Method for operating a remotely monitored hand fire extinguisher

Abstract

The present invention relates to a remotely monitored handheld fire extinguisher which transmits a status message via a GSM signal and / or allows the status of the handheld fire extinguisher to be retrieved. The present invention further relates to a method for remotely monitoring a handheld fire extinguisher, wherein the handheld fire extinguisher can be certified with a digital signature when ready for use.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a hand-held fire extinguisher according to the features in claim 1.

[0002] Hand-held fire extinguishers are known from the state of the art. They are kept at various locations to allow those nearby to extinguish the fire quickly and effectively in the event of a fire. Such hand-held fire extinguishers are used particularly in public facilities and commercially managed businesses, but also in private households. In most cases, the provision of hand-held fire extinguishers is a legal requirement.

[0003] To ensure that hand-held fire extinguishers can be used directly once they have been set up, even for years to come, there are various laws and standards as well as regulations in occupational safety, according to which these hand-held fire extinguishers must be checked for functionality at a specific cycle.

[0004] For this purpose, it is imperative that a suitably qualified and trained person visits each hand-held fire extinguisher on site at the specified intervals, carries out at least a visual and technical inspection and leaves a test seal and corresponding test report.

[0005] A remotely monitored fire extinguisher is known from US 2021 / 0299503 A1 and EP 2 159 765 A1. A system for logging various fire extinguishers in a building is known from KR 2019 0122321 A.

[0006] The object of the present invention is, based on the prior art, to demonstrate a possibility of monitoring hand-held fire extinguishers while at the same time complying with specified testing standards and minimizing the workload for testing.

[0007] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a method for a remotely monitored hand-held fire extinguisher according to the features in claim 1.

[0008] The hand-held fire extinguisher has a container with a fire extinguishing medium, a handle for transport and also for operating the hand-held fire extinguisher, an outlet nozzle and optionally a hose.

[0009] The method according to the invention is characterized in that a remote monitoring module is provided for monitoring the condition of the hand-held fire extinguisher. With the help of the remote monitoring module, status data of the hand-held fire extinguisher can be recorded, evaluated, sent or retrieved, in particular as described below in this application. According to the invention, the method is characterized in that a test report is then created or processed using the status data, whereby this test report or the result is in turn sent to the operator of the hand-held fire extinguisher and / or to third parties using a digital signature. The third parties can be, for example, an insurance company, a public authority, a fire safety officer or a partner company. The test report or result can also be sent in the form of a digital test sticker or a digital seal. Based on this test sticker orThe seal then indicates that the tested hand-held fire extinguisher has met all criteria and is ready for use.

[0010] The test report depends on the respective national legislation, the responsible technical inspection service, and other fire protection measures or conditions. The final report should then contain a status report or the results of the test report. The fire extinguisher is ready for use. It meets the conditions of the test report and is ready for use. The test report is therefore a record of a visual and / or mechanical inspection on-site, which is, however, enabled via remote access via remote monitoring.

[0011] The test report or its results can then be stored, for example, in the respective company's internal documentation. The test report can also be printed out, in particular printed on an appropriate adhesive label and then attached to the fire extinguisher. In this case, a seal or label, for example in the form of a barcode or QR code, would be printed out, which represents the fulfillment of all test criteria. The test report can, for example, have an additional QR code, so that a safety officer can immediately verify the authenticity of the test report by scanning the QR code, which is then also stored, for example, in a database.

[0012] This offers a significant advantage over previous state-of-the-art procedures. These required an on-site inspection by a respective employee to check and certify the condition and operational readiness of the fire extinguisher at specified intervals. The combination of remote monitoring and digitally certified test reports and results makes it possible to perform these activities entirely remotely. This offers immense potential savings, as employees no longer need to attend on-site appointments to test the functionality and operational readiness of a particular handheld fire extinguisher. This saves personnel. Furthermore, resources are saved, as no vehicles, travel time, etc. are required.If the test certificates, i.e. test protocol and / or test result, are stored digitally only, so that, for example, the fire extinguisher can be read via a barcode or QR code and a check can then determine that a digital test certificate is stored for this fire extinguisher, this also saves printing costs and paper costs as well as costs for any stickers and thus plastic costs, which is both economical and environmentally friendly.

