GB2596596A - Balcony fire suppression system - Google Patents

Abstract

A fire suppression system to be located on a balcony 10 comprises a housing 32, a fire suppression unit 30 held in the housing, and a sensor 36. The fire suppression unit comprises a pressurised container configured to discharge fire suppressant material 40 from a discharge outlet 38. The sensor is configured to sense a fire condition event, and the fire suppression system is configured to activate discharge of the fire suppressant material from the discharge outlet when a fire condition event is sensed by the sensor. The housing at least partially screens the fire suppression unit from sight and the housing is positioned with respect to the balcony so that the discharge outlet is oriented to spread the fire suppressant material over at least a part of the balcony.

Description

BALCONY FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fire suppression system installed on and/or for installation on a balcony.

Background

Metal balconies are often specified in the plans drawn up by architects for new or existing buildings. These balconies may be decorative, but in many cases must be structurally secure and capable of supporting the load of several people as well as the furniture (balustrades, panels, handrails, etc.) needed to make the balcony safe.

There is little or no repetition in the designs of balconies; each architect or engineer will specify something slightly different even for each of their own projects. As a result, the different components of a balcony typically require bespoke design and manufacture. This applies not only to the structural components of the balcony but also to other parts such as the flooring of the balcony.

More recently, there has been focus on improving the fire safety of high rise buildings, such buildings being of the type that may have balconies fitted. Additionally, fire regulations for such buildings have changed. Accordingly, there is now a strong desire to design and build balconies so that the balconies contain no combustible materials.

Timber and wood plastic composite flooring which have been popular to date are no longer suitable due to their combustibility. However, there are a large number of existing buildings with balconies that include at least some combustible materials, such as timber flooring or wood plastic composite flooring.

Furthermore, many balconies in use have stored on them furniture items such as tables, chairs, planters etc. that may be formed in part of combustible materials such as wood.

Summary of the invention

The present inventor has realised that there is a need for improved fire suppression systems for use on balconies. The intention of such systems is of course to provide additional fire safety and also to provide a clear indication of improved fire safety, for the reassurance of residents of apartments which have balconies with combustible materials. The public have become more aware how common it is for fires to start on balconies which have combustible materials (e.g. timber decking, flammable furniture) and then spread up the building and into apartments. New regulations are making new buildings safer, but there are many thousands of existing apartments which have combustible products on them.

It is considered that overhead water sprinkler systems are an excellent solution to put out fires quickly. However, these are very difficult and costly to install specially on existing buildings.

It is possible to remove and replace combustible decking with alternative products. However, this is also costly and difficult and does not address the risks presented by resident-chosen furniture to be located on the balcony.

Automatic fire extinguishers are known. However, to the extent that these are water-based systems, in some cases and in some climates they may not be suitable for outdoor use due to the risk of freezing. The incorporation of anti-freeze into the system may be beneficial in this case.

Powder-based fire suppression systems are known. These usually have a pressurised container that is configured to discharge a solid particulate fire suppressant material. They are designed for use in enclosed places such as engine or plant rooms. See for example: blips ilwww.rna rsclen-fire-satety.co.0 kiprod uctsia u to rnatic-ci ry-powder-fi re-exfi ng _her (accessed 8 October 2019).

