FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a fire protection system (1) for a warehouse having adjacent storage areas.

[0002] In storage yards, particularly those belonging to large transport companies, but also to large freight forwarders or vehicle manufacturers, objects such as vehicles like buses, trucks, cars, and railcars are parked or stored. To make optimal use of the limited space in these yards, the vehicles are parked close together. If a vehicle catches fire, for example, due to technical defects, the fire, regardless of the cause, usually spreads to neighboring vehicles before the fire department arrives and can take appropriate action. As a result, a large number of vehicles are irreparably damaged or completely destroyed within a very short time. The resulting financial damage often amounts to millions of euros.

[0003] To mitigate such extensive damage, a sound fire protection concept is essential. However, if the parking yards are located outdoors, i.e., without a roof, conventional sprinkler systems that allow for overhead watering are not suitable. Furthermore, in parking yards housing several hundred vehicles, locating the fire and minimizing the time required to initiate firefighting measures directly at the source is a challenge. When the fire department arrives at the scene, valuable time is lost while the incident commander assesses the situation and weighs the priorities of rescuing employees, protecting adjacent buildings, and initiating firefighting operations. Establishing an adequate water supply is also necessary to initiate firefighting operations.During this time, the fire can heat up the closely adjacent vehicles to such an extent that they ignite themselves and the fire is thus spread from vehicle to vehicle.

[0004] No fire protection systems for warehouses with multiple uncovered storage areas are known from the current state of the art that can overcome the described challenges and ensure the implementation of a sufficient fire protection concept for open-air warehouses.

[0005] DE 196 18 072 A1 describes a fire extinguishing system for motor vehicles parked in multi-story car parks, in fully open storage areas and / or partially open parking spaces. Each storage space or parking space is assigned several extinguishing nozzles, with each set of nozzles being opened by a single activation element.

[0006] From EP 3 613 471 A1, a fire protection system for preventing the spread of fire in a protected zone is known. The fire protection system comprises a water mist Deluge extinguishing system and sensors that detect and report incipient, detectable, or already existing fires and trigger the water mist Deluge extinguishing system sectionally. The water mist Deluge extinguishing system has nozzle groups, each with at least one water mist nozzle, with which a water mist can be generated in targeted areas of the protected zone.

[0007] US Patent 2018 / 0200552 A1 describes an automatic fire suppression system. In one embodiment of the system, the aim is to supply the regions surrounding a fire with fire suppressant, thereby containing the fire within a limited area without flooding a larger area than necessary to contain the fire. Sprinklers are also provided that can be selectively activated automatically, optionally in addition to the usual heat activation. Sensors can be integrated into the sprinklers. Furthermore, sprinklers are provided that can signal their activation via an electrical state change.Furthermore, devices are provided that reduce installation costs and increase the resolution of fire suppression and / or fire containment systems by enabling wireless communication between network nodes, such as flow switches, valve status switches and individual sensors, sprinklers and other connections, and a control unit.

[0008] From DE 298 08 806 U1 a sprinkler system is known in which sprinklers are arranged so closely that smaller effective areas result, whereby the water application does not differ from conventional sprinkler systems, since the outflow rate of the individual sprinklers is reduced.

[0009] In DE 10 2020 133 630 A1, a fitting for firefighting and / or for cooling burning objects is described, comprising a hollow body that can be positioned on a surface and has at least one inlet opening and a plurality of outlet openings, wherein the hollow body is designed such that an extinguishing agent enters the hollow body in a first flow direction and exits the hollow body in a second flow direction, wherein the first and the second flow direction enclose an angle other than zero, in particular 90°, to each other, and wherein the hollow body has at least one closable outlet opening which can be connected to an inlet opening of another fitting.

[0010] EP 2 516 022 A1 describes a method for connecting the extinguishing system of a mobile unit to a source of an external medium, wherein in the method a connecting part is arranged in the extinguishing system of the mobile unit and a counterpart is arranged outside the mobile unit, which can be connected to each other, wherein the counterpart is arranged in a movable means which is moved at least between a first position, in which the counterpart and the connecting part are in a standby position, and a second connection position, in which a coupling is automatically formed between the connecting part and the counterpart in order to form a connection, wherein, when the mobile unit moves, the counterpart moves in the direction in which the mobile unit is moving and in the direction of the mobile unit in order to reach the second connection position.

