GB2538008A - Improvements in or relating to fire suppression systems - Google Patents
Improvements in or relating to fire suppression systems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2538008A GB2538008A GB1611006.6A GB201611006A GB2538008A GB 2538008 A GB2538008 A GB 2538008A GB 201611006 A GB201611006 A GB 201611006A GB 2538008 A GB2538008 A GB 2538008A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- fire
- fire suppression
- suppression agent
- enclosed space
- agent
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C35/00—Permanently-installed equipment
- A62C35/02—Permanently-installed equipment with containers for delivering the extinguishing substance
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
- A62C3/07—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places in vehicles, e.g. in road vehicles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62C99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A62C99/0009—Methods of extinguishing or preventing the spread of fire by cooling down or suffocating the flames
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
A fire suppression system (10) for a substantially enclosed space or engine compartment of a vehicle (12) having a potential fire re-ignition source (14) located therein. The system (10) comprises a single container (16) having a supply of a first fire suppression agent and a supply of a second fire suppression agent, conduits (22, 24) to convey the fire suppression agents from the container (16) to the substantially enclosed space (12), and an actuator (32) operable to cause the fire suppression agents to be delivered from the container (16) to the enclosed space (12). The system (10) is operable to deliver the fire suppression agents consecutively and in quick succession to the enclosed space (12). The first fire suppression agent is utilised to extinguish a fire within the enclosed space (12), while the second fire suppression agent is utilised the cool the enclosed space (12) and thereby prevent re-ignition of the fire by the fire re-ignition source (14).
Description
Improvements In or Relating to Fire Suppression Systems The present invention relates to an improved fire suppression system for the protection of a substantially enclosed space having a potential fire re-ignition source. More specifically, though not exclusively, the present invention relates to an improved fire suppression system for the engine compartment of an on-road or off-road vehicle. The present invention may also be utilised in conjunction with a passenger compartment or other internal space of a vehicle On-road and off-road vehicles, and particularly on-road and off-road racing vehicles, are often required to carry a fire suppression system which is operable to supress a fire within the engine compartment of the vehicle. Such systems typically include a container within which there is provided a fire suppression agent, means to convey the fire suppression agent from the container and into the engine compartment, and an actuator operable to cause the fire suppression agent to be delivered from the container to the engine compartment.
Such fire suppression systems are typically of a one shot" nature, whereupon activation of the system causes all of the fire suppression agent to the delivered to the engine compartment in order to extinguish a fire It has been observed however that heat from the engine of the vehicle can, in exceptional circumstances, cause re-ignition of a fire after it has been successfully extinguished by the fire suppression system According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fire suppression system for a substantially enclosed space having a potential fire re-ignition source, the system comprising one or more containers having a supply of a first fire suppression agent and a supply of a second fire suppression agent, conduits to convey the fire suppression agents from the container or containers to the substantially enclosed space, and an actuator operable to cause the fire suppression agents to be delivered from the container to the enclosed space, wherein the system is operable to deliver the fire suppression agents consecutively or concurrently to the enclosed space, wherein the first fire suppression agent is utilised to extinguish a fire within the enclosed space, and the second fire suppression agent is utilised the cool the enclosed space and thereby prevent re-ignition of the fire by the fire re-ignition source.
The substantially enclosed space may be the engine compartment of an on-road or off-road vehicle and the potential fire re-ignition source the engine of the vehicle The first fire suppression agent may be a clean fire extinguishant or a dry powder fire extinguishant. The second fire suppression agent may be, for example, water, a water based foam or a clean fire extinguishant.
The term "clean" refers to an agent or extinguishant that evaporates to leave no residue Such a clean agent or extinguishant may be initially in the form of a gas or a liquid The first fire suppression agent of the system may be different to the second fire suppression agent of the system. Alternatively, the first fire suppression agent of the system may be the same as the second fire suppression agent of the system. In such an embodiment, the manner in which the agents are delivered to the substantially enclosed space may differ so as to achieve the desired extinguishing of a fire and subsequent re-ignition prevention.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of suppressing a fire within a substantially enclosed space and preventing re-ignition of the fire by a potential fire re-ignition source located within the enclosed space, the method comprising the steps of: providing a container or containers having a supply of a first fire suppression agent and a supply of a second fire suppression agent; delivering the first fire suppression agent to the substantially enclosed space to extinguish a fire located therein; and delivering the second fire suppression agent to the substantially enclosed space after the fire has been extinguished in order to cool the space and prevent re-ignition of the fire by the potential fire re-ignition source.
