FR2719225A1 - Automatic remote-detection fire extinguishing sprinkler system - Google Patents

Abstract

A hydraulic valve (21) is connected into a liquid delivery conduit (11), and includes an elastic membrane (1) dividing the valve body into three chambers. Liquid entry (17) and exit (18) chambers are separated by the membrane when it is acted on by fluid pressure in an intermediate pressure chamber (15).A fire-detection conduit (20) contains pressurised fluid which biasses the membrane into the position in which it separates the entry and exit chambers. Fire or heat action breaks the fire-detection conduit to cause a loss of the pressurised fluid, release of the valve membrane, and delivery of liquid via the exit chamber of the valve to a distributing conduit (12) and nozzle (19).

Description

This eion concei m disposifive and mun process to

  fire prevention and protection.

  The systems previously used relate either to the protection of the interior of the premises, for example the spezklas system "implemented in some buildings, or consist of a given signal in the form of an audible or vile signal after detection of smoke or smoke.

temperature increase.

  The device according to the min icn develops an improvement with respect to the systems used in the sense that it allows: n detection of the fire and a fight against

  the fire outside the premises, so before they are touched by the flames.

  o It indeed comprises, a hydraulic line connected in amint to a hydraulic network under pressure and ei downstream to a pipe sr which sonat connected m or more sprinklers. Due to its design, the hydraulic valve opens or is under the action of a fluid contained under pressure in a fire detection pipe connected to the hydraulic valve and carrying at least one obturating element maintaining the pressure in

  the detection line and likely to be broken or melt under the effect of the mixer.

  Previously, it is the rupture or the melting of the obturating element that released the hms fluid from the detection line and thus will cause in this latter pressure drop causing ml'aouverture of the hydraulic valve on the pipe and its

  lovers. The latter thus come into action to extinguish the fire.

  The device that we derive is therefore characterized in that it comprises: - A hydraulic valve capable of being connected to a supply line with liquid extinguishing agent and comprising an elastic member dividing the internal body of the frame into three chambers , an inlet chamber commication with the pipe, an outlet chamber which, depending on the deformation of the menmbrane, is either in with the inlet chamber or isolated from it and an acting pressure tuning chamber

  on the membrane which separates the chamber from those of entry and exit.

  - A fire detection pipe intended to contain a pressurized fluid, connecting the pressure transmission chamber of the valve to at least one shutter element making it possible to keep the detection pipe under pressure and susceptible to the effect of heat. of a fire to be broken or melt, and to let escape the pressurized fide of the detection pipe in the ambient atmosphere and thus transmit the drop of pession to the mmbrane which by its deformation will put in comnmicafimn the room d entry with that of outlet, and -2- A line for spraying the liquid extinguishing agent connecting the outlet chamber of

  la vae à au moina an amio r located next to the shutter element.

  According to particular embodiments: - The shutter element is a solid material which makes it possible to maintain a pressure in the detection line, and which can be broken or melt under the effect of the heat of a fire. It can be a fusible element, chosen from materials which melt in a temperature range going from 45 C. to 150 C., from 50 C. to 1100 C. It can be a closed envelope or an amxle containing a gas or a liquid which, under the effect of heat, expands, causes a pressure build-up and bursts the envelope or

  l0 the bulb. In this case the shutter element can be a 'sprincklW.

  - The sprinkler (s) can be various models that are easily found in the market because they must be adapted to control needs and to the characteristics of flow and

water source pressure.

  Figures 1.2. 3.4. 5.6. show in section the installation and the device according to the invention FIG. I is an example of a device according to the invention with a shutter element

and a sprinkler.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a device according to the invention with three elements

obturateus and three sprinklers.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a crumb in standby of the device according to the invention

  Figure 4 is an example of installation of the device according to the invention.

  Figure 5 is an example of putting the device on standby according to ivention.

  Figure 6 is an example of operation of the device according to the invention.

