US3602313A

US3602313A - Fire protection system

Info

Publication number: US3602313A
Application number: US852427A
Authority: US
Inventors: Horst J Achs
Original assignee: Eaton Yale and Towne Inc
Current assignee: Eaton Corp
Priority date: 1969-08-22
Filing date: 1969-08-22
Publication date: 1971-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-31
Also published as: JPS5022838B1; DE2041414A1; GB1297039A

Abstract

A fire protection system for an automated warehouse includes a roof mounted high-expansion foam generator and a high-expansion foam generator mounted on a stacker crane for movement therewith. Upon a sensing of a fire by a fire sensing means, a signal is sent to a central control means to indicate the presence and location of the fire. The control means then effects movement of the stacker crane to the location of the fire and initiates operation of the foam generator mounted on the stacker crane when it reaches the location of the fire. If the foam generator mounted in the stacker crane fails to extinguish the fire within a predetermined time interval, the central control means will effect actuation of the roof mounted foam generator to inundate the warehouse with foam to extinguish the fire. The stacker crane also includes a self-contained fire extinguishing system for extinguishing fire that might occur within the stacker crane.

Description

United States Patent 3,438,445 4/1969 MacCracken.....- 3.520.345 7/1970 Lillibridgcetah.

Primary Examinr- Lloyd L. King Asxislan/ Examiner- Reinhold W. Thicme Attorney-Yount and Tarolli ABSTRACT: A fire protection system ,for an automated warehouse includes a roof mounted high-expansion foam generator and a high-expansion foam generator mounted on a stacker crane for movement therewith. Upon a sensing of a fire by afire sensing means, a signal is sent to a central control means to indicate the presence and location of the fire. The control means then effects movement of the stacker crane to the location of the fire and initiates operation of the foam generator mounted on the-stacker crane when it reaches the location of the fire. 1f the foam generator mounted in the stacker crane fails to extinguish the fire within a predetermined time interval, the central control means will effect actuation of the roof mounted foam-generator to'inundate the warehouse with foam to extinguish the fire. The stacker crane also includes a self-contained fire extinguishing system for extinguishing fire that might occur within the stacker crane.

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM The present invention relates to a fire protection system for extinguishing fires in an automated high-rise warehouse.

The increased utilization of high-rise automated warehouses presents a problem of providing adequate protection against fires. The use of increased storage rack heights within the warehouse may cause updrafts and chimney effects between the storage racks during a fire. The updrafts and chimney effects make it very difficult for a spray of water to reach the source of the fire. As a result, conventional sprinkler systems are inadequate for providing fire protection in high-rise warehouses.

High-expansion foam generators are operable to provide fire protection in high-rise warehouses. However, known highexpansion foam generator systems suffer from the disadvantage that during the occurrence of a small fire theyv needlessly inundate the entire warehouse with foam. Therefore, the problem still remains of providing means which is capable of extinguishing both large and small fires in a highrise warehouse without overreaction and needless destruction and interruption of warehouse activity in response to a small fire.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fire protection system for a highrise warehouse to provide adequate fire protection to the warehouse and its contents while overcoming the hereinabove discussed disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fire protection system. for use in a high-rise automated warehouse wherein high-expansion foam generating means are movable to the location of a fire for effecting extinguishment of the fire without causing unnecessary damage to portions of the warehouse not affected by the fire.

