EP3404633B1 - Apparatus for monitoring atmospheric characteristics and detecting fires - Google Patents

Apparatus for monitoring atmospheric characteristics and detecting fires Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3404633B1
EP3404633B1 EP18172793.4A EP18172793A EP3404633B1 EP 3404633 B1 EP3404633 B1 EP 3404633B1 EP 18172793 A EP18172793 A EP 18172793A EP 3404633 B1 EP3404633 B1 EP 3404633B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sensors
detecting
environment
present
differential pressure
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EP18172793.4A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3404633A1 (en
Inventor
Marco Pruneri
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B29/00—Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
    • G08B29/18—Prevention or correction of operating errors
    • G08B29/185—Signal analysis techniques for reducing or preventing false alarms or for enhancing the reliability of the system
    • G08B29/188—Data fusion; cooperative systems, e.g. voting among different detectors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B17/00—Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
    • G08B17/10—Actuation by presence of smoke or gases, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B19/00—Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B29/00—Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
    • G08B29/16—Security signalling or alarm systems, e.g. redundant systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B17/00—Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
    • G08B17/10—Actuation by presence of smoke or gases, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
    • G08B17/117—Actuation by presence of smoke or gases, e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring atmospheric characteristics and for the simultaneous detection of fires.
  • multiple spot sensors i.e., apparatuses that have a combination of some or all of a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor and a temperature sensor.
  • Those multiple spot sensors have the advantage of a better detection because of the combined assessment of any presence of smoke, of the temperature variation and, in some cases (fire from materials which also generate carbon monoxide), also the variation of the level of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere proximate to the fire.
  • a failure of the oxygen control system might in fact lead to the need to temporarily place out of service the oxygen reduction system, consequently eliminating its protective prevention effect; obviously, in this case any outbreak of fire, which in this situation of temporary halting of the active protection system potentially might occur, must be detectable by means of the smoke sensors.
  • the apparatuses used in fire prevention systems of the known type do not consider the quality of the air inside the protected rooms or other atmospheric parameters such as, for example, relative humidity and/or carbon dioxide, which are instead important atmospheric parameters within sealed environments in which humans stay and which in any case can, upon detection, contribute to improve the quality of the detection of an outbreak of a fire.
  • Zirconium oxide sensors are not particularly suitable to work in low-temperature environments, such as subzero storage areas, their electrical consumption is remarkable and they reach high temperatures during their operation, consequently requiring the use of mechanical solutions, insulations and particular distances from the rest of the sensors and of the control electronics to avoid influencing the behavior of parts of the system. Electrochemical sensors considerably drift over time, which forces frequent calibration of the measurement systems that use them, and have a relatively short life (2-5 years), which requires their replacement once they are depleted.
  • electrochemical sensors cannot be used in low-temperature environments, unless they are provided with thermostat-controlled heating elements.
  • US5486811 discloses an early fire detection and extinguishment system having a plurality of fire detection units, each associated with a localized portion of a protected space and including condition sensors specifically appropriate to the environment of that localized portion of a protected space by a selected combination of condition sensors.
  • a central control unit includes a profile detector which evaluates outputs of one or more condition sensors over time to reduce false alarm rates while increasing sensitivity to early stage fires.
  • US5486811 does not address the problem of the air quality inside the protected rooms, in which humans stay and which contributes to improve the quality of the detection of a fire outbreak.
  • WO2009024774 discloses a gas sensor and a method of operating the gas sensor with reduced energy requirements.
  • the aim of the invention is therefore to solve the problems described above, providing an apparatus for monitoring atmospheric characteristics and for detecting fires that performs a complete analysis of the atmosphere of an environment to be preserved in safety.
  • a particular object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that is capable not only of detecting the oxygen level inside an environment but also allows better and more effective management/detection of the fire outbreaks with respect to the current state of the art, together with the management of the quality of the air inside these protected confined spaces.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein it is possible to choose the number and type of sensors to be installed.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide oxygen sensors which are innovative with respect to the state of the art and are not affected by the problems mentioned above with respect to zirconium oxide and electrochemical sensors.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that is capable of implementing functional safety logic criteria, which allow the apparatus to ensure usability of the information and safety even in case of a partial failure of the apparatus.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that can have a “spot” or “suction” use.
  • an apparatus for monitoring atmospheric characteristics and detecting fires is designated generally by the reference numeral 1.
  • the apparatus 1 has an electronic unit 2, which can consist for example of one or more printed circuit boards, having one or more, preferably one to four, smoke sensors 3, one or more, preferably one to three, temperature sensors 4 and one or more, preferably one to three, carbon monoxide sensors 5.
  • an electronic unit 2 which can consist for example of one or more printed circuit boards, having one or more, preferably one to four, smoke sensors 3, one or more, preferably one to three, temperature sensors 4 and one or more, preferably one to three, carbon monoxide sensors 5.
