Fire extinguishing machine, fire extinguishing apparatus including the same, and management method of fire extinguishing machine

Abstract

The present application provides a method for efficiently performing maintenance and inspection of fire extinguishing equipment without spending time to confirm a nameplate of the fire extinguishing equipment. The present application provides a fire extinguishing equipment including a main body of the fire extinguishing equipment and a nameplate installed on the main body, the nameplate including a two-dimensional code representing management information of the main body. For example, in a case where the main body is a valve device provided in a middle of a pipe of the fire extinguishing equipment, the management information of the main body can include at least one of a type code, a type number, a use pressure range, a maximum flow rate, a pressure loss, an installation direction, a manufacturing year, a manufacturing number, and maintenance information of the main body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to fire extinguishing machines, fire extinguishing equipment including fire extinguishing machines, and management methods for fire extinguishing machines. Background Technology

[0002] Various fire-fighting machines are installed in buildings. These machines include those that form part of the fire-fighting system, such as valve devices (simultaneous opening valves, alarm valves, gas container valves, etc.), as well as those that function independently, such as fire extinguishers.

[0003] In order to keep fire-fighting equipment in a functional state, it needs regular or irregular maintenance (inspection and upkeep), and sometimes it is required by laws such as the Fire Services Act to carry out inspection and upkeep.

[0004] The inspection and maintenance of fire extinguishing machines and fire extinguishing equipment containing fire extinguishing machines are carried out manually. The operator goes to the location where the fire extinguishing machine is installed, checks the nameplate of the fire extinguishing machine, and performs the necessary work (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-56652. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, the aforementioned verification procedures are time-consuming. This is especially true when fire extinguishing equipment is installed near the ceiling, making it difficult to verify high-mounted nameplates. Furthermore, in large buildings with numerous valves, the labor and time required for operation become enormous. Thus, existing inspection and maintenance procedures for fire extinguishing equipment remain problematic.

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for efficiently maintaining and inspecting fire extinguishing machines and fire extinguishing equipment without spending time checking the nameplate of the fire extinguishing machine.

[0011] Technical means to solve the problem

[0012] To address the aforementioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a fire extinguishing machine comprising a main body and a nameplate mounted on the main body.

[0013] The nameplate contains a QR code representing the management information of the entity.

[0014] For example, when the main body is a valve device installed in the middle of the piping of the fire extinguishing equipment, the management information of the main body preferably includes at least one of the following: the main body's type code, type number, operating pressure range, maximum flow rate, pressure loss, installation direction, year of manufacture, manufacturing number, and maintenance information.

[0015] Alternatively, if the main body is a gas container valve, the management information of the main body preferably includes at least one of the following: the year of manufacture of the main body, the type of filling gas, the model number, the weight of the filling gas, and maintenance information.

[0016] Alternatively, if the main body is a fire extinguisher, the management information of the main body is preferably the type, model, model number, year of manufacture, and maintenance information of the main body.

[0017] Furthermore, in the fire extinguishing machine of the present invention, the management information of the subject may also include an identifier representing a network address of the subject's product information.

[0018] A second aspect of the present invention provides a fire extinguishing device comprising any of the fire extinguishing machines described above.

[0019] A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for managing fire-fighting equipment, wherein,

[0020] The present invention includes the fire extinguishing machine described above and the portable information terminal including a camera element.

[0021] The management method includes: the portable information terminal reading the QR code displayed on the nameplate of the fire extinguishing machine via the camera element, and recording or sending the results of the operation of the fire extinguishing machine to an external computer based on user input.

[0022] The effects of the invention

[0023] According to the present invention, by reading the QR code displayed on the nameplate of the fire extinguishing machine using a portable information terminal, the operator can easily and quickly grasp the management information of the fire extinguishing machine. Therefore, since there is no need to climb ladders or other means to check the nameplate of the fire extinguishing machine located at a high place, time is not spent checking the nameplate of the fire extinguishing machine, and maintenance and inspection of the fire extinguishing machine and fire extinguishing equipment can be carried out efficiently. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a fire extinguishing device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the piping 3, fire nozzle 4, and valve device 10, which constitutes the fire extinguishing equipment 1, as an example of a fire extinguishing machine.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of nameplate 11.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a management system for fire-fighting machinery.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the management procedures for fire-fighting equipment. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a detailed description will be given of one embodiment of the fire extinguishing machine, the fire extinguishing equipment including the fire extinguishing machine, and the management method of the fire extinguishing machine according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these drawings. Furthermore, since the drawings are for conceptual illustration of the present invention, dimensions, proportions, or quantities may sometimes be exaggerated or simplified as needed for ease of understanding.

