WO2021150606A1

WO2021150606A1 - Zone validation test method for a fire suppression device

Info

Publication number: WO2021150606A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/014179
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Scott GREEN; Robert Reinermann; Claas Baier; Joachim BÖKE
Original assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development Gmbh; Vds Schadenverhuetung Gmbh,
Priority date: 2020-01-24
Filing date: 2021-01-20
Publication date: 2021-07-29

Abstract

A zone validation test method includes disposing a fire suppression device to be certified in a testing enclosure to monitor a plurality of fire suppression zones. The fire suppression device can include a plurality of fluid distribution nozzles disposed in a first location of the testing enclosure. The fire suppression device can also include an active sensing device configured to locate a fire in the plurality of fire suppression zones. The zone validation test method can include disposing and igniting a flammable material in a test fire suppression zone within a boundary area of the test fire suppression zone. The method can further include certifying the fire suppression device by verifying that the fluid distribution nozzle corresponding to the test fire protection zone and a fluid distribution nozzle corresponding to a fire protection zone adjacent to the boundary zone area discharge fire suppression fluid.

Description

ZONE VALIDATION TEST METHOD FOR A FIRE SUPPRESSION

DEVICE

Priority Claim & Incorporation By Reference

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/965,267 filed January 24, 2020 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a method for testing a fire suppression device disposed in an enclosed area, and more particularly to a method that tests and certifies a fire suppression device that can detect and extinguish a fire within a fire suppression zone or zones of the enclosed area.

Background Art

[0003] A fire extinguishing system for a residential room or other enclosure can include passive fire suppression devices 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). Other types of fire extinguishing systems can include active fire suppression devices 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. In many systems, once the fire system is activated, the entire room is deluged with the fire suppression fluid to put out the fire. However, in some systems, the fire extinguishing systems can locate the fire within the room and selectively target the location of the fire with the fire suppression fluid. For example,

PCT Publication No. WO 2018/011041 (the "’041 publication") 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 ’041 publication also discloses that its fire suppression device 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.

[0004] An Underwriters Laboratories standard "UL 1626, STANDARD FOR SAFETY, Residential Sprinklers for Fire-Protection Service," Fourth Edition, Dated March 14, 2008, including revisions through November 9, 2018 (hereinafter "UL 1626 Standard") provides requirements that cover residential sprinklers intended for installation in sprinkler systems. The UL 1626 Standard is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The UL 1626 Standard, however, is generally directed to testing sprinklers that are passively initiated. UL 1626 Standard is not necessarily directed to fire suppression devices that are activated based on actively sensing the fire. Vertrauen durch Sicherheit Laboratories (VdS) has recognized that current testing procedures and guidelines do not adequately test all the features of active- type fire suppression devices such as a faster extinguishing time in comparison to passive- type sprinkler systems. In addition, VdS recognized that the UL 1626 Standard's fixed "wood crib and simulated furniture" test setup may not provide the best test scenario for certifying fire suppression devices. For example, a common type of fire is a mattress fire. A passive- type sprinkler system that has "passed" the UL 1626 Standard can extinguish the mattress fire, but, in some cases, the toxic emissions from the fire may still be a safety issue because the levels could be high enough to be harmful to humans. At the March 2019 European Fire Sprinkler Network conference, in its presentation, Vds proposed the use of a simulated mattress when testing active-type fire suppression devices. The presentation also proposed measuring the toxic emissions during the fire to verify that the toxic emissions stay below levels that can cause harm to humans. The presentation showed that an active-type fire suppression device 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%. In comparison, even if the levels stay in a safe range, the toxic emission levels can still be higher for a passive-type sprinkler system. For example, for a passive-type sprinkler system performing the same type of mattress test as discussed above, the highest level of each measured toxic 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%. However, the VdS presentation does not disclose testing criteria specific to multi-zone fire suppression devices.

