WO2025229456A1

WO2025229456A1 - Systems and methods for design and operation of a fire suppression system

Info

Publication number: WO2025229456A1
Application number: PCT/IB2025/054193
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher James DOWNING; Narayana Prasad RAYAPATI
Original assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
Current assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
Priority date: 2024-04-29
Filing date: 2025-04-22
Publication date: 2025-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-29

Abstract

A method of fire suppression in a building space includes obtaining training data indicating layouts of multiple building spaces and assets to be protected within the multiple building spaces. The method includes generating, based on the training data, a model that predicts a recommended amount of fire suppression agent to discharge at a location upstream of the assets along a flow path of air induced by an air unit to rapidly achieve an extinguishing threshold concentration level at the assets as a function of the layouts. The method includes predicting, based on a layout of a target building space by providing the layout of the target space as an input to the model, a value of the recommended amount and apportioning of the fire suppression agent for the target building space.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DESIGN AND OPERATION OF A

FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/640,014, filed April 29, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Fire suppression systems are commonly used to protect an area and objects within the area from fire. Fire suppression systems can be activated manually or automatically in response to a fire condition such as an indication that a fire is present nearby (e.g., an increase in smoke or temperature beyond a predetermined threshold value, etc.). Once activated, fire suppression systems spread a fire suppression agent throughout the area or confines of the protected object. The fire suppression agent then suppresses or controls (e.g., reduces the intensity or prevents the growth of) the fire or can fully extinguish the fire.

SUMMARY

[0003] One implementation of the present disclosure is a method of providing a fire suppression system for a building space, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining a relationship that predicts a total quantity of fire suppression agent and apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent between locations in a building space for inputs of an air flow rate through the building space and a layout of the building space. In some embodiments, the method includes, determining, using the relationship and input values of the air flow rate and the layout of a target building space that includes a critical asset, the total quantity of fire suppression agent and the apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent for the target building space. In some embodiments, the method includes operating a display to notify a user regarding the total quantity of fire suppression agent and the apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent. [0004] Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method of providing a fire suppression system for a building space, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining a relationship that predicts, for inputs of an air flow rate induced through the building space by an air handling unit, and a layout of the building space, a total quantity of fire suppression agent and apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent between multiple locations in a building space. In some embodiments, the method includes apportioning, according to the relationship and based on (i) the inputs of the air flow rate, and (ii) the layout of a target building space, the total quantity of fire suppression agent to one of the plurality of locations in the building space that is upstream of a critical asset.

[0005] Another implementation of the present disclosure is a fire suppression system for a building space, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the fire suppression system includes multiple first nozzles positioned in a first volume of the building space within which an asset is positioned. In some embodiments, the first nozzles are positioned downstream from the asset along a flow path of the building space induced by an air unit. In some embodiments, the fire suppression system includes multiple second nozzles positioned within a second volume of the building space upstream of the asset along the flow path, the second volume fluidly coupled with the first volume. In some embodiments, the fire suppression system includes one or more containers configured to store a total quantity of fire suppression agent. The one or more containers can have a first connection to the first nozzles and a second connection to the second nozzles. In some embodiments, the total quantity of fire suppression agent includes a first quantity for fire suppression within the first volume of the building space within which the asset is disposed, and a second quantity for fire suppression within the second volume of the building space. In some embodiments, the fire suppression system is configured to discharge the second quantity of fire suppression agent and at least part of the first quantity of fire suppression agent through the second nozzles via the second connection according to an apportionment of the total quantity of fire suppression agent.

[0006] Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method of fire suppression in a building space, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining training data indicating layouts of building spaces and assets to be protected within the building spaces. In some embodiments, the method includes generating, based on the training data, a model that predicts a recommended amount of fire suppression agent to discharge at a location upstream of the assets along a flow path of air induced by an air unit to achieve a threshold extinguishant concentration level at the assets as a function of the layouts in an amount of time that is less than an amount of time to reach the threshold extinguishant concentration level if the recommended amount of fire suppression agent were discharged at a location downstream of the assets along the flow path. In some embodiments, the method includes predicting, based on a layout of a target building space by providing the layout of the target space as an input to the model, a value of the recommended amount of the fire suppression agent for the target building space.

[0007] Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method of providing fire suppression, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining space-specific data of a building space including a plurality of electronic components. In some embodiments, the method includes predicting, based on the spacespecific data and using a model, a quantity of fire suppression agent required to be discharged at a location upstream of the electronic components along a flow path from a discharge side of an air unit and the plurality of electronic components. In some embodiments, the quantity of fire suppression agent is predicted to achieve a desired degree of fire suppression for the electronic components. In some embodiments, the method includes operating a display screen to provide an indication of the quantity of fire suppression agent and apportioning of a total quantity of fire suppression agent.

[0008] Another implementation of the present disclosure is a fire suppression system for a building space, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the fire suppression system includes tanks, and a discharge nozzle. In some embodiments, the tanks are configured to store a quantity of fire suppression agent. In some embodiments, the discharge nozzle is fluidly coupled with the tank and is configured to discharge a portion of the fire suppression agent at a location upstream of the electronic components along a flow path between a discharge side of an air unit and the electronic components. In some embodiments, the portion of the quantity of fire suppression agent that is discharged by the discharge nozzle includes at least part of a first quantity of the fire suppression agent designated for fire suppression of a room space within which the electronic components are positioned and a second quantity of the fire suppression agent designated for fire suppression of a supply space within which the discharge nozzle is positioned.

[0009] Another implementation of the present disclosure is a system for designing a fire suppression system for a building space, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the system includes a user interface and processing circuitry. The user interface is configured to obtain user inputs and provide display data, according to some embodiments. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain, as user inputs, input values of a flow rate induced by an air handling unit in the building space and a layout of the building space that includes a critical asset, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry is configured to determine, using a relationship and based on the flow rate and the layout of the building space, a total quantity of fire suppression agent and apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent for the building space. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry is configured to operate the user interface to notify a user regarding the total quantity of fire suppression agent and the apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying FIGURES, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

[0011] FIG. l is a diagram of a room that stores computer or electronic equipment and includes both a ceiling space and a floor space, according to some implementations.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram of another room that stores computer or electronic equipment including a floor space but not a ceiling space, according to some implementations.

[0013] FIG. 3 A is a diagram of another room that stores computer or electronic equipment including a ceiling space, a floor space, and hoods over exhaust aisles, according to some implementations.

[0014] FIG. 3B is a diagram of another room that stores computer or electronic equipment including sealed aisles between storage racks with a proportionally larger discharge of fire suppression agent into a cold side, for a room in which no floor void exists, according to some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram of another room that stores computer or electronic equipment including sealed aisles between storage racks, according to some implementations.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a planning tool for determining a quantity of fire suppression agent, according to some implementations.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process of training and implementing a model to predict a recommended amount of fire suppression agent to be discharged upstream of a protected asset in a building space, according to some implementations.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process of predicting and discharging an amount of fire suppression agent, according to some implementations.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process for designing and implementing a fire suppression system with optimal apportioning of a total quantity of fire suppression agent at different locations within a building space, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Before turning to the FIGURES, which illustrate the exemplary implementations in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the FIGURES. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

Overview

[0021] Referring generally to the FIGURES, a system is configured to predict a recommended amount of fire suppression agent at a position upstream of a protected asset along an air circulation path. The system can implement a training process in which training data of various building spaces are obtained. The system may implement various computational fluid dynamic simulations or calculations to determine a relationship, equation, or technique that determines an apportioning of the fire suppression agent (e.g., a portion, a percentage, a quantity) that should be discharged upstream to achieve a required (e.g., threshold) concentration of extinguishant or a sufficiently low (e.g., threshold) concentration of oxygen sooner at critical assets to be protected (e.g., electronic devices). The system can determine the relationship, equation, or technique as a model by implementing a model generation technique. The model may predict the recommended apportioning of fire suppression agent to be discharged upstream (e.g., a portion or percentage of a total quantity of the fire suppression agent) to achieve the sufficiently low concentration of oxygen or the sufficiently high concentration of an agent (e.g., a halocarbon, a chemical agent, etc.) for given data of a building space. The portion of the quantity of fire suppression agent that is discharged upstream of the critical assets is discharged in a targeted manner to reduce an amount of time to achieve the sufficiently high concentration of the agent or the sufficiently low concentration of oxygen at the critical assets compared to systems that discharge an un-apportioned quantity (e.g., unmodified, the entire quantity, etc.) of the fire suppression agent downstream of the critical assets. Discharging an increased proportion of the fire suppression agent upstream of the assets (e.g., within a floor space of a cold aisle arrangement) can target the critical assets to provide fire suppression agent to the assets more rapidly, and/or optimize the sizing of pipes for discharging fire suppression agent (e.g., by reducing the size of overhead pipes).

