WO2021150177A1 - Protective cover for sprinkler head - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to covers (10) that protect sprinkler heads (A) which are located in dyehouses and paint shops, in dye spraying and dye mixing areas and in areas having high density of dust and other particle exposure and which guard respective areas from fires. The present invention particularly relates to covers (10) protecting sprinkler heads (A) comprising a lower portion (11) that is manufactured from a fine, nitro-cellulosic material which disappears on its own with the effect of heat during a fire, that protects sprinkler heads (A) from negative effects of high density of particles present in the environment, that does not prevent the sprinkler heads (A) from getting activated in case of a potential failure of disappearing, and that disappears without constituting any effect on the protection area by leaving the sprinkler heads (A) by means of its fine structure at the moment when sprinkler heads (A) become activated and begin dousing the fire scene with water.

Description

PROTECTIVE COVER FOR SPRINKLER HEAD

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to covers that protect sprinklers heads which guard the respective area from potential fires, from all particles existing in the area but does not block the heat sensitivity of the heat sensitive glass bulbs while providing said protection through the means of being flammable in low temperatures in the occasion of a fire and being the first component that gets burnt in the "sprinkler-protective cover integration" during fire or by not posing any obstacles for the water pressure due to having low structural component endurance and by not affecting the area of protection to the function of heat sensitive mechanism of sprinklers used in various dyehouses and paint shops, in dye mixing and dye spraying areas, in sugar factories, in areas where resinous processes are carried out, in industrial production zones that are located in heavily dusty regions, and in which processes with high density of particles are performed and in industrial facilities in which processes generating high density of particles are carried out.

The present invention particularly relates to covers protecting sprinkler heads comprising a lower portion that is manufactured from a fine material which disappears on its own with the effect of heat during a fire, that protects sprinkler heads from negative effects of high density of particles present in the environment, that does not prevent the sprinkler head from getting activated in case of a potential failure of disappearing, and that disappears easily in case of a fire by means of its fine, nitro-cellulosic structure at the moment sprinkler gets activated and begins dousing the fire scene with water, and without constituting any effect on the protection area by leaving the sprinkler head by means of structural characteristics of polyvinyl alcohol which is not water-resistant and is water-soluble, being used as adhesive chemical on the union point.

STATE OF THE ART

Sprinklers are sprinkling elements used for the purpose of fire fighting in buildings. Sprinklers are usually mounted to ceilings, walls or on the installations, and ensure that pressurized water present in the water installations is released in case of a fire. Sprinklers become activated automatically once the ambient temperature reaches to the point where glass bulb bursts, and thus fire may be put out on the onset. Wet pipe sprinkler systems are sprinkler systems in which automatic sprinklers are connected to water supply through lift and force lines and integrated to pipe installations that are further integrated with a motor system which gets activate upon pressure decrease. In these systems, sprinklers are activated upon the effect of heat created by the fire and ensure that water is discharged upon burning materials. The effect of heat generated due to the fire activates any sprinkler that is connected to the system, thereby providing the water flow. Released water jet gets dispersed by hitting the deflector and it is ensured that water is released to the sprinkler protection area in a proper irrigation pattern. Sprinklers are designed to become activated in a temperature value determined in a range between 40° and 350° depending on the conditions present in the area of usage. Many of the sprinkler types ensure that 70 to 100 liters of water is discharged to the sprinkler protection area per minute. However, the rate of discharged water may reach up to 400 liters per minute in some sprinklers that are utilized for specific applications. Nowadays no modern industrial application is implemented that does not prevent fire extinguishing systems from becoming activated and protects sprinkler heads of fire extinguishing systems used in dyehouses, paint shops, dye mixing areas as well as in heavily dusty areas and in other areas having density of particles from dye, dust and from other particles.

In the state of the art, widely acknowledged solutions involve preventing sprinklers from getting affected by dyes (sprinklers that come into contact with dyes must be replaced = high costs) "by creating fire safety risks" (i.e. sprinkler head shall not become activated in case of a fire during the use of these products) in temporary dyeing processes performed in non-industrial areas (house, garage, hotel, etc.) or applying ice, thereby preventing sprinklers from getting activated if a thermal treatment process is being performed in close proximity of sprinklers (in non industrial areas). These solutions present in the state of the art are completely boutique and temporary solutions that are unrecognized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and by internationally acknowledged standards. Industrial production processes are products that are impossible to be used without posing fire safety risks. These products have absolutely no use in industrial facilities.

