WO2021219704A1

WO2021219704A1 - Method and system for monitoring a fire protection installation, and corresponding fire protection installation

Info

Publication number: WO2021219704A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/061102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephan BLUDAU; Joachim BÖKE; Frank FRIEDE; Anja JESCHKE
Original assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development Gmbh
Priority date: 2020-04-30
Filing date: 2021-04-28
Publication date: 2021-11-04
Also published as: DE102020111756A1; EP4143525A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system for monitoring a fire protection installation, comprising: determining a hydraulic state that is specific to the fire protection installation, wherein the determination comprises: receiving measurement data from at least one sensor in order to determine at least one characteristic variable of at least one peripheral device of the fire protection installation, generating at least one sensor dataset based on the measurement data, evaluating the at least one sensor dataset in order to determine at least one quality indication, wherein the quality indication indicates the quality of the at least one sensor dataset, and defining, based on the at least one sensor dataset and the quality indication, at least one hydraulic parameter of the fire protection installation that is indicative of the hydraulic state of the fire protection installation, and monitoring the hydraulic state of the fire protection installation based on the at least one hydraulic parameter in order to determine the protection readiness of the fire protection installation.

Description

Method and system for monitoring a fire protection system, as well as the corresponding fire protection system

The present invention relates to a method and a system for monitoring a fire protection system, as well as a corresponding fire protection system.

A fire protection system is understood here to mean any type of system that can be used for the purpose of (preventive) fire protection in buildings, halls, rooms or the like. Such fire protection systems can be, for example, but not exclusively, fire extinguishing systems, spark extinguishing systems, smoke extraction systems, water extinguishing systems and / or a combination of these. Fire protection systems within the meaning of the invention are in particular systems that include a central device and / or one or more decentralized devices and one or more peripheral devices and / or components that are connected to one another and / or to the one or more decentralized Devices and / or are in communicative connection with the central device.

It is known that fire protection systems must meet regulations that are described in the relevant specifications and / or guidelines. These specifications and / or guidelines specify, among other things, certain values for individual peripheral devices, such as pumps and / or valves, of the fire protection system, which must be checked at time intervals that are usually also determined by the specifications and / or guidelines. In these specifications and / or guidelines it can be stated, for example, that the pipes of a fire protection system used to guide the extinguishing fluid must be checked regularly, for example at periodically repeating intervals, for incrustation and / or corrosion, as well as the leakage that may result from this. sen.

In this case, a leak is understood to mean the escape of extinguishing fluid from the fire protection system in an amount that has an influence on the ability of the fire protection system to reliably and adequately protect the fire protection area it covers. It should be understood at this point that not every escape of extinguishing fluid from the pipes of the fire protection system is to be assessed directly as a leak, since small amounts of fluid can escape from the pipes without any negative effect on the fire protection system.

To determine incrustations, corresponding specifications and / or guidelines require, among other things, regular checks of the pipe cross-sections of the pipes in the fire protection system. These controls can be carried out, for example, by means of endoscopic examinations inside the pipes, in which the endoscope is inserted into the pipe system through an extinguishing fluid outlet or a connection opening for an extinguishing fluid outlet, such as a sprinkler, and the endoscope is used to check whether there is any contact with the inner walls of the Deposits have formed on the pipe, which reduce the cross-section of the pipe. As an alternative or in addition, such measurements can also be carried out by means of ultrasonic probes which are arranged inside the pipes and carry out corresponding measurements there to determine whether the cross-section of the pipe has been reduced by deposits. Such a reduction in the cross-section can negatively influence the flow rate of the extinguishing fluid from a certain limit value and in particular reduce it in such a way that it is no longer possible to ensure that the extinguishing fluid is conducted in sufficient quantities.

To determine possible corrosion, corresponding specifications and / or guidelines require, among other things, regular checks of the pipe wall thickness of the pipes of the fire protection system. The pipe wall thickness is checked here, as corrosion can occur within the raw network over time. As a result, the pipe wall thickness can be reduced, which can lead to leakage. In particular, reducing the pipe wall thickness can have a negative effect on pipe integrity in the event of pressure surges when the fire protection system is triggered. If the pipe wall thickness is reduced too much, a pressure surge can destroy the pipe at the relevant point, causing this at this point then extinguishing fluid can escape, so leakage can occur. In the event of a leak, however, it can no longer be ensured that the hydraulic properties of the extinguishing fluid, such as pressure and flow rate, are still sufficient to ensure that the fire protection system is still ready for protection. The VdS guideline CEA 4001 and the guideline EN 12845 should be mentioned as examples of such specifications and / or guidelines. In these it is specified, for example, that in the case of fluid systems every 25 years and in the case of drying systems after about 12 years, the pipe wall thickness should be checked by means of ultrasound measurement and the incrustation by means of an endoscopic examination in order to ensure that any affected pipes can be rinsed remove the incrustations.

Furthermore, section 20.2.2 of the VdS guideline CEA 4001 requires, for example, weekly checks on water extinguishing systems. Among other things, the weekly tests include a control of the pump start of the pump, which is used to deliver the extinguishing fluid. A test run must be carried out for this purpose, which must last until the normal operating parameters of the drive mode are reached, whereby the ability of the pump to achieve these operating parameters can be checked. In addition, section 20.3.4.2 of this guideline also provides for annual pump tests in which the delivery rate of the pump is tested in order to ensure that the pump parameters can guarantee the delivery of the extinguishing fluid necessary for the fire protection system to be ready for protection. These tests are intended to ensure that the pump or pumps of the fire protection system are able to deliver the extinguishing fluid in the necessary quantity and / or with the necessary speed and / or with the necessary pressure in order to ensure that the The fire protection system is still ready to protect. In the prior art, these pump tests are carried out manually by a trained person. However, there are efforts to automate these pump tests as much as possible. Possible methods for automatically performing such pump tests are shown, for example, in the international application WO 2020/035385 A1 and the German patent application DE 102019 135 815.9.

Another example is checking the storage height within a fire protection area. In particular, it must be ensured here that the fire protection system and warehouse (height) are adapted to one another in such a way that a correspondingly efficient and reliable fire protection campaign can also be guaranteed for the highest stocks within the warehouse. It must therefore be determined whether the fire protection system is set up to reach the existing storage height in order to achieve the To be able to carry out fire protection measures across the entire storage area. For this purpose, it can be checked in particular whether, for example, the bearing height and delivery pressure of the pump are matched to one another in such a way that the extinguishing fluid can be conveyed in sufficient quantity and / or speed to the extinguishing fluid outlets arranged at the corresponding height. This coordination must always be made depending on the stored goods: If the stored goods change, the fire protection system and storage (height) must be adjusted again. The storage height measurement also makes it possible to check whether the minimum distance required for the extinguishing fluid distribution between the maximum storage height - i.e. the upper edge of the highest stored goods - and the extinguishing fluid outlets is guaranteed. This can ensure that the fire protection system is ready for protection in this regard as well.

The fire protection system's readiness for protection is checked at certain intervals which, depending on the checked factor, can vary between days and even years. Continuous monitoring of the fire protection system's readiness for protection is not provided for in the specifications and / or guidelines.

The willingness of a fire protection system to protect itself is influenced by a large number of factors. Even minor changes to the fire protection system, such as a slightly changed pipe cross-section due to incrustation, which, however, extends over a somewhat larger portion of the pipe length of the pipe, or a reduced performance of the pumps, can negatively affect the fire protection system to the extent that it is no longer ready for protection can be guaranteed. It is therefore advantageous to provide a way of being able to check the readiness for protection of the fire protection system more flexibly, more dynamically and with greater accuracy.