[0022] For example, various computational modeling tools may apportion fire suppressant agent to nozzles and/or portions of spaces in which the nozzles are located. However, such tools may fail to accurately account for airflow characteristics of the spaces, which can result in excess or wasted agent apportionment, such as by over- or under-allocating agent for one or more portions of the space. Such tools can similarly require excessive computational demand, such as by requiring excessively complex computations and/or excess iterations of tool usage in order to process feedback regarding initial outputs and update the outputs until an accurate result is achieved. Systems and methods in accordance with the present disclosure can more effectively incorporate airflow into agent apportionment, such as to allow for reduced and/or more efficient apportionment and/or nozzle arrangements that can result in more efficient agent apportionment. Room Arrangements

[0023] Referring particularly to FIGS. 1-4, various arrangements of a building space 10 (e.g., a protected enclosure) in which critical assets (e.g., electronic devices, data storage devices, servers, etc.) are positioned are shown. The various arrangement of the building space 10 can be used to drive implementation or training of an algorithm or model for determining a quantity of fire suppression agent (e.g., an inert gas) to discharge into the building spaces 10 at a target location (e.g., upstream of the critical assets or electronics). The algorithm or model can then be used to determine, based on newly obtained characteristics of a given room (e.g., as input by a user), a quantity of the fire suppression agent for the given protected volume (e.g., the building space 10). The protected volume and sub-compartments can have similar configuration to any of the building spaces 10 as described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-4.

[0024] The fire suppression agent can be configured to provide suppression of a fire or may be an extinguishant (e.g., an extinguishing agent) configured to provide extinguishing of a fire. It should be understood that references throughout to fire suppression agents may refer to both suppressants or extinguishants. For example, the fire suppression agent may be a chemical agent (e.g., a synthetic agent, a halocarbon, an extinguishant, an extinguishing agent, etc.) or an inert gas (e.g., pure nitrogen, a nitrogen and argon mix, pure argon, an inert gas including an amount of carbon dioxide, etc.). Inert gas can achieve fire suppression by flushing air with oxygen out of a space (e.g., via pressure displacement) while introducing the inert gas into the space, thereby resulting in a blend of inert gas and normal air containing oxygen within the space having an oxygen concentration level below a threshold to suppress fires in the space (e.g., to limit combustion). Chemical agents may include halocarbons and provide fire suppression by being introduced to the air in the space, thereby reacting with a combustion zone in the space to provide fire suppression. It should be understood that any of the techniques, systems, or methods described herein may be applicable to inert gas fire suppression agents or chemical fire suppression agents.

[0025] Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the building space 10 includes a room 22 (e.g., a medial level) that defines a space 18 within which various critical assets 28 (e.g., information technology equipment such as servers, data storage devices, or other electronics, computers, etc.) are stored. The building space 10 also includes a ceiling 14 defining a ceiling space 16 above the room 22 and a floor 24 defining a floor space 20 below the room 22. The room 22 includes multiple storage racks 26 (e.g., cabinets, modules, boxes, containers, etc.) within which the critical assets 28 for protection by a fire suppression system 32 are disposed. The building space 10 can include one or more ceiling vents 54 that allow the flow of air or gas between the space 18 of the room 22 and the ceiling space 16 of the ceiling 14 (e.g., defining a flow path). The building space 10 can include one or more floor vents 56 that allow the flow of air or gas from the floor space 20 into the space 18 of the room 22.

[0026] Referring still to FIG. 1, the building space 10 includes an air handling unit 30 (e.g., a computer room air conditioning unit, a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning unit, a chiller, etc.) that is configured to receive air from the ceiling space 16 and discharge air into the floor space 20. The air handling unit 30 can include a compressor, a filter, and dampers, and is configured to draw or recirculate exhaust or warm air from the space 18 through the vents 54 in the ceiling 14, and discharge the air into the floor space 20 (e.g., beneath a raised floor). The air handling unit 30 can receive return air from the space 18 of the room 22. The air can be cooled or chilled by a refrigeration system, and discharged towards the storage racks 26 through the floor vents 56. The cold or chilled air is provided into the storage racks 26 through on a cold side of the storage racks 26. The cold or chilled air passes across the critical assets 28, absorbing heat (e.g., via convective heat transfer), and exits the storage racks 26 on a hot side 44 of the storage racks 26. The floor vents 56 may be positioned proximate the cold side 42 of the storage racks 26 to facilitate the delivery of cold air to the storage racks 26 in order to provide cooling for the critical assets 28. The ceiling vents 54 may be positioned above the hot sides 44 of the storage racks 26 so as to receive the warm air from the hot side 44 of the storage racks 26.

[0027] Storage racks 26 that are adjacent each other can define a cold aisle (e.g., between the middle two storage racks 26) where cold air is delivered by the air handling unit 30. Storage racks 26 that are adjacent each other can also define a hot aisle where the discharge sides of the storage racks 26 face each other (e.g., a first hot aisle defined between the left two storage racks 26 as shown in FIG. 1, and a second hot aisle defined between the right two storage racks 26 as shown in FIG. 1). [0028] Referring still to FIG. 1, fire suppression systems can discharge of an inert gas or other gaseous fire suppression agent into the room 22 via a piping system (e.g., including a conduit and nozzles) that runs through the ceiling 14. Discharging inert gas into the building space 10 can result in at least a portion and/or the entirety of the space 18, the ceiling space 16, and the floor space 20 being flooded with an inert gas which thereby suppresses (e.g., extinguishes, limits conflagration from occurring, etc.) fire events at any of the critical assets 28. Discharging the fire suppression agent on the warm side 44 of the storage racks 26, however, can result in the direction of airflow induced by the air handling unit 30 opposing the direction of flow of the fire suppression agent, which can result in less effective fire suppression and/or a time delay in the agent reaching a sufficiently high concentration or the inert cause causing a sufficiently low concentration of oxygen at the critical assets 28.

[0029] A fire suppression system 32 can be disposed in the building system 10 and/or coupled with one or components disposed in the building system 10. The fire suppression system 32 can discharge a greater portion the fire suppression agent (e.g., an inert gas) on the cold side 42 of the storage racks 26 such that the direction of flow of the fire suppression agent is not opposed to the direction of airflow induced by the air handling unit 30.

[0030] Further, positioning nozzles directly proximate the storage racks 26 (e.g., in very close proximity to the critical assets 28 such as within an aisle) can potentially result in damage to the critical assets 28 when the gaseous fire suppression agent is discharged due to various factors such as the impact of noise on Hard Disk Drives (HDD). Positioning the nozzles 40 of the fire suppression system 32 on the cold side 42 at a distance from the critical assets 28 (e.g., within the floor space 20, within the air handling unit 30, etc.) can also facilitate a reduced likelihood that the critical assets 28 are damaged by noise produced during discharge.

