SE541061C2 - Fire rescue system - Google Patents

Fire rescue system

Info

Publication number
SE541061C2
SE541061C2 SE1751303A SE1751303A SE541061C2 SE 541061 C2 SE541061 C2 SE 541061C2 SE 1751303 A SE1751303 A SE 1751303A SE 1751303 A SE1751303 A SE 1751303A SE 541061 C2 SE541061 C2 SE 541061C2
Authority
SE
Sweden
Prior art keywords
gas tank
light indicator
fire
collection station
building
Prior art date
Application number
SE1751303A
Other versions
SE1751303A1 (en
Inventor
Ulf Eliasson
Original Assignee
U Eliassons Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by U Eliassons Ab filed Critical U Eliassons Ab
Priority to SE1751303A priority Critical patent/SE541061C2/en
Publication of SE1751303A1 publication Critical patent/SE1751303A1/en
Publication of SE541061C2 publication Critical patent/SE541061C2/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B5/00—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied
    • G08B5/22—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
    • G08B5/36—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
    • A62C3/06—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places of highly inflammable material, e.g. light metals, petroleum products
    • A62C3/065—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places of highly inflammable material, e.g. light metals, petroleum products for containers filled with inflammable liquids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • A62C99/009—Methods or equipment not provided for in groups A62C99/0009 - A62C99/0081
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B17/00—Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B19/00—Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/14—Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B27/00—Alarm systems in which the alarm condition is signalled from a central station to a plurality of substations
    • G08B27/001—Signalling to an emergency team, e.g. firemen
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B5/00—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied
    • G08B5/22—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
    • G08B5/36—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
    • G08B5/38—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources using flashing light

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Fire Alarms (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fire rescue system (100) and corresponding method. The system and method are preferably arranged in connection to a worksite building (500) and arranged to control and monitor portable gas tanks (202) during fire in the worksite building.

Description

FIRE RESCUE SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fire rescue system. In particular, the present invention relates to a fire rescue system arranged in connection to a worksite building and which fire rescue system is arranged to control and monitor portable gas tanks during fire in the worksite building.
BACKGROUND In connection to fires in worksite buildings, there is sometimes a risk that highly explosive materials or gas tanks are present within the building. In particular, where the worksite building contains gas tanks comprising a flammable gas such as e.g. Acetylene, there is an increased risk of explosions if the gas tank is exposed to an increased temperature level. In such a case, the pressure within the gas tank may increase which may in turn result in a severe explosion. Such explosion can be hazardous due to the blast itself as well as to the possible leakage of the caustic and hot gases within the gas tanks.
In some jurisdictions there is a recommended safety distance of approximately 300 meters if there is a determined risk that gas tanks in a building on fire are being heated to a too large extent. Accordingly, there is a risk that a relatively large area has to be blocked until the fire has been put out. In an even more severe situation, there is a risk that the entire building has to be put down as the fire department is unable to put out the fire due to the risk of explosions.
There is thus a desire to be able to control gas tanks in a building when there is a fire taking place therein.
SUMMARY It is an object of the present invention to provide a fire rescue system which at least partially overcomes the above described deficiencies. This is achieved by a fire rescue system according to claim 1.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fire rescue system arranged in connection to a worksite building, the fire rescue system comprising a gas tank device connectable to a portable gas tank; the gas tank device comprising a light indicator for controllably providing a visual illumination signal from the portable gas tank; a gas tank collection station arranged to receive the portable gas tank during non-use thereof; and a central monitoring unit arranged in communication with the gas tank collection station for monitoring the presence of a gas tank therein, the central monitoring unit being further arranged in communication with the gas tank device of the portable gas tank, wherein the central monitoring unit is arranged to receive a signal indicative of a fire in the worksite building; determine if the portable gas tank is connected to the gas tank collection station; and control the gas tank device of the portable gas tank to provide a visual illumination signal of the light indicator if it is determined that the portable gas tank is disconnected from the gas tank collection station.