For this purpose it is possible, for example, to arrange a number of sensors on the peripheral devices and to monitor the state of the individual peripheral devices by means of these sensors. For this purpose, the sensors can in particular be set up to communicate with one or more user terminals and to transmit the measurement results of their measurements to the user terminal so that one or more users can view the measurement results. In this context, a user can be understood to mean any person who can interact with the fire protection system in a certain way. A user can be, for example, the manufacturer of the fire protection system or a person who is responsible for maintaining the fire protection system. system was commissioned. However, a user can also be an operator of the fire protection system who, for example, operates the fire protection system as a customer of the manufacturer. Other types of users are also conceivable. In this case, the extent to which the user accesses the fire protection system through the at least one user terminal can depend on the skills and / or the level of training of the user with regard to the respective fire protection system.

However, the disadvantage of this solution is that the user receives the measurement results individually. This means that although the user receives information about certain deviations between actual and target values, these measured values are not put in relation to one another, so that the interaction of the individual changes within the peripheral devices of the fire protection system is not made available to the user. Furthermore, current facilities do not allow the precise errors to be specified. Instead, it is only determined that there is a fault without identifying it more precisely. This makes it necessary for the user to be present on site in order to precisely identify the error and, if necessary, to rectify it. This makes quick and short-term review and troubleshooting difficult.

In order to eliminate these disadvantages, it is possible to provide a service device which is set up to communicate on the one hand with the sensors which are arranged on the fire protection system or on its peripheral devices, and on the other hand with a user terminal. Such a service device can provide live monitoring of the fire protection system, in which one or more users can call up the measured values from a remote location. Such a service device is shown, for example, in the German patent applications DE 102019 111 612.0, DE 102019 111 613.9, DE 10 2019 111 614.7 and DE 102019 111 615.5. In principle, it is also possible to set up such a service device in such a way that the service device and / or a processor connected to it evaluates the measured values and, in particular, relates them to one another in order to output an indication of the readiness for protection of the fire protection system and, in particular, to indicate when it is ready for protection is no longer given or is only given to a limited extent. One problem here, however, is that due to the different composition of peripheral devices, pipe connections, pipe elements, etc. of the individual fire protection systems, these interact with one another in different ways. These interactions effect has an influence on the hydraulic parameters of the fire protection system. The definition of general setpoints for certain hydraulic parameters of a fire protection system, which allow a statement about the protection readiness of the fire protection system, as it happens via the specifications and / or guidelines, therefore ensures an inherently imprecise evaluation of the protection readiness. On the other hand, it is not possible to define type-specific setpoints in the guidelines for every system composition - or even just for every type of system composition - because there are far too many different fire protection systems for this purpose. An automated / machine-controlled evaluation of the fire protection system's readiness for protection is therefore not provided in the prior art. This limits the flexibility of the monitoring and the possibility of recognizing possible restrictions on the readiness for protection at an early stage.

Against this background, it is an object of the invention to provide a method and a system for monitoring a fire protection system which overcomes the disadvantages described above. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a method and a system that enable precise monitoring of the fire protection system. Even more particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a method and system that makes it possible to detect at an early stage when the readiness for protection of the fire protection system is restricted by changes in its hydraulic parameters, for example by malfunctions, damage or the like.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for monitoring a fire protection system, comprising the following steps: Determining a hydraulic state that is specific to the fire protection system, the determination comprising the following steps: (i) Receiving measurement data from at least one sensor for determining at least one parameter of at least one peripheral device of the fire protection system, (ii) generating at least one sensor data set on the basis of the measurement data, (iii) evaluating the at least one sensor data set in order to determine at least one quality indicator, the quality indicator indicating the quality of the at least one sensor ordata sets indicates, and (iv) stipulating, on the basis of the at least one sensor data set and the quality indication, at least one hydraulic parameter of the fire protection system, which is indicative of the hydraulic state of the fire protection system. The method further comprises monitoring the hydraulic state of the fire protection system on the basis of the at least one hydraulic parameter in order to determine whether the fire protection system is ready for protection. In this context, a readiness for protection of the fire protection system is to be understood in particular as proper functionality of the fire protection system. The readiness to protect includes in particular the operational readiness of the fire protection system, ie the functionality of being able to switch from an operational readiness state to an operational state in which a fire-fighting action is initiated in the event of a fire. This means that in the event of operational readiness, it is ensured that all components of the fire protection system are in their functional condition. This includes in particular the termination of test runs, the blocking of test circuits, the opening of a fluid supply of an extinguishing system, the automatic starting of pumps for the fluid supply and the like.

Alternatively or additionally, the fire protection system's readiness to protect can also be understood to mean the effectiveness of the fire protection system. The term effectiveness is understood here to mean that it is ensured that the fire protection system can carry out the purpose assigned to it. An effectiveness of the fire protection system means, for example, that in the event of a fire, enough extinguishing fluid can be deployed to carry out the planned fire-fighting action, for example to control the fire and / or to contain and / or extinguish the fire. In particular, it can happen that the operational readiness of the fire protection system is basically given, but the fire protection system is inadequately effective due to the deviation of certain values for certain parameters from a target value. These parameters can relate in particular to the pump pressure and / or the incrustation of lines. Both would result in an inadequate fluid supply to the fire protection system and thus inadequate extinguishing functionality. Therefore, this effectiveness of the fire protection system can preferably also be viewed as part of the readiness for protection.

Alternatively or additionally, the willingness to protect can also include aspects of organizational fire protection. Organizational fire protection includes, in particular, the aspects that relate to requirements that may not be changed beyond certain dimensions or framework values so that the functionality of the fire protection system can be ensured. These points relate in particular to the fire load still to be fought by the fire protection system, which is characterized in particular by aspects such as materials within the fire protection area, storage height of the materials within the fire protection area, adequate extinguishing fluid distribution, fire resistance duration and the like. Other factors can be here in particular concern proper maintenance and / or regular maintenance of the fire protection system. Here it is checked whether the fire protection system meets all the requirements for the fire protection area to be monitored in order to be able to fight any fire incidents. The fire protection system is preferably monitored automatically by means of appropriate sensors and a computer program which is able to determine the readiness for protection of the respective fire protection system. The installation of the system consists of a total of three phases: a setup phase in which the fire protection system is first set up. In this phase it is checked which properties the fire protection system has for the present case. Such properties can include the size of the fire protection system, the size of the fire protection area, the fire load located therein, the property to be protected and the like. On the basis of these properties, the usual standard values for the hydraulic parameters of the fire protection system and / or its components and peripheral devices are first established. The first commissioning is then carried out on the basis of these standard values.

The setup phase is followed by an initial phase in which a system-specific hydraulic state is determined based on the standard values. The initial phase thus serves, so to speak, to transfer the hydraulic parameters from the standard values, which are regarded as typical for the corresponding type of system, to real values, which are actually given for the individual fire protection system. In this phase, the monitoring is trained, so to speak, for the individual setting of the respective fire protection system. The initial phase is followed by a main phase in which the fire protection system is monitored on the basis of the system-specific hydraulic status determined in the initial phase.

A hydraulic state that is specific to the fire protection system is understood below to mean a system-specific state of the hydraulics of the fire protection system. A hydraulic state describes in particular the interaction of the various hydraulic parameters of the fire protection system in relation to one another. The target state for the hydraulic state of the fire protection system is a state in which the readiness for protection of the fire protection system can be guaranteed, i.e. in which the hydraulic parameters interact in a way that ensures that the fire protection area monitored by the fire protection system is specified and / or monitored in accordance with guidelines and, in the event of a fire, in a manner can be supplied by the fire protection system with a fire protection action that corresponds to the specifications and / or guidelines.

