WO2013114077A2

WO2013114077A2 - Face plate assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2013114077A2
Application number: PCT/GB2013/050136
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Hart; Yusuf Muhammad; William MAKANT
Original assignee: Plumis, Ltd.
Priority date: 2012-01-31
Filing date: 2013-01-22
Publication date: 2013-08-08
Also published as: GB2498947A; GB201201608D0; WO2013114077A3

Abstract

Face plate assembly A face plate assembly (21) for a wall-mountable spray head unit (12) is described. The face plate assembly comprises a spray head (8) for spraying fire suppressant material and a face plate (23) which supports the spray head and which is configured to be attachable to an electrical box complying with at least one standard set by a standards organization. The face plate assembly (23) may include a sensor (25) for determining whether the spray head is obstructed, for example, by a piece of furniture.

Description

Face plate assembly

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a face plate assembly for a wall-mountable spray head unit and to a wall-mountable spray head unit which includes the face plate.

Background

Property developers and homeowners are increasingly converting basements, lofts and other similar types of space into living space and reconfiguring partitioned living space into open-plan areas. However, residential densification and the move to open-plan living tends to increase fire risks and, thus, the need to provide adequate fire protection.

One effective form of fire protection is a fire sprinkler system. Such sprinkler systems are commonly found in industrial and commercial premises. However, sprinkler systems have, until recently, been rarely installed in residential properties due to one or more factors, such as cost and difficulties with retrofitting a sprinkler system in an existing property. Notwithstanding this, domestic sprinkler systems are beginning to be routinely installed in new-build houses and apartments. Furthermore, domestic sprinkler systems are now available which are cheap and easy to retrofit. For example, WO 2010 058183 A describes a fire suppression system based on a spray head which can be attached to an existing sink assembly. Such a fire suppression system is marketed by Plumis Ltd. under the name "Automist". Such systems can be used to provide localised fire suppression in specific zones, such as a kitchen, without the large one-off costs or complications of a more conventional sprinkler system. One configuration for these devices incorporates a pressure generator such as a high- pressure electric pump located near the spray head (typically less than five metres away)

Another version of the Automist system is based on a wall-mountable spray head. Using a wall-mountable spray head allows the Automist fire suppression system to be installed in a wider variety of locations around a residential property. These wall- mounted systems have grown in popularity as they can be used to address the common problem of retrofitting fire suppression to a living area that also serves as an exit route from a property. For reasons of aesthetics, reliability and tamper- resistance, it is desirable to conceal most components of the system, with the pressure generator and control equipment normally mounted on the opposite side of a wall from the wall-mounted spray head.

Although wall-mounted systems have grown in popularity, the problem of fixing spray heads to and through a variety of wall types remains a specialist niche within the field of fire suppression systems, which are more commonly ceiling mounted. There are a number of challenges to installing wall-mountable spray heads. The associated high pressure hoses have limited flexibility and can be easily damaged. The hose may be required to pass within the wall or at right angles to the wall, creating a need for a variety of hose entry angles to the spray head. Additionally, the mounting must be secure for a variety of possible wall types such as brick, breeze block, wood, or stud/plasterboard, each presenting different challenges. The potential for complexity and variation depending on the conditions encountered during the installation process creates a requirement for specialised labour and a variable installation time. The consequent cost and uncertainty can limit the uptake of a potentially life-saving fire protection system

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a face plate assembly for a wall-mountable spray head unit. The face plate assembly comprises a spray head for spraying fire suppressant material and a face plate which supports the spray head. The face plate is configured to be attachable to a main housing portion formed from an electrical box (such as a mounting box) complying with at least one standard. The standard, such as British Standard (BS) 5733, may be set by a standards organization, such as the British Standards Institute (BSI) . By configuring the face plate assembly so that it can be fitted to a standard electrical box, manufacture and installation of the wall-mountable spray head unit can be made simpler and cheaper, even though the box is not intended for use in plumbing. For example, suitable electrical boxes are available for most types of walls (including stud walls) and for different mounting arrangements. Existing tools for forming recesses of suitable size can make it easier and cheaper to install the wall-mountable spray head unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a module for a face plate assembly for a wall-mountable spray head unit. The module comprises a spray head for spraying fire suppressant material and is configured to be attachable to a face plate complying with at least one standard.

