EP2159765A1 - Position and operation signalling apparatus for fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing system comprising such an apparatus - Google Patents

Position and operation signalling apparatus for fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing system comprising such an apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2159765A1
EP2159765A1 EP09168565A EP09168565A EP2159765A1 EP 2159765 A1 EP2159765 A1 EP 2159765A1 EP 09168565 A EP09168565 A EP 09168565A EP 09168565 A EP09168565 A EP 09168565A EP 2159765 A1 EP2159765 A1 EP 2159765A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fire extinguisher
fire
alarm
receiving
extinguishers
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09168565A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Sabatino Pompa
Mario Giangiacomo
Gabriele Fagioli
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.)
Centro Sicurezza e Qualita di Mammarella Monica
Original Assignee
Centro Sicurezza e Qualita di Mammarella Monica
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 Centro Sicurezza e Qualita di Mammarella Monica filed Critical Centro Sicurezza e Qualita di Mammarella Monica
Publication of EP2159765A1 publication Critical patent/EP2159765A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B7/00—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00
    • G08B7/06—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00 using electric transmission, e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C13/00—Portable extinguishers which are permanently pressurised or pressurised immediately before use
    • A62C13/76—Details or accessories
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/02—Mechanical actuation
    • G08B13/14—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
    • G08B13/1436—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles with motion detection
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/009—Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/10—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/14—Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a position and operation signalling apparatus for fire extinguishers and to a fire extinguishing system comprising such an apparatus, and more in particular to a position signalling apparatus for fire extinguishers for facilitating the detection of fire extinguisher position in case of fire, and to a fire extinguishing system comprising a wireless communication network between fire extinguishers belonging to the fire extinguishing system itself.
  • a position and operation signalling apparatus for fire extinguishers and a fire extinguishing system comprising such an apparatus are provided as defined in claims 1 and 17.
  • Figure 1 shows a fire extinguisher 2 comprising a handle 1 provided with a signalling apparatus 3 (here seen from the outside) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the signalling apparatus 3 comprises a casing 4, made for example of soft plastic material and shaped so as to adapt to the lower handle of the fire extinguisher 2 and be integral therewith.
  • Appropriate fastening means may be provided to promote the coupling thereof.
  • FIG. 2 shows a fire extinguisher 2 provided with a signalling apparatus 3' (seen from the outside) according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • the signalling apparatus 3' comprises a casing 4', e.g. made of either hard or soft plastic material and provided with fastening means 12 adapted to couple the signalling apparatus 3', by means of the casing 4', to the base 1' of the handle 1 of the fire extinguisher 2.
  • the casing 4' may be integral with a pressure gauge 11 with which all fire extinguishers are provided.
  • the fastening means of the casing 4' correspond to the fastening means of the pressure gauge 11 to the fire extinguisher 2.
  • the casing 4' may be fixed to the fire extinguisher 2 by means of the same screw for fastening the pressure gauge 11 to the fire extinguisher 2.
  • the casing 4' may be fixed to the base 1' of the handle 1 by means of an adjustable circular-section ring.
  • an o-ring mounted on the seat of the pressure gauge 11 and which is engaged in the valve (not shown) of the fire extinguisher 2.
  • an accessory ring which is fastened by means of a screw nut onto the collar of the valve where the pressure gauge 11 is screwed may be used.
  • the following operations may be performed, for example, for mounting the signalling apparatus 3: removing the pressure gauge 11; inserting the nut in the collar of the valve; screwing the pressure gauge 11; coupling the signalling apparatus 3' to the pressure gauge 11 or to the base 1' of the handle 1 of the fire extinguisher 2.
  • the casing 4, 4' has a housing 5, for accommodating one or more batteries (not shown) inside the casing 4, 4' itself, and an opening 6 for emitting a light beam 7 towards the outside of the casing 4, 4'.
  • a light beam 7 may be generated by a focused LED or LASER device, as described in greater detail below with reference to figures 4 and 5 .
  • the light beam 7 is advantageously projected towards a ceiling 8 of a room 10 in which the fire extinguisher 2 is placed, and forms a luminous image 9 on the ceiling 8.
  • the luminous image 9 may be of various shapes and sizes, e.g. it may be a luminous spot or circle or it may form a letter "E" standing for the word "Extinguisher".
