WO2021150600A1 - Système et procédé d'extinction d'incendie d'une zone fermée - Google Patents

Système et procédé d'extinction d'incendie d'une zone fermée Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021150600A1
WO2021150600A1 PCT/US2021/014172 US2021014172W WO2021150600A1 WO 2021150600 A1 WO2021150600 A1 WO 2021150600A1 US 2021014172 W US2021014172 W US 2021014172W WO 2021150600 A1 WO2021150600 A1 WO 2021150600A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fire suppression
fire
zone
test
fluid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2021/014172
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Brian Scott GREEN
Joachim BÖKE
Klaus Hofmann
Original Assignee
Minimax Viking Research & Development Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
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Application filed by Minimax Viking Research & Development Gmbh filed Critical Minimax Viking Research & Development Gmbh
Publication of WO2021150600A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021150600A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C31/00—Delivery of fire-extinguishing material
    • A62C31/02—Nozzles specially adapted for fire-extinguishing
    • A62C31/05—Nozzles specially adapted for fire-extinguishing with two or more outlets
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C31/00—Delivery of fire-extinguishing material
    • A62C31/28—Accessories for delivery devices, e.g. supports
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C37/00—Control of fire-fighting equipment
    • A62C37/36—Control of fire-fighting equipment an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C37/00—Control of fire-fighting equipment
    • A62C37/36—Control of fire-fighting equipment an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device
    • A62C37/38—Control of fire-fighting equipment an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device by both sensor and actuator, e.g. valve, being in the danger zone
    • A62C37/40—Control of fire-fighting equipment an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device by both sensor and actuator, e.g. valve, being in the danger zone with electric connection between sensor and actuator

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for fire suppression in an enclosed area, and more particularly to systems and methods for suppressing fires by detecting and then locating the fire in a zone of the enclosed area.
  • a fire extinguishing system for a residential room or other enclosure can include passive fluid distribution nozzles such as sprinklers that activate when the heat of the fire is high enough to melt a heat responsive element (e.g., fusible-alloy type element or a glass- bulb type element).
  • a heat responsive element e.g., fusible-alloy type element or a glass- bulb type element.
  • Other types of fire extinguishing systems can include active fluid distribution nozzles that have fire detection sensors and at least one fluid distribution nozzle. When the sensor detects a fire in the room, the fire suppression fluid is immediately discharged through the nozzle(s) to extinguish the fire.
  • Extinguish a fire means that a fire in the protected area is suppressed to a point that the material cannot sustain combustion.
  • VdS Conceptual Fire Sprinkler Network conference
  • the toxic emissions from a fire suppressed using an active fire suppression system can be less than a fire that is suppressed using a passive fire suppression system.
  • the VdS presentation disclosed two tests in which simulated mattresses were set on fire and then extinguished using an active fire suppression system and a passive fire suppression system.
  • the VdS presentation showed that an active-type fluid distribution nozzle can activate the fire suppression fluid within 30 seconds and that the highest level of each measured toxic emission was as follows: carbon monoxide (CO) emission of approximately 8 ppm, nitrous oxide (NO) emission of approximately 4 ppm, Nox emission of approximately 4 ppm, nitrous dioxide (NO2) emission of approximately 1 ppm, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission of approximately 0%.
  • CO2 emission was as follows: CO emission at approximately 41 ppm, NO emission at approximately 44 ppm, Nox emission to within 44 ppm, NO2 emission at approximately 2 ppm, and CO2 emission of approximately 1%.
  • the VdS presentation does not disclose the structure of the active-type fire suppression system used in the test.
  • the fire extinguishing systems can locate the fire within the room and selectively target the location of the fire with the fire suppression fluid.
  • PCT Publication No. WO 2018/011041 discloses an active fire extinguishing system in which at least one sensor (smoke, infrared, or other type of sensor) detects and locates a fire within a room.
  • the ⁇ 46 publication also discloses that its fluid distribution nozzle has multiple fluid outlets in order to selectively target the fire in the room. That is, only the fluid outlet(s) corresponding to the sector(s) where the fire is located will discharge the fire suppression fluid.
  • the ’041 publication does not disclose a compact fire suppression device and/or optimal locations for the fire locator sensors.
  • the fire suppression system includes a fluid outlet zone having a plurality of orifices for discharging fire suppression fluid onto a plurality of corresponding fire suppression zones.
  • the fire suppression system can include a sensor zone having one or more sensors that monitor the plurality of fire suppression zones.
  • the fluid outlet zone is disposed a first distance from a floor of the protected area, and the sensor zone is disposed a second distance from a floor of the protected area. In some embodiments, a ratio of the first distance to the second distance is greater than one.
  • "Protected area" as used herein means a defined three-dimensional space under protection by a fire suppression system.
  • the protected area is a room that has generally rectangular walls, ceiling, and floor.
  • the sensor zone is in-line and/or below the fluid outlet zone with respect to a vertical direction.
  • a front of one or more sensors is recessed in comparison to a front of the plurality of orifices.
  • the fire suppression system can include a controller that is connected to the one or more sensors and configured to detect a presence of a fire in the plurality of fire suppression zones.
  • the controller includes a processor that can execute instructions to associate each orifice of the plurality of orifices with a fire suppression zone in the plurality of fire suppression zones, determine whether a fire is present in the fire suppression region based on a signal from the one or more sensors, identify at least one zone of the plurality of fire suppression zones as a location of the fire based on determining that a fire is present, and/or selectively control a flow of the fire suppression fluid through at least one orifice of the plurality of orifices that corresponds to the at least one fire suppression zone identified as including the fire.
  • the fire suppression system is configured such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the plurality of orifices and the plurality of fire suppression zones. In other embodiments, the fire suppression system is configured such that at least two orifices are associated with a single fire suppression zone.
  • the fire suppression system can include one or more fire locator devices, one or more fluid distribution nozzles, and/or one or more fire detection devices.
  • one or more fluid distribution nozzles and optionally one or more fire locator devices can be disposed in a common housing (also referred to herein as a "fire suppression device").
  • the fire suppression device is mounted on, for example, a side of the protected area.
  • the fire suppression device can be mounted on a wall of the room or on the ceiling of the room.
  • the fire suppression device includes a plurality of fluid distribution nozzles for discharging fire suppression fluid onto a plurality of corresponding fire suppression zones.
  • the fire suppression device can also include an array sensor that monitors the plurality of fire suppression zones.
  • Each fluid distribution nozzle can preferably include a fluid outlet port for discharging the fire suppression fluid, and the fluid outlet port can have a centerline in-line with an average flow direction from the fluid outlet port.
  • the fluid outlet port can further include a first dimension extending in a width direction and a second dimension extending in a height direction.
  • one or more fire suppression nozzles produces a symmetrical fluid distribution spray pattern (e.g., a conical spray pattern).
  • one or more fire suppression nozzles produces an asymmetrical fluid distribution spray pattern (e.g., a rectangular spray pattern, an elliptical spray pattern, or some other nonsymmetrical spray pattern).
  • each fluid distribution nozzle is disposed at a complex angle relative to a first plane and a second plane of the protected area, with the first plane being perpendicular to a floor of the protected area and the second plane being perpendicular to the floor of the protected area and perpendicular to the first plane.
  • the complex angle preferably includes a vertical angle component defined by a first angle between the outlet centerline and the floor of the protected area, a horizontal angle component defined by a second angle between the outlet centerline and the first plane, and/or a rotation angle component defined by a third angle between a third plane and the floor of the protected area, with the third plane including the outlet centerline and extending the width direction of the outlet of the fluid suppression device.
  • the plurality of fluid distribution nozzles includes at least two fluid distribution nozzles where respective vertical angle components, horizontal angle components, and rotation angle components of the at least two fluid distribution nozzles are different from each other.
  • a "fire suppression zone” or “zone” as used herein means at least a portion of the protected area such as, for example, a surface area within the protected area and/or a defined volume within the protected area.
  • the fire suppression system includes one or more fire suppression zones.
  • the protected area is a room and each of the one or more zones corresponds to at least a portion of the room such as, for example, a floor surface area, a ceiling surface area, a wall surface area of the room and/or a predetermined volume of at least a portion of the room.
  • a fire suppression zone can be defined by a fluid distribution pattern of a corresponding fluid distribution nozzle.
  • a fire suppression zone corresponds to the area where an average spray density from the corresponding fluid distribution nozzle is at or above a predetermined minimum value.
  • the fire suppression zones can be based on fixedly defined boundaries based on the configuration of the fire suppression device, but the average spray density is preferably above the predetermined minimum value within the defined fire suppression zones.
  • Each fire suppression zone can preferably correspond to at least a separate portion of the protected area and have a central zone area and boundary zone area.
  • the boundary zone area can correspond to an area of the fire suppression zone that is near to, adjacent to, and/or overlapping another fire suppression zone.
  • the boundary zone area is defined to include at least a portion of the outer edge of the fluid spray pattern where the spray density pattern from a fluid distribution nozzle may be below the predetermined minimum value.
  • the boundary zone area can preferably be an area located along at least a portion of an inside perimeter of the defined fire suppression zone and have a predetermined width.
  • the central zone area is an area of the fire suppression zone that is not within the boundary zone area.
