Firefighting equipment and system encompassing a variety of firefighting equipment

Abstract

Firefighting equipment comprising a water tank, a pump, a power generation unit, an energy storage unit, at least two power output units and at least two water output units, wherein the pump is fluidically connected to the tank and to the water output units and is designed such that water can be supplied for firefighting via at least one water output unit and water can be supplied to a fire engine via another water output unit, and wherein the power generation unit and the energy storage unit as well as the energy storage unit and the energy output units are connected to each other by means of electrical connections and an energy output unit and the pump are connected by means of an electrical connection.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire-fighting device and a fire-fighting system comprising a plurality of fire-fighting devices. The fire-fighting devices are primarily intended for use by laypersons, e.g., in the case of vegetation fires that threaten to spread to buildings. However, they are also intended to be available for use by fire departments. Description of the invention

[0002] Influenced by climate change, there is an increase in heavy, short rainfalls and longer periods of drought with intense heat. Vegetation is severely affected by this. Fires spread very quickly and find ample dry, highly flammable fuel.

[0003] Therefore, various devices have been presented in the past to combat these fires. German patent application DE 203 37 469 A1 describes a fire extinguishing attachment for vehicles. The container includes a water tank, a pump, and the option of water delivery via a monitor mounted on the container or a hose stored inside it. The container also features a control panel for operating the equipment. Transporting this fire extinguishing device to the scene by vehicle results in a loss of valuable time for firefighting. Furthermore, the setup time before deployment will not provide any speed advantage compared to the fire department's response.

[0004] Document WO 2006 / 085 817 A1 also shows a container that can be transported to sensitive areas and, once set up, automatically dispense extinguishing agents in the event of a fire. This could be a viable option for sparsely populated areas with a high risk of forest fires, but difficulties may arise with setting it up in a suitable location or with malfunctions in the automatic system.

[0005] In addition, various stationary fire-fighting systems were presented. For example, German patent DE 38 25 078 A1 discloses a fire-fighting device in which water from a tank can be used to combat small and incipient fires by means of a high-pressure cleaner. A similar system is described in EP 0 816 257 A1, where the tank is located underground. These devices are considered standalone systems, as there is no way to continue firefighting after the tank has been emptied. For the fire department to draw water from such systems, a suction connection is necessary, which is often very complex and requires coupling several suction hoses, fittings, and ropes. The associated effort is usually not worthwhile for fire department purposes, so such water reserves are generally disregarded.DE 20 2008 003 905 U1 relates to a fire extinguishing device designed for local fire suppression in buildings at the site of a fire. US 5 909 983 A relates to liquid reservoir systems and, in particular, to a new emergency water reservoir device for providing an operational water reserve for extinguishing fires at a specific location, such as a residential building. DE 20 2021 101 713 U1 relates to a system for providing a decentralized water supply, specifically for irrigating vegetation surrounding traffic areas using rainwater collected from the traffic areas, but not for fire suppression.

[0006] Another problem will arise in the future for which there are currently no satisfactory solutions. Water suppliers are facing ever-increasing demands for water purity. The currently large pipe diameters of 100 mm or more, which can carry sufficient quantities of water for firefighting, are being gradually replaced by smaller pipe diameters, e.g., 80 mm, as these meet the quality requirements. Consequently, there may be a shortage of firefighting water in built-up areas in the future.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of eliminating the disadvantages of the prior art and providing a fire-fighting device and a fire-fighting system comprising a large number of fire-fighting devices, wherein the fire-fighting device can be used by laypersons for the initial defense of incipient fires, but can also be meaningfully integrated into fire-fighting by the fire brigade.

[0008] The problem is solved using the features of claim 1, with the dependent claims describing further embodiments.

