achieved using a venturi valve.
14. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a bladder for containing extinguishant liquid.
IS. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising an outer cover to prevent damage from external sources.
16. A device according to claim 15, comprising a lining on the inside of the outer shell
17. A device according to claim 15 or claim 16, in which the outer casing contains a nozzle and spraying mechanism.
18. A device according to ay preceding claim, comprising a base to house pressure components and/or triggering devices.
19. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the device has a shape selected from generally: hexagonal, tubular, oblong or round.
20. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the device is colour coded to identify its extinguishant material.
21. A device according to any preceding claim, comprising a camera to record the condition of the surrounding space and/or indicate the presence of an invasive activity.
22. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a supply of electrical energy.
23. A fire safety device including an onboard pressurising system for pressuring liquid extinguishant for release.
24. A device as claimed in claim 23, in which the device comprises spring-loaded concentric pressurising platforms.
25. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with a fire suppressing agent mixed with water at a rate of I %-5% as the extinguishant.
26. A device as claimed in claim 25, in which the fire suppressing agent is an aliphatic surfactant such as F500 or similar.
27. A device as claimed in any preceding claim and comprising a nozzle, and in which the nozzle has a triggering device to enable a fire sprinkler to activate.
28. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a base section of the fire sprinkler device is formed as a series of spring pressurised concentric platforms.
29. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a sealed inner bladder is filled with the extinguishant and is expressed when a heat trigger is deployed from the external pressure of sprung platforms.
30. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising one or more spray outlets.
31. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for producing a liquid mist.
32. A device as claimed in claim 31, comprising a mesh for misting liquid.
33. A fire safety device from/through which liquid extinguishant can be released, the device is provided with means for releasing extinguishant in two or more different forms.
34. A device as claimed in claim 33, in which extinguishant is caused to be released from the device by means of one or more of: I) Spring loaded pressure; or 2) Compressed air/inert gas pressure; 3) Liquid/gas pressure; 4) Permanent mains water feed pressure; 5) Pumped liquid pressure.is
35. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with extinguishant.
36. A device as claimed in any preceding claim and filled with fire suppression additive.
37. A nozzle suitable for a device as claimed in any preceding claim.
38. A fire safety system comprising one or more devices/nozzles as claimed in any preceding claim.
39. A method of extinguishing/suppressing a fire comprising use of a device/nozzle/system as claimed in any preceding claim.
40. A method of extinguishing/suppressing a fire comprising administration of an extinguishant in two or more different forms/types.