EP2675532A2

EP2675532A2 - A device, system and method for activation of a plurality of fire extinguishing devices

Info

Publication number: EP2675532A2
Application number: EP12706719.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert Gerardus Cornelis Reijns
Original assignee: AF-X Systems BV; AF X SYSTEMS BV
Current assignee: AF-X Systems BV; AF X SYSTEMS BV
Priority date: 2011-02-17
Filing date: 2012-02-13
Publication date: 2013-12-25
Also published as: WO2012112034A2; NL2006235C2; WO2012112034A3

Abstract

A system for controlling activation of a plurality of fire extinguishing devices comprises a control panel (110). The control panel (110) comprises a first actuator (240); a second actuator (250); means for activating a plurality of fire extinguishing devices (120) if the second actuator (250) is actuated subsequent to actuation of the first actuator (240); a controller (270) for determining a fault in the system comprising the first (240) and second (250) actuator and the means for activating the plurality of fire extinguishing devices (120) and a bypass path (210) connecting the first and second actuators (240, 250)to each of the plurality of fire extinguishing devices (120) bypassing the logic controller (270).

Description

A DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATION OF A PLURALITY OF FIRE EXTINGUISHING DEVICES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device, system and method for activation of a plurality of fire extinguishing devices, In particular, but

exclusively, it relates to a device, system and method for ensuring activation of a plurality of fire extinguishing devices.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

With increasing demands to improve safety, sophisticated systems for automatic activation of safety equipment such as fire extinguishers (fire extinguishing units) in the event of a fire have been developed. Such automatic systems enable hazardous situations to be handled without the need of human intervention. However, in some circumstances it is desirable to avoid automatic activation of such devices especially on board a ship or an offshore platform. In such an environment, safety of the personnel and integrity of the ship is of utmost importance. Another requirement on board of ships is that the means for activation of a fire extinguishing unit is very robust and therefore not sensitive to failure resulting from the harsh conditions at sea.

Traditionally a ship, for example the engine room, is fitted with a number of gas-based extinguishing units. The unit is activated manually by personnel in response to detection of a fire whereby the personnel manually opens a valve to release gas to extinguish the fire. The manual activation avoids false activation of the extinguishing units.

In the field of fire extinguishing units an alternative for these gas based systems are so-called aerosol fire extinguishing units as for example described in EP0871516. Such units have not been applied on board of ships because they require actuation by means of providing an electrical charge to said fire extinguishing devices. The use of electricity and the required control of said unit implicitly make such a unit vulnerable for failure. For this reason aerosol fire extinguishing units have not been applied on board of ships. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a system for providing robust actuation of a plurality of fire extinguishing devices.

This is achieved, according to one aspect of the present invention, by A device for activation of a plurality of fire extinguishing devices, the device comprising

a first actuator;

a second actuator;

means for activating a plurality of fire extinguishing devices if the first and second actuator have been actuated;

a controller for determining a fault in the system comprising the first and second actuator and the means for activating the plurality of devices and fire

extinguishing devices and a bypass path connecting the first and second actuator to each of the plurality of fire extinguishing devices bypassing the controller.

This is also achieved, according to another aspect of the present invention, by a system for activation of a plurality of fire extinguishing devices, the system comprising:

a control panel; and

a plurality of fire extinguishing devices connected in parallel to the control panel, the control panel comprising:

a first actuator;

a second actuator;

means for activating a plurality of fire extinguishing devices if the second actuator is actuated subsequent to actuation of the first actuator; and

a controller for determining a fault in the system comprising the first and second actuator and the means for activating the plurality of devices and a bypass path connecting the first and second actuator to each of the plurality of fire

extinguishing devices bypassing the controller.

This is also achieved, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, by a method for activation of a plurality of fire extinguishing devices, the method comprising the steps of:

performing a first actuation; performing a second actuation;

activating a plurality of fire extinguishing devices if the second actuation is performed subsequent to the performing the first actuation; and

wherein the step of activating the plurality of fire extinguishing devices is not performed by means of a controller.

