GB2526303A

GB2526303A - A sprinkler system assembly, a sprinkler system, and a method

Info

Publication number: GB2526303A
Application number: GB1408919.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen John Leigh
Original assignee: Steve Leigh & Associates Ltd
Current assignee: Steve Leigh & Associates Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-20
Filing date: 2014-05-20
Publication date: 2015-11-25
Also published as: GB201408919D0

Abstract

A sprinkler system assembly 1 comprising a housing 2 having a protective casing 4 and interior insulation is disclosed. The protective casing substantially encases the interior insulation 5. The assembly also includes a sprinkler management system 3 having a fluid inlet 7 for receiving fluid from a fluid supply, a fluid outlet 8 for outputting fluid to the sprinkler system and at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device 9 disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The sprinkler management system is mounted within the housing such that the interior insulation at least partially insulates the sprinkler management system for reducing the risk of fluid in the sprinkler management system from freezing. The housing is preferably formed from plastic so as to protect the interior insulation from the ingress of water. The housing is preferably a two part housing comprising a rear portion (41, figure 1) and lockable door 42, each carrying a portion of insulation. A sprinkler system and method of installation are also disclosed.

Description

Title: A Sprinkler System Assembly, a Sprinkler System, and a Method Descriijtion of Invention The present invention relates to a sprinkler system assembly, a sprinkler system, and an associated method. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to a sprinkler system assembly which seeks to reduce the risk of fluid in a sprinkler management system of the assembly from freezing.

Embodiments of the invention also include a sprinkler system including such an assembly, a method of installing such a sprinkler system, and a building to which such a system and/or assembly has been fitted.

Fire suppression systems, such as sprinkler systems, are well known for domestic, commercial and industrial installations. Typically, a sprinkler system will include one or more sprinkler heads, a fluid supply, a sprinkler management system, and pipework that connects the or each sprinkler head to the sprinkler management system. Each sprinkler head is configured to deliver fluid from the fluid supply to a region of the installation (i.e. a region of the building in which the system is installed) when activated by the onset of a fire. The sprinkler management system may include various fluid control or fluid monitoring devices, for example a shut off valve for controlling a flow of fluid from the fluid supply. As such, the sprinkler management system may be fitted to the sprinkler system between the fluid supply and the rest of the sprinkler system, for such reasons set out below.

In order to ensure that a sprinkler system is working correctly, such that a supply of fluid will be delivered in the event of a fire, it is often a requirement that regular testing is performed and/or regular monitoring (of the system) is carried out. In fact, British Standard BS EN 12845 specifies the design, installation and maintenance requirements for automatic sprinkler systems (one type of fixed firefighting system), and users of commercial installations are advised to consult this British Standard to plan and implement testing schedules. Testing ranges in frequency from weekly and monthly routine checks carried out by suitably trained personnel, through to quarterly, half-yearly and annual maintenance checks carried out by specialist contractors.

To facilitate testing, it is often necessary to access the sprinkler management system in order to perform checks on the sprinkler system and/or isolate the fluid supply from the sprinkler system, for example. It may also be necessary to determine the fluid pressure within the sprinkler system. Other checks may also be necessary. As such, the sprinkler management system is often located such that it can be accessed easily by both personnel and contractors, depending on the test being carried out. In a typical installation, the sprinkler management system may be located in a basement, for example, in a commercial building, or in a suitable cupboard or the like, for example, in a domestic building. Access to the sprinkler management system is therefore typically within the confines of a building. Although positioning the sprinkler management system in this way is advantageous in providing protection from environmental conditions, such as low temperatures, it makes conducting such testing more difficult. This problem is particularly so in domestic installations, where more and more sprinkler systems are being installed.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to ameliorate one or more

problems associated with the prior art.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a sprinkler system assembly comprising: a housing having a protective casing and interior insulation, the protective casing substantially encasing the interior insulation; and a sprinkler management system comprising: a fluid inlet for receiving fluid from a fluid supply; a fluid outlet for outputting fluid to the sprinkler system; and at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; wherein the sprinkler management system is mounted within the housing, such that the interior insulation at least partially insulates the sprinkler management system for reducing the risk of fluid in the sprinkler management system from freezing.

The protective casing may be configured to inhibit the ingress of water to an interior region of the housing.

The protective casing may be substantially impermeable to water.

The protective casing may be configured to protect the interior insulation from being damaged.

