GB2177912A

GB2177912A - Fire extinguisher system

Info

Publication number: GB2177912A
Application number: GB08517884A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eugene Mcsweeney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-07-16
Filing date: 1985-07-16
Publication date: 1987-02-04
Also published as: GB8517884D0; GB2177912B

Abstract

A fire extinguisher system for domestic or other small buildings comprises spray discs (7) mounted for rotation e.g. about the axes of vertical water outlet pipes (6) extending downwardly from the ceilings. The discs may be driven in rotation by electric motors mounted in the ceiling space. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fire Extinguisher System The invention relates to a fire extinguisher system and is particularly appropriate as an extinguisher system for domestic or other small buildings.

Conventional fire extinguisher systems provide a plurality of water outlet nozzles in the ceilings of a building. In the event of fire, water is delivered to the nozzles and exits under pressure into the rooms of the building. Such nozzles generally spray water only over a narrow area. It is therefore necessary to provide a large number of nozzles, all operating under relatively high pressure, in each room or area to be protected.

In the present system, water is sprayed into each room by one or more spinning discs. Water is delivered onto the upper surface of the discs which are preferably spun by individual electric motors mounted in the ceiling space.

One advantage of the system described herein is that is can be readily installed in or with conventional air conditioning systems.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic vertical section through a building with a fire extinguisher system installed; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic vertical section through a building with a fire extinguisher system supplied directly from the mains water supply; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the building shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a part of an extinguisher system; Figure 5 is a further diagrammatic view of a part of an extinguisher system; and Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a method of coupling an alternative extinguisher system to a mains water supply.

As shown in the drawings, a circulatory pipe system 1 is provided. Figure 1 shows a system which is supplied from a tank 2 via a pump 3.

Figures 2 and 3 show a system which is connected directly to a mains supply. Such a mains supply system may also be provided with a pump if necessary, located along with control valves in an external housing 33. Branch pipes 4 run from the circulatory system to a plurality of spray heads 5 arranged in the ceiling, one each at the centre of each room. In a large room a plurality of spray heads 5 may be required. A perpendicular junction connects the end of each branch pipe 4 to a vertical outlet pipe 6 (Figures 4 and 5).

A spray disc 7 is provided for rotation about the axis of each outlet pipe 6. The outlet pipe may be provided with a rotary joint and may have the spray disc mounted on it or may support a bearing or axle for the spray disc. The lower end of the outlet pipes 6 and the spray discs may be recessed into the ceiling but will normally extend at least one inch below the ceiling.

The spray discs may be flat, conical or concave downwardly and are provided on their upper surface with radial fin ribs (not shown) which taper towards the outer edge of the disc.

A shade (not shown) may be attached over each disc to direct water downwardly.

A number of holes-for example four, two of which are visible in Figure 5--a re spaced around the outlet pipe at a distance of about 0.5 inch above the disc 7. These holes allow water to run freely onto the disc and to be evenly distributed. The disc 7 may be perforated to allow water to fall on the area beneath the disc.

In addition to the disc 7, a ventilating fan blade (not shown) may be mounted for rotation about the axis of the outlet pipeS. Any such fan blades would of course operate separately from the spray disc and would for part of an integrated air conditioning or ventilating system.

The disc 7 and any fan blades would be driven by separate electric motors mounted in the ceiling spaces adjacent the outlet pipe 6.

Each branch pipe preferably has an electrically operated valve (not shown) therein. Pump, valves, and the electric motors for the spray discs and the fan blades are controlled from a switch box in each room or on each floor of the building. The switches for the pump, valves, and spray discs may be operated by thermostatic means to activate them automatically in the case of fire. An audible alarm may also be arranged to be actuated simultaneously.

To enable the extinguisher system to be operated from any room of the building or even from outside the building, switch boxes controlling the whole system may be provided in each room and outside the building.

Figure 6 shows arrangement whereby the pipe system within the building can be maintained dry when not in use. A system supply pipe 8 is connected through two connecting pipes 9 and 10 to a main supply pipe 11. A hand operated valve 12 is provided in the connecting pipe 9 and an electrically operated valve is provided in the connecting pipe 12. In this case, the branch line valves would not necessarily be required or may be left open.

Actuation of such an extinguisher system could again be manual or automatic.

1. A fire extinguisher system for use in the rooms of domestic or other buildings comprising at least one disc to be mounted for rotation adjacent the ceiling of a room, means for rotapng the disc, and means for supplying water to ths: upper surface of the disc.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each disc is mounted for rotation about the axis of a vertical outlet pipe and wherein water is supplied to the upper surface of the disc through the outlet pipe.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 2 in which a plurality of vertical outlet pipes are connected together to be supplied with water from a common source.

4. A system as claimed in any proceding claim in

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fire Extinguisher System The invention relates to a fire extinguisher system and is particularly appropriate as an extinguisher system for domestic or other small buildings. Conventional fire extinguisher systems provide a plurality of water outlet nozzles in the ceilings of a building. In the event of fire, water is delivered to the nozzles and exits under pressure into the rooms of the building. Such nozzles generally spray water only over a narrow area. It is therefore necessary to provide a large number of nozzles, all operating under relatively high pressure, in each room or area to be protected. In the present system, water is sprayed into each room by one or more spinning discs. Water is delivered onto the upper surface of the discs which are preferably spun by individual electric motors mounted in the ceiling space. One advantage of the system described herein is that is can be readily installed in or with conventional air conditioning systems. Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic vertical section through a building with a fire extinguisher system installed; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic vertical section through a building with a fire extinguisher system supplied directly from the mains water supply; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the building shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a part of an extinguisher system; Figure 5 is a further diagrammatic view of a part of an extinguisher system; and Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a method of coupling an alternative extinguisher system to a mains water supply. As shown in the drawings, a circulatory pipe system 1 is provided. Figure 1 shows a system which is supplied from a tank 2 via a pump 3. Figures 2 and 3 show a system which is connected directly to a mains supply. Such a mains supply system may also be provided with a pump if necessary, located along with control valves in an external housing 33. Branch pipes 4 run from the circulatory system to a plurality of spray heads 5 arranged in the ceiling, one each at the centre of each room. In a large room a plurality of spray heads 5 may be required. A perpendicular junction connects the end of each branch pipe 4 to a vertical outlet pipe 6 (Figures 4 and 5). A spray disc 7 is provided for rotation about the axis of each outlet pipe 6. The outlet pipe may be provided with a rotary joint and may have the spray disc mounted on it or may support a bearing or axle for the spray disc. The lower end of the outlet pipes 6 and the spray discs may be recessed into the ceiling but will normally extend at least one inch below the ceiling. The spray discs may be flat, conical or concave downwardly and are provided on their upper surface with radial fin ribs (not shown) which taper towards the outer edge of the disc. A shade (not shown) may be attached over each disc to direct water downwardly. A number of holes-for example four, two of which are visible in Figure 5--a re spaced around the outlet pipe at a distance of about 0.5 inch above the disc 7. These holes allow water to run freely onto the disc and to be evenly distributed. The disc 7 may be perforated to allow water to fall on the area beneath the disc. In addition to the disc 7, a ventilating fan blade (not shown) may be mounted for rotation about the axis of the outlet pipeS. Any such fan blades would of course operate separately from the spray disc and would for part of an integrated air conditioning or ventilating system. The disc 7 and any fan blades would be driven by separate electric motors mounted in the ceiling spaces adjacent the outlet pipe 6. Each branch pipe preferably has an electrically operated valve (not shown) therein. Pump, valves, and the electric motors for the spray discs and the fan blades are controlled from a switch box in each room or on each floor of the building. The switches for the pump, valves, and spray discs may be operated by thermostatic means to activate them automatically in the case of fire. An audible alarm may also be arranged to be actuated simultaneously. To enable the extinguisher system to be operated from any room of the building or even from outside the building, switch boxes controlling the whole system may be provided in each room and outside the building. Figure 6 shows arrangement whereby the pipe system within the building can be maintained dry when not in use. A system supply pipe 8 is connected through two connecting pipes 9 and 10 to a main supply pipe 11. A hand operated valve 12 is provided in the connecting pipe 9 and an electrically operated valve is provided in the connecting pipe 12. In this case, the branch line valves would not necessarily be required or may be left open. Actuation of such an extinguisher system could again be manual or automatic. CLAIMS

4. A system as claimed in any proceding claim in which each disc is provided on its upper surface with radial fins or ribs.

5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim in which a shade is mounted over each disc to direct water downwardly.

6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim in which each disc is driven in rotation by an electric motor.

7. Afire extinguisher system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.