  • a user 11 looking for the fire extinguisher 2 in an assumed poorly lit room 10 (with emergency lighting) and/or with the presence of smoke is facilitated in searching the fire extinguisher 2 itself because the luminous image 9 may be located with a gaze from various angles.
  • FIG 4 schematically shows an electronic power, control and command circuit 15 of a LASER device 16 configured to generate the light beam 7.
  • the electronic circuit 15 comprises a battery 20, e.g. adapted to generate a 3V voltage, a microprocessor circuit 21 and a pilot switch 22, e.g. a MOSFET device serving the function of switch.
  • the battery 20 supplies the power needed for their operation to the microprocessor circuit 21 and to the LASER device 16.
  • a small-size, rechargeable lithium battery adapted to be placed inside the housing 5 (shown in figure 1 or 2 ) is advantageously used.
  • the LASER device 16 is controlled by the electronic circuit 15, in order to generate a pulse on timing (intermittent on/off operation of the LASER device 16).
  • the microprocessor circuit 21 alternatively controls the pilot switch 22, which in turn controls the LASER device 16 on/off, to either conduct or cut-off stages.
  • the pulse on timing serves a three-fold function. Firstly, it allows to minimize current consumption and to preserve the energy of the battery 20; then, it promotes the visual perception of the luminous image 9 by the human eye which, as known, is particularly sensitive to image variations more than to a fixed image; and finally it reduces up to eliminating the problem of danger of possible accidental pointing of the light beam 7 towards the human eye.
  • an on/off timing of the LASER device 16 with 10 ms in on-state and 900 ms in off-state, is used; these values ensure an optimal persistence time for the human eye, and the frequency may be further automatically varied according to the operating conditions of the fire extinguisher 2.
  • an excessively low value of the inner pressure of the fire extinguisher 2 may be signalled by varying the on/off timing of the LASER device 16, i.e. by controlling it for 10 ms in on-state and 300 ms in off-state.
  • the voltage supplied by the battery 20 to the LASER device 16 is modulated by means of PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for allowing to minimize the energy dissipation while maintaining a maximum illumination during the whole discharge time of the battery 20.
  • PWM Pulse Width Modulation
  • the PWM modulation of input current to the laser device 16 may be managed by the microcontroller circuit 21.
  • the advantage of using PWM modulation is first the drastic reduction of power dissipated by the electronic circuitry, because the electronic power devices of known type (MOSFET, IGBT, etc.) minimize the energy dissipation when they work under two conditions of saturation or interdiction only.
  • Figure 5 shows an electronic circuit 23 according to a further embodiment.
  • the electronic circuit 23 in figure 5 comprises a battery 20, a microprocessor circuit 21 and a pilot switch 22, but differs from the electronic circuit 15 in figure 4 for the additional presence of an energy converter 19, adapted to convert the light energy possibly present in the environment (e.g. the room 10, figure 3 ) into electricity to charge the battery 20 and/or to directly power the microprocessor circuit 21; a sensor/indicator block 26 connected to the microprocessor circuit 21, comprising at least one pressure sensor 27 used for acquiring a pressure value inside the fire extinguisher 2; a sound generator 30 connected to the microprocessor circuit 21, e.g.
  • a piezoelectric buzzer for generating an alarm sound signal
  • a communication interface 31 e.g. a radio type interface
  • the control room and/or operator may be indifferently located either close to the room 10 or far from the room 10 itself, e.g. in another building, to monitor all the possible alarms or operating faults of all the fire extinguishers (provided with the signalling apparatus 3, 3' comprising the electronic circuit 23 provided with a communication interface 31) present in a residential dwelling or workplace.
  • the sensor block 26 may further comprise other sensor types, such as, for example, a light sensor 28, used for measuring luminosity in the room 10 and/or a temperature sensor 29 and/or an accelerometer 32 or even other sensors.
  • the accelerometer 32 is preferably of the triaxial type and is adapted to detect unauthorized movements of the fire extinguisher 2 (e.g. theft) and to send an unauthorized movement signal to the microprocessor 21, which in turn controls the communication interface 31 to send an unauthorized movement signal of the fire extinguisher 2 to a control room and/or an operator.
  • unauthorized movements of the fire extinguisher 2 e.g. theft
  • microprocessor 21 controls the communication interface 31 to send an unauthorized movement signal of the fire extinguisher 2 to a control room and/or an operator.
