EP2276542B1 - Portable fire extinguishing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing device, of the portable lance type, allowing the dispersion of a fluid, in particular water or water-based, in a hot gas or on a solid. traffic light.

• Les feux contrôlés par le combustible dont la dynamique de développement répond généralement à l'un des scénarios suivant :
  • L'auto extinction
  • Feu pleinement développé avec, ou sans Flashover
• Les feux contrôlés par la ventilation dont la dynamique de développement répond généralement à l'un des scénarios suivant :
  • L'auto extinction
  • L'auto-inflammation
  • Le "Flashover" retardé (induit par la ventilation)
  • Le "Backdraft"
  • Les phénomènes de la "Grey zone"

The field of the present invention is particularly focused on the fires encountered during fires in structures (outside the open air) which can be classified in two categories:

• Fuel-controlled fires whose development dynamics generally respond to one of the following scenarios:
  • Self extinction
  • Fully developed fire with or without Flashover
• Ventilation controlled fires whose development dynamics generally respond to one of the following scenarios:
  • Self extinction
  • Self-ignition
  • Delayed "Flashover" (induced by ventilation)
  • The "Backdraft"
  • The phenomena of the "gray zone"

All these phenomena are grouped under the name: Hostiles of Fire Events (EHF).

1. a) Un feu en structure contrôlé par le combustible, donc puissant (plusieurs MW) avec possibilité de traitement par application de l'agent extincteur depuis l'extérieur (feu au RDC d'un immeuble, maison de plain pied, feu en étage accessible avec une échelle 10/11^ème étage maximum).
2. b) Un feu en structure contrôlé par le combustible, donc puissant sans possibilité de traitement depuis l'extérieur (feu en étage inaccessible par échelle supérieur à 11 étages ), ou seule une action par l'intérieur sera possible.
3. c) Un feu contrôlé par la ventilation donc initialement peu puissant du fait de la sous ventilation, mais très instable car complètement dépendants des variations aérauliques du milieu.

Despite these different kinetics of fire, from an operational point of view, they can be grouped into 3 situations:

1. a) A fire in structure controlled by the fuel, therefore powerful (several MW) with possibility of treatment by application of extinguishing agent from outside (fire on the ground floor of a building, single storey house, fire in floor accessible with a scale 10/11 ^th floor maximum).
2. b) A fire in structure controlled by the fuel, therefore powerful without possibility of treatment from the outside (fire in floor inaccessible by scale greater than 11 floors), or only an action from the inside will be possible.
3. c) A fire controlled by the ventilation thus initially not very powerful because of the under ventilation, but very unstable because completely dependent on the aeraulic variations of the medium.

If situation a) is fairly common and easily handled by applications produced from outside the structure due to the large scope of current fire heaters, the other two situations require the engagement of personnel in the structure to achieve compartment damaged. Such a physical commitment implies that the participants have a great mastery of the techniques of applying water to the lance, otherwise they risk either triggering the firing of hot gases (aeraulic mixing) or being burned. by the excess of water vapor that could produce an application of extinguishing water on the warm walls of the compartment.

To deal with fire situations (b) and (c), firefighters use a unique technique called Combined Attack. If this technique can deal with situation b), it may be dangerous for more than one reason to deal with situation c).

In the 80s, the Swedes have validated a technique of intervention to deal with these problems of fires under ventilated with attack from the inside according to the technique of three-dimensional water mist ("- 3D Water Fog Techniques"). This technique, although very effective and safe, is not generalized because it is too difficult to teach with a conventional adjustable diffuser type (DMR) spear. Indeed, the current lances (DMR) can produce variable flow rates (from 40 to 500 l / min) from a handle-type control, and a variation of jet cone angle, of the straight jet (stick ) at a wide angle of 120 ° from another control, usually a rotating ring.

The multiplicity of these settings does not allow to alternate them easily (change of the flow, change of the angle of spraying), while controlling wall contacts. In fact, the adjustment actions required to implement the "3D" technique are difficult.

A portable fire extinguishing device is known to DE 905 926 C1 .

The present invention provides a hand-held, water-based, ergonomic and easy-to-use, that can be powered by the pumps fitted to the fire department trucks (pump index 2000/15), while connecting to the pipes and fittings currently used. This lance is adapted to produce water sprays (continuously or discontinuously) with an optimized distribution mode for alternately treating the gas and solid fuel phases during fires requiring the engagement of personnel in structures of the apartment, office type , hotel room, hallway, boat cabin, ...