The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations in terms of the provision of a fire suppression system suitable for use on a balcony.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a balcony attached to a building, the balcony having a fire suppression system located on the balcony, the fire suppression system comprising: a housing; a fire suppression unit held in the housing; a sensor; wherein the fire suppression unit comprises a pressurised container configured to discharge fire suppressant material from a discharge outlet, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a fire condition event, and the fire suppression system is configured to activate discharge of the fire suppressant material from the discharge outlet when a fire condition event is sensed by the sensor, wherein the housing at least partially screens the fire suppression unit from sight and the housing is positioned with respect to the balcony so that the discharge outlet is oriented to spread the fire suppressant material over at least a part of the balcony.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of suppressing a fire on a balcony attached to a building, the balcony having a fire suppression system located on the balcony, the fire suppression system comprising: a housing; a fire suppression unit held in the housing; and a sensor, wherein the fire suppression unit comprises a pressurised container that discharges fire suppressant material from a discharge outlet automatically when the sensor senses a fire condition event, the method including the sensor sensing a fire condition event and the fire suppression system activating discharge of the fire suppressant material from the discharge outlet, wherein the housing at least partially screens the fire suppression unit from sight and the housing is positioned with respect to the balcony so that the discharge outlet is oriented to spread the fire suppressant material over at least a part of the balcony.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a fire suppression system for location on a balcony attached to a building the balcony, the fire suppression system comprising: a housing; a fire suppression unit configurable to be held in the housing; a sensor; wherein the fire suppression unit comprises a pressurised container configured to discharge fire suppressant material from a discharge outlet, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a fire condition event, and the fire suppression system is configured to activate discharge of the fire suppressant material from the discharge outlet when a fire condition event is sensed by the sensor, wherein the housing at least partially screens the fire suppression unit from sight when the fire suppression unit is held in the housing in use and the housing is positionable with respect to the balcony so that the discharge outlet is oriented to spread the fire suppressant material over at least a part of the balcony.

Optional features of the invention will now be set out. These can be applied singly or in any combination with any aspect of the invention, unless the context demands otherwise.

The fire suppression system may be freestanding on the balcony. However, in other arrangements, the fire suppression system may be fitted to the balcony. This may be preferable in order that the orientation of the fire suppression system can be fixed at the time of installation of the fire suppression system, for certainty that the fire suppression material will be directed towards the relevant part of the balcony.

The housing may comprise at least one fixing which attaches the housing with respect to the balcony.

Such fixing preferably ensures that the discharge outlet is oriented to spread the fire suppressant material over at least a part of the balcony. Such fixing may also ensure that such orientation is retained during said discharge. This is relevant in particular because discharge of the fire suppression material will typically impose a significant reaction force on the fire suppression unit, which would otherwise dislodge the fire suppression unit and cause the discharge outlet to be directed in a wrong direction.

The fire condition event may be an environmental condition that is indicative of a possible fire. For example the fire condition event may be a temperature threshold. As another example, the fire condition event may be a rapid rise in temperature. As another example the fire condition event may be the presence of smoke. As a further example the fire condition event may be an image, or sequence of images, of flame and/or smoke. Suitable temperature sensors and/or smoke detectors are known.

Additionally, suitable imaging systems are known, for example, that allow visible light imaging alongside infrared detection (or infrared imaging). These types of sensors may be powered, for example by battery power. There are also known sensors that do not require electrical power to operate. For example, there are temperature sensors that may trigger operation of the fire suppression unit without relying on an electrical power supply such as a battery. One such temperature sensor is a glass bulb-based sensor that is triggered when the temperature reaches 68°C. As will be understood, such a temperature is indicative of a fire condition event.

The sensor may be located on the fire suppression unit. Alternatively, the sensor may be located distant from the fire suppression unit. For example, the sensor may be located above the balcony, such as on the underside of a balcony above.

The fire suppression system may further include a controller. The controller may be configured to control aspects of the operation of the system, such as control over the sensor, control over actuation of the fire suppression unit and/or control over communications capabilities of the system.

The discharge outlet may be disposed at a height that is considered suitable for adequately suppressing typical balcony fire conditions. For example, the discharge outlet may be disposed at a height of at least 0.5 m (more preferably at least 0.6 m, at least 0.7 m or at least 0.8 m) from the floor of the balcony. The discharge outlet may be disposed at a height of at most 1.5 m (more preferably at most 1.4 m, at most 1.3 m or at most 1.2 m) from the floor of the balcony. Alternatively, the discharge outlet may be disposed above the balcony, such as on the external wall of the building, or on the underside of a balcony above.

The pressurised container of the fire suppression unit may have a substantially cylindrical shape. Such a shape is preferred in order to contain the required pressure for the unit. The fire suppression unit may be oriented so that the principal axis of the fire suppression unit (corresponding to the principal axis of the cylindrical shape, for example) is substantially vertical when installed on the balcony. This may allow the system to occupy a relatively small footprint on the balcony, where space may otherwise be limited. Such orientation may also be suitable to allow the discharge outlet to be formed as part of the fire suppression unit, for example as a nozzle directly attached to the pressurised container.