  Referring to these drawings, the device comprises: - A hydraulic pipe network (11) for supplying with liquid extinguishing agent, a network consisting for example of pipes, pipes or conduits, network connected at its end to: - A valve hydraulic comprising in particular an elastic member (1) delimiting inside the valve three chambers: an inlet chamber (17) in direct communication with the hydraulic pipe network (11) supplying liquid extinguishing agent, a chamber outlet (18) which depending on the deformation of the memxbrane (1) can be in cmtmicatio with the inlet chamber (17) or isolated therefrom, and finally an isolated chamber (15) provided with a taper (2 ) applied on the one hand -3- against the membrane (1) and on the other hand against a fixed wall of the valve, and also

provided with an orifice (16).

  - A network of one or more sprinkler lines (12) each provided with one or more sprinklers (19), network in c unication with the outlet chamber (18) of the hydraulic valve (21). - A connector (4) disposed on the inlet chamber (17) of the hydraulic valve (21) or on the hydraulic network (11), preferably near the hydraulic valve (21); fitting fitted with a tap (5) enabling communication with the fire detection pipe (20) provided at its end with a shutter element (10), and finally, - A tube (8) making it possible to communicate the orifice (16) of the insulated chamber (15) of the hydraulic valve (21) with the detection line (20) at any point between the

  tap (5) and the shutter element (10).

  The principle of the method of the invention using the above device is to automatically control the opening of a hydraulic valve installed on a hydraulic network (I1) for example a water pipe under paemsion, thanks to at least one sealing element (10) capable of being broken or of melting at a predetermined temperature. Once the hydraulic valve is open, it will allow the start-up of a

  network (12) of sprinklers (19) more or less numerous according to the needs of the user.

  The sprinklers can be placed in the vicinity of the fuse element (s).

  The hydraulic valve and by a hydraulic pressure coming from the fluid circulating in the hydraulic network (11) supplied by an external source. The valve opens and closes by the action of pressure on the elastic membrane (1) assisted by a

spring (2).

  When the hydraulic network is under pressure the valve remains in the closed position, due to the natural tendency of the elastic membrane (1) and the spring (2) to isolate the inlet chamber (17) from the outlet chamber (18 ) of the valve, thus preventing any passage of the fluid

  between the hydraulic network (I1) and the network (12) of sprinklers (19).

  It is important to specify that any hydraulic valve whose principle of f: tctiolnernen is similar is suitable for the invention in question, for example the valve could

  be an INBAL brand marketed by the MIL Company (ISRAEL).

  The shutter element (10) is disposed at a distance chosen by the installer, from the vicinity of the locations where fires approach or break out. The contained fluency

  in the fire detection pipe (20) may be of an identical or different nature to that of the liquid extinguishing agent.

  -4- It can be liquid or gaseous, but preferably it is identical to the liquid extinguishing agent. In particular the fluid and the liquid extinguishing agent can be water,

  possibly added agents facilitating the extinction of fires.

  The fire detection pipe (20) can be a pipe with an internal diameter ranging for example from 2 mm to 40 mm The spray pipe (12) can be a pipe with a diameter ranging for example from 12 to 1000 mmn The pipes (20) and (12) can be made of metal or

plastic.

  The pressure of the fluid in the detection line (20) can be, between the melting of the obturating element, between 0.1 and 2 MPA The pressure of the liquid extinguishing agent

  in the spray line (12) can be taken between 0.1 and 2 MPa.

  One of the advantages of the pre-invention is to be able to use a fire detection line (20) having a relatively small diameter compared to that of the spray line (12); for example the ratio of the diameter of the pipe (20) to that of the pipe

  (12) can be between 0.01 and 0.9.

  A nonlimiting example is described below: - The hydraulic valve (21) used is of the "GAL" brand manufactured by the company DOROT ISRAEL, 45.1, ea bronze, tapped with a diameter of 25 mm at the inlet and at the outlet. Its weight is 0.98 Kiongram It is tapped on the lateral part of the body of the inlet and outlet with a diameter of 6.35 mmi to allow the installation of taps or

  threaded pressure gauges to the same diameter.