Here, the hydraulic status is determined or determined during the initial phase for each fire protection system system-specifically - that is, individually for the respective fire protection system. To monitor the fire protection system, the individual condition of the fire protection system, i.e. the condition that is given individually for each fire protection system, is initially determined on the basis of the theoretical state of the fire protection system determined in the setup phase. This also allows fire protection systems to be monitored which in their entirety have a hydraulic state that leads to a readiness for protection in accordance with specifications and / or guidelines, but whose individual values may not meet the minimum requirements specified by the specifications and / or guidelines. This can be the case for old systems, for example.

This determination of the system-specific - individual - hydraulic state can also include a determination of whether the current - initial - hydraulic state of the fire protection system can (still) guarantee readiness for protection per se. This comparison ensures, on the one hand, that a fire protection system that is ready for protection in accordance with specifications and / or guidelines remains in operation and monitored even if individual values deviate from the target values, but still individually ensure the specified extinguishing fluid requirement. On the other hand, it is prevented that a target state is set inappropriately for fire protection systems with insufficient protection readiness during the initial phase, which supposedly can guarantee the protection readiness, although this is no longer given. This increases the quality of the automated monitoring. The initial phase, in which the system-specific hydraulic state is determined, comprises, in a first step, receiving measurement data from at least one sensor that is arranged on one or more peripheral devices of the fire protection system. For this purpose, several sensors are preferably arranged on different peripheral devices of the fire protection system. A peripheral device of the fire protection system is understood here to mean in particular components which are arranged on the fire protection system in order to ensure that it is ready for protection. Peripheral devices can in particular be pumps, switches or valves or the like.

For example, the pump of the fire protection system can be equipped with a vibration sensor, which enables the condition of the pump to be determined. Alternatively or in addition, a temperature sensor can be arranged on the pump, preferably at the outlet of the pump, which measures the temperature of the extinguishing fluid at the outlet of the pump and, in the event of an increase in temperature, can give an indication that the pump is running hot. In some embodiments, the sensors can also be sensors that are set up to determine corrosion and / or incrustations on or within the pipes, such as, for example, longitudinal wave sensors, ultrasonic sensors or the like. In this way, incrustations and / or corrosion can be discovered. This can also allow conclusions to be drawn about possible leaks. However, leakage can also occur for reasons other than incrustation and / or corrosion. Seals and / or other connecting elements for the individual pipes of the fire protection system are also susceptible to leakage, especially if these connecting elements have been installed for a long time and are being attacked due to their age. There are therefore also efforts to measure any leaks directly. These are based on the knowledge that the loss of extinguishing fluid within the pipes of the fire protection system can lead to a pressure loss within the pipes. Many extinguishing fluid feed pumps can be controlled by means of a pressure switch. If there is a loss of pressure due to a leak, this means that the pressure switch switches more often, so the frequency of switching on the pump increases. This switch-on frequency can therefore allow conclusions to be drawn about a possible leakage. Here, too, the switch-on frequency is influenced by other factors, so it can be helpful to define the switch-on frequency for the pump individually.

The sensors arranged in the fire protection system are used to determine corresponding measurement data which are indicative of the state of the respective peripheral device on which the sensors are arranged. In some embodiments, these measurement data can be received centrally or locally at one or more processor devices. In some embodiments, the one or more processor devices can be set up, for example, as part of a service device. In some embodiments, the one or more processor devices can also be set up as part of a central device for a fire protection system. In some embodiments, the one or more processor devices can also be set up as separate, decentralized devices. In some embodiments, the one or more processor devices can also be arranged on individual sensors as an alternative or in addition to the central or decentralized arrangement, and communicate with each other. It is important that the one or more processor devices are in a communicative connection with the sensors and with one another in such a way that the measurement data determined by the sensors can be merged. The determination of the hydraulic state also includes generating at least one sensor data set on the basis of the measurement data. Generating a sensor data set is understood to mean, in particular, an evaluation of the measurement data, it being possible for the measurement data to be related to one another. For example, the measurement data from a first sensor can show that extinguishing fluid escapes from the pipes of the fire protection system at a certain point in the fire protection system, and the measurement data from a second sensor show that the pump is therefore working at a higher delivery pressure in order to pass the same amount per unit of time to lead the corresponding pipe, whereby this higher delivery pressure does not have a negative effect on the pump. This is particularly possible because in many guidelines and / or specifications security is provided, according to which the individual peripheral devices must work at least in accordance with the minimum requirements, i.e. above the requirements of the minimum requirements, in order to be able to compensate for such small incidents.

The determination further comprises the step of evaluating the at least one sensor data record in order to determine at least one quality indication which is indicative of the quality of the at least one sensor data record. The quality indicator thus indicates how the quality of the sensor data set is assessed, i.e. whether the assessment of the fire protection system's readiness for protection is correct. This is the case when the quality indication is within a certain range, for example in the range of +/- 30%, in particular in the range of +/- 20%, even further in particular in the range, in particular, of +/- 10% Default value moved. The quality indication therefore serves to ensure that appropriate feedback for evaluating the measurement data can be provided during the initial phase of determining the hydraulic state. The provision can be done manually or automatically.

In this way, the indication of the readiness for protection of the fire protection system during the initial phase can, for example, indicate that this is no longer the case, whereas further evaluation of the sensor data record shows that this assessment is incorrect. In this case, the quality indication can be used to indicate that the quality of the sensor data set is insufficient. In the initial phase, the quality indication can also include an indication of which part of the sensor data set is inadequate and has therefore led to a supposedly incorrect evaluation of the readiness for protection. On the other hand, the quality indication can too indicate that the sensor data set is of high quality if the evaluation of the evaluation of the readiness for protection by the sensor data set is correct.

As the last step of determining the hydraulic status, the method includes establishing at least one hydraulic parameter of the fire protection system that is indicative of the hydraulic status of the fire protection system based on the sensor data set and the quality indication.

The feedback in the form of the quality indication and the sensor data set are therefore used together to determine which hydraulic parameters the specific fire protection system should have in its target state for the hydraulic state. Hydraulic parameters are understood to mean values such as the flow rate of the extinguishing fluid per unit of time through the individual pipes, delivery pressure of the pumps of the specific fire protection system, frequency of connection of the pressure maintenance pump or compressor, diameter of the pipes of the specific fire protection system and the like. These individual hydraulic parameters are determined during the initial phase and can then be used as system-specific target values. This allows a system-specific target state to be defined during the initial phase.

The initial phase, which includes determining the system-specific hydraulic status, is followed by a main phase in which the fire protection system is monitored based on the hydraulic status determined in the initial phase in order to determine whether the fire protection system is still ready for protection. The sensors are still used during the main phase to determine measurement data and then to transmit them to monitor the fire protection system. This transmission can here again to one or more decentralized devices and / or a central device, preferably one or more decentralized processor devices and / or a central processor device. In some embodiments, the central processor device can be embodied as part of a central device or be in communicative connection with such a device. In this case, the transmission to the one or more decentralized and / or central devices can be set up in such a way that all measurement data are transmitted. Alternatively, the transmission can be preceded by a filter action in which those measurement data are filtered out that deviate from their last determined value, with only these deviating measurement data being transmitted. Further arrangements in which all measurement data are transmitted jointly or selectively can be envisaged.

The measurement data are used in the main phase to monitor the fire protection system. They are therefore evaluated accordingly in order to determine appropriate hydraulic parameters that are indicative of the hydraulic condition the fire protection system. The hydraulic parameters determined in this way can then be compared with the desired values determined in the initial phase or determined from corresponding calculations for the correspondingly determined desired state in order to be able to detect changes in the hydraulic state immediately. This allows changes in the hydraulic condition to be detected promptly and, in particular, to determine promptly that the hydraulic condition of the fire protection system can no longer guarantee its readiness for protection.