[0031] The fire suppression system 32 includes one or more containers 34 (e.g., cylinders, canister, tanks, reservoirs, etc.) that store an inert gas or fire suppression agent (e.g., a chemical agent, a halocarbon, etc.). The container 34 is fluidly coupled with one or more nozzles 40 (e.g., a discharge device, an outlet, etc.) through a tubular member 36 (e.g., a conduit, a line, a hose, a pipe, etc.) and a valve 38. The container 34 can be pressurized (e.g., by a propellant gas) such that the container 34 is configured to discharge the fire suppression agent out of the nozzle 40 once the valve 38 is opened. The valve 38 is opened by a controller of a control system responsive to a fire event (e.g., based on sensor readings) to initiate discharge of the fire suppression agent into the building space 10. The fire suppression system 32 may also be activated manually. The container 34 can represent multiple containers that are fluidly coupled with each other (e.g., via intermediate tubular members, a manifold, etc.). The size of the container 34 can be determined by a planning tool based on characteristics of the building space 10 (e.g., size or volume of the protected space 18 of the room 22, size or volume of the ceiling space 16, size or volume of the floor space 20, minimum and maximum expected temperatures, elevation of the building space 10 above or below sea level, hazard occupancy and power, relative positioning or distance from the containers 34 to the protected space 18 of the room 22, etc.).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the fire suppression system 32 discharges the fire suppression through the nozzles 40. The nozzles 40 may include various subsets of nozzles such as nozzles 40a positioned within the space 18 of the room 22, nozzles 40b positioned within the ceiling space 16, nozzles 40c positioned within the floor space 20, and nozzle(s) 40d positioned within the air handling unit 30. In some implementations, the fire suppression system 32 includes multiple nozzles positioned at the floor vents 56 and fluidly coupled via tubular members. In some implementations, the fire suppression system 32 includes multiple nozzles 40 positioned proximate inlets of the storage racks 26 on the cold sides 42. Any such configurations of the fire suppression system 32 for the building space 10 and the positioning of the nozzle 40 are within the scope of the present disclosure. In particular, the nozzles 40c are positioned on the cold sides 42 (e.g., upstream of the critical assets 28) such that the flow direction of the fire suppression agent from the nozzle 40 to the asset 28 does not oppose a direction of flow of the air induced by the air handling unit 30. The nozzles 40c may be provided with and discharge a portion of the quantity of fire suppression agent stored by the containers 34 based on flow or fluidic characteristics of the building space 18 and based on criticality of various assets to be protected. For example, each of the building space 18, the ceiling space 16, and the floor space 20 may dictate a different amount of the fire suppression agent that, when totaled, produce the quantity of the fire suppression agent stored in the containers 34. A percentage or portion of the quantity of fire suppression agent for the building space 18 may be discharged by the nozzles 40c instead of the nozzles 40a or the nozzles 40b in order to provide more rapid fire suppression and target the critical assets 28. The apportioning of the quantity of the fire suppression agent for the building space 10 between the nozzles 40a, the nozzles 40b, the nozzles 40c, and the nozzles 40d may be determined based on or may stem from a fluid or flow characteristic of the building space 10 (e.g., determined via computer simulations, computational fluid dynamics simulations, empirical testing, calculations, etc.). Positioning the nozzles 40c and apportioning a greater quantity of fire suppression agent to the nozzles 40c that are upstream of the assets 28 advantageously leverages airflow induced by the air handling unit 30 to liberate the fire suppression agent to the assets 28 quicker compared to approaches where the room space 18 is simply flooded with fire suppression agent (e.g., at a position downstream of the assets 28).

[0033] Increasing an amount or portion of the fire suppression agent via the nozzles 40c upstream of the critical assets 28 as opposed to downstream can facilitate improved fire suppression by reducing an amount of time to reduce oxygen levels or concentrations at the critical assets 28 (e.g., if an inert gas is used as the fire suppression agent) or reducing an amount of time to elevate concentration of an agent at the critical assets 28 (e.g., if a halocarbon agent is used as the fire suppression agent). The quantity of fire suppression agent stored in the containers 34 and the portions of which are discharged by the nozzles 40a, the nozzles 40b, the nozzles 40c, and the nozzle 40d can be determined by a planning tool using computational fluid dynamics techniques, computer simulations, empirical test data, fluid or thermodynamics calculations, heuristics, etc.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, a configuration of the building space 10 is shown in which the ceiling 14 and the corresponding ceiling space 16 is not provided. In such an implementation or configuration of the building space 10, the fire suppression system 32 can still discharge an increased portion of the fire suppression agent upstream of the cold side 42 of the critical assets 28.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, a configuration of the building space 10 is shown in which the building space 10 includes the ceiling 14 and the ceiling space 16, but also includes hoods 48 positioned above the hot aisles of the storage racks 26. The hoods 48 guide air from the hot sides 44 of the storage racks 26 into the ceiling space 16. The hoods 48 can extend from the storage racks 26 to the ceiling vents 54 to facilitate the transfer of air from the hot sides 44 of the storage racks 26 into the ceiling space 16 or be ducted back to the air handling unit 30. In some embodiments, the building space 10 (e.g., the storage racks 26) include one or more collars (e.g., hot air collars) that are similar to the hoods 48 in one or more respects. The collars can be coupled to the storage racks 26, or more generally, to specific equipment as opposed to large areas such as aisles. The collars can provide an air conveyance assembly that may have the form of a duct or a chimney. The collars can direct air directly to a return air path from specific equipment or assets. The collars are not required to be connected directly to a duct or plenum. Advantageously, the collars can facilitate guiding hot air away from specific components to a return air path.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 4, a configuration of the building space 10 is shown in which the building space 10 does not include the ceiling 14 but includes roofs 52 (e.g., ceiling panels) that seal the cold aisles of the storage racks 26. The air handling unit 30 can deliver cool air into the cold aisles on the cold sides 42 of the storage racks 26 such that the cool air does not escape upwards, but is instead delivered into the storage racks 26 to cool the critical assets 28. The fire suppression system 32 can be optimized to appropriately deliver portions of the fire suppression agent into the space sealed by the roofs 52 (e.g., the cold aisles) for fire suppression. The fire suppression system 32 discharges portions of the fire suppression agent via nozzles 40c that are upstream of the assets 28 utilizing airflow induced by the air handling unit 30 to reduce the need for nozzles within the cold aisles, thereby reducing a likelihood of damage to the assets 28 that may occur due to noise produced by discharging the fire suppression agent directly proximate the assets 28. It should be understood that the building space 10 can have a configuration that is a combination of any of the configurations described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-4. For example, the building space 10 can include both the ceiling 14 (and the corresponding ceiling space 16) and the roofs 52 positions over the storage racks 26.

Agent Apportioning Planning Tool

[0037] Referring particularly to FIG. 5, a planning system 100 for designing characteristics or parameters of the fire suppression system 32 (including, for example and without limitation, for any of the configurations of the building space 10 in FIGS. 1-4 above). The planning system 100 includes a planning tool 102, a database 110, a user interface 112, and a design system 122. In some implementations, the design system 122 is optional. The planning tool 102 is configured to implement a training mode to determine a model, an equation, etc., and an on-line mode, or output from a software tool, where the model is implemented for space-specific data obtained for a new space to generate design data and apportion a quantity of fire suppression agent between nozzles 40 in different locations (e.g., determine a portion of a total amount of fire suppression agent to be discharged via the nozzles 40c).

[0038] The planning tool 102 is configured to receive training data from the database 110 indicative of building spaces 10. In some implementations, the training data includes computer assisted design (CAD) models of building spaces 10 (e.g., building spaces 10 having varied characteristics) and their layouts. The training data can also include an overall volume of the building space 10 (e.g., a sum of all of a first volume of the floor space 20, a second volume of the space 18, and a third volume of the ceiling space 16). The training data can also include the volume (e.g., the second volume) of the space 18 of the room 22, excluding volumes of the space 18 occupied by the storage racks 26 and aisles between the storage racks 26 (or excluding a volume of collars beneath which the assets are disposed). The training data can also include separate values of the volumes of each of the aisles between the storage racks 26 (e.g., including volume of the storage racks 26). In some implementations, the training data also includes a volume of various voids of the building space 10 separately (e.g., the volume of the ceiling space 16, the volume of the floor space 20, etc.). The training data can also include an air flow rate (e.g., at least one of a volumetric flow rate, a mass flow rate, a velocity, air changes per hour, etc.) induced by the air handling unit 30.

[0039] The planning tool 102 is shown to include processing circuitry 104 including a processor 106 and memory 108. Processor 106 can be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. Processor 106 is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory 108 or received from other computer readable media (e.g., CDROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.). [0040] Memory 108 can include one or more devices (e.g., memory units, memory devices, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing and/or facilitating the various processes described in the present disclosure. Memory 108 can include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage, non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitable memory for storing software objects and/or computer instructions. Memory 108 can include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. Memory 108 can be communicably connected to processor 106 via processing circuitry 104 and can include computer code for executing (e.g., by processor 106) one or more processes described herein. When processor 106 executes instructions stored in memory 108, processor 106 generally configures the planning tool 102 (and more particularly processing circuitry 104) to complete such activities.

[0041] In some implementations, the planning tool 102 includes a communications interface (e.g., a USB port, a wireless transceiver, etc.) configured to receive and transmit data. The communications interface can include wired or wireless communications interfaces (e.g., jacks, antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, wire terminals, etc.) for conducting data communications external systems or devices. In various implementations, the communications can be direct (e.g., local wired or wireless communications) or via a communications network (e.g., a WAN, the Internet, a cellular network, etc.). For example, the communications interface can include a USB port or an Ethernet card and port for sending and receiving data via an Ethernet-based communications link or network. In another example, the communications interface can include a Wi-Fi transceiver for communicating via a wireless communications network or cellular or mobile phone communications transceivers. In some implementations, the communications interface facilitates wired or wireless communications between controller 102 and the user interface 112, the database 110, or the design system 122.