In other embodiments, the fire suppression unit may be oriented so that the principal axis of the fire suppression unit (corresponding to the principal axis of the cylindrical shape, for example) is substantially horizontal when installed on the balcony. This may allow the system to be disposed relatively unobtrusively. Furthermore, in some embodiments the fire suppression unit may be located under the flooring of the balcony. In such embodiments, however, it is still preferred that the discharge outlet is set at a height that is suitable to suppress fire on the balcony. Therefore the discharge outlet may be in communication with the pressurised container via an elongate conduit such as a pipe.

There may be provided a plurality of discharge outlets for the discharge of the fire suppressant material to the balcony. These discharge outlets may be spaced apart around the balcony in order to provide adequate coverage of the balcony. The discharge outlets may be in communication a single pressurised container of the fire suppression unit. Alternatively, there may be provided a corresponding plurality of fire suppression units, each having one or more associated discharge outlets.

A balcony typically has a handrail. This may be formed at the top of a balustrade extending around the open perimeter of the balcony. The handrail may be formed integrally with the top of the balustrade. Alternatively, the handrail may be formed separately from the balustrade.

Conveniently, the discharge outlet may be disposed at a height corresponding to the height of the handrail (or the top of the balustrade).

Where two or more discharge outlets are fed by one pressurised container, there may be provided a conduit leading to at least one of the discharge outlets, the conduit extending along, or even inside, the handrail. This can provide a convenient and low-profile approach to conducting the fire suppressant material to the discharge outlet(s).

The housing may for example be formed by cutting and bending sheet metal. The housing may have an opening formed in it, the opening being sized and shaped to permit the fire suppression unit to be inserted into the housing and/or removed from the housing. The opening may in use have a cover fitted.

The discharge outlet of the system may be aligned with an aperture in the cover.

The housing may attach to the handrail of the balcony (or top of a balustrade of the balcony if no handrail is provided). The housing may attach via a fixing that is configured to compress the handrail to the housing. The fixing may take the form of an adjustable clamp. The adjustability of such a clamp allows the housing to be fixed with respect to handrails of different dimensions.

The housing may provide additional functionality. For example the housing may also serve as a planter, with a cavity formed (for example) at the top of the housing to hold soil in which flowers and other plants may be grown by the occupier of the balcony. This is particularly advantageous in view of the relatively small space available on the balcony. Additionally, the planter functionality serves to disguise the fire suppression functionality of the system.

The housing may provide different additional functionality. For example, the housing could form all or part of a BBQ, a storage unit, a table or seating. Still further, the housing of the fire suppression system may form part of the balcony floor.

The system may operate such that a fire condition event is provisionally sensed. The system may then send a notification to a user. Conveniently, the system can send a notification using known wireless communications protocols (e.g. VViFi, cellular telephone, Bluetooth, etc.) to a user's smartphone or other communications device. The notification may include information content. Additionally, the notification may include one or more images of the balcony. Based on such an image, the user can confirm the presence or absence of a fire condition event and make an input to the smartphone to that effect. When the user confirms the presence of a fire condition event, a signal is sent to the fire suppression system which then operates to discharge the fire suppression material. When the user confirms the absence of a fire condition event, a signal is sent to the fire suppression system which then resets itself The user may be remote from the balcony, e.g. at a location away from the building to which the balcony is attached.

The system may additionally or alternatively send a notification to another destination. For example, a notification may be sent to a supervisor or manager of the building. A notification may be sent to the emergency services such as the fire brigade.

The system may include self-diagnostics functionality. For example, the system may be configured to send a notification when the pressure within the fire suppression unit falls below a threshold and/or when the quantity of fire suppression material within the unit falls below a threshold. Such a notification may be sent to the occupier and/or to a service department to trigger a service visit to the balcony. The system may also permit remote adjustment of one or more settings relating to the operation of the system. For example, threshold settings relating to the determination of a fire condition event may be adjustable (based on a threshold of temperature or other variable on which such a determination is to be made by the system). This is advantageous in order to reduce the occurrence of false positives as well as false negatives. This allows improvement in the operation of the system.