The substantially enclosed space may be the engine compartment of an on-road or off-road vehicle and the potential fire re-ignition source the engine of the vehicle. The first fire suppression agent may be a clean fire extinguishant or a dry powder fire extinguishant. The second fire suppression agent may be water, a water based foam or a clean fire extinguishant.
The first fire suppression agent of the system may be different to the second fire suppression agent of the system. Alternatively, the first fire suppression agent of the system may be the same as the second fire suppression agent of the system. In such an embodiment, the manner in which the agents are delivered to the substantially enclosed space may differ so as to achieve the desired extinguishing of a fire and subsequent re-ignition prevention.
The second fire suppression agent may be delivered immediately after delivery of the first fire suppression agent has been completed Alternatively, there may be a delay between completion of the delivery of the first fire suppression agent and commencement of the delivery of the second fire suppression agent.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of suppressing a fire within a substantially enclosed space and preventing re-ignition of the fire by a potential fire re-ignition source located within the enclosed space, the method comprising the steps of: providing a container or containers having a supply of a first fire suppression agent and a supply of a second fire suppression agent; and delivering the first fire suppression agent to the substantially enclosed space to extinguish a fire located therein; and delivering the second fire suppression agent to the substantially enclosed space concurrently to the delivery of the first fire suppression agent in order to cool the space and prevent re-ignition of the fire by the potential fire re-ignition source; 30 wherein the first fire suppression agent is delivered over a time period that is less than the delivery time period of the second fire suppression agent.
The substantially enclosed space may be for example the engine compartment of an on-road or off-road vehicle and the potential fire re-ignition source the engine of the vehicle. The first fire suppression agent may be either a clean fire extinguishant or a dry powder fire extinguishant. The second fire suppression agent may be either water, a water based foam, or a clean fire extinguishant.
The first fire suppression agent of the system may be different to the second fire suppression agent of the system. Alternatively, the first fire suppression agent of the system may be the same as the second fire suppression agent of the system. In such an embodiment, the manner in which the agents are delivered to the substantially enclosed space may differ so as to achieve the desired extinguishing of a fire and subsequent re-ignition prevention.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which.
Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a fire suppression system according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a fire suppression system according to the present invention.
Referring firstly to figure 1 there is shown a fire suppression system according to the present invention and generally designated 10. The fire suppression system 10 protects the interior of a substantially enclosed space 12 having a boundary 13 and which contains a potential fire ignition source 14. For example, the space 12 may be the engine compartment of an on-road or off-road vehicle. In such an embodiment the boundary 13 may be defined by portions of the vehicle body, engine cover and undertray. The fire ignition source 14 is, for example, the vehicle engine. It will be appreciated that the fire ignition source 14 may be an alternative device or assembly such as, for example a battery or other energy storage device.
The fire suppression system 10 includes a pressurised fire suppressant container 16 having a first outlet 18 and a second outlet 20. The first outlet 18 is in fluid communication with the interior of the fire suppressant container 16 via a first conduit 22. The second outlet 20 is in fluid communication with the interior of the fire suppressant container 16 via a second conduit 24. The fire suppressant container 16 includes an internal partition 26 which divides the interior of the container 16 into two separate compartments 28,30. In use, each compartment 28,30 contains a fire suppressant agent, the nature of which will be described in greater detail below.
In an alternative embodiment the system 10 may be provided with separate containers 16a,16b for each fire suppressant agent. Such an alternative embodiment is shown in figure 2. Features common to the embodiment described with reference to figure 1 are identified with like reference numerals.
The outlets 18,20 are configured to, in use, direct and/or disperse the fire suppression agents in a pre-determined manner within the space 12. For example, each outlet 18,20 may include one or more nozzles, deflectors or the like. The fire suppressant container 16, conduits 22,24 or outlets 18,20 are further provided with valves which prevent the flow of the fire suppression agents into the space 12 until activation of the system 10.
