US3779179A

US3779179A - Fire-insulated partition and fireproof container made therewith

Info

Publication number: US3779179A
Application number: US00240162A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Marois
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-03-31
Filing date: 1972-03-31
Publication date: 1973-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-18
Also published as: CA987542A

Abstract

A fire insulated partition which can be used whenever it is necessary to store valuable papers or other articles of value inside a fireproof enclosure. The partition comprises an interior wall and an enterior wall both of which are spaced from one another to define an inner space therebetween. A wet-pipe system of sprinklers is disposed in the above inner space. This system includes water pipes connected to the sprinklers and valves for the sprinklers. There is provided a water inlet for filling the water pipes and for keeping water under pressure in the water pipes. The exterior wall is provided with fusible metal portions which are associated with the valves and are operable when the exterior wall is heated to cause opening of the valves and to produce a discharge of water inside the inner space, by the sprinklers, thus filling it with water. Water is continuously drained from the top of the inner space, thus producing a continuous circulation of a volume of water inside the inner space after the valves have been opened.

Description

[ Dec. 18, 1973 Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor Attorney-Raymond A. Robic [57] ABSTRACT A fire insulated partition which can be used whenever it is necessary to store valuable papers or other articles of value inside a fireproof enclosure. The partition comprises an interior wall and an enterior wall both of which are spaced from one another to define an inner space therebetween. A wet-pipe system of sprinklers is disposed in the above inner space. This system includes Water pipes connected to the sprinklers and valves for the sprinklers. There is provided a water inlet for filling the water pipes and for keeping water under pressure in the water pipes. The exterior wall is provided with fusible metal portions which are associated with the valves and are operable when the United States Patent Marois 6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures exterior wall is heated to cause opening of the valves and to produce a discharge of water inside the inner space, by the sprinklers, thus filling it with water. Water is continuously drained from the top of the inner space, thus producing a continuous circulation of a volume of water inside the inner space after the 933x988 00 233 266 3 ///OO/11 999 9// 9 OOO O7 2 0 11121 1 m 5 mwm m n" m m m H "Mm M W I ml m m m an "UP" N P" m mmmm A r. H uonmnn Rm u s r m -G OB 88 ow fi s rhkgi ma ce m SMCRSMW G T 45009 A6 7224567 2 8999999 9 H/HHHHHNH 692999 9 l 1 E 7542223 2433770005 v v .r 6755046 1 106126 3 2 2233 FIRE-INSULATED PARTITION AND FIREPROOF CONTAINER MADE THEREWITH This invention relates to a fire-insulated partition and fireproof containers made therewith. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an arrangement by means of which it is possible to store valuable papers or other articles of value, such as in safes, filing cabinets or similar containers, without running the risk of losing these papers or articles of values by burning or incineration in the case of fire.

It is well known that if a building is partly or completely destroyed as a result of a fire, the contents of safes, filing cabinets and of any other metallic containers which are all alledgedly fireproof, will in most cases be destroyed, at least partially if not entirely. The reason for this is simply because the outer walls of these containers become so hot during the fire that the contents which are nearly always flammable will become hot enough to burn. Many attempts have been made to prevent the destruction of the contents of these containers by burning. For example, the materials with which safes, filing cabinets and the like are built have been considerably improved. In other cases, an insulating or fireproof material is disposed in the walls of these containers. However, to this data, these improvements are not completely satisfactory and will not prevent at least considerable damage to the contents of the storage devices.

In order to overcome the above disadvantages, l have invented a fire insulated partition which can be used whenever it is deemed necessary to store valuable papers or other articles of value inside a fireproof enclosure. My fire insulated partition comprises an interior wall and an exterior wall which are spaced from one another to define an inner space therebetween. A wetpipe system of sprinklers is disposed in the above inner space. This system includes water pipes connected to the sprinklers and valves for the sprinklers. There is provided a water inlet for filling the water pipes and for keeping water under pressure in the water pipes. Means are provided on the enterior wall and these means are associated with the valves and are operable when the exterior wall is heated to cause opening of the valves and to produce a discharge of water inside the inner space by the sprinklers thus filling it with water. Water is continuously removed from the top of the inner space, thus producing a continuous circulation of a volume of water inside the inner space after the valves have been opened.