A further object of the present invention is-to provide a new and improved fire protection system as defined in the next preceding object further including fixed high-expansion foam generating means operable to extinguish a fire in the warehouse only in the event that the fire is not extinguished by the movable foam generating means after a predetermined time interval.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fire protection system for use in a high-rise warehouse having a stacker crane for moving goods in the warehouse and a central control means for controlling the stacker crane and wherein a high-expansion foam generating means is mounted on the stacker crane and the control means is operable to effect movement of the stacker crane to a fire and to effect operation of the foam generating means at the fire.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fire protection system as defined in the next preceding object wherein fire sensing means are located throughout the warehouse to sense the occurrence and location of a fire and to relay this information to the central control means.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide new and improved fire protection system asdefined in the next preceding object further including high-expansion foam generating means located on the roof of the warehouse and wherein the central control means is operable to actuate the roof mounted foam generator if the continued presence of a fire is sensed by the fire sensors after a predetermined time interval after the actuation of foam generator on the stacker crane.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fire protection system for a warehouse including fixed high-expansion foam generating means secured to the warehouse and and movable high-expansion foam generating means mounted on a stacker crane in the warehouse.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fire protection system for a warehouse including a high-expansion foam generator mounted on a stacker crane for movement therewith, fire sensing means located in the high-rise storage rack for sensing the presence of a fire, a central control means operable to direct the stacker crane to the location of fire and toactuate the high-expansion foam generator after receiving a signal from the fire sensing means indicative of the presence and location of a fire and wherein the stacker crane further includes heat sensing means to enable the stacker crane to seek out the 'fire when it reaches the general location thereof.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration depicting the floor plan of a warehouse in which the present invention is utilized;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the warehouse of HO. 1, illustrating a stacker crane upon which a high-expansion foam generator is mounted and a high-expansion foam generator mounted on the roof of the warehouse; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the high-expansion foam generator mounted on the stacker crane of FIG. 2.

The present invention provides a fire protection system adapted to be utilized'in association with a stacker crane in a warehouse. The fire protection system includes a high-expansion foam generator mounted on a stacker crane for movement relative to bins or storage racks in the warehouse. A plurality of heat or fire sensing devices are disposed throughout the warehouse and upon the occurrence of a fire are operable to send a signal to a central control means indicating the presence and location of the fire. The controlmeans then effects movement of the stacker crane to the location of the fire and initiates operation of the foam generator to extinguish the fire. in the event that the fire is not extinguished by the foam from the foam generator on the stacker crane, the heat sensors will indicate the continuing presence of a fire to the central control means. The central control means then effects actuation of a high-expansion foam generator mounted on the roof of the warehouse to further assist in extinguishment offthe fire.

An automated warehouse 10 having a plurality of high-rise storage racks or bins 12 therein is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1. Movement of goods stored in the warehouse is effected by a plurality of stacker units or cranes 14, (see the conventional 2). The stacker cranes 14 are controlled by a central control means l6-(see FIG. I) which is preferably in the form of a computer. Goods that are delivered to the warehouse for storage therein are delivered ,at a receiving .area 18. Upon delivering of goods to be stored,the central control 16 effects movement of one or more of the stacker cranes .14 to the receiving area 18 to pick up the goods. The cranes 14 are then ordered to store the goods in a specific portion of the storage racks 12 designated by the control means [6. When it is desired to remove goods from the warehouse,- an order requestingthe specific goods that are to be removed is communicated to the control means 16. In response to the order for goods, the control means 16 effects movement of a stacker crane 14 to the rack where the specific goods are stored. The stacker crane 14 is then ordered to remove the goods and transport them to a delivery area 20 wherein the goods may be loaded on suitable vehicles to-transport them to theirdestinain the storageracks 12. A suitable power source, such as a motor 31, is disposed within the body portion 30 and is operable to effect movement of the stacker crane l4 and the lift platform .28.

Each stackertcrane l4 includes an individual control means, such as the computer unit 24, for controlling movement of the stacker crane 14. The computer unit 24 is in communication with the central control means 16 and is operable to receive orders therefrom and to control of the stacker crane 14 in response to these orders. The communication between the control unit 24 and the central control 16 may be accomplished in various ways such as a radio communication or electrol means 24 on the stacker cranes 14 receives the order and effects-operation of the stacker crane to perform the ordered function. It should be understood that the individual control means 24 will be operable to start and stop the stacker crane 14, raise and lower the lift platform 28, and control various other mechanisms in the crane to effect perfonnance of orders from the central control means 16.

