JP7460495B2 - Inspection aid device for water spray equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water spraying system that supplies pressurized water to a water spray head in the event of a fire, and sprays water.

Expressway tunnels and the like are equipped with tunnel disaster prevention systems that include reporting equipment, fire extinguishing equipment, and water spray equipment. The tunnel disaster prevention system can report fires in tunnels and extinguish them by spraying water, etc. Patent Document 1 describes an automatic valve device in the water spray equipment. In the event of a fire, the automatic valve device automatically opens the valve in response to a report, etc., and extinguishes the fire by spraying water from the water spray head.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-11693

The automatic valve device of the water spray equipment needs to be inspected periodically. During the inspection, the main valve of the automatic valve device is opened to check the discharge of water. During the inspection, water is sprayed from the water spray head in the same way as during firefighting, and the operation of the automatic valve device can be checked by actual discharge of water. However, when actual discharge of water is performed, the tunnel is closed to traffic. For this reason, the automatic valve device that does not spray water from the water spray head is also inspected. During this inspection, the inspector opens the cover that covers the automatic valve device, closes the manual valve (test water control valve) between the automatic valve device and the water spray head, and then opens the main valve of the automatic valve device. The inspector then checks the discharge of water from the test water discharge valve. If the main valve is opened without closing the manual valve, water will be sprayed from the water spray head inside the tunnel where a car is traveling. The present invention prevents erroneous spraying from the water spray head during such inspections that do not actually discharge water from the water spray head.

In the present invention, an inspection auxiliary device for water spray equipment is provided, which includes a valve sensor that detects the closed state of a manual valve provided on the water spray head side of an automatic valve device in a water spray equipment, a cover sensor that detects the closed state of a cover that covers the automatic valve device, and an alarm means that issues an alarm based on the detection states of the valve sensor and the cover sensor, and the valve sensor, cover sensor, and alarm means are connected to a power source, and the alarm means issues an alarm when the closed state transitions between the closed state and the closed state due to inspection.

The inspection auxiliary device of the present invention prevents water spraying due to erroneous operation by the person carrying out the inspection when inspecting the operation of the automatic valve device without actually discharging water.

A schematic diagram of a tunnel disaster prevention system 1 installed in a tunnel. An external view of the automatic valve device 3 and fire extinguishing equipment 12 installed in each section 6 of the tunnel. 3 shows a state in which the cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3 in FIG. 2 has been removed in the first embodiment. Water spray equipment 2 in monitoring state category 6 in Example 1. Water spray equipment 2 in Category 6 during inspection in Example 1. External side of manual valve 27 in Example 1. 1 shows wiring and light emission state of the light emitting element 41 in Example 1. Wiring and light emission status of the light emitting element 41 in Example 2. Wiring and light emitting conditions of a red light emitting element 411 and a blue light emitting element 412 in Example 3.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a tunnel disaster prevention system 1 installed in a tunnel. In the tunnel disaster prevention system 1, a reporting facility 11, a fire extinguishing facility 12, and a water spray facility 2 are provided for each section 6 in the tunnel. The notification equipment 11 inside the tunnel includes a fire detector 111, a relay amplifier board, a push-button notification device 112, etc., and is connected to a disaster prevention receiving panel 7 in a communication equipment room provided outside the tunnel. The disaster prevention receiver panel 7 controls the automatic valve device 3 in the water spray equipment 2 installed in the section 6 in the tunnel. The water spray equipment 2 includes a pump 21 outside the tunnel, a main pipe 22 that supplies pressurized water from the pump 21 to each section 6, a primary pipe 23 of each section 6, an automatic valve device 3, a secondary pipe 24, and a branch pipe. 25, has a water spray head 26. In each section 6, pressurized water is supplied to the fire extinguishing equipment 12 and the automatic valve device 3 via a primary pipe 23 separated from the main pipe 22. When a fire occurs and is detected by the fire detector 111 or notified by the push-button notification device 112, the information is transmitted to the disaster prevention receiving board 7. Then, in response to a signal from the disaster prevention receiver 7, the main valve 32 of the automatic valve device 3 in the section 6 where the fire has been detected and reported is opened. Then, the pressurized water in the primary pipe 23 passes through the automatic valve device 3, and water is sprayed from a plurality of water spray heads 26 in the section 6 via the secondary pipe 24 and the branch pipe 25, thereby extinguishing the fire. Further, when the main valve 32 of the automatic valve device 3 opens, the pressure in the main pipe 22 decreases, the pump 21 operates, and pressurized water is supplied to the main pipe 22. In addition, pressurized water is also supplied to the fire hydrants 121 of each division 6, including the notified division, and when the hose is pulled out from the fire hydrant 121 and the fire hydrant valve is opened, water can be discharged from the hose. Such a tunnel disaster prevention system 1 needs to be inspected periodically.