In the drawings which illustrate the invention,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe and sprinkler system mounted inside the partitions of a fire insulated container according to the invention, the container being shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is a view from above with the top portion being cut away, of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fusible metal portion and sprinkler which are used in the partitions of the container illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and also inside the walls of the filing cabinet illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 4 is an axial cross-section view of the sprinkler and fusible metal portion illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an axial cross-section view of a sprinkler and fusible metal plug used in association with the drawers of the filing cabinet illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a view from one side with the side wall partially removed for better illustration, of a filing cabinet according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view of a pipe and spigot connection between the door and a fire insulated partition of the container illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a building incorporating a bank protected against fire by means of partitions according to the present invention.

It will be noted that the first page of drawings contains FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the second page includes FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 and that the third page is exclusively made of FIG. 8.

Referring to the drawings, more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7 the device illustrated will be seen to consist of a box-like container 1, such as a safe. The container 1 has

lateral sides

3 and 5, a back 7, a top 9, a bottom 11 and a front opening 13. The

sides

3 and 5, the back 7, the top 9 and the bottom 11 are each formed with corresponding interior and exterior faces. These faces will respectively be referred to by the reference numerals 3a and 3b for the

side

3, 5a and 5b for the side 5, 7a and 717 for the

back

7, 9a and 9b for the top 9, and 11a and 11b for the bottom 11. Reference is particularly made to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. It will be realised that these various interior and exterior faces will define an inner space 15 therebetween, and that this inner space 15 is continuous. The basic structure of the box-like container 1 will also be seen to consist of a swinging door 17 which is mounted in and adapted to close the opening 13. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door 17 is adapted to swing about hinges 19. The door 17 is formed of an interior wall 17a and an exterior wall 17b which are both spaced from one another to define an inner space 21 therebetween.

Inside the inner space 15 there is disposed a wet-pipe system of sprinklers. As used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the term wet-pipe system of sprinklers means a system for protection against fire, in which pipes which normally contain water under pressure are distributed for conveying water to outlets for fire protection. The wet-pipe system of sprinklers which is present inside the inner space 15 will therefore consist, as in all standard equipment of that type, of water pipes 23, sprinklers 25, valves (not illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) for the sprinklers 25 and fusible metal portions 27 which will automatically open the valves of each sprinklers 25, whenever the fusible metal portions 27 melt under the influence of an elevation of temperature.

As aforementioned, the door 17 is also formed with an inner space, which is referred to by reference numeral 21. A second wet-pipe system of sprinklers of the same type as the one disposed in the inner space 15, is also disposed inside the inner space 21. This second wet-pipe system also includes water pipes 23, sprinklers 25, valves (not illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) for the sprinklers 25 and fusible metal portions 27.

Returning to the inner space 15 and the wet-pipe system of sprinklers mounted therein, it will more particularly be realised that in the portion of the inner space 15 immediately below the top 9, between interior and exterior faces and 9b, there is a first assembly of four water pipes 23 which are connected together in a cross shape by means of a star fitting 29. It will be realised that star fitting 29 has a fifth connection 31 to provide a water entry from the water inlet as will be discussed more in detail hereinafter. Near its end, each pipe 23 is bended at 3 to be thereafter connected to a corresponding sprinkler 25.

The wet-pipe system of sprinklers which is disposed in the portion of the inner space immediately above the bottom 11 between interior and

exterior faces

11a and 1 1b, is identical to the system just described except that one of the pipes 230 is provided along its length with a T-fitting 35 which will be used to connect the latter wet-pipe system of sprinklers to the one mounted inside the inner space 21 of the door 17.

The box-like container 1 is provided with a water inlet 37 which can be connected to any water supply (not shown in the drawings). Water inlet 37 is connected to both wet-pipe systems disposed in inner space 15, via T-fitting 39, tube 41, tube 43, elbow 45 and tube 47. Both tubes 43 and 45 will be received in a fifth connection 31 of a respective star fitting 29.

Turning now to the wet-pipe system which is inside inner space 21, it will be seen to be almost identical to the ones which have just been described, except for the bents 49 which are made in such a manner that the pipes 23 and 23b will be directed towards the sprinklers 25 which are not in the same plane as the pipes 23 and 23b, contrary to the preceding wet-pipe systems in which the sprinklers of the same system are in the same horizontal plane as the water pipes of these systems. Pipe 23b is provided with a T-fitting 51 which will be used to connect the latter wet-pipe system to the one disposed at the bottom 11 of the box-like container 1.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the box-like container 1 is provided with truss members 53 which are disposed in the inner space between the interior and exterior faces of the container 1. This will of course provide rigidity to the container 1.