Thus, other forms of standard electrical fittings, such as those used in data and audio-visual applications, can be used.

The module may include snaps, for example one or two pairs of snaps, for retaining the module in the face plate. A snap may take the form of a cantilever snap comprising a beam and an overhang. A module face plate includes an aperture and the spray head may be dimensioned to fit the aperture or may be provided with a surround to fit the aperture. The snaps may extend from edges of the spray head or surround. The module may be a Euro module. The module may be dimensioned so as to be compatible with the Legrand Arteor system of modules. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a face plate assembly for a wall-mountable spray head unit, the face plate assembly comprising a module and a face plate having an aperture for receiving the module. The at least one standard may include a standard set by a national standards body, such as the British Standards Institute (BSI), a regional standards organization and/ or an international standards organization, such as the International

Organization for Standardization (ISO) . The electrical box may be a mounting box, for example, for plug socket(s) . The mounting box may be single-gang box, double-gang box or multiple-gang box. The electrical mounting box may be formed from plastic or metal. The electrical mounting box may be a wall box (i.e. a box intended to be embedded in a wall) or a surface-mounted box.

The electrical box may comply with British Standard (BS) 1363, 4662 and/or 5733.

The electrical box may be a single-gang box, a double-gang or a multiple-gang box. The face plate has first, second and third external dimensions (usually referred to as "height", "width" and "depth") .

For a single-gang box, the face plate may have a first external dimension (height) of between 85 and 86 mm and second external dimension (width) of between 85 and 86 mm. The face plate may include first and second fixing centres which are offset (centre to centre) by 60 mm, preferably 60.3 mm.

For a twin-gang box, the face plate may have a first external dimension (height) of about 86 mm and second external dimension of about 146 mm. The face plate may include includes first and second fixing centres which are offset (centre to centre) by 120 mm, preferably 120.6 mm.

Each fixing centre may be configured to receive an M3.0 or M3.5 screw. The electrical box may comply with an Italian standard, such as CEI 23-50. The face plate may have a first external dimension of about 92 mm and second external dimension of about 119 mm and may include first and second fixing centres which are offset (centre to centre) by 83 mm, preferably 83.5 mm. The face plate may have a first external dimension of about 133 mm and second external dimension of about 110 mm and may include first and second fixing centres which are offset (centre to centre) by 83 mm, preferably 83.5 mm. The face plate may have a first external dimension of about 92 mm and second external dimension of about 141 mm and may include first and second fixing centres which are offset (centre to centre) by 108 mm, preferably 108.5 mm.

The electrical box may comply with European Certification of Electrotechnical Equipment (CEE) 7/4, CEE 7/5 and/or CEE 7/16. The electrical box may comply with an Australian standard, such as Australian

Standard (AS) 3112. The face plate may have a first external dimension of between 115 and 145 mm and second external dimension of between 70 and 86 mm.

The electrical box may comply with a Chinese standard, such as Chinese standard (GB) 2099.1 -2008 and/or Chinese Standard (GB) 1002-2008.

The electrical box may comply with a US standard, such as National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) OS 1. The face plate may have a first external dimension of between 105.5 and 108 mm and second external dimension of between 105.5 and 108 mm. The face plate may include first and second fixing centres which are offset (centre to centre) by 83 mm, optionally 83.3 mm, and third and fourth fixing centres which are offset (centre to centre) by 83 mm, optionally 83.3 mm wherein the fixing centres are arranged either in a cruciform or in two parallel rows separated by 46mm. The face plate may have a first external dimension of between 105.5 and 108 mm and second external dimension of between 56 and 58 mm. The face plate may include first and second fixing centres which are offset (centre to centre) by 83 mm, optionally 83.3 mm. The face plate may comprise a plate having an aperture and a module fitted into the aperture wherein the spray head is supported by the module. The front plate and the module are arranged to snap-fit. The module may take the form of a Euro module.