[0011] EP 3 613 471 A1 describes a fire protection system for preventing fire spread in a protected zone, comprising a water mist Deluge extinguishing system and sensors that detect and report incipient, detectable, or already existing fires and trigger the water mist Deluge extinguishing system section by section. The water mist Deluge extinguishing system has nozzle groups, each with at least one water mist nozzle, with which a water mist can be generated in targeted areas B of the protected zone. Also described is a method for preventing fire spread in a protected zone, in which targeted areas of the protected zone are cooled. Sensors for verifying heat radiation provide the possibility of dynamically controlling fire suppression, either manually or automatically.

[0012] DE 199 49 093 A1 describes a fire extinguishing system in which sprinklers are arranged above each storage area on a flow sensor, and spray nozzles are arranged and switched between the storage areas in such a way that they form water barriers on both sides of a fire source and the effective sprinkler area, thus preventing the fire from spreading. The solution according to the invention has the advantage that firewalls can be eliminated and the open spaces between the storage areas of a warehouse can be minimized, since the water barriers prevent the fire from spreading.

[0013] FR 2 919 645 A1 describes a secure parking area for, for example, heavy goods vehicles. The area comprises several blocks, i.e., demarcated platforms, that accommodate a transport vehicle, such as a heavy goods vehicle, carrying hazardous materials, such as toxic substances, of a specific category. Each block is equipped with a collection unit for leaking liquids, which are provided in storage units, with the collection unit being designed as a collection recess. Each block is separated from adjacent blocks by separation units, such as hollow partitions.

[0014] CN 110 538 399 A1 describes the invention as disclosing an automatic fire suppression detection and control system and relates to the technical field of fire extinguishing technology. The system comprises a main control platform and several associated secondary control platforms. The main control platform includes a monitoring unit and a control unit. Each secondary control platform comprises a monitoring unit, a detection unit, and a fire extinguishing device, wherein the monitoring unit includes a monitoring module for receiving and analyzing a detection signal, and a control drive module for controlling the action of the fire extinguishing device. The detection unit serves to acquire the fire suppression detection signal and transmit the signal to the monitoring unit.

[0015] CN 112 370 702 A describes a fire warning device and a corresponding method. The fire warning device comprises a monitoring system, a spray system, a control system, and an enclosure assembly. The monitoring system is used to detect whether a vehicle is entering a parking space and to determine whether smoke or flames are present in an area corresponding to the parking space. The spray system is used to spray an extinguishing agent onto the vehicle when the monitoring system detects flames or smoke. The control system controls the monitoring system and the spray system to perform the necessary actions. The enclosure assembly serves to house and install the monitoring system, the spray system, and the control system.

[0016] DE 10 2019 128 864 A1 describes a parking management system comprising a temperature sensor that can be attached to the ground of a parking space and an evaluation unit connected to the temperature sensor, wherein the evaluation unit uses the temperature sensor to evaluate at least one temperature profile in the area of ​​the temperature sensor and outputs a signal depending on the temperature profile.

[0017] The purpose of the invention is to provide a way to operate the fire protection system safely and efficiently in a frost-proof manner.

[0018] This problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are found in the dependent claims.

[0019] In principle, a storage yard can be used for storing or parking a wide variety of goods. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage yard is a parking area for vehicles. These vehicles can be, for example, vehicles already in operation that are parked overnight, such as buses and trains used for local or long-distance transport, or newly completed vehicles, such as cars, before they are shipped. Preferably, the storage areas are therefore parking spaces for vehicles.

[0020] Regarding the routing of the pipeline between the storage areas, this route can generally be chosen in different ways. Preferably, however, the pipeline runs lengthwise along the storage areas, i.e., parallel to their longer length.

[0021] In this context, "storage yard" refers to a preferably uncovered area where vehicles can be parked. The storage yard comprises storage spaces that are preferably predetermined. This means that parking positions for vehicles, for example, are clearly defined within the storage yard. Parking a vehicle should therefore only be permitted within the predetermined or clearly defined storage space.

[0022] When it is stated that the storage locations are adjacent to each other, this means that each pair of storage locations is arranged such that their longitudinal axes are spaced apart from each other at essentially the same height and are essentially parallel to each other. With a sufficiently large number of storage locations, they may be arranged partly adjacent to each other and partly one behind the other. The term "one behind the other" refers to an arrangement in which the longitudinal axes of two storage locations are essentially identical.