  • FIG. 1A shows a side view of a fire suppression system according to a preferred embodiment
  • FIG. IB shows front schematic view of a fire suppression system according to a preferred embodiment
  • FIG. 1C shows front schematic view of a fire suppression system according to another preferred embodiment
  • FIG. 2 shows a top view of the fire suppression region with the fire suppression zones for the fire suppression system of Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 3A shows the horizontal angle component arrangement for the fluid distribution nozzles of the fire suppression system of FigurelB;
  • FIG. 3B shows the horizontal angle component arrangement for the fluid distribution nozzles of the fire suppression system of FigurelB;
  • FIGS. 3C to 3E show the vertical angle component arrangement for the fluid distribution nozzles of the fire suppression system of Figures 1A to 1C;
  • FIG. 3F shows the rotational angle component arrangement for the fluid distribution nozzles of the fire suppression system of Figures 1A to 1C;
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B shows a schematic view of an array sensor
  • FIG. 5A shows a schematic view of a Zone Validation Setup
  • FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional view of a flammable material used in the Zone
  • FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram for a method of suppressing a fire using the fire suppression system of Figures 1A to 1C.
  • Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to a fire suppression system for a protected area that includes a plurality of fluid distribution nozzles for discharging fire suppression fluid onto a fire suppression region.
  • "Fire suppression region” as used herein is the space under protection by the fire suppression system and can include the entire protected area (e.g., a room) or only a part of the protected area.
  • the fire suppression system can include a fire detection device for detecting a presence of a fire in the fire suppression region and/or an array sensor that monitors the fire suppression region for locating the fire within the fire suppression region.
  • the function of determining whether a fire exists in a room can be separated from the function of determining the exact location of the fire within the room.
  • a smoke detector can determine whether a fire exists in a room but will likely not be able to provide information on the precise location of the fire within the room.
  • Infrared fire locating devices can determine the location of the fire but may be susceptible to false alarms due to heat sources that are not actual fires.
  • the fire suppression system can include one or more fire detection devices to determine whether a fire exists within a room and one or more fire location devices to determine the location of the fire within the room.
  • FIG. 1A shows a fire suppression system 100 installed in a residential room 101 of, for example, a building, a trailer, a reactional vehicle, etc.
  • the room 101 comprises a number of side walls (e.g., side walls 103, 104), a ceiling 105, and a floor 106.
  • the room 101 can include a heat source 115 such as, for example, a fireplace, a stove (e.g., coal, gas, pellet, or wood stove), or some other heat source that may be found in a room.
  • the room 101 can include a fire suppression region 110 that is monitored by the fire suppression system 100.
  • a room can have more than one fire suppression region 110, for example, due to the shape and/or size of the room.
  • exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed using embodiments with one fire suppression region 110. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure is applicable to rooms having more than one fire suppression region 110.
  • the fire suppression region 110 is preferably protected by one or more fire suppression devices 120 mounted on or installed in a wall 103 (or another wall or ceiling 105).
  • the fire suppression device 120 can include fluid distribution nozzles 122 configured to discharge fire suppression fluid from a fluid outlet zone 130.
  • the fire suppression region 110 can include the floor 106 or a portion of the floor
  • the fire suppression region 110 can include the floor 106 and a portion of one or more walls (e.g., walls 103, 104,
  • the fire suppression system 100 can be configured to wet one or more walls 103 in a range of up to 10 in. to up to 68 in. as measured from the floor 106 and more preferably in a range of up to 42 in. ⁇ 2 in. as measured from the floor 106.
  • areas of the wall surface which are prone to significant heat impact due to, for instance, a fire are adequately wetted in order to assist the fire suppression process.
  • the fluid distribution nozzles 122 can be, for example, open nozzles and/or sprinklers of a deluge system.
  • Each of the fluid distribution nozzles 122 can include one or more orifices 125 (e.g., see Figure 3F) that spray fire suppression fluid (e.g., water or another fire suppression agent) onto the fire suppression region 110.
  • each fluid distribution nozzle 122 in the fluid outlet zone 130 is configured such that the fluid distribution nozzle 122 includes one orifice 125.
  • one or more fluid distribution nozzles 122 are configured to include more than one orifice 125. Any number of fluid distribution nozzles 122 having one or more orifices 125 can be mounted or installed in the fluid outlet zone 130.
  • the number of fluid distribution nozzles 122 and/or the configuration of fluid distribution nozzles 122 can be such that the number of orifices 125 in the fluid outlet zone 130 can be in a range of 1 to 10, and more preferably in a range of 5 to 7.
  • the number of orifices 125 is 7.
  • Figure IB shows an embodiment with seven fluid distribution nozzles 122a- g, with each nozzle having a single orifice 125.
  • the number of orifices 125 is 5.
  • Figure 1C shows an embodiment with five fluid distribution nozzles 122a-e, with each having a single orifice 125.
  • each nozzle can have more than one orifice 125.
  • the exemplary embodiments of the present technology discussed below will be described with each fire suppression nozzle 122 having one orifice 125.
  • the fire suppression device 120 is configured to segment the fire suppression region 110 into one or more fire suppression zones 200.
  • fire suppression device 120 is configured such that the fire suppression region 110 can include a plurality of fire suppression zones 200 (see, e.g., Figure 2) that correspond to the fluid distribution nozzles 122 installed in the fluid orifice zone 130.
  • the number of fluid distribution nozzles 122 match the number of fire suppression zones 200 such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the fluid distribution nozzle 122 and a fire suppression zone 200.
  • fire suppression fluid from more than one fluid distribution nozzle 122 can discharge onto the same fire suppression zone 200.
  • one fluid distribution nozzle 122 can cover more than one fire suppression zone 200, for example, in embodiments where the position and/or orientation of the fire suppression device 120 can be controlled (e.g., via a motor or other actuator).
  • the fire suppression system 100 preferably includes a fluid supply 180 that can be, for example, water from a public water supply, a water or fire suppression agent from a storage tank or reservoir, or some other source of fire suppression fluid.
  • the fire suppression fluid from the fluid supply 180 can be connected to the inlet port of one or more control valves 184a-n.
  • the outlet port of each control valve 184a-n can be connected to the inlet of one or more fluid distribution nozzles 122 via respective piping 186a-n.
  • each control valve 184a-n supplies fire suppression fluid to a respective fluid distribution nozzle 122 such that there is a one-to-one relationship.
  • a control valve 184 can supply one or more fluid distribution nozzles 122.
  • each control valve 184a-n supplies fire suppression fluid to a respective fire suppression zone 200 such that there is a one-to-one relationship regardless of the number of fluid distribution nozzles 122 corresponding to that fire suppression zone 200.
  • the two or more fluid distribution nozzles 122 can be supplied by a single control valve 184.
  • the fluid outlet zone 130 can be disposed above the floor 106 of the room 101 at a height that is in a range of 70% to 100% of a distance between the floor 106 and the ceiling 105. In some exemplary embodiments, the height is preferably in a range of 90% to 98% of the distance between the floor 106 and the ceiling 105. In some embodiments, the fluid outlet zone 130 is disposed at a height that is independent of the ceiling height. Preferably, in such embodiments, the fluid outlet zone 130 is disposed at a height h d that is in a range of 7 ft. to 9 ft. and, more preferably, at a height h d in a range of 7 ft.
  • the fluid outlet zone 130 is disposed on a wall 103 of the room 101 and/or a surface that is parallel to the wall 103.
  • the fluid outlet zone 130 is disposed at a location that bisects the fire suppression region 110. For example, as seen in
  • the fluid outlet zone 130 is disposed such that the room 101 is bisected into two sub-regions, which can be equal. However, depending on the size and shape of room 101, the fluid outlet zone 130 can be disposed in a comer of the room or a location other than one that bisects the room 101 into two equal parts.
  • the combined fluid distribution nozzles 122 produce a fluid spray pattern 127 that covers the fire suppression region 110.
  • the fire suppression system 100 is preferably configured to selectively distribute fire suppression fluid through only the fire suppression nozzle(s) 122 that correspond to the fire suppression zone(s) 200 affected by the fire.
  • the fire suppression region 110 is monitored for indications of a fire by one or more fire locator devices 140 mounted or installed in a sensor zone 150.
  • each of the fire locator devices 140 includes one or more array sensors 145 such that the fire locator device 140 has a horizontal field of view in a range of 30 degrees to 180 degrees, more preferably 60 degrees to 180 degrees, and even more preferably 180 degrees.
  • three individual sensors having a 60-degree field of view can be combined to provide a 180-degree horizontal field of view.
  • the fire locator device 140 has a vertical field of view in a range of 30 degrees to 180 degrees, more preferably 60 degrees to 180 degrees, and even more preferably 60 degrees.
  • the fire locator device 140 can have a 180-degree field of view in both axes, which can allow for the monitoring of the entire room (e.g., if mounted on the ceiling).
  • the combined array sensors 145 preferably have a field of view 147 that covers at least the floor 106 of the room 101.
  • the sensor range of the one or more array sensors 145 is such that the fire locator device 140 in the sensor zone 150 can monitor at least 50%, more preferably at least 75%, and even more preferably at least 90% of the floor 106 of the room 101.
  • the fire locator device 140 monitors 100% of the floor
  • the sensor zone 150 can be disposed above the floor 106 of the room at a height that is in a range of 70% to 100% of a distance between the floor 106 and the ceiling 105. In some exemplary embodiments, the height is preferably in a range of 90% to 98% of the distance between the floor 106 and the ceiling 105. In some embodiments, the sensor zone 150 is disposed at a height that is independent of the ceiling height. Preferably, in such embodiments, the sensor zone 150 is disposed at a height h s above the floor that is in a range of 7 ft. to 9 ft. and, more preferably, at a height h s in a range of 7 ft. to 8.
  • the sensor zone 150 is disposed below the fluid outlet zone 130 and even more preferably, in-line and below the fluid outlet zone 130 with respect to the vertical direction. However, in some embodiments, the sensor zone 150 can be disposed above or alongside the fluid outlet zone 130. When disposed in-line and below the fluid outlet zone 130, the sensor zone 150 can be disposed 1 in. to 6 in. below the fluid outlet zone 130 in some embodiments.