The electrical box may comply with an International standard, such as International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60906-1.

The face plate may have external dimensions to fit a standard electrical box having dimensions specified in a standard set by a national standards body. The face plate may have fixing centres and/or holes for screws which have dimensions and positions to fit an electrical box having dimensions specified in a standard set by a national standards body. The face plate assembly may further comprise an indicator (such as a light emitting diode) for indicating whether the fire suppression system is operational. The spray head unit may receive a signal for the indicator from a remote controller.

The face plate assembly may further comprise a sensor for detecting whether the spray head is obstructed. The spray head unit may include a controller and speaker for alerting occupants in response to the sensor detecting that the spray head is obstructed.

The spray head may be disposed on an external face of the face plate. The spray head can be disposed at least partially behind the face plate, i.e. inside the box.

The spray head may be rotatably attached to the face plate and the face plate may include a through-hole for a locking pin and the spray head includes a recess for receiving a locking pin. The hole and recess may be aligned such that a locking pin can be inserted into the through-hole and be received by the recess so as to prevent the spray head from rotating. The spray head may comprise a manifold block comprising an input aperture and at least one output aperture. The manifold block may comprise a body having the shape of a segment of a cylinder (for example, a semicylinder), the cylindrical segment body having a cylindrical axis and comprising opposite arcuate and chordal faces (or "cylindrical side" and "flat side" faces), wherein an input aperture is located at the arcuate face and the at least one output aperture is (are) located at the chordal face.

The face plate assembly may further comprise at least one spray nozzle, each spray nozzle received in a corresponding output aperture, wherein, when the spay head is mounted to the face plate, the at least one spray nozzle is (are) inclined with respect to the face plate.

The input aperture may be threaded. The face plate assembly may further comprise a nipple comprising a pipe having at least one threaded end and a hexagonal section, wherein the face plate includes a through hole and the spray head is secured to the face plate through screw engagement of the input aperture and the nipple.

The fire suppressant material may be water or may include water. For example, the fire suppressant material may comprise water and an additive which may or may not be water-soluble.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a wall- mountable spray head unit comprising the face plate assembly and a main enclosure portion formed from the electrical box complying with at the least one standard.

The electrical box has first, second and third external dimensions.

For a single-gang box, which may conform to a BSI standard, the first external dimension (excluding flanges) may be between 75 and 85 mm and second external dimension may be between 75 and 85 mm. The face plate may include first and second fixing centres which are offset (centre to centre) by 60 mm, preferably 60.3 mm. For a double-gang box, which may conform to a BSI standard, the first external dimension (excluding flanges) may be between 75 and 85 mm and second external dimension may be between 135 and 145 mm. The face plate may include first and second fixing centres which are offset (centre to centre) by 120 mm, preferably 120.6mm.

The face plate assembly or wall-mountable spray head unit may be supplied as a kit. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a fire suppression system comprising at least one wall-mountable spray head unit which is wall mounted, a pressure generator for supplying fire suppressant material to the at least one wall-mountable water under pressure and at least one activation device which, in response to an activation signal, causes fire suppressant material to spray out from the spray head(s) .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a wall-mountable spray head unit, the method comprising securing, in or to a wall, a main enclosure portion formed from an electrical box complying with at least one standard set by a standards organization and securing a face plate assembly to the electrical box. The face plate assembly comprises a spray head for spraying fire suppressant material and a face plate which supports the spray head and which is configured to be attachable to the electrical box complying with the at least one standard.

The method may further comprise connecting the spray head to a source of fire suppressant material.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a face plate assembly for a wall-mountable spray head unit, the face plate assembly comprising a spray head for spraying fire suppressant material and a face plate which supports the spray head, and a sensor (for example, an ultrasonic proximity sensor) supported by the face plate and arranged so as to detect whether the spray head is obstructed. Thus, if a piece of furniture or other obstruction is placed in front of the spray head unit, then the sensor can detect its presence and a signal generated which in turn can be used to generate an alarm.