[0005] Multi-zone fire suppression devices have multiple fluid distribution nozzles corresponding to respective zones of the room or enclosure to be protected. A zone can correspond to a fluid distribution pattern for the respective fluid distribution nozzle, and each zone can represent at least a portion of the room or enclosure. The VdS presentation and the UL 1626 Standard do not disclose testing criteria for determining whether a fluid distribution nozzle of the multi-zone fire suppression device can adequately protect its respective zone. In addition, the UL 1626 Standard does not specifically test many features of a multi-zone fire suppression device such as the selective targeting of the fire in a zone of the room or enclosure. Thus, neither the VdS presentation nor the UL 1626 Standard discloses procedures for testing the effectiveness of the fluid distribution patterns of individual fluid distribution nozzles of a multi-zone type fire suppression device. Accordingly, a testing protocol is needed to determine whether the fluid distribution patterns of fluid distribution nozzles in an active, multi-zone type fire suppression device are sufficient to protect the corresponding zones. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Preferred embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of testing and certifying fire suppression devices that can actively detect, locate, and/or extinguish a fire in one or more fire suppression zones of a protected area. "Protected area" as used herein means a defined three-dimensional space under protection by a fire suppression system. Preferably, the protected area for testing and certification purposes is a testing enclosure that has generally rectangular walls, ceiling, and floor. 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. A fire suppression zone can be defined by a fluid distribution pattern of a corresponding fluid distribution nozzle. That is, 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 such as, for example, 0.003 gpm/ft² or greater. Of course, for monitoring purposes, the fire suppression zones can be based on fixedly defined boundaries based on the configuration of the fire suppression device (e.g., 14 ft. x 14 ft. or some other value), 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. Preferably, 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. For example, 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. "Extinguish" a fire, as used herein, means that the fire on the testing material is suppressed to a point that the testing material cannot sustain combustion. Depending on the type of fire suppression device being tested, the protected area can be segmented into a plurality of fire suppression zones with each zone being defined by the fluid distribution pattern for the corresponding fluid distribution nozzle. The plurality of fire suppression zones can be individually monitored for fire. Preferably, each of the zones can correspond to at least a portion of a testing enclosure where the fire test is conducted such as, for example, a floor surface area or a portion thereof, a ceiling surface area or a portion thereof, a wall surface area or a portion thereof, and/or a predetermined volume of at least a portion of the testing enclosure. Preferably, the testing enclosure dimensions can be based in part on the number of fire suppression devices being tested and/or the coverage area of the fire suppression devices.

[0007] Preferably, the testing method (referred to herein as a "zone validation test method") can certify multi-zone fire suppression devices that can monitor a plurality of fire suppression zones. In exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the zone validation test method can be used to certify fire suppression devices that each include multiple fluid distribution nozzles. The fire suppression device can also include one or more fire detection devices that can detect and/or locate a fire within the protected area. The one or more fire detection devices preferably use electronic sensors to actively detect and/or locate the fire within the protected area. The fire detector devices and the fluid distribution nozzles can be in the same enclosure or in separate enclosures. The zone validation test method can also be used to certify fire suppression devices that include a controller that receives signals indicating and/or confirming the existence of a fire from one or more fire detection devices and selectively controls a flow of fire suppression fluid to one or more fluid distribution nozzles. [0008] The zone validation test method can have certification criteria that includes verifying that the fluid distribution pattern(s) of the appropriate fluid distribution nozzle(s) is sufficient to protect the corresponding zone(s). Accordingly, the zone validation test method can preferably include disposing the fire suppression device in a test fire suppression zone in the testing enclosure, igniting a flammable material located within a central area of the test zone and/or within a boundary zone area of the test zone, and verifying proper distribution of the fire suppression fluid through the fire suppression nozzles to certify the fire suppression device. For example, the zone validation test can include certifying the fire suppression device after verifying that the fluid distribution nozzle (or nozzles) corresponding to the test zone in which the fire is located (and the adjacent zone if the fire is in the boundary zone area) is discharging the fire suppression fluid. That is, the certification step can include verifying that the fluid distribution nozzle corresponding to the test fire suppression zone with the flammable material is distributing the fire suppression fluid. If the flammable material is located within the boundary zone area of the test zone, the certification step can include verifying that the fluid distribution nozzle corresponding to the test zone and the fluid distribution nozzle corresponding to the zone adjacent the boundary zone area are distributing the fire suppression fluid. 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. The zone validation test can further have certification criteria that includes verifying that the concentrations of the toxic gas emissions released during the zone validation test are within predefined upper limits (e.g., ppm limits and/or percentage limits) such as, for example, upper limits that are reasonably safe for humans. The zone validation test method can include testing requirements such as, for example, fire suppression fluid flow requirements. For example, during the zone verification test, the fluid flow to the fire suppression device can be limited to a fire suppression fluid flowrate that produces an average spray density having an upper predetermined limit with respect to the fire suppression fluid impinging on the floor. The fluid flowrate requirement can be used to ensure that water damage to the real-world room or enclosure is kept to a minimum.