  • a ratio of the height of the fluid outlet zone 130 from the floor 106 to the height of the sensor zone 150 from the floor 106 is preferably greater than one, and more preferably in a range of 1.01 to 1.07.
  • the sensor zone 150 is disposed on a wall 103 of the room 101 and/or a surface that is parallel to the wall 103.
  • the sensor zone 150 can be disposed at a location that bisects the fire suppression region 110 into two equal regions as seen in Figures IB and 1C.
  • the sensor zone 150 can be disposed in a corner of the room or a location other than one that bisects the room 101 into two equal parts.
  • the fire suppression device 120 including the fluid distribution nozzles 122 and/or the fire locator devices 140, can be directly or indirectly mounted on the wall 103 and/or the ceiling 105.
  • the fire suppression device 120 can include a cover that houses one or more of the fluid distribution nozzles 122 and/or one or more of the fire locator devices 140.
  • one or more of the fluid distribution nozzles 122 and/or one or more one of the fire locator devices 140 can be disposed separately.
  • the respective nozzles and/or locator devices can be mounted on the wall 103 and/or ceiling 105.
  • the fire suppression system 100 can also include one or more fire detection devices 160 installed in the room 101 to determine whether a fire in present in room 101.
  • the fire suppression device 120 can preferably include one or more fire detection devices 160.
  • the fire detection device 160 can preferably be disposed separately from the fire suppression device 120.
  • the fire detection device 160 can be installed, for example, on the ceiling 105 and/or on one of the side walls (not shown).
  • exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed using embodiments with one fire detection device 160. However, those skilled in the art understand that any number of fire detection devices can be used in the exemplary fire suppression systems.
  • the one or more fire detection devices 160 can be a smoke detector (e.g., an optical beam smoke detector, aspiration smoke detector, or another type of smoke detector), a flame detector (e.g., an IR flame detector, UV flame detector, a combined IR/UV flame detector, or another type of flame detector), a heat detector, a gas detector, and/or multi-sensor-detector.
  • the fire detection device 160 does not necessarily allow for any spatial resolution. That is, in some embodiments, the fire detection device 160 only determines whether a fire exists and does not provide the location of the fire in the room 101.
  • the fire detection device 160 and the fire locator device 140 communicate with a controller 170 via communication lines 172 and 174, respectively.
  • Communication lines 172 and 174 can be wired or wireless and use any known communications protocol.
  • the fire detection device 160 can output a signal to the controller 170 whenever the fire detection device 160 determines that a fire is present in the room 101.
  • the controller 170 can then determine the location of the fire in the fire suppression region 110. For example, the controller 170 can determine the fire suppression zone(s) 200 (see Figure 2) that the fire is located in. Once the location of the fire is determined, the controller 170 preferably opens the control valve 184 corresponding to the fire suppression zone(s) 200 containing the fire. That is, the controller 170 preferably opens the control valve 184 connected to the fluid distribution nozzle(s) 122 corresponding to the fire suppression zone(s) 200 containing the fire.
  • the controller 170 uses the signal from the fire locator device 140 to locate the fire, the controller 170 uses either the signal from the fire locator device 140 or the signal from the fire detection device 160 to initiate the discharge of the fire suppression fluid through the appropriate fluid distribution nozzle(s) 122 to extinguish the fire.
  • a control scheme can provide a fast response to a potential fire.
  • the controller 170 uses the signal from the fire locator device 140 to locate the fire, the controller 170 only uses the signal from the fire detection device 160 to initiate the discharge of the fire suppression fluid through the appropriate fluid distribution nozzle(s) 122 to extinguish the fire.
  • Such a control scheme may be beneficial if the fire locator device 140 is susceptible to false positive or false negative indications of fire, for example, due to the presence of one or more heat sources 115 in the room 101.
  • both the fire detection device 160 and the fire locator device 140 must indicate that a fire is present before the controller 170 initiates the discharge of the fire suppression fluid. By using the fire detection device 160 to doublecheck the fire locator device 140 (or vice versa), false trips of the fire suppression system 100 can be minimized.
  • the controller 170 can include a processing device 176 that represents one or more general-purpose processing devices such as a microprocessor, a central processing unit, or the like. More particularly, the processing device can be a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, or processor implementing other instruction sets, or processors implementing a combination of instruction sets.
  • the processing device in controller 170 can also be one or more special-purpose processing devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), network processor, or the like.
  • the processing device of controller 170 is preferably configured to execute instructions for performing the operations discussed herein.
  • Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a fire suppression region 110 that is subdivided into fire suppression zones 200.
  • the number of fire suppression zones 200 in the fire suppression region 110 can be based on the configuration (size, shape, etc.) of the room, the type, configuration, and number of the fluid distribution nozzles 122, costs of the fire suppression system 100, fire system standards, and/or other considerations related to the fire suppression.
  • the number of fire suppression zones 200 per fire suppression region 110 can be in a range of 1 to 10, and more preferably in a range of 5 to 7 and even more preferably 5.
  • the embodiment of Figure 2 shows five fire suppression zones 200a-e. However, the number of fire suppression zones can be less than five or more than five depending on the room size, the spray coverage pattern of the nozzles 122, the flow rate of the fire suppression fluid, and/or the resolution of the sensor assemblies 145.
  • the controller 170 of the fire suppression device 120 can be configured to segment the fire suppression region 110 into a plurality of fire suppression zones 200a-e.
  • the fire suppression device 120 (corresponding to the fluid outlet zone 130) is preferably disposed on a side edge of the fire suppression region 110 such as, for example, on wall 103 between zones 200a and 200d.
  • the fire suppression device 120 can also be disposed on the other walls or on the ceiling 105 as appropriate based on the configuration of the fire suppression device 120.
  • the number of fluid distribution nozzles 122 can be equal to the number of fire suppression zones 200.
  • the controller 170 establishes a one-to-one correspondence between the fluid distribution nozzles 122 (or orifices 125) and the fire suppression zones 200.
  • more than one fluid distribution nozzle 122 (or orifice 125) can be associated with a fire suppression zone 200 due the shape, size, and/or location of the fire suppression zone 200.
  • the fluid distribution nozzle 122 (or orifice 125) can be associated with more than one fire suppression zone 200.
  • the assigned fire suppression zones are preferably not adjacent fire suppression zones. In this way, a single fluid distribution nozzle 122 (or orifice 125) is not overwhelmed if a fire spreads across two adjacent fire suppression zones.
  • the surface areas of the fire suppression zones 200a-e are approximately equal to each other.
  • the fire suppression system 100 is configured such that each fire suppression zone 200a-e receives approximately the same amount of fire suppression fluid flow.
  • the fire suppression region 110 can be a coverage area that is up to 20 ft. wide and up to 20 ft. long, more preferably an area having a width in a range of 12 ft. to 20 ft. and a length in a range of 12 ft. to 20 ft., and even more preferably an area having a width in a range of 12 ft. to 16 ft. and a length in a range of 12 ft.
  • the fire suppression region 110 can be a coverage area that is 14 ft. wide x 14 ft. long.
  • the coverage area of the fire suppression fluid can include the wetting of a wall surface area.
  • one or more surfaces of walls (e.g., 103,104. 107, and/or 108) of the room 101 can be wetted in a range from up tolO in. to up to 68 in. from the floor 106 of the room 101 and more preferably in a range of up to 42 in. ⁇ 2 in. from the floor 106.
  • Each fire suppression zone can correspond to an area where an average spray density from the corresponding fluid distribution nozzle is at or above a predetermined minimum value such as, for example, 0.003 gpm/ft 2 or greater.
  • a predetermined minimum value such as, for example, 0.003 gpm/ft 2 or greater.
  • the fire suppression zones can be based on fixedly defined boundaries based on the configuration of the fire suppression device, but the average spray density is preferably above the predetermined minimum value within the defined fire suppression zones.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a layout of a fire suppression region 110 in which four fire suppression zones 200a-200d cover at least a portion of the surface area of the floor 106.
  • one or more of the fire suppression zones 200a-d can include at least part of a wall surface area of at least one of the walls 103, 104, 107 and/or 108.
  • the fire suppression zones 200a-d are approximately equal in size.
  • the area of each of the fire suppression zones 200a-d are approximately equal to 1/4 the area of the fire suppression region 110. For example, for a fire suppression region 110 having an area of 14ft. x 14 ft., the area of each fire suppression zone 200a-d can be 7ft x 7ft.
  • a fifth fire suppression zone 210e can be created by overlaying a fire suppression zone over one or more of the other four fire suppression zones 200a-d such as, for example, in the center of the room 101.
  • the fire suppression zone 200e can be approximately equal in size to one of the other fire suppression zones 200a-d.
  • one or more of the fire suppression zones 200 are not equal in area to the other fire suppression zones 200, for example, based on factors such as room size and shape.
  • one or more fire suppression zones 200a-e can be defined by a fluid distribution pattern of a corresponding fluid distribution nozzle 122.
  • each fire suppression zone 200a-e can have a central zone area designated by Ci to C , respectively, and a boundary zone area designated as follows: Bla and Bib correspond to zone 200a, B2a and B2b correspond to zone 200b, B3a and B3b correspond to zone 200c, B4a and B4b correspond to zone 200d, and B5a, B5b, B5c, and B5d correspond to zone 200e.
  • the boundary zone area can correspond to an area of the fire suppression zone that is near to, adjacent to, and/or overlapping another fire suppression zone.
  • the boundary zone area is defined to include at least a portion of the outer edge of the fluid spray pattern where the spray density pattern from a fluid distribution nozzle may be below the predetermined minimum value such as, for example, 0.003 gpm/ft 2 .
  • boundary zone area can preferably be an area located along at least a portion of an inside perimeter of the defined fire suppression zone and have a predetermined width.
  • the central zone area is an area of the fire suppression zone that is not within the boundary zone area.