A suitable fire extinguishing system 21 for providing protection against fires in the mechanism of the stacker crane 14 is provided. While numerous types of fire extinguishing means may be utilized, preferably a plurality of carbon dioxide fire extinguishing units 22 will be used. The fire extinguishing units are suitably connected to a plurality of heat or fire sensors 26 which are disposed throughout the internal mechanism of the stacker crane 14. The sensors 26 are operable to sense the 1 presence of a fire within the mechanism of the stacker unit 14.

In the event of a fire in the mechanism the sensors26 automatically effect energization of the carbon dioxide extinguishing system for protection of the stacker crane 14 and extinguishment of the fire.

Upon energization of the fire extinguishing system 21, caused by the presence of a fire sensed by the sensor 26, deenergization of the stacker crane 14 will automatically be effected. ln addition, a signal will be sent from the control 24 to the central control means 16 to notify the central control 16 of the presence of a fire in the stacker crane 14. The central control unit will then order the stacker crane 14 to precede to a check point so that necessary repairs can be made;

Each'of the stacker'cranes 14 also includea high-expansion foam generator 34 mounted thereon for the extinguishment of fires within the warehouse 10. The high-expansion foam generator 34 may preferably be of the type manufactured by WalterKidde and Company Inc. of Delleville, New Jersey. The high-expansion foam generators 34 are operable to inundate the local area of the fire with bubbles or foam in minutes to extinguish a tire with relatively small damage to the goods or building from the foam.

In general terms, the high-expansion foam generator 34 works by spraying a metal screen uniformly with water mixed with a foam concentrate. Air is then blown by a fan through the wetted screen to form bubbles or foam. The foam preferably has an expansion ratio of 1000 to l which means that 1 gallon of water can produce I000 gallons of foam. Of course other expansion ratios could be used.

A typical high-expansion foam generator34, illustrated in FIG. 3, includes a screen or net 50 and a plurality of spray nozzles 52. An electrical control unit 54 on the stacker crane 14 isoperable in response to a signal from the central control means 16 to initiate operation of a pump 56 to pump water and concentrate from a tank 58 on the stacker crane 14 to the nozzles 52. The nozzles 52 direct the water concentrate onto tends to cool the burning surface and extinguish the fire. Thirdly, when the foam reaches the fire much of the water turns to steam. Thus, it should be realized that high-expansion foam is very effective incontrolling fires. Moreover, the foam is capable of moving around and up over any obstacles to seek out and smother a fire. Racks or goods stored therein do not block the foam from reaching a fire. Therefore the foams ability to penetrate inaccessible places gives it a vast advantage over the sprinkling systems which have heretofore been used in warehouses.

Thehigh-rise storage racks 12 illustrated in FIG. 2 include a plurality of heat sensing or fire detecting devices 36. The heat sensors 36 are operable to detect the presence of a fire within or near the storage racks 12. If desired, a plurality of heat sensors 36 may also be disposed throughout the interior of the warehouse 10 to provide adequate means for sensing the occurrence of a fire anywhere in the warehouse 10. Preferably, the sensors 36 are operable to sense an increase in temperature in the warehouse which is indicative of a fire. However, it should be realized that a photoreactive fire sensors or any other fire sensing means could also be utilized.

Upon the sensors 36 detecting the occurrence of a fire, a signal indicative of a fire condition and the location of the fire is sent to the central control means 16. The control means 16 then directs a stacker crane 14 or a plurality of stacker cranes to discontinue stacking operations and to go to the location where the heat sensors 36 detected the fire. if more than one of the sensors 36 have detected the presence of a single fire, a

stacker unit 14 will be directed to a'location centrally of the plurality of sensors 36 that have sensed the fire. Moreover, if a plurality of fires have been sensed at different locations, a plurality of stacker units 14 may be dispensed to the location of the different fires by the central control 16. If a fire occurs in one of the storage racks 12 a pair of stacker cranes, one on either side of the storage rack 12, could be sent to the location of the fire.