[0023] In this context, "non-flammable fluid" refers to a non-flammable liquid or foam, preferably also suitable for extinguishing fires. Water is preferably used as the non-flammable fluid. "Fluid mist" refers to a heterogeneous mixture of solid or liquid particles suspended in the ambient air.

[0024] The pipelines running lengthwise between each pair of adjacent storage spaces are preferably located in or near the ground. This ensures that, in the case of a vehicle parking yard, virtually the entire height of a vehicle's side can be protected from fire by the fluid mist from below.

[0025] A "control valve" is an actuator used to control the fluid flow through a pipeline, i.e., to open or close a particular pipeline. In particular, the control valve can preferably also be used to adjust the flow rate through the respective pipeline.

[0026] When it is stated that the exhaust valves are "controlled", this refers to the opening and / or closing of the respective exhaust valves.

[0027] In this context, an "adjacent storage area" is defined as a storage area directly adjacent to a burning storage area. A burning storage area is defined as one that is itself on fire and / or where an object stored on it is burning. An "adjacent vehicle" is a vehicle located in a neighboring storage area.

[0028] A key aspect of the invention is that, due to the pipe system running between the storage locations, the control valves, and the outlet valves, a fluid mist can be sprayed precisely into the combustion chamber between a burning storage location or vehicle and an adjacent storage location or vehicle. By directing the fluid mist from bottom to top, the heat or thermal energy emanating from the burning storage location or vehicle can be redirected and carried away upwards. Furthermore, in the case of a burning vehicle, the side walls of the adjacent vehicle are cooled and wetted with the fluid. This can delay, and ideally prevent, the increase in the temperature of the side walls of an adjacent vehicle or the reaching of the ignition temperature.Thus, the fire protection system according to the invention provides a fire protection measure that is particularly suitable for uncovered storage yards and can be implemented at short notice to delay and / or prevent a fire in a neighboring vehicle.

[0029] Emitting a fluid mist is a fire delay or prevention measure. The actual firefighting through appropriate extinguishing measures is primarily the responsibility of the fire department and usually requires additional action. The fire protection system is a tool that is used particularly during the period between the outbreak of a fire and the arrival of the fire department, and is intended to delay or prevent the spread of the fire to neighboring vehicles.

[0030] Preferably, the control unit is configured and connected to the control valves and the outlet valves in such a way that the control valves and the outlet valves can be controlled individually and independently of each other. This makes it possible to generate a fluid mist only where a fire has actually been detected.

[0031] To generate a fluid mist, the outlet valves preferably have fluid mist nozzles. The openings of the fluid mist nozzles are sufficiently small to produce a uniform fluid mist. The diameter of the openings is selected such that the fluid mist droplets have a mean diameter preferably less than 50 µm, particularly preferably less than 25 µm, and most preferably less than 10 µm. If the outlet valves are located at or near the ground, the fluid mist can exit upwards from the ground under high pressure through the fluid mist nozzles into the fire compartment. The pipe system is preferably coupled to a fluid reservoir and / or a supply line. Preferably, the fluid reservoir is located underground and / or has a volume of at least 300 m³.This enables a sufficient and readily available water supply as well as a space-saving design, since the area above the fluid storage tank can be used for other purposes. Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible to use a rainwater inlet and / or a deep well, each in combination with a water storage tank. The water storage tank can also be an above-ground silo instead of an underground fluid storage tank. If the pipe system is connected to an inlet line, the water is preferably drawn from the central or municipal water supply, which is typically suitable for such large quantities of water.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fire detector is designed to determine the temperature of the detected fire. Preferably, the fire detector includes an infrared camera. Thus, according to this preferred embodiment of the invention, the fire detector is not only designed to detect a fire, but also to determine the fire temperature. The fire temperature can be used to characterize the fire. For example, the fire temperature indicates how advanced the fire has become. Based on the fire temperature, the fire can be classified, in particular, into a preliminary stage, for example, at a temperature between 150°C and 300°C, and a main stage, for example, at a temperature greater than 300°C. Depending on the respective stage, different fire protection measures can be initiated.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two outlet valves are arranged between two adjacent storage positions. The outlet valves are preferably arranged such that a distribution of the fluid mist is as uniform as possible. In particular, it is preferred that there is a distance of 2 to 3 meters between two outlet valves. This means that preferably 10 to 15 outlet valves are provided on each side of the storage position for every 30 meters of length.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pipelines have at least one extraction device for extracting the fluid. At the extraction point, for example, firefighters can set up a water supply for firefighting, thus minimizing the distances required for the water supply, since water can be obtained in the immediate vicinity of the fire.