  • the fire suppression device 120 can have other central zone area and boundary zone area pattern layouts.
  • the boundary zone areas can each have a predetermined width and can be located along at least a portion of an inside perimeter of the respective fire suppression zones 200a-e.
  • the predetermined width of the boundary zone area in a direction perpendicular to the border of the fire suppression zone can be in a range that is preferably 5% to 15% of the width of the respective zone 200a-e in the same direction, and more preferably 10% the width of the respective zone 200a-e. For example, if a zone is 14ft. x 14 ft., the boundary zone area will correspond to an area of the zone that is within 1.4 ft. of the appropriate border portion of the zone.
  • each fire suppression zone 200a-e corresponds to one or more fluid distribution nozzles 122 such that, when a fire is detected and located in a fire suppression zone 200, fire suppression fluid is selectively discharged only from the corresponding fluid distribution nozzle(s) 122.
  • the controller 170 can be configured to operate the fire suppression system 100 such that only the fluid distribution nozzle(s) 122 corresponding to the fire suppression zone(s) 200 containing the fire suppression fluid.
  • the controller 170 can be configured such that, if the fire is located in one of the central zone areas Ci to C , only the fire distribution nozzle 122 for the appropriate zone 200a-e discharges the fire suppression fluid.
  • the controller 170 operates the system 100 such that only the fluid distribution nozzle 122 corresponding to zone 200a discharges the fire suppression fluid. If the fire is located in one of the boundary zone areas, only the fire distribution nozzle 122 for the zone corresponding to the boundary zone area and the fire distribution nozzle 122 for the zone adjacent to the boundary zone area discharge the fire suppression fluid. For example, if the fire is located in boundary zone area B2b but not boundary area B5b, the controller 170 operates the system such that only the fluid distribution nozzles 122 corresponding to zones 200b and 200c discharge the fire suppression fluid.
  • the fluid distribution nozzles 122 corresponding to zones 200b, 200c, and 200e can discharge fluid.
  • the fire suppression device 120 can be configured such that, at most, only the fire suppression nozzles 122 corresponding to two fire suppression zones 200 are used for a given fire, assuming the fire does not spread. For example, for a fire within border zone areas B2b and B5b, only the fire suppression nozzles 122 corresponding to zones 200b and 200c or zones 200b and 200e discharge the fire suppression fluid.
  • the configuration of the zone layout in Figure 2 is exemplary and that the zone layout, including the areas designated as central zone areas and/or boundary zone areas, can be different based on the configuration of the fire suppression device 120.
  • the fire suppression zones 200 have a rectangular shape and, more particularly, have a square shape.
  • the fire suppression zones can have different shapes depending on the shape of the room and the configuration and arrangement of the fluid distribution nozzles 122.
  • the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2 illustrates a fire suppression region 110 with five fire suppression zones 200. However, other embodiments can include more or less than five fire suppression zones 200.
  • the fluid distribution nozzles 122 and the fire locator devices 140 can be assembled in a single housing.
  • Figure 3A illustrates a top view of the fire suppression device 300 that can be mounted on wall 103 (or another wall or ceiling 105).
  • a fire suppression device 300 can represent a single assembly.
  • one or more of the components of fire suppression device 300 can be disposed separately.
  • the fire suppression device can preferably be similar in configuration to the fire suppression device 120 discussed above.
  • the fire suppression device 300 can contain one or more fluid distribution nozzles 122 and one or more fire locator devices 140 with each fire locator device 140 containing one or more array sensors 145.
  • the fire suppression device 300 can include one fire locator device 140 and three array sensors 145.
  • the controller 170 and/or the control valves 184 can be disposed in the fire suppression device 300.
  • the fire suppression system can include one or more fire suppression devices 300.
  • the installation of fire suppression 300 in the room 101 can be similar to that of fire suppression device 120 and thus, for brevity, a detailed discussion is omitted.
  • the fire suppression device 300 includes seven fluid distribution nozzles 122a-g and fire locator devices 140a-c.
  • the fluid distribution nozzles 122a-g are arranged in the fire suppression device 300 such that they can provide fire suppression fluid to the fire suppression zones 200a-e.
  • fluid distribution nozzle 122a can be configured to cover fire suppression zone 200e
  • fluid distribution nozzle 122b can be configured to cover fire suppression zone 200c
  • fluid distribution nozzle 122c can be configured to cover fire suppression zone 200b
  • fluid distribution nozzles 122d and f can be configured to cover fire suppression zone 200d
  • fluid distribution nozzles 122e and g can be configured to cover fire suppression zone 200a.
  • zones 200b, c, and e are covered using a one-to-one correspondence between the fluid distribution nozzle 122 (or orifice 125) and the corresponding fire suppression zone 200.
  • zones 200a and d two fluid distribution nozzles 122 are used for each fire suppression zone, for example, due to an acute angle that may be needed to wet wall 103 where the fire suppression device 300 is mounted.
  • all the fluid distribution nozzles 122a-g can be mounted on a panel having a plane that is parallel to the wall 103.
  • the mounting panel plane can be offset from the wall 103.
  • the mounting panel plane can be flush with the wall 103.
  • the outlet port of one or more fluid distribution nozzles 122 are not mounted on the same plane as the other fluid distribution nozzles 122.
  • the outlet ports of fluid distribution nozzles 122d-g can be offset from the mounting panel (or wall), for example, to facilitate wetting the wall 103, while the outlet ports of fluid distribution nozzles 122a-c are mounted flush on the mounting plane (or wall).
  • offset can include being recessed into the mounting plane (or wall) (depicted with a - sign) and/or extending outward from the mounting plane (or wall) (no sign).
  • the outlet ports of one or more of fluid distribution nozzles 122a-g can have an offset in a range of -1 in. to 4 in., more preferably -0.5 in. to 4 in., and even more preferably, 0 in. to 4 in.
  • the outlet ports of one or more of fluid distribution nozzles 122a-g can be offset from the wall and the offset can be in a range of -1 in. to 4 in., more preferably 2.5 in. to 3.0 in., and even more preferably 2.75 in.
  • the outlet ports of one or more of fluid distribution nozzles 122a-g can be offset from the wall and the offset can be in a range of -1 in. to 4 in., more preferably 1.5 in. to 2.5 in., and even more preferably 2 in.
  • FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment of a fire suppression device.
  • the fire suppression device 300' is similar to fire suppression device 300 but only includes five fluid distribution nozzles 122a-e.
  • each fluid distribution nozzle 122a-e has a one-to-one correspondence with fire suppression zones 200a-e.
  • fluid distribution nozzle 122a can be configured to cover fire suppression zone 200e
  • fluid distribution nozzle 122b can be configured to cover fire suppression zone 200c
  • fluid distribution nozzle 122c can be configured to cover fire suppression zone 200b
  • fluid distribution nozzles 122d can be configured to cover fire suppression zone 200d
  • fluid distribution nozzles 122e can be configured to cover fire suppression zone 200a.
  • the fire suppression zones 200a-e of fire suppression device 300' can be mounted on a panel having a plane that is parallel to the wall 103, and the mounting panel plane can be offset from the wall 103.
  • the fire suppression device 300' can have fluid distribution nozzles 122a-c that can be mounted flush on the mounting plane (or wall).
  • the outlet ports of one or more of fluid distribution nozzles 122a-g can have an offset in a range of -1 in. to 4 in., more preferably -0.5 in. to 4 in., and even more preferably, 0 in. to 4 in.
  • the outlet ports of one or more of fluid distribution nozzles 122a-g can be offset from the wall and the offset can be in a -1 in. to 4 in., more preferably 2.5 in. to 3.0 in., and even more preferably 2.75 in.
  • one or more fire suppression nozzles 122 in fire suppression device 300 and/or 300' produces a symmetrical fluid distribution spray pattern (e.g., a conical spray pattern).
  • one or more fire suppression nozzles 122 produces an asymmetrical fluid distribution spray pattern (e.g., a rectangular spray pattern, an elliptical spray pattern, or some other nonsymmetrical spray pattern).
  • the fluid distribution nozzles 122 can be mounted at complex angles in the fire suppression devices 300 and/or 300'.
  • "Complex angle" as used herein means a combination of a horizontal angle component, a vertical angle component, and a rotational angle component.
  • the "horizontal angle component” as defined herein is an angle between a centerline of the outlet port of the fluid distribution nozzle (or orifice) and a plane that is perpendicular to the floor of the protected area (or a plane parallel to the ground if the floor is not level) and perpendicular to the wall (or mounting panel as appropriate) that receives the fire suppression device when the fire suppression device is mounted.
  • Figures 3A, 3B illustrate horizontal angle components a for the fluid distribution nozzles 122 of fire suppression devices 300 and 300', respectively.
  • the horizontal angle components a is represented as positive (+) in the direction toward nozzles 122 b,d and as a negative (-) in the direction toward nozzles 122c, b.
  • each of the fluid distribution nozzles 122a-g of fire suppression device 300 and nozzles 122a-e for fire suppression device 300' can be in a range of -60 degrees to +60 degrees.
  • horizontal angle component al represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122a of the respective fire suppression device 300, 300' and plane 310, which is perpendicular to the floor 106 and perpendicular to the wall 103 on which the fire suppression device 300 is mounted.
  • the angle al can be preferably in a range of -5 degrees to + 5 degrees, more preferably in a range of -2 degrees to +2 degrees, and even more preferably 0 degrees for both fire suppression devices 300 and 300'.
  • Horizontal angle component a2 represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122b of the respective fire suppression device 300, 300' and plane 310.
  • the angle a2 can be preferably in a range of +10 degrees to + 25 degrees, more preferably in a range of +10 degrees to +20 degrees, and even more preferably +17 degrees for both fire suppression device 300 and 300'.
