AU2008200429A1 - Stand alone fire sprinkler water recycling system - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT STAND ALONE FIRE SPRINKLER WATER RECYCLING SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best methods of performing it known to me: 1 00 STAND ALONE FIRE SPRINKLER WATER RECYCLING SYSTEM

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ct Presently a large quantity of water is being flushed down our storm water system and into our waterways daily from the testing and draining of fire sprinkler system.

(-i The water wasted for the testing of these systems amounts to Billions of Litres annually in Melbourne alone, and is growing at the steady rate. This water is also full of heavy metals which are also polluting our waterways.

This Invention has been specifically designed to provide a Stand Alone System that connects to an existing fire sprinkler system to provide nearly 100% recycling and cleaning of the water contained 00 0 within the existing fire sprinkler system. This is attained.for both testing and draining of the existing fire sprinkler system, without effecting the operation or safety of the existing fire sprinkler system.

(-i All the pipe work in accordance with this invention is preferably made from copper and should comply with the Australian Standard AS4118.2.1 or the appropriate Australian Standard at the time of installation.

All the Valves in accordance with this invention should comply with Australian Standard AS4118.1.6 or the appropriate Australian Standard at the time of installation.

The Invention may be better understood with reference to the illustrations of embodiments of the invention which:- Figure 1 is a schematic of the pipes, valves and pump of the Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water 0 Recycling System showing the invention connected to the existing fire sprinkler system up stream of the existing fire sprinkler systems Main Stop Valve via the Isolation Ball Valve A.

The preferred Isolation Ball Valve A in Figure 1 is connected to a preferred Two Way Test and Waste Ball Valve B in Figure 1. This is connected to a Non Return Valve C in Figure 1 which in turn is connected via pipe work to the Water Recycling Tank intake opening J in Figure 2.

There is also a series of pipe work with associated preferred Ball Valves D and E and other Non Return Valves C as in Figure 1 which allows pumping of water by the Water Pump F in Figure 1 into and out of the Water Recycling Tank in Figure 2.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the Water Recycling Tank which is cylindrical with a conical shaped base and is preferably made from Plastic and has an Inspection Hatch H located at the top with a clamp ring for easy access.

The Water Recycling Tank in Figure 2 has in its wall near said top an Overflow Opening I in figure 2 which is connected to the town storm water system so to safely allow for excess water to escape from the Water Recycling Tank in case of overflow.

An opening J located in the wall just above the bottom of the cylindrical part of the Water Recycling Tank which connected via pipes, valves and pump as shown in Figure 1 and allows water to be pumped in and out of the Water Recycling Tank and existing fire sprinkler system.

O0 There is a preferred Ball Stop Valve K in Figure 2 located in its wall below said opening J which allows for the excess water to be drained from the Water Recycling Tank.

(-i There is also a preferred Ball Stop Valve IL in Figure 2 located at the bottom of the conical part of the Ct 0 Water Recycling Tank which allows for suspended matter to settle and gather to the bottom of the conical shaped part of the Water Recycling Tank which can be then easily removed and treated.

(-i There are four main operations that can be carried out by the Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System without compromising the existing fire sprinkler systems operation and safety.

The first operation that The Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System can be used for is to 5 carry out a Standard Fire Sprinkler Test: OO The Standard Fire Sprinkler Test is carried out by firstly placing the test Key in the Existing Fire Sprinkler Alarm Monitoring System. This prevents a false alarm being sent when the Standard Sprinkler Test is being carried out by the Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System.

Note: if the existing fire sprinkler system contains a pressure pump, this will need to be switched "OFF" so as to avoid the unnecessary use of Town mains water.

The Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System is isolated from the existing fire sprinkler system by isolation Valve A in Figure 1.

Valve A in Figure 1 is turned to the "ON" position. This allows water to flow to the Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System so that the sprinkler testing and recycling of the water within the existing fire sprinkler system can be accomplished.