The wording “gas tank device” should be construed as an arrangement which is connected to the portable gas tank. The gas tank device comprises, as described above, a light indicator such as e.g. a flashing light source. In order to control the light indicator the gas tank device may also comprise a control unit which is arranged to receive a signal from the central monitoring unit and to thereafter control the light indicator to provide the visual illumination signal. The gas tank device may also comprise means for connecting to the gas tank collection station, or means for determining that the gas tank device is positioned at the gas tank collection station.
Further, the central monitoring unit may be an arrangement positioned outside the worksite building such that e.g. the firefighters arriving at the building can get an overview of the positioning of the gas tubes. The central monitoring unit may also comprise means to manually enable visual illumination of the light indicator.
Still further, the gas tank collection station should be construed as a parking space/location for the portable gas tanks. Hence, after using the portable gas tanks, the gas tanks should preferably be positioned at the gas tank collection station. Hereby, during a fire, it is easy to locate the portable gas tanks. Hence, failure to return the portable gas tank to the gas tank collection station requires the above described system to initiate a visual illumination of the “lost” gas tank so that it can be rapidly secured. Also, the gas tank collection station can be either wirelessly connected to the central monitoring unit, or connected to the central monitoring unit by means of a wire connection.
The central monitoring unit as well as the control unit of the gas tank device may each include a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable digital signal processor or another programmable device. The central monitoring unit/control unit may also, or instead, include an application specific integrated circuit, a programmable gate array or programmable array logic, a programmable logic device, or a digital signal processor. Where the central monitoring unit/control unit includes a programmable device such as the microprocessor, microcontroller or programmable digital signal processor mentioned above, the processor may further include computer executable code that controls operation of the programmable device.
The above described system thus presents the dual advantage of controlling whether all portable gas tanks are positioned at the gas tank collection station as well as to control a potentially “lost” gas tank to provide a visual illumination signal such that this gas tank can be rapidly located and secured. Hence, the firefighters arriving at the worksite building on fire can relatively quickly determine if one or more of the portable gas tanks are “missing”, and if so, the firefighter knows how many portable gas tanks they should seek for and that these missing gas tanks are providing a light signal for simplifying the search thereof. The visual illumination signal should preferably be sufficient to be locatable in a smoke-filled room.
According to an example embodiment, the light indicator may be arranged to provide a flashing visual illumination signal.
An advantage is that the detectability of the portable gas tank disconnected from the gas tank collection station is even further improved. Hence, locating the portable gas tank is even further improved.
According to an example embodiment, the gas tank device may further comprise a temperature sensor for detecting an ambient temperature of the portable gas tank, the gas tank device being further arranged to transmit the detected ambient temperature to the central monitoring unit.
As described above, an increased temperature may result in an explosion of the gas tank. By means of the transmitted temperature signal to the central monitoring system, the firefighters may instantaneously determine not to enter the building if a portable gas tank is potentially affected by an increased temperature.
According to an example embodiment, the central monitoring unit may be further arranged to inhibit the gas tank device of the portable gas tank to provide a visual illumination signal of the light indicator if the detected ambient temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature threshold limit.
An advantage is that the risk of accidentally trying to walk into a potentially dangerous gas tank is reduced.
The predetermined temperature threshold limit may vary depending on the specific gas contained in the gas tank. The central monitoring unit may thus present a temperature level of the gas tank and preferably illustrate how much more the temperature is allowed to increase until there is an initial risk of approaching the gas tank. For some applications, substantially no temperature increase is allowed.
According to an example embodiment, the fire rescue system may further comprise a stationary light indicator arranged in connection to a room of the worksite building in which the gas tank collection station is positioned, wherein the central monitoring unit is further arranged to control the stationary light indicator to provide a visual illumination signal when receiving the signal indicative of a fire in the worksite building.