According to the invention, a method is provided that follows a setup of the fire protection system and is divided into an initial phase and a main phase, the initial phase serving to get to know the fire protection system, and in particular its individual hydraulic parameters. The main phase then serves to use these hydraulic parameters determined in this way for system-specific monitoring. This automated monitoring by means of sensors can also provide a method in which the user can view the current status of the fire protection system at any time - especially on request - and can find out about the readiness for protection of the fire protection system directly and via a remote connection . Furthermore, such constant, system-specific monitoring makes it possible to anticipate possible malfunctions and to initiate countermeasures before a malfunction can lead to a limitation or cancellation of the fire protection system's readiness for protection.

In some embodiments, steps (i) through (iv) can be run through multiple iterations. It is further preferred that the iterations of steps (i) to (iv) can be carried out for a specified period of time.

The initial phase can preferably include several iterations of steps (i) to (iv), by means of which the hydraulic state of the fire protection system is determined. The reception of measurement data, the generation of at least one sensor data set and the evaluation of the sensor data set and the determination of the quality indication and the corresponding setting of the hydraulic parameters can therefore preferably be carried out several times. In particular, the iterations can be carried out until the quality of the sensor data set - and thus the quality of the evaluation of the protection readiness of the fire protection system - converges to a certain value by means of the quality indicator, i.e. no longer changes significantly in each iteration. This can ensure that the hydraulic parameters determined in the initial phase and the associated system-specific hydraulic state reflect the readiness for protection of the fire protection system as accurately as possible. The number of iterations can preferably be limited here. This limitation can be done numerically or by defining a period for the initial phase. The initial phase can therefore be limited in time. This ensures that the initial phase does not come to nothing, i.e. does not continue to run steadily, if no convergence of the quality indication can be achieved. This allows either to restart the initial phase completely or to determine that the hydraulic state of the fire protection system has problems which must first be remedied in order to ensure that the fire protection system is ready for protection.

In some embodiments, determining the hydraulic state of the fire protection system can further include generating and inputting at least one fault data record and defining the at least one hydraulic parameter that is indicative of the hydraulic state of the fire protection system on the basis of the fault data record.

During the time-limited initial phase for the automated monitoring of the fire protection system, there will usually not be a particularly large number of malfunctions and / or failures in the fire protection system or in its peripheral devices. In order to nevertheless include these errors when determining the hydraulic status, manual error data records can be inserted in some embodiments, which, so to speak, “simulate” a fault in the fire protection system. These error data records can therefore be proactively generated by a user. They can then be included in the determination of the hydraulic parameters so that, for example, changes in the hydraulic parameters, which may indicate a malfunction of the pump and / or incrustation and / or corrosion, can be better determined in the initial phase. This allows the accuracy of the monitoring to be increased even further.

In some embodiments, the method can furthermore include storing the at least one sensor data set together with the at least one quality indicator in a database.

It is preferred that the sensor data sets and the quality indication are stored in a database in order to create a history for the sensor data sets and their corresponding quality indications. The storage can in this case preferably include a storage of the sensor data sets in relation to the respective quality indication, so that each quality indication can be assigned to its respective sensor data set. In this case, the database can in particular be provided by a data memory. The data memory can be designed as a dedicated memory which is specifically provided to store the sensor data and the associated quality indications. As an alternative or in addition, the data memory can also store further data, for example the measurement data itself, user information or the like. The data memory can be designed as an external memory and / or as an internal memory, for example the processor device and / or a central device.

In some embodiments, receiving the measurement data can further include assigning a time stamp to at least one measurement value of the measurement data. It is preferred that the measured values that are contained in the measured data are provided with a time stamp which indicates when these measured values were determined in each case. Alternatively or additionally, the current stamp can also indicate when the measured values were received. In any case, the time stamp should serve to assign the measured values of the measured data to a specific point in time. This can increase the security of the automated monitoring, since the time stamp enables any manual changes to the measured values to be traced, which could indicate manipulation from outside. Furthermore, the time stamp can be used to check whether the operator has met his requirements, i.e. whether each check was carried out at the right time and at the right time intervals. In some embodiments, determining the hydraulic state of the fire protection system can further include a filter operation, which includes setting at least one limit value for at least one measured value of the measured data of the at least one sensor, comparing the at least one limit value with at least one measured value of the measured data of the at least one sensor and may include determining filtered measurement data from the at least one sensor, with the filtered measurement data determining whether the at least one limit value is exceeded or not reached, steps (i) to (iv) being able to be carried out based on the filtered measurement data.

In some embodiments, the method can be set up in such a way that in the initial phase not all measurement data are retransmitted in all iterations, but only those measurement data whose measurement values deviate from the previously measured values in an impermissible manner. For this purpose, the method can in particular include a filter operation in which a limit value is established for each sensor on the basis of the first measured value. In a further iteration it can then be compared whether the measured value measured in this iteration is within a certain tolerance range moves the determined limit value. If this is the case, there is no need to transmit the newly measured value. If, on the other hand, the measured value exceeds or falls below the limit value, this can be transmitted and included accordingly in the determination of the hydraulic state. In other words: The filter operation can ensure that only newly determined measured values from the sensors that are outside the specified tolerance range are transmitted. The subsequent evaluation can then take place on the basis of the filtered values and the already known old values that have not changed since the last iteration. This allows the number of data to be transmitted to be reduced and the data transmission to be made more efficient accordingly.

In some embodiments, evaluating the at least one sensor data set can further include outputting the at least one sensor data set to a user. In a modification, the evaluation can further include receiving, in response to the outputting, the at least one quality indication by the user. In some embodiments, the evaluation of the at least one sensor data set can alternatively or additionally be carried out by a user. Such a user is preferably trained personnel who are familiar with the fire protection system, such as an employee of the manufacturer or a certifier. For this purpose, the at least one sensor data record can first be output to the user. For example, a graphic representation of the at least one sensor data set can be output to the user via a display device as a user interface.

The user therefore receives a sensor data record that indicates the hydraulic status of the fire protection system. This sensor data set can display the measurement data of the sensors separately and also in relation to one another. In some embodiments, the sensor data set can in particular give an indication of the fire protection system's readiness for protection. As an alternative or in addition, the sensor data set can only indicate the result of the evaluation of the measurement data and / or the indication that the fire protection system is ready to protect, so that the user only receives this information.

The user can react to this output by manually entering a quality indicator. For this purpose, the user examines the output sensor data set and assesses whether the sensor data set accurately reflects the hydraulic status of the fire protection system. If this is the case, the user can use the quality indication to indicate that the sensor data set is of high quality. If this is not the case, the user can use the quality indicator to indicate that the quality is insufficient. In this way, the system can be set up to receive user feedback, which further improves the quality of the monitoring.

In some embodiments, determining the hydraulic state of the fire protection system can further comprise performing steps (i) to (iv) in response to a query by the user. In some embodiments, it can be advantageous for the user to determine when the hydraulic state of the fire protection system is to be determined (again). For this purpose, the hydraulic state can also be determined in response to an explicit user request. The user is preferably enabled to enter a corresponding command or a corresponding request, for example via a user interface, whereupon the steps of the initial phase are started. This can be done either before the main phase was started for the first time or during an ongoing main phase. In such a case, steps (i) to (iv) can be carried out during the current main phase. This allows, in particular, a new determination of the hydraulic status of the fire protection system - and thus a new assessment of its readiness for protection - to be carried out if the user considers this to be necessary.

The method according to the invention and the system according to the invention also allow individual measurement data, the sensor data sets and / or the hydraulic parameters and / or the associated hydraulic status to be displayed to the user on request. This means that the user can get an overview of the status of the fire protection system at any time.