Valve B in Figure 1 is turned to the "Test" position. This allows the high pressure water from the existing Fire Sprinkler System to discharge into the Water Recycling Tank "Figure 2" via the drain line pipe connected to J in Figure 2. When the Existing Fire Sprinkler Alarm Monitoring System registers an alarm, Valve B is turned to the "OFF" position.

JO Valves D in Figure 1 are then turned to the "ON" position. Valves E in Figure 1 remain in their "OFF" position. Pump F in Figure 1 is then turned This draws water from the Water Recycling Tank "Figure 2" and pumps it back into the existing Fire Sprinkler System. The existing fire sprinkler systems water pressure is monitored from the existing pressure gauges and upon the required fire sprinkler system pressure being achieved Pressure Pump F in Figure 1 is switched "OFF" and Valves D in Figure 1 are then turned to the "OFF" position.

Valve A in Figure 1 is turned to the "OFF" position and the Test Key in the existing Fire Sprinkler Alarm Monitoring System is removed. This isolates The Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System from the existing fire sprinkler system and reactivates the Fire Sprinkler Alarm Monitoring System so that the existing fire sprinkler system can operate normally in case of a Fire.

Note: if the existing fire sprinkler system contains a pressure pump, this will need to be switched back "ON".

00 This concludes the basic Sprinkler test which has used recycled water from the existing fire sprinkler O system to test and re-pressurize the exisiting fire sprinkler system with a minimal loss of Town mains K water.

c~ '5 The Second is to drain entirely the existing fire sprinkler system which is required when any maintenance or alterations are being carried out to the existing fire sprinkler system: Draining of the system is carried out by firstly placing the Isolation Key in the existing Fire Sprinkler Alarm Monitoring System. This prevents a false alarm being sent when the System is being drained to the Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System.

The Main Stop Valve on the existing fire Sprinkler system is turned "OFF".

00 Note: if the existing fire sprinkler system contains a pressure pump, this will need to be switched "OFF" so as to avoid the unnecessary use of Town mains water.

The Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System is isolated from the existing fire sprinkler system by isolation Valve A in Figure 1.

Valve A in Figure 1 is turned to the "ON" position. This allows water to flow to the Standa Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System so that the Draining and recycling of the water within the existing fire sprinkler system can be accomplished.

Valve B in Figure 1 is turned to the "Drain" position. This allows the high pressure water from the existing Fire Sprinkler System to discharge into the Water Recycling Tank "Figure 2" via the drain line pipe connected to J in figure 2.

When the water stops flowing into the Water Recycling Tank "Figure 2" then Valve B in Figure 1 is turned to the "OFF" position.

To remove the residual water in the existing fire sprinkler system Valves D in Figure 1 remain in their "OFF" position. Valves E in Figure 1 are then turned to the "ON" position. Pressure Pump F in Figure 1 is then turned This draws the remaining water from the existing fire sprinkler system into the Water Recycling Tank "Figure 2" via the drain line connected to J in Figure 1. When the water stops flowing into the Water Recycling Tank "Figure 2" then Pressure Pump F in Figure 1 is then turned "OFF" and Valves E in Figure 1 are then turned to the "OFF" position.

Any maintenance or alterations can be now carried out.

100 To refill the existing fire sprinkler system Valves D in Figure 1 are then turned to the "ON" position.

Valves E in Figure 1 remain in their "OFF" position. Pump F in Figure 1 is then turned This draws water from the Water Recycling Tank "Figure 2" and pumps it back into the existing Fire Sprinkler System. The Fire Sprinkler pressure is monitored from the existing pressure gauges and upon the required Fire Sprinkler System pressure being achieved Pressure Pump F in Figure 1 is 105 switched "OFF" and Valves D in Figure I are then turned to the "OFF" position.

