CA2075397A1 - Fire protection system for rural unheated structures - Google Patents

Fire protection system for rural unheated structures

Info

Publication number
CA2075397A1
CA2075397A1 CA 2075397 CA2075397A CA2075397A1 CA 2075397 A1 CA2075397 A1 CA 2075397A1 CA 2075397 CA2075397 CA 2075397 CA 2075397 A CA2075397 A CA 2075397A CA 2075397 A1 CA2075397 A1 CA 2075397A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
fire
fire protection
storage vessel
protection system
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2075397
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Steven P. Wilson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2075397A1 publication Critical patent/CA2075397A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

ABSTRACT
An economical fire protection system specifically designed for rural unheated buildings. The system features a direct burial water storage vessel that is pressurized by a non-combustible gas. Unlike conventional sprinkler systems, the expense of providing heat to the structure or the use of large quantities of anti-freeze or heavy electrical requirements are eliminated. Burying the water storage vessel below the frost line protects the fire-fighting water from freezing. The use of a check valve interposed between the water storage vessel and the piping connecting the sprinkler heads enables the remaining part of the system to be dry in the readied state. In an alternative embodiment, this piping can be filled with a non-freezable liquid to prevent freezing. Due to the small volume, the amount of anti-freeze required is minimal. The system also features a comprehensive alarm system to warn of system failure or to announce a fire.