The spray head unit may include a controller and speaker for alerting occupants in response to the sensor detecting that the spray head is obstructed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided spray head comprising a manifold block comprising a body having the shape of a segment of a cylinder (for example, a semicylinder), the cylindrical segment body having a cylindrical axis and comprising opposite arcuate and chordal faces and an input aperture and at least one output aperture, wherein the input aperture is in the chordal face and the output apertures is (are) in the arcuate face.

Thus, the spray head can be easily and cheaply formed, for example by machining, and need not be made by moulding nor by a more complex process involving a combination of several different techniques.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a fire suppression system which includes at least one spray head for spraying fire suppressant material;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a wall and a wall-mounted spray head unit which includes a spray head;

Figure 3 is a magnified perspective view of the wall-mounted spray head unit shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a spray pattern generated by the wall-mounted spray head unit shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4;

Figure 5 is a perspective exploded view of the wall-mounted spray head unit shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4;

Figure 6 is another perspective exploded view of the wall-mounted spray head unit shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4;

Figure 7 a front elevation of the spray head shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the spray head shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the spray head shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the spray head shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4; Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the rear of the spray head shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4; and

Figure 12 is a perspective view of another wall-mounted spray head unit.

Detailed Description of Certain Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1, a fire protection system 1 (which may also be referred to as a fire suppression system) is shown.

The system 1 includes at least one fire detector 2, a controller 3, a pump 4 for supplying fire suppressing material 5, in this example water, from a source 6 via piping 7 to at least one spay head 8. As shown in Figure 1 , the fire detector 2 and the spray head 8 may be co-located in one space 9. The controller 3 provides a low- voltage (e.g. < 12V) signal via line 10 to the spray head 8 to indicate that the system 1 is operational. The general principle of operation of the system is described in WO 2010 058183 A which is incorporated herein by reference. Referring also to Figures 2 and 3, each spray head 8 forms part of a spray head unit 12 which is mounted to a wall 11. When the system 1 is activated, the pump 4 delivers water 5 at high pressure, in this example about 80 bar (80 kPa), and the spray head 8 sprays a fine mist of water 5 in three different overlapping sprays 13 in a wide-angled pattern 14. As shown in Figure 3, the sprays 13 provide overlapping coverage azimuthally (or zonally) in a 180-degree arc and meridionally in a 90- degree arc from a horizontal plane (not shown) .

Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, each spray head unit 12 includes a face plate assembly 21 and a first, main enclosure portion 22. The face plate assembly 21 includes the spray head 8 which is supported by a face plate 23 which provides a second enclosure portion. The face plate 23 supports an indicator 24 (not shown in Figures 5 and 6 for clarity) for confirming whether the system 1 is operational and a sensor 25 (not shown in Figures 5 and 6 for clarity) for determining whether furniture or other obstructions (not shown) occupy the space in front of the spray head 8 which would, therefore, block or impede spray 13. In some embodiments the indicator 24 and/or the sensor 25 may be omitted.

The face plate 23 may be formed from plastic or metal. The face plate 23 may be changed for another, different plate of the same size, but which has a different appearance.

The main enclosure portion 22 sits in a recess 26 in the wall 11 which, in this example, is formed from plasterboard. The main enclosure portion 22 is an electrical box in the form of a single-gang wall box conforming to British Standard (BS) 5733. The electrical box may take the form of a pattress box or other surface-mounted mounting box. Furthermore, other forms of electrical box may be used, such as junction box, for example, conforming to BS 4662. The electrical box may comply with a standard set by a standards organization other than the British Standards Institute (BSI) . For example, the standard may be set by another national standards body. The standard may be set by an international standards organization, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) . The standard may be set by a trade association. The standard may be a de facto standard.