As protective covers which are utilized for the purpose of protecting sprinkler heads in the state of the art, are manufactured from thick and rigid materials, they negatively affect the heat sensitivity of the glass bulb located on the end of the sprinkler head, thereby causing sprinklers get activated with delay and at higher temperatures than they should. This poses great danger in case of a potential fire. Furthermore, since these protective covers which are used for protection, are made out of thick and rigid materials as disclosed above, they prevent activated sprinkler heads from irrigating sprinkler protection area as well as they change the flow rate and direction of water. The area that is fully protected against potential fires and designed by engineers during project designing and hydraulic calculations stage, cause emergence of unprotected areas.

Consequently, the requirement for a novel protective cover that is both economical and practical in technical terms, that protects sprinkler heads and that incurs lower labor and material costs in case of regular replacement is needed instead of sprinkle replacement due to particles accumulated thereon, along with the inability of existing solutions necessitated making improvements in the related technical field for the purpose of solving aforementioned problems that are present in the state of the art. Sprinklers are frequently replaced in industrial plants and facilities which accordingly incurs high costs. The most important characteristic of the present invention is that it prevents particle accumulation and allows for replacing covers in an easy, economic and reliable manner and without interfering with sprinkler installations as it is a product that is independent of installation.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective cover that is created through the inspiration provided by existing circumstances and aims to solve aforementioned disadvantages that protects sprinkler heads which are located in all types of industrial processing environments where high density of particles are generated and which protect the respective area against fires, that prevents the change of heat sensitivity of sprinkler head as a consequence of accumulation of said particles, that does not pose any obstacles for the operation of working mechanisms of sprinklers in the occasion of a fire, and that also incurs lower labor and material costs in case of regular replacement is needed instead of sprinkle replacement due to particles accumulated thereon. The main object of the present invention is to provide a cover that does not pose any adverse effects on the heat sensitivity of the sprinkler head in addition to protecting sprinkler heads from dye and dust in areas where high density of particles is present.

Another object of the present invention is to ensure that the cover which is manufactured from a special material, gets disappeared on its own without posing any negative effects on operation of activated sprinkler head.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cover that is both cost-efficient and has a short production time.

The present invention will provide benefits to the economy, thereby achieving commercial success by means of its current state and with simple method thereof. Sprinkler Replacement: Sprinklers are frequently replaced in industrial production areas where particle generating production lines are present such as dyehouses and paint shops, resinous processing facilities, in plants where processes generating high density of dust are performed, in factories performing processes involving sugary compounds and costs incurring during replacement are;

1) Labor costs for cutting the water flow in the line supplying water to the sprinkler system and for discharging water (posing fire safety risk in the whole area in which replacement will be performed till the end of this process = highly risky and contradictory to the industrial process safety),

2) Cost of the water discharged in order to be able to perform the operation,

3) Costs for acquiring services of crane-manlift as sprinklers are commonly positioned in close proximity of ceilings,

4) Cost of new sprinklers,

5) Labor costs for dismantling sprinklers deformed due to particles and for mounting of new sprinklers,

6) Costs incurring due to production loss stemming from business interruption for replacement operation, and similar losses.

The present invention is a cover that protects sprinkler heads and that is developed in order to achieve all objects mentioned above and will become apparent from the following detailed description, wherein said cover comprises a lower portion that is manufactured from a fine material which disappears on its own with the effect of heat during a fire, that protects sprinkler head from the negative effects of high density of dye and dust particles present in the environment, that does not prevent the sprinkler head from getting activated in case of a potential failure of disappearing, and that disappears without constituting any effects on the protection area by leaving the sprinkler head by means of its fine, nitro-cellulosic structure at the moment when sprinkler becomes activated and begin dousing the fire scene with water, wherein said cover further comprises a strip taped portion of biodegradable cellophane tape that prevents said cover from coming loose on its own from sprinkler heads and it further prevents said cover from coming loose on its own from sprinkler heads by being torn, and that has a relatively stronger structure.

Structural and characteristic features of the present invention as well as all advantages thereof will be understood more clearly by means of the figures provided below and through the detailed description written by making references to these figures, therefore the respective evaluation should be conducted by taking these figures and the detailed description into consideration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGURE 1 illustrates the drawing that shows both the inventive cover that protects sprinkler heads and the sprinkler head.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the drawing the shows the inventive cover that protects sprinkler heads.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the drawing that shows the inventive cover that protects sprinkler heads while it is being attached to the sprinkler head.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the drawing that shows the inventive cover that protects sprinkler heads in a state where the cover is attached to the sprinkler head.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the drawing that shows the inventive cover that protects sprinkler heads from a frontal view. FIGURE 6 illustrates the drawing that shows the inventive cover that protects sprinkler heads from a side view.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

A. Sprinkler Head

10. Cover

11. Lower Portion

12. Tape

13. Rope

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description preferred embodiments of the inventive cover (10) that protects sprinkler heads (A) are disclosed only to ensure a better understanding for the subject and without constituting any restrictive effects.