  - The shutter element (10) used in our example is of the "sprinckler 15/21" type.

  68 C. comeotei by MATER and PLAIT WORMALD (U. S.A.).

  The melting temperature is 68 celsius in our example but it is not limiting.

  - The chosen width (12) is of the RAIN BIRD brand type 25BPJ manufactured by RAIN BIRD (USA) with a nozzle of 3.57 mm With a dynamic pressure of 2 bars at the nozzle, the spray head is approx. 11, 5 Meters for a flow rate of 0.69 m3Ih - In our example, we will provide a pipe (12) 50 meters long linear in high density polyethylene with an outside diameter of 20 mm and an inside diameter of 16.0 mm

  resistant to dynamic pressure from 10 bars to 20 celsius.

  It is recommended in our example that we have a pressure upstream of the hydraulic valve (21) of at least 3 bars to avoid that the pressure drops in the pipe (12) and the hydraulic valve (21) reduce the pressure to amuse (19) below 2 bor. The pressure does not exceed a prefrence dam in our example 10 bars to avoid

d i1_.

  -5- - The connectors connecting the polyethylene pipe (12) to the valve (21) upstream and to the sprinkler (19) downstream are, in our example, ea polypropylene brand "PLASSON '

  (ISRAEL) resistant to a nominal pressure of 16 bar at 20 C.

  - The tap (5) used is of the ball valve type "threaded or later 6.35 mm" to adapt to the internal thread of the inlet of the hydraulic valve (21). - The connections connecting the detection line (20) to the hydraulic valve (21) and to the shutter element (10) are of the "Prestolok quick coupling" type ommei li by the Company

PARKER (Pontalier - FRANCE).

  - The detection line (20) connecting the hydraulic valve (21) to the fuse element (10) is of the RILSAN type, external diameter 6 mm and internal diameter 4 min. The process for fighting fires implements the dismantled device: ecedemmemIt is characterized in that it comprises a cycle of stages comprising successively: a / Putting the device on standby by applying pressure to the pipe (20) using a gaseous or liquid fluid and by isolation of said pipe under pressure such that the diaphragm (1) of the valve by deformation under the effect of the pressure of the fluid isolates the inlet chamber (17) from the outlet chamber (18), b / A detection and a hut cmontre a fire which, by the heat released, makes roaxre or melt at least one shutter element (10), lets escape the isolated fluid in the pipe (20) and acts by the drop of pressure of the pipe (20) on the membrane (1) which, by its defemation, puts in coemmmication the inlet chamber (17) with the outlet chamber (18) and the spraying line (12) which sprinkles at least one liquid through the medium, and c / resetting the device to standby after the ineffective operation to return to the beginning of the cycle by changing the shutter element (10) which has burst and put in place a new shutter element (10) The process may include the following phases: 1st phase (fig.4) 1. Place the tap (5) in the "open" position (13) 2. Pressurize the hydraulic pipe network (11) thanks to an external source of fluid such as water 3. The inlet pressure pushes the membrane (1) to open, but in the chamber (15), the same pressure is exerted in opposition on 2 times more surface and helped by the spring (2) the valve (21) will remain in the closed position. At the same time the fuid feeds the line of

  detection (20) up to the shutter element (10).

  -6- For a good functioning of the system, it is recommended to place the obturator element (10) on the tube (20) only after having noticed the overflow of the fluid at the end of the detection line (20). 1. Place the tap (5) in the "closed" position (14)

  The installation is ready to operate in the event of a fire.