Figure 2 is an external view of the automatic valve device 3 and fire extinguishing equipment 12 installed in each section 6 inside the tunnel. A cover 31 is attached to the frame of the automatic valve device 3 on the right side of Figure 1, and the automatic valve device 3 is installed behind the cover 31. During normal fire monitoring, the cover 31 covers the automatic valve device 3 as shown in Figure 2. The fire extinguishing equipment 12 has a fire hydrant 121, a fire extinguisher 123, and a red light 122. A push-button reporting device 112, which is the reporting equipment 11, is installed under the red light 122.

Figure 3 shows the automatic valve device 3 in Figure 2 with the cover 31 removed in Example 1. The cover 31 can be removed from the front of the frame by lifting it up and pulling it towards you. At the rear of the frame, the automatic valve device 3 and manual valve 27 are connected and installed between the lower primary pipe 23 and the upper secondary pipe 24. In Example 1, the inspection auxiliary device 4 is provided with a light-emitting element 41 as a notification means for notifying the status during inspection, and a cover sensor 42 for detecting whether the cover 31 is attached or not.

FIG. 4 shows the water spray equipment 2 in category 6 of the monitored state in the first embodiment. The tunnel disaster prevention system 1 is normally in a fire monitoring state. Pressurized water from the primary pipe 23 is supplied to the primary side of the automatic valve device 3. The main valve 32 closes off the primary side and the secondary side of the automatic valve device 3. A manual valve 27, a secondary pipe 24, and a branch pipe 25 are provided between the secondary side and the plurality of water spray heads 26. In addition, in FIG. 4, the secondary piping 24 and subsequent parts are simplified by lines. The manual valve 27 is a butterfly valve that controls the flow by rotating a valve stem and rotating a plate-shaped valve body connected to the valve stem. A valve sensor 273 is provided near the manual valve 27 to detect the position of the manual valve 27. Further, the automatic valve device 3 includes a main valve 32, a stem 321 extending from the main valve 32, a piston 323 that moves in conjunction with the stem 321, and a cylinder chamber 322 in which the piston 323 moves. Further, the automatic valve device 3 includes an initial pressure adjustment device 33 and a spray pressure adjustment device 34. The piston 323, the initial pressure adjustment device 33, the spray pressure adjustment device 34, etc. adjust the pressure on the secondary side when the automatic valve device 3 is opened. Further, the automatic valve device 3 includes a starting pipe 35 , and an automatic starting valve 351 and a manual starting valve 352 connected in parallel to the starting pipe 35 . Furthermore, it has a pressure regulating pipe 341 led out from the secondary side and connected to the spray pressure regulating device 34. The pressure regulating pipe 341 branches and connects to a test water discharge valve 342 .

In the monitoring state, the manual valve 27 is open and the main valve 32 of the automatic valve device 3 is closed. Therefore, water is not sprayed from the water spray head 26. In addition, the automatic start valve 351 and the manual start valve 352 are closed, and no water flows through the start pipe 35. Pressurized water also does not flow through the pressure regulating pipe 341 connected to the secondary side.