[0042] The planning tool 102 can include the database 110 in the memory 108, or the database 110 can be externally located (e.g., in a remote server, a cloud computing system, etc.). The planning tool 102 can be implemented in a remote manner (e.g., by servers). [0043] Referring still to FIG. 5, the memory 108 of the planning tool 102 includes a simulation manager 114, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulator 116, a model generator 118, and/or a model 120. The simulation manager 114 is configured to set up various simulations, e.g., CFD simulations. The simulation can include a process to determine one or more variables (e.g., state variables, such as pressure and temperature) regarding one or more fluids at a plurality of time points, such as based on fluid dynamics rules regarding the variables. The simulation manager 114 can initiate one or more CFD simulations performed by the CFD simulator 116 for various configurations of building spaces 10 identified in the training data, including for corresponding values of quantities of agent being discharged upstream of the storage racks 26. The CFD simulator 116 is configured to implement the simulations set up by the simulation manager 114 to determine improved apportioning of fire suppression agent between different nozzles 40 (e.g., between the nozzles 40c and the nozzles 40a and 40b) to improve a rate at which an oxygen concentration or agent concentration is achieved at the storage racks 26 or critical assets 28 therein.

[0044] The model generator 118 is configured to receive the results of the CFD simulator 116 (e.g., output from the simulation performed by the CFD simulator 116), and can use the results to configure (e.g., generate, populate, tune, etc.), the model 120. For example, the model generator 118 can determine one or more parameters of the model 120 based on output from the CFD simulator 116.

[0045] The simulation manager 114 can obtain the training data and set up one or more simulations for each various building space 10 contained in the training data. In some implementations, the simulation manager 114 is configured to set up multiple simulations for each of the building spaces 10, each of the multiple simulations having a corresponding optimized quantity or portion of fire suppression agent for discharge at the upstream position of the storage racks 26 or critical assets 28. The simulation manager 114 can also provide various geometric or layout data (e.g., CAD models) to the CFD simulator 116 for performing the simulations. The simulation manager 114 can also provide the corresponding air flow rate, selected by a user, for each of the building spaces 10 to be implemented by the CFD simulator 116. The simulation manager 114 can generate an array of various values of the quantity of fire suppression agent to be discharged, and cause the CFD simulator 116 to perform the CFD simulation or a calculation for each building space 10 of the training data, for each of the corresponding values of apportioning of the quantity of fire suppression agent.

[0046] The CFD simulator 116 is configured to implement the simulations set up by the simulation manager 114 for each of the building spaces 10 in the training data, and for each of the corresponding quantities of fire suppression agent for discharge relative to airflow. The CFD simulator 116 is configured to perform the simulation to determine apportioning of corresponding quantities of the fire suppression agent (e.g., portions of a total quantity of the fire suppression agent) to be discharged upstream and downstream of the assets 28. In some implementations, the CFD simulator 116 outputs the results to the model generator 118, as well as the corresponding training data (e.g., the values of the various volumes and the airflow rate).

[0047] The model generator 118 is configured to implement model training or generation (e.g., an artificial intelligence model, a neural network, a regression technique, etc.) to generate, tune, or adjust the model 120. In particular, the model generator 118 uses the results of the CFD simulations performed by the CFD simulator 116 and the training data obtained from the database 110 to generate the model 120. The model 120 is generated by the model generator 118 such that the model 120 is configured to calculate an additional quantity of the fire suppression agent required to be discharged upstream rather than elsewhere (e.g., downstream) to drive the oxygen concentration or agent levels (e.g., extinguishant, a degree of fire suppression) to at least a threshold amount (e.g., within a required or reduced amount of time) as a function of the overall volume of a building space, the volume of the room space 18 (minus the volume of the aisles and the storage racks 26), the volume of the aisles and storage racks 26, the volume of the floor space 20, the volume of the ceiling space 16, and the air flow rate of the building space 10. In some implementations, the model generator 118 uses results from the CFD simulator 116 that have results that achieve the desired extinguishing concentration level (e.g., less than 15% oxygen).

[0048] The model 120 can, generally, have the form of where Quantity _agent is the quantity of the fire suppression agent required to discharge upstream of storage racks 26, V_overau is overall volume of the building space 10, V_room is the volume of the room space 18 (minus the volumes of the aisles and the storage racks 26), ^target is the volume of a target of the optimized flow of the fire suppression system 32 (e.g., the aisles formed between the storage racks 26 and the storage racks 26 themselves), V_voids is the volume of the voids of the building space 10 (e.g., the floor space 20 and the ceiling space 16 if the building space 10 includes such spaces), and Q_AHU is the flow rate of the air handling unit 30 of the building space (e.g., velocity, mass flow rate, volumetric flow rate), and f is a function (e.g., an equation, a predictive model) that relates the inputs (Voveraii> oomi ^target’ ^voids' QAHU) to the output Quantity agent • The model generator 118 can perform a multi-dimensional regression technique or a neural network training technique to determine the function f. The function f can have the form of matrices with coefficient weights, convolutions, etc., and the inputs can be provided as input vector.

[0049] In some implementations, the model generator 118 is configured to predict or generate a version of the model 120 that identifies relationships between ratios of any of the aforementioned volumes, the airflow rate, or input variables and the predicted quantity of fire suppression agent required to achieve desired extinguishing concentration at the storage racks 26 sooner. For example, based on the results of the CFD simulations performed by the CFD simulator 116, the model generator 118 can determine a heuristic or simplified model based on a ratio of the volume of the building space 10 V_overcM, the volume of the room space 18, -oom, etc., ^and the required amount of agent to be apportioned for discharge at a position upstream of the storage racks 26 for improved fire suppression. Advantageously, the model 120 is generated as a result of CFD simulations (e.g., less than 100 various CFD simulations) in order to account for the fluid dynamics of a specific space, the positioning and size of the storage racks 26, the expansion and flow of the fire suppression agent, and the air flow rate induced by the air handling unit 30. Other approaches to determining the required amount of fire suppression agent do not treat the storage racks 26 themselves and the air flow rate of the air handling unit 30 as variables, and therefore can result in sub-optimal discharge of fire suppression agent. Further, other approaches do not examine the impact that positioning the nozzles 40 upstream of the storage racks 26 along the flow path of air flow induced by the air handling unit 30. [0050] Referring still to FIG. 5, the simulation manager 114, the CFD simulator 116, the model generator 118, and the model 120 can be configured to account for positioning and/or number of the discharge nozzles 40 as variables in the model 120 such that the model 120 can also predict optimal positioning and number of the nozzles 40 in the building space 10. The design system 122 can use results of the model 120 to determine optimal positioning and numbers of the nozzles 40 for a particular building space 10. In some implementations, such as where the model 120 is configured to predict an optimal mass of agent flow and number of the nozzles 40 in the building space 10, the simulation manager 114 can also set up the CFD simulator 116 such that the CFD simulator 116 also implements simulations with various numbers of nozzles at various locations. The model generator 118 can therefore treat both the number and position of each nozzle 40 as output variables. The model 120 can therefore output a single solution for positioning and number of the nozzles 40 along with corresponding quantity of the fire suppression agent, or can output multiple solutions for positioning and number of the nozzles 40 along with corresponding quantities of the fire suppression agent if the solution provides multiple optima.

[0051] Referring still to FIG. 5, once the model 120 has been generated using the techniques described in greater detail above (e.g., a training process), the model 120 can be implemented on-line, within calculation packages, etc. When the model 120 is implemented on-line, the model 120 is configured to obtain space-specific data as provided by a user via the user interface 112. The space-specific data can include entered values of the overall volume of a given building space 10 (V_overan), the volume of the room space 18 of the given building space 10 (e.g., excluding the volume of the aisles and the storage racks 26, V_room), the volume of the target of the fire suppression system 32 (e.g., the volume of the storage racks 26 and the critical assets 28, V_target), the volume of the voids of the building space 10 (e.g., the volume of the floor space 20 and the volume of the ceiling space 16), and the air flow rate of the air handling unit 30. In some implementations, the user can simply upload a file of a CAD model of the building space 10 and identify information regarding the air handling unit 30 (e.g. the air flow rate). The planning tool 102 can extract the needed inputs for the model 120 from the CAD model automatically. In some embodiments, volumes of the aisles can be paired with volumes of the storage racks 26 for cold airless. In some embodiments, for hot aisles, volumes of the storage racks 26 and the aisles are provided as separate values. For example, one or more inputs for the apportionment of the agent can include volume of the aisles between adjacent storage racks 26 as a separate input.