Description

2~7~3~

FIRE PROTECTION SY~TEM FOR RURAL UNHEATED STRUCTURES
BACKGROUI\ID OF THE INVENTION
5 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to fire protection systems for rural unheated builcling, particularly those housin~ live stock.
2. Description of the Related Art The need for fire protection of horses and other live stock in a barn is well known.
10 The open stud construction, the availability of an abundance of combustibles and the lack of minimal fire protection construction techniques such as firestops results in such structures being at extreme fire risk. In fact, a fire in a barn can completely engulf the structure and kill the trapped animals in a matter of only seconds. Yet, despite the danger, the high value of the anirnals, and frequently, the owner's emotional attachment 15 to their horses and other stock, most barns do not have sprinkler systems due to the high cost of providing such protection and unavailability of services essential for conventional systems.
U.S. Patent No. 3,771,606, issued to James on November 13, 1973, discloses a fire protection system employing thermally activated sprinkler heads. While James 20 recognizes the need to provide sprinkler systems in unheated places, he does not disclose a system that will accomplish that task in a rural structure that lacks the basement utilized by James. Further, James does not disclose water storage facilities that are protected from freezing or in facilities without electric or water services.
U. S. Patent No. 4,531,588, issued to Brunsicke on July 30, 1g85, discloses a fire 25 suppression system that delivers the fire fighting medium via a pressurized tank.
However, no provision is made for protection of the fire fighting medium from freezing.
U. S. Patent No. 4,520,871, issued to Miller et al. on June 4, ~985, discloses a fire extinguishing system utilizing pressurized nitrogen tanks to deliver the fire fighting medium. Again, no provision is made for protection of that medium from freezing.U.S. Patent No. 4,069,873 issued to McClure on ~ianuary 24, 1978, discloses another tank pressurized fire protection system. Again, this system is not suitable for unheated structures as no provision is made for freeze protection of the fire fighting medium. A fire protection system that is cost effective for unheated rural applications which often lack a source of water having sufficient volumetric flow capabilities is not found in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an obiect of the invention to provide a fire protection system that is suitable for installation in barns and other farm structures, particularly those that house live stock.
It is another object of the invention to provide a fire protection system that does not require the use of chemicals that could be injurious to live stock.
It is another object of the invention to provide a fire protection system that will provide sufficient warning and time to safely remove live stock, even when the system may encounter a fire beyond the capability of the system to extinguish that fire.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a fire protection systern that : 20 provides a plurality of discharge heads capable of delivering sufficient water to quench a fire.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a fire protection system that 3 ~ ~
can be installed in any environment without regard for existing services or conditions.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a fire protection system that can be installed and operate independently of any other requirement.
it is still another object of the invention to provide a fire protection system that 5 features an annunciator panel to provide reliable warning of a fire within the structure being protected without reliance on A/C power.
It is still another object o~ the invention to provide a fire protection system that requires no additives or heat for protection of the fire fighting medium against freezing.
It is a final object of the invention tu provide a fire protection system that can be 10 economically retro-fitted to any rural structure, particularly, those that may house live stock.
The invention is a fire protection system for farm structures. A water storage vessel, adapted to be buried beneath the ground below the level at which water will freeze during winter,and adapted to be pressurized with a non-combustible gas is provided. A
15 plurality of thermally activated sprinkler heads piped together an~i connected to said storage vessel is provided. A water check valve means, interposed between said storage vessel and the piping connecting said sprinkler heads, restrains the water in said vessel until at least one of said sprinkler heads is activated. A manway with a lockable cover is attached to the water storage vessel. The manway is adapted to house at least one tank 2 0 containing a press~rized non-combustible gas. A gas distribution means, attached to said ~ank, delivers said gas under constant pressure to said water storage vessel. A fire warning means for alerting that a fire has activated at least one of said thermally activated sprinkler heads is provided to complete the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 illustrates the fire protection system in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 illustrates the fire protection system in accordance with the invention. Water storage vessel 12 is buried beneath the ground next to structure 30 which is the building to be protected. The positioning and distance is not critical1 howeverj it should be as close as practical to reduce the amount of piping required, and to keep frictional pipe losses minimal. Water storage vessel 12 should be of the type certified by the American Society of Manufacturing Engineers and Underwriter's Laboratory for direct burial and capable of withstanding a test pressure of 1000 psi and a working pressure of 150 psi.
Preferably vessel 12 is constructed of 1/4 inch carbon steel having an exterior epoxy coating. It is also preferable to have sacrificial anodes on the tank and thsreby achieve a useful life of 20+ years. The size of vessel 12 is dependent upon the size of the ,~
:
structure to be protected and evacuation and fire department response times, however, a five hundred gallon tank ~should be sufficient for most situations.
The tank is filled via 2 inch Filler pipe 13. Riser 32 connects vessel 12 to piping connecting thermally activated sprinkler heads 21. The diameter of riser 32 as well as other pipe sizes, and the number and placement of sprinkler heads 21 vary according to certified hydraulic designers plans for the structure to be protected. Sprinkler heads 21 are preferably the quick response type with frangible glass triggers, brass or chrome finish, capable of responding at temperatures between 135 and 155 degrees Fahrenheit.
Manway 17 is attached to vessel 12, preferably 48 inches tall and approximately 24 inches in diameter. The 48 inch length should be sufficient to bury vessel 12 deep enough to prevent water stored from freezing in all but the most severe climates. 1n 5 locations that experience extreme cold temperatures, the length of manway 17 would be extended to ensure that vessel 12 is protected from freezing. Also, a thermal blanket . cover could be placed on the tank.
Manway 17 is protected against unauthorized access by locking cover 16.
Housed within manway 17 is one or rnore bottles 18 cont~ining a non-combustible 10 gas. Preferably, nitrogen would be used, however, carbon dioxide, or any other gas that would not support combustion could be substituted. A single 125 cubic foot bottle of nitrogen is sufficien~ to pump approximately 250 gallons of water according to the following calculation:
((System Design Pressure P + 14.7 PSIA ~1 atm}) . 14.7 {1 atm}) x ~Vessel 5 Capacity . 7.48~
Bottle(s) 18 is(are) connected to regulator 20 via manifold 19. Regulator 20 is preferably a two stage regulator with a 0 -2500 psi source and 0 -125 psi delivery ratings.
A two stage regulator provides a more steady pressure than a single stage unit.
Regulator 20 is preferably adapted with a tamper proof adjustment so that the selected 20 setting cannot be changed once set except by the owner of the system. The nitrogen gas is delivered from regulator 20 via connections 14 which are preferably 1/2 inch stainless steel flexi-hose and corresponding fittings.

-~ 2~7~3~

The system is equipped with pressure switch 15 which senses any variation of pressure within ~he system and activates alarrn 25 via annunciator panel 24. Annunciator panel 24 preferably has two zones to indicate the type of alarm; 24 volt battery back-up in case of power failures. It is also preferably that the alarm system be equipped with all `~ 5 weather, tamper proof, rate of rise-type heat detectors. Pull stations at convenient locations such as main entrances would also be part of the total system. A horn capable of emitting a warning of at least 92 decibels in volume plus a strobe light of at least 8000 candlepower would provide a warning to those in the vicinity. It is also preferable to have annunciator pane 24 equipped with an auto alarm dialer capable of calling the local fire department to report the fire.
Additionally, at the base of riser 32 is water flow detector 22 which is wired to annunciator panel 24 on a separate zone. Once water is flowing in the system as a result of one or more sprinkler heads being activated, or as a result of a leak, the owner or the local fire department would be alerted.
Switch 15 and detector 22 are made tamper proof to prevent unau~horized disablement.
A single inlet brass standpipe connection 27 is provided on the face of the structure 3~ to which the fire department would be able to attach a hose and, thus, continue to deliver water to a fire via sprinkler heads 21.
2 o Water check valve 23 is provided in riser 32 below the frost line which restricts the flow of water until one or more of sprinkler heads 21 are activated by the heat of the fire.
Valve 23 is held closed by either air pressure or anti-freeze protected water. Another .