[0035] Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible to design the storage yard in a special way. With a large number of storage locations, it is preferably provided that the storage locations are divided into at least two sectors, and each sector is individually connected to the control unit via a central point. However, it is also possible to establish a connection via a bus system, e.g., via one of the usual network topologies (e.g., ring topology). This ensures short cable runs within the sectors and improved management of the fire protection system. For example, if faults occur within the fire protection system, they can be limited to a specific sector.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a light signaling device controllable by the control unit is arranged at each storage location. The light signaling device can, in particular, illuminate in different colors and thus indicate different states. Furthermore, the light signaling devices preferably serve as a guidance system to direct an employee and / or the fire brigade to the source of the fire, so that the employee and / or the fire brigade can reach the source of the fire without the time delay that would be caused by orienting oneself and searching for an affected storage location.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a sensor coupled to the control unit is provided at each storage location to detect the occupancy status of the respective storage location. Such a sensor can be part of the storage location itself or part of a vehicle parked there. The control unit is thus provided with information indicating whether a storage location is occupied by a vehicle or not. This can be particularly useful for controlling the exhaust valves. Alternatively, the occupancy status can be used to determine which and how many vehicles are in the immediate vicinity of the burning vehicle, in order to counteract the spread of the fire at an early stage through organizational measures, such as moving or re-parking neighboring vehicles.

[0038] A key aspect of the invention is that the pipe system does not need to be permanently filled with fluid. This helps to prevent frost damage in particular. Therefore, to fill the pipeline, it is necessary to release the air contained within it, i.e., to vent it. According to the invention, this air is not released directly into the area of ​​the fire via the outlet valves, so as not to further fuel the fire. Instead, the air is released via outlet valves that are not located at the affected storage location, but rather at a sufficiently long distance from it.

[0039] It is particularly preferred that vehicles are parked in the storage areas. Therefore, a method comprising the following steps is preferably provided: Detecting a burning vehicle and locating the affected parking space where the burning vehicle is parked, using the fire detector; transporting a non-flammable fluid into the pipeline running between the affected parking space and the adjacent parking space by appropriately controlling the control valve of this pipeline; releasing the air located in the pipeline running between the affected parking space and the adjacent parking space by opening at least one outlet valve not located between the affected parking space and the adjacent parking space; and opening at least one outlet valve located between the affected parking space and the adjacent parking space to emit the fluid mist.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the following further process steps: Determining the fire temperature of the detected fire, classifying the fire into a preliminary stage and a main stage depending on the determined fire temperature, and opening the outlet valves arranged between the affected storage location and the adjacent storage location to emit the fluid mist when the main stage is reached.

[0041] The fire temperature can be used to characterize a fire. For example, the fire temperature indicates how advanced the fire has already become. Based on the fire temperature, the fire is classified into a preliminary stage, for example, at a temperature greater than 150°C, and a main stage, for example, at a temperature greater than 300°C. Depending on the respective stage, different fire protection measures are initiated. In the preliminary stage, only the system is prepared for extinguishing. This means that the pipeline is vented and filled with fluid. The discharge valves are only opened, i.e., fluid is released, once the main stage is reached. Before that, organizational measures can be taken, such as relocating or removing vehicles, or attempts can be made to extinguish the fire, particularly using fire extinguishers.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method additionally comprises at least one of the following further process steps: Indication of the affected storage area by means of a light signaling device, opening of a gate for the fire brigade, alerting of employees and activation of a guidance system for the fire brigade, e.g. by displaying illuminated arrows.

[0043] The light signaling system is used to guide employees and / or the fire department to the source of the fire. This allows employees and / or the fire department to reach the fire without the time delay caused by orienting themselves and searching for an affected storage area.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the following further process step: recognizing the occupancy status for each storage location.

[0045] Information about the occupancy status of storage locations can be particularly useful when controlling the discharge valves. If no object, such as a vehicle, is parked in an adjacent storage location, it is generally not necessary to open the discharge valves between the affected and the adjacent empty storage location, as there is no object parked next to the burning storage location that needs to be protected from the fire. This can reduce the required amount of water and improve the efficiency of the fire protection system. Furthermore, information about the occupancy status of storage locations can be used to determine which and how many objects are parked in the immediate vicinity of the burning storage location, allowing for an early response to the fire through organizational measures, such as moving or re-parking adjacent vehicles.

