GB2284759A

GB2284759A - A fire punch

Info

Publication number: GB2284759A
Application number: GB9325663A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Stephen Decker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-12-15
Filing date: 1993-12-15
Publication date: 1995-06-21
Also published as: ZA949462B; WO1995016497A1; GB9325663D0; AU8064194A

Abstract

A fire suppression apparatus 1, for example, a fire extinguisher, is provided with one or more sharp points 5 on its base 6 as glass-breaching attachments to enable resilient glazing to be breached in the event of an emergency. The points can be formed integral with the fire extinguisher body, or as separate components 4 permanently or removably fixed to the body, for example, using adhesive 7 or a screw thread attachment (8, 9 Fig 2) respectively. A safety cover may be provided for the sharp point. By providing a glass-breaching means on the fire suppression apparatus, glass breaching means are both easily accessible and do not require two separate tools to be carried. <IMAGE>

Description

FIRE PUNCH This invention relates to extending the function of fire suppression devices to include the ability to penetrate resilient glazing such as toughened, laminated, doubie-glåzed and other types of 'safety' or strengthened glass.

Fire extinguishers and other means of fire suppress ion such as fire blankets, usually designed to be hand portable, are well known. Glazing escape hammers are also well known, usually resembling a very small conventional hammer shape with the striking face forming a sharp point.

Such hammers are commonly found in Public Service Vehicles or within buildings adjacent to resilient glazing. Such glazing penetration devices probably currently represent the most effective, convenient and cost efficient means of causing catastrophic failure to most types of resilient glazing. The devices achieve this by concentrating applied loads into a very small area, usually a sharp metal point.

Resilient glazing is rightly required in many situations for safety reasons, for example vehicular glass or patio doors, and regulations exist mandating their use in situations where normal glazing would be potentially hazardous.

Unfortunate situations have however occured where resilient glazing actually cause deaths and injury by preventing egress from a vehicle or building that may be on fire. Road traffic accidents often result in damage to doors that prevent exit and therefore dictate use of windows for escape. Office buildings feature sealed resilient glazing because of air-conditioning and other considerations. Domiciles increasingly feature double-glazing, and despite recommendations to the contrary windows are often non-opening on upper levels. The consequence of use of this type of glazing is that its inability to be easily breached without resort te specialist tools as outlined above prohibits both escape or relief from smoke-suffused atmosphere. Breach of resilient glazing is absolutely essential in such situations, as is immediate access to both the means to achieve this and to fire suppression devices.

Fire suppression devices are effective at their designed purpose of fire fighting, yet are of little use in breaching resilient glazing; even use of a heavy extinguisher to batter resilient glazing is usually ineffective, as is the use of any blunt object such as a conventional hammer.

Glazing escape hammers are effective, but even when located adjacent to each glazed panel that may require breaching can be difficult to find in case of fire and associated smoke and low light.

Carriage or use of both pieces of equipment at once requires both hands to be employed in a situation where safer progress may be made by leaving one hand free.

A high proportion of the population are unaware of the need to use a specialist tool to breach resilient glazing, and in an emergency situation even those with the knowledge will be less likely to recall such information.

Glazing hammers are usually quite small, due to cost and aesthetic constraints. Often such devices feature a handle less than ten centimetres long, making location and use more difficult. A more effective glazing hammer would more resemble the size of a professional fire-fighter's tool; its improved efficacy due to the extra mass available.

Glazing hammers are sometimes fitted out of normal reach on, for example, Public Service Vehicles, or may be located adjacent to the driver/operator of the vehicle. Sometimes hammers are stored behind a 'breakglass' panel.

This is due to vandalism or pilferage problems and is clearly a safety compromise.

Glazing hammers are almost never found in private vehicles. Fire extinguishers are more common and their location within the vehicle is generally known to the driver.

According to the present invention there is provided a combination fire tool having dual use as both a fire suppression and fire escape facilitation tool. A fire suppression or extinguishing device is provided with the added feature of a means of breaching resilient glazing. One example might be the employment of a hard point as a feature of part of a fire extinguisher.

Such a point could be fitted to the centre of the rounded base of a fire extinguisher of that;-type -either as part of the original design or as a separate piece affixed to the extinguisher some time subsequent to manufacture. The hardened point and its mounting piece can be easily and cheaply manufactured from an appropriate metal and would be permanantly cemented to the base of the extinguisher.

Combination of the tuo functions of fire suppression and escape tool obviates the need to carry two separate tools for these tasks. Where the glass-breacher is fitted to the base of a small extinguisher this allows one hand to be kept free. The added mass of a fire extinguisher also ensures more effective breach of glazing than a glazing hammer used alone. The combining of both functions also obviates the need during an emergency situation to seek out the less frequently available glazing hammers.

The advantages outlined above will increase the likelihood of successful egress from an emergency situation that requires both fire-fighting and breach of glazing.

Fire suppression devices featuring a flat base, which may be designed to be floor-standing, can be fitted with a similar device. An example might be fitment of three pointed attachments around the base. The pointed attachments may be protected by a cover, which could be tagged to ensure quick removal. It is envisaged that the point itself would be small enough not to cause injury if, for example, dropped on the user's foot.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Another fire suppression device or container may be substituted for the fire extinguisher snown in which: Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the lower part of a fire extinguisher (viewed from the side) to the base of which is affixed the glass-breacning attachment.