The system may have a warning functionality. For example, a warning signal (sound, light, vibration or similar) may be emitted to signify low battery, low pressure or below-threshold quantity of fire suppressant material in the unit. Additionally or alternatively, a warning signal may be emitted to indicate that the system will imminently discharge fire suppressant material. Still further, an indication signal may be provided by the system to indicate that the system has operated to discharge fire suppressant material.

This is of particular interest to an outdoor setting such as a balcony, terrace or decking, because traces of the fire suppressant material may not be apparent (they may be removed by wind and/or rain). This is in contrast to the corresponding situation indoors, where it will usually be readily apparent that a fire suppression material has been discharged.

The system may include a blocking sensor. Such a sensor is capable of determining whether the system is blocked from sensing a fire condition event and/or blocked from suitable dispersing the fire suppression material, for example by another article being placed too close to the system. Suitable blocking sensors include distance sensors used for parking assistance of motor vehicles.

Summary of the drawings

Embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a balcony incorporating a fire suppression system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic elevation view of the balcony of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a fire suppression system according to an embodiment of the invention, also showing a balcony handrail to which the system is attached.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a fire suppression system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a cover for the fire suppression system of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a bracket for the fire suppression system of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic cross section view of the top part of the fire suppression system of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic net view of a housing for the fire suppression system of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 shows a plan view of a fire suppression system that is a modification of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of a fire suppression system incorporating a planter.

Fig. 11 shows a flow chart of a method of operation of a fire suppression system including a confirmation step of the presence or absence of a fire condition event by the user.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a balcony incorporating a fire suppression unit according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 shows a schematic elevation view of the balcony of Fig. 1. As is well known, balcony 10 is attached to a building (not shown in detail but a part of which is indicated by reference number 12) and may have a cassette-type framework (not shown) that is attached to the building by sliding the cassette-type framework onto arms (not shown) that are structurally attached to the building and project therefrom. After installation, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, balcony 10 has a fascia 14 covering the cassette-type framework, a balustrade 16 upstanding around the perimeter of the balcony and a handrail 18 located at the top of the balustrade. In the embodiment shown, the handrail 18 is fixed with respect to the balcony via the balustrade. However, in other embodiments, the handrail may be attached to the balcony by a separate handrail support framework.

The balcony has decking 20 for the occupants to stand on. Also illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 are various items of fumiture etc. that the occupants may elect to have on the balcony, such as table 22, chairs 24 and a plant pot 26.

Although the architect, manufacturer and builder responsible for designing, manufacturing and installing the balcony, respectively, can ensure that the balcony complies with current building regulations, they cannot easily control the choices made by the occupant regarding furniture and other items placed on the balcony. Therefore there is a potential for combustible items to be placed on the balcony. Furthermore, for older balconies, the decking in particular may be made from combustible material such as timber, engineered wood or plastics-based composite. Such materials are typically combustible.

Accordingly, the illustrated balcony further has a fire suppression system 30 fitted to or located on the balcony. In the embodiment shown, the fire suppression system is fitted by fixing it to the handrail 18, as explained in more detail below. However, in other embodiments, the fire suppression system may be freestanding on the decking 20 of the balcony 10.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a fire suppression system 30 according to an embodiment of the invention, also showing part of a balcony handrail 18 to which the system 30 is attached. The view is based on an enlarged detail view of part of Fig. 1, with additional features shown. The fire suppression system comprises a housing 32, a fire suppression unit 34 held in the housing and a sensor 36. In this embodiment, sensor 36 is a mechanical-type sensor comprising a glass bulb configured to activate when it reaches a temperature of 68°C, indicative of a fire condition. Activation of the glass bulb causes the fire suppression unit to emit dry powder fire suppressant. A suitable type of fire suppression unit is available, such as: hilpsihwww.marsden-fire-saiety.co.uktroductsiautornatic-ci powder-fire-extinguisher which is intended for ceiling-mounting, and: littps:ilwww.firedepaco.ik/firechiel-sentinei-4kg-powder-ext guisher which is intended to be portable and free-standing.