The stacker units 14 preferably include a heat sensing means 38 (see FIG. 2 which is operable to allow the stacker units 14 to seek out the fire after the control means 16 has directed the stacker crane 14 to the location of the fire. Thus, if a plurality of sensors 36 have reacted to a single fire, the heat sensing means 38 will'allow the stacker unit 14 to home in on the seat or source of the fire. The sensor 38 is advantageously mounted on the lift platform 28 and is connected with the control unit 24. The control unit 24 is operable to raise or lower the lift platform 28 in accordance with a signal from the sensor 38 to position the lift platform adjacent to the source of the tire.

Suitable means such as the flexible conduit 40 can be used to direct the foam at the specific location of the fire when the heat sensing means 38 has caused the stacker crane 14 to home-in on the fire. The flexible conduit 40 may be suitably connected for movement with the lift platform 28. Thus, if a fire occurs at a portion high up in the racks 12 the heat sensing means 38 will send signals to the control unit 24 to raise the lift platform 28 to aim the flexible conduit 40 at the source of the fire. However, if the fire is in a lowermost portion of the racks 12, the heat sensing means 38, will send signals which will effect a lowering of the lift platform 28 and the flexible conduit 40. When the stacker crane 14 and the flexible conduit 40 have homed-in on the fire, the control means 16 will activate the high-expansion foam generator 34 to effectively inundate the area of the fire with foam. it should be realized that the high-expansion foam generator 34 will inundate a small area as compared to the total area of the warehouse and thus, needless destruction or damage of equipment or goods will be prevented as the foam will be limited to the area of the fire.

While a flexible conduit 40 has been shown for directing the foam from the high-expansion foam generator 34, means can be provided so that the foam is dispensed directly from a portion of the high-expansion foam generator 34. For example, a rotatable spout could easily be utilized to direct the foam in the direction of the fire. Rotation of the spout would be controlled by the heat sensing means 38.

The heat sensing means 36 on the racks 12 will continue to operate during the occurrence of the fire to continuously inform the control means 16 of the status of the fire. If the heat sensors 36 continue to sense the presence of a fire after the high-expansion foam generator 34 is actuated, they will send signals to the central control 16. If the control determines that a predetermined time has passed and that the fire has not been extinguished by the foam generator 34, the control 16 will activate a secondary extinguishing means. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein the secondary extinguishing means includes a roof mounted high-expansion foam generator 44, illustrated in FIG. 2. The roof mounted high-expansion foam generator 44 in mounted on the roof of the warehouse in a well-known manner. The high-expansion foam generator 44 has a much larger foam production capacity than the high-expansion foam generator 34 mounted on the stacker crane 14.

If after the occurrence of a fire, the high-expansion foam generator 34 fails to put out the fire within a predetermined time the'computer control means 16 will activate the high-expansion foam generator 44. Activation of the high-expansion foam generator 44 will inundate the entire interior of the warehouse with foam to completely extinguish any fire that might exist therein. The high-expansion foam generator 44 is a secondary extinguishing means and will be only utilized if the high-expansion foam generator 34 fails to extinguish the fire. It should be realized that while a single high-expansion foam generator 44 is illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of high-expansion foam generators may be utilized depending on the size of the warehouse to be inundated with foam.

lt should be noted that many modifications and further'controls can be utilized with the present system. For example, upon the occurrence of a fire as detected by the sensor 36. the control means 16 may operate an alarm to alert people in the building of the fire condition and to notify the fire department of such a condition. Moreover, the control means 16 may be operable to automatically close wall openings in the warehouse which must be shut in order to contain the foam dispensed from the high-expansion foam generators in the event of a fire. The computer 16 can also operate venting facilities which provide for the escape of air displaced by the foam automatically when the foam is cascaded into the warehouse from the roof mounted units.