In some embodiments, the face plate may take the form of a so-called "Euro module" front plate (or simply "plate") or similar form of face plate (not shown) having a standard size of aperture, e.g. 25 mm by 50 mm or 50 mm by 50 mm, which is usually rectangular. In some embodiments, the face plate may take the form of a so-called "Legrand compatible module" or similar form of face plate (not shown) having a standard size of aperture, e.g. 22.5 mm by 45 mm or 45 mm by 45 mm, which is usually rectangular. In the case of a Euro module, Legrand- compatible module or other similar form of module system, the spray head forms (or is embedded in a plate-like surround to form) a module (not shown) which fits into the aperture, for example using cantilever snaps (not shown) or other securing members, to provide the face plate assembly 21. The snaps (or other securing members) may be provided in pairs, for example in one or two pairs. The spray head 8 may have a rectangular outer edge which fits the aperture or may be provided with a plate-like surround (or flange) having a rectangular outer edge which fits the aperture. The snaps extend from edges of the spray head or surround and cooperate with the edge of the aperture (not shown) or corresponding barbs or retaining members (not shown) on the face plate to secure the module to the plate. The wall box 22 includes a rectangular flange 27 having fixing centres 28 for allowing the wall box 22 to be secured to the wall 11. However, some wall boxes and other forms of electrical box need not have a flange. The wall box 22 and the face plate 23 have the same or substantially the same height (h) and width (w) . In this case, for a single-gang type box, h = 86 mm and w = 86 mm. The wall box 22 includes first and second fixing centres 28. In this case, the first and second fixing centres 28 take the form of posts outstanding from a back wall 29 of the wall box 22. The face plate 23 includes first and second tapered through- holes 30. The fixing centres 28 and tapered through-holes 30 are aligned such that the face plate 23 can be secured by screws 31 to the wall box 22. The fixing centres 28 are located on a horizontal centre plane (not shown) disposed equidistantly between upper and lower walls 33, 34. Likewise, the tapered through-holes 30 are located along a horizontal centre plane (not shown) disposed equidistantly between upper and lower edges 36, 37 of the face plate 23. The fixing centres 28 are symmetrically located either side of a vertical centre plane (not shown) disposed equidistantly between respective side walls 39, 40. The through-holes 30 are symmetrically located either side of a vertical centre plane (not shown) disposed equidistantly between sides 42, 43. The box fixing centres 28 and through-holes 30 have the same pitch, p. In this case, for a single-gang type box, p = 60.3 mm.

The wall box 22 has a rectangular aperture 44 in the lower wall 34. This allows a short pipe connector 45 in the form of a 90-degree elbow to be connected to a pipe 46 embedded in the wall 11.

As shown in Figure 5, the face plate 23 includes first and second apertures 47, 48. The first aperture 47 is disposed in the centre of the face plate 23. The second aperture 48 is vertically offset from the first aperture 47 receives a locking pin 49. The spray head 8 is mounted to the face plate 23 via the first aperture 47. The spray head 8 comprises a semicylindrical body 50 and a set of mist-forming nozzles 51 set in output apertures 52 located in an outwardly-facing arcuate face 53 of the body 50. The pipe connector 35 is connected to a threaded input aperture 54 located in chordal face 55 of the body 50 using a pipe connector 56 in the form of a nipple. The pipe connector 56 comprises a short pipe 57 having a threaded end 58 and a hex section 59.

As shown in Figure 6, the threaded end 58 of the pipe connector 56 passes through the first aperture 47 in the face plate 23. The body 50 is screwed onto the threaded end 58 of the pipe connector 56 such that the face plate 23 is firmly held between the chordal face 55 of the body 50 and the hex section 59. The locking pin 49 is inserted into the second aperture 48 and is received in a correspondingly-positioned recess 60 in the chordal face 55 of the body 50.

Referring also to Figures 7 to 11 , the spray head body 50 serves as a manifold. The body 50 has three output apertures 52 generally orientated radially with respect to an axis 61 of rotation of the body 50 and inclined with respect to a horizontal plane 62.