The casing may be formed from a harder material than the interior insulation.

The housing may be constructed out of plastic.

The housing may be a two-part housing.

The housing may include a back portion and a door portion, which are moveable with respect to each other between an open and a closed condition of the housing.

The housing may further comprise a lock actuatable between a locked condition to secure the back portion and the door portion in the closed condition and an unlocked condition to permit movement of the back portion and door portion to the open condition, the lock being selectively moveable between the locked condition and the unlocked condition by use of a key.

The housing may further comprise a hinge which couples the door portion to the back portion.

When the housing is in the closed condition a peripheral edge of the door portion and a peripheral edge of the back portion may overlap.

The housing may further comprise a seal around at least part of the peripheral edge of the door portion and/or at least part of the peripheral edge of the back portion.

The interior insulation may be formed from at least two parts.

The first part of the interior insulation may be carried by the back portion of the housing and a second part of the interior insulation may be carried by the door portion of the housing.

The first and second parts of the interior insulation may define a cavity within which the sprinkler management system is substantially located.

The at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device may include a valve which is configured to substantially prevent the flow of fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet.

The at least one fluid control or monitoring device may include a valve which is configured to substantially prevent the flow of fluid through the sprinkler management system from the fluid outlet to the fluid inlet, but which permits the flow of fluid in the opposite direction.

The at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device may include a flow sensor.

The at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device may include a pressure sensor.

At least one of the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet may include an insulation sleeve.

Another aspect provides, a sprinkler system in which an assembly as above is installed.

The sprinkler system may further comprise at least one sprinkler head connected to the assembly by pipe work.

Another aspect provides a method of installing a sprinkler system including the steps of: providing an assembly as above; fitting the assembly to a building including a sprinkler system and a fluid supply; connecting the fluid inlet to the fluid supply; and connecting the fluid outlet to the sprinkler system.

The assembly may be fitted to the exterior of the building.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an external view of a sprinkler system assembly; Figure 2 shows an internal view of a sprinkler system assembly; and Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a building including a sprinkler system assembly.

With reference to figures 1 to 3, some embodiments of the present invention include a sprinkler system assembly 1. The sprinkler system assembly 1 includes a housing 2 and a sprinkler management system 3.

The housing 2 is configured to protect and insulate the sprinkler management system 3. Accordingly, the housing 2 includes a protective casing 4 and interior insulation 5. The protective casing 4 defines an internal volume (or interior region) in which the interior insulation 5 is housed. The interior insulation 5, in turn, defines a sprinkler management system volume which is configured to receive the sprinkler management system 3. Therefore, the protective casing 4 substantially encases the interior insulation S and, in embodiments, the interior insulation 5 may substantially surround the sprinkler management system 3.

The interior insulation 5 may be formed from a relatively delicate material which may be, for example, a foamed plastic material. The interior insulation 5 may be vulnerable to denting if contacted by other objects. In some embodiments, the interior insulation 5 may be vulnerable to acting as a support structure for mould, algae or the like if exposed to water for prolonged periods of time. The mould, algae or the like may damage the interior insulation and/or may be harmful to other life or aesthetically unpleasant.

In some embodiments, therefore, the protective casing 4 is configured to protect the interior insulation 5 from damage as a result of contact with other objects. Accordingly, the protective casing 4 may be constructed from a material which is harder than the interior insulation 5. The protective casing 4 may be constructed out of plastic with a thickness greater than 1mm or greater than 2mm or greater than 3mm.

In some embodiments, the protective casing 4 is configured to inhibit the ingress of water into the encased interior insulation 5 (located in the interior region of the protective casing 4). Accordingly, the protective casing 4 may be substantially impermeable to water. In some embodiments, the protective casing 4 may have a hydrophobic coating or treatment. The protective casing 4 may include one or more ports for allowing pipework to pass into and out of the protective casing 4. The or each port may include a rubber or synthetic rubber seal to inhibit the ingress of water between the pipework and edges of the port. In some embodiments, the positioning of the or each port is such that the ingress of rain water is unlikely (e.g. the or each port may be defined though a side or base wall of the protective casing 4 and there may be no port through an upper side wall of the protective casing 4).

In some embodiments, the protective casing 4 is configured to inhibit the exposure of the interior insulation 5 to light (such as ultra-violet light) which may degrade the interior insulation 5 of some embodiments.