[0052] The model 120 is configured to use the inputs obtained from the CAD model or the user interface (e.g., the space-specific data) and predict, based on the inputs, the required quantity of the fire suppression agent to be discharged upstream of the storage racks 26 to achieve a desired extinguishing concentration at the storage racks 26. The model 120 can also, if configured to do so, output optimal locations and number of the nozzles 40 within the building space 10. The required quantity of the fire suppression agent to be apportioned can be displayed on the user interface 112 (e.g., a display screen thereof) as a recommended agent quantity. If the design system 122 is provided, the design system 122 can also obtain the recommended agent quantity and determine recommended nozzle locations and number of nozzles (shown in FIG. 5 as design data) which can be provided to the user interface 112 and displayed on the user interface 112. Advantageously, the planning tool 102 can provide design recommendations including apportioning of fire suppression agent between different nozzles 40 (e.g., a portion of a total quantity of fire suppression agent to be discharged via the nozzles 40c) to achieve adequate fire suppression in a reduced amount of time while also reducing an amount of fire suppression agent that is discharged downstream of the assets 28 which may require installation labor and additional materials.

[0053] Referring still to FIG. 5, the CFD simulator 116 may be optional. For example, the model 120 may have the form of a mathematical relationship, a function, a prediction technique, a chart, etc., that predicts apportioning of a total quantity of fire suppression agent for inputs of a given space (e.g., for a target building space 10). The model 120 may be generated using the results of empirical tests (e.g., experiments) or using other calculations such as thermodynamic and fluid calculations. The model 120 can therefore be determined based on CFD simulations, empirical tests, other simulations, or constructed via calculations. The model 120 is generally configured to determine, based on geometries of a given building space 10 (e.g., ) and one or more air characteristics (e.g., a value of speed, air changes per hour, volumetric flow rate, mass flow rate, etc., induced by the air handling unit 30) of the given building space 10, both a total quantity of agent for the given building space 10 and apportioning of the total quantity of the fire suppression agent at different nozzles 40. The apportioning may include a portion, percentage, or amount of the total quantity of the fire suppression agent to be discharged upstream of critical assets 28 in the building space. For example, the apportioning may include the amount or portion of the total quantity of fire suppression agent that should be discharged in the floor volume 20, discharged through nozzles 40c, or otherwise discharged at a position upstream of the assets 28. The apportioning may also define portions of the total quantity of fire suppression agent that should be discharged in other locations (e.g., in the ceiling space 16, in the room space 18, in the air handling unit 30, etc.).

[0054] In some embodiments, the total quantity of fire suppression agent for a given room or protected space may include different quantities that are designated for, or determined as a result of, the various sub-spaces of the room or protected space. For example, the building space 10 in FIG. 1 may require different quantities of fire suppression agent based on size and characteristics of the floor space 20, the room space 18, the ceiling space 16, the air handling unit 30, etc., that when aggregated result in a total quantity of fire suppression agent for the building space 10. The apportioning of the fire suppression agent implemented by the systems and methods described herein advantageously may assign portions of the quantity of the fire suppression agent determined based on the size and characteristics of the room space 18 to the floor space 20 (e.g., via the nozzles 40c at the position upstream of the assets 28) to result in a more rapid fire suppression at the assets 28 compared to systems that discharge the quantity designated for fire suppression of the room space 18 directly into the room space 18 (e.g., via the nozzles 40a).

[0055] The apportioning may be used to drive design and placement of nozzles (e.g., the nozzles 40a, the nozzles 40b, the nozzles 40c, and the nozzle 40d) to implement the apportioning of the fire suppression agent by the fire suppression system 32. In one example, if the total agent quantity is determined to be V_totai, the apportioning may include a first portion of V_totai (e.g., a first percentage) that should be discharged upstream of the assets 28 (e.g., by the nozzles 40c in the floor space 20), a second portion of V_totai (e.g., a second percentage) that should be discharged downstream of the assets 28 within a same space as the assets 28 (e.g., the room space 18), a third portion of V_totai (e.g., a third percentage) that should be discharged downstream of the assets 28 in a return duct or ceiling void (e.g., the ceiling space 16, if provided, ductwork, etc.), and a fourth portion of V_totai (e.g., a fourth percentage) that should be discharged within the air handling unit 30 of the given building space 10. It should be understood that the example provided herein of apportioning is nonlimiting and provided for illustrative purposes. In some embodiments, the apportioning (e.g., the total agent quantity and percentage or portions of the total agent quantity that should be discharged in various locations in the building space 10) is displayed on the user interface 112 to provide a fire suppression system installer or designer with improved insight for providing a more effective fire suppression system that targets critical assets and achieves improved fire suppression by optimal apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent.

[0056] The design system 122 may be configured to use the apportioning provided by the planning tool 102 to determine locations for the nozzles 40 to achieve the apportioning. For example, the design system 122 may determine a number and position of the nozzles 40c to provide the apportioned amount of the total fire suppression agent at the position upstream of the critical assets 28. The design data provided by the design system 122 may also include recommended manifolds, fitting, pipe sizes, number of containers for the fire suppression system, etc., to achieve the apportioning output by the planning tool 102.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 6, a flow diagram of a process 200 for building (e.g., training) and deploying a model for designing a fire suppression system for a space includes steps 202-214, according to some implementations. The process 200 can be implemented by the planning tool 102, or more generally, by the planning system 100. In some implementations, the process 200 can allow for improved efficiency of fire suppression systems to achieve a target performance level.

[0058] The process 200 includes obtaining training data of various building spaces. The training data can indicate, for example, a volume of multiple various sub-sections of the building spaces, a position and size of storage racks, and a flow rate of an air handling unit in the building spaces (step 202), according to some implementations. Step 202 can be performed by the planning tool 102 by receiving the training data from the database 110. The training data can be a CAD model of multiple building spaces 10 having various configurations or layouts. The training data can also include various volumes of the subsections of the building spaces. For example, the training data can include an overall or total volume of the building spaces 10, the volumes of the room spaces 18 of each building spaces 10 (minus the volumes of the aisles and the storage racks 26), the volumes of the targets for the fire suppression system 32 (e.g., the volume of the aisles and the storage racks 26), the volumes of the voids of the building space (e.g., the volumes of the floor space 20 and the ceiling space 16), and the flow rate of the air handling unit 30.

[0059] The process 200 includes performing computational fluid dynamic simulations for the various building spaces to determine the apportioning of a total quantity of fire suppression agent to achieve an extinguishing concentration level at the storage racks that is less than or equal to a threshold (step 204), according to some implementations. Step 204 is performed by the simulation manager 114, which constructs multiple simulations for the CFD simulator 116 to perform. The various simulations can include a corresponding quantity of fire suppression agent for discharge upstream of the storage racks 26. The results of the CFD simulations can, for example, each include the achieved oxygen level that results from the simulation (e.g., from discharging the increased or apportioned quantity of fire suppression agent upstream), the total quantity of fire suppression agent, and the various space data (e.g., the volume of the various sub-sections of the building spaces, the position and size of storage racks, and the flow rate of the air handling unit) associated with the simulation. The CFD simulations performed in step 204 may be first simulations or training simulations for configuring, training, or tuning the model generated in step 206.

[0060] The process 200 includes generating, based on the results of the computational fluid dynamic simulations, etc., a model that predicts the quantity of fire suppression agent for input data of a given building space (step 206), according to some implementations. In some implementations, the model is generated by implementing a regression technique (e.g., a multi-dimensional regression or curve fitting technique), a model generation technique, a neural network training technique, etc. The model is configured to predict a quantity of fire suppression agent to be discharged upstream of storage racks 26 of a building space in order to achieve a desired extinguishing concentration level at the storage racks 26 given various characteristics or geometry of a given building space (e.g., the volumes of the various subsections of the building spaces, the position and size of storage racks 26, the flow rate of the air handling unit 30, etc.). In some implementations, step 206 is performed by the model generator 118. In some implementations, steps 202-206 are performed as a training procedure to generate the model (e.g., the model 120). [0061] The process 200 includes obtaining a user input indicating a volume of sub-sections of a particular building space, a position and size of storage racks within the particular building space, and the flow rate of the air handling unit within the particular building space (step 208), according to some implementations. The step 208 can be performed by the planning tool 102 by obtaining space-specific data from the user interface 112. The step 208 can include obtaining a CAD model of a given building space 10 for which a fire suppression system is being designed, installed, or updated. The step 208 can also include obtaining any values of any parameters of the given building space 10 similar to the parameters obtained in step 202 of the training data. For example, step 208 can include obtaining values of the overall volume of the building space 10 (e.g., V_overan), volume of the room space 18 (minus the volumes of the aisles and the storage racks 26, V_room), volume of a target area of the fire suppression system 32 (e.g., the volumes of the aisles formed between the storage racks 26 and the storage racks 26 themselves, V_target volume of the voids of the given building space 10 (e.g., the volume of the floor space 20 and the volume of the ceiling space 16 if the given building space 10 includes the ceiling space 16, V_voids), and the flow rate of the air handling unit 30 for the given building space 10 (e.g., QAHU)-