The operation when water spray is used during a fire is as follows. The automatic start valve 351 is opened by a signal from the disaster prevention receiver 7, or the manual start valve 352 is opened manually. Then, pressurized water flows into the starting pipe 35 from the primary side and enters the cylinder chamber 322, pushing the piston 323 to open the main valve 32. The pressurized water on the secondary side enters the initial pressure adjustment device 33 and the spray pressure adjustment device 34 via the pressure adjustment pipe 341 to adjust the pressure in the cylinder chamber 322 and the like. As a result, the degree of opening of the main valve 32 is adjusted, and the pressure of the pressurized water on the secondary side is adjusted.

FIG. 5 shows the water spray equipment 2 in section 6 at the time of inspection in Example 1. Water is not sprayed from the water spray head 26 during inspection. The operations and actions during inspection are as follows. First, the person performing the inspection removes the cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3. Then, the detection state of the cover sensor 42 shown in FIG. 2 changes. Then, the hand wheel 271 of the exposed water spray equipment 2 is turned to close the manual valve 27. This prevents pressurized water from reaching the secondary pipe 24 and no water is sprayed from the water spray head 26. Also, at this time, the detection state of the valve sensor 273 changes. When the manual starting valve 352 is opened after the test water discharge valve 342 is opened, the primary pressurized water flows into the starting pipe 35, enters the cylinder chamber 322, pushes the piston 323, and opens the main valve 32. As a result, water flows to the secondary side as shown in FIG. However, since the manual valve 27 is closed, water does not flow to the water spray head 26. The pressurized water on the secondary side flows through the pressure regulating pipe 341 and enters the spray pressure regulating device 34, the pressure in the cylinder chamber 322 changes and the opening degree of the main valve 32 is adjusted. A test water discharge valve 342 is connected in the middle of the pressure regulating pipe 341 . Therefore, when the main valve 32 opens and pressurized water enters the secondary side, water is released from the test water discharge valve 342, and the person conducting the inspection can confirm that the main valve 32 is functioning.

After confirmation, when the inspection person closes the manual starting valve 352, pressurized water stops flowing into the starting pipe 35, the pressure in the cylinder chamber 322 decreases, and the main valve 32 closes. After confirming that water is no longer being discharged from the test water discharge valve 342, the person conducting the inspection turns the handle wheel 271, opens the manual valve 27, closes the test water discharge valve 342, and attaches the cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3. Return to monitoring state. When inspecting the automatic start valve 351 as well, open the automatic start valve 351 from the disaster prevention receiving panel 7 and check whether water is being discharged from the test water discharge valve 342.

As described above, the person performing the inspection performs the inspection without actually spraying water from the water spray head 26. However, if you forget to close the manual valve 27 during inspection, water will be sprayed from the water spray head 26. In the present invention, notification is provided in accordance with the transition between the closed state of the manual valve 27 and the closed state of the cover 31 due to inspection. Therefore, a cover sensor 42, a valve sensor 273, and a notification means are provided as the inspection auxiliary device 4.

FIG. 6 is an external side view of the manual valve 27 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the manual valve 27 is viewed from the left side as shown in FIG. The person conducting the inspection turns the handle wheel 271 to open and close the manual valve 27. An indicator 272 is provided outside the manual valve 27, and when the handle wheel 271 rotates, the manual valve 27 rotates and the indicator 272 rotates. The open/closed state of the manual valve 27 can be confirmed by the indicator 272. In FIG. 6, indicator 272 is oriented laterally, indicating a "closed" condition. When the indicator 272 faces vertically, it indicates an "open" state. Further, a valve sensor 273 is attached near the indicator 272 to detect whether the manual valve 27 is open or closed. When the indicator 272 indicates closed, the valve sensor 273 becomes non-conductive.

Figure 7 shows the wiring and light emission state of the light-emitting element 41 in Example 1. The valve sensor 273, cover sensor 42, and light-emitting element 41, which is the notification means, are connected in series between the power source. The light-emitting element 41 turns on or off depending on the detection state of the cover sensor 42 and the valve sensor 273. Figure 7 (a) shows the monitoring state, in which the cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3 is in a closed state and the manual valve 27 is in an open state. In the monitoring state, the cover sensor 42 is not conducting and the valve sensor 273 is conducting. At this time, the light-emitting element 41, which is the notification means, does not emit light.

