GB2118039A

GB2118039A - Method and apparatus for extinguishing fires

Info

Publication number: GB2118039A
Application number: GB08308901A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edwin William Vanner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-04-07
Filing date: 1983-03-31
Publication date: 1983-10-26
Also published as: GB2118039B

Abstract

In combating a fire (5) within a confined space such as a room, an inflatable envelope (2) of non- combustible material, which may be introduced after start of a fire or permanently mounted in the space, is connected to a source (4) of compressed gas and thereby inflated substantially to fill the space and expel and exclude oxygen thus extinguishing the fire without causing the damage which can be caused by water or other fire-fighting substances. The envelope may be gas-permeable in which case an inert gas must be used for its inflation, issuance of such gas from the envelope encouraging the expulsion of oxygen from the space. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for extinguishing fires This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for extinguishing a fire in a confined space.

It is a drawback of conventional methods of fire extinguishing which involve use of liquid or powder compositions that damage is done to furniture, documents and the like contained in the confined space. Such damage may be more costly than the damage caused by the fire.

According to the invention, there is provided a method of extinguishing a fire in an enclosed space including introducing an inflatable fireresistant member into the space and inflating it to expel and exclude oxygen from the space.

The inflatable member may be thrown or dropped into the confined space prior to inflation.

Alternatively the member can be stored in the confined space and actuated to inflate in the event of fire. Inflation may be by means of a hose or other conduit connected to the member and to a source of pressurised gas such as a cylinder or compressor.

The gas is preferably an inert gas.

The invention also provides fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a fireproof inflatable member and a source of pressurised gas connectable to the member.

Preferably the inflatable member is made from elastic sheet material. The material can be of glass fibre. The pressurised gas can be nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

The inflatable member may be of porous sheet material in which case an inert gas must be used.

If the inflatable member is of non-porous sheet material compressed air or other non-inert gas may be employed.

Apparatus in accordance with this invention may be used in conjunction with a smoke or flame detector and may be arranged for automatic use.

The inflatable member can be stored in, say, a cabinet in a confined space to be actuated in the event of fire.

The invention will now be described further by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a fire in a room before the member has been inflated; and Figure 2 illustrates the situation after the member has been inflated.

Figure 1 shows diagrammatically a fire 5 in a room containing articles of furniture 1. To extinguish the fire in accordance with a preferred method of the invention, a preferred apparatus of the invention, including a package 2 containing an inflatable member in the form of a closed envelope of fabric woven or otherwise formed from glass fibre, asbestos or other fire-resistant material is connected by a hose 3 to a cylinder 4 of compressed nitrogen and introduced into the room. The envelope is then inflated to cause it to expand and substantially fill the room, expelling air from the room thereby reducing the amount of oxygen available to support combustion. As available oxygen is consumed and fresh oxygen is prevented from reaching the flames the fire is extinguished. The envelope may be deflated after use by disconnection from the cylinder 4.Suitable fabric of glass fibre can be purchased from Fothergill and Harvey Limited of Rochdale, Lancashire.

The package containing the inflatable envelope can be mounted in an enclosed space such as a room, for example in an easily operable cabinet and inflated automatically in response to a fire alarm system. The arrangement can be such that the alarm system triggers inflation of the envelope within the cabinet or other enclosure, such inflation causing opening of the cabinet or breaking of the enclosure, the envelope subsequently expanding to substantially fill the room. The gas for inflation can be nitrogen or carbon dioxide from a store such as a cylinder or piped from a source such as a compressor and reservoir.

The invention includes a confined space, such as a room, provided with an expansible envelope as described above. Preferably the apparatus is disposed adjacent a door or other entrance to the space and wall and/or floor and/or ceiling surfaces adjacent the entrance and the apparatus are kept clear of obstructions to allow the envelope, when expanded, to form a reasonable seal with such surfaces to prevent ingress of air.

The envelope can be gas permeable in which case the inert inflation gas wili be allowed to escape from the inflated envelope and expel and/or exclude oxygen from the voids remaining in the space. Alternatively the envelope can be gasimpermeable. In this latter case a non-inert gas, such as compressed air, can be used for inflation.

1. A method of extinguishing a fire in an enclosed space including introducing an inflatable fire-resistant member into the space and inflating it to expel and exclude oxygen from the space.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the member is an envelope of fabric consisting of glass, asbestos or other non-combustible material.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the envelope is gas-permeable and is inflated with an inert gas.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the envelope is gas-impermeable.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the member is introduced into the space after discovery of a fire.

6. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the member has been permanently stored in the space and is then inflated after the discovery or sensing of a fire.