In this way, the controller (central controller) is not a part of the activation circuit. Therefore, failure of the controller due to the harsh environment in which it is fitted is not critical to activation of the fire extinguishing devices. The controller can be usefully employed to continuously monitor the integrity of the system. In particular, it may employed to determine if the connections between first and second actuator and the fire extinguishing units are in order. The connections are especially monitored for short circuits and cable breakage. Therefore, it provides a robust activation of the fire extinguishing devices.

In an embodiment, the first and second actuators are manual actuators. This further assists in avoiding false activation of the fire extinguishing devices as a dual manual input (actuation) is required.

The first actuator may be different to the second actuator. This assists the user to confirm that it is their intent to activate the fire extinguishing devices since the user can easily differentiate between the different inputs required, improving the avoidance of false activation.

The second actuator may be prevented from actuation until the first actuator has been actuated. This simplifies registration by the system of the correct dual input by preventing the second actuation occurring before the first whilst maintaining the required dual input.

The first actuator may comprise a moveable cover of a control panel and wherein actuation of the first actuator is achieved by movement of the moveable cover of the control panel from a first position, suitably from a closed position to an open position. The cover may be lifted, hinged or slide from its first position. The cover may be released by action of turning a locking mechanism such as a handle. This provides a simple technique for detecting the first actuation and also provides an actuation that is intuitive to the user. The device may drive generation of an alarm in response to occurrence of actuation of the first actuator. The alarm enables to alert all personnel of danger of fire and that the fire extinguisher units are to be activated.

The second actuator may comprise a switch and the second actuation detector detecting movement of the switch from a first position (e.g. "off" position) to a second position (e.g. "on" position). The switch may comprise a rotatable switch. This provides a different second actuation which is simple to detect and intuitive to use.

The system may further comprise indication means for indicating a fault in the system comprising the first and second actuator and the means for activating the plurality of devices. The fault as indicated is determined by the controller,. The controller has means to detect faults in said system, and especially a logic to determine short circuiting and cable breakage of said system. This may be in the form of detecting and indicating a fault and/or the type of fault.

The means for activating a plurality of fire extinguishing devices is suitably by providing an electrical charge to said fire extinguishing devices. In a preferred embodiment, the fire extinguishing devices are aerosol extinguishing units which are activated by means of an electrical charge.

With aerosol fire extinguishing is meant any manner of extinguishing a fire by means of an aerosol as formed by combustion of a composition comprising at least an oxidant, preferably a nitrate of an alkali metal and a secondary fuel, preferably a low-carbon polynitrogen, a carbon free polynitrogen, an organic azide and/or an inorganic azide. The composition preferably also comprises a resin, preferably a phenol formaldehyde resin and one or more additives such as for example described in EP925808 or US5831209A.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the

accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a simplified schematic of the system according to an

embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a simplified schematic of the control panel of Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3a is front view of the control panel of Figure 1 and 2 with its front cover in its closed position according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3b is front view of the control panel of Figure 1 and 2 with its front cover removed or in its open position according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a flowchart of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1 , the system 100 of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a control panel 1 10. The control panel 1 10 is shown in more detail in Figure 2. The control panel 1 10 comprises a first output terminal 210 and power source 220.

The first output terminal 210 is connected, in parallel, to a plurality of fire extinguishing devices 120_1 , 120_2, 120_3, 120_4, 120_5. Although Figure 1 illustrates five fire extinguishing devices connected to the output terminal 210 of the control panel 1 10, it can be appreciated that any number of fire

extinguishing devices may be connected to the output terminal 210 of the control panel 1 10. The fire extinguishing devices may comprise fire

extinguishing units, for example, aerosol fire extinguishing units.

