GB2465061A

GB2465061A - Fire extinguishing device

Info

Publication number: GB2465061A
Application number: GB0919160A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kathleen Dingley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-05
Filing date: 2009-11-02
Publication date: 2010-05-12
Also published as: GB0820196D0; GB0919160D0

Abstract

A fire extinguishing device 1 is provided with an instruction module 15 comprising electronic circuitry 17 operative to produce aural instructions on how to operate the device 1. The instruction module 15 further comprises a switch 21 and a speaker 23, arranged such that in use of the device 1, the switch 21 activates the electronic circuitry 17 to emit the aural instructions produced by the electronic circuitry 17 through the speaker 21. The switch may be activated by removal of a pin or may be in triggered by removal of the device from its mount. The switch may be a photoelectric cell. The device may be an extinguisher, hydrant or fire blanket.

Description

A FIRE EXTINGUISHING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing device and particularly but not exclusively to fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

Fire extinguishers and fire blankets are well known devices by which fires may be extinguished. They are commonly provided in a wide variety of locations, including but not limited to: in the home, in the workplace, in public buildings, in places of entertainment, in vehicles, and in other means of transport. Fire extinguishers and fire blankets are generally intended for use by any person in the vicinity. To this end, written instructions are usually provided on fire extinguishers and fire blankets in order to instruct any person on how to use that device.

However, the written instructions provided on the fire extinguishing device may not be legible to a person in an emergency for many and varied reasons, some non-limiting examples of which follow. For example, a person who requires reading glasses to read may not have time, in the emergency, to find their reading glasses. The fire may produce adverse conditions, for example smoke, that make reading the instructions difficult. The person may not be sufficiently proficient in reading the language of the instructions to understand the instructions.

The person may panic in the emergency situation and be rendered incapable of understanding the written instructions.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fire extinguishing device provided with an instruction module comprising electronic circuitry operative to produce aural instructions on how to operate the device, the instruction module further comprising a switch and a speaker, arranged such that in use of the device, the switch activates the electronic circuitry to emit the aural instructions produced by the electronic circuitry through the speaker such that a user of the device can listen to the aural instructions and operate the device.

The fire extinguishing means may be a fire extinguisher. The fire extinguishing means may be a fire blanket.

Preferably the electronic circuitry comprises an electronic chip.

Preferably the instruction module is single-use.

Preferably the instruction module automatically activates the electronic circuitry when the fire extinguishing device is deployed. The switch may therefore be provided between the fire extinguishing device and a mount for the fire extinguishing device, such that the switch activates the electronic circuitry when the fire extinguishing means is separated from its mount.

The instruction module may be arranged to activate the electronic circuitry by means of a photovoltaic cell.

The instruction module may be arranged to activate the electronic circuitry manually.

The memory may be operative to store a plurality of different aural instructions.

The plurality of different aural instructions may be the same aural instructions provided in a plurality of different languages.

Preferably a coin or button cell battery is provided. A photovoltaic cell may be provided.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an instruction module suitable for use with a fire extinguishing device, the module comprising electronic circuitry operative to produce aural instructions on how to operate the device, the module further comprising, a switch and a speaker, arranged such that in use of the module, the switch activates the electronic circuitry to emit the aural instructions from the electronic circuitry through the speaker such that a user can listen to the aural instructions and operate the device.

Other aspects of the present invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein.

The present invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures la and lb are perspective views of two different fire extinguishing devices in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of an instruction module in accordance with the present invention.

Referring initially to Figure 1, fire extinguishing device 1 such as, for example, a fire extinguisher 3, a fire blanket 5, or a fire hydrant (not shown) are provided for use in case of fire. The fire extinguisher 3 may be mounted on a wall, on a floor, or in a vehicle, whilst the fire blanket 5 and fire hydrant are typically mounted on a wall. The fire extinguisher 3 is usually activated by removing a pin 7 from the handle 10 and trigger 11, aiming a hose 9, and pressing the trigger 11 towards the handle 10 to disperse the contents of the fire extinguisher 3, usually as a fine spray. A fire blanket 5 is usually deployed by pulling on pull straps 13 to release the blanket from its constraining housing.

Referring to Figure 2, an instruction module 15 is provided for use with a fire extinguishing device. In this embodiment the instruction module 15 comprises electronic circuitry comprising an electronic board 17, which in this example is a chip on board (COB) electronic board. The electronic board 17 is provided with a memory chip 19 programmed with aural instructions on how to operate the fire extinguishing device. A switch 21 activates and deactivates the electronic board 17. The switch 21 may be a leaf switch for example.

