Direct connection station and method for operating a direct connection station

Abstract

Direct connection station of a fire-fighting system with a connection part (2), the connection part (2) comprising: - a supply connection (4) for connection to a water supply pipe, - a discharge connection (6) for connection to a pipe of the fire-fighting system, - a drainage connection (8), wherein a valve (26) is arranged on the drainage connection (8), wherein - the supply connection (4), the discharge connection (6) and the drainage connection (8) are in fluid communication with each other, characterized in that - that in the installed state of the connection part (2) of the direct connection station, both the supply line connection (4) and the discharge connection (8) are located above the drainage connection (8) and at least one intermediate wall (28a, 28b) running in the direction of the drainage connection (8) is arranged between the supply line connection (4) and the discharge connection (6).

Description

[0001] The subject matter relates to a direct connection station of a fire-fighting system with a connection part and a method for operating a direct connection station.

[0002] Direct connection stations are subject to special requirements regarding the prevention of microbiological contamination of the connected drinking water supply. According to DIN 14464, a dry section must be provided between a supply connection connected to a water supply and a discharge connection connected to a firefighting system pipeline.

[0003] Direct connection stations are known, for example, from DE 10 2014 226 619 A1. These direct connection stations serve to supply the extinguishing fluid line of firefighting systems. The extinguishing fluid is usually water and, in direct connection stations, is taken directly from the drinking water supply.

[0004] DE 19 95 357 U describes an alarm valve for automatic fire extinguishing systems.

[0005] The KR 10 0 534 605 B1 shows a Y-branch with valves on each connecting line.

[0006] The firefighting system's piping is connected to extinguishing fluid extraction points or extinguishing nozzles, so that in the event of a fire, the extinguishing fluid is transported via the firefighting system's piping to the extinguishing nozzles or extinguishing water extraction points. Since the direct connection station is directly connected to the drinking water supply, microbiological contamination must be prevented. Particularly in wet systems, which are filled with extinguishing fluid even in idle mode—i.e., when the firefighting system is not activated and no fire is burning—a large number of microorganisms can easily form in the piping. These microorganisms must not reach the drinking water line to protect the drinking water from contamination.

[0007] The current effort to protect the drinking water supply from contamination by microorganisms is considerable, which makes direct connection stations structurally complex and therefore expensive.

[0008] The objective of the project was therefore to provide a direct connection station with a simple design, high interference immunity, and easy maintenance. It also aimed to eliminate the need for additional disinfection measures.

[0009] This object is achieved by a direct connection station according to claim 1.

[0010] This direct connection station provides a safe separation between the water supply, in particular the drinking water line, and the extinguishing fluid supply in the firefighting system pipeline. This connection component allows for a particularly simple, low-maintenance, and highly safe implementation of a direct connection station. The supply connection, which is connected to a water supply pipeline, is in fluid communication with a discharge connection, which is intended for connection to a firefighting system pipeline.

[0011] A drainage connection is provided between the supply connection and the discharge connection, which can drain a pipe section located between the supply connection and the discharge connection. For this purpose, the drainage connection can be opened, and the pipe section between the supply connection and the discharge connection can be drained.

[0012] The particularly secure separation between the water supply and the firefighting system, to prevent the migration of microorganisms, even in the event of a malfunction, is ensured by the fact that, when installed, both the supply and discharge connections are located above the drainage connection, and at least one partition wall is arranged between the supply and discharge connections, extending in the direction of the drainage connection. This ensures that, even in the event of a leak, extinguishing fluid leaking from the discharge connection does not reach the supply connection, but is inevitably guided by gravity to the drainage connection. From there, drainage of the pipe section between the supply and discharge connections is possible.

[0013] By appropriately connecting the valves at the supply connection, discharge connection, and drainage connection, it can be ensured that the pipe section between these connections is always dry during non-operation. A valve is located at the drainage connection.

[0014] The idle mode is the operating condition in which the firefighting system is not activated, meaning no extinguishing fluid should flow from the supply connection to the discharge connection. In the event of a fire, extinguishing fluid is discharged through the firefighting system's piping via the tapping points or extinguishing nozzles. To replenish the extinguishing fluid, the supply connection is connected to the discharge connection.