  • the electronic unit 2 also comprises one or more, preferably one to three, oxygen sensors 6, one or more, preferably one to three, relative humidity sensors 7, one or more, preferably one to three, differential pressures sensors 8, one or more, preferably one to three, carbon dioxide sensors 9, and one or more, preferably one to three, VOC sensors 10, which allow to monitor the quality of the air of the environment to be protected, detecting and measuring the percentage in the air of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
  • VOCs volatile organic compounds
  • the oxygen sensors 6 used in the apparatus 1 are preferably of the optical type.
  • oxygen sensors 6 of the optical type have a very long life, which can be compared to that of zirconium oxide sensors, and do not require maintenance interventions.
  • the apparatus 1 also comprises an electronic control means 11 integrated in the electronic unit 2.
  • the electronic control means 11 can be constituted for example by a microcontroller or by a safety microprocessor, preferably compliant with the IEC 61508 and/or ISO 26262 standards for functional safety of electrical and electronic systems.
  • the electronic control means 11 processes the information, which is generally in the form of analog or digital electrical signals, provided by the smoke sensors 3, by the temperature sensors 4, by the carbon monoxide sensors 5, and by the oxygen sensors 6, by the relative humidity sensors 7, by the differential pressure sensors 8, by the carbon dioxide sensors 9 and by the VOC sensors 10 that are optionally installed in the electronic unit 2.
  • the physical values converted by the respective sensors and processed by the electronic control means 11 are then sent, by means of an appropriate communication means 12 which is constituted preferably by two independent data transmission buses, to a central processing unit, which is not shown in the figures.
  • the electronic control means 11 is configured so as to increase the functional safety of the apparatus 1 in relation to the measurement and analysis of the various physical values detected by the multiple sensors that are present in the electronic unit 2.
  • the apparatus 1 has a plurality of substantially mutually equivalent sensors that measure a specific atmospheric parameter (quantity of oxygen, presence of smoke, quantity of carbon monoxide, temperature, relative humidity, differential pressure, quantity of carbon dioxide, air quality), therefore the electronic control means 11 acquires, in each instance, all the values related to a specific atmospheric parameter detected by the sensors of the same type (for example, carbon dioxide quantity) and then compares them with each other.
  • a specific atmospheric parameter quantity of oxygen, presence of smoke, quantity of carbon monoxide, temperature, relative humidity, differential pressure, quantity of carbon dioxide, air quality
  • the electronic control means 11 determines a final value for the atmospheric parameter being considered, if the values detected by the sensors substantially mutually agree with a predetermined tolerance; on the contrary, the electronic control means 11 determines a state of malfunction of the apparatus 1 if the values detected by the sensors disagree with the predetermined tolerance.
  • the final value determined by the electronic control means 11 for each atmospheric parameter is then sent to the central processing unit.
  • the control means 11 has a correct measurement of the quantity of oxygen that is present in the environment to be protected despite the presence of a failed sensor.
  • the apparatus 1 is connected to an energy source, which is preferably redundant, not shown in the figures, by means of an appropriate electrical connection means 13, preferably constituted by one or two pairs (if the power supply is redundant) of electrical cables which can be connected to an electrical distribution grid.
  • the apparatus 1 can be powered by an internal energy source, such as for example an electric battery.
  • the apparatus would in any case continue to operate, the electronic control means 11 would detect the anomaly and would send a report thereof to the central processing unit.
  • the apparatus 1 is also equipped with an optical signaling means 14, which can consist for example of a series of colored LEDs, and an acoustic signaling means 15, such as for example buzzers.
  • an optical signaling means 14 which can consist for example of a series of colored LEDs
  • an acoustic signaling means 15 such as for example buzzers.
  • the optical signaling means 14 and the acoustic signaling means 15 are connected to the electronic control means 11 to provide respectively a visual and acoustic signal regarding the various states of operation of the apparatus 1 and/or to operate any alarms and/or report any malfunctions.
  • the apparatus 1 can be used substantially as a "spot sensor” arranged in the environment to be protected, as illustrated by way of example in Figure 1 , or as a “suction sensor", and therefore arranged even outside the environment to be protected, as shown by way of example in Figure 2 .
  • the apparatus 1 is equipped also with a suction means 16 adapted to draw the air from the environment to be protected by means of ducts 17 and to cause this air to flow over the sensors with which the electronic unit 2 is equipped.
  • the extraction means 16 consists of a pair of fans which operate individually and/or in parallel.
  • the flow rate of each fan is modified automatically by the electronic control means 11 as a function of the differential pressure detected downstream of each fan by adapted detection devices 18.
  • the apparatus 1 is in practice a complete instrument for atmospheric analysis, which is capable of detecting not only the level of oxygen inside an environment but, by means of the reading and comparative analysis of the values of the other parameters analyzed, also provides a better and more effective management/detection of the outbreaks of fire with respect to the current background art, together with the management of the quality of the air inside confined spaces to be protected.
  • the multiple equivalent sensors on the electronic unit 2 also make it possible to economically and effectively increase the functional safety of the apparatus 1, significantly reducing the cost of the system with respect to an equivalent functional safety system composed of apparatuses equipped with individual sensors of a specific type.
  • the redundancy duplication of the sensors that are present in the apparatus 1 combined with the control policy implemented by the electronic control means 11 allow to solve the problem related to the reliability of the values detected by the various types of sensors, with respect to possible failures of individual sensors.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is able to provide safety during operation.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Fluid Adsorption Or Reactions (AREA)
  • Fire Alarms (AREA)
EP18172793.4A 2017-05-17 2018-05-17 Apparatus for monitoring atmospheric characteristics and detecting fires Active EP3404633B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102017000053602A IT201700053602A1 (it) 2017-05-17 2017-05-17 Apparecchiatura per il monitoraggio delle caratteristiche atmosferiche e la rilevazione di incendi