  • the pressure sensor 27 may be advantageously either connected to the original pressure gauge with which all powder fire extinguishers are provided, e.g. as an extension or fitting of the original pressure gauge, or may be connected to a pressure indicator mounted instead of the original pressure gauge (e.g. of the type shown in figure 6 and described with reference to such a figure).
  • the microprocessor circuit 21 periodically diagnoses the fire extinguisher 2 by acquiring the pressure value inside the reservoir of the fire extinguisher 2 from the pressure sensor 27. If the pressure in the reservoir drops below a minimum threshold value expected for a correct operation, the microprocessor circuit 21 controls the sound generator 30 in order to generate faulty operation sound signals of the fire extinguisher 2 which may be heard by people in transit or residing close to the fire extinguisher 2 itself. These signals are generated with the purpose of attracting attention and prompting people in transit to inform the operators in charge of fire extinguishing system maintenance to restore the correct operation of the fire extinguisher 2.
  • the microprocessor circuit 21 further controls the communication interface 31 in order to transmit operating fault signals of the fire extinguisher 2 to a control room and/or to an operator in charge of maintenance.
  • the pressure indicator 39 comprises a pressure indicator needle 40 including in turn a magnetic element 41.
  • the magnetic element 41 e.g. made of neodymium, may be integrated in the pressure indicator needle 40, or applied to the pressure indicator needle 40 by means of appropriate fastening means (e.g. glued or screwed) or alternatively the whole pressure indicator needle 40 may be made of magnetic material and thus it may be the magnetic element 41 itself.
  • the pressure indicator 39 further comprises a reed bulb 42, of known type.
  • the reed bulb 42 comprises first and second ferromagnetic foils 42' and 42", generally made of iron and nickel tightly sealed in a glass casing.
  • the ferromagnetic foils 42', 42" electrically polarized in a convenient manner, overlap apart from one another inside the casing and, under rest conditions, are not conducting because they are separated by a small gap.
  • an appropriate magnetic field in the example shown, generated by the magnetic element 41
  • the first and second foils 42' and 42" come in direct contact with each other and an electric signal crosses the terminals (not shown) of the reed bulb 42.
  • the reed bulb 42 is inserted into the pressure indicator 39 and spatially arranged in correspondence of at least one anomalous operating zone 43', 43", indicating an anomalous operation of the fire extinguisher 2 (excessively high or excessively low pressure), in all cases beyond a correct operating zone 44 indicating a correct operation of the fire extinguisher 2.
  • the reed bulb 42 When the pressure indicator needle 40 comprising the magnetic element 41 is outside the correct operating zone 44, the reed bulb 42 is activated thus causing the direct contact of the first foil 42' with the second foil 42".
  • the state of the reed bulb 42 (open contact or closed contact) may be monitored either constantly or at regular intervals by the microprocessor 21 which, if the reed bulb 42 is active and conducting, may signal the event by means of an anomalous operating sound signalling (by means of the sound generator 30) or by sending a message to the control room or to an operator (by means of the communication interface 31).
  • a reed bulb 42 of the described type may be used in which the first foil 42' and the second foil 42" are in electric contact with each other under the normal operating condition of the fire extinguisher 2, and the activation of a malfunction state or alarm (i.e. when the magnetic element 41 is beyond the correct operating zone 44) is subjected to the detachment between the first foil 42' and the second foil 42", caused by an appropriate magnetic field.
  • a malfunction state or alarm i.e. when the magnetic element 41 is beyond the correct operating zone 44
  • a capacitor (not shown) 39 may be inserted into the pressure indicator 39, connected in parallel to the reed bulb 42, having a low capacity value (e.g. 100 pF), so as not to compromise the normal operation of the pressure indicator 39.
  • a capacitor may be used during the step of diagnosing, thus allowing to check the correct connection of the parts.
  • the microprocessor 21 checks the correct operation by sending a short voltage step and then analyzing the received reply. If the line returns to the rest state with a delay longer than a predetermined interval (e.g.
  • the connection is correct, otherwise if the connection returns to the rest state in a shorter time than the aforementioned threshold, the connection is interrupted (the reed bulb 42 is not correctly working).
  • the microprocessor 21 may signal the event by means of an anomalous operation sound signalling or by sending an appropriate message to the control room or to an operator. During the step of installing, diagnosing the contact will help the installer to understand if the mounting correctly occurred. Subsequently, it is used to confidently known that no faults or possible tampering have occurred.