[0009] Preferably, the fire suppression device being certified includes a controller that determines the fire suppression zone or zones containing the fire based on the fire suppression device determining the location of the fire. The zone validation test method can preferably be used to certify a variety of multi-zone fire suppression device configurations. For example, the zone validation test method can certify fire suppression devices in which the number of fluid distribution nozzles in the fire suppression device is more than or equal to the number of fire suppression zones. That is, each fire suppression zone can have one or more corresponding fluid distribution nozzles. The zone validation test method can also preferably be used to certify multi-zone fire suppression devices in which the number of fluid distribution nozzles in the fire suppression device is less than the number of fire suppression zones. That is, each fluid distribution nozzle can correspond to one or more fire suppression zones.

[0010] The zone validation test method is preferably applicable to fire suppression devices in which the fluid distribution nozzle is a nozzle, a sprinkler, or some other device that discharges a fire suppression fluid. Preferably, during a zone validation test, one or more control valves can be selectively operated by the controller of the fire suppression device to provide fire suppression fluid to one or more fluid distribution nozzles. The zone validation test method is preferably applicable to any type of spray pattern from the fluid distribution nozzle. Preferably, the fire suppression fluid can be discharged in a spray pattern that corresponds to a shape of the respective fire suppression zone. In some cases, the fluid distribution pattern defines the fire suppression zone layout. [0011] While multiple certification criteria and/or testing requirements are discussed below with respect to the zone validation test method, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description that some certification criteria and/or testing requirements are dependent on the configuration of fire suppression device being tested. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

Brief Descriptions of the Drawings

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, and, together with the description given above, serve to explain the features of the invention.

[0013] FIGS. 1A to 1C show schematic views of a fire suppression system setup for a zone validation test method according to a preferred embodiment; and [0014] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the fire suppression region with the fire suppression zones for the fire suppression system of Figures 1A to 1C.

Detailed Description

[0015] The disclosed method for testing and certifying a fire suppression device generally relates to a zone validation test method that includes providing a testing enclosure having a protected area and disposing a fire suppression device to be certified in the testing enclosure to monitor a plurality of fire suppression zones. The fire suppression device can include a plurality of fluid distribution nozzles disposed in a first location of the testing enclosure, with each fluid distribution nozzle corresponding to a fire suppression zone. Preferably, each fire suppression zone corresponds to at least a separate portion of the protected area and has a central zone area and a boundary zone area. The fire suppression device can also include an active sensing device disposed in a second location of the testing enclosure. Preferably, the active sensing device is configured to locate a fire in the plurality of fire suppression zones. The zone validation test method can include disposing a flammable material in a test fire suppression zone of the plurality of fire suppression zones. Preferably, the flammable material is disposed within the boundary area of the test fire suppression zone. The method can further include igniting the flammable material to start the fire and certifying the fire suppression device by verifying that the fluid distribution nozzle corresponding to the test fire protection zone and a fluid distribution nozzle corresponding to a fire protection zone adjacent to the boundary zone area discharge fire suppression fluid.

[0016] Figures 1A to 1C illustrate an embodiment of a test setup 100 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. The zone validation test method can have certification criteria that includes verifying that the fluid distribution pattern(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. [0017] The testing enclosure 101 can include a fire suppression region 110 that is monitored and/or protected by the fire suppression device 120. As seen in Figures 1A and IB, the fire suppression region 110 is preferably protected by one or more fluid distribution nozzles 122 of a fire suppression device 120 that is mounted or installed on a wall (e.g., wall 103) or ceiling 105 of the testing enclosure 101. The zone validation test method can be applicable to testing a variety of nozzle types. For example, the fluid distribution nozzles 122 can be, for example, open nozzles and/or sprinklers of a deluge system (e.g., wall mounted sprinklers). "Fire suppression region" as used herein is the space under protection by the fire suppression device 120 and can include the entire protected area (e.g., a testing enclosure) or only a part of the protected area. The fire suppression region 110 can include the floor 106 or a portion of the floor 106. Preferably, the dimensions of the testing enclosure 101 are based at least in part on the number of fire suppression devices 120 being tested and/or the coverage area of the fire suppression devices 120. For example, a width W of the enclosure can correspond to a coverage area of the fire suppression device 120 in a width- wise direction with respect to the testing enclosure 101 and the length L of the testing enclosure 101 can correspond to a multiple of a coverage area of the fire suppression device 120 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 120 in a length-wise direction with respect to the testing enclosure plus a predetermined length such as, for example, 9 feet. Thus, for a fire suppression region 110 of 14 ft. W x 14 ft. L, 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. Of course, other relationships between the configuration and number of fire suppression devices and the dimensions of the testing enclosure can be established. In some testing scenarios, the dimensions of the testing enclosure are fixed regardless of the configuration of the fire suppression device 120 to be certified. For example, the testing enclosure can preferably be fixed to 14 ± 1 ft. wide, 30 ± 1 ft. long, and 8 ± 1 ft. high. Depending on the fire suppression device 120, 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. to 16 ft. In some embodiments, the fire suppression region 110 can be a coverage area that is 14 ft. wide x 14 ft. long. The fire suppression region 110 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. For example, the zone validation test method can include a requirement that the fire suppression device 120 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. Thus, fire suppression devices 120 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.

