CA1246114A - Fire hose flushing device - Google Patents
Fire hose flushing deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1246114A CA1246114A CA000458386A CA458386A CA1246114A CA 1246114 A CA1246114 A CA 1246114A CA 000458386 A CA000458386 A CA 000458386A CA 458386 A CA458386 A CA 458386A CA 1246114 A CA1246114 A CA 1246114A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- valve
- flushing device
- fire hose
- cap
- water
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C33/00—Hose accessories
- A62C33/02—Apparatus for cleaning or drying hoses
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention relates to a fire hose valve flushing device for replacing a standard dust cap on a fire hose valve to enable testing of the valve. The flushing device of the present invention is provided with a controlled flow valve which allows complete opening of the fire hose valve itself and permitting only a limited flow of water which is easily directed to a container or the like during testing and flushing of the fire hose valve.
The present invention relates to a fire hose valve flushing device for replacing a standard dust cap on a fire hose valve to enable testing of the valve. The flushing device of the present invention is provided with a controlled flow valve which allows complete opening of the fire hose valve itself and permitting only a limited flow of water which is easily directed to a container or the like during testing and flushing of the fire hose valve.
Description
~Z~6114 The present invention provides a flushing device as a replacement for a dust cap on a fire hose valve to enable testing and flushing of the valve.
BACKGROUND OF T~IE INVENTION
The testing and flushing of fire hose valves is usually an awkward and dirty job, especially with aged buildings, so much so that it is often neglected.
According to normal practice a substantial amount of sediment and stagnant water collects behind the valve forming a seal which makes the valve extremely difficult to open. Once the seal is cracked this same dirty stagnant water flows from the valve in a relatively uncontrolled manner which is particularly troublesome in light of the fact that these fire hose valves are generally found indoors in apartment, commercial and industrial buildings and the like where the opening of the valve can cause substantial damage when hose cabinet valves do not seat properly.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a flushing device specifically designed to overcome the major problems associated with testing and flushing of fire hose valves.
More particularly the flushing device of the present invention comprises a threaded valve cap which replaces the dust cap found on the fire hose valve and threads ``~'`
~2f~6~
1 direc-tly to the dust cap housing of the valve. The threaded valve cap is provided with a controlled flow valving means which, when closed, allows opening of the fire hose valve while preventing flow of the water therefrom and which when opened permits only a limited flow of water through the valve cap which is easily controlled and directed to a container or the like from the fire hose valve.
With the device of the present invention the fire hose valve itself can be completely opened without having to worry about control of the dirty stagnant water from the valve. Furthermore, the flushing device is adapted to allow closing of -the fire hose valve with the device still fitted in position thereby assuring that if the fire hose valve does not seat properly then the water is maintained in a controlled flow until the valve is fully seated.
BRIEF DISCUSSION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above as well as other advantages and features of the present invention will be described in greater detail according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention in which:
Figure 1 is a front plan view of a conventional fire hose cabinet;
Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a flushing device including both a quick connect coupling check valve and an air vent according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
~2~6~4 1 Figure 3 is a sectional view through the device of Figure 2 with the quick connect fitting in a coupled position;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the fire hose valve with the flushing device of Figure 2 in a fitted position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
As mentioned above, Figure 1 shows a conventional fire hose cabinet including a fire extinguisher, a fire hose and a double valve arrangement including valves A and B for selectively feeding water to the fire hose. As is clearly shown in Figure 1, valve A is already connected to the hose while valve B is fitted with a dust-cap C which is removed when testing of the valve.
Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment flushing device generally indicated at 1. This flushing device includes a valve cap 3 which is threaded internally at 7 as shown in Figure 3. The size of the valve cap with its threading is adapted to be threaded directly to the dust cap housing 8 of the fire hose valve.
The valve cap body is preferably made from a material such as brass, or the like, making it both rugged and durable. Provided on the outside of the body are a pair of finger grip projections 5 diametrically opposed from one another which enables threading and unthreading 46~
1 of the valve cap without requiring any special tools.
In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the valve cap is provided with a controlled flow valving means in the form of a quick connect check valve arrangement.
This check valve arrangement comprises a tubular member 9 which at one end is threaded into the valve body and which at the other end is threaded to a valve housing 11 having a male valve component 13 normally spring biased to a closed position. A female coupling valve member 15 is provided to snap over and connect onto the valve housing 11 as shown in Figure 3 whereby an in-ternal valve release member 17 applies pressure and opens the male valve component 13. Connected to the female valve member 15 is a flexible hose 19.