To connect the wet-pipe system which is associated with the door 17 to the one which is inside the inner space 15, it will be noticed that there is first of all provided a small hole 55 at the base of the frame surrounding the opening 13. This small hole 55 opens in the inner space 15 in the portion situated at the bottom of the container 1. Another similar hole 57 is provided on the interior wall 17a of the door 17 to communicate with the inner space 21. A flexible tube 59 has one of its ends connected to the wet-pipe system disposed inside the inner space by being inserted through small hole 57 and fitted to the T-fitting 51. The other end of the flexible tube 59 is inserted inside the inner space 15 via small hole 55 and is connected to the wet-pipe system disposed at the bottom of container 1 by means of the T-fitting 35. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the door 17 can be closed or opened and the resulting swinging operation will not prevent any circulation of water in the wet-pipe systems of both

inner spaces

15 and 21, since the flexible tube will always be capable of sliding through the small hole 55 when opening or closing the door. The length of the flexible tube should also be dimensioned to the fully opened position of the door 17.

Water must be capable of flowing back from the inner space 21 into the inner space 15 when door 17 is closed and for this purpose there is provided a pipe and spigot connection in the upper portion of the container 1 between the door 17 and the container 1 itself. This pipe and spigot connection comprises a conical opening 61 formed in the frame which surrounds the opening 13. The conical opening 61 has the shape illustrated in FIG. 7 and is located exactly as indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. In addition the pipe and spigot connection includes an opening 63 which is surrounded by a conical portion 65 adapted to fit inside conical opening 61.

A funnel 67 is disposed in the upper portion of the inner space 15, said funnel 67 being connected to a vertical pipe 69 and then to a water outlet 71. In this manner when the water inside the inner space 15 has reached a high level, it will continuously be removed by being flown outside via the funnel 67, pipe 69 and water outlet 71.

Finally a drain 73 is provided on the box-like container 1 in the bottom portion thereof, and another drain 75 is disposed at the bottom of the door 17. These drains 73, 75 can be used to empty the

inner spaces

15, 21 after the sprinklers have been in operation for a certain period of time.

We shall now describe in details the sprinklers 25, the valves associated therewith and the fusible metal portions 27 mentioned earlier.

For convenience, we will start with the fusible metal portion 27 and this will be made with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In each of the locations where we have shown a fusible metal portion 27, in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided in the exterior faces 3b and 5b of the box-like container 1 and in the exterior wall 17b of the door 17, a corresponding opening 77. It must be remembered the these openings 77 are formed exactly opposite the sprinklers 25. Plates 79 which include the aforementioned fusible metal portions 27 are mounted to cover the openings 77. It is recommended that the fusible metal portions be formed centrally with respect to the plates 79. The plates are fixed to the exterior faces and wall 3b, 5b and 17b by means of screws 81.

Turning now to the sprinklers 25 each will be seen to consist of a conical portion 83 and a tubular portion 85. Referring to FIG. 4, it is shown that the tubular portion 85 is provided axially and interiorly of the conical portion 83 to define and annular space 87 therebetween. The tubular portion 85 also comprises a series of peripheral holes 89 which open in the annular space 87 between the conical portion 83 and the tubular portion 85. The tubular portion 85 has a threaded portion 91 at its end and the purpose for this will be given hereinbelow. The sprinkler 25 includes a flange 93 which is dependent from the conical portion 83, said flange 93 being used to fixedly mount the sprinkler 25 on the inner side of the exterior faces or wall 3b, 5b or 17b. This can be carried out by using the same screws 81 which are used to mount the plate 79. Referring again to FIG. 4 of the drawings, it is shown that the sprinkler 25 is formed with a bridge 95, which as illustrated will be seen to simultaneously close the bottom of both the conical and

tubular portions

83 and 85 at the point of convergence of these

portions

83 and 85. The bridge 95 will therefore contribute to define the annular space 87 and tubular chamber 97. Referring once again to the drawings in FIG. 4, the bridge 95 comprises a central bore 99 the purpose of which will now be defined.