[0062] The process 200 includes predicting, using the model and based on the volume of the sub-sections of the particular building space, the position and size of the storage racks, and the flow rate (e.g., of the air handling unit 30), an apportioning of a total quantity of fire suppression agent for the given building space (e.g., the apportioning defining an amount or portion of the fire suppression agent to be discharged upstream of the storage racks) (step 210), according to some implementations. Step 210 can be performed by the model 120. The model 120 can be implemented locally on the planning tool 102, or can be implemented remotely in a cloud computing system. The model 120 is configured to use the values of the parameters to predict the quantity of fire suppression agent to be apportioned upstream for the given building space 10 to achieve improved extinguishing concentration and reduce an amount of time to achieve sufficient extinguishing concentration. Responsive to the fire suppression agent including a halocarbon (e.g., not an inert gas), the model 120 can use the values of the parameters to predict the quantity of fire suppression agent for the given building space 10 to achieve a desired concentration of the halocarbon in the air at the storage racks 26. The step 210 can also include apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent between a position upstream of the storage racks or a critical asset and a position downstream of the storage racks or a critical asset. In particular, apportioning can include determining a portion of fire suppression agent to discharge upstream of an asset in order to leverage a known airflow, directing fire suppression agent to a location upstream of the asset, or otherwise determining a portion of the total quantity of fire suppression agent to discharge upstream of the asset in order to leverage the known airflow towards the asset.

[0063] The process 200 can include predicting locations for one or more nozzles based on the apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent for the particular building space (step 212), according to some implementations. In some implementations, step 212 is optional. Step 212 can be performed by the model 120 as a part of step 210 (e.g., if the model 120 is trained to predict locations of the nozzles), or can be a post-prediction step performed by the design system 122. Step 212 can include determining both the locations for one or more nozzles (e.g., relative to the storage racks 26) as well as a number of nozzles to be disposed in the building space 10.

[0064] The process 200 includes operating a display to provide the quantity of fire suppression agent, the apportioning of the quantity of fire suppression agent to different nozzles or volumes, and the positions of the nozzles as design data (step 214), according to some implementations. In some implementations, step 214 is performed by the user interface 112 (e.g., a display screen). Process 200 advantageously facilitates providing real-time design recommendations, savings associated with discharging an increased or determined amount of the fire suppression agent upstream of the storage racks 26 (e.g., potentially reducing fire losses as well as reducing installation labor and materials), and a recommended amount of fire suppression agent.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 7, a flow diagram of a process 300 for predicting an amount of fire suppression agent to discharge and discharging the amount of fire suppression agent includes steps 302-306. The process 300 can be performed by the planning system 100 and a control system of the fire suppression system 32.

[0066] The process 300 includes predicting, using a model, an amount of fire suppression agent to be discharged upstream of an asset along a flow path induced by an air circulation unit (step 302), according to some implementations. Step 302 can be performed by implementing process 200, or by using techniques of the planning tool 102 described in greater detail above with reference to FIG. 5. In some implementations, step 302 is performed based on one or more characteristics of the given building space into which the fire suppression agent will be discharged. Step 302 may include predicting a total quantity of fire suppression agent for a given building space (e.g., based on a flow characteristic or air flow value and layout of the space), and an apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent (e.g., what portion, quantity, or percentage of the total quantity should be discharged upstream of the asset, what portion, quantity, or percentage of the total quantity should be discharged downstream of the asset, etc.) The model may be determined using CFD simulations, empirical test results, other computer simulation techniques, a heuristic, thermodynamic and fluid flow equations, a regression, etc. In some embodiments, implementing the model includes implementing a step-by-step process that uses various sets of equations, simulation results, or calculations. Advantageously, step 302 is performed to predict, based on size, space, volumes, layout of the building space, and number and arrangement of critical assets to be protected, the amount of fire suppression agent (e.g., a total quantity of fire suppression agent for a target building space, and apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent to be discharged into various volumes of the target building space or at different locations along a flow path of air induced by an air unit). Discharging the fire suppression agent upstream of the critical assets along the flow path induced by the air circulation unit (e.g., the air handling unit 30) facilitates a reduced time to achieve fire suppression at the asset 28 and may reduce a required amount of pipework by leveraging the flow of air.

[0067] The process 300 includes installing a fire suppression system with containers storing the amount of fire suppression agent (step 304), according to some implementations. In some implementations, step 304 is performed by technicians by selecting containers of fire suppression agent that store the amount of fire suppression agent and fluidly coupling various tubular members, nozzles, etc., within a building space.

[0068] The process 300 includes, responsive to of a fire event in a building space of the asset, or manual activation, causing the fire suppression system to discharge the amount of fire suppression agent to rapidly drive an extinguishing concentration at the asset beyond a minimum threshold (step 306), according to some implementations. In some implementations, step 306 is performed by a control system (e.g., control system 300) based on sensor data of the building space. Once a fire event is detected, the fire suppression system is operated to discharge the optimized amount of fire suppression agent along a flow path induced by the air circulation unit at a position upstream of the storage racks 26. For example, discharging the fire suppression agent at the position upstream of the storage racks 26 can more quickly drive the oxygen concentration levels at the storage racks or critical assets (e.g., electronic devices) to less than a flaming combustion threshold (e.g., 15% oxygen for an inert gas system) to suppress fires or reduce a likelihood of conflagration.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 8, a flow diagram of a process 400 for designing a fire suppression system and using the fire suppression system to suppress a fire in a building space includes steps 402-414, according to some embodiments. The process 400 may be implemented to implement a technique for apportioning a total quantity of fire suppression agent for a building space optimally (e.g., such that critical assets are prioritized or provided with adequate extinguishant levels rapidly or in a required period of time). The process 400 may result in determining apportioning of fire suppression agent in which an amount of fire suppression agent discharged upstream of an asset that is greater than an amount of fire suppression agent discharged downstream of the asset. In some embodiments, the apportioning of the fire suppression agent (e.g., what portion of a total quantity of fire suppression agent is discharged upstream of an asset) is determined based on a flow characteristic of the building space (e.g., an expected airflow rate of an air handling unit in the space, a flow characteristic of the space that results from a layout of the space such as various areas or zones of high flow rate in the space, etc.). Advantageously, the process 400 facilitates a fire suppression system that is tailored for a specific space in order to optimally achieve extinguishant concentration levels at assets based on a relative prioritization of the assets in the specific space (e.g., in a required period of time).

[0070] The process 400 includes obtaining empirical data or simulation data of fire suppression results for building spaces with various total agent quantities, agent apportioning, values of one or more air flow characteristics, and geometries (step 402), according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, step 402 is performed in order to obtain training data that results from simulations (e.g., computational fluid dynamics simulations) or real -world empirical tests. Step 402 may be performed to generate data that can be used to determine a relationship or equation(s) to predict apportioning of fire suppression agent for a target space in which a fire suppression system is to be installed. Step 402 may be optional if the relationship or equation(s) are generated based on physics-based models or calculations such as flow calculations or thermodynamics equations. The agent apportioning may include a percentage or portion of ta total quantity of fire suppression agent from the empirical test or simulation that is discharged upstream or downstream of assets. The fire suppression results can include the resulting extinguishant levels at assets (e.g., IT equipment) and an elapsed amount of time required to drive the extinguishant levels to at least a threshold. The geometries may generally be a layout of the various building spaces including volumes of the building spaces and sub-volumes of the building spaces.

[0071] The process 400 includes determining, based on the empirical test data or the simulation data, a relationship that predicts apportioning of the agent required to achieve desired fire suppression results (step 404), according to some embodiments. Step 404 can include performing a regression or other model generation technique to determine the relationship. In some embodiments, step 404 is performed by the model generator 118. In some embodiments, step 404 includes obtaining or receiving the relationship as a program input if the relationship is determined based on calculations (e.g., based on fluid flow and/or thermodynamics calculations). The relationship may be an equation, a set of equations, a set of calculations, etc., that is configured to determine apportioning of a total agent for a given space based on inputs that reflect characteristics of the given space.

[0072] The process 400 includes obtaining inputs for a target building space, the inputs including a value of an air flow through the space and geometries of the target space (step 406), according to some embodiments. The inputs may be provided by a technician or fire suppression designer to the planning tool 102 via the user interface 112 (e.g., via a graphical user interface including fields for each of the required inputs). The inputs can include a CAD model of the target building space, and any of the volumes described in greater detail above with reference to FIG. 5 (e.g., V_overcM, V_room, ^target- ^voids)' - The value of the air flow through the space may be a speed, volumetric flow rate, mass flow rate, air changes per hour, etc., as induced by an air handling unit (e.g., the air handling unit 30) of the target building space. The inputs may also include any other flow characteristic or parameter of the target building space such as locations of areas of high turbulence or expected areas of high flow, etc.