[0009] The fire-fighting device according to the invention comprises a water tank, a pump, a power generation unit, an energy storage unit, at least two power output units, and at least two water output units. The pump is fluidically connected to the tank and the water output units and is designed such that water can be dispensed via at least one water output unit. The pump is also designed such that water can be dispensed to a fire engine. The fire-fighting device includes a power generation unit that transfers the generated energy to an energy storage unit. The energy storage unit and the power output units are connected to each other by means of electrical connections. A power output unit is connected to the energy storage unit, via which the pump is supplied with energy by means of an electrical connection.This allows the fire suppression system to operate independently for firefighting, as the necessary energy for the pump is always available. Appropriate insulation measures are, of course, in place to protect both the energy storage unit and the water tank from low temperatures.

[0010] Due to a special design of the fire suppression system, the pump has an inlet for receiving extinguishing water via a pressure line. This allows the fire suppression system to be integrated even more effectively, as a pump is readily available directly at the fire source or already integrated into the fire suppression system, and can be continuously supplied with water via a fire suppression water supply, e.g., from the fire department. A suitable inlet (Storz B) must be provided on the pump for this purpose.

[0011] According to a further embodiment of the fire-fighting device according to the invention, the energy generation device is a solar collector. This is preferable to other energy generation devices due to its low noise level and the good availability of sunlight throughout the year. Furthermore, the components are readily available and require little maintenance.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the fire-fighting device according to the invention, hobby and garden equipment can be operated from the second energy output unit. Firefighting will generally not be required with high frequency. Other tasks on the property, however, are recurring, such as mowing the lawn, DIY work around the house and yard, or even garden parties. The generated energy can be used for these purposes, thus saving energy elsewhere, while simultaneously extending the lifespan of the storage units, providing the user with information about their constant readiness for use, and shortening cable runs.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the fire-fighting device according to the invention, at least one water delivery device has a Storz type coupling, size B. This ensures the simple delivery of water from the water tank to a fire engine via a pressure hose. This rapid availability makes water withdrawal attractive for fire departments as well.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the fire-fighting device according to the invention, the second water delivery device is suitable for connecting a rigid hose or a garden hose.

[0015] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the fire-fighting device according to the invention, the water tank preferably holds 1500 liters of water. This quantity of water is suitable, on the one hand, for extinguishing small vegetation fires, incipient fires, and vehicle fires in their initial stages; on the other hand, this quantity is also sufficient to fill the water tank of a fire engine (LF 10) or similar and, if necessary, to water one's own garden. However, larger or smaller water tanks are also conceivable if space constraints allow or necessitate it. For example, when using larger water tanks, fire engines could also be used for refueling.

[0016] Finally, in a further embodiment of the fire-fighting device according to the invention, the tank can be filled externally with water and has an overflow. Filling can be carried out by the fire department, by collecting rainwater, or via a water supply line, whether process or fresh water. The overflow prevents damage to the water tank from excessive pressure, particularly during filling.

[0017] The problem is further solved by the features of claim 9, with the dependent claims describing further embodiments.

[0018] The fire-fighting system according to the invention comprises a plurality of self-contained fire-fighting devices distributed over a wide area. These fire-fighting devices have at least one water tank, a pump, and means for water delivery. Each fire-fighting device can be fluidically connected to fire engines equipped with water tanks. Each pump is suitable for refueling fire engines equipped with water tanks. In such a system, surface fires at multiple locations can be effectively fought by laypersons for a certain period of time until the fire department arrives. Equally important, however, is the provision of extinguishing water to the fire departments by delivering the contents of the water tank via the pump and a pressure hose to fire engines equipped with tanks.The pump is designed to achieve the desired speed by pressurizing the pressure hose sufficiently to deliver water from the tank to a fire engine positioned higher up. This allows for the rapid and efficient provision of extinguishing water in a suitable form for firefighting in the event of a fire in the neighborhood. Shuttle operation to more distant water reservoirs can be avoided if the system has a sufficiently high density of firefighting devices, enabling effective firefighting with fewer resources and personnel until a stationary water supply can be established, even over long distances.