Also provided is an air vent which is threaded onto a further threaded conduit 21 which is in turn threaded into the valve body 3. This air vent is located opposite the quick connect valve system and includes a turn key 23 for opening and closing the air vent.
The flushing device is used as follows. In the testing and flushing of a fire hose valve with the valve itself in a closed position the dust cap is removed and replaced with threaded valve cap body 3. The valve cap body is tightly threaded into position with the check valve in the down position and the air vent in the up position using the projecting lugs 5 to enable a leak-free ~g6~1~
1 opening of the fire hose valve. The dirty stagnant water flows into the valve cap body and is flushed through the quick connect valve arrangement. Typically, in a double valve fire cabinet, as shown in Figure 1, it is often difficult to get a pail or similar container in an appropriate position to catch the dirty water in which case the quick connect valving arrangement is extremely beneficial using the flexible hose 19 to direct the water to the pail by simply coupling the female and the male components of the valving arrangement with one another.
Once the testing and flushing has been completed, the fire hose valve is closed and the air vent is opened causing the flushing device to rise to a-tmospheric pressure and forcing all of the water trapped within the flushing device to drain from the hose into the container. The extreme upper and lower positioning of the air vent and the hose coupling respectively help to ensure that the flushing device drains completely. If the fire hose valve does not fully seat, it is immediately apparent as the water will continue to flow through the hose in a controlled manner until the valve is properly seated.
After the flushing device itself is completely drained, the quick connect coupling is removed and the entire arrangement is removed from the dust cap housing and replaced with the dust cap cover. The testing device is then freed up for use in testing further fire hose valves.
6360 - 5 - 14~5E
:~L2~a6~
1 The description above relates specifically to the use of a quick connect coupling and pet cock type air vent. It is to be appreciated however, that other types of valving arrangements and vents can equally as well be used to carry out the necessary flushing. Therefore although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
BACKGROUND OF T~IE INVENTION
The testing and flushing of fire hose valves is usually an awkward and dirty job, especially with aged buildings, so much so that it is often neglected.
According to normal practice a substantial amount of sediment and stagnant water collects behind the valve forming a seal which makes the valve extremely difficult to open. Once the seal is cracked this same dirty stagnant water flows from the valve in a relatively uncontrolled manner which is particularly troublesome in light of the fact that these fire hose valves are generally found indoors in apartment, commercial and industrial buildings and the like where the opening of the valve can cause substantial damage when hose cabinet valves do not seat properly.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a flushing device specifically designed to overcome the major problems associated with testing and flushing of fire hose valves.
More particularly the flushing device of the present invention comprises a threaded valve cap which replaces the dust cap found on the fire hose valve and threads ``~'`
~2f~6~
1 direc-tly to the dust cap housing of the valve. The threaded valve cap is provided with a controlled flow valving means which, when closed, allows opening of the fire hose valve while preventing flow of the water therefrom and which when opened permits only a limited flow of water through the valve cap which is easily controlled and directed to a container or the like from the fire hose valve.
With the device of the present invention the fire hose valve itself can be completely opened without having to worry about control of the dirty stagnant water from the valve. Furthermore, the flushing device is adapted to allow closing of -the fire hose valve with the device still fitted in position thereby assuring that if the fire hose valve does not seat properly then the water is maintained in a controlled flow until the valve is fully seated.
BRIEF DISCUSSION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above as well as other advantages and features of the present invention will be described in greater detail according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention in which:
Figure 1 is a front plan view of a conventional fire hose cabinet;
Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a flushing device including both a quick connect coupling check valve and an air vent according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
~2~6~4 1 Figure 3 is a sectional view through the device of Figure 2 with the quick connect fitting in a coupled position;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the fire hose valve with the flushing device of Figure 2 in a fitted position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
As mentioned above, Figure 1 shows a conventional fire hose cabinet including a fire extinguisher, a fire hose and a double valve arrangement including valves A and B for selectively feeding water to the fire hose. As is clearly shown in Figure 1, valve A is already connected to the hose while valve B is fitted with a dust-cap C which is removed when testing of the valve.
Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment flushing device generally indicated at 1. This flushing device includes a valve cap 3 which is threaded internally at 7 as shown in Figure 3. The size of the valve cap with its threading is adapted to be threaded directly to the dust cap housing 8 of the fire hose valve.