  • a pressure indicator 39 may be made, in which the activation of a malfunction event or alarm is generated by a direct mechanical contact between the pressure indicator needle 40 and an abutting element (not shown).
  • the mechanical contact may, for example, cause the activation of an appropriate signal or, if the pressure indicator needle 40 and the abutting element are made of conducting material and appropriately polarized, may enable a flow of electric current between the abutting element and the pressure indicator needle 40.
  • Such a current may be monitored either constantly or at regular intervals by the microprocessor 21 which, if active and conducting, may indicate the event by means of an anomalous operating sound signalling (by means of the sound generator 30) or by sending a message to the control room or to an operator (by means of the communication interface 31).
  • the pressure sensor 27 and the pressure indicator 39 may be prepared by the supplier/assembler of the fire extinguisher 2 during the assembly (for new fire extinguishers) or during the step of overhauling (for fire extinguishers already on the market).
  • Figure 7 shows an electronic circuit 24 similar to the electronic circuit 23 in figure 5 . Elements in common of the electronic circuit 24 and the electronic circuit 23 will not be described in further detail.
  • the electronic circuit 24 comprises a memory 25, connected to the microprocessor circuit 21 and adapted to store information which allow to univocally identify the fire extinguisher 2 to which the electronic circuit 24 is mounted.
  • these information may be limited to a registration number of the fire extinguisher; or may further comprise one or more of: the safety system owner's name, the address, the city, the building floor, the number or name of the room where the fire extinguisher 2 is located.
  • the communication interface 31 may communicate with the control room and/or or with the operator by means of a wireless or wired LAN network or by means of the cellular network (e.g. GSM, GPRS, UMTS, etc.), or other.
  • a wireless or wired LAN network or by means of the cellular network (e.g. GSM, GPRS, UMTS, etc.), or other.
  • the cellular network e.g. GSM, GPRS, UMTS, etc.
  • a wireless network may be made, e.g. of the mesh type, between a plurality of fire extinguishers 2 present in a given place, e.g. in a same plant or office or other.
  • FIG 8 shows a fire extinguishing system 50 comprising a plurality of fire extinguishers 2, each comprising in turn a signalling apparatus 3, 3' including the electronic circuit 24 of the type shown in figure 5 .
  • a fire extinguisher 2 will be made hereinafter in the description, understanding that this comprises a respective signalling apparatus 3, 3'.
  • the fire extinguishing system 50 further comprises at least one coordinator device 51, configured to be interfaced with one or more signalling apparatuses 3, 3' of respective fire extinguishers 2, for reading and writing data.
  • the coordinator device 51 is interfaced with a public network 52 (of know type, e.g. GSM, UMTS, WIMAX, or wired network, or the Internet, or other) outside the fire extinguishing system 50, for sending information related to one or more fire extinguishers 2, belonging to the fire extinguishing system 50, to a mobile device 53 of an operator in charge of maintenance or to a control room (described in greater detail below).
  • FIG 9 schematically shows a coordinator device 51 useable in the fire extinguishing system 50 in figure 8 .
  • the coordinator device 51 comprises a video 55, a microcontroller 56, a modem 57 (e.g. a GSM modem), a wireless transceiver 58, a memory 59, a housing for a SIM card 60, a GPS receiver 62 and a battery 61.
  • modem 57 e.g. a GSM modem
  • a wireless transceiver 58 e.g. a GSM modem
  • Some of the main activities of the coordinator device 51 are: storing operating parameters of the fire extinguishing system 50; maintaining an occurred event history (alarm situations, malfunctions, maintenance); delivering a network synchronism signal to the fire extinguishers 2 belonging to the fire extinguishing system 50; receiving and storing information (e.g. alarm or malfunction signals) transmitted by the fire extinguishers 2; querying the fire extinguishers 2 to evaluate the operation; modifying and/or acquiring operating parameters of each fire extinguisher 2 of the fire extinguishing system 50 (e.g.
  • the video 55 is used to display a plurality of information, e.g. the operating state of coordinator device 51 and fire extinguishing system 50 (e.g. configuration parameters, possible alarm state of one or more fire extinguishers 2 belonging to the fire extinguishing system 50, charge level of the battery of the signalling apparatuses 3, 3' with which the fire extinguishers 2 belonging to the fire extinguishing system 50 are provided, charge level of the battery of the coordinator device 51 itself, maintenance state in progress, etc.).