Such a fire suppression unit comprises a pressurised container (typically generally cylindrical) configured to discharge solid particulate fire suppressant material 40 from a discharge outlet 38.

In other embodiments, the fire suppression material may be a liquid, a slurry of a solid in a carrier liquid, or a gas. Liquid fire suppression material may be water-based. Such fire suppression materials may include one of more antifreeze components to ensure utility in an outdoors environment in temperate climates. Liquid-based fire suppression materials are considered attractive since they run a low risk of clogging of the discharge outlet of the fire suppression unit, whereas solid particulate fire suppression material may have a higher risk of clogging.

Housing 32 at least partially screens the fire suppression unit 34 from sight. Housing 32 comprises at least one fixing 42 which attaches the housing 32 with respect to the balcony 10 so that the discharge outlet 38 is oriented to spread the fire suppressant material 40 over at least a part of the balcony 10 and to retain such orientation during said discharge.

As shown in Fig. 3, the fixing 42 hooks over the handrail 18. This can provide a convenient and permanent attachment of the fire suppression system with respect to the balcony.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the fire suppression system 30 used in an embodiment. The fire suppression unit 34 is shielded from view by the housing 32. Housing 32 has front wall 44, first side wall 46 and second side wall 48. An opening 50 is formed in front wall 44, first side wall 46 and second side wall 48, the opening being of a size suitable to insert the fire suppression unit into the housing, for example during servicing of the system. Opening 50 is closed by cover 52. Aperture 38a is formed through the cover 52, in register with the outlet 38 of the fire suppression system. Cover 52 has screw holes 54 to allow the cover to be secured to the housing. At its upper end, the housing 32 may have a top plate 56, being shaped and located to cover the top of the fire suppression unit and to permit attachment of fixing 42, for example via screw holes 58 through the top plate 56.

Cover 52 is shown separately in Fig. 5, although in this view the screw holes 54 are not shown.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of fixing 42 in the form of a folded metal bracket. Elongate holes 60 are formed through the part of the bracket for attachment to the top plate 56 of the housing 32.

These elongate holes 60 permit adjustment along the elongate direction of the holes, thereby allowing the hook part 62 of the bracket to bring the handrail into compression, ensuring stable and permanent fixing of the housing with respect to the balcony. This also permits the fixing to fit a variety of different handrail cross sectional shapes and dimensions.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic cross section view of the top plate 56 of the housing 32 and its attachment to fixing 42. Attachment is achieved using screws 64 and corresponding nuts 66. As shown in Fig. 7, the hook part 62 of the fixing 42 may have a pad such as a rubber pad 68 for cushioning with respect to the handrail.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic net view of the housing 32. As will be understood, the housing can be conveniently manufactured by cutting and folding sheet metal. Fig. 8 shows the cut sheet metal in plan form before folding. Fig. 8 shows the front wall 44, first side wall 46 and second side wall 48 and opening 50 formed in front wall 44, first side wall 46 and second side wall 48. At its upper end, the housing 32 has top plate 56 with screw holes 58. Also shown in Fig. 8 are first rear wall 47 and second rear wall 49 that are formed integrally with the first side wall 46 and the second side wall 48, respectively. A recess 70 is formed at the top of the second rear wall 49, the recess permitting passage of the fixing 42. The housing 32 also has a platform 45 that is formed integrally with the front wall 44. Platform 45 is bent to a horizontal orientation in the finished housing, and presents a support for the fire suppression unit.

As can be seen from Fig. 8, there are various holes formed at the periphery of the first and second rear walls 47, 49, and at the periphery of the top plate 56, to permit the housing to be assembled, for example via rivets or screws. At the base of the first side wall 46 and the second side wall 48 are formed feet 72, 74. These are bent to a horizontal orientation in the finished housing and allow the housing to be screwed down, for example to the decking of the balcony, to ensure permanent attachment of the fire suppression system to the balcony. In an alternative arrangement, there may be provided pads such as rubber pads to allow the system to stand on the balcony.

Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention permit simple and permanent attachment to a balcony/balustrade. The system contains an extinguisher (fire suppression unit) and a control mechanism to set off the extinguisher in the event of a fire. In some embodiments, the control mechanism can be an electrically-powered sensor, for example. The sensor may be an overhead sensor.

This can be better at sensing heat than one at the height of the handrail on the balcony, and also is typically not knocked and set off so easily.

The cover serves as an access panel which a service engineer would open to remove and service the extinguisher inside. The cover may be attached to the housing via security fixings to prevent tampering.

The discharge outlet is typically set at a height of at least lm above the decking of the balcony. This ensures that the discharge outlet is above the level of most furniture items that might get put in front of it.

The fixing for attaching the system to the handrail may be height-adjustable to suit different handrail heights.

The system may have multiple selectable configurations or an adjustment mechanism, so that the discharge outlet can be oriented to point to the centre of the balcony, or some other part of the balcony selected by the engineer.

In some embodiments, the housing can be configured to provide additional functionality. For example a planter box can be built into the top of the housing or into the side of the housing. Fig. 10 shows a side view of an embodiment of a fire suppression system incorporating a planter. In Fig. 10, housing 80 contains a fire suppression unit (not shown) and presents a discharge aperture 82 that is in register with a discharge outlet (not shown) of the fire suppression unit, in order to direct the discharge of fire suppression material indicated by reference number 40c. Additionally in this embodiment, the fire suppression system includes a sensor in the form of a camera 84. The role of camera 84 is to sense a fire condition event for example based on image analysis and/or heat signature in the field of view of the camera.

A planter 86 is formed on top of the fire suppression system, shown here in the form of an upwardly opening cavity retaining a plant 88 in soil (not shown). This assists in at least partly disguising the fire suppression system.

In some embodiments, there may be provided a pipe running along the handrail from a single fire suppression unit so that there are multiple discharge points along the balcony. This is useful because there is a limit to how far away the extinguisher can be effective from, and so the additional discharge points can increase the discharge reach of the unit. Such an embodiment is illustrated by Fig. 9, which shows a view similar to that of Fig. 1. Corresponding features to those of Fig. 1 are not labelled or discussed further, to the extent that they refer to general features of the balcony. In this embodiment, fire suppression unit 30a is capable of emitting fire suppressant material 40a from a discharge outlet in the housing, as in Fig. 1. Additionally, there is provided a fire suppressant conduit 19, shown in dotted outline in Fig. 9, which extends within the handrail 18. This leads to an auxiliary discharge outlet 21 which is positioned in order to direct fire suppressant material 40b over at least some parts of the balcony not reached by fire suppressant material 40a.

In further embodiments, the fire suppression unit can be mounted underneath the decking, or laid in a horizontal direction so that it looks less obtrusive.

Fig. 11 shows a flow chart of a method of operation of a fire suppression system including a confirmation step of the presence or absence of a fire condition event by the user. The system may operate such that a fire condition event is provisionally sensed, in step 100. Such sensing may be based on temperature, heat signature, imaging of flame or smoke, and/or smoke detection, as previously mentioned.

The system may then send a notification to a user, in step 102. Conveniently, the system can send a notification using known wireless communications protocols (e.g. VViFi, cellular telephone, Bluetooth, etc.) to a user's smartphone 104 or other communications device. The notification may include information content. Additionally, the notification may include one or more images of the balcony.