Of course, the present invention is not limited to a projection of water, but more generally to the projection of a water-based fluid, water additive, aerated water, aqueous foam, or the like.

• une conduite d'alimentation en fluide,
• deux buses à orifices adaptées à produire deux jets de configurations différentes,
• des moyens de distribution de l'alimentation en fluide vers l'une ou l'autre des buses, lesdits moyens comprenant des moyens de rappel pour alimenter en fluide par défaut une des deux buses,
• une commande de contrôle du débit de fluide d'alimentation.

Thus, the present invention relates to a portable fire extinguishing device which comprises a manual lance for projecting an aqueous fluid comprising in combination:

• a fluid supply line,
• two orifice nozzles adapted to produce two jets of different configurations,
• means for distributing the fluid supply to one or the other of the nozzles, said means comprising return means for supplying fluid by default to one of the two nozzles,
• a feed fluid flow control command.

In the device, a nozzle is determined so that the jet supplied is square with Sauter diameter drops of between 100 and 400 μm, and preferably between 200 and 300 μm for a flow rate of between 80 and 150 l / min, the other nozzle is determined to produce a round jet with Sauter diameter drops greater than 800 μm for a flow rate of between 150 and 600 l / min, and preferably about 300 l / min.

Preferably, the nozzles are arranged on the same axis.

The flow control control may be in the form of a trigger cooperating with the handle of the manual lance, so as to be actuated by the gripping hand of said handle.

One nozzle may have fixed orifices to produce a mist, the other being of variable section orifices.

The control of said dispensing means can be actuated by the other hand.

Means for producing a protective water jet may be supplied with water upstream of said distribution means.

The device according to the invention may comprise a temperature alarm on the body of the manual lance.

Said alarm may include an auditory, visual or tactile alert system disposed on or in the vicinity of the handle of the lance.

• les figures 1a et 1b illustrent schématiquement le dispositif selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 illustre schématiquement les moyens de pulvérisation.

The present invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an example of embodiment, in no way limiting, illustrated by the appended figures, among which:

• the Figures 1a and 1b schematically illustrate the device according to the invention;
• the figure 2 schematically illustrates the spraying means.

Figure la shows a hand held lance comprising a handle 1 equipped with a flow control 2, for example trigger type that allows the adjustment of the water flow with the fingers of the gripping hand of the handle. The lance is connected to a water supply pipe 3 by means of conventional connection means of the quick-connect type 4.

The body 5 of the lance also comprises means for dispensing water 6 to two ejectors carried by a head 7. A control lever 8 of the distribution of water connected to the body of the lance is operated by the second hand of the user.

On the figure 1a the flow of water directed towards a square dispersion spray nozzle 9 adapted to produce a square-plane water spray, composed mainly of fine droplets with a Sauter diameter of between 100 and 400 μm, is represented. preferably between 200 and 300 μm, with a flow rate of between 80 and 150 l / min. These nozzles are available, for example manufactured by Spraying Systems Co.

This square diffusion position is preferably the default position of the lance. That is to say, when the operator releases the dispensing control 8, a return means places the dispensing means in this configuration so as to ensure cooling and / or inerting of the smoke, the hot gases and / or flames through a mist of water.

The figure 1b illustrates the other position of the water distribution means to a nozzle 10, for example a spray nozzle in fine droplets, with very dense cone dispersion, at high flow rates. The nozzle is selected to produce a water spray containing drops of Sauter diameter greater than 800 microns with a flow rate of between 150 and 600 l / min to cool surfaces on fire, or prevent their ignition. The preferential flow rate is close to 300 l / min.

The production of these jets will be made possible thanks to a system of "valve 3 ways" which once released takes again the default position chosen, by example the squared jet. All three-way / two-way valves with booster may be suitable, be it rotary valve, slide valve, flap valve, etc. The control of the two positions can be a rotary ring, a lever, or a button.

The invention is not limited to fixed orifice nozzles, at least one of the nozzles may comprise variable section orifices so as to adjust the jets to the available flow rate.

According to the invention, the lance may advantageously comprise means for producing, independently of the two other nozzles, via a secondary water circuit, the rapid implementation of a continuous projection of water whose drop size is centered on 400 μm, according to a cone of 120 ° around the lance with a diameter of about 1.5 m at least, in order to generate a thermal shield capable of protecting the operator and his crew, a thermal radiation too important that could produce the fire or ignite the smoke. The fact of having a dedicated water supply makes it possible, if necessary, to continue to produce targeted water applications with the nozzle in the default position of the lance, while having protection by the hydraulic shield. This system may be composed of a single diffuser (annular around the body of the lance, or rotary), or of several diffusers distributed on the circumference of the body of the lance. The figure 1b schematically shows the presence of these means of production of a hydraulic shield. Reference 11 indicates the means of production of hydraulic shield referenced 12, which may consist of a series of nozzles of suitable size distributed over the circumference, so as to create a cone of water. These means are supplied with water through the conduit 13 which comprises a valve control 14. It is noted that the supply is upstream of the distribution valve 6, so does not interfere with the main jets.