[0073] The process 400 includes predicting, using the relationship and based on the inputs, the apportioning of the agent for the target space, the apportioning of the agent defining a portion of the total agent quantity to be discharged upstream of an asset in the target building space (step 408), according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, step 408 is performed by the planning tool 102 by implementing the relationship established at step 404 (e.g., the model 120). The apportioning of the agent may define a portion or a percentage of the total quantity of fire suppression agent that should be discharged upstream of the asset (e.g., in a floor volume). The apportioning may also define other portions or percentages of the total quantity of the fire suppression agent for the target building space that should be discharged in other locations of the target building space (e.g., downstream of the assets, within an air handling unit, in a ceiling space or return plenum, etc.). In some embodiments, step 408 also includes determining a recommendation of number of nozzles or discharge devices and corresponding locations in order to optimally discharge the various portions of the fire suppression agent into the building space according to the apportioning.

[0074] The process 400 includes operating a display to notify a user regarding the total agent quantity and the apportioning of the agent (step 410), according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, step 410 includes providing the total agent quantity (e.g., a total quantity of fire suppression agent) and the apportioning of the agent (e.g., which portions of the total agent quantity should be discharged where or at what locations in the building space) as a result of the relationship (e.g., an output of the planning tool 102).

[0075] The process 400 includes installing a fire suppression system in the target building space that is configured to provide the total agent quantity to the target building space according to the apportioning of the agent (step 412), according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, step 412 is performed by a technician and includes installing one or more containers that store pressurized fire suppression agent, a manifold, tubular members, and discharge nozzles, etc., such that the fire suppression system is configured to store the total quantity of the fire suppression agent, and discharge portions of the fire suppression agent to various locations (e.g., upstream and downstream of one or more critical assets in the building space) in accordance with the apportioning of the agent determined in step 408.

[0076] The process 400 includes, responsive to a fire event in the target building space, discharging the total agent via various discharge devices of the fire suppression system such that the total agent quantity is discharged according to the apportioning of the agent (step 414), according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, step 414 is performed mechanically (e.g., using a mechanical activation technique), using a controller (e.g., responsive to sensor data), or manually.

[0077] Advantageously, the planning tool 102 can implement any of the process 200, the process 300, or the process 400 in order to enable determination of positioning of nozzles in a space and apportionment of a total quantity of fire suppression agent between downstream nozzles and upstream nozzles. Designing fire suppression systems using computer technologies can require various modeling techniques in order to ensure that the fire suppression system adequately extinguishes any fire in the space in a required amount of time. Advantageously, the planning tool 102 can be implemented in order to provide a relationship that reflects a variety of computational fluid dynamics simulations. The relationship can advantageously account for and predict apportionment of a total quantity of fire suppression agent to an upstream location based on flow rate through the space without requiring computationally intensive simulations (e.g., without directly performing CFD when provided with input data of a target space).

Configuration of Exemplary Implementations

[0078] The attached appendix describes various exemplary implementations of the systems and methods described herein as well as exemplary system architectures, frameworks, operating environments, or the like in which the systems and methods described herein can be implemented. The systems of the present disclosure can include any of the hardware, software, or other components described in the appendix and can be configured to perform any of the functions described in the attached appendix. Similarly, the methods or processes of the present disclosure can include any of the processing steps described in the appendix. In some implementations, the systems and methods described herein can be implemented using or in combination with any of the systems, methods, or other features described in the appendix. It should be understood that the disclosure provided in the appendix is provided as an example only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0079] As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

[0080] It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various implementations, are intended to indicate that such implementations are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible implementations (and such terms are not intended to connote that such implementations are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

[0081] The term “coupled,” as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining can be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining can be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. Such members can be coupled mechanically, electrically, and/or fluidly.

[0082] The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that an element can be either X, Y, Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain implementations require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.

[0083] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements can differ according to other exemplary implementations, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0084] The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the implementations disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also can be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some implementations, particular processes and methods can be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) can include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory can be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and can include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary implementation, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit and/or the processor) the one or more processes described herein. [0085] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The implementations of the present disclosure can be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Implementations within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine- readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

[0086] Although the figures and description can illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps can differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps can be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation can depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

[0087] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the fire suppression system as shown in the various exemplary implementations is illustrative only. Although only a few implementations have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary implementations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of providing a fire suppression system for a building space, the method comprising: obtaining a relationship that predicts, for inputs of an air flow rate induced through the building space by an air handling unit, and a layout of the building space, a total quantity of fire suppression agent and apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent between a plurality of locations in a building space; and apportioning, according to the relationship and based on (i) the inputs of the air flow rate, and (ii) the layout of a target building space, the total quantity of fire suppression agent to one of the plurality of locations in the building space that is upstream of a critical asset.

2. The method of Claim 1, further comprising: operating a display to notify a user regarding the total quantity of fire suppression agent and the apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent; installing a fire suppression system in the target building space that is configured to discharge the total quantity of fire suppression agent according to the apportioning; and discharging, by the fire suppression system, the total quantity of fire suppression agent according to the apportioning responsive to a fire event in the target building space.

3. The method of Claim 1, wherein the apportioning defines a first portion or percentage of the total quantity of fire suppression agent to be discharged at a position upstream of the critical asset along a flow path induced by an air handling unit, and at least one of (i) one or more second portions or percentages of the total quantity of fire suppression agent to be discharged at a position downstream of the critical asset along the flow path, or (ii) one or more third portions or percentages of the total quantity of fire suppression agent to be discharged at one or more other positions to provide fire suppression for one or more other assets in the building space.

4. The method of Claim 1, wherein the relationship is obtained by: obtaining empirical test data that results from an empirical test or simulation data that results from a simulation, the empirical test data or the simulation data comprising fire suppression results of various building spaces for various apportioning of a corresponding total quantity of fire suppression agent; and generating the relationship based on the empirical test data or the simulation data.

5. The method of Claim 1, wherein the relationship is configured to determine the total quantity of fire suppression agent and the apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent for the target building space to drive an extinguishant level at the critical asset to at least a threshold within a required period of time.

6. The method of Claim 1, wherein the target building space comprises a plurality of the critical asset, wherein the layout of the target building space comprises: an overall volume of the target building space; a volume of a room space of the target building space, the volume of the room space excluding a volume of one or more storage racks of the plurality of the critical assets and aisles between adjacent storage racks of the plurality of the critical assets; a volume of the storage rack of the plurality of the critical assets and the aisles between the adjacent storage racks of the plurality of the critical assets; and a volume of floor voids, ceiling voids, or plenums of the building space.

7. The method of Claim 1, further comprising: predicting, based on the total quantity of fire suppression agent and the apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent, a position and number of a plurality of nozzles required to achieve discharge of the total quantity of the fire suppression agent into a plurality of spaces in the target building space according to the apportioning of the total quantity of the fire suppression agent; and operating a display to notify the user regarding the position and number of the plurality of nozzles.

8. A fire suppression system for a building space, the fire suppression system comprising: a plurality of first nozzles positioned in a first volume of the building space within which an asset is positioned, the plurality of first nozzles positioned downstream from the asset along a flow path of the building space induced by an air unit; a plurality of second nozzles positioned within a second volume of the building space upstream of the asset along the flow path, the second volume fluidly coupled with the first volume; and one or more containers having a first connection to the plurality of first nozzles and a second connection to the plurality of second nozzles, the one or more containers configured to store a total quantity of fire suppression agent, wherein the total quantity of fire suppression agent comprises a first quantity for fire suppression within the first volume of the building space within which the asset is disposed, and a second quantity for fire suppression within the second volume of the building space; wherein the fire suppression system is configured to discharge the second quantity of fire suppression agent and at least part of the first quantity of fire suppression agent through the plurality of second nozzles via the second connection according to an apportionment of the total quantity of fire suppression agent.

9. The fire suppression system of Claim 8, wherein an amount of the first quantity of the fire suppression agent that is discharged through the plurality of second nozzles is proportional to a flow characteristic of the building space.

10. The fire suppression system of Claim 9, wherein the flow characteristic of the building space comprises a flow rate through the building space induced by an air unit of the building space.

11. The fire suppression system of Claim 8, wherein a direction of discharge of the fire suppression agent does not oppose a direction of airflow induced by the air unit across the asset.

12. The fire suppression system of Claim 8, wherein the plurality of second nozzles are positioned within a floor void, plenum, or space that is upstream of the building space within which the asset is disposed.