Figure 7 (b) shows the state in which the cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3 is open for inspection, etc. The cover 31 is in the open state, and the manual valve 27 is in the open state. If the automatic valve device 3 is activated in this state and the main valve 32 opens, the pressurized water on the secondary side of the automatic valve device 3 will reach the water spray head 26 and spray water. In this state, the light-emitting element 41 will emit light, prompting the inspector to close the manual valve 27. The inspector will turn the handwheel 271 to close the manual valve 27 and complete preparations for inspection.

FIG. 7(c) shows the inspection preparation completed state. In the inspection preparation completion state, the cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3 is in an open state, and the manual valve 27 is in a closed state. When the manual valve 27 closes, the indicator 272 rotates, resulting in the closed state shown in FIG. 6, and the valve sensor 273 becomes non-conductive. Therefore, it can be seen that by closing the manual valve 27, the light emitting element 41 becomes non-emissive, and the inspection procedure can proceed. After confirming that the light emitting element 41 has gone out, the person conducting the inspection opens the manual start valve 352 and checks water being discharged from the test water discharge valve 342 to perform the inspection. Thereby, water spray from the water spray head 26 can be prevented during inspection.

The circuit in FIG. 7 is connected to a red light power line that supplies power to the red light 122 of the fire hydrant 121, and serves as a power source. The red light 122 is always emitting light to indicate the location of the fire hydrant 121, but all the red lights 122 in the tunnel are designed to flash when the pump 21 is in operation. Therefore, if the pump 21 is started without the operator closing the manual valve 27, the voltage of the red light power supply line becomes intermittent, and the light emitting element 41 also blinks. This further alerts the operator and allows the person conducting the inspection to take measures such as closing the manual valve 27 before the water spray head 26 starts to spray water in earnest.

When restoring the system to the monitoring state after inspection, the inspector closes the manual start valve 352, confirms that water is no longer being discharged from the test water discharge valve 342, and then turns the handwheel 271 to open the manual valve 27, causing the light-emitting element 41 to light up (Fig. 7(b)), enabling the inspector to confirm that the manual valve 27 has not been left open. After confirming that the light-emitting element 41 has lighted up, the inspector closes the test water discharge valve 342, and then attaches the cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3, causing the light-emitting element 41 to turn off (Fig. 7(a)), allowing the system to be returned to the monitoring state.

As described above, in Example 1, the display state of the light-emitting element 41 transitions from off in FIG. 7(a), to on in FIG. 7(b), to off in FIG. 7(c) during an inspection operation, and transitions from off in FIG. 7(c), to on in FIG. 7(b), to off in FIG. 7(a) during a restoration operation, with the transitions being alternately on and off, allowing the person carrying out the inspection to prevent mistakes in the operating procedure.

FIG. 8 shows the wiring and light emission status of the light emitting element 41 in Example 2. A valve sensor 274, a cover sensor 42, and a light emitting element 41 serving as a notification means are connected in series between a power source. In the second embodiment, a valve sensor 274 is also provided near the manual valve 27, similar to the valve sensor 273 in the first embodiment. Further, the light emitting element 41 emits blue light. The light emitting element 41 is turned on or off depending on the detection state of the cover sensor 42 and the valve sensor 274. Similar to the first embodiment, when the cover 31 is in the closed state, the cover sensor 42 is non-conductive. However, the valve sensor 274 is opposite to the first embodiment, and is non-conductive when the manual valve 27 is in the open state, and conductive when the manual valve 27 is in the closed state. FIG. 8(a) shows a monitoring state, in which the cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3 is in a closed state and the manual valve 27 is in an open state. In the monitoring state, cover sensor 42 is non-conducting and valve sensor 274 is also non-conducting. At this time, the light emitting element 41 does not emit light.