The stationary light indicator should be construed as a light indicator, such as a flashing light source, that is fixedly connected outside the room at which the gas tank collection station is arranged. Preferably, the stationary light indicator is positioned close to the entrance door to the room at which the gas tank collection station is arranged. The stationary light indicator may preferably be positioned at an entrance door which is located in connection to the outside of the building, such that the firefighters can easily find the entrance door from outside an is in no need of entering the building on fire, only the room in which the gas tanks are located. Hereby, the gas tank collection station can be rapidly located and the gas tanks therein can be secured before a potential spread of the fire reaches that room. The gas tanks positioned within the gas tank collection station may naturally also be provided with temperature sensors.
According to an example embodiment, the gas tank device may further comprise a battery monitor unit for monitoring the power capability of a battery supplying power to the light indicator, the gas tank device being arranged to transmit the monitored power capability to the central monitoring unit.
Hereby, improvements with regards to maintenance of the fire rescue system are provided. When the power capability of a gas tank device is below a minimum threshold level, the central monitoring unit may provide a service signal for replacing the battery. There is thus no need of checking the batteries of each gas tank device as the fire rescue system will keep track of the power capability itself.
According to an example embodiment, the central monitoring unit may be further configured to determine if the power capability of the battery is above a predetermined threshold limit for operating the light indicator; and provide an evacuation signal for evacuation of the worksite building if the power capability is below the predetermined threshold limit.
Hereby, if a fire is taking place and the power capability of the battery is insufficient for operating the light indicator, it will be more difficult to find the lost portable gas tank. As the gas tank may be heat affected, there is also a risk of explosion and it may therefore be safer to evacuate the worksite building.
According to an example embodiment, the gas tank device may further comprise a transmitter, said transmitter being arranged to transmit a control signal to an additional light indicator positioned in the vicinity of the portable gas tank.
Hereby, the transmitter controls an addition light indicator positioned outside the room in which the lost portable gas tank is positioned. An additional light indicator may preferably be positioned outside each room of the worksite building. The transmitter may thus be arranged to have a range of transmission such that only additional light indicators in the vicinity of the gas tank device is controlled and operated. As an example, the transmitter may be programmed to transmit the control signal at a radius corresponding to e.g. the mean size of the rooms in the worksite building. An advantage is thus that only the additional light indicator positioned outside the room in which the lost gas tank is positioned will be controlled to provide a visual light signal. It will hereby be easier to locate the lost gas tank in the worksite building.
According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for controlling a fire rescue system arranged in connection to a worksite building, the fire rescue system comprising a gas tank device connectable to a portable gas tank; the gas tank device comprising a light indicator for controllably providing a visual illumination signal from the portable gas tank; and a gas tank collection station arranged to receive the portable gas tank during non-use thereof; wherein the method comprises the steps of receiving a signal indicative of a fire in the worksite building; determining if the portable gas tank is connected to the gas tank collection station; and providing a visual illumination signal of the light indicator of the gas tank device if it is determined that the portable gas tank is disconnected from the gas tank collection station.
Effects and features of the second aspect are largely analogous to those described above in relation to the first aspect. Hence, the embodiments and combinations thereof present in relation to the first aspect are applicable to the method present by the second aspect.
Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. The skilled person will realize that different features of the present invention may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, wherein: Fig. 1 is perspective view of a gas tank device of a fire rescue system according to an example embodiment; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a central monitoring unit of the fire rescue system according to an example embodiment; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a worksite building on fire, which worksite building comprises a fire rescue system according to an example embodiment; and Fig. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a method for controlling a fire rescue system according to an example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness. Like reference character refer to like elements throughout the description.