  3rd a (fig. 6) During a fire, the ambient temperature rises very quickly causing the melting or bursting of the shutter element (10) which then puts the detection line (20) in communication with the air and ambient pressure. The valve (5) being closed, the pressure in the detection line (20) decreases and can no longer be exerted by the intermediary of the tube (8) and the insulated chamber (15) of the valve on the membrane (1 ). The pressure exerted in the inlet chamber (17) pushes the membrane (1) to open, it rises because the pressure is no longer exerted in the insulated chamber (15) and the

detect (20).

  The valve (21) is then in the open position and the network (12) of sprinklers (19) enters in fonefiomlmlml. The field of use is oriented towards the protection of dwellings but can be generalized to any type of building or equipment such as, for example, hangars of agricultural equipment, factory buildings, or tanks of combustible products (for example tanks gas) etc ... We can also think of protecting forests or pine forests, gardens, scrubland, agricultural land by using the system as a firewall. The advantages of the system are in the fact that the detection is carried out without electricity therefore avoids the risks of non-operation in the event of a power cut, as well as in the simplicity of its setting

  en route which makes it usable in all cases.

-7-

Claims (5)

CLAIMS II / Automatic fire-fighting device characterized in that it comprises: - A hydraulic valve (21) capable of being connected to a pipe (1 1) for supplying liquid extinguishing agent and comprising an elastic membrane ( 1) dividing the internal body of the valve into three chambers, an inlet chamber (17) in communication with the pipe (11), an outlet chamber (18) which, depending on the defoirmationl of the membrane (1), is either c municati with the inlet chamber (17) is isolated therefrom and a pressure transmission chamber (15) acting on the membrane (1) which separates said chamber from the inlet (17) and outlet ( 18), - A fire detection pipe (20) intended to contain a pressurized fluid, connecting the chamber (15) of the valve to at least one obturatei element (10) permitting to keep the pipe (20) under pressure and liable under the effect of the heat of a fire to be broken or to melt. t to let the pressurized fluid from the pipe (20) escape into the ambient atmosphere and thus to transmit the drop in pressure to the membrane t5 (1) which by its deformation will bring the inlet chamber (17) into communication with that of outlet (18), a pipe (12) for spraying the liquid extinguishing agent connecting the outlet chamber (18) of the valve to at least one sprinkler (19) located near the shutter element ( 10). 2 / Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pipe (20) for fire detection is connected to the pipe (I l) for supplying pressurized liquid extinguishing agent, or to the inlet chamber (17 ) from the valve by a line (24) provided with an isolation valve (5).   3 / Device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the   line (11) for supplying liquid extinguishing agent is a line of a pressurized water network.   4 / Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shutter element (10) is a fusible material which melts in a temperature range ranging from 45 to 150 C. -8-   / Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that   the shuttering element (10) is a closed envelope or a bulb containing a gas or a liquid which under the effect of heat, in a bmpéu station ranging from 45 to 150 C.,   causes said envelope or bulb to burst.   6 / Method for fighting fires using the device according to the untme   any one of claims I to 5, characterized in that it comprises a cycle of steps   successively comprising: a / placing the device on standby by pressurizing the pipe (20) using a gaseous or liquid fluid and by isolating said pipe under pressure such as the menmbrane (1) of the valve by deformation under the effect of the pressure of the fluid isolates the inlet chamber (17) from the outlet chamber (18), b / A detection and a fight against a fire which, by the heat given off, causes it to rupture or melt at least one obturating element (10), lets escape the isolated fluid in the duct (20) and acts by the pressure bime of the duct (20) on the mermbrane (l) which, by its deformation, puts in communication the inlet chamber (17) with the outlet chamber (18) and the spraying line (12) which aids through at least one liquid, and c / resetting the device to standby after fire allowing return to the beginning of the cycle by changing the shutter element (10) which has melted or burst and put in place a new obturator element (10) 7 / A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the fluid contained in the   line (20) and the liquid extinguishing agent are pressurized water.   8 / A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the water is under pressure going from 0, there 2MPa.   9 / Use of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in the   fight against the fires of factory buildings, agricultural land, gardens, forests or gomues.