Fireproof device and method for open type frame machine shell

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for fire protection of an open frame enclosure. The fire protection device comprises a plurality of sets of thermoplastic pipes, and the thermoplastic pipes are filled with fluid fire extinguishing agents and extend between the supporting rods of the machine shell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for fire protection of an open-frame enclosure (such as a server rack or cabinet). Background Art

[0002] Traditionally, computer servers are located on shelves in open-frame enclosures or cabinets to allow ventilation between electronic components. Access to the server room is restricted, and complex fire extinguishing, ventilation, and cooling systems need to be installed to prevent electrical components from overheating and causing a fire.

[0003] The present invention seeks to provide a simple and effective method for fire protection of an open-frame rack or cabinet to immediately extinguish a fire and prevent the spread of fire. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an open-frame enclosure comprising a base frame formed by horizontally oriented base support bars, a ceiling frame formed by horizontally oriented top support bars, and side support bars extending generally vertically between the base support bars and the top support bars; a first set of generally horizontally oriented, parallel-spaced thermoplastic tubes filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent and extending between the top support bars; and a second set of generally vertically oriented, parallel-spaced thermoplastic tubes filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent and extending from the base support bars between the side support bars.

[0005] Preferably, the enclosure further comprises shelf support bars extending generally horizontally between the side support bars on opposite sides of the enclosure; and a third set of generally horizontally oriented, parallel-spaced thermoplastic tubes filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent and extending between the shelf support bars.

[0006] Preferably, the fluid fire extinguishing agent is a liquid. Optionally, the fluid fire extinguishing agent is a gas.

[0007] Preferably, the thermoplastic has a melting point of approximately 70 °C.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for fire protection of an open-frame enclosure comprising a base frame formed by horizontally oriented base support bars, a ceiling frame formed by horizontally oriented top support bars, and side support bars extending generally vertically between the base support bars and the top support bars; the method comprising the steps of securing a first set of generally horizontally oriented, parallel-spaced thermoplastic tubes filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent between the top support bars; and securing a second set of generally vertically oriented, parallel-spaced thermoplastic tubes filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent extending upward from the base support bars between the side support bars.

[0009] Preferably, the cabinet further includes a shelf support bar extending substantially horizontally between side support bars on opposite sides of the cabinet; and the method further includes the step of securing a third set of substantially horizontally oriented, parallel spaced thermoplastic tubes filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent between the shelf support bars. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic view showing a fireproof open-frame cabinet or enclosure according to the method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The cabinet includes an open frame.

[0013] "Open frame" means that the cabinet has no side walls or end walls.

[0014] The cabinet has base support bars 2 connected together to form a substantially rectangular base frame 4. Side support bars 6 stand upright from each corner of the base frame 4. Top support bars 8 are connected together to form a ceiling frame 10.

[0015] The cabinet has a substantially rectangular shape, but other shapes may also be used. Shelf support bars 12 are provided in the cabinet for placing computer servers. The cabinet may have multiple shelf levels.

[0016] Typically, the length of the base frame 4 is approximately 998 mm and the width is approximately 600 mm.

[0017] A cabinet having a simple open-frame structure as described above provides ventilation for electrical equipment in the cabinet. However, the lack of side walls and end walls hinders standard fire protection techniques, which traditionally involve incorporating fireproof boards or layers to completely enclose the cabinet contents and extinguish fires therein. Thus, to date, fire safety for server cabinets, etc., has focused on complex ventilation and cooling systems.

[0018] The present invention provides an apparatus and method for fireproofing an open-frame cabinet of the above type.

[0019] The fireproofing apparatus includes a plurality of sealed thermoplastic tubes 14 filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent. If a fire occurs inside the cabinet, the tubes will initially soften at their hottest points and then burst at approximately 70 degrees Celsius, releasing the fire extinguishing agent fluid to extinguish the fire in the area.

[0020] The fluid fire extinguishing agent may be a liquid fire extinguishing agent sold by the applicant under the trademark ENVIROBURSTTM TM or may be a gaseous fire extinguishing agent, such as the FE-25 (RTM of Dupont Fluroproducts) fire extinguishing agent sold.