Valve A in Figure 1 is turned to the "OFF" position, then Main Stop Valve is turned on and the Isolation Key in the existing Fire Sprinkler Alarm Monitoring system is removed. This isolates The Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System from the existing fire sprinkler system and 7- 4 O0 reactivates the Fire Sprinkler Alarm Monitoring System so that the existing fire sprinkler system can C 0 operate normally in case of a Fire.

Note: if the existing fire sprinkler system contains a pressure pump, this will need to be switched Ct back "ON".

This concludes the Draining of the existing fire sprinkler for maintenance or alteration works which has used recycled water from the existing fire sprinkler system to test and pressurize the Fire Sprinkler system with a minimal loss of Town water.

The Third operation is the Draining of the Water Recycling Tank. This is done by attaching a standard clamp on hose fitting onto the preferred Stop Ball valve K in Figure 2. Valve K is then opened to allow water to be sucked into the Tanker. This water will be free of most contaminants which would 00 otherwise end up in our waterways. Valve K in figure 2 is then closed upon the completion of the S0 operation and the attachment removed.

This concludes the Draining of the Water Recycling Tank which allows further saving of water.

The Fourth operation that The Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System can be used for is to carry out the removal of sediments from the recycled water.

Note: This operation should be only performed after the third operation has been performed so that the Water recycling Tank is nearly empty of all water.

Figure 2 shows the Water Recycling Tank. Water from the First and Second operation enter via the drain line in Figure 1 into the Water Recycling Tank at point J. This water then sits in the tank where sediment are allowed to settle to the bottom of the conical part of the Water Recycling Tank. This sediment can be then removed by attaching a standard clamp on hose fitting onto the Ball Stop 0 Valve L in Figure 2. Valve K is then opened to allow sediment to be sucked into the Tanker to be treated as required.

A visual Inspection should be carried out to make sure the Water Recycling Tank is clean and clear of any foreign substances. This is done by opening the inspection Hatch H in Figure 2.

This concludes the removal of sediments from the recycled water which has prevented these 135 sediments from normally being flushed down the Town Storm Water System to pollute our waterways.

Claims (5)

1. A Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System comprising of a Water Recycling Tank (-i which is cylindrical with a conical shaped base with an Inspection Hatch H with a clamp ring at its said top for easy access. 5 2. A Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System as claimed in claim 1, wherein having in (-i its wall near said top an Overflow Opening I for excess water to the Storm water, an opening J located in the wall just above the bottom of the cylindrical part of the Water recycling tank that allows water to be pumped in out of the Water Recycling Tank and into the existing fire sprinkler system, a Ball Stop Valve K having in its wall below said opening J that allows for 0 the excess water to be drained from the Water Recycling Tank and a Ball Stop Valve L N located at the bottom of the conical part of the Water Recycling Tank which allows for 00 Ssuspended matter that settles to the bottom to be easily removed and treated.

3. A Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the Water Recycling Tank is made preferably from Plastic.

4. A Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System according to claim 2 wherein a series of pipes, valves and pump attached to opening J of the Water Recycling Tank and connected to the existing fire sprinkler system up stream of the existing Fire Sprinkler systems Main Stop Valve via an Isolation Ball Valve A. S. A Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System according to claims 1- 4 wherein testing 0 of the existing fire sprinkler system can be completed without compromising the safety of the existing fire sprinkler system and without water being wasted and pollutants in the water being discharged into our waterways via the Town Storm water system.

6. A Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System according to claims 1- 4 wherein when draining of the existing fire sprinkler system needs to be carried out due to maintenance or alterations to the existing fire sprinkler system can be completed without compromising the safety of the existing fire sprinkler system and without water being wasted and pollutants in the water being discharged into our waterways via the Town Storm water system.

7. A Stand Alone Fire Sprinkler Water Recycling System substantially as herein before described with reference to figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. ORBAL CORPORATION PTY. LTD. 2 9 TH JANUARY 2008 (NAME OF APPLICANT) DATE