ES2198939T3 - FIRE DETECTOR AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEM. - Google Patents

Abstract

Fire detector, comprising at least one sensor (6, 14, 15) for the detection of at least a characteristic magnitude of fire, as well as an evaluation circuit (7) capable of activating an alarm in case of being exceeded by the respective characteristic magnitude of fire a first preset value, characterized in that by said at least one sensor (6, 14, 15) additionally a monitoring of a second, higher value of the respective characteristic magnitude of fire is carried out, and because if it is exceeded this second value an alarm signal is activated indicating the inability to use the respective escape path.

Description

Fire detector and alarm system fires.

The present invention relates to a detector of                                      fires, comprising least one sensor for the detection of at least one magnitude fire characteristic as well as an evaluation circuit capable of activating an alarm in case of be exceeded by the respective magnitude      fire characteristic a first preset value.

Well-known fire detectors of this type are designed in such a way, regardless of the principle of detection used, that the alarm activation occurs with values as low as possible for the quantities        characteristics of fire, without this occurring, however, unacceptable false alarms. Thanks to improvements, made particularly in recent years, both with respect to the sensors as well as in the processing and evaluation of sensor signals, today day some types of fire detectors have reached a standard in which these two requirements result          fully accomplished, such as, for example, detectors described in EP-A-0 654 770, EP-A-0 654 771, the EP-A-0 660 282, the EP-A-0 718 814, the EP-A-0 821 330 and the                W0-A-98/15931.

As the activation of a fire alarm does not prevents, as a rule, the fire from continuing developing, unless the alarm set off a automatic extinction, in case of fire will often be the case of having to evacuate a burning building. In such a case it is, on the one hand, important for people who must be evacuated from the building know which they are and where are the safe escape routes and, on the other hand, It is also important for the firefighter's chief of operations                             Have this information. So by For example, it is of little or no use if a hotel guest find in your room indications about the possible path of escape but is not simultaneously informed if this or other possible Escape path is still safe.

Although in the so-called "voice systems" the people who are in the burning building receive directions acoustic evacuation, as a rule the respective informant, that is, for example, the chief of operations, not you can quickly and reliably make sure which             escape paths are still usable without danger.

Although simulation systems exist today, through which propagation predictions are possible of a fire, even if it is assumed that such a system                      have all the necessary sensors and Be aware of all current building parameters, such as, for example, type of floor coverings and furniture, existence of combustible material such as paper and cardboard  in rooms and halls, etc., it continues without power provide any reliable indication of fitness for your use of an escape path.

So for example, in the DE-A-196 44 127 describes a evacuation system with a variable labeling of the                  emergency roads, adaptable to the situation of momentary danger, which includes detectors for detection and location of hazards, a centralized capture for the                       automatic system activation evacuation and automatic governance, based on the level of risk, of the labeling of emergency roads, however missing                                  more specific indications about practical realization of said system. So, although it is said that in case of fire the potential of danger and a plan of optimized evacuation, except for a mention of a so-called Modular People Saving Expert System is missing any type of indication on how it should be done Reliable detection of the danger potential. Indeed, for a optimized evacuation plan cannot be     enough to know where the fire is and how it will spread maybe said fire, but specific information is required and not merely calculated on the suitability for use of the escape paths

In recognition of the fact that human lives Do not rely on calculations of expert systems, the present invention starts from a totally different approach and It aims to provide a detector of    fires that, in addition to their usual function of                 detection of reduced magnitude values fire characteristics with high security against false alarms, provide information Reliable on the state of escape routes.

This purpose is achieved, in accordance with the                                invention, because by the at least one sensor is additionally performed a monitoring of a second, higher value of the respective magnitude fire characteristic, and because in case of being exceeded this second value is activated an alarm signal indicating the inability to use the respective escape route.

A first preferred embodiment of the                                   fire detector according to invention is characterized in that said second value of the characteristic magnitude of fire It represents a lethal value.

The fire detector according to the invention therefore, for each characteristic magnitude of fire, the                         minus a second threshold value, that being exceeded activates an alarm signal, the which indicates the inability to use the respective path escape According to the magnitude fire characteristic, this second threshold value can be, for example, a lethal concentration of flue gas or carbon monoxide or a lethal temperature or also a lethal radiation pressure, the fire detector being equipped with corresponding sensors. As soon as the second or a second threshold value, the central or a special device, such as a pager or similar, receive a corresponding signal, and the chief operating officer knows that the respective path of escape is unusable and gets in this way the            possibility of blocking said escape path.