  • the operating state of coordinator device 51 and fire extinguishing system 50 e.g. configuration parameters, possible alarm state of one or more fire extinguishers 2 belonging to the fire extinguishing system 50, charge level of the battery of the signalling apparatuses 3, 3' with which the fire extinguishers 2 belonging to the fire extinguishing system 50 are provided, charge level of the battery of the coordinator device 51 itself, maintenance state in progress, etc.
  • a wireless connection managed by the wireless transceiver 58 adapted to communicate in transmission/reception with all the fire extinguishers 2 of the fire extinguishing system 50, e.g. using a 2.4GHz frequency connection and a wireless LAN protocol of known type; and a wireless connection managed by the modem 57, e.g. on mobile telephone network, to alert an operator in charge of safety/maintenance of the fire extinguishers 2 in real time.
  • the modem 57 may advantageously send communications (e.g. an SMS text message) on GSM, UMTS or other telephony network (by using a SIM card accommodated in the SIM card housing 60) or an email message via the Internet.
  • the memory 59 may contain a plurality of information, e.g. the name of the owner of the fire extinguishing system, the address, the city and for each fire extinguisher 2 present in the fire extinguishing system 50, the registration number of the fire extinguisher 2 associated to data related to the location of the fire extinguisher 2 in the building (e.g. the building floor, the number or name of the room where the fire extinguisher 2 is located).
  • a plurality of information e.g. the name of the owner of the fire extinguishing system, the address, the city and for each fire extinguisher 2 present in the fire extinguishing system 50, the registration number of the fire extinguisher 2 associated to data related to the location of the fire extinguisher 2 in the building (e.g. the building floor, the number or name of the room where the fire extinguisher 2 is located).
  • Information related to the place in which the coordinator device 51 is located may be stored in the memory 59 or may be acquired by the GPS signal receiver 62 and processed by an appropriate software (e.g. of the type used for GPS navigation) residing in the memory 59.
  • the power of the coordinator device 51 is supplied by the battery 61, of rechargeable type, which in turn may be powered/recharged by an external AC/DC power unit (not shown) connected to network voltage. If the network voltage is absent, service continuity is ensured for a few days by the battery 61.
  • the consumption of the battery in case of prolonged network voltage absence or the failure of the battery 61 may be signalled to the operator in charge of the maintenance of the fire extinguishing system 50 (e.g. by means of SMS text messages).
  • the fire extinguishers 2 communicate to one another using the respective communication interfaces 31.
  • Each fire extinguisher 2 communicates with one or more fire extinguishers 2 within radio range, thus in fact creating a cooperative-type wireless communication network (or mesh network).
  • the fire extinguishers 2 within the radio range from the coordinator device 51 communicate with the latter.
  • the faulty fire extinguisher 2 transmits an alarm message.
  • the faulty fire extinguisher 2 will firstly send such an alarm message to the coordinator device 51, which forwards it to the operator's mobile device 53 and/or the control room through the public network 52.
  • the coordinator device Before forwarding such an alarm message, the coordinator device generates a data packet adapted to be transmitted according to the communication protocol used by the public network 52 with which it is interfaced, in order to make it compatible therewith, and may add or remove information.
  • each fire extinguisher 2 may generate an alarm message containing its own registration number and the indication of the fault type (e.g. in the form of numeric code known by both the fire extinguisher 2 and the coordinator device 51).
  • the coordinator device 51 Prior to transmission, the coordinator device 51 may complete such an alarm message with information related to the place where the operator has to intervene.
  • each fire extinguisher 2 belonging to the fire extinguishing system 50 may act as a repeater for the fire extinguishers 2 within the radio range therefrom, so that the alarm message is delivered to the coordinator device 51.
  • the coordinator device 51 serves the function of synchronizing the circuits mounted to the fire extinguishers, e.g. by outputting a synchronization signal at established intervals so as to allow the resynchronization of the these circuits if these go out of synchronism, and to control the fire extinguishers 2 belonging to the fire extinguishing system 50, and furthermore it acts as an interface towards public networks 52 operating in the territory where the fire extinguishing system 50 is located.
  • the coordinator device 51 may forward such an alarm message as an SMS text message to an intended cellular telephone number. Furthermore, the coordinator device 51 may send the alarm message to a specific service centre where such an alarm message may be stored, processed and read.