With reference to the figures, a fire rescue system 100 according to an example embodiment is depicted. In detail, Fig. 1 illustrates a gas tank device 102 of the fire rescue system 100. The gas tank device 102 is connected to a portable gas tank 202. The portable gas tank 202 may, for example, contain a highly flammable gas, such as e.g. acetylene, etc. The portable gas tank 202 may also be arranged in connection to an oxygen gas tank 204 as illustrated in Fig. 1, although the use of a single portable gas tank 202 also may form part of an embodiment. Fig. 2 illustrates a central monitoring unit 104 of the fire rescue system 100. Fig. 3 illustrates a worksite building 500 on fire, wherein the worksite building 500 is provided with a gas tank collection station 108 of the fire rescue system 100. The gas tank collection station 108 is arranged to be provided with the portable gas tank 202 in Fig. 2 when the portable gas tank 202 is not in use, such as e.g. after the work shift is finished.
Reference is therefore firstly made to Fig. 1 which illustrates a gas tank device 102 according to an example embodiment. The gas tank device 102 is connected to the portable gas tank 202 by means of a strap arrangement 206 or the like. The portable gas tank 202 is in the example embodiment connected to a trolley 208 for improved movability of the portable gas tank 202. It should be understood that a gas tank device may also be connected to the oxygen gas tank 204. The oxygen gas tank also comprises a temperature sensor 205 arranged to determine the temperature level of the oxygen gas tank, and a transmitter for transmitting such temperature data to the central monitoring unit 104 illustrated in Fig. 2 and described further below. Hereby, the individual temperature level of each tank can be determined.
The gas tank device 102 connected to the portable gas tank 102 comprises, in the illustrated embodiment, a temperature sensor 210 arranged to determine the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the portable gas tank 202, a light indicator 212 arranged to provide a visual illumination signal, preferably in the form of a flashing light signal from the portable gas tank 202, a battery 214 arranged to provide electric power to the temperature sensor 210 as well as to the light indicator 212 for operation thereof. The gas tank device 102 further comprises a battery monitoring unit 216 for determining and monitoring the status of the battery 214, i.e. to determine the battery power of the battery 214.
Moreover, the gas tank device 102 comprises a control unit 218 electrically connected to the temperature sensor 210, the light indicator 212, the battery 214 and the battery monitoring unit 216. The control unit 218 is thus arranged to receive information regarding each of the components it is connected to and to control the operation of the components. Preferably, the control unit 218 comprises a receiver 217 and a transmitter 219. The receiver 217 is preferably arranged to receive control signals for controlling operation of e.g. the light indicator 212. The transmitter 219 is preferably arranged to transmit signals to the central monitoring unit 104 in Fig. 2, such as e.g. a temperature signal indicative of the ambient temperature determined by the temperature sensor 210, a battery status signal indicative of the current battery power determined by the battery monitoring unit 216. The control unit 218 is thus arranged to wirelessly receive and transmit control signals.
Although Fig. 1 illustrates that the control unit 218 transmits signals for each of the temperature sensor 210 and the battery monitoring unit 216, it should be readily understood that each of the respective temperature sensor 210 and the battery monitoring unit 216 may comprise individual control functionality for transmitting data to the central monitoring unit 104 of Fig. 2. Likewise, the light indicator 212 may comprise individual control functionality for receiving control signals from the central monitoring unit 104 of Fig. 2 in order to turn on/off the flashing light indicator.
Furthermore, the gas tank device 102 also comprises a connecting portion 220. The connecting portion 220 is arranged for connection to the gas tank collection station 108 depicted in Fig. 3. Preferably, the connecting portion 220 comprises a magnet for simplified connection to a corresponding magnetic device of the gas tank collection station 108. The connecting portion 220 may also be electrically connected to the control unit 218 for providing a signal indicative of whether the connecting portion 220 is connected to the gas tank collection station 108. The control unit 218 may in turn transmit a corresponding signal to the central monitoring unit 104 of Fig. 2. However, instead of transmitting the signal from the control unit, the gas tank collection station 108 of Fig. 3 may comprise individual control functionality for transmitting such signal to the central monitoring unit 104.