In some embodiments, the monitoring of the hydraulic state of the fire protection system based on the at least one hydraulic parameter can be repeated at regular intervals, wherein the monitoring further comprises determining a change in the at least one hydraulic parameter and outputting at least one warning indication about the change in the at least one hydraulic parameter may include to a user. It is preferred that the at least one warning indication can indicate a classification that the hydraulic state of the fire protection system exhibits a change in which the readiness for protection of the fire protection system can no longer be guaranteed. In some preferred further developments can the at least one warning indication indicates a degree of severity of the change in the at least one hydraulic parameter.

In some embodiments, the method can further include outputting a warning indication. This warning indication can be given acoustically, haptically, visually and / or as a combination of two or more of these options. The output can take place here in particular via a user terminal, such as a mobile terminal or a stationary terminal, via a central device and / or via a warning device provided specifically for this purpose. In some embodiments, the warning indication can be designed as an advisory text that is output on a central device, a terminal or a display. This information text can be accompanied by an acoustic and / or haptic signal. In some embodiments, the warning indication can be in the form of a text that is transmitted via a message, for example an email or an SMS, to one or more user terminals and / or the central device and / or the like. The warning indication can in particular be output when it is determined that at least one hydraulic parameter has changed. Such a change does not have to mean that the hydraulic state no longer guarantees readiness for protection, but can also be a change that only results in a slight reduction in the efficiency of the fire protection system. Such a change can also have no influence on the readiness for protection, in which case the warning indication serves to indicate that the hydraulic parameter has changed compared to the previous measurement, but the readiness for protection is still given, since the theoretical requirement is still covered. The warning indication can therefore generally serve to draw the user's attention to a change in a hydraulic parameter - and thus to a change in the hydraulic state - without a change in the fire protection system's readiness for protection in every case.

In some embodiments, the warning indication can also include an indication that the readiness for protection of the fire protection system can no longer be guaranteed in the event of a further change in one or more hydraulic parameters. The warning indication can therefore include a prediction that the fire protection system may be inadequately ready for protection in the future. In some embodiments, the warning indication may also indicate where there is a problem that leads to a change in the willingness to protect. In some embodiments, the warning indication can also suggest measures that must be initiated to prevent the change in the readiness for protection.

The warning indication can, however, in particular be set up to indicate a classification that the hydraulic state of the fire protection system has been changed in such a way that the fire protection system is no longer ready for protection. The warning indication can therefore indicate an assessment that allows a statement to be made about how likely it is that the fire protection system is no longer sufficiently ready for protection. As an alternative or in addition, the warning indication can also indicate the severity of the change in the hydraulic state and thus make it possible to assess for yourself how long the readiness for protection can still be guaranteed and when a failure of the readiness for protection can be expected. This allows, for example by a user, to assess whether and, if so, which measures should be initiated.

In some embodiments, determining the hydraulic state that is specific for the fire protection system can include training a classification device with the hydraulic state of the fire protection system.

In some embodiments, the method can in particular be implemented by machine learning. In this case, the initial phase is designed as a training phase of a classification device. The classification device is thus trained for the hydraulic condition of the respective fire protection system. The advantage of this embodiment is that training a classification device makes it possible to adapt the method to unknown situations and / or unforeseeable changes in the hydraulic state. Furthermore, the use of a classification device increases the accuracy of the prediction of possible malfunctions. In some embodiments, the measurement data can include measurements for one or more of the following parameters: pressure, temperature, flow rate, current, voltage, vibration, oil level, oil pressure, drive shaft rotational speed, electrolyte values, suction and discharge pressure, conductivity, pH value, residual oxygen content, redox potential , Light, level, switch position, vibration parameters, ultrasonic parameters, water turbidity and / or particle density for iron ions. These measurement data allow an overview of the hydraulic status of the fire protection system and thus an overview of the readiness for protection of the same and are therefore particularly well suited to determine and automate the hydraulic status of the fire protection system - both in the initial phase and in the main phase to monitor. In particular, the measurement data can indicate measured values for the pressure and the flow rate within the pipes, in particular the pressure of the extinguishing fluid within and flow rate of the extinguishing fluid through the pipes, in order to determine whether the extinguishing fluid is conveyed with sufficient pressure and in sufficient quantity per unit of time . This allows, for example, to draw conclusions about the pump functionality and / or the condition of the pipes with regard to incrustation, corrosion and / or leakage. The measured values for the conductivity, the pH value, the redox potential, the residual oxygen content, the vibration parameters, the ultrasound parameters, the water turbidity and / or the particle density for iron ions also allow conclusions to be drawn about incrustation and / or corrosion, for example.

Furthermore, the measured values for temperature, current intensity, voltage and / or vibration allow conclusions to be drawn about the state of an (electrical) pump. The measured values for the oil level, oil pressure, rotational speed of the drive shafts, electrolyte values, fill level (for example of the cooling tank and / or the oil tank) and / or suction and discharge pressure enable conclusions to be drawn about the condition of a diesel pump, for example.

Furthermore, measured values for light and switch position can enable the states of the peripheral devices to be determined more closely. This makes it possible to find out how the individual peripheral devices, pipes, valves, etc. interact, from which conclusions can be drawn about the hydraulic status of the fire protection system. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program with program code means which, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to carry out the method according to the invention.

In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a system for monitoring a fire protection system, comprising at least one processor device and at least one sensor, which is arranged for monitoring the fire protection system on at least one peripheral device of the fire protection system, the processor device being configured, a hydraulic state that specifically for the fire protection system is to be determined, the determination comprising the following steps: (i) receiving measurement data from the at least one sensor to determine at least one parameter of the at least one peripheral device of the fire protection system, (ii) generating at least one sensor data set based on the measurement data , (iii) evaluating the at least one sensor data set in order to determine at least one quality indication, the quality indication indicating the quality of the at least one sensor data set, and (iv) defining on the basis of the at least one sensor data set and the quality indication, at least one hydraulic parameter of the fire protection system, which is indicative of the hydraulic state of the fire protection system. The processor device is also configured to monitor the hydraulic state of the fire protection system on the basis of the at least one hydraulic parameter in order to ensure that the fire protection system is ready for protection. The system according to the invention adopts the advantages and embodiments of the method according to the invention, which is why reference is made to the above statements with regard to these advantages and embodiments.

In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a fire protection system comprising such a system for monitoring.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments. Here show:

1 shows a schematic illustration of a method according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a system according to the invention for the automated monitoring of a fire protection system according to a preferred embodiment, and FIG

3 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary classification of a hydraulic state of a fire protection system. FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a method according to the invention for the automated monitoring of a fire protection system by means of a series of sensors. According to the invention, the method is divided into an initial phase 1000 and a main phase 2000. The setup phase, which precedes the initial phase 1000, corresponds to the system-unspecific setting up of the fire protection system with standard values, as already known and is therefore not described in more detail here for the sake of simplicity . However, it should be understood that the setup phase precedes the initial phase 1000.

During the initial phase 1000, a hydraulic state is first determined which is specific to the respective fire protection system. For this purpose, the initial phase 1000 comprises steps S101 to S109. During the main phase 2000, the hydraulic state of the fire protection system determined during the initial phase 1000 is then automatically monitored and, if necessary, adjusted if changes in the hydraulic parameters occur. For this purpose, the main phase 2000 includes steps S201 to S206. During the initial phase 1000, the sensors, which are arranged on the various peripheral devices and / or points of the fire protection system, first determine measured values for corresponding measured data in step S101 and transmit them to a central processor device for evaluation. Although a central processor device is involved in the specific embodiment of FIG. 1, in other embodiments one or more processor devices can also be used, which are arranged either centrally or decentrally.