As stated earlier, the sprinklers 25 are all provided with valves for enabling water to run out of the sprinklers. All the valves are similar and each will be seen to consist of a pin 101 whose end 103 is resiliently urged against the inner face of the fusible metal portion 27, all in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The opposite end of the pin comprises a piston member 105 which is constructed to move axially inside tubular chamber 97 while the pin 101 slides through central bore 99. A pipe connector 107 which is machined with an interior seat 109 is screwed at the threaded portion 91 of the tubular portion 85 until the interior seat 109 abut the end of the tubular portion 85 all in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. Returning to the piston member 105 of the pin 101, it must be pointed out that it comprises a cylindrical plug 111 at its outer end. It will therefore been seen that a coil spring 1 13 can easily be inserted in the chamber 97 to be applied between the piston member 105 and the seat 109 while the cylindrical plug is entered in the spring 113. A pipe 23 is connected to the sprinkler head 25 and the assembly is now completed.

With such a construction of box-like container 1, it will be possible when the fusible metal portion 27 is heated at a temperature high enough to melt the fusible metal portion to cause the latter to flow away to clear the opening 77 all in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. When this has happened, the coil spring 113 will extend to push against the piston member 105 until the latter is past the peripheral holes 89. Water which is under pressure inside the

pipes

23 and 23a will then flow under pressure through the peripheral holes 89 and will be deflected inside space 87 by means of the conical portion 83 until the inner spaces and 21 are completely filled. Water will then be constinuously circulated inside the

inner spaces

15 and 21 to form a fire wall, and will continuously be removed through funnel 67 and outlet 71. When the fire is over, the

empty spaces

15 and 21 are drained by opening drains 73, 75 and the contents can be recovered undamaged.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the latter illustrate a filing cabinet 115 which is protected against fire hazards in the same general manner as in the case of the box-like container 1. It must however possess inherent characteristics which are due to its specific construction and these will now be defined. Whenever possible, the like parts will be identified by the same reference numerals.

The filing cabinet 115 consists of lateral sides, a top, a back and a bottom. Since the filing cabinet 115 has been illustrated in part only the illustrated portions only will be identified by reference numerals, it being understood that it is of the same general construction as the box-like container 1. The filing cabinet 1 15 comprises a plurality of interior and exterior faces 117 and 119 which form the box-like structure of the assembly and are spaced from one another to define an inner space 121. As in the case of standard filing cabinets, the filing cabinet 115 has openings 123 for filing cabinet drawers 125. Separating superposed drawers, there are horizontal double partitions 127 which define inner spaces 129. It will be seen with reference to FIG. 6 of the drawings that the

inner spaces

121 and 129 are in communication with one another. As in the case of the box-like container 1, the structure of the filing cabinet must be as rigid and as solid as possible and for this purpose there are provided truss members 53 in the

inner spaces

121 and 129.

Each drawer 125 comprises a front panel 131 which is formed of an interior wall 133 and an exterior wall 135 which are spaced from one another to define an inner space 137 wherein there are also disposed truss members 53 again for rigidity purposes. The inner space 121 contains a wet-pipe system which includes water pipes 23 and sprinklers 25 all of which are of the same general arrangement and construction as in the case of the box-like container 1. Therefore we will not repeat the description already made of these parts.

Wet-pipes 139 which are connected to pipes 23 by means of T-fittings 141 are disposed in the inner spaces 129. The wet-pipes 139 are terminated by sprinklers 141 which will be used to discharge water in the inner spaces 137 of the drawers when the latter are closed. To enable the sprinklers 141 which are fixed with respect to the drawers 125 to penetrate into the inner space 137 of the drawer panel 131 when the drawer is closed, there is an insert opening 143 formed in the interior wall 133 and an insert opening 145 formed in the exterior wall of the drawer 125. These openings 143, are shaped and dimensioned relative to one another as illustrated in FIG. 5 and must be capable of fittingly receiving sprinkler 141 inside inner space 137.

We will now describe the sprinklers 141 with particular reference to FIG. 5. The sprinkler 141 comprises a tubular portion 147 which is designed to extend all through the panel 131 when the drawer 125 is closed inside the inner space 137 to a certain distance a inside the inner space 129. The tubular portion 147 is closed by a fusible metal plug 149 which is retained by a collar 150 at its outer end and comprises a wall 151 which is spaced from the plug 149 and is formed with an axial bore 153. The tubular portion 147 also comprises peripheral holes 155 which are adapted to open in the inner space 137. lnteriorly of the tubular portion 147, threads 157 have been formed to screw a seat 159 inside the tubular portion all in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. A coil spring 161 is mounted inside the tubular portion 147 between the screwed seat 159 and the piston member 163 ofa pin 165 which will now be described.

