IE77335B1 - A chimney fire extinguisher - Google Patents

Description

•A CHIMNEY FIRE EXTINGUISHER* The present invention relates to a fire extinguisher and more particularly to a chimney fire extinguisher.

Everyone is aware of the problems caused by a chimney fire and the manner in which it can spread very quickly. Various methods have been used to extinguish such fires. In most cases, a fire brigade simply discharges water down the chimney, in which case substantial damage is generally caused to the room in which the fireplace is situated.

In an effort to overcome this problem, fire extinguishers such as that described in US Patent Specification Nos. 4736801 and 4393941 have been devised. This extinguisher comprises a manifold which is attached to the end of a water hose, is manually suspended in a chimney, and which sprays water outwardly against the internal surface of a chimney for more efficient discharge of water. The problem with such apparatus is that it is necessary for a person to assemble the apparatus, climb up a ladder to the top of the chimney and to lower the apparatus into the chimney. This is generally time-consuming and dangerous and further, in many cases, an excessive quantity of water is discharged so that damage to the room in which the fireplace is situated is caused.

Irish Patent Specification No. S58 462 describes an extinguishing system in which a pipe runs up the outside of the building and the chimney. The pipe is connected to a spray nozzle adjacent the top of the chimney (spaced approximately 1.5 times the flue diameter from the top of the chimney). A hand pump is used for water supply. It appears that, because the nozzle is adjacent the top of tne flue, the system would be unsightly, and further the nozzle would have limited effectiveness for fires located - 2 low in the flue. It also appears that because a hand pump must be operated there could be an appreciable delay in output of a spray. As with other prior art documents mentioned, it appears that the spray which is generated would not be particularly effective at accessing the flue surface.

Another chimney fire extinguisher is described in European Patent Specification No. 294356. This apparatus includes an annular-shaped water tank which is surrounded by a reinforced concrete support and which is adapted for mounting at the top of a chimney. This arrangement is expensive to manufacture and is difficult to install. For example, the weight of the apparatus would make installation at the top of the chimney dangerous and maintenance of the apparatus would be very difficult because of where it is located.

United States Patent Specification No. US 4,872,513 and European Patent Specification No. EP 229,739 both describe extinguishing systems in which there is a container of extinguishate which is connected to a nozzle mounted in a chimney. However, these systems appear to suffer from the problem of being difficult to test. Further, it is difficult for the householder to know if the system is operational. In addition it also appears that the mist or spray which is generated would not be particularly effective at accessing the flue surface, where the combustible material is located. Similar comments would also apply to the systems disclosed in US Patent Specification Nos. US 4,481,933 and US 4,519,458?.

The present invention is directed towards providing a chimney fire extinguisher to overcome these problems.

According to the invention, there is provided a chimney fire extinguisher comprising a discharge means removably mountable in a chimney wall, and a controller for delivering fire extinguishate to the discharge means, wherein the discharge means comprises a duct having a discharge opening and a spaced-apart inclined deflector plate for directing the extinguishate towards the inner chimney surface.

In one embodiment, the extinguisher further comprises a sleeve having means for housing the duct and means for fastening to a chimney wall.

In another embodiment, the fastening means is flange slidably mounted on the sleeve.

Preferably, the deflector plate is connected to the sleeve.

Ideally, the controller comprises a single-quantity discharge valve. The discharge valve is preferably of the push-button type.

In another embodiment, the controller comprises means for delivering a small quantity of extinguishate to the discharge means to periodically flush the extinguisher.

In a still further embodiment, the controller comprises viewing means for allowing a user view the flow of extinguishate to the discharge duct.

Preferably, the controller comprises means for connection to a mains water supply.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:5 Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a chimney fire extinguisher of the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a discharge duct and housing of the extinguisher; Figs. 3 and 4 are front and plan views respectively of 10 a controller forming part of the extinguisher; Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic front views showing water flow in the controller; and Figs. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing mounting arrangements for the controller.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a chimney fire extinguisher of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. · The extinguisher 1 is shown installed for a chimney 2 of a house 3. The chimney 2 comprises a wall 4 having an · outer surface formed by blockwork 5, an intermediate semidry fill 6 and an inner surface formed by a flue liner 7.

The extinguisher 1 comprises a discharge duct 10 which is mounted in the chimney wall 4 at a level of approximately 60% of its height. The discharge duct 10 is connected to a water pipe 11 in which there is a controller 12 connected to a rising main. The controller 12 includes a push button valve 13 which allows discharge of a pre-set quantity (3.51) of water to the discharge duct 10, and a flow indicator 15. It also includes a flushing push button valve 14 to allow discharge of a small quantity of water through the extinguisher for flushing (cleaning) and testing purposes. It is thus self-cleaning.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the duct 10 is of tubular shape and is supported in the chimney wall 4 by a sleeve 20 having an integral deflector plate 21. The deflector plate 21 is shown extending inwardly and downwardly into the chimney, although, by simply rotating the sleeve 20, this direction may be easily reversed. The duct 10 is secured in place by locking screws 22. The sleeve 20 is in turn supported in the chimney wall 4 by a flange 23 which is slidable on the sleeve 20 and may be locked to the sleeve 20 by a locking screw 24. The flange 23 has holes for attachment to the outer surface of the chimney wall 4. Once the sleeve 20 has been inserted, the duct 10 may be installed by simply pushing it through the sleeve and locking it in place with the screws 22. A coupling 25 allows the duct 10 to be secured to the water pipe 11.