Figure 8 (b) shows the state in which the cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3 is open for inspection or the like. The cover 31 is in an open state, and the manual valve 27 is in an open state. In Example 2, the procedure is set so that the inspector opens the manually operated valve 352 after confirming that the light is emitted. In this state, the light-emitting element 41 does not emit light. Therefore, the inspector turns the handwheel 271 to close the manual valve 27, completing preparations for inspection.

FIG. 8(c) shows the inspection preparation completed state. The cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3 is in an open state, and the manual valve 27 is in a closed state. By closing the manual valve 27, the position of the indicator 272 changes, the valve sensor 274 becomes conductive, and the light emitting element 41 emits blue light. Seeing this, the person conducting the inspection opens the manual start valve 352 and checks the water being discharged from the test water discharge valve 342 to perform the inspection.

In the second embodiment, since the procedure is for the person conducting the inspection to open the manual starting valve 352 after confirming that the light is emitted, "lights up when inspection preparation is complete" may be written near the light emitting element 41. Further, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the circuit of FIG. 8 is connected to the red light power line that supplies power to the red light 122 of the fire hydrant 121, and is used as a power source. Therefore, when the manual start valve 352 or the like is opened during inspection to operate the pump 21, the voltage of the red light power supply line becomes intermittent, and the light emitting element 41 blinks in blue.

FIG. 9 shows the wiring and light emission state of the red light emitting element 411 and the blue light emitting element 412 in the third embodiment. As in the first and second embodiments, when the cover 31 is closed, the cover sensor 42 is not conductive. In the third embodiment, two light emitting elements 41 of different colors are provided. One light emitting element 41 , which is the first light emitting element, is the red light emitting element 411, and the other light emitting element 41 , which is the second light emitting element, is the blue light emitting element 412. The red light emitting element 411 and the blue light emitting element 412 are connected in parallel and connected in series to the valve sensor 275 and the cover sensor 42. The red light emitting element 411 and the blue light emitting element 412 are turned on or off depending on the detection state of the cover sensor 42 and the valve sensor 275. FIG. 9(a) shows the monitoring state, in which the cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3 is in the closed state and the manual valve 27 is in the open state. In the monitoring state, the cover sensor 42 is not conductive, and the valve sensor 275 is conductive to the wiring of the red light emitting element 411. At this time, the red light emitting element 411 and the blue light emitting element 412 are not emitting light.

In FIG. 9(b), the cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3 is in an open state for inspection, etc., and the manual valve 27 is in an open state. In this state, the red light-emitting element 411 emits light, prompting the inspector to close the manual valve 27. The inspector turns the handwheel 271 to close the manual valve 27, completing preparations for inspection.

FIG. 9(c) shows a state in which preparation for inspection is completed. The cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3 is open, and the manual valve 27 is closed. By closing the manual valve 27, the position of the indicator 272 changes, and the valve sensor 275 becomes electrically connected to the wiring of the blue light emitting element 412. As a result, the red light emitting element 411 turns off and the blue light emitting element 412 emits light. Seeing this, the person conducting the inspection opens the manual start valve 352 and checks the water being discharged from the test water discharge valve 342 to perform the inspection.

In the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, the circuit shown in FIG. 9 is connected to the red light power line that supplies power to the red light 122 of the fire hydrant 121, and is used as a power source. Therefore, when the manual start valve 352 or the like is opened during inspection to operate the pump 21, the voltage of the red light power supply line becomes intermittent, and the red light emitting element 411 to the blue light emitting element 412 blink.

When restoring the system to the monitoring state after inspection, the inspector closes the manual start valve 352, confirms that water is no longer being discharged from the test water discharge valve 342, and then turns the handwheel 271 to open the manual valve 27, causing the red light-emitting element 411 to emit light (Fig. 9(b)), enabling the inspector to confirm that the manual valve 27 has not been left open. After confirming that the red light-emitting element 411 has emitted light, the inspector closes the test water discharge valve 342, and then attaches the cover 31 of the automatic valve device 3, causing the red light-emitting element 411 to turn off (Fig. 9(a)), allowing the system to be returned to the monitoring state.