The pin 165 is mounted inside the tubular portion 147 and extends through the axial bore 153 until its end 167 abut the fusible metal plug 149 and is urged against it by the coil spring 161 which pushes against the piston member 163.

The tubular portion 147 has a flange 169 by means of which the sprinkler 141 is mounted on the inner side of the double partition 127. The end of the tubular portion is also adapted to receive a corresponding pipe 139. Referring to the drawings it will be realised that when the drawer is closed, the fusible metal plug 149 will be flush with the outer wall 135 of the panel 131.

Similarly as in the case of the box-like container 1, there are pipe and spigot connections 171 between the inner spaces 137 and the

inner spaces

129 and 121 to enable water to run from the inner spaces 137 into

inner spaces

129 and 121 when the sprinklers 141 are in operation. The filing cabinet also comprises (not shown) a water inlet, a water outlet and a drain.

In the case of a fire, either one or more fusible metal portions 27 or one or more fusible metal plugs 149, or both, will be heated, and if the heat is high enough the fusible metal portions 27 and/or the fusible metal plugs 149 will be melted with the result that the metal will flow away to clear the corresponding openings. The coil springs 109 and 161 will then push against the

respective piston members

105 and 163 until the latter are past respective

peripheral holes

89 and 155. Water will then flow under pressure through these holes and will fill the

inner spaces

121, 129 and 137. There will be a continuous circulation of water in these inner spaces because water will continuously be removed by means of the water outlet, thus forming a fire wall.

it will be realised that such a system will assure a complete protection against fire to valuable papers and other articles. At the same time this can be an ingenious anti-theft device, for if a burner is used to open a safe or a filing cabinet of the type of the invention, water will start to flow, which flow can be coupled to an alarm system.

Finally, and as illustrated in FIG. 8, it is possible to enclose a large room, for instance a bank 173 forming part of a much larger building 175 by surrounding the bank with partitions according to my invention, that is to say by having a wet-pipe system of sprinklers and truss members 53 present in the walls 177 of the bank. in the case of a fire, this would produce fire walls all around the bank thus preserving all valuable articles such paper money, and papers of all kinds from burning or incineration. It will also be noted that the truss members will at the same time be protected from being overheated thus affording a protection against collapsing of the entire building 175.

I claim:

1. A fire insulated partition which comprises:

a. an interior wall and an exterior wall, said walls spaced from one another to define an inner space therebetween;

b. a wet-pipe system of sprinklers disposed in said inner space, said system including water pipes connected to said sprinklers, and valves for said sprinklers;

c. a water inlet for filling said water pipes and keeping water under pressure in said water pipes;

d. openings formed in said exterior wall opposite said sprinklers, plates mounted on said exterior wall to cover said openings, said plates including central fusible portions opposite said openings, a pin resiliently urging against each of said fusible portions in such a manner that when each of said fusible portions has melted under heat, each pin will protrude through each of said openings thereby causing each valve to open and each sprinkler to discharge water inside said inner space thus filling said inner space with water; and

e. means to continuously drain water from the top of said inner space, thus producing a continuous circulation of a volume water inside said inner space after said valves have been opened.

2. A fire insulated structure comprising:

a. an interior face and an exterior face for said structure said interior face spaced from said exterior face to define a first inner space therebetween;

b. an opening in said structure;

0. a swinging door in said opening;

d. said swinging door formed of an interior wall and an exterior wall, said walls spaced from one another to define a second inner space therebetween;

e. a first wet-pipe system of sprinklers disposed in said first inner space;

f. a second wet-pipe system of sprinklers disposed in said second inner space;

g. said first and said second wet-pipe systems of sprinklers including water pipes, and valves for said sprinklers.

h. means to connect said second wet-pipe system of sprinklers to said first wet-pipe system of sprinklers, said connecting means compising first and second small holes communicating, respectively, with said first and second openings, and a flexible tube connected with one of said holes and slidable through the other, said flexible tube connecting said first wet-pipe system to said second wet-pipe system,

i. a pipe and spigot in said structure for effecting communication between said first and second inner spaces;

j. a water inelt for filling said water pipes of both said systems of sprinklers and for keeping water under pressure in said water pipes;

k. openings formed in said exterior face opposite said sprinklers, plates mounted on said exterior face to cover said openings, said plates including central fusible metal portions opposite said openings, a pin resiliently urging against each of said fusible metal portions in such a manner that when each of said fusible metal portions has melted under heat, each pin will protrude through each of said openings thereby causing each valve to open and each sprinkler to discharge water inside said inner spaces thus filling said inner spaces with water, and

1. means for continuously removing water from the top of both said inner spaces, thus producing a continuous circulation of water inside said inner spaces after said valves have been opened.