The valve cap body is preferably made from a material such as brass, or the like, making it both rugged and durable. Provided on the outside of the body are a pair of finger grip projections 5 diametrically opposed from one another which enables threading and unthreading 46~
1 of the valve cap without requiring any special tools.
In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the valve cap is provided with a controlled flow valving means in the form of a quick connect check valve arrangement.
This check valve arrangement comprises a tubular member 9 which at one end is threaded into the valve body and which at the other end is threaded to a valve housing 11 having a male valve component 13 normally spring biased to a closed position. A female coupling valve member 15 is provided to snap over and connect onto the valve housing 11 as shown in Figure 3 whereby an in-ternal valve release member 17 applies pressure and opens the male valve component 13. Connected to the female valve member 15 is a flexible hose 19.
Also provided is an air vent which is threaded onto a further threaded conduit 21 which is in turn threaded into the valve body 3. This air vent is located opposite the quick connect valve system and includes a turn key 23 for opening and closing the air vent.
The flushing device is used as follows. In the testing and flushing of a fire hose valve with the valve itself in a closed position the dust cap is removed and replaced with threaded valve cap body 3. The valve cap body is tightly threaded into position with the check valve in the down position and the air vent in the up position using the projecting lugs 5 to enable a leak-free ~g6~1~
1 opening of the fire hose valve. The dirty stagnant water flows into the valve cap body and is flushed through the quick connect valve arrangement. Typically, in a double valve fire cabinet, as shown in Figure 1, it is often difficult to get a pail or similar container in an appropriate position to catch the dirty water in which case the quick connect valving arrangement is extremely beneficial using the flexible hose 19 to direct the water to the pail by simply coupling the female and the male components of the valving arrangement with one another.
Once the testing and flushing has been completed, the fire hose valve is closed and the air vent is opened causing the flushing device to rise to a-tmospheric pressure and forcing all of the water trapped within the flushing device to drain from the hose into the container. The extreme upper and lower positioning of the air vent and the hose coupling respectively help to ensure that the flushing device drains completely. If the fire hose valve does not fully seat, it is immediately apparent as the water will continue to flow through the hose in a controlled manner until the valve is properly seated.
After the flushing device itself is completely drained, the quick connect coupling is removed and the entire arrangement is removed from the dust cap housing and replaced with the dust cap cover. The testing device is then freed up for use in testing further fire hose valves.
6360 - 5 - 14~5E
:~L2~a6~
1 The description above relates specifically to the use of a quick connect coupling and pet cock type air vent. It is to be appreciated however, that other types of valving arrangements and vents can equally as well be used to carry out the necessary flushing. Therefore although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (6)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A flushing device for flushing water from a fire hose valve to enable testing thereof, said flushing device comprising a threaded valve cap for threading to a standard dust cap housing of the valve and controlled flow valving means on said threaded valve cap which when closed allows opening of the valve while preventing flow of water therefrom and which when opened permits only a limited flow of water through said valve cap which is easily directed to a container or the like from the fire hose valve.
2. A flushing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said controlled flow valving means comprises a quick connect male valve component extending forwardly of said valve cap for receiving a quick connect female valve component and automatically opening said male valve component.
3. A flushing device as claimed in claim 2 including a short length of small diameter flexible hose secured to said quick connect female valve for controlled flow directing the water to the container or the like.
4. A flushing device as claimed in claim 2 including an air vent for opening said flushing device to atmospheric pressure.
5. A flushing device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said air vent is located generally diametrically opposite said male valve component on said threaded body.
6. A flushing device as claimed in claim 5 including finger grip projections on opposing sides of said valve caps for manually installing and removing same.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA000458386A CA1246114A (en) | 1984-07-06 | 1984-07-06 | Fire hose flushing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA000458386A CA1246114A (en) | 1984-07-06 | 1984-07-06 | Fire hose flushing device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA1246114A true CA1246114A (en) | 1988-12-06 |
Family
ID=4128259
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA000458386A Expired CA1246114A (en) | 1984-07-06 | 1984-07-06 | Fire hose flushing device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
CA (1) | CA1246114A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN113578875A (en) * | 2021-08-09 | 2021-11-02 | 杨恺远 | A high-efficient belt cleaning device for fire hose |
-
1984
- 1984-07-06 CA CA000458386A patent/CA1246114A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN113578875A (en) * | 2021-08-09 | 2021-11-02 | 杨恺远 | A high-efficient belt cleaning device for fire hose |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
MKEX | Expiry |