The protective casing 4 may include a two-part housing 2. The two parts of the housing 2 may be moveable with respect to each other between a closed and an open condition. In the closed condition, the interior insulation 5 is substantially encased in the housing 2 and the sprinkler management system 3 is generally inaccessible to the user. In the open condition, the sprinkler management system 3 within the housing 2 is generally accessible -to allow actuation or visual inspection of the sprinkler management system 3 or a part thereof.

The protective casing 4 may, therefore, comprise a back portion 41 and a door portion 42. The back portion 41 may have four side walls and a base wall generally defining a container (and at least a part of the interior region of the protective casing 4). One or more of the walls (e.g. the base wall) may include one or more mounting arrangements -not shown -which are each configured to mount the protective casing 4 (and, hence, the housing 2) to a support structure such as the wall of a building 11. The one or more mounting arrangements may include respective apertures which receive respective bolts. The protective casing 4 may, therefore, be configured to be mounted to a substantially vertical support structure (e.g. a wall) with the open part of the container defined by the back portion 41 being provided in a plane which is generally parallel to the substantially vertical support structure.

The door portion 42 may be coupled to the back portion 41 by a hinge 43. The hinge 43 may be configured such that the door portion 42 is moveable about the hinge 43 with respect to at least part of the back portion 41 (between the open and closed conditions). The hinge 43 may be located towards a lower part of the door portion 42 and back portion 41 in a normal orientation. The hinge 43 may be formed from interlocking parts of the door portion 42 and the back portion 41. The interlocking parts may be integrally formed with the door portion 42 and/or the back portion 41.

The door portion 42 and back portion 41 may be configured such that peripheral edges of the two portions 41, 42 overlap when in the closed condition -to help to inhibit the ingress of water into the interior volume of the protective casing 4 and/or to help to provide better protection for the interior insulation 5. A seal -not shown -may be provided between the overlapping edges (the seal may be provided as part of the door portion 42 or back portion 41 or both, and may be a rubber or synthetic rubber material).

In some embodiments, a lock 10 may be provided which is configured to secure the two-part protective casing 4 (if provided as a two-part casing) in the closed condition with the lock 10 in a locked condition. Actuation of the lock to an unlocked condition may then permit the protective casing 4 to be moved to the open condition. The lock 10 may include a catch mechanism which includes a manual actuator. The lock 10 may include a key operated lock. In some embodiments, the lock 10 includes one or more catch mechanisms and one or more key operated locks. In some embodiments, the lock 10 is configured to hold the door portion 42 against, and/or with respect to, the back portion 41.

The interior insulation 5 may comprise a first part which is received by the back portion 41 (if provided) and a second part which is received by the door portion 42 (if provided). The first and second parts of the interior insulation may be generally secured to the back portion 41 and door portion 42 (respectively) for movement therewith.

The first and second parts of the interior insulation 5 may, theretore, fit closely with the back portion 41 and door portion 42 respectively.

The first and second part of the interior insulation 5 include respective recesses. These recesses form a cavity which defines the sprinkler management system volume when the two parts of the interior insulation 5 are held next to each other (e.g. when the protective casing 4 is in the closed condition).

The sprinkler management system 3 is a system which is configured to provide management facilities for a sprinkler system 6. Accordingly, the sprinkler management system 3 includes a fluid inlet 7 for receiving fluid from a fluid supply (such as a mains water supply, or water tank). The sprinkler management system 3 also includes a fluid outlet 8 for outputting fluid to the sprinkler system 6. Fluid (such as water), therefore, must in some embodiments flow through the sprinkler management system 3 -or a part thereof -in order to be used by the sprinkler system 6. The sprinkler management system 3 in some embodiments is fitted in a fluid flow path between the fluid supply and the rest of the sprinkler system 6.

The sprinkler management system 3 includes at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device 9 disposed between the fluid inlet 7 and the fluid outlet 8.

The positioning of the at least one fluid control or monitoring device 9 is, as will be appreciated, in the fluid path between the fluid inlet 7 and fluid outlet 8 -the physical location need not be between the fluid inlet 7 and fluid outlet 8.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the at least one fluid control or monitoring device 9 is configured to perform a control or monitoring operation on the fluid in the fluid path between the fluid inlet 7 and the fluid outlet 8.