In the embodiment shown, the fire suppression system 10 is configured such that fire suppressant container 16 is located outside of the substantially enclosed space 12, while the outlets 18,20 are located within the space 12 and the conduits 22,24 pass through the boundary 13 of the space 12. It will be appreciated that other configurations may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the container 16, conduits 22,24 and outlets 18,20 may be located within the space. In an alternative embodiment, the container 16 and conduits 22,24 may be located outside of the space 12 and the outlets 18,20 located on or in the boundary 13 of the space 12. It will further be appreciated that in certain configurations one or both conduits 22, 24 may be unnecessary, with one or both outlets being provided on the fire suppressant container 16.
The system 10 further includes an actuator, generally designated 32, which is operable to activate the system 10. The actuator 32 may, for example, be mechanical, electrical or pyromechanical. The actuator 32 may further be provided with an automatic or manual triggering mechanism. It will be understood that activation of the system 10 by the actuator 32 causes the flow of the fire suppression agents from the container 16 into the space 12.
As noted above, the container 16 contains two fire suppression agents These comprise a first fire suppression agent which acts to extinguish or -knock down" a fire within the space 12, and a second fire suppression agent which acts to cool the space 12, and equipment, assemblies, machinery and such like within the space 12 after the fire has been extinguished. The first fire suppression agent may be a clean fire suppression agent. The term "clean" refers to a fire suppression agent that evaporates to leave no residue Such a clean agent may be initially in the form of a gas or a liquid For example, the first fire suppression agent may be fluorinated ketone such as, for example, 3M's Novec 1230 (RTM). Alternatively, the first fire suppression agent may be an organofluoride such as, for example, DuPont's FE36 (RTM) gas extinguishant.
Alternatively, the first fire suppression agent may be a dry powder extinguishant.
The second fire suppression agent may be water, a water based foam, or a clean fire suppression agent. The first fire suppression agent of the system may be different to the second fire suppression agent of the system. Alternatively, the first fire suppression agent of the system may be the same as the second fire suppression agent of the system. In such an embodiment, the manner in which the agents are delivered to the substantially enclosed space may differ so as to achieve the desired extinguishing of a fire and subsequent re-ignition prevention.
In use, the first and second fire suppression agents are introduced into the space 12 in quick succession so as to knock down the fire and thereafter prevent re-ignition of the fire by the fire ignition source 14. The second fire suppression agent may be introduced into the space 12 immediately after delivery of the first fire suppression agent has been completed. Alternatively, there may be a delay between completion of the delivery of the first fire suppression agent and commencement of the delivery of the second fire suppression agent. Alternatively, the first and second fire suppression agents may be introduced into the space simultaneously. In such an instance, the first fire suppression agent is introduced over a short time period, while the second fire suppression agent is introduced over a longer time period.
Depending upon such factors as, for example, the container 16 volume, the enclosed space 12 volume, the nature of the fire ignition source 14, and the composition of the fire suppression agents, the discharge time for the first fire suppression agent may be between 0.1 and 3 seconds. The discharge time for the second fire suppression agent may be between 1 and 180 seconds. Where a delay is utilised between completion of the discharge of the first, such delay may be up to 120 seconds.
While the embodiment described above relates to a fire suppression system 10 for an on-road or off-road vehicle, it will be appreciated that the fire suppression system of the present invention may be utilised for other installations. For example, the system may be used in conjunction with a machinery space in a building or an engine space of a watercraft or military vehicle.
I. A fire suppression system for a substantially enclosed space having a potential fire re-ignition source, the system comprising one or more containers having a supply of a first fire suppression agent and a supply of a second fire suppression agent, conduits to convey the fire suppression agents from the container or containers to the substantially enclosed space, and an actuator operable to cause the fire suppression agents to be delivered from the container to the enclosed space, wherein the system is operable to deliver the fire suppression agents either consecutively or concurrently to the enclosed space, wherein the first fire suppression agent is utilised to extinguish a fire within the enclosed space, and the second fire suppression agent is utilised the cool the enclosed space and thereby prevent re-ignition of the fire by the fire re-ignition source.
2. A fire suppression system as stated in statement 1 wherein the substantially enclosed space is the engine compartment of an on-road or off-road vehicle and the potential fire re-ignition source the engine of the vehicle.
3. A fire suppression system as stated in statement 1 or statement 2 wherein the first fire suppression agent is either a clean fire extinguishant or a dry powder fire extinguishant.