[0015] The connecting part is preferably formed by a common pipe section. The supply connection, discharge connection, and drainage connection can be arranged together in a single assembly. Such a connecting part can be integrated into the direct connection station. The assembly effort is extremely low, since a single component with its connecting flanges needs to be connected to the respective pipes at the supply connection and discharge connection. The pipe section between the connections can be drained particularly easily via the drainage connection. In the event of a leak, the drainage connection also prevents this pipe section from filling up, thus avoiding an increase in the fluid level in the pipe section. This reliably prevents extinguishing fluid from being present at the supply connection and the discharge connection inside the connecting part at the same time during idle times.This reliably prevents microorganisms from migrating from the fire suppression system's piping via the discharge connection to the supply connection. Contamination of the drinking water supply is thus reliably avoided.

[0016] According to one embodiment, it is proposed that a spring-loaded return valve is arranged, in particular, at the supply connection and / or the discharge connection. The supply connection or the discharge connection can be opened or closed via the respective valve in order to establish a connection between the interior of the connecting part and a pipeline connected to the respective connections. The valve on the drainage connection makes it possible to open the drainage connection in the idle state in order to drain the connecting part. The valve is, in particular, a spring-loaded return valve to ensure that the valve closes in the event of an electrical fault.

[0017] Additional protection against contamination of the drinking water supply is achieved by installing a backflow preventer at the supply connection and / or the discharge connection. This backflow preventer also prevents the backflow of extinguishing fluid from inside the connection piece into the pipes connected to the connections. However, the backflow preventer can also be defective and, for example, leak, in which case the connection piece in question still ensures a safe separation between the water supply and the firefighting system's pipes.

[0018] According to one embodiment, it is proposed that a pressure sensor be arranged at the supply connection and / or the discharge connection. This pressure sensor makes it possible to measure the applied fluid pressure. In the event of a fire, extinguishing fluid is withdrawn from the pipeline of the firefighting system. The withdrawal of the extinguishing fluid leads to a drop in the pressure in the pipeline at the discharge connection. This pressure drop can be sensed by the pressure sensor. Since the water supply is generally always subject to an essentially constant pressure, it can be determined that the pressure in the pipeline at the discharge connection is lower than the pressure in the pipeline at the supply connection, thus indicating a fire.In this case, the valves on the supply and discharge connections can be opened and the valve on the drain connection can be closed so that extinguishing fluid can be forced from the water supply into the firefighting system pipeline.

[0019] If the extinguishing nozzles are closed, or no further water is drawn, or a valve in the fire suppression system's pipe is manually closed, the pressure in the pipe at the discharge connection rises again and equalizes to the pressure in the pipe at the supply connection. If the measured pressures are the same, this may mean that the fire suppression system is no longer activated, and the valves at the supply and discharge connections can be closed. The valve at the drain connection can then be opened to drain the connection, thus ensuring a dry pipe section between the supply and discharge connections.

[0020] Even in the event of a pressure drop in the supply connection pipe, for example, if there is a pressure drop in the water supply area, the pressure sensors can detect this. This can also be considered a rest condition, and the valves at the supply and drain connections remain closed, while the valve at the drain connection remains open.

[0021] Opening the valve at the drainage connection ensures that the pipe section between the supply connection and the discharge connection of the connecting part always remains dry when the system is at rest and prevents the backflow of microorganisms.

[0022] To ensure that there is an intermediate wall between the supply connection and the discharge connection, it is proposed that the supply connection and the discharge connection are inclined to one another in such a way that an angle enclosed between the supply connection and the discharge connection, which points away from the vent connection, is less than 180°. This ensures that leakage water emerging from the discharge connection is always guided by gravity to the vent connection without bypassing the supply connection. The described configuration of the included angle results in the supply connection and discharge connection and, if applicable, the vent connection being arranged in a Y-shape to one another. A V-shaped arrangement or a U-shaped arrangement or another arrangement that enables the described angle inclusion is also conceivable.

[0023] According to one embodiment, it is proposed that, during operation, the supply connection and the discharge connection are each connected to a wet pipe. The pipes of the firefighting system and the water supply are filled with extinguishing fluid or water during operation of the connecting part, which can be in the idle state or in the fire state. Especially with these wet systems, backflow must be prevented, especially during the idle state, to avoid an exchange of microorganisms from the pipe system of the firefighting system into the pipe system of the water supply.

