IES20020200A2 - A fire fighting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for fighting a fire comprises a suspendible container, such as a ceiling tile (2), having a perforated lower suface (3) of each of whose perforations (6) is closed by a heat-sensitive membrane (8) which is capable of rupture at a pre-determined temperature. The container contains a fire retardant material which is released upon rupture of the membrane. <Figure 3>

Description

This invention relates to an apparatus for fighting a fire.

Known apparatus for fighting a fire inside or outside a building includes fire extinguishers containing various chemicals as well as water, and ceiling-mounted water sprinklers. However, most sprinkler heads must sense a temperature of 200 degrees F or 85 degrees C before activation occurs, thereby giving the fire time to become extremely hot and, therefore, more difficult to extinguish. Also, what is not destroyed by fire will be destroyed by water in that room and the rooms below and adjacent thereto.

An obj ect of the present invention is to provide a new fire-fighting apparatus that can be used independently or in conjunction with any of the known fire fighting apparatus, including those mentioned above.

According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for fighting a fire, comprising a suspendible container having a perforated lower surface each of whose perforations is closed by a heat-sensitive membrane which is capable of rupture at an elevated temperature, the container containing a fire retardant material which is released upon rupture of the membrane.

The invention may be used for fighting and extinguishing fires inside and outside buildings and other structures such as in the home or office, at vehicle service met ' ·*- under escrow swffifiyti is . | ...... ..... : -,i : 1 -1, I stations or oil rigs, and in tunnels, aircraft or ships..

The invention can be constructed in the form of a ceiling tile or in the form of a novelty or ornament which could decorate the mantelpiece over a fireplace or over a cooker or hob or the like, or over a bed. The apparatus could be affixed in a known manner to the ceiling of an office or a living room or kitchen or closet or even to the inside roof of the housing of a television set or other item of electrical equipment.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with .reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded sectional view of the circled part of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a ceiling tile embodying the invention.

Fig. 3 is an underneath perspective view of the tile of Figs . 1 and 2., Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an ornamental object embodying the invention and resembling a hat or head dress worn by chefs or cooks.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3, a fire fighting apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention is in the form of a ceiling tile comprising a substantially flat -panel-like tray 2 having a perforated base 3. The tray is preferably made of a lightweight perforated metal which is strengthened by veluring or creasing, a process known in the art. The tray shown in Figs. 1 to 3 is made to the same dimensions as a standard ceiling tile, but where the tile is to be used on the outside of a structure, such as under the canopy of the forecourt of a gasoline/petrol service station, it can be constructed to have a greater depth for containing a greater volume of fire retardant material. In general, these tiles can be made in any size or shape to fit or replace any known drop/suspended ceiling tile infrastructure.

The base 2 is lined internally with a membrane 8, such as cellophane or the like, which normally closes the perforations 6 in the base but which ruptures at a predetermined elevated temperature, preferably about 55 degrees C. A dry fire retardant powder 10 of a type which is used in fighting forest fires and is a composition of monoammonium phosphate and ammonium sulphate is placed on the membrane 8 and fills the tray 2. The open top of the tray 2 is sealed with a cover 12 made of a moisture absorptive material which prevents spillage and keeps the powder 10 dry.

In operation, one or more of the ceiling tiles 2 are suspended above the fire hazard or area to be protected from fire with the perforated base 3 being exposed on the underside of the tile. Heat from a fire beneath the tile (s) will raise the temperature of the thin membrane material 8, causing it to rupture. The fire retardant material 10 will then rain down through the now-open perforations 6 onto the source of the heat or flame and fEO2O2ofl abort the fire. Since the particular fire retardant mentioned above is a food additive, it is non toxic and indeed harmless if swallowed or ingested, and it is friendly to the environment and biodegradable.

The clean—up following the extinguished fire is comparatively simple since the ceiling tile is replaced and the powder is just vacuumed up, allowing electrical or other repairs to be made and day-to-day business allowed to continue on a normal basis.

In a second embodiment of the invention, Fig. 4, the fire retardant powder is sealed in a container 4 having a decorative shape resembling a hat or head dress worn by a chef or cook, and is therefore suitable for use in a kitchen. In use the container 4 is suspended by a hook 14 over the fire hazard, e.g. a cooker, with the surfaces containing the perorations 6 facing downwards. As before, when a fire occurs the membrane 8 closing the perforations 6 will rupture and the fire retardant powder filling the container 4 will be released.

In general the suspendible container containing the fire retardant material can be any shape or size to suit the situation sought to be protected. It can be a strictly utilitarian item, such as the ceiling tile described, or it may have a decorative, novelty or ornamental function, such as the chef's hat. There may be one or, as in the case of Fig. 4, more discrete perforated surface areas and these may be of any desired shape and size. The perforations 6 may have various shapes, again to serve a decorative function. Although a single membrane 8 ΙΕΰ2 02 covering all the perforations 6 has been described, the perforations may be individually closed off.

The apparatus could also be made small enough to fit 5 inside the housing of an item of electrical equipment, for example in the roof of a television set or inside an electrical junction box.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described 10 herein which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

Claims

1. Apparatus for fighting a fire, comprising a suspendible container having a perforated lower surface each of whose perforations is closed by a heat-sensitive membrane which is capable of rupture at an elevated temperature, the container containing a fire retardant material which is released upon rupture of the membrane.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the perforations are closed by a common membrane lining the said lower surface of the container.

3. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container is in the form of a tray having a perforated base.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a moisture absorptive cover for the tray.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined temperature is approximately 55 degrees C .

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim when fitted inside the housing of an item of electrical equipment.