[0030] In this embodiment, the fire extinguishing machine, which includes inspection and maintenance, is defined as valve device 10, and valve device 10 constitutes part of fire extinguishing equipment 1. As fire extinguishing equipment 1, water-based fire extinguishing equipment such as automatic sprinkler fire extinguishing equipment, foam fire extinguishing equipment, and foam fire extinguishing equipment for specific parking lots is preferred, but gas-based or powder-based fire extinguishing equipment may also be used.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the fire extinguishing equipment 1 includes a water source (not shown), a pump 2, piping 3, a fire extinguishing nozzle 4, a flame sensor 5, and a valve device 10, which is an example of a fire extinguishing machine.

[0032] Pump 2 draws fire extinguishing water from a water source (not shown) and supplies it to piping 3. Pipeing 3 supplies the fire extinguishing water to fire extinguishing nozzles 4. Fire extinguishing nozzles 4 spray fire extinguishing water into the spray area. Flame sensor 5 detects flames in the spray area and outputs a detection signal. Alternatively, fire extinguishing nozzles 4 and flame sensor 5 can be integrated.

[0033] In addition, fire extinguishing equipment 1 may also include a foam extinguishing agent storage tank and mixer, a pressure reducing valve, an end test valve, an alarm device, a display device, and an emergency power supply.

[0034] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the valve device 10 is located in the middle of the piping 3. Examples of valve devices 10 include, but are not limited to, simultaneous opening valves, flow detection devices (alarm valves), end test valves, and manual valves.

[0035] The all-inclusive valve is a control valve that supplies water to all sprinklers in the area requiring spraying. When water or foam solution flows through the opening of the fire sprinkler head or other valves such as the all-inclusive valve, the main valve of the flow detection device is pushed up and opened, triggering a pressure switch and thus issuing an alarm.

[0036] Here, valve devices 10, especially all-open valves, are increasingly being installed near the ceiling to reduce the amount of piping within the fire extinguishing equipment 1. In existing procedures, workers are forced to work at heights, requiring them to climb ladders or use nameplates to verify valve information. Because many valves are installed in large facilities, frequent climbing up and down to higher places is both dangerous and time-consuming.

[0037] A nameplate 11 is mounted on the main body of the valve device 10.

[0038] like Figure 3 As illustrated, the nameplate 11 displays management information for the valve assembly 10. This management information only needs to include at least one of the following: type code, type number, operating pressure range, maximum flow rate, pressure loss, installation direction, year of manufacture, manufacturing number (this information can also be referred to as specification information), and maintenance information (last and next dates for inspection, maintenance, replacement, etc.). This information is required to be confirmed during the inspection and maintenance of the valve assembly 10. Certain aspects of the management information are mandated to be displayed on the nameplate 11 by relevant laws such as the Fire Protection Law.

[0039] The nameplate 11 also has a QR code 12 printed on it.

[0040] The QR code 12 contains information in both horizontal and vertical directions. Therefore, it has high storage density, enabling the storage of a large amount of information in a small area. Furthermore, stable reading is achieved through error correction.

[0041] The QR code 12 can be stacked or matrix-type. Examples of QR codes 12 include, but are not limited to, QR codes (registered trademark), DataMatrix, MaxiCode, PDF417, Aztec, barcodes, etc.

[0042] The QR code 12 contains management information about the valve device 10. For example, the QR code 12 may store at least one of the following: type code, type number, operating pressure range, maximum flow rate, pressure loss, installation direction, year of manufacture, manufacturing number, and maintenance information of the valve device 10. In other words, the QR code 12 contains at least the same information as the management information recorded on the nameplate 11.