Naturally, at the second threshold value you can also be associated a third threshold value, somewhat lower and corresponding to a pre-alarm, so that the central receives also information on which escape route         it will result with some probability soon unusable.

A second preferred embodiment of the                               fire detector according to invention is characterized by understanding optical indication and / or alarm means and / or acoustic, capable of being activated by the aforementioned signal of alarm. These means may be provided in the detector itself, although it is also possible to arrange them in appropriate places to certain distance from the detectors, for example in the accesses to hallways or stairwells.

A further preferred embodiment of the                                  fire detector according to invention is characterized by comprising a camera for the surveillance of the enclosure surrounding the detector as well as means for transmission controlled images recorded by the camera at a                central evaluation and / or observation station, the which is preferably part Central member of a fire alarm system.

While in the so far described ways of realization the information flows only in the                 sense from the detectors to the central, and the central or the head of operations located there has no influence some about the flow of information, the fire detector equipped with the camera opens the possibility to the chief operating officer to observe optically, in a targeted way, certain                     enclosures or escape routes and thus warn dangerous situations that may not are recognizable as such by the sensors of the detector fires. Thus, it can be verified particularly if an escape path is     constructively / mechanically still to such an extent intact that It can be used safely. In addition, there is the possibility of discover injured or unconscious people and route the Rescue of them.

The invention further relates to a fire alarm system, comprising a central, fire detectors connected to it, fire detectors                           arranged in the area of the roads of escape and designated below escape path detectors, and an escape route indication system with means of adjustable indication, governed by road detectors                            escape. Fire alarm system according to the invention it is characterized because the road detectors Exhaust consists of fire detectors provided of at least one sensor for detection of at least a characteristic magnitude of fire, which, when exceeded by the respective magnitude fire characteristic a first preset value, activate a alarm, and because by said at least one sensor is performed additionally a surveillance of a second, higher value of the respective characteristic magnitude of fire and, if this second value is exceeded, it is activated an alarm signal that indicates the inability for your use of the respective path of escape.

By US-A-4,796,018 is known a exhaust guidance system, which includes detectors of smoke density arranged in hallways and stairwells and escape path indicators governed by those. The system Exhaust guidance is connected to the central of a system fire alarm, which comprises a plurality of lines of detectors with a plurality of detectors of      fires.

The said indication means may be, by                                  example, simple indicators in shape of the usual arrows today, or also complex indicator boards for complete buildings or parts of buildings, or even intended means of indication directly on the escape road detectors, but in In any case, the escape routes do not Usable result correspondingly  marked by the aforementioned additional surveillance.

In a hotel room the indication of escape routes could for example be constituted by a electronic indicator screen, on which escape routes                          free were indicated by green arrows and escape routes blocked by green arrows crossed out with red crosses. Additionally, a corresponding one can also be provided signaling of escape routes that will result soon unusable by Appropriate warning symbols.

A first preferred embodiment of the fire alarm system according to the invention is characterized because in the area of the escape routes are arranged means for monitoring the flow of people in the          respective escape route designated below                       people counters, and because the means of indication are governed based on this surveillance.

This embodiment has the advantage of that the system provides reliable information on the flow of people on the escape routes and thus allows a blockage of overloaded escape routes.

A second preferred embodiment of the fire alarm system according to the invention is characterized because the escape path detectors and / or the counters of people are directly connected with          respective means of indication.

In this case, a local government of escape routes, for example a detector is connected of escape route and / or people counter, installed in a corridor, with the indicator arranged in the access to said corridor. Similarly, escape path detectors and / or counters people mounted in a stairwell or in a main hallway are connected to the indicators mounted on the accesses or side aisles to the stairwell or to the main hall, so that said    accesses or side aisles could be marked as                 unusable

Naturally, the connection between the detectors of                                  escape path and / or counters people and the means of indication can also pass through the central, although it may eventually be reasonable for example as protection in case of blackouts, that the government of the roads of Escape is done locally.