[0024] The supply connection and / or the discharge connection are formed, at least in part, from a straight or curved pipe section. The pipe sections together form the pipe section forming the connecting part.

[0025] The connecting part can be formed as a pipe section between the supply connection and the discharge connection as well as the drainage connection, and an alarm pressure sensor can be arranged in this pipe section. In the event of a fire, as described, the valves at the supply connection and discharge connection are opened, and the valve at the drainage connection is closed, in particular by an electrical control. In this case, the connecting part is flooded. The alarm pressure sensor detects such flooding and can trigger an alarm signal. This makes it possible to monitor the function of the connecting part.

[0026] Further protection against bacterial contamination can be achieved by flooding the pipe section between the supply and discharge connections of the connecting part with an inert gas when inactive. An inert gas can easily have a lower density than the density of air at 20°C. The inert gas can be a noble gas or nitrogen. The inert gas can be introduced, for example, via the drainage connection or a connection in the area of the alarm pressure sensor.

[0027] Further protection against bacterial contamination can be achieved by heating the pipe section between the supply connection and the discharge connection of the connecting part, either continuously or intermittently, during idle time, in particular to a temperature of 50°C, preferably above 61.5°C, for at least 30 minutes. The following minimum temperatures are preferred for the specified minimum time: 61.5°C for 30 minutes; 80°C for 30 minutes; 100°C for 5-30 minutes; 105°C for 5 minutes; 121°C for 15 minutes; 132°C for 60 minutes. This heating can kill any bacteria and / or viruses present.

[0028] A further aspect is a method according to claim 10.

[0029] In the connection part, the separation between the supply and discharge connections is gravity-driven. In the idle state, the drainage connection is always located below the supply and discharge connections. Furthermore, the supply and discharge connections are always located above a partition separating these two connections, so that extinguishing fluid is always fed to the drainage connection by gravity. Any extinguishing fluid escaping from the discharge connection due to leaks always reaches the drainage connection by gravity, not the supply connection.

[0030] As already described, a pressure comparison is made between the fluid pressures at the supply connection and the discharge connection. This pressure comparison can be used, particularly through an electrical control system, to automatically control the valves at the respective connections. As described above, a valve position can be determined depending on the pressures, ensuring that the respective valves are correctly opened or closed in the event of a fire or in a non-operating state.

[0031] As already mentioned above, the connection part is dry when not in use. This is made possible by drainage at the drainage connection.

[0032] The subject matter is explained in more detail below using a drawing showing exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows: Fig. 1a-c a connecting part in different switching positions; Fig. 2a-i different configurations of connecting parts.

[0033] Fig. 1a shows a connecting part 2 with a supply connection 4 and a discharge connection 6 as well as a vent connection 8. The connecting part is formed in the shape of a pipe and the supply connection 4, discharge connection 6 and vent connection 8 are in fluid communication with each other via a common pipe enclosed by a pipe.

[0034] A pipe 14 of a drinking water supply is connected to the supply connection 4 via a valve 10 and a backflow preventer 12. A pressure sensor 16 is provided in the area of the valve 10 and / or the backflow preventer 12.

[0035] The discharge connection 6 is connected to a pipeline 22 of a fire-fighting system via a valve 18 and a backflow preventer 20. A pressure sensor 24 is provided in the area of the valve 18 and / or the backflow preventer 20.

[0036] The valves 10, 18 can be designed as spring-return valves. The valves 10, 18 can be electrically controlled.

[0037] A further valve 26 is provided at the vent connection 8, which can also be controlled electrically.

[0038] The pressure sensors 16, 24 are in fluid communication with the fluid in pipe 22 and pipe 14 respectively and measure the fluid pressure present there.

[0039] The extinguishing fluid is preferably water.

[0040] Again Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, two pipe walls 28a, b are arranged between the supply connection 4 and the discharge connection 6. The supply connection 4 and the discharge connection 6, or their pipe sections, are inclined in the direction of the vent connection 8. An angle α between the walls 28a, b, which faces away from the vent connection 8, is at least less than 180°.