As shown in Figure 9, fluid passages 63 are formed between the input and output apertures 52, 54. The passages 63 between node 64 and the output apertures 52 are stepped. In particular, the bore of each passage 63 becomes increasingly larger.

Referring to Figure 12, another embodiment of a spray head unit 12' is shown. The spray head unit 12' is similar to the spray head unit 12 (Figure 5) shown earlier. For clarity, indicator 24, sensor 25, second aperture 48 and locking pin 49 and nozzles 51 are not shown.

The spray head unit 12' differs from the spray head unit 12 (Figure 5) in mainly two respects:

Firstly, the spray head 8' is differently arranged so as to incline the spray nozzles 51 (not shown) with respect to the face plate 23. In particular, the spray head 8 comprises a body 50' which has the shape of a cylindrical segment, but which has chordal face 55' which is not parallel to the axis of the cylinder. This allows output apertures 52' to be arranged perpendicular to the arcuate face 53'. Secondly, the electrical box 22' takes the form of a pattress box.

Using a wall-mountable spray head unit in accordance with the present invention a can allow a fire suppression system to be more easily retrofitted to or into an existing wall using less specialised labour, using more commonly-available skills and/or using more widely known components. This can allow an installer to use inexpensive and familiar components, systems and processes used in the electrical trade to install a more specialised and less familiar plumbed-in system.

Standards

The electrical box may conform to a standard found in the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, the United States or another country. The electrical box may conform to more than one standard in a country and/or to one or more standards of different countries. Additionally or alternatively, the electrical box may conform to a regional standard (such as the Europlug) or and international standard.

Some examples of standards, some example of products (face plates and/or electrical boxes) conforming to those standards and values of relevant dimensions generally confirming to those standards (i.e. dimensions which a face plate and/or electrical box may have and, if present, separate of screw fixing centres) will now be described:

Australia

Example standard(s) :

AS 31 12

Example product range (s) : Clipsal Modena 8000

(http:/ /www. clipsal. com.au/ consumer/ products/powerpoints_and_switches/ mode na_8000_series) Example product(s) :

Clipsal Modena model number M8083LHA-WE triple modular light switch

Example dimensions :

Europe

Example product(s) :

Scame model number 102.8700 plate Example dimensions :

n = 0, 1, 2 or 3

Italy

Standard (s) :

CEI 23-50

Example product range (s) :

Gewiss 24SC series mounting box

ABB Chiara 2CSK series mounting plates and faceplates Example product(s) :

Gewiss model number GW24403

Scame model number 875.4303

ABB model number 2CSK1603CH

ABB model number 2CSK0301 CH

Scame model number 102.8703

Gewiss model number GW24206

Gewiss model number GW24215

Gewiss model number GW24404

ABB model number 2CSK1604CH

ABB model number 2CSK0401 CH

Scame model number 102.8700 Example dimensions :

n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6

United Kingdom

Example standard(s) :

BS 5733, BS1363-2 1995 and/or BS 4662

Example product range (s) :

MX boxes (http://www.mkelectric.com/en- gb/Products/WD/BoxesandAncillaryProducts/boxes/) Example product(s) :

1 -gang, flush-mounted, steel box, MK model number 861 ZIC 1 -gang, surface-mounted, PVC box, MK model number 2180WHI 1 -gang, dry lining-mounted, MK model number QFB/1 WHI

Example dimensions :

United States

Example standard(s) :

ANSI/NEMA OS 1

Example product range (s) :

ABSO ANSI/NEMA OS 1 mounting boxes and matching faceplates

Example product(s) :

ABSO model number CSQ44AH

ABSO model number S2DH0303

ABSO model number S3DH0303 box

ABSO model number CHDAHB

ABSO model number HDAH010201 Example dimensions:

Modules

As explained earlier, the spray head may be formed in a module which can be fitted (e.g. snap-fitted) into a standard front plate to form the face plate assembly which in turn is attached to a wall box or other electrical box.