Sprinkler heads of fire-extinguishing systems located in dyehouses and paint shops, in dye spraying and dye mixing areas and in areas having high density of dust and other particle exposure, should be protected from particle exposure. Since heat sensitivities of sprinkler heads exposed to particles get disrupted, their operation principles are adversely affected. While protective sprinkler covers to be used in these areas protect sprinkler heads from particles, these covers should not adversely affect heat sensitivity of sprinkler heads and their operation principles during a fire. An application that is capable of protecting sprinkler heads located in these areas without adversely affecting their operating principles is not available. It is much easier than sprinkler replacement and more cost-efficient.

Figure 1 to 6 illustrate the inventive cover (10) that protects sprinkler heads (A). In the present invention, the inventive cover (10) is attached to sprinkler heads of fire-extinguishing systems located in dyehouses and paint shops, in dye spraying and dye mixing areas and in areas having high density of dust and the other particle exposure. After the inventive cover (10) is attached to sprinklers (A), it is fastened by tying a knot by means of the rope (13). Thus, the inventive cover (10) is prevented from coming loose on its own from sprinkler heads (A). Cellophane taped portion (12) on which the rope (13) is positioned, has a relatively stronger structure in order to prevent the inventive cover (10) from getting torn and coming loose. Lower portion (11) of the present invention is manufactured from a fine material that is capable of disappearing by burning out with the effect of heat during a fire. The present invention used in aforementioned areas is easily attached to sprinkler heads (A) and remains in attached state until a replacement is required. The present invention protects sprinkler heads (A) from adverse effects of dye and dust present in the environment. Accordingly, it rapidly disappears on its own with the effect of flames and water in case of a fire leaving the least amount of combustion products. In case of a potential failure of disappearing, it absolutely does not prevent the sprinkler head (A) from getting activated. Lower portion (11) leaves the sprinkler head (A) and disappears by means of its fine structure (preferably 0.05 mm) at the moment when sprinkler head (A) becomes activated and begins dousing the fire scene with water. According to NFPA 13 standards, thickness of products used for protecting sprinkler heads utilized in these areas should not exceed 0.08 mm. Furthermore, the inventive protective cover does not comprise any component that may potentially constitute any obstacle for the sprinkler head since the cellulosic biodegradable cellophane tape strip as well as the polyvinyl rope that binds the strip to the sprinkler become buckled or shriveled while burning thanks to the cellulosic structure thereof and polyvinyl alcohol content present at union points. A product that is a specific preparation pertinent to this statement or developed for this purpose in an industrial sense is not available.

Therefore, while the present invention does not pose any adverse effects on the operation principle of the sprinkler head (A), it also protects sprinkler head (A) from the negative effects of dye and dust particles, thereby preventing occurrence of dangerous situations.

The protection scope of the present application is specified in the pending patent claims and therefore it may not be limited to the disclosure provided above for solely illustrative purposes, moreover it is clear that a person skilled in the art may present the novelty provided in the present invention by using similar embodiments and/or may implement this embodiment in other areas having similar purposes in the related art. Therefore, it is evident that embodiments such as these will be lacking novelty criteria and especially criteria of surpassing the state of the art.

Claims

1- A cover that protects sprinkler heads that are located in all types of dyehouses and paint shops, in dye mixing and dye spraying areas and in areas having high density of dust and other particle exposure, and that guard the respective area against potential fires characterized in that, it comprises; a lower portion (11) that is manufactured from a fine material which disappears on its own with the effect of heat during a fire, that protects sprinkler heads (A) from negative effects of dye and dust of similar particles present in the environment, that does not prevent the sprinkler head (A) from getting activated in case of a potential failure of disappearing, and that disappears by leaving the sprinkler head (A) by means of its fine structure and nitro-cellulosic content at the moment when sprinkler head (A) becomes activated and begins dousing the fire scene with water.

2- A cover (10) that protects sprinkler heads (A) according to Claim 1 characterized in that, it comprises a rope (13) that prevents said cover (10) from coming loose on its own from sprinkler heads (A) by tying a knot thereof.

3- A cover (10) that protects sprinkler heads (A) according to Claim 1 characterized in that, it comprises; a cellophane taped portion (12) that prevents said cover (10) from coming loose on its own from sprinkler heads (A) due to tearing of portion located below said rope (13), and that has a relatively stronger structure.