[0013] In contrast to previously known NFC tags, it is therefore not necessary to store the test report on site on the NFC tag; instead, the storage or deposit of the test report or test result and thus the test seal can be done remotely. In particular, the fire extinguisher can be tested via remote inspection. The test result is stored on a server or in a cloud. The test result is then stored for the identification of the fire extinguisher, for example via barcode or QR code. If the fire extinguisher is then randomly checked on site, the test result or test seal can be retrieved from a server and confirmed by reading the barcode or QR code. On-site inspection and the on-site application of a test seal or test label can thus be completely eliminated.

[0014] The digital signature is a qualified digital signature, qualified electronic signature (QES), or a comparable qualified signature. This ensures that an inspector's handwritten signature, reflected in their inspection report or inspection sticker, is stored in a forgery-proof manner. The inspector or inspection organizer, who, for example, monitors the remote monitoring inspection software, thus complies with the required inspection standard, i.e., the minimum requirements for the respective country-specific or other regulations, such as internal operating regulations, fire safety regulations, or similar, the minimum standards necessary for the inspection, as well as the minimum standards necessary for certification of the inspection.

[0015] The remotely monitored portable fire extinguisher is designed as described below. It contains a container containing a fire extinguishing agent. This can be a constant pressure extinguisher. However, it can also be a portable fire extinguisher with rechargeable technology.

[0016] Furthermore, a handle is provided for transporting and / or operating the portable fire extinguisher. This handle is located near the upper end of the container.

[0017] An outlet nozzle is also provided. This outlet nozzle can optionally be located at one end of a hose.

[0018] According to the invention, the handheld fire extinguisher is characterized by the fact that it is assigned a remote monitoring module. In particular, this remote monitoring module is located in the area of ​​the handle. The remote monitoring module measures and thus has sensors for the pressure and temperature in the container or the environment, in particular the ambient temperature. Furthermore, the remote monitoring module has a motion sensor. The remote monitoring module can then transmit the status of the handheld fire extinguisher via a GSM signal; alternatively or additionally, the status of the handheld fire extinguisher can be retrieved via the GSM signal.

[0019] An M2M GSM connection is used for this purpose. This enables almost continuous communication with a corresponding receiver with extremely low energy consumption. This allows a status report to be sent several times a week, especially several times a day, and even several times an hour, for example. A status report can also be queried as needed or at specified intervals.

[0020] According to the invention, it is further provided in particular that the end of the hose or the outlet nozzle there is detachably attached to the handheld fire extinguisher, in particular to the container of the handheld fire extinguisher. A plug contact is also provided here, which records any change in the position of the end of the hose and transmits it to the remote monitoring module. This can thus detect tampering or similar. If, for example, such a handheld fire extinguisher is located near a school and young people try to put a piece of chewing gum into the outlet nozzle, any unauthorized use or removal can be recorded. This offers a further safety advantage compared to manual testing at predetermined time intervals, since the end of the outlet opening or the end of the hose is thus continuously monitored. Furthermore, it can be provided that a protective device monitors one end of the outlet nozzle.For example, a type of seal or sensor can be provided that monitors any type of access or change to the outlet nozzle and issues a corresponding message.

[0021] Furthermore, a hood is provided over the upper part of the container, preferably over the handle, with the remote monitoring module integrated into the hood. The hood can cover the entire handle. However, the hood can also be integrated into the handle itself, so that the handheld fire extinguisher can be gripped together with the hood, depending on requirements.

[0022] Furthermore, a power supply unit is provided, which is assigned to the remote monitoring module. The remote monitoring module can furthermore have tamper protection. This can be, for example, a sensor that monitors the immediate surroundings of the remote monitoring module. In particular, the sensor is linked to the cover. Removing the cover would thus indicate possible tampering and would also emit and generate an error signal.