3 ~ 7 check valve 23 is provided for standpipe connection 27. The system is back pressured to hold closed valves 23 by introducing air or an~-freeze protected wa~er via one or more fittings 26.
While there have been described what are at present considered to be the 5 preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications rnay be made therein without departin~ from the invention and it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. A fire protection system for farm structures comprising:
water storage vessel having a predetermined wall thickness and strength capable of being pressurized with a non-combustible gas;
means for coating the exterior of said water storage vessel wherein said water storage vessel can be buried beneath the ground below the level at which water will freeze during winter;
a plurality of thermally activated sprinkler heads piped together and connected to said storage vessel;
water check valve means, interposed between said storage vessel and the piping connecting said sprinkler heads, for restraining the water in said vessel until at least one of said sprinkler heads is activated.
2. The fire protection system of claim 1 wherein said storage vessel further comprises:
a manway with a lockable cover, said manway adapted to house at least one tank containing a pressurized non-combustible gas;
gas distribution means, attached to said tank, for delivering said gas under constant pressure to said water storage vessel.
3. The fire protection system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises:
fire warning means for alerting that a fire has activated at least one of said thermally activated sprinkler heads.
4. The fire protection system of claim 3 wherein said fire warning means further comprises water flow detection means for signalling that water is flowing through said system.
5. The fire protection system of claim 4 wherein said fire warning means further comprises an alarm.
6. The fire protection system of claim 5 wherein said alarm further comprises an audible signal.
7. The fire protection system of claim 5 wherein said alarm provides an electronic signal adapted to alert a fire department that a fire is present in said farm structure.
8. The fire protection system of claim 2 wherein said gas distribution means further comprises: pressure monitor means for measuring the pressure of said gas being delivered to said water storage vessel.
9. The fire protection system of claim 8 wherein said pressure monitor means is connected to said alarm, and wherein said alarm is activated whenever there is a variation of pressure within the system.
10. The fire protection system of claim 1 wherein the piping connecting said thermally activated sprinkler heads contains air while said system is in a readied state, said air being separated from the water held in said water storage vessel via said water check valve means.
11. The fire protection system of claim 1 wherein the piping connecting said thermally activated sprinkler heads contains non-freezable liquid while said system is in a readied state, said non-freezable liquid being separated from the water held in said water storage vessel via said water check valve means.
CA 2075397 1991-08-12 1992-08-06 Fire protection system for rural unheated structures Abandoned CA2075397A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US74368791A 1991-08-12 1991-08-12
US743,687 1991-08-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2075397A1 true CA2075397A1 (en) 1993-02-13

Family

ID=24989772

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2075397 Abandoned CA2075397A1 (en) 1991-08-12 1992-08-06 Fire protection system for rural unheated structures

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2075397A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5826663A (en) * 1993-01-21 1998-10-27 Sundholm; Goeran System for fighting fires
RU2651422C1 (en) * 2016-11-10 2018-04-19 ООО "Форносовское научно-производственное предприятие "Гефест" Bursting capsule for thermal lock
CN109544844A (en) * 2018-11-15 2019-03-29 江苏峰汇智联科技有限公司 A kind of intelligent fire alarm system

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5826663A (en) * 1993-01-21 1998-10-27 Sundholm; Goeran System for fighting fires
RU2651422C1 (en) * 2016-11-10 2018-04-19 ООО "Форносовское научно-производственное предприятие "Гефест" Bursting capsule for thermal lock
WO2018088937A1 (en) * 2016-11-10 2018-05-17 Общество С Ограниченной Ответственностью "Форносовское Научно-Производственное Предприятие "Гефест" Explosive capsule for thermal lock
US11331522B2 (en) 2016-11-10 2022-05-17 Job Lizenz Gmbh & Co. Kg Explosive capsule for thermal lock
CN109544844A (en) * 2018-11-15 2019-03-29 江苏峰汇智联科技有限公司 A kind of intelligent fire alarm system

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