AU2020100320A4 - Method, infrastructure and apparatus for fire fighting use - Google Patents

Abstract

The firefighting facility of the invention comprises a self-contained fire-fighting module adapted for ease of transportation and is suitable for placement, whether temporary or permanent, near a source of water such as a dam or lake and be shown on local area maps and online mapping applications (apps) so that firefighters and the public in general would know where to find them. The module is adapted for entry by personnel and contains fire-fighting equipment arranged within in readiness for deployment, the fire-fighting equipment comprising a collapsible tank providing containment means for a fire-extinguishing or wetting liquid

Description

METHOD, INFRASTRUCTURE AND APPARATUS FOR FIRE FIGHTING USE

Field of invention [01] This invention relates to apparatus for and a method of providing for firefighting in fire-prone areas, such as forests and bushland, especially where a fire may be detected in a remote area.

Background to the invention [02] An aspect of success in fighting fires in remote, bushland or forest areas is logistical: How quickly first responders and their follow up teams are able to become operationally ready and to implement planned strategies. While it may take relatively little time for local personnel to be mustered for action at a fire front, there is often a delay in deploying equipment and obtaining water or other wetting agents for extinguishing a front or wetting an area in advance thereof. Fire tenders of conventional design carry personnel and their personal protective equipment and may also have onboard hoses and pumping equipment, as well as water tanks. However, the multi-functional nature of such vehicles tends to slow deployment. Personal protective equipment tends to include items not all of which are essential at particular times or in fighting particular kinds of fires. In order to comply with regulations or procedures laid down by authorities or unit management, other equipment may also need to be carried in readiness for a wide range of potential eventualities, only one of which may be likely to eventuate. Transporting all these items with the personnel, who may or may not need to use them, occupies space in a conveyance, this space being denied alternative - and perhaps more pressing - uses.

[03] The present inventors consider it advantageous to separate the transportation and deployment of personnel, fire-fighting equipment and fire retardant fluid and therefore propose a system that enables equipment to be sited in advance in readiness for use, when the need arises.

[04] A drawback of prior fire fighting facilities is that space that could be better used for essential equipment is taken up with water tanks, which, when full are heavy and cumbersome to transport to a rapidly escalating fire situation.

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Objects of the invention [05] It is an object of this invention to address shortcomings in the prior art and, in doing so, to provide an efficient way of deployment of equipment for use in fighting fires in remote areas.

[06] The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere as at the priority date of the present application.

[07] Further, and unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense - that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not being limited to” - as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense - that is to say meaning “including this and nothing else”.

Summary of invention [08] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a self-contained fire-fighting module adapted for ease of transportation and comprising a housing adapted for entry by personnel and fire-fighting equipment arranged within the housing in readiness for deployment, the fire-fighting equipment comprising a collapsible tank providing containment means for a fire-extinguishing or wetting liquid.

[09] In a further preferred form of the invention, the fire-fighting equipment further comprises tools selected for liquid distribution along a fire front.

[010] In an embodiment, the fire-fighting equipment comprises personal protective clothing and breathing apparatus.

[011] Preferably, the housing includes lockers adapted for storage of the personal protective equipment.

[012] In a preferred embodiment, the module includes food rations selected for nutrition in fire-affected conditions.

2020100320 04 Mar 2020 [013] In a further preferred form of the invention, the module is adapted to shelter persons within against effects of enveloping fire.

[014] Preferably, the module is adapted to have fireproof, thermally insulating construction.

[015] In a still further preferred form of the invention, the module comprises a shipping container having a fireproof construction and being thermally insulated for protection of human occupants against elevated temperatures caused by exterior fire.

[016] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a fire-fighting infrastructure comprising a plurality of self-contained fire-fighting modules adapted for ease of transportation, located to be spaced at intervals along a front to be protected from encroaching bushfires, each module comprising a housing adapted for entry by personnel, and fire-fighting equipment arranged within the housing in readiness for deployment, the fire-fighting equipment comprising a collapsible tank providing containment means for a fire-extinguishing or wetting liquid and personal protective equipment.

[017] In a preferred form of the invention, the infrastructure modules comprise shipping containers.

[018] Further preferably, the containers are constructed to be fireproof and for providing safe refuge to human occupants against elevated temperatures caused by exterior fire.