[0023] Furthermore, the data is then sent via the GSM connection, which functions independently of other infrastructure, such as a Wi-Fi connection, Bluetooth connection, or similar, so that the fire extinguisher can be positioned completely autonomously, even in production halls without other network coverage. The data that can be retrieved or sent via the remote monitoring module therefore includes at least the following parameters: The device / location ID, which contains, for example, the year of manufacture of the fire extinguisher, the position of the fire extinguisher, the model of the fire extinguisher. Furthermore, a date / time stamp indicating when the data was retrieved. The parameters pressure, temperature, and movement. Furthermore, information about the plug contact or protective device, as well as the tamper protection, can also be transmitted. Information about the battery status can also be passed on. A GPS module for location determination could also be included.

[0024] A further feature of the remotely monitored fire extinguisher according to the invention is a malfunction signal. If any of the previously described sensors do not provide a signal or provide a faulty signal, an error query is transmitted from the receiving station or a cloud. The remote monitoring module confirms this error query. However, if at least one parameter, signal, or sensor continues to provide a faulty signal or no parameter value at all, the fire extinguisher goes into error mode. This error mode can then send out a visual and / or acoustic signal. For example, a warning tone and / or flashing lights, so that it is signaled locally that the fire extinguisher has an error message. People in the vicinity are thus informed that this fire extinguisher is not ready for use. Because the receiving station orIf the cloud indicates that the fire extinguisher is malfunctioning, a service technician can be dispatched to the fire extinguisher in question to repair and / or replace the corresponding fire extinguisher. This increases the operational safety and, above all, the operational readiness of remotely monitored fire extinguishers, in contrast to fire extinguishers normally monitored using conventional on-site testing methods, as operational readiness is constantly and continuously checked.

[0025] Further advantages, features, properties, and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the following description. Preferred properties are illustrated in the schematic figures. These serve to facilitate understanding of the invention. They show: Figure 1a remotely monitored hand-held fire extinguisher, Figure 2an adapter disc, Figure 3a remote monitoring module.

[0026] Figure 1shows a remotely monitored handheld fire extinguisher according to the invention. This handheld fire extinguisher has a container 2 containing a fire extinguishing medium (not shown in detail). A handle 3 is arranged on the upper side to both carry the fire extinguisher and to be able to trigger it using the handle 3. A hose 4 extends from the handle 3 itself. At the end of the hose 4 is an outlet nozzle 5 so that, if necessary, fire extinguishing medium can be directed directly onto the source of the fire via the outlet nozzle 5. According to the invention, a remote monitoring module 6 is arranged in the area of ​​the handle 3. This module measures the temperature and pressure of the fire extinguishing medium within the container 2. This module also detects movements, i.e., when the fire extinguisher is lifted or moved to a location. A lower base pan is also shown. A plug contact 8 is arranged on the lower base pan.In the assembled state, the outlet nozzle 5 is arranged in this plug contact 8. This allows the activation or removal of the outlet nozzle 5 to be detected, so that use or at least sabotage of the fire extinguisher can be assumed. Also shown is a hood 9, which is arranged over the upper area of ​​the fire extinguisher. Furthermore, a remote communication module, in particular a GSM module, is arranged in the remote monitoring module 6, which wirelessly transmits a signal 10, in particular via a mobile radio standard, to a receiving station 11 (not shown in detail). The receiving station 11 can, for example, be a company that maintains and tests fire extinguishers.

[0027] Figure 2shows an adapter disc. An opening 12 of the container 2 can thus be reduced from a larger diameter 13 to a smaller diameter 13. Thus, existing containers 2 can also be retrofitted with the solution according to the invention, since the remote monitoring module 6 is preferably present in the area of ​​the handle 3, thus with a screw thread. Thus, various existing fire extinguishers can also be retrofitted.