[0018] The fire suppression devices 120 can be configured for multi-zone operation in which the plurality of fire suppression nozzles 122 respectively correspond to a plurality of fire suppression zones. For example, multi-zone fire suppression device 120 can subdivide the fire suppression region 110 into multiple fire suppression zones. Preferably, the number, size, shape, and layout of the fire suppression zones can be based on the configuration of the fire suppression device 120. For example, the number of zones can correspond to the number of nozzles and the shape and size of each zone can be defined by the fluid distribution pattern of the appropriate nozzle 122. Preferably, the zone validation test method is applicable to certifying fire suppression devices 120 in which the number of fluid distribution nozzles 122 in the fire suppression device 120 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. However, the zone validation test method can also be applicable to validating fire suppression devices 120 in which the fire suppression fluid from more than one fire suppression nozzle 122 discharge onto the same fire suppression zone and/or the fire suppression fluid from a fire suppression nozzle 122 discharges onto more than one fire suppression zone. [0019] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary zone layout with five fire suppression zones

200a-e for a fire suppression device 120 having, for example, five fluid distribution nozzles

122 (not shown). However, the zone validation test method can be used to certify other fire suppression devices that are configured for two or more zones. Although the illustration in

Figure 2 shows the coverage areas of the fire suppression zones 200a-e from the perspective of the area of floor 106, alternatively or in addition to the floor coverage area, the coverage area of the fire suppression fluid can include the wetting of a wall surface area as discussed above. As illustrated in Figure 2, 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. Preferably, 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/ft². For example, 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. Of course, based on the configuration of the fire suppression device 120, 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.

[0020] For the test setup, the fire suppression device 120 can be preferably disposed on a side edge of the fire suppression region 110 between, for example, zones 200a and 200d. Of course, the fire suppression device 120 can also be disposed on other walls or on the ceiling 105 as appropriate based on the configuration of the fire suppression device 120. Preferably, the fire suppression device 120 is disposed above the floor 106 of the testing enclosure 101 at a height appropriate for the fire suppression device 120 being certified (see test setup 100 in Figure 1A). Depending on the device, the fire suppression device 120 can be mounted on the wall 103 (or another wall) and/or the ceiling 105. The zone verification test setup 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. In some embodiments, 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. In other embodiments, a control valve 184 can supply one or more fluid distribution nozzles 122. Depending on the configuration of the fire suppression device 120 to be certified, each control valve 184a-n can supply fire suppression fluid to a respective fire suppression zone 200 such that there is a one-to-one relationship.

[0021] The zone validation test method can preferably validate fire suppression devices

120 that include one or more fire detection devices 160 installed in the testing enclosure 101 to detect and/or locate a fire in the protected area of the testing enclosure 101. The fire detection device 160 can be installed, for example, on the ceiling 105, on one of the side walls (not shown), and/or another appropriate location. Depending on the configuration of fire suppression device, the fire detection device 160 can be part of the fire suppression device 120. Depending on the configuration of fire suppression device 120 being certified, the fire detection devices 160 can be a sensor such as an IR sensor that detects and/or locates a fire, 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.

[0022] During the zone verification test, the detection device 160 can communicate with the controller 170 via communication line 172. 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 testing enclosure 101. Preferably, based on a determination that a fire is present in the testing enclosure 101, the controller 170 can then determine the location of the fire and preferably the zone or zones 200 that contain the fire. Once the location of the fire is determined, the controller 170 preferably opens the control valve or valves 184 corresponding to the fire suppression zone or zones 200 containing the fire. For example, each fire suppression zone 200a-e can correspond to a respective fluid distribution nozzle 122 such that, when a fire is detected and located in a fire suppression zone, fire suppression fluid is preferably selectively discharged from the corresponding fluid distribution nozzle 122.