[0041] An alarm pressure switch 30 is provided within the connection part 2. This alarm pressure switch 30 measures the pressure within the pipe section of the connection part 2.

[0042] Fig. Figure 1a shows the connector 2 in a resting state. Valves 10, 18 are closed, and valve 26 is open. The valve position can depend on the pressures measured at the pressure sensors 16, 24.

[0043] Normally, a substantially constant pressure is present in the water supply pipe 14 at the pressure sensor 16. Extinguishing nozzles or tapping points in the area of the pipe 22 are closed, so that the pressures measured by the pressure sensors 16, 24 are approximately equal. In this case, the valves 10, 18 are closed.

[0044] Even if the pressure in the water supply drops, valves 10 and 18 should remain closed as long as there is no fire. This means that if the pressure measured by pressure sensor 16 is lower than the pressure measured by pressure sensor 24, valves 10 and 18 should also remain closed.

[0045] Valve 26 is opened under both conditions. This is the resting state and connection part 2 is dry.

[0046] In the event of a fire, extinguishing fluid is discharged from an extinguishing nozzle via pipe 22 or withdrawn from a tapping point. This leads to a pressure drop in pipe 22. This pressure drop is detected by pressure sensor 24. The pressure detected at pressure sensor 24 is lower than the pressure detected at pressure sensor 16. In this case, valves 10, 18 are preferably opened electrically, and valve 26 is closed. Extinguishing fluid enters connection part 2 through supply port 4, flows along vent port 8 to discharge port 6 in pipe 22. Since valve 26 is closed, a supply of extinguishing fluid to the firefighting system is ensured.

[0047] In this case, the alarm pressure switch 30 is activated because it detects an increase in pressure within the connection part. An emitted alarm signal can be evaluated to determine whether the connection part 2 is functioning properly.

[0048] Fig. 1c shows a resting state according to the Fig. 1a, in which, however, the valve 18 and the non-return valve 24 are not completely closed and thus a leakage occurs.

[0049] Due to the position of the supply connection 4 to the discharge connection 6 in the installed state, such that one of the walls 28a, b is always located between these connections 4, 6 and the wall is directed in the direction of the vent connection 8, so that the supply connection 4 and the discharge connection 6 are always inclined in the direction of the vent connection 8, an extinguishing fluid entering the connection part 2 through the leakage, as in the Fig. 1c, is guided directly to the vent port 8 by gravity. Since the valve 26 is open in the resting state, the connecting part 2 is drained at the drainage port 8.

[0050] As can be seen, extinguishing fluid flows directly to the drainage connection 8 without reaching the supply connection 4. This reliably prevents microorganisms from reaching the supply connection 4 through the extinguishing fluid from the drainage connection 6.

[0051] The configuration of the connecting part 2 can be varied, as long as it is ensured that the supply connection 4 and the discharge connection 6 are inclined in their installed position toward the drainage connection 8 and that at least one intermediate wall is formed between the supply connection 4 and the discharge connection 6. The intermediate wall can also be formed by pipe walls of pipe sections of the respective connections 4, 6.

[0052] Fig. 2a shows a U-shaped configuration with a small radius, wherein the pipe sections of supply connection 4 and discharge connection 6 are at least partially bent and converge towards each other in the direction of the vent connection 8.

[0053] Fig. Figure 2b shows a first Y-configuration in which the lengths of the pipe sections of the supply connection 4 and the discharge connection 6 are different from each other.

[0054] Fig. Figure 2c shows a second Y-configuration in which the drainage connection 8 is not inclined vertically downwards, but rather runs diagonally downwards. However, the supply connection 4 and the discharge connection 6 are still inclined toward the drainage connection 8, and a wall remains between these two connections 4 and 6.

[0055] Fig. Figure 2d shows another Y-configuration in which the opening angle α between supply connection 4 and discharge connection 6 is particularly large, but remains below 180°.

[0056] In contrast, Fig. 2e a configuration in which the supply connection 4 and the discharge connection 6 are essentially parallel to each other and only a small distance remains between these connections 4 and 6.

[0057] Fig. 2f shows an embodiment in which the supply connection 4 and the discharge connection 6 have different pipe diameters.