  • Horizontal angle component a3 represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122c of the respective fire suppression device 300, 300' and plane 310.
  • the angle a3 can be preferably in a range of -10 degrees to -25 degrees, more preferably in a range of -10 degrees to -20 degrees, and even more preferably -17 degrees for both fire suppression device 300 and 300'.
  • Horizontal angle component a4 represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122d of the respective fire suppression device 300,
  • the angle a4 can be preferably in a range of +45 degrees to +65 degrees, more preferably in a range of +50 degrees to +60 degrees, and even more preferably +55 degrees for fire suppression device 300, and preferably in a range of +25 degrees to +65 degrees, more preferably in a range of +30 degrees to +50 degrees, and even more preferably +45 degrees for fire suppression device 300'.
  • Horizontal angle component a5 represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122e of the respective fire suppression device 300, 300' and plane 310.
  • the angle a5 can be preferably in a range of -45 degrees to -65 degrees, more preferably in a range of -50 degrees to -60 degrees, and even more preferably -55 degrees for fire suppression device 300, and preferably in a range of -25 degrees to -65 degrees, more preferably in a range of -30 degrees to -50 degrees, and even more preferably -45 degrees for fire suppression device 300'.
  • horizontal angle component a6 represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122f of the fire suppression device 300 and plane 310.
  • the angle a6 can be preferably in a range of +20 degrees to +65 degrees, more preferably in a range of +25 degrees to +40 degrees, and even more preferably +33 degrees.
  • Horizontal angle component a7 represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122g of the fire suppression device 300 and plane 310.
  • the angle a7 can be preferably in a range of -20 degrees to -65 degrees, more preferably in a range of - 25 degrees to -40 degrees, and even more preferably -33 degrees.
  • the "vertical angle component” as defined herein is an angle between a centerline of the outlet port of the fluid distribution nozzle (or orifice) and a plane that is parallel to the floor of the protected area (or a plane parallel to the ground if the floor is not level) when the fire suppression device is mounted.
  • the positive (+) direction of the vertical angle component is in the downward direction.
  • the vertical angle component of each of the fluid distribution nozzles 122 of the respective fire suppression device 300, 300' can be in a range of 0 degrees to +60 degrees.
  • vertical angle component b ⁇ represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122a of the respective fire suppression device 300, 300' and plane 320, which is a plane parallel to floor 106.
  • the angle b ⁇ can be preferably in a range of +20 degrees to +40 degrees, more preferably in a range of +25 degrees to +35 degrees, and even more preferably +30 degrees for both fire suppression devices 300 and 300'.
  • vertical angle component b2 represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122b of the respective fire suppression device 300, 300' and plane 320.
  • the angle b2 can be preferably in a range of 0 degrees to +20 degrees, more preferably in a range of +5 degrees to +15 degrees, and even more preferably +9 degrees for both fire suppression devices 300 and 300'.
  • Vertical angle component b3 represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122c of the respective fire suppression device 300, 300' and plane 320.
  • the angle b3 can be preferably in a range of 0 degrees to +20 degrees, more preferably in a range of +5 degrees to +15 degrees, and even more preferably +9 degrees for both fire suppression devices 300 and 300'.
  • vertical angle component b4 represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122d of the respective fire suppression device 300, 300' and plane 320.
  • the angle b4 can be preferably in a range of +10 degrees to +35 degrees, more preferably in a range of +15 degrees to +30 degrees, and even more preferably +23 degrees for fire suppression device 300, and preferably in a range of +10 degrees to +65 degrees, more preferably in a range of +20 degrees to +55 degrees, and even more preferably +20 degrees for fire suppression device 300'.
  • Vertical angle component b5 represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122e of the respective fire suppression device 300, 300' and plane 320.
  • the angle b5 can be preferably in a range of +10 degrees to +35 degrees, more preferably in a range of +15 degrees to +30 degrees, and even more preferably +23 degrees for fire suppression device 300, and preferably in a range of +10 degrees to +65 degrees, more preferably in a range of +20 degrees to +55 degrees, and even more preferably +20 degrees for fire suppression device 300'.
  • vertical angle component b6 represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122f (see dotted outline indicating that nozzle 122f is only part of fire suppression device 300) and plane 320.
  • the angle b6 can be preferably in a range of +40 degrees to +65 degrees, more preferably in a range of +45 degrees to +60 degrees, and even more preferably +52 degrees.
  • Vertical angle component b7 represents the angle between the centerline of the output port of fluid distribution nozzle 122g (see dotted outline indicating that nozzle 122f is only part of fire suppression device 300) and plane 320.
  • the angle b7 can be preferably in a range of +40 degrees to +65 degrees, more preferably in a range of +45 degrees to +60 degrees, and even more preferably +52 degrees.
  • Figure 3F illustrates a front view of a fluid distribution nozzle 122 and the rotational angle.
  • the "rotation angle component" as defined herein is an angle between a plane extends in the width direction of the outlet port of the fluid distribution nozzle and includes the centerline of the fluid distribution nozzle (or orifice) and a plane that is parallel to the floor of the protected area (or a plane parallel to the ground if the floor is not level).
  • the plane 320 is a plane parallel to floor 106 and the plane 330 extends in the width direction of the outlet port of the fluid distribution nozzle 122 (or orifice 125) and includes the centerline CL of the fluid distribution nozzle 122 (or orifice 125).
  • the positive (+) direction for the rotation angle Q is a rotation in the clockwise direction when looking at the front of the fluid distribution nozzle 122.
  • the rotational angle component of each of the fluid distribution nozzles 122 can be in a range of -25 degrees to +25 degrees.
  • the rotation angle Q for each of fluid distribution nozzles 122a-c can be in a range of +10 degrees to -10 degrees, more preferably in a range of +5 degrees to - 5 degrees, and even more preferably 0 degrees for both fire suppression devices 300 and 300'.
  • the rotation angle Q for each of fluid distribution nozzles 122d,f for fire suppression device 300 can be in a range of -30 degrees to -10 degrees, more preferably in a range of -25 degrees to -15 degrees, and even more preferably -23 degrees.
  • the rotation angle Q for fluid distribution nozzle 122d for fire suppression device 300' can be in a range of -25 degrees to - 5 degrees, more preferably in a range of -20 degrees to -10 degrees, and even more preferably -16 degrees.
  • the rotation angle Q for each of fluid distribution nozzles 122e,g for fire suppression device 300 can be in a range of +10 degrees to +30 degrees, more preferably in a range of +15 degrees to +25 degrees, and even more preferably +23 degrees.
  • the rotation angle Q for fluid distribution nozzles 122e for fire suppression device 300' can be in a range of +5 degrees to +25 degrees, more preferably in a range of +10 degrees to +20 degrees, and even more preferably +16 degrees.
  • the fluid distribution nozzles 122 in the fire suppression device 300, 300' are disposed such that fluid distribution nozzles 122 include at least two fluid distribution nozzles 122 in which the respective vertical angle components, horizontal angle components, and rotation angle components of the at least two fluid distribution nozzles are different from each other. That is, none of the angle components of a first fluid distribution nozzle 122 matches the angle components of a second fluid distribution nozzle 122 in the fire suppression device 300, 300'.
  • the fire suppression device 300, 300' is configured such that a set of complex angle values can be used for the fluid distribution nozzles 122 in the fire suppression device 300, 300' to cover a range of fire suppression region areas.
  • the same set of complex angle values corresponding to the arrangement of, for example, fluid distribution nozzles 122a-g for fire suppression device 300 and fluid distribution nozzles 122a-e for fire suppression device 300' can be used to protect fire suppression regions 110 having coverage areas up to 20 ft. wide and up to 20 ft. long, more preferably coverage areas having a width in a range of 12 ft. to 20 ft. and a length in a range of 12 ft. to 20 ft., and even more preferably coverage areas having a width in a range of 12 ft. to 16 ft. and a length in a range of 12 ft. to 16 ft.
  • the inlet pressure to the fluid distribution nozzles 122 is varied as the coverage area of the fire suppression region 110 is changed.
  • each fluid distribution nozzle 122 is configured to provide the fire suppression fluid with a discharge spray pattern that corresponds to the size and shape of the respective fire suppression zone 200.
  • the fluid distribution nozzle 122 can be configured with a suitable deflector (not shown) that directs and/or alters the path and/or pattern of the spray of the discharged fire suppression fluid to a desired direction and/or shape.
  • the fluid distribution nozzles 122 can be custom adapted to discharge the fire suppression fluid in the desired direction and/or with the desired pattern.
  • the fluid distribution nozzle 122 can be a nozzle, a sprinkler, or some other device that discharges a fire suppression fluid.
  • the fire suppression fluid can be discharged from the fluid distribution nozzle 122 in an oscillating spray pattern.
  • the oscillating patter can be achieved by mechanical means in the fluid distribution nozzle 122.
  • the fluid distribution nozzle 122 is a fluidic oscillator that produces an oscillating discharge spray pattern without requiring any moving parts.
  • the fluid distribution nozzle(s) 122 corresponding to a fire suppression zone 200 is arranged and/or oriented such that any square foot of the surface of floor 106 in the fire suppression zone 200 is provided with a spray density of 0.005 gpm/ft 2 or higher of fire suppression fluid to extinguish the fire.
  • the spray density of the fire suppression fluid hitting the surface of the floor 106 of the relevant fire suppression zone 200 is 0.02 gpm/ft 2 or higher.
  • the inlet pressure to the fluid distribution nozzles 122 is 40 psi or less and, more preferably, 30 psi or less.
  • the inlet pressure can be in a range of 10 psi to 30 psi, and preferably 15 psi.