Based on the information and/or images contained in the notification, the user can confirm the presence or absence of a fire condition event and make an input to the smartphone to that effect. When the user confirms the presence of a fire condition event, in step 106, a signal is sent to the fire suppression system which then operates to discharge the fire suppression material in step 108. V\A-ien the user confirms the absence of a fire condition event, in step 110, a signal is sent to the fire suppression system which then resets itself, in step 112. The user may be remote from the balcony, e.g. at a location away from the building to which the balcony is attached. * ;The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. ;For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations. ;Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described. ;Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and "include", and variations such as "comprises", "comprising", and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. ;It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example +/-10%. *

Claims (15)

1. Claims: 1. A balcony attached to a building, the balcony having a fire suppression system located on the balcony, the fire suppression system comprising: a housing; a fire suppression unit held in the housing; a sensor; wherein the fire suppression unit comprises a pressurised container configured to discharge fire suppressant material from a discharge outlet, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a fire condition event, and the fire suppression system is configured to activate discharge of the fire suppressant material from the discharge outlet when a fire condition event is sensed by the sensor, wherein the housing at least partially screens the fire suppression unit from sight and the housing is positioned with respect to the balcony so that the discharge outlet is oriented to spread the fire suppressant material over at least a part of the balcony.
2. 2. A balcony according to claim 1 wherein the fire suppressant material is solid particulate fire suppressant material.
3. 3. A balcony according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the fire condition event is an environmental condition that is indicative of a possible fire, selected from one or a combination of two or more of: a temperature threshold; the presence of smoke; an image of flame; a temperature signature.
4. 4. A balcony according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the discharge outlet is disposed at a height of at least 0.5 m and at most 1.4 m from the floor of the balcony.
5. 5. A balcony according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the pressurised container of the fire suppression unit has a substantially cylindrical shape and the fire suppression unit is oriented so that the principal axis of the fire suppression unit is substantially vertical when installed on the balcony.
6. 6. A balcony according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the balcony has a handrail and the discharge outlet is disposed at a height corresponding to the height of the handrail.
7. 7. A balcony according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the housing has an opening formed in it, the opening being sized and shaped to permit the fire suppression unit to be inserted into the housing and/or removed from the housing.
8. 8. A balcony according to claim 7 wherein the opening has a cover fitted, the discharge outlet of the system being aligned with an aperture in the cover.
9. 9. A balcony according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the fire suppression system is fitted to the balcony via at least one fixing which attaches the housing with respect to the balcony.
10. 10. A balcony according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the housing is attached to a handrail of the balcony via a fixing that is configured to compress the handrail to the housing.
11. 11. A balcony according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the housing of the fire suppression system additionally serves as one or more of: a planter; a BBQ; a storage unit;a table;seating; part of the balcony floor.
12. 12. A method of suppressing a fire on a balcony attached to a building, the balcony having a fire suppression system located on the balcony, the fire suppression system comprising: a housing; a fire suppression unit held in the housing-and a sensor, wherein the fire suppression unit comprises a pressurised container that discharges fire suppressant material from a discharge outlet automatically when the sensor senses a fire condition event, the method including the sensor sensing a fire condition event and the fire suppression system activating discharge of the fire suppressant material from the discharge outlet, wherein the housing at least partially screens the fire suppression unit from sight and the housing is positioned with respect to the balcony so that the discharge outlet is oriented to spread the fire suppressant material over at least a part of the balcony.
13. 13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the fire suppression system is operable to provisionally sense a fire condition event and to send a notification to a user.
14. 14. A method according to claim 13 wherein, when the user receives the notification of a provisional fire condition event, the system is operable to receive a confirmation from the user of the presence or absence of a fire condition event and to operate the fire suppression system to discharge the fire suppression material, in the event of confirmation of the presence of a fire condition event, and to re-set the fire suppression system in the event of confirmation of the absence of a fire condition event.
15. 15. A fire suppression system for location on a balcony attached to a building the balcony, the fire suppression system comprising: a housing; a fire suppression unit configurable to be held in the housing; a sensor; wherein the fire suppression unit comprises a pressurised container configured to discharge fire suppressant material from a discharge outlet, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a fire condition event, and the fire suppression system is configured to activate discharge of the fire suppressant material from the discharge outlet when a fire condition event is sensed by the sensor, wherein the housing at least partially screens the fire suppression unit from sight when the fire suppression unit is held in the housing in use and the housing is posifionable with respect to the balcony so that the discharge outlet is oriented to spread the fire suppressant material over at least a part of the balcony.