In use, if there is a chimney fire, one simply pushes the push button valve 13 which allows discharge of approximately 3.51 of water through the controller 12 into * the duct 10 where it is discharged downwardly and 5 outwardly in a largely conical motion towards the flue surface to quench the fire in approximately 30 seconds. As the water falls, it quickly heats and vaporises to about 6000 cubic litres of steam before it reaches the fireplace. If this quantity is not sufficient, the button 13 may be re-pressed and the procedure repeated. A very important aspect of the invention is the fact that there is an outward direction to the spray to quickly quench the fire at the flue wall. This is achieved in a very simple manner by the deflector plate 21.

Periodically, one should flush the extinguisher 1 by pressing the flushing push button 14 which flushes a small quantity of water through to the discharge duct 10 to ensure that it is kept clean and in operative condition. When either of the push button valves 13 or 14 are pressed, one may view the flow indicator 15 to check that water is flowing through the controller 12. This gives peace of mind to the user.

It will be appreciated that because of the manner in which the duct 10 and the sleeve 20 are inserted in the chimney, the fire extinguisher of the invention may be easily retrofitted to an existing chimney and of course, easily incorporated in a new chimney. Versatility is provided by the sliding flange 23. The controller may be installed close to an immersion system with a requirement for very little pipework. r The controller 12 is very compact and has a similar * overall configuration to an electrical double socket.

Because the duct is in a sleeve, it may be removed whenever desired to check that it is clean and to remove any build-up of soot on the deflector plate 21. It is envisaged that this would not need to be done very ♦ frequently because the system may be flushed by simply pushing the push button valve 14.

Effectiveness is enhanced considerably by the outward, swirling-type, water direction. This ensures that the water reaches the flue surface quickly and with a high efficiency, almost all of the water being effective in extinguishing the fire. By use of the controller 12, there is no need for expensive extinguishate and, very importantly, the system may be easily cleaned and tested.

Referring now to Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive, the controller 12 is illustrated in more detail. The controller 12 comprises four inlets 30, only one of which is at any one time used, the others being blocked by blanks 31. The inlets 30 communicate with a duct 32 which allows passage of water to one or other of the two push button valves 13 or 14, whichever is open. The flow indicator 15 has a bubble or ball for indicating water flow between the valves. The controller 12 has an outlet 33 in the top surface.

The passage of water for fire extinguishing is shown in Fig. 5 for the left hand inlet 30 when the valve 13 is opened, and in Fig. 6 for when the valve 14 is opened for testing. It will be noted that a small quantity is discharged when the push button valve 14 is opened. These water flows are in the opposite direction if the right hand inlet 30 is used. > The controller 12 as stated above may be mounted close to * an immersion system. However, it may also be mounted in the internal wall of the building, preferably close to the fireplace. Fig. 7 shows one mounting arrangement whereby an outer cover panel 40 provides a neat appearance when the controller 12 is recessed into the wail using wail plugs 41 and a spacer 42. In Fig. 8 an arrangement is shown whereby the controller 12 is recessed further into the wall in front of a batten 44, and a hinged door 45 having a lock 46 provides a neat outer appearance. Finally, as shown in Fig. 9 the controller 12 may be activated through a flexible transparent cover 50 when recessed into the wall.

In another embodiment, the controller is arranged to supply two or more outlets where more discharge ducts are required. The outlets may be controlled by a manuallyoperated valve which may, for example, be located in the flow indicator. This control may be as easy as turning a knob.

In summary, it will be appreciated that the invention provides for extremely quick fire quenching to prevent spread of a fire and prevent cracking of the chimney flue. This is achieved in a manner which causes no mess or debris. Further, the extinguisher may be very easily installed and is inexpensive, particularly where mains water pressure is used.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in construction and detail. For example, the deflector plate may be integral with the duct instead of the surrounding sleeve. Further, the discharge duct may in one embodiment be connected to a fire extinguishate stored in a chamber instead of being supplied from the water mains. In this case, a pump or gravity presser would be required. The extinguishate in this embodiment could be of any suitable type which may be sprayed outwardly by the deflector plate. Where a controller is connected to a mains water supply, a pump may be provided to ensure that there is sufficient pressure.

Claims (10)

1. A chimney fire extinguisher comprising a discharge • means removably mountable in a chimney wall, and a controller for delivering fire extinguishate to - 5 the discharge means, wherein the discharge means comprises a duct having a discharge opening and a spaced-apart inclined deflector plate for directing the extinguishate towards the inner chimney surface. 10

2. An extinguisher as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a sleeve having means for housing the duct and means for fastening to a chimney wall.

3. An extinguisher as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastening means is flange slidably mounted on the 15 sleeve.

4. An extinguisher as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the deflector plate is connected to the sleeve.

5. An extinguisher as claimed in any preceding claim, 20 wherein the controller comprises a single-quantity discharge valve.

6. An extinguisher as claimed in claim 5, wherein the discharge valve is of the push-button type.

7. An extinguisher as claimed in any preceding claim, 25 wherein the controller comprises means for delivering a small quantity of extinguishate to the discharge means to periodically flush the extinguisher. I

8. An extinguisher as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the controller comprises viewing means for allowing a user view the flow of extinguishate to the discharge duct. 5

9. An extinguisher as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the controller comprises means for connection to a mains water supply.

10. An extinguisher substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in 10 the accompanying drawings.