4. A fire suppression system as stated in any preceding statement wherein the second fire suppression agent is either water, a water based foam or a clean fire extingui shant.
5. A fire suppression system as stated in any preceding statement, wherein the system includes a single container which contains both fire suppression agents.
6. A method of suppressing a fire within a substantially enclosed space and preventing re-ignition of the fire by a potential fire re-ignition source located within the enclosed space, the method comprising the steps of providing a container or containers having a supply of a first fire suppression agent and a supply of a second fire suppression agent; delivering the first fire suppression agent to the substantially enclosed space to extinguish a fire located therein; and delivering the second fire suppression agent to the substantially enclosed space after the fire has been extinguished in order to cool the space and prevent re-ignition of the fire by the potential fire re-ignition source.
7. A method as stated in statement 6 wherein the substantially enclosed space is the engine compartment of an on-road or off-road vehicle and the potential fire re-ignition source the engine of the vehicle.
8. A method as stated in statement 6 or statement 7 wherein the first fire suppression agent is either a clean fire extinguishant or a dry powder fire 30 extinguishant 9. A method as stated in any of statements 6 to 8, wherein the second fire suppression agent is either water, a water based foam, or a clean fire extinguishant.
10. A method as stated in any of statements 6 to 9 wherein the second fire suppression agent is delivered immediately after delivery of the first fire suppression agent has been completed.
11. A method as stated in any of statements 6 to 9 wherein there exists a delay between completion of the delivery of the first fire suppression agent and commencement of the delivery of the second fire suppression agent.
12. A method of suppressing a fire within a substantially enclosed space and preventing re-ignition of the fire by a potential fire re-ignition source located within the enclosed space, the method comprising the steps of: providing a container or containers having a supply of a first fire suppression agent and a supply of a second fire suppression agent; and delivering the first fire suppression agent to the substantially enclosed space to extinguish a fire located therein; and delivering the second fire suppression agent to the substantially enclosed space concurrently to the delivery of the first fire suppression agent in order to cool the space and prevent re-ignition of the fire by the potential fire re-ignition source; 20 wherein the first fire suppression agent is delivered over a time period that is less than the delivery time period of the second fire suppression agent.
13. A method as stated in statement 12 wherein the substantially enclosed space is the engine compartment of an on-road or off-road vehicle and the potential fire re-ignition source is the engine of the vehicle.
14. A method as stated in statement 12 or statement 13 wherein the first fire suppression agent is either a clean fire extinguishant or a dry powder fire 30 extinguishant 15. A method as stated in any of statements 12 to 14, wherein the second fire suppression agent is either water, a water based foam, or a clean fire extinguishant.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1402461.6A GB201402461D0 (en) | 2014-02-12 | 2014-02-12 | Improvements in or relating to fire suppression systems |
| GB1502347.6A GB2523902B (en) | 2014-02-12 | 2015-02-12 | Improvements in or relating to fire suppression systems |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201611006D0 GB201611006D0 (en) | 2016-08-10 |
| GB2538008A true GB2538008A (en) | 2016-11-02 |
| GB2538008B GB2538008B (en) | 2017-01-18 |
Family
ID=57079782
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1611006.6A Active GB2538008B (en) | 2014-02-12 | 2015-02-12 | Improvements in or relating to fire suppression systems |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2538008B (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110652671A (en) * | 2019-10-21 | 2020-01-07 | 中车大连机车研究所有限公司 | Vehicle-mounted secondary fire prevention and control device and system |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2477718A (en) * | 2010-02-04 | 2011-08-17 | Graviner Ltd Kidde | Inert gas suppression system for temperature control |
| EP2617467A1 (en) * | 2012-01-20 | 2013-07-24 | Kidde Technologies, Inc. | Multiple discharge fire extinguishing system |
-
2015
- 2015-02-12 GB GB1611006.6A patent/GB2538008B/en active Active
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2477718A (en) * | 2010-02-04 | 2011-08-17 | Graviner Ltd Kidde | Inert gas suppression system for temperature control |
| EP2617467A1 (en) * | 2012-01-20 | 2013-07-24 | Kidde Technologies, Inc. | Multiple discharge fire extinguishing system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2538008B (en) | 2017-01-18 |
| GB201611006D0 (en) | 2016-08-10 |
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