Reference is now made to Fig. 2 which illustrates an example embodiment of the central monitoring unit 104 of the fire rescue system 100. The central monitoring unit 104 depicted in Fig. 2 comprises a first 302 and a second 304 temperature displays. The first temperature display 302 may preferably be arranged to visually indicate the ambient temperature of the portable gas tank 202 in Fig. 1, while the second temperature display 304 may preferably be arranged to visually indicate the ambient temperature of the oxygen tank 204. The temperature values are thus preferably received from the temperature sensors 210 described above. The central monitoring unit 104 also comprises a battery status indicator display 306 for visually indicating the status of the battery 214 providing electric power to e.g. the temperature sensor 210 and the light indicator 212. In Fig. 2, an embodiment in which a separate lamp battery status indicator 307 is provided. Hereby, the lamp battery status indicator 307 provides information of the status of a separate battery solely arranged to provide power to the light indicator 212.
Furthermore, the central monitoring unit 104 comprises a first indicator lamp 308 for visually illustrating that all gas tanks are positioned at the gas tank collection station 108 in Fig. 3, and a second indicator lamp 310 for visually illustrating that at least one gas tanks is not positioned at the gas tank collection station 108. Preferably, the first indicator lamp 308 is arranged to provide a green illumination signal while the second indicator lamp 310 is preferably arranged to provide a red illumination signal. It is also conceivable that the first 308 and second 310 indicator lamps are one and the same lamp whereby such lamp may be controlled to provide visual illumination of different colors based on the presence of gas tanks at the gas tank collection station 108. Also, the central monitoring unit 104 may comprise a missing tank display 312 according to an example embodiment. The missing tank display 312 may be arranged to indicate which of the gas tanks that are not present at the gas tank collection station 108. In the illustrated embodiment, gas tank with numeral tag 2 and 5 are not positioned at the gas tank collection station 108.
Moreover, the central monitoring unit 104 comprises a light indicator switch 314. The light indicator switch 314 is operable to control the light indicator 212 to provide a flashing light signal. It should however be readily understood that the light indicator switch 314 may be omitted, whereby the light indicator 212 is controlled to automatically provide a flashing light signal in the event a fire is detected and it is determined that the portable gas tank 202 is not positioned at the gas tank collection station 108.
Still further, the central monitoring unit 104 comprises a central monitoring control unit 316, which comprises a transmitter 318 and a receiver 320. The central monitoring control unit 316 is connected to each of the first 302 and second 304 temperature displays, the battery status indicator display 306, the lamp battery status indicator 307, the first 308 and second 310 indicator lamps, the missing tank display 312 and the light indicator switch 314. The central monitoring control unit 316 thus receives, by the receiver 320, a signal from the transmitter 219 of the control unit 218 arranged in the gas tank device 102 for e.g. displaying temperature values, etc. The transmitter 318 of the central monitoring control unit 316 thus transmits a signal to the receiver 217 of the control unit 218 arranged in the gas tank device 102 for e.g. controlling the light indicator 212.
Furthermore, the central monitoring control unit 316 is preferably also electrically connected to a fire alarm system of the worksite building 500.
Although the central monitoring unit 104 is depicted with e.g. physical indicator lamps 308, 310 and a physical light indicator switch 314, etc. all these components may be arranged digitally in a touch display, or the like. Hence, the central monitoring unit 104 may be arranged as a touch display. The central monitoring unit 104 may also be arranged as an application in a portable electronic device such as a mobile telephone, a tablet, etc.
In order to describe the invention in yet further detail, reference is made to Fig. 3 which illustrates a worksite building 500 on fire, which worksite building comprises a fire rescue system 100 according to an example embodiment. The fire rescue system 100 comprises, as described above, the gas tank device 102 connected to the portable gas tank 202, and the central monitoring unit 104. The fire rescue system 100 also comprises the gas tank collection station 108 as described briefly above. The gas tank collection station 108 is a parking lot for the portable gas tanks when not in use. The gas tank collection station 108 depicted in Fig. 3 comprises space for five portable gas tanks. Hereby, the gas tank devices indicated with numerals 102, 102’, 102”, 102”’ and 102, should preferably be positioned at the gas tank collection station 108 when not in use. The gas tank collection station 108 is also arranged to transmit a signal to the central monitoring unit 104 with information relating to the number of portable gas tanks arranged in therein. The gas tank collection station 108 may transmit such signal via wire or wirelessly by means of a collection station transmitter 400. Each of the parking lots of the gas tank collection station 108 also preferably comprises a connector element for connection to the above described connecting portion 220 of the gas tank device 102.