A third preferred embodiment of the fire alarm system according to the invention is characterized because people counters are integrated into escape road detectors.

A further preferred embodiment of the                                fire alarm system according The invention is characterized in that it comprises a computer, to which all the detectors are connected fires and people counters and provide the same data current on the fire and escape routes, taking place by said computer, in case of alarm, a calculation of the roads most favorable escape and a corresponding switching of the means of  indication. The computer with its corresponding software               constitutes, together with fire detectors                         (normal fire detectors more escape path detectors) and people counters as well as the indication elements, a evacuation system

The aforementioned software may also contain a fire simulation system that allows to carry out, in the alarm free state, a simulation of the real case, which                       It is very useful for planning system and escape routes, particularly also in case of a new or special use of stays. Through a such a fire simulation system can, for example, be reviewed by software system operation    (escape road detectors more people counters more indication elements) for a given population of              building and a given danger, as well as being tested and System optimization.

However, evacuation in case of alarm does not should be based on a theoretical model of fire simulation, but which must be done based on the actual circumstances, and these are provided by the data of the road detectors of escape and people counters. By   consequently, the evacuation system according to the invention is                    differs substantially from all models fire simulation or evacuation to those who are not connected people counters and / or escape road detectors.

Apart from that, the evacuation system can                             additionally supply a graphic illustration of the building and the local danger, which can Be very useful for the chief of operations. In addition, the system fire alarm according to the invention may also be linked with a "voice system".

In accordance with a further embodiment                                preferred alarm system fires according to the invention, people counters are made as a light barrier or of light curtain and are equipped for counting the people who pass through their detection field. As further variant the counting of people through image processing, using, for              example, a camera with CMOS technique.

The invention will be described below.                               in detail by an example of realization of it and in relation to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a first schematic detail of a fire alarm system according to the invention; Y

Fig. 2 shows a second schematic detail of a fire alarm system according to the invention.

The partial view, illustrated in Fig. 1, of a fire alarm system according to the invention shows a                       escape path detector F and a counter of people P, linked to a central 12 and an escape path indicator 13. The escape path detector F comprises a optical fire detector 1, for example a light detector dispersed or a point extinction detector, which is extended by additional sensors for magnitudes   fire characteristics These additional sensors are a CO 14 sensor, which constitutes the core of the escape path detector F, and a sensor         temperature 15; eventually it can also be planned a radiation pressure sensor (no illustrated).

The CO sensor has been designated as a nucleus due to the fact that the vast majority of fatalities in fires are due to CO poisoning. An appropriate CO sensor is described in EP-B-0 612 408 (see also EP-AO 803 850), and as temperature sensors NTC thermistors have been successful (see in this regard the PolyRex smoke detector of the system AlgoRex fire alarm ; PolyRex and AlgoRex are registered trademarks of Cerberus AG).

As optical detectors of the detector type of                                fires 1 are assumed known, they are not described in more detail in this place. To this In this regard, it refers to the following patent applications: EP-A-0 616 305, EP-A-0 813 178, EP-A-0 821 330 and EP-A-0 886 252.         Optionally, the escape path detector F contains,                      in addition to the fire detector 1, a chamber 2. The fire detector 1 illustrated consists, in a known way, of a detector insert 3, capable of being fixed on a base (not illustrated), and of a hood of the                 detector 4, placed on the detector insert 3, which is provided, in the area of its summit, with holes of smoke inlet 5. The detector insert 3 contains, essentially, an optical module 6 and an evaluation electronics 7.

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The optical module 6 consists, in a scattered light detector, essentially of a measuring chamber 10 that contains a light source 8 and a light receiver 9 and is protected, by means not illustrated, against outside light. The optical axes of the light source 8, consisting of an infrared or red or blue LED (IRED or LED), and of the light receiver 9 are broken together, avoiding this route and through diaphragms that light rays can reach via direct from the light source 8 to the light receiver 9. The light source 8 sends short and intense light pulses to the central part of the measuring chamber 10, designated as a scattering enclosure, "seeing" the light receiver 9 said enclosure of dispersion but not the source

 \ hbox {luminous 8.} 

The light of the light source 8 is scattered by smoke that enters the dispersion enclosure, and a part of it scattered light strikes the light receiver 9. The so                generated receiver signal is processed by the evaluation electronics 7. During processing it is compared the signal of the receiver, in a manner known per se, with a threshold of alarm and at least one pre-alarm threshold, and the electronics of evaluation 7 issues, in case of being exceeded by the                receiver signal said alarm threshold, designated below as a fire alarm threshold, a alarm signal at an output 11. Specifically, thanks to a                       intelligent signal processing with use of, for example, Fuzzy-Logic or a system of neural network, it is ensured that the emission of the alarm signal occurs with smoke values as low as possible, without however, false alarms are unacceptable.