That is, the controller 170 can be configured to operate the fire suppression system such that only the fluid distribution nozzle 122 corresponding to the fire suppression zone 200 that contains the fire discharge the fire suppression fluid. If the fire is located in one of the central zone areas Ci to C , only the fluid 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 170 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 fluid distribution nozzle 122 for the zone corresponding to the boundary zone area and the fluid 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, 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. Of course, 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 120. For the zone validation test method, 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 C i to C and/or any of the boundary zone areas) in order to validate the fire suppression device 120. Preferably, the zone validation test method verifies that the fire suppression fluid is being discharged from the proper fluid distribution nozzle or nozzles 122 corresponding to the test fire suppression zone.

[0023] The zone validation test method is further explained with reference to Figures IB and 1C. The testing enclosure 101 can preferably include walls 103, 104, 107, and 108, a ceiling 105, and a floor 106. The testing enclosure 101 can preferably have a width W, length L, and a height as discussed above. For clarity, the exemplary test setup with respect to the exemplary locations and/or dimensions of the fire suppression device 120 and the flammable material will be discussed with a testing enclosure 101 having an area that is 14 ± 1 ft. W x 30 ± 1 ft. L and 8 ± 1 ft. H and a fire suppression region 110 (coverage area of the fire suppression device 120) that is 14 ft. wide x 14 ft. long. Of course, the exemplary locations and/or dimensions of the fire suppression device 120 and the flammable material can be different than those shown in Figures IB and 1C. The fire suppression device 120 to be certified can be mounted on a front wall 103 of the testing enclosure 101 (or on the ceiling 105 depending on the type of fire suppression device 120). The fire suppression device 120 can be directly or indirectly mounted on the wall 103 and/or ceiling 105. For example, as seen in Figure IB, the fire suppression device 120 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 107) and at a height that is appropriate for the fire suppression device 120. If the fire suppression device 120 includes a fire detection device 160, the fire detection device 160 can be disposed on a wall and/or the ceiling 105 of the testing enclosure 101 at a height that is appropriate for the fire detection device 160. The first side wall 107 can preferably have an entrance opening Oi that is, for example, 2 ft.- 11 in. ± 5 in. W and 84 in. ± 5 in. H, and 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. [0024] The zone validation test method can include extinguishing a fire on flammable material 194, which is disposed in the testing enclosure 101 at a predetermined location. For example, if the fire suppression device to be certified is a multi-zone device, the flammable material 194 can be located in any fire suppression zone 200a-e. For example, the zone validation test method can include placing the flammable material 194 in a central zone area Ci to C5 and/or in a boundary zone area. In the example of Figure IB, the flammable material 194 is placed in-line with the fire suppression device 120 against the back wall 104 of the testing enclosure 101 in a boundary zone area B2b and/or B3a of zones 200b and 200c, respectively. However, those skilled in the art understand that the zone validation test method setup can be used for certifying fire suppression devices with the flammable material that is located in another zone, whether in a central zone area or in a boundary zone area of the test zone.

[0025] As seen in Figures IB and 1C, the dimensions of the flammable material 194 can be a width s3 that is, for example, 2 ft. -9 in. ± 5 in. and a length s2 that is, for example, 7 ft. -9 in. ± 1 ft. The flammable material 194 can be made of one piece or multiple pieces. For example, as seen in Figure IB, the flammable material 194 can be made of three pieces. The flammable material 194 can be disposed against the back in a lengthwise direction such that the centerline of the flammable material 194 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 194 can be disposed in the testing enclosure 101 such that one end of the flammable material 194 in the lengthwise direction is up against the back wall 104 and the other end of the flammable material 194 extends a length s2 that is, for example, 7 ft.-9 in. ± 1 ft. into the testing enclosure 101. The flammable material 194 can be placed on a cement board 195 having a thickness tl that is, for example, 0.5 in. ± 0.25 in. An ignition block 192 can be placed on top of the flammable material 194. The ignition block 192 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 101 from the back wall 104.