ltshould be apparent from the foregoing that a new fire prevention system has been provided wherein a high-expam sion foam generator is mounted on a stacker crane. Sensing means 36 are provided throughout the entire warehouse and when a fire is sensed a signal is sent to a main computer 16 which in turn relays the information to the stacker crane 14. The stacker crane 14 is then directed to the location of the fire and homing means 38 thereon cause the stacker crane to home-in to the exact location of the fire. The entire capacity of the high-expansion foam generator 34 is then expended. If the mobile high-expansion foam generator 34 on the stacker crane 14 does not extinguish the fire then the sensors 36 will continue to send the signal to the control 16 which will effect actuation of roof mounted high-expansion foam generators 44 to completely inundate the warehouse with foam. Moreover, the stacker cranes are provided with a fire extinguishing system which is operable to extinguish fires in the mechanism in the stacker crane.

What is claimed is:

l. A fire protection system for use in association with means for moving materials in a warehouse, said system comprising a movable high'expansion foam generator means located on said means for moving materials and movable therewith, sensing means for detecting the occurrence of a fire in the warehouse, central control means for receiving a signal indicative of the presence of a fire from said sensing means, means controlled by said central control means for effecting movement of said means for moving materials to the location of the fire in response to said central control means receiving a signal from said sensingmeans, and means responsive to a signal from said central control means for initiating operation of said high-expansion foam generator means at the location of the fire-to extinguish the fire. v,

2. A fire protection-system as defined in'claim 1 further including a fixed high-expansion foam generator means for inundating the entire warehouse with foam if said movable foam generator means fails to extinguish the fire within a predetermined time interval.

3. A fire protection system as defined in claim 1' wherein said sensing means are located on storage racks adapted to receive said materials within the warehouse.

4. A fire protection system as defined in claim 1 wherein said central control means comprises a computeroperable to control the fire protection apparatus and apparatus for the distribution of goods throughout the warehouse.

5. A fire protection system as defined in claim I wherein said movable foam generator is disposed on a stacker crane unit for movement therewith. l

6. A fire protection system as defined in claim 5 wherein said stacker crane unit further includes sensing means to enable said stacker unit to seek out the fire when the control means directs the stacker unit to the location of the fire.

7. A fire protection system as defined in claim 5 wherein said stacker unit further includes a fire extinguishing system thereon for extinguishing fires that may occur within the mechanism of the stacker unit.

8. A fire protection'system for use in association with a stacker crane for moving materials to and from storage racks in a warehouse, said system comprising high expansion foam generator means located on the stacker crane and movable therewith, control 'means for controlling movement of the stacker crane relative to the storage racks, and sensing means located on the. storage racks for detecting the presence of a fire and providing a signal indicative to said control means of the location of the fire, said control means being operable to effect movement of the stacker crane to the location of the fire and to effect activation of said high-expansion foam generator means mounted on the stacker crane'to inundate the area of the fire with foam in response to a signalfrom said sensing means.

9. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 8 further including secondary high-expansion foam generator means connected to the warehouse for furtherinundating the area of the fire in response to said sensing means continuing to detect the presence of a fire after a predetermined time of operation of said high-expansion foam generator means located on the stacker crane.

10. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said high-expansion foam generator means includes outlet means for directing a flow of foam and means for effecting movement of said outlet means to direct a flow of foam toward a fire.

l l. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said outlet means is operatively connected to a lift-platform of the stacker crane and said means for effecting movement of said outlet means includes means for effecting vertical movement of the lift platform.

12. A fire protection system as defined in claim 8 further including second sensing means located on said stacker crane and operable to enable said stacker crane to seek out a source of fire when said stacker crane is directed to the location of the fire by said central control means.

13. A fire protection system as defined in claim l2 further including a fire extinguishing system located on said stacker crane for protecting said stacker crane.

14. A fire protection system for use in association with means for moving materials in a warehouse, comprising first extinguishing means located on said means for moving materials and movable therewith from one location to another location in thewarehouse, fire detecting means for detecting the occurrence and location of a fire in the warehouse, a central control means for receiving a signal from said fire detecting means indicative of the occurrence and location of a fire and for effecting movement of said means for moving materials to the location of the fire in response to said signal from said fire detecting means.