[0043] The QR code 12 may also store information such as an identifier for a network address representing product information of the valve device 10. Product information may include, for example, specifications, documents explaining inspection methods, and images, but is not limited to these. Additionally, identifiers may include, for example, URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers) such as URLs (Uniform Resource Locators), IP addresses, etc., but are not limited to these.

[0044] Next, the methods for managing fire-fighting equipment will be explained.

[0045] This management method is used for the inspection and maintenance of fire-fighting equipment. Here, valve device 10 is listed as an example of fire-fighting equipment that is subject to inspection and maintenance, but it is not limited to this.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, this management method can be configured as a management system including a valve device 10 as a fire extinguishing machine, a portable information terminal 30 operated by users such as operators, and a server 50 communicatively connected to the portable information terminal 30.

[0047] The portable information terminal 30 is a portable computer terminal such as a smartphone, tablet, or PDA, which can connect to a communication network wirelessly or via a wired connection. Therefore, the portable information terminal 30 can function as a client relative to the server 50. There can be one or multiple portable information terminals 30.

[0048] The portable information terminal 30 includes an imaging element such as a camera. Additionally, the portable information terminal 30 stores an application program capable of reading information from the QR code 12 from the image captured by the imaging element.

[0049] Server 50 is a computer or storage device that stores various data related to valve device 10. Server 50 can be a single unit or multiple units.

[0050] The data stored on server 50 is data representing the specifications of valve device 10, such as at least one of the following: type code, type number, operating pressure range, maximum flow rate, pressure loss, installation direction, year of manufacture, and manufacturing number.

[0051] Server 50 stores content associated with the identifier (URL, etc.) displayed on QR code 12 (e.g., specifications of valve device 10, animated instructions for inspection methods, etc.) and can send data requested from a client (e.g., a web browser of portable information terminal 30).

[0052] Server 50 can also store the inspection and maintenance history of valve device 10 and can send historical data according to requests from clients. Historical data may include, for example, the date of inspection and maintenance, the person in charge of the work, and the inspection results for each inspection item. Therefore, when operators perform inspection and maintenance on valve device 10, they can refer to the past history of valve device 10, enabling them to perform more accurate inspections and maintenance, and to propose replacements at appropriate times.

[0053] Next, refer to Figure 5 The method of using the above-mentioned management system to manage fire-fighting machines will be explained.

[0054] This explanation assumes that the managed object is valve device 10, but the managed object is not limited to valve device 10. Furthermore, the explanation will be based on a scenario where the inspection and maintenance of fire-fighting equipment is performed as a management task.

[0055] The operator goes to the location where the valve device 10, which is to be inspected and maintained, is installed and uses a portable information terminal 30 to photograph the nameplate 11 (especially the QR code 12) of the valve device 10. If the valve device 10 is installed at a height such as near the ceiling, the operator can also attach the portable information terminal 30 to the end of a stick-like object such as a selfie stick and photograph the nameplate 11. This eliminates the need to climb ladders or other equipment to confirm the specifications of the work object. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for repeated climbing up and down to work with a large number of fire-fighting machines installed in large facilities.

[0056] The portable information terminal 30 reads the management information of the valve device 10 from the QR code 12 and displays the read management information for operator confirmation (step S1). The displayed management information can be shown on a screen or read aloud. Thus, even when the operator cannot visually recognize the nameplate 11 of the valve device 10, they can easily grasp the management information of the valve device 10.

[0057] Furthermore, the portable information terminal 30 can also issue an alarm if it determines, based on the management information it reads, that the valve device 10 has exceeded its set service life (the standard service life; for example, 15 years for a fully open valve). The alarm can simply serve as a reminder to the operator; for example, it could be a visual display stating "This machine has exceeded its standard service life," an illuminated screen, an audible sound, or a vibration. This will draw the operator's attention.

[0058] Alternatively, when the portable information terminal 30 reads identifiers such as URLs from the QR code 12, it displays the read identifiers on the screen, either together with or separately from the management information. When the operator selects an identifier on the screen, the portable information terminal 30 can launch a web browser to request relevant content from the server 50. When the requested content (data) is received from the server 50, the portable information terminal 30 can display the received data on the web browser. The display on the web browser includes not only the display of received document data or still images, but also the playback of received animation data.