[019] In a preferred form of the invention, the collapsible tank comprises a bladdertype tank.

[020] In a further preferred form of the invention, the infrastructure comprises bulk transportation means operable for delivering and recovering the modules.

[021] The transportation means comprises one or more of road, rail and air transportation means.

[022] According to a third aspect there is provided a fire-fighting method comprising identifying a potential bushfire front and locating in spaced relationship, at intervals along said front, a plurality of self-contained fire-fighting modules, each module being adapted for ease of transportation and comprising a housing adapted for entry by personnel, and

2020100320 04 Mar 2020 fire-fighting equipment arranged within the housing in readiness for deployment, wherein the fire-fighting equipment comprises a collapsible tank defining containment means for a fire-extinguishing or wetting liquid.

[023] The method preferably includes the step of charging the containment means with said liquid.

[024] In an embodiment, the method includes providing a shipping container for adapting to house the fire-fighting equipment.

[025] In a preferred form of the invention, the method includes the step of adapting the container to provide safe emergency refuge against fire for fire-fighters and others.

[026] Further, according to the invention, the method includes providing and operating bulk transportation means for delivering to and recovering the modules from the front.

[027] The modules may be delivered to the front in the absence of fire-fighters.

[028] Preferably, fire fighters are conveyed to the fire front using separate means from said bulk transportation means.

[029] In a preferred form of the invention, the modules are located along the front in the absence of fire. Preferably, they are so located before a fire has started.

Brief description of drawings [030] In order that the invention may be readily understood, and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures. Thus:

Figure 1 shows in plan view a schematic floor layout of a module in a preferred embodiment of the fire-fighting facility of this invention.

Figure 2 is an upper perspective view of a collapsible tank used in the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of collapsible tanks of the module of the facility of Figure 1 being transported.

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Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention [031] The firefighting facility of the invention is suitable for placement, whether temporary or permanent, near a source of water such as a dam or lake and be shown on local area maps and online mapping applications (apps) so that firefighters and the public in general would know where to find them. In the event of a bushfire, or housefire nearby, the person concerned is able to access the facility module, retrieve for example a portable a pillow-type tank from the container and fill it by submerging it in the water source. The person would then be able to bring the filled tank (subject to size) to the site of the fire in their private vehicle, for example and use the contents or transfer the contents to a larger tank. In this way, local participation in community fire defence activities can be encouraged, organized and facilitated. By having at least one collapsible tank among the equipment, space that would be taken up with a rigid tank, whether or not containing a fire retardant such as water, is saved for use in storing a greater range of equipment or a greater quantity of equipment than would otherwise have been possible, providing great advantage to the fire-fighting team.

[032] A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described below. The housing of the module is provided by a sea-container of standard dimensions, in this case 6m length (20ft), width 2.4m and height 2.6m. Using a sea-container as housing provides the module with standardised outer dimensions and fittings that facilitate its transportation by road or rail, as well as its loading and offloading at a fire-fighting site, using standard cranage or lifting apparatus.

[033] The housing 10 has an interior 12 defined by a wall 14 and adapted for firefighting service, as illustrated schematically in Figure 1. The exterior wall 14 is of steel manufacture, rendering it fireproof. The wall has an inner thermally insulating lining separated from the inner surface of the wall by an air gap. The inner lining comprises a laminar structure of thermally insulating blankets.

[034] The housing has opening double doors 16 hingedly connected to the frame that supports wall 14. It is of the same materials of construction as wall 14, being thermally insulated and fireproof. A sealing gasket ensures airtight sealing at bushfire temperatures for at least 30 minutes. The interior defined by wall and doors is fitted out with customised shelves and racks 18 and storage systems for the fire fighting equipment to be contained therein. The storage systems include hanging fixtures in the form of hooks 20 fixed to wall

14, for selected equipment to be the most easily accessible. The hooks are fixed above lockers 32 designed for the storage of personal protective equipment.

[035] The fire fighting equipment comprises main equipment and auxiliary equipment. The main equipment may include the following items, without limitation:

Water Pumping equipment [036] This may include either or both a diesel powered or electrically powered pump for water transfer and delivery. An electrical pump 24 is shown located alongside an electricity generator 28 in Figure 1. Pump service includes filling a flexible-walled water tank from a source such as a dam, pond or river and discharging the water from the tank to a nozzle directed at a conflagration site.