In addition to the aforementioned thresholds, the evaluation electronics 7 contains a further alarm threshold,                               designated below as threshold of escape road alarm, which is located considerably higher than the fire alarm threshold and corresponds to a lethal value of smoke density of by example 10% per meter. Naturally, evaluation electronics 7 must do this   be designed in such a way that a field can be processed correspondingly large dynamic. In the smoke detector illustrated the receiver signal is then further              observed, even after activation occurred of a fire alarm, and it is analyzed if the receiver signal it also exceeds the escape path alarm threshold. According to Signal path is transmitted through output 11, for example in an embodiment simple, a single additional bit for "safe escape path" or "unsafe escape path" (dangerous), and this Bit has as a consequence, in the case of "escape path                insecure ", that the respective escape route be considered as impassable.

The aforementioned Bit is transmitted to the central 12 of the                                fire alarm system and eventually to an adjustable escape path indicator 13, connected to the respective fire detector and governed by this, and results in the escape path being blocked monitored by the respective detector of fires, either through the central 12 6 directly by the escape path indicator 13 connected to the detector. Saying indicator can be, for example, one of the usual indicators illuminated for an emergency exit, which should be passable is lit in green and in case of not being passable in red, colors can be highlighted by   corresponding pictograms. The information "escape path insecure "can also be transmitted, by remote transmission, to the firemen who are coming.

Evaluation electronics 7 also contains for the CO sensor 14 and the temperature sensor 15 thresholds of fire alarm and additional alarm thresholds                escape path, and the threshold of CO 14 sensor escape path alarm, for example, at 1000  up to 1500 ppm of CO and the road alarm threshold of                temperature sensor leak 15, for example, to                           approximately 60 ° C. As in the Smoke density case, evaluation electronics 7 monitors the reception signals of the CO 14 sensor and the sensor temperature 15 and supplies, in case of being exceeded respective escape path alarm thresholds, a corresponding signal to output 11, so that also in this case an additional bit is transmitted for "escape path free "or" unsafe escape route "to central 12 or at escape path indicator 13, connected to the detector, and is                              blocked the escape path in case of "unsafe escape road".

The people counter P is made by way of light barrier or curtain bright and consists, for example, of two active infrared detectors, which each one contains an active light source and a receiver with a evaluation electronics One such arrangement is           described, for example, in the EP-A-O 845 765. The counter of P people, which is linked to central 12 and the                escape path indicator 13 either directly or through the escape path detector F, counts the flow of                           people on the respective path of escape. The measured value is compared in the corresponding electronic evaluation, which is planned either at the counter of people P or at the escape path detector F or eventually at central 12, with a alarm threshold value, the road indicator being governed Exhaust 13, if it is this threshold is exceeded, so that a blockage occurs of the respective escape route. The people counter P can be integrated in the escape path detector F or be installed independently of it.

The chamber 2 is preferably arranged in a                                    linked support portion 16 with fire detector 1 or attached to it, which comprises a stage, not illustrated, for the processing of the signals of the camera, whose output is linked to evaluation electronics 7. Although the camera 2 is constantly ready to capture      images, it does not provide by itself any image of the  guarded enclosure at the central 12. The latter occurs               only following a corresponding order of the central 12. In this way, the chief of operations has the possibility of remotely controlling escape routes and block these when, according to your assessment, they are no longer                           sure. You can also observe what occurs on escape routes, with which people injured or Unconscious can be saved on time in a targeted manner. It would also be possible to use the camera for counting. of people.