  • the flowrate of the fire suppression fluid through the fluid distribution nozzle 122 is in a range of 1 gpm to 5 gpm, more preferably in a range of 2 gpm to 4 gpm, and even more preferably 2 gpm.
  • the fire suppression device 120, 300, 300' is configured to provide an average spray density of the fire suppression fluid impinging on the floor of the appropriate fire suppression zone(s) that is 0.1 gpm/ft 2 or less, more preferably 0.04 gpm/ft 2 or less, still more preferably 0.
  • the fire suppression system 100 is configured to meet the zone validation test (discussed below) with an average spray density as low as 0.01 gpm/ft 2 , and more preferably as low as 0.005 gpm/ft 2 .
  • zone validation test discussed below
  • exemplary embodiments of the fire suppression system 100 can provide reliable and efficient fire suppression while using an amount of fire suppression fluid that does not exceed and is even less than the amount indicated in "UL 1626, STANDARD FOR SAFETY, Residential Sprinklers for Fire-Protection Service," Fourth Edition, Dated March 14, 2008, including revisions through November 9, 2018 ("UL 1626 Standard").
  • one or more fluid distribution nozzles 122 can discharge the fire suppression fluid so as to keep toxic gases below predetermined levels.
  • the fire suppression device 120 preferably keeps the toxic gases generated by the fire to within the predetermined upper limits as follows: at least one of CO emission less than 41 ppm, NO emission less than 44 ppm, NOx emission less than 44 ppm, NO2 emission less than 2 ppm, or CO2 emission less than 1%.
  • the upper limit for at least one of CO, NO, Nox, NO2, or CO2 measured during a zone validation test can be as follows: CO emission less than 10 ppm, NO emission less than 5 ppm, Nox emission less than 5 ppm, NO2 emission less than 1 ppm, or CO2 emission less than 0.5%.
  • the fire suppression device 300,300' can include one or more fire locator devices 140.
  • fire locator device 140 disposed in the fire suppression device 300, 300' and includes three array sensors 145a-c.
  • the fire locator device 140 is disposed below the fluid distribution nozzles 122 and even more preferably, the fire locator device 140 is disposed below and in line with the fluid distribution nozzles 122.
  • the fire locator device 140 can be disposed 1 in. to 6 in. below the fluid distribution nozzles 122.
  • a front of one or more sensors 145a-c of the fire locator device 140 is recessed in comparison to a front of the plurality of fluid distribution nozzles 122.
  • an outer edge of the one or more sensors 145a-c of fire locator device 140 is recessed in comparison to an outer edge (discharge edge) of the plurality of nozzles 122 (or orifices 125) with respect to a front side of each of the one or more sensors 145a-c.
  • the fire locator device 140 can be disposed above or alongside the fluid distribution nozzles 122.
  • the array sensors 145a-c are arranged to provide a field of view that is in a range of 30 degrees to 180 degrees in the horizontal direction and/or vertical directions.
  • the array sensors 145a-c each have a 60-degree field of view in the horizontal direction and/or vertical direction.
  • the fire locator device 140 can have a 180-degree field of view in both axes, which can allow for the monitoring of the entire room (e.g., if mounted on the ceiling).
  • the fire locator device 140 oriented such that that the fire locator device 140 has a field of view that covers 50% or more of the fire suppression region 110, more preferably 75% or more of the fire suppression region 110, and even more preferably 90% or more of the fire suppression region 110.
  • the fire locator device 140 has a field of view that covers 100% of the fire suppression region 110.
  • the array sensors 145a-c provide a 180- degree horizontal field of view of the fire suppression region 110.
  • array sensor 145 can have a horizontal field of view HA that is the range of 30 degrees to 180 degrees, and more preferably 60 degrees.
  • the array sensor 145 can have a vertical field of view VA that is the range of 30 degrees to 180 degrees, and more preferably 60 degrees.
  • the array sensors 145 can have a substantially rectangular field of view defined by the vertical angle VA and the horizontal angle HA.
  • the field of view can have shapes other than a rectangular shape, such as, for example, circular, oval, or some other shape.
  • each array sensor 145a-c is preferably configured to monitor a predetermined area of the fire suppression region 110, and preferably, the combined field of views of the array sensor 145a-c monitor a 100% of the fire suppression region 110.
  • each array sensor 145 can include a sensor array 148 having a plurality of pixels arranged in a n x m grid. The number of pixels determines the resolution for locating the fire. In exemplary embodiments, as seen in Figure 4B, the sensor array 148 can have 64 pixels in an 8 x 8 grid.
  • the controller 170 (or another controller) can be configured to correlate each pixel of the grid of sensor array 148 to a specific location in fire suppression region 110.
  • the resolution of the sensor array 148 (e.g., the number of pixels) is high enough to locate a fire to a specific fire suppression zone 200 (e.g., fire suppression zone 200a-e) and more preferably, to within a central zone area and/or a border zone area of the respective fire suppression zone 200.
  • the array sensor 145 is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, and more preferably to at least one of infrared light, visible light and ultraviolet light.
  • infrared light is understood to comprise electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength range between 700 nm and 1 mm
  • visible light is understood as the wavelength range between 500 and 700 nm
  • ultraviolet light is understood as electromagnetic radiation falling within a wavelength range between 10 and 400 nm.
  • the sensor array 148 is an infrared sensor array such as, for example, a thermopile array.
  • the array sensor 145 is configured to generate for each pixel of the sensor array 148 a signal representative for a temperature for the portion of the fire suppression region 110 corresponding to the pixel.
  • the controller 170 is configured to receive the representative temperature signals from the array sensor 145, for example, via communications line 174. In some embodiments, the controller 170 is configured to compare the received signals to one or more threshold values to determine if a fire is present and/or determine the area where a fire may be located.
  • the fire locator device 140 may only determine the location of the hottest area in the fire suppression region 110 without necessarily determining if the hottest area meets a threshold value for a fire.
  • the controller 170 takes into account known hot areas such as, for example, heat source 115 so that heat source 115 is not falsely identified as the potential location of the fire.
  • the fire locator device 140 can also be used to determine if a fire exists in the fire suppression region 110.
  • the controller 170 is preferably configured to discharge the fire suppression fluid only if both the fire detection device 160 and the fire locator device 140 indicate that a fire exists in the fire suppression region 110. By not setting off the fire suppression system 100 until both the fire detection device 160 and the fire locator device 140 indicate a fire exists, the chances of false trips by the fire suppression system 100 is minimized. However, in some embodiments, the controller 170 can discharge the fire suppression fluid if either the fire locator device 140 or the fire detection device 160 indicates a fire exists in fire suppression region 110.
  • the controller 170 can compare the representative temperature signals to at least two threshold values when determining whether a fire is present and/or the area where the fire may be located.
  • a first threshold value can be used for pixel readings that are not associated with a known hot area, and a second threshold value that is, for example, higher than the first threshold value can be used for pixels that are associated with a known non-fire related hot area such as, for example, the heat source 115. If the pixel readings are equal to or higher than the respective threshold values, the controller 170 can determine that a fire is present and/or the area where the fire may be located.
  • threshold values for one or more pixels in the sensor array 148 can be set to a value that is above any possible temperature reading to "blind" these pixels and prevent them from activating the fire suppression system 100.
  • a controller can have just one threshold value or more than two threshold values depending on the contents of the room.
  • FIGS 5A and 5B illustrate an embodiment of a test setup 500 for performing a zone validation test.
  • the zone validation test method can be used to certify that a fire suppression device can detect, locate, and/or extinguish a fire within a zone or zones of a testing enclosure 501.
  • the zone validation test method can have certification criteria that includes verifying that the fluid distribution pattem(s) of the appropriate fluid distribution nozzle(s) is sufficient to protect the corresponding zone(s). For example, the fluid distribution pattern(s) can be verified as being sufficient to protect the corresponding zones(s) if the fire suppression fluid is discharged from the appropriate fluid distribution nozzle or nozzles of the fire suppression device.
  • the zone validation test method can further include a requirement that the fire suppression device being certified extinguish a fire on a flammable material within a predetermined time period such as, for example, within 10 minutes of the fire being initiated, and/or having a spray density that is above a predetermined minimum value such as, for example, 0.003 gpm/ft 2 or greater.
  • Any multi-zone fire suppression device including fire suppression devices 120, 300, 300', can be used as the device being tested ("test fire suppression device") in a testing enclosure having a test protected area.
  • the test fire suppression device to be certified can include the plurality of fire suppression nozzles and/or the fluid distribution orifices for discharging fire suppression fluid onto a plurality of corresponding fire suppression zones discussed above.
  • the test fire suppression device can also include the one or more sensors and/or the array sensor that monitor the plurality of fire suppression zones are arranged in a test fire suppression device as discussed above.
  • the zone validation test will be discussed in relation to fire suppression device 300, 300', but the zone validation test can be applicable to any multi-zone fire suppression device.
  • the testing enclosure 501 can include a test protected area such as, for example, fire suppression region 550 that is monitored and/or protected by the fire suppression device 300, 300'.
  • the fire suppression region 550 is similar to the fire suppression region 110 discussed above.
  • the fire suppression region 550 is preferably protected by one or more fluid distribution nozzles 122 of a fire suppression device 300, 300' that is mounted or installed on wall 103 of the testing enclosure 501.
  • the fire suppression device can be mounted on another wall or ceiling 105.
  • the dimensions of the testing enclosure 501 are based at least in part on the number of fire suppression devices 300, 300' being tested and/or the coverage area of the fire suppression device 300, 300'.
  • a width W of the enclosure can correspond to a coverage area of the fire suppression device 300, 300' in a width-wise direction with respect to the testing enclosure 501 and the length L of the testing enclosure
  • 501 can correspond to a multiple of a coverage area of the fire suppression device 300, 300' in a length-wise direction with respect to the testing enclosure plus a predetermined length.