The switch 21 is placed on or beside a fire extinguishing device such as a fire extinguisher 3 in such a way as to be triggered, for example, when the fire extinguisher 3 is deployed by removal from its mount on a wall, floor, or vehicle as appropriate. Alternatively the switch 21 may be triggered when the fire extinguisher 3 is deployed by removal of the pin 7 in the case of the fire extinguisher 3. The switch 21 may be placed on or in the fire blanket 5 in such a way as to be triggered on deployment of the fire blanket 5 when the pull straps 13 are pulled.

When the switch 21 is triggered so as to activate the instruction module 15, aural instructions are output from the electronic circuitry via a speaker 23 comprising a further part of the 15. The speaker 23 may be a micro speaker.

The instruction module 15 further comprises an optional photoelectric cell 25 provided as an alternative to, or in addition to, the switch 21, to activate and deactivate the electronic circuitry.

The language of the aural instructions provided may be that most commonly understood in the location in which the fire extinguishing means 1 may be used. For example, in a workplace employing employees whose first language is English, it may be beneficial for the aural instructions to be provided in the English language. If there are also employees whose first language is not English it may be beneficial for the aural instructions to alternatively or additionally be provided in the first language of those employees. Alternatively, aural instructions may be provided in two or more languages. This may be useful in, for example, bilingual schools, embassies, multi-language workplaces, and the like.

The aural instructions provide instructions explaining how to operate the fire extinguishing device 1. Further aural instructions may also be provided; for example, an instruction to stay close to the floor in order to avoid smoke inhalation. Instructions tailored to the location of the fire extinguishing means 1 may also be provided; for example, the location of the nearest fire exit.

The aural instructions may be replaced. This may be desirable if, for example, the instructions for use of the fire extinguishing device 1 change, if health and safety standards change, or if the aural instructions are required in more, fewer or different languages. The aural instructions may be replaced by reprogramming or replacing the chip 19.

Alternatively the electronic board 1? may be replaced with a new electronic board provided with a different chip programmed with the new aural instructions. The method chosen may be dependent upon ease and cost of reprogramming and/or replacement of the relevant item.

A replaceable coin or button cell battery 27 is provided to power the electronic means 15. Alternative or additional means of powering the electronic means 15 may be provided; for example, a photovoltaic cell.

The instruction module 15 may be retrospectively fitted to existing fire extinguishing devices. No alteration of existing fire extinguishing devices is necessary to retrospectively fit the instruction module. The instruction module may also be fitted to, or provided integrally with, new fire extinguishing devices. No alteration of the method of manufacture, design, or function of new fire extinguishing devices is necessary to fit the instruction module 15.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fire extinguishing device provided with an instruction module comprising electronic circuitry operative to produce aural instructions on how to operate the device, the instruction module further comprising a switch and a speaker, arranged such that in use of the device, the switch activates the electronic circuitry to emit the aural instructions produced by the electronic circuitry through the speaker such that a user of the device can listen to the aural instructions and operate the device.
2. The fire extinguishing device of claim 1 wherein the fire distinguishing means is a fire extinguisher.
3. The fire extinguishing device of claim 1 wherein the fire extinguishing means is a fire blanket.
4. The fire extinguishing device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the electronic circuitry comprises an electronic chip.
5. The fire extinguishing device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the instruction module is single-use.
6. The fire extinguishing device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the instruction module automatically activates the electronic circuitry when the fire extinguishing device is deployed.
7. The fire extinguishing device of claim 6 wherein the switch is provided between the fire extinguishing device and a mount for the fire extinguishing device, such that the switch activates the electronic circuitry when the fire extinguishing means is separated from its mount.
8. The fire extinguishing device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the instruction module is arranged to activate the electronic circuitry by means of a photovoltaic cell.
9. The fire extinguishing device of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the instruction module is arranged to activate the electronic circuitry manually.
10. The fire extinguishing device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the memory is operative to store a plurality of different aural instructions.
11. The fire extinguishing device of claim 10 wherein the plurality of different aural instructions are the same aural instructions provided in a plurality of different languages.
12. The fire extinguishing device of any one of the preceding claims wherein a coin or button cell battery is provided.
13. The fire extinguishing device of any one of the preceding claims wherein a photovoltaic cell is provided.
14. An instruction module suitable for use with a fire extinguishing device, the module comprising electronic circuitry operative to produce aural instructions on how to operate the device, the module further comprising, a switch and a speaker, arranged such that in use of the module, the switch activates the electronic circuitry to emit the aural instructions from the electronic circuitry through the speaker such that a user can listen to the aural instructions and operate the device.
15. A fire extinguishing device substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
16. An instruction module substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.