These measurement data are then received in step S102. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 1, each of the measured values received in this way is assigned a time stamp in order to be able to determine in this way when the measured value was measured and / or transmitted by the respective sensor. This makes it easier to understand where the measured value comes from, which increases the reliability of the measurement.

In step S103, the measured values of the measured data are evaluated in order to generate at least one sensor data set on the basis of the measured data or the measured values contained therein. In this case, the sensor data set comprises corresponding measured values that can be assigned to the respective sensor that measured them and thus to the respective peripheral device. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 1, the sensor data set also includes the time stamps which were assigned to the individual measured values of the measured data. The sensor data set is evaluated in step S104. This means that it is evaluated which measured values of which measured data were determined, whether certain measured values deviate from So II values specified in specifications and / or guidelines and, if so, how this deviation is evaluated, in particular how this deviation affects the hydraulic condition the fire protection system and thus affects the readiness for protection of the same. The evaluation of the sensor data set in step S104 is used to determine a quality indicator with which it is possible to evaluate the quality of the evaluation by the processor device, as can be found in the sensor data set.

The corresponding quality indication is determined in step S105. The quality indication is thus used in this case, feedback, in order to assess whether the automated evaluation by the processor device on the basis of the measurement data was correct.

The quality indication is used in step S106 to define at least one hydraulic parameter that is indicative of the hydraulic state of the fire protection system. For this purpose, the processor device can, in step S106, in particular a series of specific values for certain hydraulic parameters of the corresponding Determine the fire protection system, for example the delivery pressure of the pump or the delivery pressure of the pumps, which are arranged as peripheral devices in the fire protection system, the flow rate per unit of time for the individual pipes of the fire protection system, the flow rate per unit of time for the extinguishing fluid outlets, the temperature of the extinguishing fluids of the fire protection system and the like. The hydraulic parameters determined in this way are then set in relation to one another in order to describe the hydraulic state of the fire protection system at which the fire protection system is ready for protection.

A hydraulic state is understood to mean the result of the interaction of the hydraulic parameters recorded in each case, which can serve as an indicator for the establishment and / or provision of the fire protection system's readiness for protection. The hydraulic state is thus to be understood as the actual state of the fire protection system in comparison to an initially determined target state of the fire protection system with regard to the interaction of those different hydraulic parameters that are intended to ensure the protection of the fire protection system.

In the initial phase, the actual state corresponds to the target state: It is assumed that the fire protection system is ready for protection in the initial phase. The actual state determined in the initial phase - that is, the hydraulic state that was determined in the initial phase - thus forms the basis for the target state monitored during the main phase. This is the hydraulic state that is specific to the fire protection system and is determined in the initial phase, i.e. the target state in which the fire protection system is ready for protection.

If the hydraulic status changes over time and thus deviates from its target status, this can ensure that the readiness for protection is no longer given. In this way, by means of the determination of the hydraulic state, it can be determined in particular whether and to what extent this readiness for protection exists.

In the specific embodiment of FIG. 1, steps S101 to S106 can be carried out in several iterations, as the solid line in FIG. 1 shows. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 1, the measurement data are transmitted from the sensors after a previous filter operation. This means that from the second iteration onwards, a check is first made to determine whether the measured values of the measured data for the individual sensors have changed since the last measurement. If this is not the case, no measurement data will be transmitted. The processor device is then set up to assume that the corresponding measured values are unchanged. Only the measured values that have changed are thus transmitted, with these changed measured values being included in the subsequent steps for determining the hydraulic state.

The method according to the specific embodiment of FIG. 1 further comprises a step S107 in which an error data record is generated, that is to say a measurement data record into which an error was proactively inserted, for example by a user. The error data set is used in the initial phase to determine how a corresponding error affects the hydraulic parameters and thus the hydraulic state and is preferably used once for each initial phase in order to finally enable the system. As an alternative or in addition, the error data record can also be used for each iteration of the initial phase or for a certain number of iterations. As an alternative or in addition, the error data record can also be entered in order to be able to carry out more precise checks, if necessary, as to whether the initial phase was successful. For this purpose, the error data record is made available in step S108 by means of a corresponding input. When an error data record is entered in step S108, the method can then return to step S106 in order to adapt the hydraulic parameters and the associated hydraulic state accordingly. This process can also be carried out in several iterations, that is, multiple error data records can be entered. Although steps S107 and S108 are shown in FIG. 1 as part of the initial phase 1000, which follow the initial determination of the hydraulic state in step S106, it should be pointed out at this point that the initial phase is also carried out without steps S107 and S108 and / or that these steps can only be carried out once at the end of the initial phase, which is why these steps are shown in dashed lines in the figure. The steps can also be carried out at a different point in time, for example before determining the hydraulic state in step S106. Other arrangements are also possible.

The number of iterations for steps S101 to S106 and possibly for steps S107 and S108 is limited in the specific embodiment of FIG. 1, that is, an infinite number of iterations are not carried out. In this way it can be prevented that the initial phase 1000 comes to nothing. The number of iterations can be limited, so a maximum number of iterations can be specified. As an alternative or in addition, a time limit for the initial phase 1000 can also be established. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 1, the initial phase 1000 is limited in time, that is, a period of time is specified during which the initial phase 1000 is to run. If this time span has expired, the initial phase is ended and the main phase 2000 is then initiated in step S109 with the correspondingly determined hydraulic state and the correspondingly determined hydraulic parameters.

The main phase 2000 then deals with the automated monitoring of the fire protection system on the basis of sensor data. For this purpose, the sensors on the peripheral devices and / or different points of the fire protection system are used in order to determine corresponding measurement data in step S201. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 1, the transmission of the measurement data from the sensors takes place again after a previous filter operation. This means that before the measurement data is transmitted, it is first checked whether the measurement values of the measurement data for the individual sensors have changed since the last measurement in the initial phase 1000 or the main phase 2000 - depending on which phase the procedure was in during the last measurement to have. If this is not the case, no measurement data will be transmitted for this specific sensor. The processor device is then set up to assume that the corresponding measured values of the measurement data for the sensors, from which nothing is transmitted, are unchanged. However, if the measured values of the measured data have changed by a certain tolerance value from the previous value, these new measured data are transmitted by the respective sensors. This ensures that only those measured values for which there are changes need to be transmitted.

The filtered measurement data are received by the processor device in step S202 and evaluated there in step S203. During the evaluation, the previously received (unchanged) measurement data are also included. This evaluation includes, in particular, using the measurement data to determine whether the hydraulic parameters determined during the initial phase 1000 and set as target values are still present or whether there have been changes in certain hydraulic parameters and thus deviations from certain target values.

In step S204, the hydraulic state is then classified according to the evaluation. In this context, classification can be understood to mean that if the hydraulic state has not changed and the readiness for protection was previously given, the readiness for protection continues to be considered given. Alternatively, however, a classification can also mean that, should the corresponding hydraulic parameters indicate a deviation from the ascertained hydraulic state during the evaluation, the outside a predetermined tolerance range, it is indicated that the readiness for protection is no longer given and / or will no longer be given in the near future.

A warning indication is then output in step S205. This warning notice can in particular contain information on the classification. The warning can, for example, indicate that the condition of the fire protection system has remained the same or has deteriorated but is still ready for protection. The warning can also indicate that the hydraulic condition is too bad to be able to guarantee readiness for protection. In some embodiments, the warning can also be implemented as a type of traffic light that indicates these three situations. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 1, this warning indication can in particular indicate that the hydraulic state has not changed if this is the case. If the hydraulic state has changed in step S204, the warning indication can also indicate this. The warning indication can also indicate in detail which hydraulic parameters have changed. If the change in the hydraulic parameters and the associated hydraulic status is so severe that a readiness for protection can no longer be guaranteed, the warning indication can also indicate that the fire protection system is no longer ready for protection. If the change in the hydraulic parameters and the hydraulic status still guarantees a readiness for protection, but it can be foreseen that this will no longer exist, the warning indication can also indicate a prediction that the readiness for protection will soon no longer exist. In some embodiments, the warning indication can also indicate which measures are required to ensure readiness for protection.