  • the alarm message which is sent contains all the information for unequivocally identifying and locating the faulty fire extinguisher 2.
  • an alarm message may contain: the registration number of the fire extinguisher, the fire extinguishing system owner's name, the address, the city, the building floor and the number or name of the room where the faulty fire extinguisher 2 is located.
  • the alerted operator who goes to the place where the faulty fire extinguisher is located may then restore the operation of the fire extinguisher 2.
  • the operator may have a maintenance device 70 of the type shown in figure 10 .
  • the maintenance device 70 is of the portable type and comprises a video 71, an alphanumeric keyboard 72, a transceiver 73, a microcontroller 74, a rechargeable battery 75 and interface connectors 76.
  • the maintenance device 70 acts as an interface and is used by the operator to access the memory 25 of the fire extinguishers 2, and more in general all parameters of the circuits 15, 23 and 24. It may be used both during the steps of installing the fire extinguishing system 50 and later for updates and/or maintenance.
  • the network of the fire extinguishing system 50 may advantageously be accessed in a safe mode by entering the user name and password, defined by the operator when the fire extinguishing system 50 is installed, and then freely editable.
  • the maintenance device 70 is designed to communicate with each extinguisher 2 and with the coordinator device 51.
  • the maintenance device 70 may use the same protocol and frequencies defined for the fire extinguishing system 50 (e.g. a Wireless LAN protocol), but system data editing may be enabled according to one or more safety conditions, e.g. it may only occur if the level of the received signal is higher than a predetermined threshold.
  • system data editing may be enabled according to one or more safety conditions, e.g. it may only occur if the level of the received signal is higher than a predetermined threshold.
  • the fire extinguisher 2 or the coordinator device 51 which is a few tens of centimetres away from the maintenance device 70 may have a signal strong enough to allow the communication activation.
  • the communication becomes robust because it can overcome possible strong intensity, interfering signals.
  • the alphanumeric keyboard 72 and the video 71 of the maintenance device 70 serve the function of entering data into the memory 25 of the electronic circuit 24 and/or into the memory 59 of the coordinator device 51, respectively, and of displaying the information contained in these memories 25, 59 or the parameters of the fire extinguishing system 50 (signal power, transmission frequency, etc.).
  • the interface connectors 76 may comprise, for example, a power connector and a USB connector. Both may be used for recharging the battery 75.
  • the first is used for recharging the battery 75 from an external AC/DC power source connectable to the electric network, the second is used for connecting the maintenance device 70 to a computer for saving acquired maintenance data and/or for recharging the battery 75 through the USB port.
  • the USB connector may be used for connecting a reading device 80, outside the maintenance device 70, such as for example an RF tag reader, or a bar code reader.
  • the memory 25 of the electronic circuit 24 present on the fire extinguishers 2 is an RF tag or a barcode, containing identifying information of the fire extinguisher 2 (e.g. the registration number of the fire extinguisher 2).
  • the reading device 80 may be integrated inside the maintenance device 70.
  • the maintenance device 70 may store the performed maintenance intervention history or only the maintenance interventions which have not yet been billed.
  • the data are taken from the maintenance device 70 and stored in a computer (not shown) to be appropriately printed.
  • the data present in the memory 25 of the electronic circuit 24 of each fire extinguisher 2 may be edited to store information related to the performed maintenance intervention (if the memory so allows and is of the rewritable type). Storing maintenance data in the memory 25 ensures traceability over time.
  • the fire extinguisher 2 undergoing the maintenance informs the coordinator device 51 that maintenance is in progress. After maintenance, the fire extinguisher 2 informs the coordinator device 51 of the performed intervention type and its operativeness. In turn, the coordinator device 51 may store the type of intervention in its memory 59.
  • the operator in charge of maintenance replaces the battery 20 of the electronic circuit 24, carries out possible maintenance operations and, by means of the maintenance device 70, records the type of maintenance carried out in the memory 25 of the fire extinguisher 2.
  • Replacing the battery 20 once every six months is sufficient to ensure the good operation of the signalling apparatus 3, 3', particularly if consumption is optimized by turning on/off both the LASER device 16 and the communication interface 31 at regular intervals (e.g. with on/off state timing of 100 to 1). For example, for each long interval 1s, the LASER device 16 lights up for 10ms. Similarly, the communication interface 31 is turned on and off. The reception and transmission intervals are modulated by periods of rest in which the circuits are set to minimum consumption. Thereby, the battery 20 (under optimal conditions) reaches a duration of about six months, i.e. equal to the maximum maintenance time which is contemplated by many laws regarding the maintenance of fire extinguishers.