  • the length L can be, for example, 1.5 times the coverage area of the fire suppression device
  • the testing enclosure can have a width W of 14 ft. and a length L of 30 ft. (1.5 *14 ft. + 9).
  • the height of the testing enclosure can correspond to a typical residential ceiling height and can be in a range of 7 ft. to 9 ft. such as, for example, 8 ft.
  • the dimensions of the testing enclosure are fixed regardless of the configuration of the fire suppression device 300, 300' to be certified.
  • the testing enclosure can preferably be fixed to 14 ⁇ 1 ft. wide, 30 ⁇ 1 ft. long, and 8 ⁇ 1 ft. high.
  • the fire suppression region 550 can be a coverage area that is up to 20 ft. wide and up to 20 ft.
  • the fire suppression region 550 can be a coverage area that is 14 ft. wide x 14 ft. long.
  • the fire suppression region 550 used in some zone validation tests can include at least a portion of the floor 106 and at least a portion of one or more walls 103, 104. 107, and/or 108.
  • the zone validation test method can include a requirement that the fire suppression device 300, 300' wet of one or more walls in a range of up to 10 in. to up to 68 in. as measured from the floor 106 and more preferably in a range of up to 42 in. ⁇ 2 in. from the floor 106.
  • fire suppression devices 300, 300' that are certified under this requirement ensure that areas of the wall surface which are prone to significant heat impact due to, for instance, a fire are adequately wetted in order to assist the fire suppression process.
  • the zone validation test can be used to determine whether the fire suppression device 300, 300', which is configured for multi-zone operation, can protect the fire suppression region 550.
  • the multi-zone fire suppression device 300, 300' can subdivide the fire suppression region 550 into multiple test fire suppression zones preferably corresponding to the fire suppression zones discussed above (thus, for clarity, test fire suppression zones will be referred to as fire suppression zones).
  • the zone layout of the fire suppression region 550 can be similar to that show in Figure 2 and thus, for brevity, will not be repeated.
  • the zone validation test method is applicable to certifying fire suppression devices in which the number of fluid distribution nozzles 122 in the fire suppression device match the number of fire suppression zones such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between a fluid distribution nozzle 122 and a fire suppression zone (similar to the configuration of fire suppression device 300' discussed above).
  • the zone validation test method can also be applicable to validating fire suppression devices in which the fire suppression fluid from more than one fire suppression nozzle 122 discharge onto the same fire suppression zone (similar to fire suppression device 300 discussed above) and/or the fire suppression fluid from a fire suppression nozzle 122 discharges onto more than one fire suppression zone.
  • the fire suppression device 300, 300' can be preferably disposed on a side edge of the fire suppression region 550 between, for example, zones 200a and 200d (see Figure 2).
  • the fire suppression device can also be disposed on other the walls or on the ceiling 105 as appropriate based on the configuration of the fire suppression device.
  • the fire suppression device 300, 300' is disposed above the floor 106 of the testing enclosure 501 at a height appropriate for the fire suppression device 300, 300' being certified (see Figure 1A).
  • the fire suppression device 300, 300' can be disposed at a height that is in a range of 7 ft. to 8 ft. and, more preferably, in a range of 7 ft.-8 in.
  • the zone verification test setup 500 preferably includes a fluid supply similar to that of fluid supply 180 of Figure 1A that can be, for example, water from a public water supply, a water or fire suppression agent from a storage tank or reservoir, or some other source of fire suppression fluid.
  • the fire suppression fluid from the fluid supply can be connected to the inlet port of one or more control valves (e.g., similar to control valves 184a-n of Figure 1A) that can be connected to the inlet of one or more fluid distribution nozzles 122.
  • each control valve can supply fire suppression fluid to a respective fluid distribution nozzle 122 such that there is a one-to-one relationship.
  • a control valve can supply one or more fluid distribution nozzles 122.
  • fluid distribution nozzles 122d,f can be supplied from a single control valve and/or fluid distribution nozzles 122e,g can be supplied from a single control valve.
  • each control valve can supply fire suppression fluid to a respective fire suppression zone 200 such that there is a one-to-one relationship.
  • the zone validation test method can preferably validate fire suppression devices that include one or more fire locator devices and/or fire detection devices installed in the testing enclosure 501 to detect and/or locate a fire in a zone of the protected area of the testing enclosure 501.
  • the fire suppression device 300, 300' can include a fire locator device 140, as discussed above, to locate the location of the fire to a zone(s) of the fire suppression region 550.
  • the fire locator device 140 can be installed, for example, under the fluid distribution nozzles 122, as discussed above. However, depending on the configuration of the fire suppression device being tested, the fire locator device can be installed, for example, on the ceiling 105, on one of the side walls (not shown), and/or another appropriate location.
  • the fire suppression device 300, 300' can also include a fire detection device 530, which can be similar to fire detection device 160 discussed above. Accordingly, fire detection device 530 can detect and/or confirm that a fire exists in the fire suppression region 550.
  • the fire detector device 530 corresponds to the fire locator device 140 and performs the function of locating the fire to a zone(s) of the fire suppression region 550.
  • the fire detection device 530 can be installed, for example, on the ceiling 105, on one of the side walls (not shown), and/or another appropriate location.
  • the fire locator device 140 and/or the fire detection device 530 can communicate with the controller (e.g., controller 170) that, based on the received signals, determines whether a fire is present in the testing enclosure 501 and, if so, determines the location of the fire to a zone(s) in fire suppression region 550.
  • the zone validation test verifies that the location of the fire is correctly determined and that the fire suppression fluid is discharged from the proper fluid distribution nozzles.
  • the zone validation test verifies that, when a fire is detected and located in a fire suppression zone, fire suppression fluid is preferably selectively discharged from the corresponding fire distribution nozzle 122.
  • the zone validation test verifies that the controller is configured to operate the fire suppression system such that only the fluid distribution nozzle(s) 122 corresponding to the fire suppression zone(s) 200 that contains the fire discharges the fire suppression fluid. If the fire is located in one of the central zone areas Ci to C5, only the fire distribution nozzle 122 for the appropriate zone 200a-e discharges the fire suppression fluid. For example, if the fire is located in central zone area Ci, the controller operates the system such that only the fluid distribution nozzle 122 corresponding to zone 200a discharges the fire suppression fluid. If the fire is located in one of the boundary zone areas, only the fire distribution nozzle 122 for the zone corresponding to the boundary zone area and the fire distribution nozzle 122 for the zone adjacent to the boundary zone area discharge the fire suppression fluid.
  • the controller operates the system such that only the fluid distribution nozzles 122 corresponding to zones 200b and 200c discharge the fire suppression fluid.
  • the configuration of the zones including the areas designated as central zone areas and/or boundary zone areas, will depend on the configuration of the fire suppression device.
  • the method verifies that, for a fire located in a border zone area, only the fluid distribution nozzle(s) (or orifices(s)) corresponding to the zone where the fire is located and the fluid distribution nozzle(s) (or orifice(s)) corresponding to a fire suppression zone(s) adjacent to the boundary zone area discharge fire suppression fluid.
  • the fire suppression device 120, 300, 300' is configured to be in compliance with the zone validation test for at least one fire suppression zone, and preferably for each fire suppression zone in the fire suppression region 550.
  • the flammable material used in the test can be located in the central zone area and/or the boundary zone area of a test fire suppression zone (e.g., located in any of central zone areas Ci to Cs and/or any of the boundary zone areas) in order to validate the fire suppression device 300, 300'.
  • the zone validation test method verifies that the fire suppression fluid is being discharged from the proper fire distribution nozzle or nozzles 122 corresponding to the test fire suppression zone.
  • the exemplary test setup with respect to the exemplary locations and/or dimensions of the fire suppression device 300, 300' and the flammable material will be discussed with a testing enclosure 501 having an area that is 14 ⁇ 1 ft.
  • the fluid suppression device 300, 300' to be certified can be mounted on a front wall 103 of the testing enclosure 501 (or on the ceiling 105 depending on the type of fire suppression device 300, 300').
  • the fire suppression device 300, 300' can be directly or indirectly mounted on the wall 103 and/or ceiling 105.
  • the fire suppression device 300, 300' can be mounted on the front wall approximately a distance dl that is, for example, 7 ⁇ 1 ft. from a comer of the front wall 103 and a first side wall 107 (e.g., 23 ⁇ 1ft. from a comer of the front wall 103 and a second side wall 108 opposite the first side wall) and at a height that is appropriate for the fire suppression device 300, 300', as discussed above.
  • the fire suppression device 300, 300' includes a fire detection device 530
  • the fire detection device 530 can be disposed on the wall and/or the ceiling 105 of the testing enclosure 501 at a height that is appropriate for the fire detection device 530.
  • the fire detection device 530 can be mounted on the ceiling 105 (e.g., at a height of approximately 8 ft.).
  • the fire detection device 530 can be mounted in front of and in-line with the fire suppression device 300, 300' at a distance in a range of 1 ft. or more and more preferably in a range of 1 ft. to 10 ft.
  • the distance between the fire detection device and the fire suppression device 300, 300' can be 1.7 ft.
  • the first side wall 107 can preferably have an entrance opening Oi that is, for example, 2 ft.-l 1 in. ⁇ 5 in. W and 84 in. ⁇ 5 in. H
  • the second side wall 108 can preferably have an entrance opening C that is, for example, 3 ft.-5 in. ⁇ 5 in. W and 84 in. ⁇ 5 in. H.
  • the zone validation test method can include extinguishing a fire on flammable material 510, which is disposed in the testing enclosure 501 at a predetermined location.
  • the fire suppression device to be certified is a multi-zone device such as, for example, fire suppression device 300, 300'
  • the flammable material 510 can be located in any fire suppression zone 200a-e.