[0046] The invention will now be explained in more detail using a preferred embodiment and with reference to the drawings.

[0047] The drawings show Fig. 1 schematically shows a fire protection system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a first scenario, Fig. 1b schematically shows a fire protection system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1a In a second scenario, Fig. 2 schematically shows a fire protection system according to a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3 schematically shows a method for operating a fire protection system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0048] Out of Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b A schematic diagram shows a fire protection system 1. Fig. 1a At each of the three fixed storage locations 3A, 3B, and 3C, a vehicle 4 is arranged. In this case, the vehicles 4 are trains. Pipelines 8B and 8C run between storage locations 3A, 3B, and 3C. Pipelines 8A and 8D also run alongside each of the outermost storage locations 3A and 3C. Along the longitudinal side of the vehicles, which are in the Fig. 1a and 1b Extending into the plane of the drawing, two outlet valves 9 are arranged in each of the pipelines 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D. In this embodiment, the pipe system 6 is located above and near the floor 7.

[0049] A fire detector 5, in this case an infrared camera, monitors storage areas 3A, 3B, and 3C. A fire 2 develops on vehicle 4', which is parked in the middle storage area 3B. The fire detector 5 detects the fire 2. The pipelines between the affected storage area 3B, where the burning vehicle 4' is parked, and the adjacent storage areas 3A and 3C are filled with the fluid, and the outlet valves 9 between the affected storage area 3B and the adjacent storage areas 3A and 3C are opened, allowing a fluid mist 10 to escape into the fire compartment between the burning vehicle 4' and the adjacent vehicles 4. The fluid mist 10 deflects the heat radiated by the burning vehicle 4' upwards, so that it reaches the adjacent vehicles less or not at all.In addition, the longitudinal sides of the adjacent vehicles 4 are cooled so that they heat up less and the ignition temperature at which the vehicle ignites itself is reached later or ideally not at all.

[0050] Fig. 1b The same scenario is shown, but with storage location 3A empty. The occupancy status is detected via sensors 15. The control unit 12 receives information from sensors 15 that storage location 3A is unoccupied and that storage locations 3B and 3C are occupied. Accordingly, only the exhaust valves 9 located between the burning vehicle 4' and the adjacent vehicle 4 are opened. The exhaust valves 9 between the affected storage location 3B and the empty storage location 3A are not opened, as there is no vehicle 4 parked on that side that needs protection from a fire 2.

[0051] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a fire protection system 1 in a schematic representation. The warehouse yard comprises a multitude of fixed storage locations 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, arranged side by side in a row. Several rows of adjacent storage locations are arranged one behind the other, so that the storage locations as a whole are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The storage locations are divided into sectors I, II, III. Each sector I, II, III is connected to the control unit 12. Each pipeline 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E can be opened or closed via a control valve 11. Along one long side of each storage location 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, two outlet valves 9 are arranged in the respective pipeline 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E. The control unit 12 controls both the control valves 11 and the outlet valves 9.The pipe system 6 is connected to a fluid storage tank 14, from which the required quantity of fluid is drawn and transported via pumps 16 into the pipelines 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E. Each pipeline 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E has at least one extraction point 13 from which the fluid can be drawn for firefighting purposes.

[0052] The burning vehicle 4' is parked in the affected storage area 3B. To protect the vehicles 4, which are parked to the left and right in the adjacent storage areas 3A and 3C, from the spread of fire 2, the pipelines 8B and 8C, which are located between the affected storage area 3B and the adjacent storage areas 3A and 3C, are first opened by opening the respective control valve 11 and filled with fluid by activating the pumps 16. The air contained in the pipelines 8B and 8C is released via outlet valves 9', which are located a sufficient distance from fire 2 to prevent it from spreading. When the pipelines 8B, 8C are filled with the fluid, the outlet valves located between the affected storage location 3B and the adjacent storage locations 3A, 3C are opened, releasing a fluid mist 10 into the space between the burning vehicle 4' and the adjacent vehicles 4.