The figure 2 shows the nozzles 9 and 10 according to the Figures 1a and 1b assembled concentrically. The conduit 15 is fluidly connected to the orifice 17 of the Spray nozzle with square section 9. The nozzle 10 is screwed onto a pipe 16 which feeds the orifices 18.

The diffuser 9 is chosen such that it has a free passage of at least 3.2 mm, so as to be "self cleaning". Conventional lances can become clogged during water applications. To unclog them, the lance must be run in purge mode (Standard NF 15182-1). During the time required for purging, the lance is no longer operational, which represents a danger. The diffuser used in the present invention does not require any purge position, because intrinsically the free passage of the diffuser in action by default is in accordance with what the standard recommends. Thus, the lance remains constantly operational and does not require an additional position purge which simplifies the distribution of water.

• bon équilibrage de la lance à main,
• facilité de mise place sur un corps cylindrique,
• pièce de rechange simplifiée,
• facilité pour utiliser des buses du commerce.

The nozzles arranged on the same axis have the following advantages:

• good balancing of the hand lance,
• ease of placing on a cylindrical body,
• simplified spare part,
• facilitated to use commercial nozzles.

The Personal Protective Equipment used by the responders is mainly intended to produce thermal protection. Paradoxically, this can lead to the endangerment of the participants, because this protection leads to a loss of sensory reference that allows a greater physical commitment to the structures. Once the limits of protection of the garment reached, the wearer will then feel the stored heat brutally. Even when withdrawing from the hot zone, the garment will continue to release heat which, even if delayed, can cause severe burns.

The lance according to the invention proposes to provide an answer to this risk by integrating an autonomous detection system, simple and robust temperature. Once the threshold of a setpoint has been crossed, an alert, for example a vibrator integrated on the grip handle of the lance, warns the operator that the medium in which it evolves is at a temperature at least equal to said setpoint (temperature to be determined according to the case). This information on the temperature of the environment allows the responders to be alerted early enough of the thermal conditions of the environment in which it is located. This security can be implemented from a miniature thermal sensor system (thermocouple, fluxmeter, bimetallic, or other) powered by a lithium battery, or equivalent, placed on top of the lance. Normally open, it closes to a specified set temperature by triggering a hearing alert (for example vibrating sound), or visual (supply of an LED), or touch (mechanical vibrator) powered by the lithium battery. The alert attached to the gripping handle of the lance, informs the operator, even in a noisy or opaque environment, that the temperature setpoint is reached and that action must be taken as soon as possible.

Claims (8)

1. A portable fire extinguishing device comprising a hand lance for projecting an aqueous fluid, comprising in combination:

   - a fluid supply line (3),

   - two nozzles with orifices (9, 10) suited to produce two differently shaped jets,

   - means (6) for distributing the supplied fluid to one or the other of nozzles (9, 10), said means comprising return means, and

   - a controller (2) for controlling the flow rate of the supply fluid,

   characterized in that:

   - the control means supply fluid by default to one of the two nozzles (9, 10) and

   - wherein a nozzle is determined for the jet produced to have a square section with drops having a Sauter diameter ranging between 100 and 400 µm, preferably between 200 and 300 µm, for a flow rate ranging between 80 and 150 l/min, the other nozzle being determined to produce a round jet with drops having a Sauter diameter above 800 µm for a flow rate ranging between 150 and 600 l/min, and preferably close to 300 l/min.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein flow rate controller (2) has the shape of a trigger cooperating with a handle (1) of the hand lance, so as to be actuated by a gripper hand of said handle (1).
3. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the controller controlling said distribution means (6) is actuated by the other hand.
4. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein means for producing a protective water jet are supplied with water upstream from said distribution means (6).
5. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, comprising a temperature alarm on the hand lance.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said alarm comprises an auditory, visual or tactile alert system arranged on or close to the lance handle.
7. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein nuzzles (9, 10) are arranged on the same axis.
8. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein one nozzle can have fixed orifices while the other has variable-section orifices.

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