Alternatively, chamber 2 may also be                                 automatically activated by the exceeding an escape threshold threshold value of the detector of escape path F or of the people counter P, and send images to the central 12. The important thing is that the connection between the detector 1 and exchange 12, constituted for example by a bus of data, is not obstructed in the alarm state by signals from image of camera 2, so that alarm signals from                      various sensors can arrive at all times and without delay to central 12. On the other hand, at the instant in that the sensors have reacted and the alarm has already been activated  of fire, or a road alarm threshold has been exceeded escape, is more important than the head of      operations can monitor the escape routes, as well the possibility of saving lives is drastically improved  human.

Naturally, camera 2 does not need to be constructively linked with detector 1, but it can also be arranged at a certain distance from it, which it requires, however, an additional wiring device. How chamber 2 preferably a camera with            CMOS technique, compressing the detector processor 1 the images captured by the camera so that they can be transmitted with a frequency of         approximately 5 images per minute via a bus conventional data, depending on the speed of Bus occupancy transmission.

The control panel 12 can contain a computer with a                                 appropriate evacuation software, at which are connected all the counters of people P and all the fire detectors of system, the F escape way detectors and the detectors of "normal" fires. An appropriate software tool for this purpose it is known under the designation "Exodus". In case of alarm, the detectors of                      fires provide the computer with data current on fire and roads exhaust, and people counters P also current data on the escape routes, calculating the computer, based on such data, the escape routes more favorable and correspondingly switching the indicators of escape path 13.

Central 12 with the computer and devices                             coupled peripherals constitutes a evacuation system, which can be complemented by a fire simulation software. East The latter allows a simulation of the real case, in case of absence of fire, which can be very useful for system planning and                 escape routes, or in case of new or special                          use of stays.

Fig. 2 shows, in an illustration schematic, a rectangular stairwell S, in which four side aisles open G. The stairwell S is sealed, towards each side aisle G, through a door T, to each of whose sides are disposed of two escape path indicators 13. The escape road indicators on the aisle side are designated with 13, and the indicators in the side of the stairwell with 13 '. In the stairwell S and in the side aisles G are also installed escape path detectors F, with the escape path detectors in the stairwell S with the escape path indicators 13 on the side aisle side. Each escape path detector F in a side aisle G is connected to the escape path indicator 13 'arranged in the side of the stairwell of the shutter door T of the respective side aisle.

In the side aisles G are arranged P people counters, connected, through the detector escape path F arranged in its proximity or directly, with the escape path indicator 13 'arranged on the side of the gap Stairway Door T Shutter       respective side aisle G. In the stairwell S can  also be willing to count people P; without                    However, preferably the flow of people in the stairwell S is calculated from the data of the                           side aisles G leading to the stairwell S and branch out of it.

When the detector or road detectors of escape F in the stairwell S record an overcoming of a escape path alarm threshold or when the values of P people counters indicate an excess of people in the gap of staircase S, all respective road indicators of exhaust 13 on the side of the side aisles are then switched to impassable, so the access from the side aisles G to the stairwell S is locked. When an escape path detector F or a counter of people P in a side aisle G records an overcoming of the escape road alarm threshold, the road indicator of exhaust 13 'on the side of the stairwell of door T of sealing of said side aisle is switched to impassable, and with it results   blocked access to said side aisle.

The example of Fig. 2, intended first place to illustration of the operation of an alarm system fire equipped with escape road detectors and                     people counters should not be considered as limiting It is evident to people understood in the matter that communication between escape path detectors F and people counters P, on the one hand, and road indicators exhaust 13, 13 ', on the other hand, is not limited to the connection Direct illustrated, but can be done in multiple ways. As already mentioned, the communication can also take place through the central 12 (Fig. 1) and in addition to firefighters. Likewise, the              communication is not limited to a data bus, but that it can naturally also be done in a way                      wireless or in a so-called system hybrid.

It will also be advantageous to link the                                 escape path indicators in throughout the building or on the different floors or wings of the building, to thus create the possibility of retransmitting escape route blocking orders from escape path indicator to escape path indicator, from so that it is ensured that the respectively first indicator of each escape route show the  Current status of it.