[0028] Another essential part is now shown in the schematic image from Figure 3shown. The remotely monitored handheld fire extinguisher has a remote monitoring module 6. This sends data about the status and operational capability to a receiving station 11. This data can then be read out by a certified body and checked according to the respective standards and / or laws or requirements. If the remotely monitored fire extinguisher meets all requirements and is ready for use, the certified body 14 can transmit a certificate 15 with a digital signature. This can then be stored optionally or additionally, for example, in a cloud 16. It can also be printed out, for example, and attached directly to the fire extinguisher, for example in the form of an adhesive label or similar. However, it can also be deposited, for example, in an office building or with a relevant safety or fire protection officer.The fire extinguisher, for example, may also have a barcode or barcode 17. The certificate 15 is then renewed for the barcode or barcode 17 in a database or cloud 16. A fire safety officer or a statutory occupational health and safety inspectorate can then inquire about the current test status of the fire extinguisher by scanning the barcode or barcode 17. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for a test technician to visit a locally stationed handheld fire extinguisher at specified intervals, subject it to a visual and / or technical inspection, and then certify its operational readiness with an analog seal. This eliminates the need for travel and on-site testing thanks to the combination of remote monitoring and a certificate 15 with a digital signature. This saves resources and labor, and protects the environment. Reference symbols:

[0029] 1 - Hand-held fire extinguisher 2 - Container 3 - Handle 4 - Hose 5 - Outlet nozzle 6 - Remote monitoring module 7 - Base plate 8 - Plug-in contact 9 - Hood 10 - Wireless signal 11 - Receiving station 12 - Opening 13 - Diameter 14 - Certified body 15 - Certificate 16 - Cloud 17 - Code

Claims

1. Method for checking a hand-held fire extinguisher (1), having a container with a fire extinguishing medium, a handle (3) for transporting and / or actuating the hand-held fire extinguisher (1), an outlet nozzle (5) optionally with a hose (4), and in that a wireless remote monitoring module (6) for monitoring the status of the hand-held fire extinguisher is assigned to the hand-held fire extinguisher (1), wherein the remote monitoring module (6) is arranged in the region of the handle (3) of the hand-held fire extinguisher (1), wherein the remote monitoring module (6) monitors the pressure and the temperature in the container and has a motion sensor and the remote monitoring module (6) sends status data of the hand-held fire extinguisher (1), characterised in that the remote monitoring module (6) transmits the status of the hand-held fire extinguisher (1) by means of an M2M-GSM signal and / or the status of the hand-held fire extinguisher (1) can be retrieved, the status data is read out and a test report / test result with digital signature is sent to the operator of the hand-held fire extinguisher (1) and / or to third parties and / or stored in a database, wherein a protection device monitors one end of the outlet nozzle (5).

2. Method for checking a hand-held fire extinguisher (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the digital signature is a qualified electronic signature.

3. Method for checking a hand-held fire extinguisher (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that a test seal with a code, in particular a barcode, in particular a QR code or barcode, is printed or sent and applied to the hand-held fire extinguisher (1), wherein the most recently available test data, at least the test result of the hand-held fire extinguisher, can be retrieved when the code is read in.

4. Method for checking a hand-held fire extinguisher (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the end of the hose (4) is fastened to the hand-held fire extinguisher (1) and in that a plug contact (8) records a change in the position of the end of the hose (4) and transmits it to the remote monitoring module (6).

5. Method for checking a hand-held fire extinguisher (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the remote monitoring module (6) is retrofitted.

6. Method for checking a hand-held fire extinguisher (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a hood (9) is placed over the upper part of the container, in particular over the handle (3), wherein the remote monitoring module (6) is integrated into the hood (9).

7. Method for checking a hand-held fire extinguisher (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that an energy supply unit is present which is assigned to the remote monitoring module (6).

8. Method for checking a hand-held fire extinguisher (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the remote monitoring module (6) has a tamper protection device, in particular a sensor, which is designed such that unauthorised third-party access can be detected.

9. Method for checking a hand-held fire extinguisher (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that a message, which can be retrieved via the remote monitoring module (6), has at least one of the following parameters: device ID, date / time stamp, pressure, temperature, motion, plug contact (8), protection device, battery status.

10. Method for checking a hand-held fire extinguisher (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that in an upper opening (12) of the container is inserted an adapter plate which reduces an opening size of the opening (12).

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