Furthermore, according to the example embodiment depicted in Fig. 3, the fire rescue system 100 also comprises a stationary light indicator 402 positioned on the wall outside the room at which the gas tank collection station 108 is provided. A stationary light indicator 422 is also positioned outside the door 420 to the ambient environment outside the worksite building 500. Also, the fire rescue system 100 may preferably comprise an additional light indicator 404 positioned outside each of the remaining rooms of the worksite building. Further description of the stationary light indicators 402, 422 and the additional light indicator 404 will be given below.
The following will now describe the functionality of the fire rescue system 100 according to an example embodiment.
In the event a fire takes place in a worksite building 500, the fire alarm is set off. Hereby, fire fighters arrive at the worksite building to extinguish the fire. In the example embodiment of Fig. 3, the fire takes place in one of the rooms 502 of the worksite building 500. The worksite building 500 also comprises a plurality of portable gas tanks 1 - 5 which each comprise a highly flammable gas. The gas tanks 1- 5 should, when not in use, be positioned at the gas tank collection station 108. However, as can be seen, gas tanks 2 and 5 are not positioned at the gas tank collection station 108 but are left in a respective room 504, 506 of the worksite building 500.
When the fire fighter arrives at the worksite building 500, he/she firstly checks the central monitoring unit 104 to receive information of various aspects from the fire rescue system 100. The following will describe the central monitoring unit 104 as fixedly connected to the worksite building 500, although other alternatives are conceivable as described above. The central monitoring unit 104 will give the fire fighter information whether the portable gas tanks 1 - 5 are positioned at gas tank collection station 108, or if one or more of the portable gas tanks have been accidentally left somewhere else inside the worksite building 500. This information is preferably sent from the gas tank collection station 108 to the central monitoring unit 104. In the present case, the portable gas tanks with numerals 2 and 5 are not positioned at the gas tank collection station 108. Rather, portable gas tanks 2 and 5 are left in a respective room 504, 506 of the worksite building 500. The fire fighter receives the information that the portable gas tanks 2, 5 are missing from the gas tank collection station 108 by means of an illumination signal from the second indicator lamp 310. Hereby, the fire fighter receives a quick indication if he/she needs to seek for portable gas tanks at other positions than at the gas tank collection station 108. As also described above, the central monitoring unit 104 may comprise a missing tank display 312 where it is indicated which of the portable gas tanks that are missing, or the actual number of portable gas tanks not positioned at the gas tank collection station 108. On the other hand, if all portable gas tanks are positioned at the gas tank collection station 108, the first indicator lamp 308 may provide an illumination signal.
The fire fighter will also, from the central monitoring unit 104, receive information of the ambient temperature of the portable gas tanks. The fire fighter may thus receive information relating to the ambient temperature at the gas tank collection station 108 as well as the ambient temperature of the portable gas tank(s) not positioned at the gas tank collection station 108. Hereby, the fire fighter can instantaneously take a decision to evacuate if the temperature level of at least one of the portable gas tanks is too high, or seems to increase too rapidly. If one of the portable gas tanks has an increased temperature level, there may be a risk of explosion and evacuation is the safest procedure.