Some example of products (e.g. modules, face plates and/or electrical boxes) and values of relevant dimensions will now be described:

Euro module

Example product range (s) :

MK Logic Plus: Euro and LJU6C Data

Example product(s):

MK Logic Plus model number K181WHI

Logic Plus model number K184WHI

Ikon AVS model number EP-50FSB

Ashley model number PTS04/EURO Example dimensions:

n = 0, 1, 2 or 3 L·egrand compatible module

Example product range (s) :

Legrand Mosaic / Arteor series

Example product(s):

Legrand Arteor model number 5752 10 faceplate

Legrand Arteor model number 5750 71 faceplate

Legrand Arteor model number 5719 20 support frame

Legrand Arteor model number 5728 43 blanking plate

Legrand Arteor model number 5728 43 module

Example dimensions:

n = 0, 1, 2 or 3 The face plate and/or electrical box conforming to a standard of one country (or region) may be manufactured in another, different country (or region). It will be appreciated that many modifications may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described.

In the examples described earlier, only two fixing centres are described. However, more than two fixing centres, e.g. four fixing centres can be used. The fixing centres may be arranged in a cruciform or rectangular arrangement.

In the examples described earlier, the fixing centres of the electrical box are formed in posts. However, other arrangements can be used. For example, the fixing centres may be formed in inwardly-directed tabs. Examples of electrical boxes having these arrangements include Scame model number 875-4303 and Gewiss model number GW24403.

In the examples described earlier, the face plate is secured to the electrical box using screws. However, other securing arrangements can be used, such as snap-fit connectors.

In the examples described earlier, the face plates generally have a rectangular face. However, the face plates can have rounded corners or may be oval. The face plate is large enough to cover the face of the electrical box.

The electrical box need not be an electrical box which is typically used for domestic mains electricity supply (e.g. in the UK, 240 V mains supply) . For example, the electrical box may be one typically used for data (e.g. a HDMI) .

Claims

1. A face plate assembly for a wall-mountable spray head unit, the face plate assembly comprising:

a spray head for spraying fire suppressant material; and

a face plate which supports the spray head and which is configured to be attachable to an electrical box complying with at least one standard.

2. A face plate assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one standard includes a standard set by a national standards body.

3. A face plate assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one standard includes a standard set by a regional standards organization.

4. A face plate assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one standard includes a standard set by an international standards organization.

5. A face plate assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the electrical box is a mounting box.

6. A face plate assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electrical box complies with British Standard (BS) 1363, 4662 and/or 5733.

7. A face plate assembly according to claim 1 to 6, wherein the electrical box is a single-gang box.

8. A face plate assembly according to claim 7, wherein the face plate box has first, second and third external dimensions, wherein the first external dimension box is about 86 mm and second external dimension is about 86 mm.

9. A face plate assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the face plate includes first and second fixing centres having a pitch of 60 mm.

10. A face plate assembly according to claim 9, wherein each fixing centre is configured to receive an M3.5 screw.

11. A face plate assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electrical box is a twin-gang box.

12. A face plate assembly according to claim 11, wherein the face plate has first, second and third external dimensions, wherein the first external dimension is about 86 mm and second external dimension is about 146 mm.

13. A face plate assembly according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the face plate includes first and second fixing centres having a pitch of 120 mm.

14. A face plate assembly according to claim 13, wherein each fixing centre is configured to receive an M3.5 screw.

15. A face plate assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electrical box complies with:

European Certification of Electrotechnical Equipment (CEE) 7/4;

European Certification of Electrotechnical Equipment (CEE) 7/5; or

European Certification of Electrotechnical Equipment (CEE) 7/16.

16. A face plate assembly according to according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electrical box complies with:

Australian Standard (AS) 3112;

Chinese Standard (GB) 2099.1 -2008;

Chinese Standard (GB) 1002-2008;

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) 1 -15; or

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60906-1.

17. A face plate assembly according to any preceding, further comprising:

an indicator for showing whether the fire suppression system is operational.