3. A fire-insulated box-like container according to claim 2, which comprises truss members disposed in said first inner space between said interior and said exterior faces to provide rigidity to said container.

4. A fire-insulated box-like container according to claim 2, wherein each of said sprinklers comprises a sprinkler head, said sprinkler head formed with a conical portion and a tubular portion provided axially and interiorly of said conical portion, said tubular portion comprising peripheral holes opening in the space between said conical portion and said tubular portion, said tubular portion threaded at its end, said sprinkler head also including a flange dependent from said conical portion said sprinkler head fixedly mounted on the inner side of said exterior face by means of said flange, said sprinkler head comprising a bridge to simultaneously close the bottom of said conical portion and of said tubular portion at the point of convergence of said conical portion and said tubular portion, said bridge including a central bore to permit said pin to slide therethrough, a pipe connector threaded at the threaded end of said tubular portion, said pipe connector formed with an interior seat, said pin comprising a piston member capable of sliding inside said tubular portion between said bridge and said seat, a coil spring mounted between said seat and said piston member, said pipe connector connected to a water pipe, so constructed and arranged that when said fusible metal portion is heated at a temperature high enough to melt said fusible metal, said fusible metal will flow away to clear said opening, said coil spring will then push against said piston member until said piston member is past said peripheral holes, and water will then flow under pressure through said peripheral holes and be deflected inside said inner spaces by means of said conical portion until it fills said inner spaces, after which said water will be drained away to cause a continuous circulation of water inside said inner spaces, said circulation of water forming a fire-wall.

5. A fire insulated filing cabinet including drawers which comprises:

interior faces and exterior faces for said cabinet, said interior faces spaced from corresponding exterior faces to define a first inner space therebetween,

the front of said filing cabinet formed with openings for filing cabinet drawers,

horizontal double partitions at the top and at the bottom of said filing cabinet and between said filing cabinet drawers, said double partitions defining second inner spaces, said second inner spaces in communication with said first inner space,

each said filing cabinet drawer comprising a front panel which is formed of an interior wall and an exterior wall, said walls spaced from one another to define a third inner space therebetween,

truss members disposed in said first inner space between said interior and said exterior faces, in said second inner spaces inside said horizontal double partitions, and in said third inner spaces between the interior walls and the exterior walls of said panels, said truss members to provide rigidity to said filing cabinet,

a first wet-pipe system of sprinklers disposed in said first and second inner spaces,

a second wet-pipe system of sprinklers projecting in front of said second inner spaces and adapted to be inserted at the base of said third inner space when said filing cabinet drawers are in the closed position thereof, said second wet-pipe system of sprinklers connected to said first wet-type of sprinklers,

said first and said second wet-pipe system of sprinklers including water pipes and valves for said sprinklers,

a water inlet for filling said water pipes of both said systems of sprinklers and for keeping water under pressure in said water pipes,

openings formed in said exterior faces opposite said sprinklers,

plates mounted on said exterior faces to cover said openings,

said plates including central fusible metal portions opposite said openings,

a first type of sprinkler head opposite each opening inside said first inner space,

said first type of sprinkler head formed with a conical portion and a first tubular portion, said first tubular portion provided axially and interiorly of said conical portion,

said first tubular portion comprising first peripheral holes opening in the space between said conical portion and said first tubular portion,

said first tubular portion threaded at its end,

said first type of sprinkler head including a flange dependent from said conical portion, said first type of sprinkler head fixedly mounted on the inner side of said exterior face by means of said flange,

said sprinkler head comprising a bridge to simultaneously close the bottom of said conical portion and of said first tubular portion at the point of convergence of said conical portion and of said first tubular portion, said bridge including a central bore,

a first pin extending through said bore with one end abutting said fusible metal portion and the other end inside said first tubular portion,

a pipe connector threaded over said tubular portion, said pipe connector formed with an interior seat, said pipe connector connecting said first tubular portion to a water pipe,

said first pin comprising a first piston member at said other end, said first piston member capable of sliding inside said first tubular portion,