[037] A suitable example of a diesel powered pump for pressurised discharge is the Yanmar YDP20N model, capable of delivering up to 500 litres/minute using a OHV diesel engine, model L40AE manufactured by Yanmar Europe BV of Brugplein, Almere, The Netherlands and available through subsidiaries and distributors of its products in numerous countries. An alternative model is the self-priming Calpeda AM50-125 CE220B, an electrically powered unit requiring a generated power source - especially when deployed in remote areas. A compatible generator may be provided in the module. This pump is capable of 7m suction lift.

Water transportation [038] Also stored within the housing are flexible liquid containers 22 which, until needed for use, are kept empty and are folded flat and stacked, thereby occupying very little space. When needed, then are retrieved and filled with water from a nearby water source. In the case of smaller containers to be discussed below, the containers may be filled by submergence in a body of water. Larger containers may be filled by means of pumps, with the tank in place on a transportation vehicle such as a truck or trailer as illustrated in Figure 2. When the tanks are in collapsed, empty state and stacked to ceiling height, a large number are able to be stored in the housing. Different stacking and storage arrangements may be implemented for different sizes and shapes of collapsible tanks, such as knapsack canisters, compared with tanks requiring machine lifting and vehicular transportation when filled.

2020100320 04 Mar 2020 [039] For personal transportation of small quantities of up to about 20 litres of water or a wetting agent to a selected site, the module includes a plurality of wearable knapsack canisters 26 of known design. Suitable canisters are supplied under the ROOTANK brand. These have capacities of 101 and 151. The supplier is Rootank Pty Ltd of 101 William St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia. In Figure 1, a stack of personal knapsack canisters is shown at 26. Knapsack canisters are designed for service in extinguishing grassland fires of weak and medium intensity with water and aqueous solutions of chemicals, referred to as wetters. They may also be used for creating a wet strip to act as a barrier to the spreading of a blaze.

[040] For transportation of larger quantities of wetting agents (including water), for example by means of medium and small vehicles, such as cars, utility vehicles and small to medium-duty trucks, the module includes collapsible flexible bladder-style tanks. These are adapted for mounting on a trailer, or upon the boot, roof or other surface expanse of a car or sports-utility vehicle, or in the open load tray or load bed of a utility vehicle or truck. Suitable examples are supplied under the ROOTANK brand and are available in capacities from 1001 to 10001.

[041] A stackable bladder type tank 22 is shown in Figure 2, being discharged to a first site via hose 54 to a diesel-fueled fire-fighter pump 34.

[042] Figure 3 illustrates a medium sized flat-bed truck 50 in (a) and a horse and trailer rig 60, 62 in (b). Truck 50 is loaded with a collapsible, flexible walled tank 52 of 5m³ capacity. The tank is shown in filled condition, with a hose pipe 54 connected for filling or discharge. The semi-trailer 62 of the rig in (b) is loaded with two tanks 64,66 of 14m³ capacity. Lower tank 64 has already been filled with water, but tank 66 loaded on top is in the process of being filled via hose pipe 68 connected to a pump (not shown) drawing water from a source such as a lake (not shown).

[043] In Figure 3(c) a utility vehicle 70 is coupled to a trailer 72 of 2m x 3m loading area having side walls 74. Within the loading space is a bladder-style tank 76 filled with water. The water is discharged via pump 78 through hose 80 to a nozzle held and operated by a firefighter 82. The hose is of known flattened type suitable for rapid unrolling from a spool supported on a frame within which the pump is mounted. An example of a suitable delivery hose is available from Rootank Pty Ltd under the CHAMPION brand and is of

2020100320 04 Mar 2020 nominal 2” (or 50mm) diameter when in use. The hose is typically available in 20m lengths and has a design pressure of at least 0.1 MPa.

[044] The suction hose supplying water to the fire pump 78 has a rigid structure with a textile frame. Hoses such as this are also suitable for use with power pumps when pumping water, filling water reservoirs, flood management and similar. The hoses are suitable for operation under ambient temperatures in the range -35°C to +90°C.

[045] Auxiliary but necessary equipment for use with the hoses includes hose couplings, an example being the CAMLOCK D50, intended for connecting a fire hose with a header and a fire cock.