[0021] The pipe 14 has different diameters and is strategically placed between the support rods of the cabinet.

[0022] The first set of horizontally oriented, parallel-spaced pipes 14A typically have a diameter of 8 mm and a length of 500 mm and extend laterally through the top support rod 8 to prevent fire from spreading upward beyond the top of the cabinet.

[0023] For a cabinet of the stated dimensions, three pipes 14A are required to adequately cover the area and prevent the spread of fire.

[0024] The second set of horizontally oriented, parallel-spaced pipes 14B extend across the shelf support rods 12 to prevent fire in the lower part of the cabinet from spreading upward to the electronic equipment above, and / or to prevent fire in the upper part of the cabinet from spreading downward to the electronic equipment below. In other words, these pipes 14B are also typically 8 mm in diameter and 500 mm in length and prevent the vertical spread of fire within the cabinet.

[0025] For a cabinet of the stated dimensions, three pipes 14B are required to adequately cover the area and prevent the spread of fire.

[0026] The third set of vertically oriented, parallel-spaced pipes 14C extend on opposite sides of the cabinet, between the base support rod 2 and the shelf support rod 12. These pipes 14C, which are typically 12 mm in diameter and 800 mm in length, prevent fire from spreading from the front or back of the cabinet, thereby preventing the spread of fire to other cabinets or equipment in the server room.

[0027] For the stated cabinet dimensions, there are typically two pipes 14C on each side of the cabinet. One pipe 14C is approximately 160 mm from its adjacent side support rod 6, and the first and second pipes 14C are approximately 460 mm apart.

[0028] Pipes are not necessarily required on the sides of the upper part of the cabinet because any fire in the upper area can be extinguished by spraying the fire extinguishing agent from above and below through pipes 14A and 14B.

[0029] It should be understood that the foregoing is merely an example of a fireproof cabinet according to the present invention and that it can be readily modified without departing from the true scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An open frame housing comprising: a base frame formed by connecting horizontally oriented base support rods, a ceiling frame formed by connecting horizontally oriented top support rods, a side support bar extending vertically between the base support bar and the top support bar; a first set of thermoplastic tubes, the first set of thermoplastic tubes being horizontally oriented in parallel spacing, the first set of thermoplastic tubes being filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent and extending between the top support rods; and A second set of thermoplastic tubes are vertically oriented, parallel, and spaced apart, the second set of thermoplastic tubes being filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent and extending from the base support rods between the side support rods.

2. The open frame enclosure of claim 1, wherein: The housing further comprises: shelf support bars extending horizontally between side support bars on opposite sides of the cabinet; and A third set of thermoplastic tubes, horizontally oriented in parallel spacing, the third set of thermoplastic tubes being filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent, extends between the rack support rods.

3. An open frame housing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The fluid fire extinguishing agent is liquid.

4. The open frame housing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The fluid fire extinguishing agent is a gas.

5. The open frame housing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The melting point of the thermoplastic is approximately 70°C.

6. A method for fire protection of an open frame cabinet, the cabinet comprising a base frame, a ceiling frame, and side support bars, the base frame being formed by connecting horizontally oriented base support bars, the ceiling frame being formed by connecting horizontally oriented top support bars, and the side support bars extending vertically between the base support bars and the top support bars; The method comprises the following steps: securing a first set of thermoplastic tubes filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent between the top support rods, the first set of thermoplastic tubes being horizontally oriented in parallel spacing; and A second set of thermoplastic tubes filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent is fixedly extended upwardly from the base support bars between the side support bars, the second set of thermoplastic tubes being vertically oriented and spaced in parallel.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The enclosure further includes shelf support rods extending horizontally between side support rods on opposite sides of the enclosure; and the method further includes the step of securing a third set of thermoplastic tubes filled with a fluid fire extinguishing agent between the shelf support rods, the third set of thermoplastic tubes being horizontally oriented and spaced in parallel.

Images