  • the LASER 16 device which emits the light beam 7 is integral with the fire extinguisher 2, the identification of the fire extinguisher 2 itself is facilitated even if the fire extinguisher 2 is removed from its original position indicated by means of the wall signs currently provided and used.
  • the luminous image 9 is more visible than the signs on the wall, thus helping to save time during the minutes of first response to extinguish the fire.
  • the generation of light beam 7 and luminous image 9 may be independent from the environmental conditions where the fire extinguisher is located or may be automatically activated when the ambient light drops below a predetermined threshold value (e.g. because it is dark, because the emergency lighting system has been activated and/or because of the presence of smoke), detected by means of the light sensor 28 (when present).
  • the light beam 7, in addition to the luminous image 9, also becomes particularly well visible.
  • the signalling device 3, 3' is directly mounted to the fire extinguisher, in an integrated form with the latter, possible wires coupling or connecting it to a fixed resting station are absent, thus avoiding the risk of creating hindrance for a user of the fire extinguisher 2 and/or of forming sparks which, in a gas saturated environment, could cause an explosion.
  • the possibility of creating a wireless communication network between the fire extinguishers and with an external control room and/or an operator allows an immediate intervention by a maintenance operator who may restore the correct operation of the fire extinguisher which indicated the fault if even only one fire extinguisher signals a fault event.
  • LASER devices 16 may be present.
  • any other type of optical or optical-electronic device may be used.
  • the electronic circuit 15, 23, 24 may indifferently comprise all or only some of the energy converter 19, the sensor/indicator block 26, the sound generator 30 and the communication interface 31; similarly, the sensor block 26 may indifferently comprise only one or more of the pressure sensor 27, the light sensor 28, the temperature sensor 29 and the accelerometer 32.
  • the sound generator 30, when used to generate faulty operation sound signals of the fire extinguisher 2, may be installed by the side of an optical faulty operation indicator (e.g. a LED, not shown) to support the sound signalling with an optical signalling.
  • an optical faulty operation indicator e.g. a LED, not shown
  • the sound alarm signal may also be generated during the fire to further facilitate finding the fire extinguisher 2.
  • the coordinator device 51 may be made in the form of an integrated board adapted to be interfaced with a computer (e.g. by means of a PCI slot, a USB interface or other). In this case, the coordinator device 51 is directly powered by the computer and the video 55 is the monitor of the computer itself.
  • each fire extinguisher 2 comprising a signalling apparatus 3, 3' including an electronic circuit 24 of the type shown in figure 7 , and belonging to a fire extinguishing system 50 of the type shown and described with reference to figure 8 , may store in the memory 25 a history of alarm events occurred in the fire extinguishing system 50.
  • all fire extinguishers 2 belonging to the fire extinguishing system 50 communicate with one another by means of the signalling apparatus 3, 3', possible alarm and/or malfunction messages related to a fire extinguisher 2 may be transmitted to all signalling apparatuses 3, 3' of the other fire extinguishers 2.
  • the alarm history may be retrieved for later analyses of the alarms and/or malfunctions which occurred, even in case of malfunction of the coordinator device 51 or of some signalling apparatuses 3, 3' of the fire extinguishers 2 belonging to the fire extinguishing system 50.