Steps S201 to S205 are carried out at regular intervals. These distances can be selected individually for each sensor in accordance with specifications and / or guidelines. The monitoring by means of the sensors and the subsequent evaluation can also generally be carried out weekly, daily, hourly, or even (quasi) continuously. Quasi-continuous monitoring is possible in particular because the method provides that measurement data are only transmitted when the measurement values change. This filter operation keeps the actually required transmission capacity low, even with (quasi) continuous measurement, since in the majority of cases there are no changes in the values with a reliably running fire protection system. The main phase 2000 also includes an optional step S206, in which a user can enter a quality indication in response to the warning indication. The user can therefore also be asked in the main phase to indicate whether he considers the assessment of the willingness to protect, as indicated by the warning indication, to be appropriate. This quality indication as user feedback can then be used in step S204 in order to adapt the hydraulic state and the hydraulic parameters describing it accordingly.

FIG. 2 shows a system 1 for the automated monitoring of a fire protection system 2 according to a preferred embodiment. For this purpose, the system 1 comprises a processor device 100, a database 200 and a user interface 300 with a display device 301 and a user input unit 302.

Although only one processor device 100 is shown in the specific exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2, a plurality of processor devices 100 can also be provided in other embodiments. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the processor devices or the processor device can be implemented as part of the central device, or as part of a separate component, such as a server. In some embodiments, the separate component can also be in communicative connection with the central device. In some embodiments, the one or more processor devices 100 can be set up in particular as a microprocessor and / or CPU in a central device and / or a server. In some embodiments, the database 200 can in particular be set up as a storage unit, for example on a server and / or in a central device. In some embodiments, the user interface 300 can comprise a user terminal and in particular be embodied as a personal computer, laptop, mobile phone, in particular smartphone, tablet or the like.

In the specific embodiment of FIG. 2, the fire protection system 2 comprises a central device 10 as well as a pipe system 20 and a pump 30. It should be understood that this small number of peripheral devices for the fire protection system 2 is to be understood as illustrative and that the fire protection system 2 of course also may have more or fewer peripherals. On the pipe system 20 of the fire protection system 2, the sensors 201 and 203 are arranged, which in the specific embodiment of FIG. 2 are designed as ultrasonic sensors for measuring the pipe wall thickness of the pipes of the pipe system 2 and for determining possible incrustations. Furthermore, a further sensor 202 is arranged on the pump 30, which in the specific embodiment is designed as a vibration sensor for measuring the pump status. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 2, the sensors 201, 202 and 203 are in a communicative connection with the processor device 100 of the system 1 via the central device 10 of the fire protection system 2.

The processor device 100 of the system 1 is set up to carry out the method according to FIG. 1. For this purpose, the processor device 100 receives corresponding measurement data from the sensors 201, 202 and 203 during the initial phase 1000. For this purpose, these measurement data are sent from the sensors 201, 202 and 203 to the central device 10 and from the central device 10 to the processor device 100. During the reception of the measurement data by the central device 10 from the sensors 201, 202 and 203, a corresponding time stamp is assigned to each measurement value of the measurement data from the sensors, which allows the time at which the measurement value was determined to be traced. The central device 10 then forwards this time-stamped measurement data to the processor device 100.

The processor device 100 is set up to evaluate the measurement values of the measurement data in order to generate at least one sensor data set on the basis of the measurement data. In this case, the sensor data set comprises corresponding measured values that can be assigned to the respective sensor 201, 202 and 203 that measured them, and thus to the pipes of the pipe system 20 and the pump 30 in each case. The sensor data set also includes the time stamp of the measured values and at least one indication for a user, which indicates to the user how the readiness for protection of the fire protection system 2 is assessed on the basis of the sensor data set.

The sensor data set is then evaluated in order to determine the quality indication. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 2, this evaluation is supported by a user. For this purpose, a graphic representation of the sensor data set is generated and displayed on the display device 301. The user can then enter a quality indication via the user input device 302 of the user interface 300, with which the user evaluates the quality of the evaluation by the processor device, as can be found in the sensor data set.

The quality indication is received by the processor device 100 and then used to define at least one hydraulic parameter which is indicative of the hydraulic state of the fire protection system 2. The determined hydraulic parameters are then set in relation to one another in order to describe the hydraulic state of the fire protection system 2. This hydraulic state usually indicates a state in which the fire protection system 2 is ready for protection. the Processor device 100 is set up here to carry out the above steps in several iterations.

The central device 10 is set up to filter the measurement data from the sensors 201, 202 and 203 and only retransmit it if the measurement values of the measurement data have changed by a certain limit value, which indicates a tolerance, compared to the last transmission . The processor device 100 is set up here to assume that measured values are unchanged if no new measured values have been transmitted by the central device 10. This allows the transmission capacity of the communication link to be kept low. The user interface 300 can also be used by the user to enter error data records into the processor device 100 in order to enrich the initial phase 1000 with errors and thus to be able to determine the hydraulic state of the fire protection system more precisely. For this purpose, the user can in particular manually generate an error data record via the user input device 302. Although in the embodiment of FIG Processor device 100 can access. The degree of influence that the user has on the functions of the fire protection system 1 should depend on the user's level of knowledge about the fire protection system 1. For example, an employee of a manufacturer of the fire protection system 1 may have greater access to the functionalities than an employee of the customer who has purchased the system.

Following the establishment of the hydraulic parameters and the determination of the hydraulic status, in the specific embodiment of FIG 200 saved. The information stored in the database 200 is therefore system-specific information, as a result of which the database 200 is a database generated for the specific fire protection system.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the initial phase 1000 is limited in time and terminated after a certain period of time and transferred to the main phase. During the main phase 2000, the system 1 is used to monitor the fire protection system 2 in an automated manner, namely still on the basis of the measurement data from the sensors 201, 202 and 203. In the main phase, too, the transmission of the measurement data is carried out via the central device 10, the central device 10 also being set up to carry out a filter operation in order to prevent all measurement data from being transmitted with each measurement. This means that only those measurement data are transferred whose measurement values have changed since the last transfer.

The processor device 100 receives this measurement data and reads the values for the measurement data that were not transmitted from the database 200. The processor device 100 then evaluates this data as described in connection with FIG. 1 in order to determine whether the hydraulic parameters determined during the initial phase 1000 and set as target values are still present or whether there are changes in certain hydraulic parameters and thus changes Deviations from certain target values have occurred. The processor device 100 is also set up to classify the hydraulic state according to the evaluation, classification being understood to mean an evaluation of the readiness for protection of the fire protection system 1. The processor device 100 is also set up to cause the user interface 300 to output a warning indication. This warning indication can indicate that the hydraulic status has not changed or that it has been adjusted. The warning indication can also give details of which hydraulic parameters have changed. If the change in the hydraulic parameters and the associated hydraulic status is stored in such a way that the readiness for protection of the fire protection system 2 can no longer be guaranteed, the warning indication can also indicate that the readiness for protection of the fire protection system 2 is no longer given. If the change in the hydraulic parameters and the hydraulic status still guarantees readiness for protection at the time of output, but this will no longer be the case in the foreseeable future, the warning indication can also include a prediction that the readiness for protection will decrease and will soon no longer be given is.