18. A face plate assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising: a sensor for detecting whether the spray head is obstructed.

19. A face plate assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the spray head is disposed on an external face of the face plate.

20. A face plate assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the spray head is rotatably attached to the face plate and wherein the face plate includes a through-hole for a locking pin and the spray head includes a recess for receiving the locking pin, the hole and recess being aligned such that a locking pin can be inserted into the through-hole and be received by the recess so as to prevent the spray head from rotating.

21. A face plate assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the spray head comprises:

a manifold block comprising an input aperture and at least one output aperture.

22. A face plate assembly according to claim 21, wherein the manifold block comprises a body having the shape of a segment of a cylinder, the cylindrical body segment having a cylindrical axis and comprising opposite arcuate and chordal faces, wherein an input aperture is disposed in the chordal face and at least one output aperture is (are) disposed in the acuate face.

23. A face plate assembly according to claim 21 or 22, further comprising:

at least one spray nozzle, each spray nozzle received in a corresponding output aperture, wherein, when the spay head is mounted to the face plate, the at least one spray nozzle is (are) inclined with respect to the face plate.

24. A face plate assembly according to claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein the input aperture is threaded.

25. A face plate assembly according to claim 23 further comprising: a nipple comprising a pipe having at least one threaded end and a hexagonal section;

wherein the face plate includes a through hole and the spray head is secured to the face plate through screw engagement of the threaded input aperture and the threaded end of pipe.

26. A face plate assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the fire suppressant material is or includes water.

27. A wall-mountable spray head unit comprising:

a face plate assembly according to any preceding claim; and

a main enclosure portion formed from the electrical box complying with at the least one standard set by the standards organization.

28. A face plate assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 26 or a wall- mountable spray head unit according to 27, which is supplied as a kit.

29. A fire suppression system comprising:

at least one wall-mountable spray head unit according to claim 27, which is wall mounted;

at least one pressure generator for supplying fire suppressant material to the at least one wall-mountable water under pressure; and

at least one activation device which, in response to an activation signal, causes fire suppressant material to spray out from the spray head(s) of the at least one wall-mountable spray head unit.

30. A method of installing a wall-mountable spray head unit, the method comprising:

securing a main enclosure portion in or to a wall, the main enclosure being or formed from an electrical box complying with at least one standard set by a standards organization; and

securing a face plate assembly to the electrical box;

wherein the face plate assembly comprises: a spray head for spraying fire suppressant material; and

a face plate which supports the spray head and which is configured to be attachable to the electrical box complying with the at least one standard set by the standards organization.

31. A method according to claim 30, further comprising:

connecting the spray head to a source of fire suppressant material.

32. A face plate assembly for a wall-mountable spray head unit, the face plate assembly comprising:

a spray head for spraying fire suppressant material; and

a face plate which supports the spray head;

a sensor supported by the face plate and arranged so as to detect whether the spray head is obstructed.

33. A spray head comprising:

a manifold block comprising:

a body having the shape of a segment of a cylinder, the cylindrical segment body having a cylindrical axis and comprising opposite arcuate and chordal faces; and

an input aperture and at least one output aperture;

wherein the input aperture is in the chordal face and the output apertures is (are) in the arcuate face.

34. A module for a face plate assembly for a wall-mountable spray head unit, the module comprising:

a spray head for spraying fire suppressant material; and

the module configured to be attachable to a face plate complying with at least one standard.

35. A module according to claim 34, wherein the module includes snaps for retaining the module in the face plate.

36. A module according to claim 34 or 35, which is a Euro module.

37 A module according to claim 34 or 35, which is compatible with the Legranc

Arteor system of modules

38. A face plate assembly for a wall-mountable spray head unit, the face plate assembly comprising:

a module according to any one of claims 34 to 37; and

a face plate having an aperture for receiving the module.

39. A wall-mountable spray head unit comprising:

a face plate assembly according to claim 38; and

40. A fire suppression system comprising:

at least one wall-mountable spray head unit according to claim 39, which is wall mounted;