a coil spring mounted inside said first tubular portion between said seat and said first piston member and capable of urging said first pin against said fusible metal portion,

said second wet-pipe system of sprinklers comprising a second tubular portion capable of extending all through said panel inside said third inner space to a distance inside said second inner space,

said second tubular portion closed by a fusible metal plug at the outer end thereof and comprising a wall inside said second tubular portion and spaced from said fusible metal plug, said wall formed with a axial bore,

said second tubular portion also comprising second peripheral holes adapted for opening in said third inner space and a seat screwed inside said second tubular portion,

a second pin extending through said axial bore with one end abutting said fusible metal plug and the other end provided with a second piston member capable of sliding inside said second tubular portion,

a second coil spring mounted inside said second tubular portion between said screwed seat and said second piston member and capable of urging said second pin against said fusible metal plug,

said second tubular portion formed with a second flange by means of which said sprinkler is mounted on the inner wall of said double partition, said second tubular portion receiving a corresponding water pipe,

insert openings in the inner and outer walls at said panel to insert said second wet-pipe system of sprinklers through said panel so that when said drawer is closed, said fusible metal plug will be flush with the outer wall of said panel,

pipe and spigot connections between the upper portion of said third inner space and said second inner space to enable water to run from said third inner space into said first and second inner spaces when the valves are opened and means to continuously remove water from the top of said first inner spaces, thus producing a continuous circulation of water inside said inner spaces after said valves have been opened, so constructed and arranged that when said fusible metal portion and- /or said fusible metal plug are heated at a temperature high enough to melt the fusible metal, said fusible metal will flow away to clear said openings and said second insert opening, said first and/or said second coil springs will then push against said respective pistion members until said piston members are past said respective peripheral holes and water will then flow under pressure through said respective peripheral holes and be caused to fill said first, second and/or third inner spaces, after which said water will be continuously removed to cause a continuous circulation of water inside said inner spaces, said circulation of water forming a fire wall.

6. A fire-insulated structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said structure is a box-like container.

Claims

1. A fire insulated partition which comprises: a. an interior wall and an exterior wall, said walls spaced from one another to define an inner space therebetween; b. a wet-pipe system of sprinklers disposed in said inner space, said system including water pipes connected to said sprinklers, and valves for said sprinklers; c. a water inlet for filling said water pipes and keeping water under pressure in said water pipes; d. openings formed in said exterior wall opposite said sprinklers, plates mounted on said exterior wall to cover said openings, said plates including central fusible portions opposite said openings, a pin resiliently urging against each of said fusible portions in such a manner that when each of said fusible portions has melted under heat, each pin will protrude through each of said openings thereby causing each valve to open and each sprinkler to discharge water inside said inner space thus filling said inner space with water; and e. means to continuously drain water from the top of said inner space, thus producing a continuous circulation of a volume water inside said inner space after said valves have been opened.

2. A fire insulated structure comprising: a. an interior face and an exterior face for said structure said interior face spaced from said exterior face to define a first inner space therebetween; b. an opening in said structure; c. a swinging door in said opening; d. said swinging door formed of an interior wall and an exterior wall, said walls spaced from one another to define a second inner space therebetween; e. a first wet-pipe system of sprinklers disposed in said first inner space; f. a second wet-pipe system of sprinklers disposed in said second inner space; g. said first and said second wet-pipe systems of sprinklers including water pipes, and valves for said sprinklers. h. means to connect said second wet-pipe system of sprinklers to said first wet-pipe system of sprinklers, said connecting means compising first and second small holes communicating, respectively, with said first and second openings, and a flexible tube connected with one of said holes and slidable through the other, said flexible tube connecting said first wet-pipe system to said second wet-pipe system, i. a pipe and spigot in said structure for effecting communication between said first and second inner spaces; j. a water inelt for filling said water pipes of both said systems of sprinklers and for keeping water under pressure in said water pipes; k. openings formed in said exterior face opposite said sprinklers, plates mounted on said exterior face to cover said openings, said plates including central fusible metal portions opposite said openings, a pin resiliently urging against each of said fusible metal portions in such a manner that when each of said fusible metal portions has melted under heat, each pin will protrude through each of said openings thereby causing each valve to open and each sprinkler to discharge water inside said inner spaces thus filling said inner spaces with water, and l. means for continuously removing water from the top of both said inner spaces, thus producing a continuous circulation of water inside said inner spaces after said valves have been opened.