[0059] Alternatively, the portable information terminal 30 can download and store content data based on the operator's selection of the identifier.

[0060] In any case, by checking the content displayed on the portable information terminal 30, the operator can easily check the contents of the inspection and maintenance work of the valve device 10.

[0061] The operator performs inspection and maintenance work on valve device 10.

[0062] The portable information terminal 30 can display a screen showing the results corresponding to the various operation items of the valve device 10. For example, as an inspection item for opening the valve at all times, there are spindle opening times (set), type, valve status (open state if the valve is open), drainage status, etc.

[0063] When the portable information terminal 30 receives input from the operator (step S2), it can store it in its own storage device or send it to the server 50 (step S3). This allows for easy and reliable recording of inspection and maintenance history.

[0064] The above describes a fire extinguishing machine, a fire extinguishing device including the fire extinguishing machine, and a management method for the fire extinguishing machine as one embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Various design changes can be made as long as the technical concept of the present invention is present, and all such design changes are included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0065] In this embodiment, an example of inspecting and maintaining the valve device 10 of the fire extinguishing equipment 1 is given, but fire extinguishers, gas container valves, etc. can also be managed.

[0066] When a gas container valve is managed, the management information stored in the QR code on the nameplate only needs to include, for example, the year of manufacture, type of filling gas, model number, maintenance information, and weight of filling gas. Additionally, as inspection items, items such as model number, year of manufacture, and confirmation of the external condition (deformation, damage, scratches, defects, discoloration, corrosion, etc.) can be listed.

[0067] Furthermore, when fire extinguishers are managed as objects, the management information stored in the QR code on the nameplate only needs to include, for example, the type, model number, maintenance information, and year of manufacture. Additionally, inspection items can include, for example, the model number, year of manufacture, confirmation of the physical condition (deformation, damage, scratches, defects, discoloration, corrosion, leakage of extinguishing agent, etc.), whether the pressure gauge reading is within the specified range, whether the safety pin is detached, and whether it is securely installed.

[0068] Furthermore, this invention relates to fire extinguishing machines, fire extinguishing equipment including fire extinguishing machines, and management methods for fire extinguishing machines, but it can also be widely applied to the management of objects with historical management needs for various projects by each individual.

[0069] Explanation of symbols

[0070] 1. Fire extinguishing equipment

[0071] 2 pumps

[0072] 3 piping

[0073] 4 Fire Extinguishing Heads

[0074] 5. Flame Sensor

[0075] 10 Valve Device

[0076] 11 Nameplate

[0077] 12 QR codes

[0078] 30 Portable Information Terminals

[0079] 50 servers.

Claims

1. A fire extinguishing machine, characterized in that, It has the main body of a fire extinguishing machine and a nameplate installed on the main body. The nameplate contains a QR code representing the management information of the entity.

2. The fire extinguishing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The main body is a valve device installed in the piping of the fire extinguishing equipment. The management information of the subject includes at least one of the following: the subject's type code, type number, operating pressure range, maximum flow rate, pressure loss, installation direction, year of manufacture, manufacturing number, and maintenance information.

3. The fire extinguishing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The main body is a gas container valve. The management information of the subject includes at least one of the following: the subject's year of manufacture, type of filling gas, model number, weight of filling gas, and maintenance information.

4. The fire extinguishing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The main body is a fire extinguisher. The management information of the subject includes the subject's type, model, model number, year of manufacture, and maintenance information.

5. The fire extinguishing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The management information of the entity also includes identifiers of network addresses representing the entity's product information.

6. A fire extinguishing device, characterized in that, It includes the fire extinguishing machine as described in claim 1.

7. A method for managing fire-fighting equipment, characterized in that... ， The device includes the fire extinguishing machine as described in claim 1 and a portable information terminal containing a camera element. The management method includes: the portable information terminal reading the QR code displayed on the nameplate of the fire extinguishing machine via the camera element, and recording or sending the results of the operation of the fire extinguishing machine to an external computer based on user input.

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