Claims (22)

1. Fire detector, comprising at least one sensor (6, 14, 15) for the detection of at least one characteristic magnitude of fire, as well as an evaluation circuit (7) capable of activating an alarm if it is exceeded by the respective characteristic magnitude of fire a first predetermined value, characterized in that by said at least one sensor (6, 14, 15) a monitoring of a second, higher value of the respective characteristic magnitude of fire is additionally performed, and because in case If this second value is exceeded, an alarm signal is activated indicating the inability to use the respective escape path. 2. Fire detector according to claim 1, characterized in that said second value of the characteristic fire magnitude represents a lethal value. 3. Fire detector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises optical and / or acoustic indication and / or alarm means (13, 13 '), capable of being activated by said alarm signal. 4. Fire detector according to claim 3, characterized in that said indicating and / or alarm means (13, 13 ') are provided in the fire detectors (F). 5. Fire detector according to claim 3, characterized in that said indication and / or alarm means (13, 13 ') are constituted by escape path indicators installed at a certain distance from the fire detectors (F). 6. Fire detector according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a camera (2) for monitoring the enclosure (G, S) surrounding the detector (F), as well as means for the controlled transmission of the images recorded by the camera ( 2) to a central evaluation and / or observation station, which preferably constitutes an integral part of the central (12) of a fire alarm system. 7. Fire detector according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said at least one sensor is constituted by a smoke sensor or a fire gas sensor (6 or 14, respectively). 8. Fire detector according to claim 7, characterized in that said at least one sensor is constituted by an optical smoke sensor (6), and in that the fire detector (F) further comprises a CO sensor (14) and / or a temperature sensor (15) and / or a sensor for radiation pressure. 9. Fire detector according to claim 6, characterized in that the chamber (2) is installed in a support (16) mechanically linked with the fire detector. 10. Fire detector according to claim 6, characterized in that the chamber (2) is installed on a support spatially separated from the fire detector. 11. Fire alarm system, comprising a central (12), fire detectors connected to it, fire detectors arranged in the area of the escape routes and designated below escape path detectors (F), and a system of indication of escape routes with adjustable indication means (13, 13 '), governed by the escape path detectors (F), characterized in that the escape path detectors (F) are constituted by fire detectors provided with at least one sensor (6, 14, 15) for the detection of at least one characteristic magnitude of fire, which, when a first preset value is exceeded by the respective characteristic fire characteristic, activates an alarm, and because at least a sensor (6, 14, 15) is additionally monitored for a second, higher value, of the respective characteristic magnitude of fire and, if this second value is exceeded, a an alarm signal that indicates the inability to use the respective escape route. 12. Fire alarm system according to claim 11, characterized in that means for monitoring the flow of people in the respective escape path are provided in the area of the escape routes, designated below as people counters (P), and because the means of indication (13, 13 ') are governed on the basis of this surveillance. 13. Fire alarm system according to claim 12, characterized in that the escape path detectors (F) and / or the people counters (P) are directly connected to the respective indicating means. 14. Fire alarm system according to claim 13, characterized in that the people counters (P) are integrated in the escape path detectors (F). 15. Fire alarm system according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the escape path detectors (F) are equipped with a camera (2) for video surveillance of the enclosure (G, S) which must be guarded 16. Fire alarm system according to claim 15, characterized in that the chamber (2) is an integral part of an intrusion detector linked to the exhaust path detector (F). 17. Fire alarm system according to claim 13, characterized in that the people counters (P) are linked to the escape path detectors (F), and because a transmission of the signals of the people counters (P) takes place. ) to the escape path detectors (F) and, from these, to the indicating means (13, 13 ') and / or to the control panel (12). 18. Fire alarm system according to one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that it comprises a computer, to which all fire detectors (F) and people counters (P) are connected and provide current fire data and the escape paths, by means of said computer, in case of alarm, a calculation of the most favorable escape paths and a corresponding switching of the indication means (13, 13 '). 19. Fire alarm system according to claim 13 6 17, characterized in that the people counters (P) are made as a light barrier or light curtain and are equipped for counting people passing through their detection field . 20. Fire alarm system according to claim 19, characterized in that the people counters (P) are each constituted by two active infrared detectors, mounted on walls facing each other, each of which contains an active light source and a receiver with an evaluation electronics. 21. Fire alarm system according to claim 19, characterized in that the people counters (P) are each constituted by an active infrared detector, mounted on the ceiling, which contains an active light source and a receiver with an electronic evaluation. 22. Fire alarm system according to claim 13 or 17, characterized in that the counting of persons is carried out by image processing.