[0053] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic sequence of the procedure for operating the fire protection system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In a first step, a burning vehicle 4' is detected S1a and the affected storage location where the burning vehicle 4' is parked is located within the network of multiple storage locations S1b. The fire temperature is then determined S5 in order to classify the fire S6. Optionally, the affected storage location 3B can be visually indicated via the light signal device S7. Furthermore, the occupancy status of each individual storage location 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D can optionally be queried S8 to obtain an overview of which and how many vehicles 4 are parked in the immediate vicinity of the burning vehicle 4'.

[0054] The extinguishing readiness is then established. This means that the fluid is transported into the affected pipelines 8B and 8C and the pipelines 8B and 8C are filled with the fluid (S2). Simultaneously, the pipelines 8B and 8C are vented by releasing the air contained within them through at least one outlet valve located sufficiently far from the fire (S3). The extinguishing readiness is achieved when the pipelines 8B and 8C are vented and filled with fluid. If the fire 2 has progressed to the point where the main stage is reached, fire suppression measures are initiated. First, it is determined at which storage locations 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D the actual vehicles 4 are parked (S8).If the adjacent storage location 3A, 3C is occupied, the outlet valves 9, which are located between the affected storage location 3B and the adjacent occupied storage location S4, are opened so that a fluid mist can escape into the space between the burning vehicle 4' and the adjacent vehicle 4. The fluid mist 10 constitutes a fire delay or fire prevention measure. Reference symbol list

[0055] 1 Fire protection system 2 Fire 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D Storage location 4 Vehicle 4' Burning vehicle 5 Fire detection device 6 Pipe system 7 Floor 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E Pipeline 9 Outlet valve 9' Outlet valve, sufficiently far from the fire 10 Fluid mist 11 Control valve 12 Control unit 13 Extraction device 14 Fluid reservoir 15 Sensor 16 Pump I, II, III Sector S1a Detecting a burning vehicle S1b Locating the affected storage location S2 Transporting the fluid into the pipeline S3 Releasing the air in the pipeline S4 Opening the outlet valves S5 Determining a fire temperature S6 Classifying the fire S7 Indicating the affected storage location S8 Detecting the occupancy status for each storage location

Claims

1. A method for operating a fire protection system (1) for a storage yard comprising mutually adjacent storage spaces (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D), wherein the fire protection system (1) comprises: a fire detector (5) for monitoring at least some of the mutually adjacent storage spaces (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) and for detecting a fire (2) in the monitored region, a pipe system (6) in each case comprising at least one pipeline (8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E) extending between two mutually adjacent storage spaces (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) for transporting a non-combustible fluid, wherein the pipelines (8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E) each comprise a control valve (11) for controlling the fluid transport and an outlet valve (9) for emitting a fluid mist (10) upward into the region between the mutually adjacent storage spaces (8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E), and a control unit (12) for controlling the control valves (11) and the outlet valves (9) in accordance with a fire detected by the fire detector (5) in the region monitored by it, comprising the following method steps: S1a) detecting a fire by means of the fire detector (5), S1b) locating the affected storage space (3B) at which it is burning by means of the fire detector (5), S2) transporting a non-combustible fluid into the pipeline (8B, 8C) extending between the affected storage space (3B) and the adjacent storage space (3A, 3C) by accordingly actuating the control valve (11) of this pipeline (8B, 8C), S3) releasing the air in the pipeline (8B, 8C) extending between the affected storage space (3B) and the adjacent storage space (3A, 3C) by opening at least one outlet valve (9') not arranged between the affected storage space (3B) and the adjacent storage space (3A, 3C), and S4) opening at least one outlet valve (9) arranged between the affected storage space (3B) and the adjacent storage space (3A, 3C) for emitting a fluid mist (10) upward into the region between the mutually adjacent storage spaces (8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a light signal device controlled by the control unit (12) is arranged at each storage space (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D).

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a sensor which is coupled to the control unit (12) and by means of which the state of occupancy of the storage space (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) is detected is provided at each storage space (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following further method steps: S5) determining the fire temperature of the detected fire (2), S6) classifying the fire (2) into a lower level if the fire temperature does not exceed a predetermined threshold value or into an upper level if the fire temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and opening the outlet valves (9) arranged between the affected storage space (3B) and the adjacent storage space (3A, 3C) for emitting the fluid mist (10) if the upper level is reached.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following further method step: S7) indicating the affected storage space (3B) by means of a light signal device.