Figure 3 shows the base of 2 round-bottomed fire extinguisher (viewed from beneath) showing suggested placement of the glass-breaching attachment to this type of extinguisher.

Figure 4 shows an optional cover for the glass-breaching attachment featuring a quick-release tag.

Figure 5 shows the base of a flat-bottomed fire extinguisher (viewed from beneath) showing suggested multi-placement to this type of extinguisher.

Referring to the accompanying drawings. the Fire Punch comprises fire extinguisher (1) and glass-breaching attachment (2) featuring sharp point (3). Figure 1 features adhesive as a means of attachment (4). Figure 2 features a threaded protrusion on the extinguisher and a matching threaded hole in the punch (a) as a means of attachment. Referring to Figure a (1) is a cover which may be fitted over the glass-breaching attachment shown in figs. 1-3. The tag (2) facilitates easy removal of the cover. and an instruction may be printed on the tag to guide the user.

Referring to Figure 5, (1) is the base of a flat-bottomed fire extinguisher to which has been affixed three glass-breaching attachments (2) featuring the sharp point (3). The shape of the attachment (2) has been adapted in order to effect placement of the sharp point (3) as close as possible to the edge of the extinguisher base.

In use, the fire extinguishers featured in the accompanying drawings would be used as normal. Where there is an additional requirement to breach resilient glazing, the attachment featured in the drawings will facilitate escape. The base of the extinguisher is placed against the glass and force applied. Alternatively, a banging action may be employed. The extra grip and higher mass afforded by the extinguisher body makes it a mucus better escape tool than the commonly-found lightweight glazing hammers. This is particularly rlsant where, for example. a person is trapped underwater in a vehicle; extra mass is essential to breach toughened glass.

Claims

1. A penetrating device for penetrating glass in the event of an emergency comprising a sharpened punch means for penetrating a glass window or door upon impacting of the device against the glass window or door, characterised in that the device further comprises fixing means for fixing the device to an object which can be used as a handle.

2. A penetrating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the device is fixed to a fire suppression container.

3. A penetrating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the fixing means is an adhesive.

4. A penetrating device according to claim 3, characterised in that the adhesive fixing means is in the form of an self-adhesive strip or patch.

5. A penetrating device according to claim 1 characterised in that the fixing means is a clamp.

6. A penetrating device according to claim 1 characterised in that the fixing means is a bolt and thread.

7. A combination fire suppression device, comprising a container of fire suppression material, characterised in that the container comprises a glass penetrating means to allow the device to be used to penetrate a glass window or door in the event of an emergency.

8. A combination fire suppression device according to claim 7, characterised in that the glass penetrating means is a separate component which is affixed to the container by means of an affixing means to the container 9. A combination fire suppression device according to claim 7, characterised in that the glass penetrating means is formed as an integral part of the container.

10. A combination fire suppression device according to claim 7, characterised in that the penetrating means is provided on the base of the container.

11. A combination fire suppression device according to claim 7, characterised in that the device comprises a support base to permit the container including the penetrating means attached to stand on the floor, the support base being removable so that the penetrating means can be used.

12. A combination fire suppression device according to claim 11, characterised in that the support base is provided with tag means to aid its removal.

13. A combination fire suppression device according to claim 7, characterised in that the penetrating means comprises a sharp punch.

14. A combination fire suppression device according to claim 8, characterised in that the fixing means is an adhesive.

15. A penetrating device according to claim 14, characterised in that the adhesive fixing means is in the form of an self-adhesive strip or patch.

16. A penetrating device according to claim 8, characterised in that the fixing means is a clamp.

17. A penetrating device according to claim 8, characterised in that the fixing means is a bolt and thread.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A fire suppression apparatus comprising a body for containing a quantity of fire suppressing material therein, and glass-breaching means provided on the body for breaching glass when the glass-breaching means is placed against the glass and force applied thereto.

2. A fire suppression apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the glass-breaching means is permanently attached to the body.

3. A fire suppression apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the glass-breaching means is provided integral with the body.

4. A fire suppression apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the glass-breaching means is attached to the body by means of adhesive.

5. A fire suppression apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the glass-breaching means is removably attached to the body.

6. A fire suppression apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the glass-breaching means is removably attached to the body by means of a screw thread attachment.

7. A fire suppression apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the glass-breaching means is removably attached to the body by means of clamping means.

8. A fire suppression apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the glass-breaching means comprises at least one projection coupled to the body.

9. A fire suppression apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the glass-breaching means comprises a multiplicity of projections.

10. A fire suppression apparatus according to any of Claims 8 or 9, wherein the projection is provided on a plate coupled to the body.

11. A fire suppression apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the container body comprises a base portion, and the glass-breaching means is provided on the base of the container.

12. A fire suppression apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the glass-breaching means is provided with a detachable cover means.

12. A glass-breaching device for coupling to a body for providing added load to the device to enable the device to breach the glass when placed against the glass with force applied thereto, the glass breaching device having coupling means for coupling the device to the body.

13. A glass-breaching device as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the coupling means is an adhesive layer.

14. A glass-breaching device according to Claim 12, wherein the coupling means is a screw thread attachment.

15. A glass-breaching device as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the coupling means is a clamp.

16. A glass-breaching device as claimed in Claim 12 comprising a projection coupled to a plate, the coupling means being provided on the plate.

17. A glass-breaching device according to claim 16, wherein the glass-breaching device is provided with cover means for the projection.

18. A fire suppression apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.