If all of the portable gas tanks 1 - 5 are located at the gas tank collection station 108 and the temperature level of these tanks are within normal temperature limits, it can be assumed that the portable gas tanks are not heat affected and it can be relatively safe to enter the worksite building 500 and collect the portable gas tanks 1 - 5 out from the worksite building 500. The fire fighter may determine the location of the room at which the gas tank collection station 108 is positioned by means of e.g. a map or the like arranged outside the house, preferably in the vicinity of the central monitoring unit 104. Alternatively, or additionally, a stationary light indicator 402 may be arranged on the wall outside the room at which the gas tank collection station 108 is positioned, or outside the door to the ambient environment. Hereby, the fire fighter may control the stationary light indicator 402 to provide a flashing light signal such that the room can be more rapidly found in the event that there is smoke in the rooms nearby. The door to enter the gas tank collection station 108 from outside can also be found relatively rapidly so that the firefighters do not need to enter the other rooms on fire before safely removing the gas tanks.
On the other hand, if one or more of the portable gas tanks are not positioned at the gas tank collection station 108 and the temperature level at the “missing” portable gas tanks is/are within acceptable temperature limits, it can be determined safe to enter the worksite building to collect the missing gas tanks as well as the gas tanks at the gas tank collection station 108, as there is a low risk of explosion. In order to be able to more rapidly find the missing gas tanks, indicated with numerals 2 and 5, the fire fighter can control the light indicator 212 of each of the gas tank device 102 connected to tanks 2 and 5 to provide a flashing illuminating signal. Hereby, when the fire fighter enters the worksite building 500, he/she can relatively rapidly receive an indication of the position of the missing gas tanks 2, 5.
According to an example, the gas tank device 102 may comprise a transmitter, or control functionality, for controlling an additional light indicator 404 arranged outside the room at which the missing portable gas tank 2 is located. Hereby, a wireless signal is transmitted to a receiver of the additional light indicator 404 closest to the missing gas tank 2. Hence, such transmitter may only provide a signal at a predetermined radius. The effect is that a gas tank 2 that has been left in a closed room can be more rapidly found.
In order to sum up, reference is finally made to Fig. 4 which illustrates a flow chart a method for controlling a fire rescue system according to an example embodiment.
Firstly, a signal is received S1 which indicates that there is a fire in the worksite building 500. It is thereafter determined if all the portable gas tanks are positioned at the gas tank collection station 108. If not, the gas tank device 102, and in particular the light indicator 212, provides a visual illuminating signal. Hereby, it will be easier for the fire rescuer to find the portable gas tank not positioned at the gas tank collection station 108.
According to an example, the method may be performed according to the following. When a fire takes place in a worksite building 500, the fire alarm is set off and the fire fighters arrive at the worksite building 500. The fire fighter receives information from the central monitoring unit 104 relating to temperature levels of the gas tanks and if the gas tanks are positioned at the gas tank collection station 108 or not. If the temperature is below a predetermined limit, say 50 degrees Celsius and all tanks are positioned at the gas tank collection station 108, the fire fighters may determine that it is safe to enter the building and collect the portable gas tanks. If one or more of the portable gas tanks are not positioned at the gas tank collection station 108, but the temperature level is still low, the fire fighters may control the light indicator 212 of each of the gas tank device 102 connected to the missing gas tanks to provide a flashing illuminating signal. The light indicator 212 may of course be controlled automatically. Thereafter, the fire fighters can enter the worksite building to collect the portable gas tanks. However, if the temperature sensors of one or more of the portable gas tanks indicate that the temperature level is too high, there is an increased risk of explosion and the fire fighter may take the decision to evacuate the building.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

AMENDED CLAIMS
1. Afire rescue system (100) arranged in connection to a worksite building (500), the fire rescue system (100) comprising: - a gas tank device (102) connectable to a portable gas tank (202); the gas tank device (102) comprising a light indicator (212) for controllably providing a visual illumination signal from the portable gas tank (202); - a gas tank collection station (108) arranged to receive the portable gas tank (202) during non-use thereof; and - a central monitoring unit (104) arranged in communication with the gas tank collection station (108) for monitoring the presence of a gas tank (202) therein, the central monitoring unit (104) being further arranged in communication with the gas tank device (102) of the portable gas tank, wherein the central monitoring unit (104) is arranged to: - receive a signal indicative of a fire in the worksite building (500); - determine if the portable gas tank (202) is connected to the gas tank collection station (108); and - control the gas tank device (102) of the portable gas tank (202) to provide a visual illumination signal of the light indicator (212) if it is determined that the portable gas tank (202) is disconnected from the gas tank collection station (108).