15. A fire protection system as defined in claim 14 further including a second fire extinguishing means mounted in a predetermined location in the warehouse for extinguishing a fire in the warehouse in the event said movable fire extinguishing means fails to extinguish a fire within a predetermined time interval.

l6.'A fire protection system as defined in claim 14 wherein said fire extinguishing means movable from one location in the warehouse to another location is locatedon a stacker unit,

said stacker unit being operable to effect movement of goods throughout the warehouse and said fire extinguishing means being movable therewith.

17. A fire protection system as defined in claim 16 wherein said movable fire extinguishing means comprises a high-expansion foam generator.

18. A fire protection system for use in a storage facility having high-rise storage racks, stacker means for placing goods to be stored on the racks and retrieving goods to be used from the racks, and control means for controlling the movement of the stacker means, said fire protection system comprising first high-expansion foam generating means located on the stacker means. heat sensing means operable upon the occurrence of a fire to send a signal indicative of the presence and location of a fire in the storage racks to the control means, said control means being operable to effect movement of the stacker means to the location of the fire in response to a signal from said heat sensing means, said first high-expansion foam means I being operable when the stacker means reaches the location of the fire to direct foam toward the fire, second high-expansion foam generating means located on the storage facility and being operable to provide a flow of foam only in the event that said heat sensing means senses the presence of a fire a predetermined time interval after initiation of operation of first high-expansion foam generating means.

19. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 18 further including a fire extinguishing system located on the stacker means for extinguishing fires in the stacker means.

20. A fire protection system for use in a warehouse, said system including a movable high-expansion foam generator means, sensing means for detecting the occurrence of a fire in a warehouse, central control means for receiving a signal indicative of the presence of a fire from said sensing means, said central control meanscomprising a computer operable to control the fire protection apparatus and apparatus for the distribution of goods throughout the warehouse, means controlled by said central control means for effecting movement of said foam generator to the location of the fire in response to a signal from said sensing means, and means responsive to a signal from said central control means for initiating operation of said foam generator. 4

21. A fire protection system as defined'in claim 20, wherein said movable foam generator is disposed on a stacker crane unit for movement therewith. I

22. A fire protection system as defined in claim 21, wherein said stacker crane unit further includes sensing means to enable said stacker unit to seek out the fire when the control means directs the stacker unit to the location of the fire.

23. A fire protection system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said stacker unit further includes a fire extinguishing system thereon for extinguishing fires that may occur within the mechanism of the stacker unit.

24. A fire protection system for use in a warehouse comprises fire extinguishing means movable' from one location to another location in the warehouse in response to the occurrence of a fire, first fire detecting means for detecting the occurrence and location of a fire in the warehouse, a central control means for receiving a signal from said fire detecting means indicative of the occurrence and location of a fire and for effecting movement of said fire extinguishing means to the location of the fire In response to sald signal from said fire detecting means, said fire extinguishing means being located on a stacker unit operable to effect movement of goods throughout the warehouse.

Claims

1. A fire protection system for use in association with means for moving materials in a warehouse, said system comprising a movable high-expansion foam generator means located on said means for moving materials and movable therewith, sensing means for detecting the occurrence of a fire in the warehouse, central control means for receiving a signal indicative of the presence of a fire from said sensing means, means controlled by said central control means for effecting movement of said means for moving materials to the location of the fire in response to said central control means receiving a signal from said sensing means, and means responsive to a signal from said central control means for initiating operation of said high-expansion foam generator means at the location of the fire to extinguish the fire.

2. A fire protection system as defined in claim 1 further including a fixed high-expansion foam generator means for inundating the entire warehouse with foam if said movable foam generator means fails to extinguish the fire within a predetermined time interval.

3. A fire protection system as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensing means are located on storage racks adapted to receive said materials within the warehouse.