As described above, in Example 3, the display modes of both the light emitting elements 411 and 412 are the state in which both the light emitting elements 411 and 412 are turned off in FIG. 9(a) and the red light emitting element 411 in FIG. The lighting state of the blue light emitting element 412 in FIG. 9(c) changes to the lighting state of the blue light emitting element 412 in FIG. 9(c), and during the recovery operation, the lighting state of the blue light emitting element 412 in FIG. The lighting state of the two light emitting elements 411, 412 changes to the off state of both the light emitting elements 411, 412 in FIG. Therefore, the person conducting the inspection can prevent mistakes in the operating procedure.

[others]
In the first to third embodiments, the power source is the power line for the red light, so that when the pump 21 is in operation, intermittent power is supplied to the light emitting elements 41, 411, and 412, causing them to blink. However, the power source may be taken from a normal constant voltage source, and the light emitting elements may not blink when the pump 21 is in operation.
In the first to third embodiments, the light emitting elements 41, 411, 412 are provided inside the cover 31, and are turned off when the cover 31 is closed, thereby extending the light emitting life and contributing to energy saving. On the other hand, the light emitting elements may be provided on the outside of the cover 31 or may be visible from the outside of the cover 31, so that the inspector can check whether the cover 31 is securely closed at the end of the restoration operation.
The present invention is particularly suitable for a tunnel disaster prevention system, but may be used for other disaster prevention systems.

1 tunnel disaster prevention system, 11 notification equipment, 111 fire detector, 112 push button notification device, 12 fire extinguishing equipment, 121 fire hydrant, 122 red light, 123 fire extinguisher,
2 Water spray equipment, 21 Pump, 22 Main pipe, 23 Primary pipe, 24 Secondary pipe, 25 Branch pipe, 26 Water spray head, 27 Manual valve, 271 Hand wheel, 272 Indicator, 273 Valve sensor, 274 Valve sensor, 275 Valve sensor 3 automatic valve device, 31 cover, 32 main valve, 321 stem, 322 cylinder chamber, 323 piston, 33 initial pressure regulator, 34 spray pressure regulator, 341 pressure regulating pipe, 342 test water discharge valve, 35 starting pipe, 351 Automatic start valve, 352 Manual start valve,
4 inspection auxiliary device, 41 light emitting element, 411 red light emitting element, 412 blue light emitting element, 42 cover sensor,
6 classification,
7 Disaster prevention receiver

Claims (3)

A valve sensor that detects a closed state of a manual valve provided on the water spray head side of an automatic valve device in water spray equipment;
a cover sensor that detects a closed state of a cover covering the automatic valve device;
comprising a notification means for providing notification based on the detection states of the valve sensor and the cover sensor;
The valve sensor, the cover sensor, and the light emitting element of the notification means are connected in series,
The cover sensor is electrically conductive when the cover is in the open state and non-conductive when the cover is in the closed state,
The valve sensor is electrically conductive when the manual valve is in the open state and non-conductive when the manual valve is in the closed state,
An inspection assistance device for water spray equipment, characterized in that the light emitting element provides a notification to prompt closing of the manual valve in accordance with a transition between the closed state of the valve sensor and the closed state of the cover sensor due to inspection. 2. The water spray equipment inspection auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting element is powered by a power line for a red light of a fire hydrant, which normally supplies a constant voltage and intermittently supplies voltage when the pump is operating. The notification means includes a first light emitting element which is the light emitting element, and a second light emitting element having a different color from the first light emitting element ,
the second light emitting element is connected in parallel with the first light emitting element and connected in series with the valve sensor and the cover sensor;
3. The valve sensor is electrically conductive to the first light emitting element when the manual valve is in the open state, and electrically conductive to the second light emitting element when the manual valve is in the closed state. Inspection aid device for water spray equipment.

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