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3404633A1 EP3404633A1 (en) 2018-11-21
EP3404633B1 true EP3404633B1 (en) 2023-11-01

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18172793.4A Active EP3404633B1 (en) 2017-05-17 2018-05-17 Apparatus for monitoring atmospheric characteristics and detecting fires

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP3404633B1 (it)
ES (1) ES2968299T3 (it)
IT (1) IT201700053602A1 (it)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3886067A1 (en) * 2020-03-26 2021-09-29 UTC Fire & Security EMEA BVBA Central detection unit for an aspirating detection system

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5731510A (en) * 1995-06-24 1998-03-24 Sun Electric U.K. Limited Multi-gas sensor systems for automotive emissions measurement

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5486811A (en) * 1994-02-09 1996-01-23 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Fire detection and extinguishment system
CN101135627A (zh) * 2003-10-23 2008-03-05 马丁·T·科尔 颗粒监测器的室结构及使流体流过颗粒探测区域的方法
GB0716399D0 (en) * 2007-08-22 2007-10-03 Thorn Security Gas sensor operation with feedback control
US8547238B2 (en) * 2010-06-30 2013-10-01 Knowflame, Inc. Optically redundant fire detector for false alarm rejection

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5731510A (en) * 1995-06-24 1998-03-24 Sun Electric U.K. Limited Multi-gas sensor systems for automotive emissions measurement

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
RAY A ET AL: "An introduction to sensor signal validation in redundant measurement systems", IEEE CONTROL SYSTEMS, IEEE, USA, vol. 11, no. 2, 1 February 1991 (1991-02-01), pages 44 - 49, XP011418279, ISSN: 1066-033X, DOI: 10.1109/37.67675 *

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IT201700053602A1 (it) 2018-11-17
ES2968299T3 (es) 2024-05-08

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