The monitoring of the fire protection system 2 in the main phase 2000 is carried out at regular time intervals. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 2, the monitoring is continuous monitoring. This can be achieved in that the measurement data from sensors 201, 202 and 203 are only filtered, that is, only transmitted in the event of changes. This keeps the communication and / or transmission effort low. The system 1 thus allows the fire protection system 2 to be continuously monitored and, if necessary, to output the current hydraulic status and the associated readiness for protection at any time, up-to-date, at the request of a user. 3 shows schematically a classification of a hydraulic state of a fire protection system 1, for example to output a warning notice. FIG. 3 shows a pump characteristic curve 501 which shows the pressure as a function of the flow rate. Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows the raw network characteristic curve 502 for the most unfavorable effective area and the pipe network characteristic curve 503 for the most favorable effective area. On curve 502, point 504 marks the requirement for extinguishing fluid, which must be provided in accordance with the specifications and / or guidelines for the most unfavorable effective area in the event that the fire protection system is triggered. On curve 503, point 505 marks the need for extinguishing fluid, which must be made available for the most favorable effective area in the event that the fire protection system is triggered.

The pump curve 501 and the pipe network curve 502 intersect at the intersection 506. The pump curve 501 and the pipe network curve 503 intersect at the intersection 507. These intersections indicate the amount of extinguishing fluid actually provided by the respective fire protection system in the event of a trip . In the case of FIG. 3, the extinguishing fluid quantities actually made available are higher than those required by the specifications and / or guidelines. If this is the case, the hydraulic state of the fire protection system can at least in this respect be classified as ensuring readiness for protection.

If the pump performance deteriorates over time, this leads to a shift in the pump characteristic curve 501 along the X direction. When classifying the hydraulic status, this shift can be specified, i.e. it can be indicated that the pump is deteriorating, but its effectiveness to ensure the necessary hydraulic status is (still) given. In this case, a warning can be output, for example, which indicates that the fire protection system is ready for protection, but the need for maintenance could be imminent.

At a certain point in time, the intersection points 506 and 507 fall below the demand 504 and 505. If this is the case, the classification of the hydraulic state can then indicate that the effectiveness of the pump to ensure the necessary hydraulic state is no longer given. In this case, for example, a warning can be output that indicates that the fire protection system is no longer ready for protection.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it should be noted at this point that the invention is also shown in FIG other variants can be realized. The processor device 100 can thus be replaced by a classification device, wherein the initial phase 1000 can include training the classification device with the hydraulic state of the respective fire protection system 2. The processor device 100 can also not only have a communicative connection with the central device 10, but can also be embodied as part of the same.

In some embodiments, the processor device 100 can also be embodied as part of a service device, such as a cloud device, which can be connected to a central device 10 in order to access it remotely. Further designs are conceivable.

Reference list

Monitoring system 1

Fire protection system 2

Processor device 100 database 200

User interface 300

Display device 301

User input device 302

Central device 10 pipe system 20

Pump 30

Pressure sensor 201

Vibration sensor 202

Flow sensor 202 initial phase 1000

Main phase 2000

Determination of the measurement data by sensors S101

Receiving measurement data S102

Generation of the sensor data set S103 Output of the sensor data set S104

Determining a quality indication S105

Defining the hydraulic parameters S106 Generation of the error data record S107

Enter the error data record S108

Initiation of the main phase S109

Determining measurement data S201 Receiving measurement data S202

Evaluation of the measurement data S203

Adjusting the hydraulic status S204

Output of a warning indication S205

Evaluation of a quality indication S206 Pump curve 501

Pipe network characteristic 502, 503

Requirement 504, 505

Intersections 506, 507

Claims

Expectations

1 . A method for monitoring a fire protection system (2), comprising:

Determining a hydraulic state that is specific to the fire protection system (2), wherein the determining comprises: (i) receiving measurement data from at least one sensor (201,

202, 203) to determine at least one parameter of at least one peripheral device of the fire protection system;

(ii) generating at least one sensor data set on the basis of the measurement data, (iii) evaluating the at least one sensor data set in order to determine at least one quality indicator, the quality indicator indicating the quality of the at least one sensor data set, and

(iv) Establishing, on the basis of the at least one sensor data set and the quality indication, at least one hydraulic parameter of the fire protection system (2) which is indicative of the hydraulic state of the fire protection system,

Monitoring the hydraulic status of the fire protection system (2) on the basis of the at least one hydraulic parameter in order to determine whether the fire protection system (2) is ready for protection. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein several iterations are run through for steps (i) to (iv).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the iterations of steps (i) to (iv) are carried out for a specified period of time.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein determining the hydraulic state of the fire protection system (2) further comprises:

Generating and entering at least one error data record, and

Establishing the at least one hydraulic parameter, which is indicative of the hydraulic state of the fire protection system, on the basis of the fault data record.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

Storing the at least one sensor data set together with the at least one quality indicator in a database (200).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein receiving the measurement data further includes assigning a time stamp to at least one

Includes measured value of the measurement data.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein determining the hydraulic state of the fire protection system (2) further comprises a filter operation, wherein the filter operation comprises: setting at least one limit value for at least one measured value of the measured data of the at least one sensor (201, 202, 203 ),

Comparing the at least one limit value with at least one measured value of the measurement data of the at least one sensor (201, 202, 203),

Determining filtered measurement data from the at least one sensor (201, 202, 203), with the filtered measurement data determining whether the at least one limit value is exceeded or not reached, steps (i) to (iv) being carried out based on the filtered measurement data.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation of the at least one sensor data set comprises:

Outputting the at least one sensor data set to a user.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising

Receiving, in response to the outputting, the at least one quality indication by the user.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein determining the hydraulic state of the fire protection system (2) further comprises:

Carrying out steps (i) to (iv) in response to a query by the user.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring of the hydraulic state of the fire protection system (2) is repeated on the basis of the at least one hydraulic parameter at regular intervals, wherein the monitoring further comprises: determining a change in the at least one hydraulic parameter, and

Outputting at least one warning indication about the change in the at least one hydraulic parameter to a user.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one warning indication indicates a classification that the hydraulic state of the fire protection system

(2) shows a change in which the fire protection system (2) is no longer ready for protection.

13. The method according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein the at least one warning indication indicates a severity of the change in the at least one hydraulic parameter.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein determining the hydraulic state that is specific to the fire protection system (2) comprises training a classification device with the hydraulic state of the fire protection system (2).

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measurement data comprise measurement values for one or more of the following parameters:

Pressure, temperature, flow rate, current, voltage, vibration, oil level, oil pressure, drive shaft speed, electrolyte values, suction and discharge pressure, conductivity, pH value, residual oxygen content, redox potential, light, fill level, switch position, vibration parameters, ultrasonic parameters, water turbidity and / or particle density for iron ions.

16. Computer program with program code means which, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 15.

17. System (1) for monitoring a fire protection system, comprising: at least one processor device, and at least one sensor (201, 202, 203) which is arranged on at least one peripheral device of the fire protection system (2) for monitoring the fire protection system (2), the processor device (100) being configured, a hydraulic state that is to be determined specifically for the fire protection system (2), whereby the determination comprises:

(i) Receiving measurement data from the at least one sensor (201, 202, 203) to determine at least one parameter of the at least one peripheral device of the fire protection system (2),

(ii) generating at least one sensor data set on the basis of the measurement data, and

(iii) evaluating the at least one sensor data set in order to determine at least one quality indication, the quality indication indicating the quality of the at least one sensor data set, and

(iv) Establishing, on the basis of the at least one sensor data set and the quality indication, at least one hydraulic parameter of the fire protection system (2) which is indicative of the hydraulic state of the fire protection system, and wherein the processor device (100) is further configured, the hydraulic state of the To monitor the fire protection system (2) on the basis of the at least one hydraulic parameter in order to determine whether the fire protection system (2) is ready for protection.

18. Fire protection system (2) comprising a system (1) according to claim 17.