The sprinkler management system 3 may be configured to be received by and mounted within the sprinkler management system volume which is defined by the interior insulation 5. The sprinkler management system volume may be shaped and sized to receive the sprinkler management system 3 and to allow the actuation of the at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device 9 of the sprinkler management system 3 so received. In some embodiments, the sprinkler management system volume is shaped and sized such that actuation of the at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device 9 is permitted when (or only when) the two-part housing 3 (if provided) is in the open condition.

As is described herein, the at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device 9 may include one or more valves (to control the pressure of, or to interrupt the supply of, fluid from the fluid inlet 7 to the fluid outlet 8).

The at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device 9 may include a non-return valve -which allows the flow of fluid from the fluid inlet 7 to the fluid outlet 8 but which inhibits or substantially prevents the flow of fluid from the fluid outlet 8 to the fluid inlet 7. The at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device 9 may be a check valve. The non-return valve or check valve, where provided, may be a valve that is of the type which is compliant with UK and European water industry standards or regulations. Examples of such standards include those specified by the Water Regulations Advisory Service, such as the Water Fittings Directory.

The at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device 9 may include a pressure gauge which is configured to determine a fluid pressure in the sprinkler management system 3 between the fluid inlet 7 and the fluid outlet 8.

The at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device 9 may include a flow gauge which is configured to determine a fluid flow volume/rate in the sprinkler management system 3 between the fluid inlet 7 and the fluid outlet 8. In some embodiments, the at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device 9 may include a display to indicate a monitored parameter (such as pressure or fluid flow volume/rate), a manual actuator to control a valve, an electro-mechanical actuator to control a valve, and/or an electronic output system (which may be wired or wireless) to transmit the monitored parameter to a remote location.

The sprinkler management system 3 may include one or more pipes -or other fluid conduits -which are made of either plastic or metal. The one or more pipes may have their own sleeves of insulating material provided therearound.

Accordingly, the fluid inlet 7 and fluid outlet 8 may include insulating sleeves which are distinct from the interior insulation 5 and may be formed from a different material.

As will be appreciated, the sprinkler management system 3 and, indeed, the sprinkler system assembly 1 may form part of a sprinkler system 6 in some embodiments.

Such a sprinkler system 6 may include one or more sprinkler heads which are configured to deliver fluid to the location of a suspected fire when the system is activated (i.e. to release fluid from the sprinkler system 6). The sprinkler system 6 may also include the fluid supply. Fluid (such as water) flowing from the fluid supply to the one or more sprinkler heads will, in such embodiments, pass through the sprinkler management system 3. Pipework may be used in the sprinkler system 6 to connect the or each sprinkler head to the sprinkler management system 3 (and, hence, to the sprinkler system assembly 1).

Embodiments of the invention allow a sprinkler management system 3 to be located outside of a building 11. This was previously thought to be impossible or dangerous due to the high risk of frost damage, frozen pipework, frozen fluid control or fluid monitoring devices, and burst fluid carrying components (due to the formation of ice).

The insulation provided by embodiments of the invention seeks to reduce the risk of damage to the sprinkler management system 3 due to environmental conditions such as low temperatures. The protective casing 4, in turn, seeks to protect the interior insulation 5 from damage.

The provision of insulated sprinkler management systems 3 has previously not been thought possible or, in some cases, necessary (as sprinkler management systems 3 have been previously located within the confines of a building).

Indeed, the provision of sprinkler management systems 3 which are accessible from outside of a building 11 were not believed to be safe or necessary.

However, with the increasing prevalence of sprinkler systems in domestic buildings 11, the need for more accessible sprinkler management systems 3 has been identified by the inventors. It has been found that the use of a housing 2 according to embodiments of the invention reduces the risk of damage to the sprinkler management system 3 due to environmental conditions whilst not posing a significant safety risk for the integrity of the sprinkler system 6. Embodiments of the invention allowing a sprinkler management system 3 to be accessible outside of a building 11 allows the sprinkler system 6 to be checked without the need to enter the building 11, and allow the sprinkler system 6 to be turned off/on without the need to enter the building or locate the sprinkler management system 3 within the building 11 (e.g. by the emergency services).

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention include methods of fitting such sprinkler systems 6 including a sprinkler management system 3 and housing 2 (in the form of the sprinkler system assembly 1 for example). These methods may include the provision of a sprinkler system assembly 1, the connecting of a fluid supply and a sprinkler system to the sprinkler system assembly 1 and the fitting of the sprinkler system assembly 1 to an exterior of a building.