[046] A further item of equipment for inclusion in the housing of the module is at least one hose ramp of known design, supplied for protecting fire hoses from vehicle tyre damage and from deformation that may block delivery of liquid to the base of the fire or to the pump for pumping to the fire site. An example for inclusion in the module is shown in Figure 1, marked 38.

[047] The storage systems include lockers for personal protective equipment for personnel. In the present example, the module includes lockers 32 for the equipment of four persons.

[048] Further auxiliary equipment that is optionally included in the module includes a blower pump sprayer, especially useful for combatting forest fires. It will be appreciated that specialised equipment of this nature need not be included in modules that are not intended to be deployed in unforested areas.

[049] An example of the blower pump is the CHAMPION model PS257, available from Rootank Pty Ltd (above). Its achievable spray distance is up to 8 meters. An extinguishing effect is usually achieved by knocking down the flame with a powerful flow of air mixed with sprayed water. This apparatus includes a gasoline sprayer equipped with a 2-stroke engine having an output of 2500W and a cylinder capacity of 56.5 cm³.

[050] The sprayer Champion PS257 has a 14-liter tank for receiving spray solution, allowing for lengthy operation without the need for replenishment. The relatively small weight of the unit (10.5 kg), the ergonomic shape and comfortable straps for carrying the

2020100320 04 Mar 2020 sprayer in backpack configuration increase utility and allow the user to perform a large amount of work without rest breaks.

[051] The fire gun AZR-5.5 is a further optional item, intended for combating forest fires by back-burning and preventive annealing of the ground surface. It is also suitable for burning brushwood on cut areas and other incendiary waste, for ignition of fuel bed and litter during forest fire extinguishing by back-burning methods, for ignition of heaps and shafts of logging waste during fire clearing of cutting areas. The field of application of this fire gun is forest and forest- steppe zones of the kind found in Russia. The unit consists of a tank for a working mixture with a tap-regulator (gasoline with oil or diesel fuel in a ratio of 2:1), a telescopic torch, a backplate with adjustable shoulder and waist belts. The tank has a filler neck and an outlet nozzle. The neck is equipped with a sealed plug having a closed air valve. The outlet nozzle is fitted with a needle valve for regulated supply of the fuel mixture.The torch is a tubular telescopic probe with a penicillate nozzle.

[052] The module may in addition include a tube mixer. This device is used for extinguishing forest and peat fires by mixing the solid wetter with water. The tube mixer is intended for preparing a wetting solution directly in the sleeve line. This reduces the consumption of fire extinguishing agent and reduces extinguishing time by at least 30%. Water arriving via the sleeve insert washes over the solid cartridge of porous agent, gradually dissolving it. This in turn leads to a reduction in the water surface tension and to an increase in its penetrability into the fuel agent pores. The insert with a solid dissoluble cartridge complements the movable fire equipment, including pumps. The tube mixer may be connected at any point in the pressure side of the sleeve line.

[053] It will be appreciated that further items may include the following:

a. A fire swatter for extinguishing burning grass;

b. A fireman’s rake, for example the NUPLA 60” specialised fireman’s rake;

c. A single edge bush hook, being an apparatus with a curved blade affixed to a long handle;

d. A ditch bank double-blade for cutting bushes and undergrowth on a sloping bank;

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e. Digging tools, for example entrenching shovels, some at least preferably with long handles;

f. Flashlights;

g. Fire axes;

h. Afire blanket for use in localizing burning at the initial stage of conflagration, or for suffocating flame on the clothing of a fire victim, or to cover inflammable structured and equipment;

i. A manually operable hydraulic stacker for use in lifting heavy loads. Preferably, the stacker should have at least 1 tonne capacity.

[054] Personal protective equipment provided in the module for fire-fighting service may and preferably will include all of the following:

a. Mobile communications apparatus such as radio handsets, a suitable example being the KENWOOD TK 3170M UFH transceiver;

b. Locating apparatus such as the Levenhuk brand LabZZ CM2 compass and a large scale local area ground map;

c. Breathing apparatus; a preferred example is known under the branding AP Omega - Server, which protects the respiratory organs and human eyes during fire-extinguishing and recovery and rescue operations in conditions not suitable for breathing. The AP Omega apparatus is usable at low temperatures, because of frost-resistant materials being used in seals, air supply hoses and other exposed components;

d. Helmets and headgear, for example the model PAB FIRE 03 hard fire helmet designed for the protection of the head from shock and injury and the face and neck of the wearer from aggressive fluids, high temperatures and open fire exposure;

e. Gloves, preferably with back and inside sides made of a combination of materials such as Nomex and Kevlar with a fire protective silicone and carbon coating that has heat-resistant, water-repellent properties and protects hands from cuts, punctures and abrasion;