13. The fire suppression system of Claim 8, wherein the fire suppression agent comprises an inert gas, a halocarbon, or a chemical agent.

14. The fire suppression system of Claim 8, wherein the apportionment of the total quantity of fire suppression agent accounts for a rate of airflow due to operation of the air unit such that an extinguishant level at the asset is driven to at least a threshold within a required period of time.

15. A method of fire suppression in a building space, the method comprising: obtaining training data indicating layouts of a plurality of building spaces and assets to be protected within the plurality of building spaces; generating, based on the training data, a model that predicts a recommended amount of fire suppression agent to discharge at a location upstream of the assets along a flow path of air induced by an air unit to achieve a threshold extinguishant concentration level at the assets as a function of the layouts in an amount of time that is less than an amount of time to reach the threshold extinguishant concentration level if the recommended amount of fire suppression agent were discharged at a location downstream of the assets along the flow path; and predicting, based on a layout of a target building space by providing the layout of the target building space as an input to the model, a value of the recommended amount of the fire suppression agent for the target building space.

16. The method of Claim 15, wherein the recommended amount of fire suppression agent discharged at the location upstream is discharged by a discharge device at the location upstream such that the flow path induced by the air unit facilitates delivery of the fire suppression agent to the assets.

17. The method of Claim 15, wherein generating the model comprises: constructing a plurality of simulations for each of the plurality of building spaces, each of the plurality of simulations comprising a corresponding value of an amount of the fire suppression agent; performing a plurality of computational fluid dynamic simulations based on the constructed plurality of simulations to predict a corresponding oxygen or extinguishing agent concentration level at the assets for each of the corresponding values of the amount of the fire suppression agent; and performing a model generation or regression technique to generate the model based on results of the plurality of computational fluid dynamic simulations.

18. The method of Claim 15, wherein the training data comprises a plurality of input parameters and the model is configured to predict the recommended amount of fire suppression agent as a function of the plurality of input parameters, the plurality of input parameters comprising: an overall volume of the building space; a volume of a room space of the building space, the volume of the room space excluding a volume of storage racks of the assets, and the volume of the room space excluding a volume of storage racks of the assets and aisles between adjacent storage racks of the assets; a volume of the storage racks of the assets; a volume of the aisles between the adjacent storage racks of the assets; a volume of floor voids, ceiling voids, or plenums of the building space; and an air flow rate of the building space induced by the air unit.

19. The method of Claim 15, wherein the model is further configured to predict a number and location of a plurality of nozzles for discharge of the recommended amount of fire suppression agent into the target building space.

20. The method of Claim 15, wherein the training data is representative of various configurations of building spaces including building spaces that comprise ceiling return vents, building spaces that do not include ceiling return vents, building spaces that include sealed aisles of storage racks of the assets, building spaces that include open aisles of storage racks of the assets, and building spaces that include hoods over aisles of the storage racks, or collars to the storage racks, configured to direct air into ceiling return vents, plenums, or ductwork.

21. The method of Claim 15, wherein the plurality of building spaces have various configurations of sub-spaces; wherein one or more of the plurality of building spaces comprise a ceiling volume or a return air plenum; wherein one or more of the plurality of building spaces comprise a hood over aisles of a plurality of storage racks, or collars coupled to one or more of the plurality of storage racks, the hood or the collars configured to direct air into the ceiling volume or the return air plenum; and wherein one or more of the plurality of building spaces comprise a roof positioned over a hot aisle or discharge side of adjacent of the plurality of storage racks.

22. A method of providing fire suppression, the method comprising: obtaining space-specific data of a building space comprising a plurality of electronic components; predicting, based on the space-specific data and using a model, a quantity of fire suppression agent required to be discharged at a location upstream of the plurality of electronic components along a flow path from a discharge side of an air unit and the plurality of electronic components, the quantity of fire suppression agent predicted to achieve a desired degree of fire suppression for the plurality of electronic components; and operating a display screen to provide an indication of the quantity of fire suppression agent and apportioning of a total quantity of fire suppression agent.

23. The method of Claim 22, further comprising discharging, by a fire suppression system, the quantity of the fire suppression agent along the flow path to be delivered to the plurality of electronic components.

24. The method of Claim 22, wherein the model is configured to predict the quantity of fire suppression agent based on one or more characteristics of the building space provided by the space-specific data, the quantity of the fire suppression agent predicted such that the quantity of fire suppression agent, when discharged to the plurality of electronic components, cause a concentration of oxygen at the plurality of electronic components to decrease below a threshold amount or causes an extinguishing concentration to reach a threshold in an amount of time less than an amount of time if the quantity of fire suppression agent were discharged downstream of the plurality of electronic components.

25. The method of Claim 24, wherein the one or more characteristics of the building space provided by the space-specific data comprise: an overall volume of the building space; a volume of a room space of the building space, the volume of the room space excluding a volume of storage racks of the plurality of electronic components and aisles between adjacent storage racks of the plurality of electronic components; a volume of the storage racks of the plurality of electronic components; a volume of the aisles between adjacent storage racks of the plurality of electronic components; a volume of floor voids, ceiling voids, or plenums of the building space; and an air flow rate of the building space induced by the air unit.

26. The method of Claim 22, wherein the model is trained based on training data of a plurality of building spaces comprising various arrangements.

27. The method of Claim 26, wherein the training data is representative of various configurations of building spaces including building spaces that comprise ceiling return vents, building spaces that do not include ceiling return vents, building spaces that include sealed aisles of storage racks of the plurality of electronic components, building spaces that include open aisles of storage racks of the plurality of electronic components, building spaces that include collars coupled to the storage racks, and building spaces that include hoods over aisles of the storage racks configured to direct air back to the air handling unit.

28. The method of Claim 26, wherein training the model comprises at least one of (i) performing a plurality of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations based on the training data, and generating the model by performing a regression technique based on results of the plurality of CFD simulations, or (ii) performing a plurality of calculations or experiments and generating the model based on results of the plurality of calculations or experiments.

29. A fire suppression system for a building space, the fire suppression system comprising: a tank or plurality of tanks configured to store a quantity of fire suppression agent; a discharge nozzle fluidly coupled with the plurality of tanks and configured to discharge a portion of the fire suppression agent at a location upstream of a plurality of electronic components along a flow path between a discharge side of an air unit and the plurality of electronic components; wherein the portion of the quantity of fire suppression agent that is discharged by the discharge nozzle comprises at least part of a first quantity of the fire suppression agent designated for fire suppression of a room space within which the plurality of electronic components are positioned and a second quantity of the fire suppression agent designated for fire suppression of a supply space within which the discharge nozzle is positioned.

30. The fire suppression system of Claim 29, wherein the fire suppression agent comprises an inert gas, or a chemical agent.

31. The fire suppression system of Claim 29, wherein a direction of discharge of the fire suppression agent does not oppose a direction of airflow induced by the air unit across the plurality of electronic components.

32. The fire suppression system of Claim 29, wherein the discharge nozzle is positioned within a floor void of the building space within which the plurality of electronic components are disposed.

33. The fire suppression system of Claim 29, wherein the building space comprises a plurality of sub-spaces.

34. The fire suppression system of Claim 29, wherein the building space comprises a floor void volume.

35. The fire suppression system of Claim 29, wherein the building space comprises a raised floor with aisles of a plurality of storage racks above the raised floor, the raised floor configured to direct air into volumes of the aisles.

36. The fire suppression system of Claim 29, wherein the building space comprises a roof over a cold aisle or inlet side of adjacent of a plurality of storage racks.

37. The fire suppression system of Claim 29, wherein the discharge nozzle is positioned within a room of the building space within which the plurality of electronic components are disposed, wherein the building space does not include a floor void supply air plenum.

38. The fire suppression system of Claim 37, wherein the building space comprises aisles of a plurality of storage racks of the plurality of electronic components within the room, wherein a ceiling void, ductwork, or return air plenum are configured to draw air into volumes of the aisles, wherein air is supplied from an air handling unit to the room or directly to the plurality of electronic components.

39. The fire suppression system of Claim 29, wherein the building space comprises a roof over an aisle or exhaust side of adjacent of a plurality of storage racks or a collar over a portion of one or more of the plurality of storage racks.

40. A system for designing a fire suppression system for a building space, the system comprising: a user interface configured to obtain user inputs and provide display data; and processing circuitry configured to: obtain, as user inputs, input values of a flow rate induced by an air handling unit in the building space and a layout of the building space that includes a critical asset; determine, using a relationship and based on the flow rate and the layout of the building space, a total quantity of fire suppression agent and apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent for the building space; and operate the user interface to notify a user regarding the total quantity of fire suppression agent and the apportioning of the total quantity of fire suppression agent.