With reference to Figure 2, the first output terminal 210 of the control panel 1 10 of the system 100 of Figure 1 is connected to a power source 220 via a second actuator 250 and a first actuator 240. In case both first and second actuators are actuated power is provided to first output terminal 210 and thus to fire extinguishing devices 120, thereby activating said fire extinguishing devices. Power source 220 is suitably sourced from at least two independent power sources 220a and 220b. A controller 270 (central controller), for example, a logic controller, is present in order to detects faults in the system comprising the first 240 and second actuator 250 and the means 210 for activating the plurality of devices 120. For illustration purposes control lines 280 are shown. Controller 270 is powered by power source 220 via 260. The logic controller 270 is also connected to an indicator 290.

The control panel 1 10 is contained in a housing 300 as shown in Figure 3a. The control panel housing 300 comprises a front cover plate 310 on which is arranged a user interface 320 having a display 330 and a plurality of push buttons 340. Although the user interface 320 is illustrated having push buttons 340 and a display 330 it can be appreciated that a touch sensitive screen may be utilized for interaction with the user. The cover plate 310 also comprises a plurality of indicator lights 360_1 to 360_5 comprising a plurality of different colored lights for indicating different operating condition modes of the system 100. For example a red light may indicate a fault of the system, for example a short circuit in the connections between the second actuator 250 and the means 210 for activating the plurality of devices 120. The cover plate 310 also comprises an interlocking mechanism 350, for example, a handle which unlocks the cover plate 310 for removal or movement of the cover plate 310, constituting the first actuator 230 of the control panel 1 10 as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3b shows the control unit 300 of Figure 3a in which the cover plate 310 has been removed or moved to its "open" position. Behind the cover plate 310 is located a switch 370. The switch is in the form of a rotatable switch which is rotated from a first position 380 (an "off position) to a second position 390 (an "on" position). The rotational movement of the switch 370 may be limited between the first position 380 and the second position 390. Although a rotatable switch 370 is illustrated in Figure 3b, it can be appreciated that any form of switch may be utilized. The switch 370 of Figure 3b forms the second actuator 250 as shown in Figure 2. Switch 370 may be in the same

compartment as the remaining elements as shown in Figure 2. Preferably switch 370 is in a different compartment than the remaining elements such that when the cover plate 310 is removed or moved to its Open' position any water entering the control unit 300 will not directly contact the other units.

Operation of the system 100 will now be described with reference to

Figure 4. Typically on board of a ship an alarm will be generated upon detection of a hazard, e.g. a fire. Personnel on hearing the alarm will proceed to the location of the hazard. If the personnel establish that this is not a false alarm and that the fire extinguishing devices need to be actuated, they proceed to the control unit 300 and actuate the first actuator 240 by turning the interlocking mechanism 350 on the cover plate 310 of the control panel housing 300, step 420. This will cause removal of the cover plate 310 or, at least opening of the cover plate 310, from the control panel housing 300 exposing the second actuator 250, i.e. the switch 370. Removal of cover plate 310 will also generate an alarm, step 430. The user rotates the switch 370 from its first position 380 to a second position 390 thus actuating the second actuator 250, step 440. Now a electrical charge is allowed to run from power source 220 to fire extinguishing devices 120_1 , 120_2, 120_3, 120_4, 120_5, thereby by-passing controller 270 and activating said devices, step 450. In the event controller 270 would not function properly it would still be possible to activate devices 120 by performing steps 420-450. This makes the device, system and method very robust.

The detector 280 detects any faults in the connection between the actuators 240, 250 and the fire extinguishing devices 120_1 , 120_2, 120_3, 120_4, 120_5 by detecting, for example short circuits or interruptions in the connection between the first and second actuator 240, 250 of the control panel 1 10 and the fire extinguishing devices 120_1 , 120_2, 120_3, 120_4, 120_5. If a fault is detected by the fault detector 280, the controller 270 changes the status of the indicator 290 by illuminating the different indicator lights 360_1 to 360_5 of the front plate 310 and/or displaying an error message on the display 330. In this manner the crew is informed of any faults and can take adequate repair activity during the normal course on board a ship. In the event the fire extinguishing units have been activated a fault will also be detected and indicated by indicator 290. In this manner the crew can check which panels have been used after an emergency situation has occurred.