2. The fire rescue system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the light indicator (212) is arranged to provide a flashing visual illumination signal.
3. The fire rescue system (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the gas tank device (102) further comprises a temperature sensor (210) for detecting an ambient temperature of said portable gas tank (202), said gas tank device (102) being further arranged to transmit the detected ambient temperature to the central monitoring unit (104).
4. The fire rescue system (100) according to claim 3, wherein the central monitoring unit (104) is further arranged to inhibit the gas tank device (102) of the portable gas tank (202) to provide a visual illumination signal of the light indicator (212) if the detected ambient temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature threshold limit.
5. The fire rescue system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a stationary light indicator (402) arranged in connection to a room of said worksite building (500) in which said gas tank collection station (108) is positioned, wherein the central monitoring unit (104) is further arranged to control the stationary light indicator (402) to provide a visual illumination signal when receiving the signal indicative of a fire in the worksite building (500).
6. The fire rescue system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas tank device (102) further comprises a battery monitor unit (216) for monitoring the power capability of a battery (214) supplying power to the light indicator (212), the gas tank device (102) being arranged to transmit the monitored power capability to the central monitoring unit (104).
7. The fire rescue system (100) according to claim 6, wherein the central monitoring unit (104) is further configured to: - determine if the power capability of the battery (214) is above a predetermined threshold limit for operating the light indicator (212); and - provide an evacuation signal for evacuation of the worksite building (500) if the power capability is below said predetermined threshold limit.
8. The fire rescue system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas tank device (102) further comprises a transmitter (219), said transmitter (219) being arranged to transmit a control signal to an additional light indicator (404) positioned in the vicinity of the portable gas tank (202).
9. A method for controlling a fire rescue system (100) arranged in connection to a worksite building (500), the fire rescue system (100) comprising a gas tank device (102) connectable to a portable gas tank (202); the gas tank device comprising a light indicator (212) for controllably providing a visual illumination signal from the portable gas tank (202); and a gas tank collection station (108) arranged to receive the portable gas tank (202) during non-use thereof; wherein the method comprises the steps of: - receiving (S1) a signal indicative of a fire in the worksite building (500); - determining (S2) if the portable gas tank (202) is connected to the gas tank collection station (108); and - providing (S3) a visual illumination signal of the light indicator (212) of the gas tank device (102) if it is determined that the portable gas tank (202) is disconnected from the gas tank collection station (108).
SE1751303A 2017-10-20 2017-10-20 Fire rescue system SE541061C2 (en)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2201272A (en) * 1987-02-12 1988-08-24 Mitel Corp Monitor and control system
WO1998051196A1 (en) * 1997-05-12 1998-11-19 Argraves Robert L Portable welding equipment storage rack
CN101853549A (en) * 2010-05-05 2010-10-06 于昌华 Method for indicating positions of dangerous articles in low-visibility fire field environment
CN202972521U (en) * 2012-12-26 2013-06-05 石毓忠 Mobile gas tank leakage alarm apparatus

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2201272A (en) * 1987-02-12 1988-08-24 Mitel Corp Monitor and control system
WO1998051196A1 (en) * 1997-05-12 1998-11-19 Argraves Robert L Portable welding equipment storage rack
CN101853549A (en) * 2010-05-05 2010-10-06 于昌华 Method for indicating positions of dangerous articles in low-visibility fire field environment
CN202972521U (en) * 2012-12-26 2013-06-05 石毓忠 Mobile gas tank leakage alarm apparatus

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