7. A method of extinguishing a fire in an enclosed space substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8. Apparatus, for extinguishing a fire within a confined space, comprising a fireproof inflatable

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for extinguishing fires This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for extinguishing a fire in a confined space. It is a drawback of conventional methods of fire extinguishing which involve use of liquid or powder compositions that damage is done to furniture, documents and the like contained in the confined space. Such damage may be more costly than the damage caused by the fire. According to the invention, there is provided a method of extinguishing a fire in an enclosed space including introducing an inflatable fireresistant member into the space and inflating it to expel and exclude oxygen from the space. The inflatable member may be thrown or dropped into the confined space prior to inflation. Alternatively the member can be stored in the confined space and actuated to inflate in the event of fire. Inflation may be by means of a hose or other conduit connected to the member and to a source of pressurised gas such as a cylinder or compressor. The gas is preferably an inert gas. The invention also provides fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a fireproof inflatable member and a source of pressurised gas connectable to the member. Preferably the inflatable member is made from elastic sheet material. The material can be of glass fibre. The pressurised gas can be nitrogen or carbon dioxide. The inflatable member may be of porous sheet material in which case an inert gas must be used. If the inflatable member is of non-porous sheet material compressed air or other non-inert gas may be employed. Apparatus in accordance with this invention may be used in conjunction with a smoke or flame detector and may be arranged for automatic use. The inflatable member can be stored in, say, a cabinet in a confined space to be actuated in the event of fire. The invention will now be described further by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a fire in a room before the member has been inflated; and Figure 2 illustrates the situation after the member has been inflated. Figure 1 shows diagrammatically a fire 5 in a room containing articles of furniture 1. To extinguish the fire in accordance with a preferred method of the invention, a preferred apparatus of the invention, including a package 2 containing an inflatable member in the form of a closed envelope of fabric woven or otherwise formed from glass fibre, asbestos or other fire-resistant material is connected by a hose 3 to a cylinder 4 of compressed nitrogen and introduced into the room. The envelope is then inflated to cause it to expand and substantially fill the room, expelling air from the room thereby reducing the amount of oxygen available to support combustion. As available oxygen is consumed and fresh oxygen is prevented from reaching the flames the fire is extinguished. The envelope may be deflated after use by disconnection from the cylinder 4.Suitable fabric of glass fibre can be purchased from Fothergill and Harvey Limited of Rochdale, Lancashire. The package containing the inflatable envelope can be mounted in an enclosed space such as a room, for example in an easily operable cabinet and inflated automatically in response to a fire alarm system. The arrangement can be such that the alarm system triggers inflation of the envelope within the cabinet or other enclosure, such inflation causing opening of the cabinet or breaking of the enclosure, the envelope subsequently expanding to substantially fill the room. The gas for inflation can be nitrogen or carbon dioxide from a store such as a cylinder or piped from a source such as a compressor and reservoir. The invention includes a confined space, such as a room, provided with an expansible envelope as described above. Preferably the apparatus is disposed adjacent a door or other entrance to the space and wall and/or floor and/or ceiling surfaces adjacent the entrance and the apparatus are kept clear of obstructions to allow the envelope, when expanded, to form a reasonable seal with such surfaces to prevent ingress of air. The envelope can be gas permeable in which case the inert inflation gas wili be allowed to escape from the inflated envelope and expel and/or exclude oxygen from the voids remaining in the space. Alternatively the envelope can be gasimpermeable. In this latter case a non-inert gas, such as compressed air, can be used for inflation. CLAIMS

4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the envelope is gas-impermeable.

8. Apparatus, for extinguishing a fire within a confined space, comprising a fireproof inflatable member and a source of pressurised gas connectable to the member to cause it to inflate substantially to fill the space to expel and exclude oxygen from the space.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the member is a closed envelope of non-combustible fabric made from glass fibre, asbestos, or other non-inflammable material.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the source of compressed gas is a cylinder or a compressor and reservoir.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the member is gas-permeable and the inflation gas is an inert gas.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claims 8, 9 or 10, wherein the member is gas impermeable.

1 3. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and including a flexible fire resistant conduit connecting the member to the source of gas.

14. Apparatus for extinguishing a fire within a confined space substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1 5. A confined space, such as a room, having apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim mounted therein for actuation in the event of fire.

16. A space as claimed in claim 15, wherein the apparatus is disposed within a cabinet or other enclosure.

1 7. A space as claimed in claim 16, wherein the apparatus is connected to an alarm or sensing system for automatic actuation in the event of fire in the space.

18. A space as claimed in claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the apparatus is mounted adjacent an entrance to the space and surfaces of the space adjacent the entrance are maintained clear of obstruction to enable the member, when inflated, to form a seal with such surfaces around the entrance.