[0058] Fig. 2g shows a configuration in which the supply connection 4 and the discharge connection 6 as well as the drainage connection 8 are inclined in a y-shape to each other.

[0059] Fig. 2h shows a configuration according to Fig. 2a, where the radius of the bent connections 4, 6 is larger.

[0060] Fig. 2i shows a variation of the configuration according to Fig. 2g, in which the pipe sections of the supply connection 4 and the discharge connection 8 are inclined differently and are inclined from a vertical area to an inclined area towards the drainage connection 8. List of reference symbols 2 connection part 4 Supply connection 6 Drain connection 8 Vent connection, drainage connection 10 Valve 12 backflow preventers 14 Pipeline 16 Pressure sensor 18 Valve 20 backflow preventers 22 Pipeline 24 Pressure sensor 26 Valve 28a, b wall, partition wall, pipe wall 30 alarm pressure switch, alarm pressure sensor α angle

Claims

[1] Direct connection station of a fire-fighting system with a connection part (2), the connection part (2) comprising: - a supply connection (4) for connection to a water supply pipe, - a discharge connection (6) for connection to a pipe of the fire-fighting system, - a drainage connection (8), wherein a valve (26) is arranged on the drainage connection (8), wherein - the supply connection (4), the discharge connection (6) and the drainage connection (8) are in fluid communication with each other, characterized by , - that in the installed state of the connection part (2) of the direct connection station, both the supply connection (4) and the discharge connection (8) are located above the drainage connection (8) and at least one intermediate wall (28a, 28b) running in the direction of the drainage connection (8) is arranged between the supply connection (4) and the discharge connection (6). [2] Direct connection station according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the supply connection (4), the discharge connection (6) and the drainage connection (8) are arranged together in one assembly. [3] Direct connection station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that a valve (10, 18), in particular a spring return valve, is arranged on the supply connection (4) and / or on the discharge connection (6). [4] Direct connection station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that a backflow preventer (12, 20) is arranged on the supply connection (4) and / or the discharge connection (6). [5] Direct connection station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that a pressure sensor (16, 24) is arranged on the supply connection (4) and / or on the discharge connection (6). [6] Direct connection station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the supply connection (4) and the discharge connection (6) are inclined to one another in such a way that an angle α enclosed between the supply connection (4) and the discharge connection (6), which points away from the vent connection (8), is less than 180°. [7] Direct connection station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that during operation the supply connection (4) and the discharge connection (6) are each connected to a wet pipeline (14, 22), in particular that the pipeline (14) of the water supply and the pipeline (22) of the fire-fighting system are filled with extinguishing fluid, in particular water. [8] Direct connection station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the supply connection (4) and / or the discharge connection (6) are formed at least in part from a straight or a bent pipe section. [9] Direct connection station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that an alarm pressure sensor (30) is arranged in the pipe section arranged between the supply connection (4), the discharge connection (6) and the drainage connection (8). [10] Method for operating a direct connection station of a fire-fighting system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a connection part (2) in which - in a rest state, the supply connection (4) and the discharge connection (6) are closed and the drainage connection (8) is opened, - in the event of a fire, the drainage connection (8) is closed and the supply connection (4) and the discharge connection (6) are opened, characterized by , - that in a rest state, in the event of a leak in the discharge connection (6), extinguishing fluid is fed to the drainage connection (8) by gravity, so that the extinguishing fluid emerging from the discharge connection (8) does not reach the supply connection (4). [11] Method according to claim 10, characterized by , - that a pressure comparison is carried out between the fluid pressures at the supply connection (4) and the discharge connection (6). [12] Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by , - that at substantially equal fluid pressures the supply connection (4) and the discharge connection (6) are closed and the drainage connection (8) is opened. [13] Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by , - that when the fluid pressure at the supply connection (4) is lower than the discharge connection (6), the supply connection (4) and the discharge connection (6) are closed and the drainage connection (8) is opened. [14] Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by , - that when the fluid pressure at the supply connection (4) is greater than at the discharge connection (6), the supply connection (4) and the discharge connection (6) are opened and the drainage connection (8) is closed. [15] Method according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 14, characterized by , - that in the rest state the pipe section arranged between the supply connection (4), the discharge connection (6) and the drainage connection (8) is dry.

Images