5. A fire insulated filing cabinet including drawers which comprises: interior faces and exterior faces for said cabinet, said interior faces spaced from corresponding exterior faces to define a first inner space therebetween, the front of said filing cabinet formed with openings for filing cabinet drawers, horizontal double partitions at the top and at the bottom of said filing cabinet and between said filing cabinet drawers, said double partitions defining second inner spaces, said second inner spaces in communication with said first inner space, each said filing cabinet drawer comprising a front panel which is formed of an interior wall and an exterior wall, said walls spaced from one another to define a third inner space therebetween, truss members disposed in said first inner space between said interior and said exterior faces, in said second inner spaces inside said horizontal double partitions, and in said third inner spaces between the interior walls and the exterior walls of said panels, said truss members to provide rigidity to said filing cabinet, a first wet-pipe system of sprinklers disposed in said first and second inner spaces, a second wet-pipe system of sprinklers projecting in front of said second inner spaces and adapted to be inserted at the base of said third inner space when said filing cabinet drawers are in the closed position thereof, said second wet-pipe system of sprinklers connected to said first wet-type of sprinklers, said first and said second wet-pipe system of sprinklers including water pipes and valves for said sprinklers, a water inlet for filling said water pipes of both said systems of sprinklers and for keeping water under pressure in said water pipes, openings formed in said exterior faces opposite said sprinklers, plates mounted on said exterior faces to cover said openings, said plates including central fusible metal portions opposite said openings, a first type of sprinkler head opposite each opening inside said first inner space, said first type of sprinkler head formed with a conical portion and a first tubular portion, said first tubular portion provided axially and interiorly of said conical portion, said first tubular portion comprising first peripheral holes opening in the space between said cOnical portion and said first tubular portion, said first tubular portion threaded at its end, said first type of sprinkler head including a flange dependent from said conical portion, said first type of sprinkler head fixedly mounted on the inner side of said exterior face by means of said flange, said sprinkler head comprising a bridge to simultaneously close the bottom of said conical portion and of said first tubular portion at the point of convergence of said conical portion and of said first tubular portion, said bridge including a central bore, a first pin extending through said bore with one end abutting said fusible metal portion and the other end inside said first tubular portion, a pipe connector threaded over said tubular portion, said pipe connector formed with an interior seat, said pipe connector connecting said first tubular portion to a water pipe, said first pin comprising a first piston member at said other end, said first piston member capable of sliding inside said first tubular portion, a coil spring mounted inside said first tubular portion between said seat and said first piston member and capable of urging said first pin against said fusible metal portion, said second wet-pipe system of sprinklers comprising a second tubular portion capable of extending all through said panel inside said third inner space to a distance inside said second inner space, said second tubular portion closed by a fusible metal plug at the outer end thereof and comprising a wall inside said second tubular portion and spaced from said fusible metal plug, said wall formed with a axial bore, said second tubular portion also comprising second peripheral holes adapted for opening in said third inner space and a seat screwed inside said second tubular portion, a second pin extending through said axial bore with one end abutting said fusible metal plug and the other end provided with a second piston member capable of sliding inside said second tubular portion, a second coil spring mounted inside said second tubular portion between said screwed seat and said second piston member and capable of urging said second pin against said fusible metal plug, said second tubular portion formed with a second flange by means of which said sprinkler is mounted on the inner wall of said double partition, said second tubular portion receiving a corresponding water pipe, insert openings in the inner and outer walls at said panel to insert said second wet-pipe system of sprinklers through said panel so that when said drawer is closed, said fusible metal plug will be flush with the outer wall of said panel, pipe and spigot connections between the upper portion of said third inner space and said second inner space to enable water to run from said third inner space into said first and second inner spaces when the valves are opened and means to continuously remove water from the top of said first inner spaces, thus producing a continuous circulation of water inside said inner spaces after said valves have been opened, so constructed and arranged that when said fusible metal portion and/or said fusible metal plug are heated at a temperature high enough to melt the fusible metal, said fusible metal will flow away to clear said openings and said second insert opening, said first and/or said second coil springs will then push against said respective pistion members until said piston members are past said respective peripheral holes and water will then flow under pressure through said respective peripheral holes and be caused to fill said first, second and/or third inner spaces, after which said water will be continuously removed to cause a continuous circulation of water inside said inner spaces, said circulation of water forming a fire wall.