4. A fire protection system as defined in claim 1 wherein said central control means comprises a computer operable to control the fire protection apparatus and apparatus for the distribution of goods throughout the warehouse.

5. A fire protection system as defined in claim 1 wherein said movable foam generator is disposed on a stacker crane unit for movement therewith.

8. A fire protection system for use in association with a stacker crane for moving materials to and from storage racks in a warehouse, said system comprising high-expansion foam generator means located on the stacker crane and movable therewith, control means for controlling movement of the stacker crane relative to the storage racks, and sensing means located on the storage racks for detecting the presence of a fire and providing a signal indicative to said control means of the location of the fire, said control means being operable to effect movement of the stacker crane to the location of the fire and to effect activation of said high-expansion foam generator means mounted on the stacker crane to inundate the area of the fire with foam in response to a signal from said sensing means.

9. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 8 further including secondary high-expansion foam generator means connected to the warehouse for further inundating the area of the fire in response to said sensing means continuing to detect the presence of a fire after a predetermined time of operation of said high-expansion foam generator means located on the stacker crane.

11. A fire protection system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said outlet means is operatively connected to a lift platform of the stacker crane and said means for effecting movement of said outlet means includes means for effecting vertical movement of the lift platform.

13. A fire protection system as defined in claim 12 further including a fire extinguishing system located on said stacker crane for protecting said stacker crane.

14. A fire protection system for use in association with means for moving materials in a warehouse, comprising first extinguishing means located on said means for moving materials and movable therewith from one location to another location in the warehouse, fire detecting means for detecting the occurrence and location of a fire in the warehouse, a central control means for receiving a signal from said fire detecting means indicative of the occurrence and location of a fire and for effecting movement of said means for moving materials to the location of the fire in response to said signal from said fire detecting means.

16. A fire protection system as defined in claim 14 wherein said fire extinguishing means movable from one location in the warehouse to another location is located on a stacker unit, said stacker unit being operable to effect movement of goods throughout the warehouse and said fire extinguishing means being movable therewith.

18. A fire protection system for use in a storage facility having high-rise storage racks, stacker means for placing goods to be stored on the racks and retrieving goods to be used from the racks, and control means for controlling the movemenT of the stacker means, said fire protection system comprising first high-expansion foam generating means located on the stacker means, heat sensing means operable upon the occurrence of a fire to send a signal indicative of the presence and location of a fire in the storage racks to the control means, said control means being operable to effect movement of the stacker means to the location of the fire in response to a signal from said heat sensing means, said first high-expansion foam means being operable when the stacker means reaches the location of the fire to direct foam toward the fire, second high-expansion foam generating means located on the storage facility and being operable to provide a flow of foam only in the event that said heat sensing means senses the presence of a fire a predetermined time interval after initiation of operation of first high-expansion foam generating means.

20. A fire protection system for use in a warehouse, said system including a movable high-expansion foam generator means, sensing means for detecting the occurrence of a fire in a warehouse, central control means for receiving a signal indicative of the presence of a fire from said sensing means, said central control means comprising a computer operable to control the fire protection apparatus and apparatus for the distribution of goods throughout the warehouse, means controlled by said central control means for effecting movement of said foam generator to the location of the fire in response to a signal from said sensing means, and means responsive to a signal from said central control means for initiating operation of said foam generator.

21. A fire protection system as defined in claim 20, wherein said movable foam generator is disposed on a stacker crane unit for movement therewith.

24. A fire protection system for use in a warehouse comprises fire extinguishing means movable from one location to another location in the warehouse in response to the occurrence of a fire, first fire detecting means for detecting the occurrence and location of a fire in the warehouse, a central control means for receiving a signal from said fire detecting means indicative of the occurrence and location of a fire and for effecting movement of said fire extinguishing means to the location of the fire in response to said signal from said fire detecting means, said fire extinguishing means being located on a stacker unit operable to effect movement of goods throughout the warehouse.