In this way, the controller 270 is not a part of the activation circuit.

Therefore, failure of the controller 270 due to the harsh environment in which it is fitted is not critical to activation of the fire extinguishing devices 120_1 , 120_2, 120_3, 120_4, 120_5. The controller 270 can be usefully employed to monitor the system 100 via simple fault detector or detectors 280. In particular, it may be employed to detecting a short-circuit or interruption in the bypass path between the actuation detectors 240, 250 and the fire extinguishing devices 120_1 , 120_2, 120_3, 120_4, 120_5. Therefore, it provides a robust activation of the fire extinguishing devices 120_1 , 120_2, 120_3, 120_4, 120_5, which is particularly useful in the use of fire extinguishing units on board a ship or an offshore platform.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous modifications without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.

Claims

A device for activation of a plurality of fire extinguishing devices, the device comprising

a first actuator;

a second actuator;

a controller for determining a fault in the system comprising the first and second actuator and the means for activating the plurality of fire extinguishing devices, and a bypass path connecting the first and second actuator to each of the plurality of fire extinguishing devices bypassing the controller.

A device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second actuators are manual actuators.

A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first actuator is different to the second actuator.

A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second actuator is prevented from actuation until the first actuator has been actuated.

A device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first actuator comprises a moveable cover of a control panel and wherein actuation of the first actuator is achieved by movement of the moveable cover from its closed position.

A device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second actuator comprises a switch and wherein actuation of the second actuator is a movement of the switch from a first position to a second position. A device according to claim 6, wherein the switch comprising a rotatable switch.

A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises indication means for indicating a fault in the system comprising the first and second actuator and the means for activating the plurality of devices as determined by the controller.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a driver for generating an alarm in response to occurrence of actuation of the first actuator.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for activating a plurality of fire extinguishing devices is by providing an electrical charge to said fire extinguishing devices.

1 1 . A system for activation of a plurality of fire extinguishing devices, the

system comprising:

a control panel; and

a first actuator;

a second actuator;

means for activating a plurality of fire extinguishing devices if the second actuator is actuated subsequent to actuation of the first actuator; and a controller for determining a fault in the system comprising the first and second actuator and the means for activating the plurality of devices and a bypass path connecting the first and second actuator to each of the plurality of fire extinguishing devices bypassing the controller.

12. A system according to claim 1 1 , wherein the first and second actuators are manual actuators.

13. A system according to claim 1 1 or 12, wherein the first actuator is different to the second actuator.

14. A system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the first actuator comprises a moveable cover of the control panel.

15. A system according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the second actuator comprises a switch.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the switch comprising a rotatable switch.

17. A system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the moveable cover

protects the second actuator.

18. A system according to any one of claims 1 1 to 17, wherein the control panel further comprises indication means for indicating a fault in the system comprising the first and second actuator and the means for activating the plurality of fire extinguishing devices as determined by the controller.

19. A system according to any one of claims 1 1 to 18, wherein the system further comprises an alarm for generating an alarm in response to occurrence of actuation of the first actuator.

20. A system according to any one of claims 1 1 to 19, wherein the means for activating a plurality of fire extinguishing devices is by providing an electrical charge to said fire extinguishing devices.

21 . A system according to any one of claims 1 1 to 20, wherein at least one of the fire extinguisher devices comprises an aerosol fire extinguisher.

22. A method for activation of a plurality of fire extinguishing devices, the

method comprising the steps of:

performing a first actuation;

performing a second actuation;

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the first and second actuations are manual actuations.

24. A method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the first actuation is

different to the second actuation.

25. A method according to claim 22 or 24, wherein the first actuation

comprises lifting or removal of a control panel cover.

26. A method according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the second actuation comprises manually actuating a switch.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the step of manually actuating the switch comprising manually rotating the switch from a first position to a second position. 28 A method according to any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the method further comprises generating an alarm in response to performing the first actuation.

29. A method according to any one of claims 22 to 28, wherein the method is performed on board of a ship or an offshore platform.