  • the zone validation test method can include placing the flammable material 510 in the central zone area Ci to C and/or in the boundary zone area.
  • the flammable material 510 is placed in-line with the fire suppression device 300, 300' against the back wall 104 of the testing enclosure 501 in a boundary zone area B2b and/or B3a of zones 200b and 200c, respectively.
  • the zone validation test method setup can be used for certifying fire suppression devices with the flammable material located in another zone or other zones, whether in the central zone area or in the boundary zone area of the zone(s).
  • the dimensions of the flammable material 510 can be a width s3 that is, for example, 2 ft. -9 in. ⁇ 5 in.
  • the flammable material 510 can be made of one piece or multiple pieces. For example, as seen in Figure 5A, the flammable material 510 can be made of three pieces. The flammable material 510 can be disposed against the back in a lengthwise direction such that the centerline of the flammable material 510 in the width direction is at a distance dl that is, for example, 7 ft. ⁇ 1 ft. from the first side wall 107 (e.g., 23 ft. ⁇ 1 ft. from the second side wall 108).
  • the flammable material 510 can be disposed in the testing enclosure 501 such that one end of the flammable material 510 in the lengthwise direction is up against the back wall 104 and the other end of the flammable material 510 extends a length s2 that is, for example,
  • the flammable material 510 can be placed on a cement board 510 having a thickness tl that is, for example, 0.5 in. ⁇ 0.25 in.
  • An ignition block 520 can be placed on top of the flammable material 510.
  • the ignition block 520 can be placed approximately a distance dl that is, for example, 7 ft. ⁇ 1 ft. from the first side wall 103 (e.g., 23 ft. ⁇ 1 ft. from the second side wall) and a length si that is, for example, 3 ft.-6 in. ⁇ 0.5 in. into the testing enclosure 501 from the back wall 104.
  • the flammable material 510 can be composed of, for example, three pieces of polypropylene foam meeting the UL 1626 Standard.
  • the UL 1626 Standard polypropylene foam can have a density in a range of 27.2 to 30 kg/m 3 .
  • the flammable material 510 can have a thickness t2 that is, for example, 3 ⁇ 0.5 in. and can include a cover made of 100% cotton as certified according to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX. The cover has a density in a range of 156.4 g/m 2 to 159.7 g/m 2 .
  • the ignition block 520 can be made of fiberboard that is 60 ⁇ 1 mm x 60 ⁇ 1 mm x 75 ⁇ 1 mm.
  • the ignition block 520 can be formed by placing the fiberboard in a plastic container (e.g., a plastic bag) with 120 ⁇ 1 ml of heptane and the container can be sealed.
  • the ignition block 520 can be ignited to start a fire on the flammable material 510.
  • the fire locator device 140 and/or the fire detection device 530 detects the fire and send a signal to the controller of fire suppression device 300, 300'.
  • the controller can identify the location of the fire based on the signal from fire locator device 140 and/or the fire detection device 530 and can determine which fluid distribution nozzle(s) relates to the fire suppression zone (or zones) corresponding to the location of the fire.
  • the controller then opens the control valve(s) based on the signal from the fire locator device 140 and/or the fire detection device 530 to supply fire suppression fluid to the fluid distribution nozzle(s) 122.
  • the controller will determine that the location of the fire is within the boundary zone area B2b and/or B3a of zones 200b and 200c, respectively, and will only discharge fire suppression fluid through fluid distribution nozzles 122 that correspond to zones 200b and 200c.
  • the fire suppression device 300, 300' can be certified. That is, for certification, the zone validation test method includes verification that the fire suppression fluid is being discharged through the correct fluid distribution nozzle or nozzles 122 corresponding to the zone or zones in which the flammable material 510 is located.
  • the zone validation test method can also have certification criteria that includes measuring a response time to extinguish the fire and determining that the fire suppression device is certified based on the fire being extinguished within a predetermined time period that is, preferably within 10 minutes after the fire is initiated, and more preferably within 6 minutes after the fire is initiated.
  • the zone validation test method can preferably require that a flowrate of the fire suppression fluid during the test be set such that the average spray density of the fire suppression fluid impinging on the floor of the appropriate fire suppression zone(s) is 0.1 gpm/ft 2 or less, more preferably 0.04 gpm/ft 2 or less, still more preferably 0.
  • the zone validation test method can preferably require that a flowrate of the fire suppression fluid during the test be set such that the average spray density impinging on the floor of the appropriate fire suppression zone(s) is above a predetermined minimum value such as, for example, 0.003 gpm/ft 2 or greater.
  • the zone validation test method can preferably verify that the emission level for certain toxic gases remain below predetermined upper limits.
  • the predetermined upper limits can be based on the highest level measured during a corresponding test of a passive fire suppression system and/or based on levels that are reasonably safe for humans.
  • the zone validation test method can include upper limits for toxic gases released during the zone validation test as criteria for certifying a fire suppression device such as, for example, requiring that the emissions for at least one of CO, NO, Nox, NO2, or CO2 be as follows: CO emission less than 41 ppm, NO emission less than 44 ppm, Nox emission less than 44 ppm, NO2 emission less than 2 ppm, and CO2 emission less than 1%.
  • the zone validation test can include a stricter emission test in which the upper limit for at least one of CO, NO, Nox, NO2, or CO2 measured during a zone validation test can be as follows: CO emission less than 10 ppm, NO emission less than 5 ppm, Nox emission less than 5 ppm,
  • the zone validation test method can have temperature criteria similar to the UL 1626 Standard.
  • the zone validation test method can include criteria that the maximum temperature 76 mm (3 inches) below the ceiling at either location shall not exceed 316 °C (600 °F), the maximum temperature 1.6 m (5 1 ⁇ 4 feet) above the floor shall not exceed 93 °C (200°F), the maximum temperature 1.6 m (5 1 ⁇ 4 feet) above the floor shall not exceed 54 °C (130°F) for more than any continuous 2 minute period, and/or the maximum ceiling material temperature 6.4 mm (1 ⁇ 4 inches) behind the finished ceiling surface shall not exceed 260 °C (500 °F).
  • Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method 600 for suppressing a fire located in a room using the fire suppression system 100, as described above.
  • the method 600 can be performed by processing logic that can include hardware (e.g., processing device, circuitry, dedicated logic, programmable logic, microcode, hardware of a device, integrated circuit, etc.), software (e.g., instructions ran or executed on a processing device), or a combination thereof.
  • the method 600 is performed by the processing device 176 of controller 170 and/or another processer or processors that are external and/or internal to fire suppression system 100. Although shown in a particular sequence or order, unless otherwise specified, the order of the processes can be modified.
  • the method includes disposing a fluid outlet zone having a plurality of orifices for discharging fire suppression fluid at a first distance from a floor of a protected area.
  • the method also includes disposing a sensor zone having one or more sensors that monitor a plurality of fire suppression zones corresponding to the plurality of orifices at a second distance from the floor, wherein a ratio of the first distance to the second distance is greater than one.
  • the system includes one or more fire locator devices configured to detect a fire in one or more corresponding fire suppression zones of the protected area, a more precise determination of a location of the fire can be achieved. Because the system selectively operates the fluid distribution nozzles, only the fire suppression zone (or zones) that has been identified as having a fire is provided with fire suppression fluid. Thus, additional damage to the room due to the fire suppression fluid can be minimized when compared to sprinkler systems that spray the entire protected area.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Fire Alarms (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système d'extinction d'incendie d'une zone protégée comprenant une zone de sortie de fluide comportant une pluralité d'orifices de décharge de fluide d'extinction d'incendie sur une pluralité de zones d'extinction d'incendie correspondantes. Le système comprend également une zone de capteurs comportant un ou plusieurs capteurs qui surveillent la pluralité de zones d'extinction d'incendie. La zone de sortie de fluide est disposée à une première distance d'un plancher de la zone protégée et la zone de capteurs est disposée à une seconde distance d'un plancher de la zone protégée. Un rapport de la première distance à la seconde distance est supérieur à un.
PCT/US2021/014172 2020-01-24 2021-01-20 Système et procédé d'extinction d'incendie d'une zone fermée WO2021150600A1 (fr)

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4292673A1 (fr) * 2022-06-14 2023-12-20 The Boeing Company Système et procédé d'extinction d'incendie

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GB2498947A (en) * 2012-01-31 2013-08-07 Plumis Ltd Wall-mountable fire sprinkler
US20150136428A1 (en) * 2009-01-02 2015-05-21 Tyco Fire Products Lp Mist type fire protection devices, systems and methods
WO2018011041A1 (fr) 2016-07-11 2018-01-18 Minimax Gmbh & Co. Kg Dispositif d'extinction d'incendie destiné à une installation dans une pièce et à lutter contre les incendies dans plusieurs secteurs de la pièce, ainsi qu'installation d'extinction d'incendie dotée dudit dispositif

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150136428A1 (en) * 2009-01-02 2015-05-21 Tyco Fire Products Lp Mist type fire protection devices, systems and methods
GB2498947A (en) * 2012-01-31 2013-08-07 Plumis Ltd Wall-mountable fire sprinkler
WO2018011041A1 (fr) 2016-07-11 2018-01-18 Minimax Gmbh & Co. Kg Dispositif d'extinction d'incendie destiné à une installation dans une pièce et à lutter contre les incendies dans plusieurs secteurs de la pièce, ainsi qu'installation d'extinction d'incendie dotée dudit dispositif

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Title
"UL 1626, STANDARD FOR SAFETY, Residential Sprinklers for Fire-Protection Service", 14 March 2008

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4292673A1 (fr) * 2022-06-14 2023-12-20 The Boeing Company Système et procédé d'extinction d'incendie

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