CA2605544A1

CA2605544A1 - Method of protection of structural exterior

Info

Publication number: CA2605544A1
Application number: CA 2605544
Authority: CA
Inventors: Euhart C. Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-04
Filing date: 2007-10-04
Publication date: 2009-04-04

Abstract

A fire-detector protects the exterior of a structure. from a fire which originates from a source outside the structure such-as a building adjacent to the structure. The fire detector is located such that it detects the presence of fire on the structure's exterior.
When a fire is detected, a fire-retardant is sprayed onto the fire. A reservoir for the fire-retardant is located at a distance from the structure.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a process for protecting a structure from fire and more particul-arly to a process which serves to protect the exterior of a structure from fire and which can be carried out despite the fire to mitigate its destruction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The conventional method of protecting a structure from fire is by providing sensors and sprinklers at strategic locations within the structure. When a sensor detects a fire, it activates one or more valves which open to allow water to flow to sprinklers in the vicinity of the fire.

The sprinklers within the structure protect the interior of the structure but not the exterior.
In most cases, the exterior of a structure is left unprotected on the assumption that a fire will, in most cases, originate within the structure. It follows that equipment for extinguishing the fire is most effective at a location within the structure where the fire is likely to start and not to where it might spread. However this assumption does not always hold true. Structures in urban areas are usual located in close proximity to other structures and fires which start in one structure can spread to other structures.

I have invented a process specifically for protecting the exterior of structures from fires.
The equipment for carrying out the process can be located far enough away from the structure that it is not in any way damaged by the fire. The process is useful for protecting not only a structure which may be threatened by fires which are burning in other nearby structures but also by a structure that is threatened by, for example, a forest fire or by an explosion of a storage tank containing natural gas or a supply line of such gas in the vicinity of the structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the process of my invention includes the steps of: providing a reservoir for a fire-retarding liquid; locating the reservoir at a site spaced apart from the structure; providing a nozzle through which the liquid discharges; causing the liquid to flow under pressure to the nozzle; aiming the nozzle at the structure such that the liquid discharges onto the exterior of the structure; providing a sensor for detecting the presence of fire on the exterior; and providing a valve for causing the liquid to discharge from the nozzle upon detection of the fire by the sensor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The process of my invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a building and the ground on which the building is located;
Figure 2 is an elevation of a sprinkler; and Figure 3 is an elevation of the components used in the process.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the description of the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STEPS OF THE PROCESS

With reference to Figure 1, a building, generally 10, has a roof 12 on which two sprinkles 14 are located. An eaves trough 16 attached to the eaves of the building collect rain water. The rain water flows through a down spout 18 to a tank or reservoir 20. The reservoir is located in a hole in the ground at a site spaced apart from the building. A pump 24 in the reservoir causes water to flow upwardly through a conduit 26 to sprinklers 14.

A control pane128 is provided for controlling and monitoring the operation of the process. The panel may be located in the building but preferably is located outside so that access to the panel will not be prevented by a fire in the building. The panel can also be operated by remote control so that the fire can be seen no matter where the fire is burning on the exterior of the building.

With reference to Figure 2, the sprinkler has a nozzle 30 which directs water from conduit 26 onto the roof the building.

With reference to Figure 3, tap water within the building flows through a conduit 32 to a reservoir (not illustrated). A float valve 34 controls the flow of tap water to the reservoir and a pump within the reservoir causes water from the reservoir to flow to the sprinklers.

A sensor 42 having a number cells 44 detects the presence of fire on the exterior of the building. The sensor is conventional and may respond to smoke, heat or light.
The sensor is located at a site which is spaced apart from the building so that a fire on the exterior of the building will not impair the operation of the sensor.

The sensor activates valve 46 for controlling the flow of water from the reservoir to the sprinklers.

A number of sensors can be located around the building and each can activate the particular valves that will direct water onto the area of the exterior where the fire is burning.
While water which is usually plentiful is the preferred medium for extinguishing the fire, commercial fire-retardants may be used in place of it.

It will be understood, of course, that modifications can be made in the process of the invention without departing from the scope and purview of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A process for the protection of the exterior of a structure from an accidental fire including the steps of: providing a reservoir for a fire-retarding liquid; locating said reservoir at a site spaced apart from said structure; providing a nozzle through which said liquid discharges; caus-ing said liquid to flow under pressure to said nozzle; aiming said nozzle at said structure such that said liquid discharges onto said exterior; providing a sensor for detecting the presence of fire on said exterior; and providing a valve for causing said liquid to discharge from said nozzle upon detection of said fire by said sensor.

2. The process of claim 1 further including locating a plurality of said nozzles at preselected sites such that said liquid discharges on substantially the entire exterior of said structure.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein said structure has a roof and further including the stop of locating a plurality of said nozzles at preselected sites such that said liquid discharges on substantially the entire roof of said structure.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein said structure is provided with eaves troughs for collect-ing rain water and further including the step of providing a conduit through which said rain water flows to said reservoir.

5. The process of claim 1 further including the step of providing a sprinkler in the ground adjacent to said structure, said nozzle being associated with said sprinkler.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein said structure has a roof and further including the step of providing a sprinkler on said roof, said nozzle being associated with said sprinkler.

7. The process of claim 3 further including the step of providing a plurality of sprinklers spaced along the length of said roof, a separate said nozzle being associated with each said sprinkler.

8. The process of claim 7 further including the step of providing a plurality of second sprinklers in the ground adjacent to said structure, a separate said nozzle being associated with each said second sprinkler.