[0026] The flammable material 194 can be composed of, for example, three pieces of polypropylene foam meeting the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1626 standard. The UL 1626 polypropylene foam can have a density in a range of 27.2 to 30 kg/m³. The flammable material 194 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/m² to 159.7 g/m². The ignition block 192 can be made of fiberboard that is 60 ± 1 mm x 60 ± 1 mm x 75 ± 1 mm. The ignition block 192 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.

[0027] Once the fire suppression device 120, the flammable material 194, and the ignition block 192 are positioned as discussed above, the ignition block 192 can be ignited to start a fire on the flammable material 194. Depending on the configuration of the fire suppression device 120, the fire detection device 160 can detect the fire and send a signal to the controller 170 of fire suppression device 120. The controller 170 can identify the location of the fire based on the signal from the fire detection device 160 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 170 then opens the control valve(s) 184 based on the signal from the fire detection device 160 to supply fire suppression fluid to the fluid distribution nozzle(s) 122. For example, in the above scenario, the controller 170 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. Once the fire suppression fluid is verified as discharging from the fluid distribution nozzles 122 corresponding to 200b and 200c, the fire suppression device 120 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 194 is located.

[0028] 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/ft² or less, more preferably 0.04 gpm/ft² or less, still more preferably 0.01 gpm/ft² or less, and even more preferably 0.005 ± 0.001 gpm/ft². 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 fluid 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/ft² or greater.

[0029] 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 120 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, or CO2 emission less than 1%. Preferably, 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%.

[0030] In addition to the above criteria, the zone validation test method can have temperature criteria similar to the UL 1626 standard. For example, 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 ¼ feet) above the floor shall not exceed 93 °C (200°F), the maximum temperature 1.6 m (5 ¼ 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 (¼ inches) behind the finished ceiling surface shall not exceed 260 °C (500 °F).

[0031] While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A zone validation test method, the method comprising: providing a testing enclosure having a protected area; disposing a fire suppression device to be certified in the testing enclosure to monitor a plurality of fire suppression zones, the fire suppression device including: a plurality of fluid distribution nozzles disposed in a first location of the testing enclosure, each fluid distribution nozzle corresponding to a fire suppression zone, each fire suppression zone corresponding to at least a separate portion of the protected area and having a central zone area and a boundary zone area; an active sensing device disposed in a second location of the testing enclosure, the active sensing device configured to locate a fire in the plurality of fire suppression zones; disposing a flammable material in a test fire suppression zone of the plurality of fire suppression zones, the flammable material disposed within the boundary area of the test fire suppression zone; igniting the flammable material to start the fire; and certifying the fire suppression device by verifying that a first fluid distribution nozzle corresponding to the test fire suppression zone and a second fluid distribution nozzle corresponding to a fire suppression zone adjacent to the boundary zone area discharge fire suppression fluid.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the verifying further includes verifying that only the first and second fluid distribution nozzles discharge the fire suppression fluid.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the certifying of the fire suppression device further comprises determining the fire suppression device has extinguished the fire within a predetermined time.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined time is 10 minutes.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the certifying of the fire suppression device further comprises determining that toxic gases released during the fire are within predetermined upper limits.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the toxic gases include at least one of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxide (NO), Nox, nitrous dioxide (N02), or carbon dioxide (C02), and wherein the respective predetermined upper limit is 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, or CO2 emission less than 1%.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the toxic gases include at least one of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxide (NO), Nox, nitrous dioxide (N02), or carbon dioxide (C02), and wherein the respective predetermined upper limit is 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%.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a flowrate of the fire suppression fluid is set such that an average spray density of the fire suppression fluid impinging on a floor at a third location of the testing enclosure is 0.1 gpm/ft² or less.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the flowrate is 0.005 ± 0.001 gpm/ft².

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the flowrate is 0.003 gpm/ft² or greater.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second location is at least one of a ceiling or a wall of the testing enclosure.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the testing enclosure is 14 ± 1 ft. wide, 30 ± 1 ft. long, and 8 ± 1 ft. high.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the flammable material is made of a polypropylene foam.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the polypropylene foam has a density in a range of 27.2 kg/m³ to 30kg/m³.

15. The method of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the flammable material includes a cover made of 100% cotton.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the cotton has a density in a range of 156.4 g/m² to 159.7 g/m².

17. The method of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the igniting the flammable material includes igniting an ignition block that is made of fiberboard.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the ignition block is formed by placing the fiberboard in a plastic container with 120 ± 1 ml of heptane and sealing the container.