Embodiments, also include the provision of a building 11 to which such a sprinkler system 6 and/or sprinkler system assembly 1 has been fitted.

The protective casing 4 may be formed from polypropylene (which may be UV-stabilised polypropylene).

The interior insulation 5 may have a thermal conductivity of < 0.025 W/mK.

The interior insulation 5 may be formed at least partially from polystyrene (which may be recycled polystyrene).

In some embodiments, the interior insulation 5 and/or the protective casing 4 may include a heating element -not shown. The heating element may be an electrical conductor which is configured to increase in temperature sufficiently when an electrical current is passed therethrough to inhibit the risk of frost damage or the like to the sprinkler management system 3. The heating element may be coupled to an electrical supply which may be a mains electrical supply. In some embodiments, the electrical supply includes a connection to one or more solar panels which are secured to or otherwise associated with the protective casing 4. The heating element may be located towards the fluid inlet 7 or may extend along substantially an entire length of the sprinkler management system 3. The heating element may be coupled to a thermostat to control its operation -the thermostat being configured to seek to maintain a temperature associated with housing 2 above a predetermined temperature.

In some embodiments, the sprinkler management system 3 may include at least two fluid control devices which are in the form of valves with manual (or other) actuators -operable to permit or restrict (or stop) the flow of fluid therethrough selectively. One such valve may be located either side (in the fluid path) of one or more other fluid control or fluid monitoring devices.

Accordingly, at least one of the two valves can be actuated to restrict or stop the flow of fluid to the rest of the sprinkler system 6. In some embodiments, the actuation of both valves allows for the isolation of the or each fluid control or fluid monitoring device located therebetween -e.g. for maintenance purposes.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for pertorming the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sprinkler system assembly comprising: a housing having a protective casing and interior insulation, the protective casing substantially encasing the interior insulation; and a sprinkler management system comprising: a fluid inlet for receiving fluid from a fluid supply; a fluid outlet for outputting fluid to the sprinkler system; and at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; wherein the sprinkler management system is mounted within the housing, such that the interior insulation at least partially insulates the sprinkler management system for reducing the risk of fluid in the sprinkler management system from freezing.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the protective casing is configured to inhibit the ingress of water to an interior region of the housing.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the protective casing is substantially impermeable to water.
4. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the protective casing is configured to protect the interior insulation from being damaged.
5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the casing is formed from a harder material than the interior insulation.
6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is constructed out of plastic.
7. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is a two-part housing.
8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the housing includes a back portion and a door portion, which are moveable with respect to each other between an open and a closed condition of the housing.
9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein the housing further comprises a lock actuatable between a locked condition to secure the back portion and the door portion in the closed condition and an unlocked condition to permit movement of the back portion and door portion to the open condition, the lock being selectively moveable between the locked condition and the unlocked condition by use of a key.
10. An assembly according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the housing further comprises a hinge which couples the door portion to the back portion.
11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein, when the housing is in the closed condition, a peripheral edge of the door portion and a peripheral edge of the back portion overlap.
12. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the housing further comprises a seal around at least part of the peripheral edge of the door portion and/or at least part of the peripheral edge of the back portion.
13. An assembly according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the interior insulation is formed from at least two parts.
14. An assembly according to claim 13, wherein a first part of the interior insulation is carried by the back portion of the housing and a second part of the interior insulation is carried by the door portion of the housing.
15. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first and second parts of the interior insulation define a cavity within which the sprinkler management system is substantially located.
16. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device includes a valve which is configured to substantially prevent the flow of fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet.
17. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one fluid control or monitoring device includes a valve which is configured to substantially prevent the flow of fluid through the sprinkler management system from the fluid outlet to the fluid inlet, but which permits the flow of fluid in the opposite direction.
18. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device includes a flow sensor.
19. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one fluid control or fluid monitoring device includes a pressure sensor.
20. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet includes an insulation sleeve.
21. A sprinkler system in which an assembly according to any of claims 1 to 20 is installed.
22. A sprinkler system according to claim 21, further comprising at least one sprinkler head connected to the assembly by pipework.
23. A method of installing a sprinkler system including the steps of: providing an assembly according to any of claims 1 to 20; fitting the assembly to a building including a sprinkler system and a fluid supply; connecting the fluid inlet to the fluid supply; and connecting the fluid outlet to the sprinkler system.
24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the assembly is fitted to the exterior of the building.
25. An assembly for a sprinkler system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
26. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
27. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein.