GB2189634A

GB2189634A - Fire protection device

Info

Publication number: GB2189634A
Application number: GB08709384A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lawrence Benson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-04-23
Filing date: 1987-04-21
Publication date: 1987-10-28
Also published as: GB8709384D0; GB8609863D0

Abstract

The device includes a smoke detector unit 10 and an alarm siren 12 located in a ceiling rose on opposite sides of a connecting unit 18 for a pedant light fitting. The ceiling rose includes a unitary cover 22 having a central portion simulating a normal ceiling rose and further portions, equally spaced on opposite sides of the central portion, to cover the detector unit and the siren, respectively. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fire protection device The invention relates to fire protection devices.

Fire protection devices in the form of electrically operated audible alarms to give warning of smoke are known. However, relatively few households instal such devices with the result that if a fire starts, it is quite likely that some time will elapse before it is noticed. It is in fact a particular problem that many household fires, started for example by a smouldering cigarette end, develop so very slowly that the victims die in their beds by smoke inhalation and lack of oxygen before flames are able to alert neighbours. The invention seeks to alleviate this problem by increasing the likelihood that households will be provided with fire protection devices of the kind referred to.

According to the invention, there is provided an electrically operated audible alarm device for fire protection, the device being located within or forming part of a ceiling rose for a pendant light fitting. The alarm may be battery operated and in this case may incorporate a battery charger, the batteries being re-charged each time the light fitting is switched on. Alternatively, the alarm may be mains operated, having a battery backup circuit in case of mains failure and having a battery charger to ensure the batteries being fully charged at all times.

The device may include a mounting plate provided centrally with a connecting unit for the pendant light fitting, a smoke detector unit being provided at one end of said mounting plate and an alarm siren unit being provided at the other. The smoke detector unit may include a fume (i.e. no oxygen) detector. The connecting unit for the pendant light fitting, the smoke detector unit and the alarm siren unit will preferably be provided with respective covers, that is to say a central cover simulating a normal ceiling rose and further covers of like shape and size to each other equally spaced on opposite sides of said central cover, at least one of said further covers being slotted or otherwise perforated to allow smoke to gain access to the smoke detector unit.The three covers will preferably be formed in a single moulded part, this preferably being provided with a boundary wall part which can be snap fitted around the mounting plate to hide the latter from view. Each of the covers referred to may be of generally circular shape or of generally square shape.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an alarm device embodying the invention, Figure 2 is a side view thereof, Figure 3 is an exploded view, and Figure 4 illustrates a possible modification which will be referred to.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, the fire protection device there illustrated includes a smoke detector generally indicated 10, an alarm siren generally indicated 12 and suitable electronic circuitry, the device forming part of a ceiling rose 14. Consequently, the smoke detector and alarm siren are mounted at opposite ends of a mounting plate 16 and a connecting unit 18 for a pendant light fitting (not shown) is located at the centre of the mounting plate.

The mounting plate 16 is formed with holes (not shown) by means of which it can be fixed in position by screws against a ceiling, and formed at its opposite ends and along its sides with depending catch elements 20 for the retention of a cover 22 which can be snap fitted in position to hide the mounting plate and the parts mounted on it from view.

The cover 22 is formed, as shown, with respective slotted formations 24 which surround the smoke detector and alarm siren.

Thus there is provided a fire protection device which can be secured in position against a ceiling very simply, and of course it will be understood that when such a device is to be fitted at the time the house is built, it can be fitted in position with no more trouble and expense than is incurred when fitting the usual ceiling rose (which this device now incorporates as an integral part). Various modifications can be made however. For example, the detail design of the cover 22, that is to say the pattern of slots and the like which plays no part in the functional operation of the device, can be varied in numerous ways.The only essential is that the slots must be adequate to allow the free access of smoke to the smoke detector 10 and it will genrally be preferable to make the finished device symetrical which means that in most cases it will be preferred to make the formations at the opposite ends of the device, which enclose the smoke detector and the alarm siren unit, of like shape and size to each other.

Referring now to Fig. 4, this illustrates a fire protection device which is functionally identical to that just described with reference to Figs.

1 to 3. In this case, however, the device is thought to be aesthetically more pleasing, each of the covers, that is to say the central cover simulating a normal ceiling rose and the further covers of like shape and size to each other and equally spaced on opposite sides of said central cover, being of substantially square shape (or rectangular shape in the case of the central cover) although having sloping sides as shown. The slots 24 in this case are shown to extend along the sloping side surfaces, but it will be understood that this is purely for the sake of aesthetic appearance.

In each of the illustrated examples, it will be understood that, if preferred, the three individual covers referred to may not be formed integrally together in a single moulded part.

They could each be individually snap fitted in position beneath the mounting plate.

It will also be understood that although the slotting of the covers on the opposite sides of the central cover is primarily for the purpose of allowing access of smoke and fumes to the smoke detector, the slots in the cover surrounding the alarm siren allow the output of the latter to be virtually undiminished by the cover.

Claims

1. An electrically operated audible alarm device for fire protection, the device being located within or forming part of a ceiling rose for a pendant light fitting.

2. An electrically operated device according to claim 1, in which the alarm is battery operated.

3. An electrically operated device according to claim 2, incorporating a battery charger, the batteries being re-charged each time the light fitting is switched on.

4. An electrically operated device according to claim 1, in which the alarm is mains operated, having a battery back-up circuit in case of mains failure and having a battery charger to ensure the batteries being fully charged at all times.

5. An electrically operated device according to any one of the preceding claims, including a mounting plate provided centrally with a connecting unit for the pendant light fitting, a smoke detector unit being provided at one end of said mounting plate and an alarm siren unit being provided at the other.

6. An electrically operated device according to claim 5, in which the smoke detector unit includes a fume (i.e. no oxygen) detector.

7. An electrically operated device according to either one of claims 5 and 6, in which the connecting unit for the pendant light fitting, the smoke detector unit and the alarm siren unit are provided with respective covers, that is to say a central cover simulating a normal ceiling rose and further covers of like shape and size to each other equally spaced on opposite sides of said central cover, at least one of said further covers being slotted or otherwise perforated to allow smoke to gain access to the smoke detector unit.

8. An electrically operated device according to claim 7, in which the three covers referred to are formed in a single moulded part.

9. An electrically operated device according to claim 8, in which the single moulded part is provided with a boundary wall part which can be snap fitted around the mounting plate to hide the latter from view.

10. An electrically operated device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which each of the covers referred to is of generally circular shape.

11. An electrically operated device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which each of the covers referred to is of generally square shape.

12. An electrically operated audible alarm device for fire protection, the device being constructed, arranged and adapted to be used substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by Figs. 1 to 3 or Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.