  • the position signalling apparatus for fire extinguishers according to the present invention may be placed on new and old generation fire extinguishers present in industrial buildings, hospitals, schools and in all places specified by the law or regulations of every respective country.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Fire Alarms (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
EP09168565A 2008-08-25 2009-08-25 Position and operation signalling apparatus for fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing system comprising such an apparatus Withdrawn EP2159765A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000643A ITTO20080643A1 (it) 2008-08-25 2008-08-25 Apparato di segnalazione di posizione di estintori

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2159765A1 true EP2159765A1 (en) 2010-03-03

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EP09168565A Withdrawn EP2159765A1 (en) 2008-08-25 2009-08-25 Position and operation signalling apparatus for fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing system comprising such an apparatus

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EP (1) EP2159765A1 (it)
IT (2) ITTO20080643A1 (it)

Cited By (9)

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WO2013007902A1 (fr) * 2011-07-12 2013-01-17 Finsecur Sa Dispositif d'extinction d'incendie pour un systeme de securite
FR3012966A1 (fr) * 2013-11-14 2015-05-15 Finsecur Dispositif et systeme de securisation, extincteur portable, support d'extincteur et procede de deploiement d'un systeme de securisation
DE102016118349A1 (de) 2016-09-28 2018-03-29 Minimax Mobile Services Gmbh & Co. Kg Brandschutzsystem und Wartungsverfahren für Brandschutzsystem
EP3563907A1 (de) * 2018-04-30 2019-11-06 Peter Kammer Lokalisierungs- und kommunikationssystem für feuerlöschgeräte
WO2020117904A1 (en) * 2018-12-06 2020-06-11 Carrier Corporation Networked hazard detectors which monitor for readiness and availability
IT201900005594A1 (it) * 2019-04-11 2020-10-11 E D C S R L Dispositivo di misura e monitoraggio per bombole o condutture contenenti fluidi in pressione
TWI723879B (zh) * 2020-05-19 2021-04-01 高樹萍 自動偵測滅火器
JP2021115312A (ja) * 2020-01-28 2021-08-10 ホーチキ株式会社 消火栓設備
EP3833451A4 (en) * 2018-08-06 2022-05-04 Lehavot Production Protection (1995) Ltd. RECOVERY FIRE EXTINGUISHER APPARATUS

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US20080309486A1 (en) * 2005-09-20 2008-12-18 Selflink Llc Self-configuring emergency event alarm system having connection to a public safety answering point

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GB2377172A (en) 2001-06-26 2003-01-08 Adrian Michael Cawkwell Fire extinguisher locator alarm
US20050174230A1 (en) 2001-08-24 2005-08-11 Miyoji Matoba Accident warning device
US20080309486A1 (en) * 2005-09-20 2008-12-18 Selflink Llc Self-configuring emergency event alarm system having connection to a public safety answering point
EP1845499A2 (en) 2006-04-13 2007-10-17 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc./Cerberus Div. Wireless service tool for automated protection systems

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013007902A1 (fr) * 2011-07-12 2013-01-17 Finsecur Sa Dispositif d'extinction d'incendie pour un systeme de securite
FR2977965A1 (fr) * 2011-07-12 2013-01-18 Finsecur Procede d'identification d'extincteur et dispositif d'identification d'extincteur
US20140145843A1 (en) * 2011-07-12 2014-05-29 Finsecur Fire extinguishing device for a security system
FR3012966A1 (fr) * 2013-11-14 2015-05-15 Finsecur Dispositif et systeme de securisation, extincteur portable, support d'extincteur et procede de deploiement d'un systeme de securisation
DE102016118349A1 (de) 2016-09-28 2018-03-29 Minimax Mobile Services Gmbh & Co. Kg Brandschutzsystem und Wartungsverfahren für Brandschutzsystem
WO2019211728A1 (de) * 2018-04-30 2019-11-07 Peter Kammer Autonomes brandschutzsystem
EP3563907A1 (de) * 2018-04-30 2019-11-06 Peter Kammer Lokalisierungs- und kommunikationssystem für feuerlöschgeräte
EP3833451A4 (en) * 2018-08-06 2022-05-04 Lehavot Production Protection (1995) Ltd. RECOVERY FIRE EXTINGUISHER APPARATUS
US11938360B2 (en) 2018-08-06 2024-03-26 Lehavot Production & Protection (1995) Ltd. Retrofit fire extinguisher apparatus
WO2020117904A1 (en) * 2018-12-06 2020-06-11 Carrier Corporation Networked hazard detectors which monitor for readiness and availability
US11602655B2 (en) 2018-12-06 2023-03-14 Carrier Corporation Networked hazard detectors which monitor for readiness and availability
IT201900005594A1 (it) * 2019-04-11 2020-10-11 E D C S R L Dispositivo di misura e monitoraggio per bombole o condutture contenenti fluidi in pressione
JP2021115312A (ja) * 2020-01-28 2021-08-10 ホーチキ株式会社 消火栓設備
TWI723879B (zh) * 2020-05-19 2021-04-01 高樹萍 自動偵測滅火器

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Publication number Publication date
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