[0019] In a specific configuration of this fire suppression system, fire suppression equipment is arranged at a higher density on the edges of settlements and at a lower density within settlements. This primarily serves to effectively combat vegetation fires that threaten to spread to built-up areas. In the event of localized vegetation fires, neighbors can also support each other. Within settlements, the fire suppression equipment primarily serves to combat small domestic fires, to protect buildings with particular hazards such as workshops or thatched-roof houses, and to provide water for the fire department. Implementation of the invention

[0020] The invention is explained using an exemplary embodiment. For this purpose, we show... Fig. 1. A system for fire fighting in an overview and Fig. 2. A fire-fighting device in a schematic representation.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an overview of a fire suppression system installed in a residential area 13. Residential area 13, with its numerous buildings 12, is accessed via a road 14. Part of the residential area borders vegetation. The vegetation edge 15 is also shown. If a vegetation fire breaks out that could spread to the residential area, it can be fought using fire suppression equipment 11 evenly distributed along the vegetation edge. Residents can begin extinguishing the fire even before the fire department arrives. Additional fire suppression equipment 11 is located within the residential area, spaced further apart. These are not primarily intended for vegetation fire suppression but can also be used for general fire suppression if needed, or to assist residents in fighting small fires.

[0022] In Fig. Figure 2 schematically depicts the appearance of a fire-fighting device 11. A water tank 1 contains extinguishing water 16. In the event of a fire, the extinguishing water 16 can be discharged by means of a pump 2 via a first water delivery device 4, a hose 17, and a hollow jet nozzle 10 connected to it. If the extinguishing water 16 is drawn by the fire brigade, i.e., for refueling a fire engine, a second water delivery device 5 is supplied with the extinguishing water 16 via the device 3 for distributing the extinguishing agent, so that a vehicle can be refueled via a pressure hose connected there. The pump 2 is regulated by a pump controller 6 with regard to the generated pressure and the associated height of the water discharge. The power supply for the pump 2 from an energy storage device 7 can also be regulated via the control device. The energy storage device 7 is powered by an energy generation device 8, in which Fig. 2 a solar collector, supplied with energy and charged. Further energy output devices 9, e.g. sockets for garden equipment, are also arranged on the energy storage unit 7. Reference sign 1 water tank 2 pumps 3 Device for distributing the extinguishing agent 4 First water dispensing device 5 Second water dispensing device 6 Pump control 7 Energy storage 8 Energy generating plant 9 Energy output device 10 hollow jet nozzles 11 Firefighting equipment 12 buildings 13 Settlement section 14th Street 15 Vegetation edge 16 Firefighting water 17 hose

Claims

[1] Firefighting device comprising a water tank, a pump, an energy generation device, an energy storage device, at least two energy delivery devices and at least two water delivery devices, wherein the pump is fluidically connected to the tank and to the water delivery devices and is designed such that water for firefighting can be delivered via at least one water delivery device and water can be delivered to a fire service vehicle via a further water delivery device, and wherein the energy generation device and the energy storage device as well as the energy storage device and the energy delivery devices are connected to one another by means of electrical connections and an energy delivery device and the pump are connected by means of an electrical connection. [2] Fire-fighting device according to claim 1, characterized by that the pump has an inlet for receiving extinguishing water via a pressure line. [3] Fire-fighting device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the energy generating device is a solar collector. [4] Fire-fighting device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized by that hobby and garden equipment can be operated on the second energy output device. [5] Firefighting device according to claims 1 to 4, characterized by that at least one water dispensing device has a Storz type coupling, size B. [6] Fire-fighting device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized by that a second water dispensing device is suitable for connecting a rigid hose or a garden hose. [7] Fire-fighting device according to claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the water tank preferably holds 1500 liters of water. [8] Fire-fighting device according to claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the water tank can be filled with water externally and has an overflow. [9] Firefighting system comprising a plurality of area-wide distributed, self-sufficient firefighting devices according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Firefighting system according to claim 9, characterized by that fire-fighting facilities are arranged at higher density on the outskirts of settlements and at lower density within settlements.

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