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f. Boots, for example the HARVIK FIREFIGHTER gumboots of natural rubber base with steel toecaps;

g. Modular clothing suits including jackets, trousers, preferably with attenuation coefficient for infra-red radiation of at least 70%;

h. First aid kits, in particular an emergency fire kit designed specifically to provide first aid to victims during a fire, including to firefighters. It contains anti-burn agents, medicines, sedatives, inhalers and the like;

i. Nutritional rations in solid and liquid forms.

[055] By providing a modular fire-fighting facility, the invention enables personnel to be rapidly transported, for example by airlift means such as helicopters, to a fire front, there to find already waiting in readiness a module of the invention. An advantage of the invention is that in the event of a fire being detected in an area in which a module of the invention has not been sited, as soon as the alarm is raised and the fire is confirmed, a module of the invention may be selected from a storage yard and transported in readiness for use, whether by rail, road or helicopter and offloaded at a site suitably in advance of the fire front. After use, it is removable and transportable back to a replenishment station. In the case of a long-burning fire, it may be returned to service after replenishment, either to the same site or to a different location, depending on progress of the fire-fighting effort. In this way a solution of considerable flexibility is provided to fire-fighters and management of blazes.

[056] When a first module requires replenishment, for example with recharged breathing apparatus, food supplies and wetting agent, a second module can be transported in and substituted for the first, while personnel remain all the time in position to continue the fire-fighting efforts, thereby ensuring continuity.

[057] These embodiments merely illustrate particular examples of the method, kit and apparatus of the invention providing means for the fighting of fires. With the insight gained from this disclosure, the person skilled in the art is well placed to discern further embodiments by means of which to put the claimed invention into practice, including additional items not specifically discussed above but of use to those engages in fire-fighting operations over a wide area.

Claims (5)

1. A self-contained fire-fighting module adapted for ease of transportation and comprising a shipping container defining a housing adapted for entry by personnel and to shelter persons within against effects of enveloping fire, the housing containing fire-fighting equipment arranged in readiness for deployment, the fire-fighting equipment comprising a bladder-type tank for containment of a fire-extinguishing or wetting liquid, the bladder-type tank being arranged in stacked flat condition in the housing, defining a space above it for use in storing other fire-fighting equipment, and wherein the bladder-type tank is retrievable from the module for filling once the module has been deployed.

2. A fire fighting infrastructure comprising a plurality of self-contained fire-fighting modules adapted for ease of transportation and located to be spaced at intervals along a front to be protected from encroaching bushfires, each module comprising a modified shipping container

a. constructed to be fireproof for providing safe refuge to human occupants against elevated temperatures caused by exterior fire, and

b. defining a housing adapted for entry by personnel and containing fire-fighting equipment arranged within the housing in readiness for deployment, the fire-fighting equipment comprising fluid containment means comprising a bladder-type tank stored in collapsed condition in the housing for deployment and for filling with a fire-extinguishing or wetting liquid once retrieved from the housing;

wherein the bladder-type tank is arranged in stacked flat condition in the housing, defining a space above it for use in storing other firefighting equipment.

3. Infrastructure according to claim 2, comprising bulk transportation means operable for delivering and recovering the modules.

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4. Afire-fighting method comprising:

a. adapting a plurality of shipping containers to provide safe emergency refuge against fire for fire-fighter personnel;

b. identifying a potential bushfire front;

c. locating in spaced relationship at intervals along said front the shipping containers, each defining a housing adapted for entry by personnel, and having fire-fighting equipment arranged within the housing in readiness for deployment, the fire-fighting equipment comprising fluid containment means stored in a collapsed condition, ready for charging with a fire-extinguishing or wetting liquid;

d. wherein the collapsed fluid containment means in stacked flat condition define a space above for use in storing other fire-fighting equipment in the housing;

e. retrieving the containment means from the housing; and

f. charging the containment means with said liquid.

5. The method of claim 4, including delivering the containers loaded with the equipment to the potential bushfire front in the absence of fire-fighters and before a fire has started.