CONTROL CABINET MONITORING AN ACTIVATED SAFETY DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to a control cabinet (2) for a fire safety system, comprising at least one actuated safety device (4) and at least one fire detection device (1). The control cabinet includes a control module for said at least one actuated safety device, a module for receiving and processing information (I1) from a fire safety control panel, a module for receiving and processing secondary information (I2) from said actuated safety device, said secondary information indicating whether said at least one actuated safety device is in an activated state, a deactivated state, or an intermediate state between said activated and deactivated states, and a module for recording and transmitting said secondary information to a remote monitoring station (5), preferably at predefined regular intervals. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: CONTROL CABINET ENSURING THE MONITORING OF AN ACTUATED SAFETY DEVICE FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a control cabinet also providing monitoring of an actuated safety device.

[0002] The cabinet aims to identify whether the safety-actuated device (also called DAS) is activated or not, whether it has malfunctions or to identify a problem upstream, which may lead to a malfunction, in order to warn an operator that maintenance is required, for example, before the said malfunction occurs. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] The fire safety system of an establishment (or FSS) is a set of equipment used to collect information related to fire safety, process this information and carry out the orders necessary to secure the establishment.

[0004] The fire safety system (SSI) of an establishment thus includes a first group of devices called the Fire Detection System, or FDS, which makes it possible to detect information that could indicate the start of a fire. It includes in particular smoke detectors, manual call points, etc.

[0005] The SSI also includes a second group of devices called the Fire Safety System, or SMSI, which may include, in particular:

[0006] Safety-actuated devices, or SADs, which act by limiting the spread of fire and smoke by closing an access opening to a space, and

[0007] A Fire Safety Control Unit, or CMSI, allowing the processing of information from the SDI, the warning of a potential danger and the triggering of activated Safety devices.

[0008] Safety-actuated devices are, in practice, rarely implemented: they are tested once a year at most, to verify that they are fully operational in case they need to be triggered in an emergency.

[0009] It may happen that certain devices, such as fire doors, are nevertheless activated when no danger is detected, out of complacency: on these occasions, it happens that the fire doors are hit by machines, cut off from their power supply to force their safety (and thus close a space which should remain open in normal times) or used improperly.

[0010] This results in abnormal wear of the DAS, which may lead to malfunctions on the day the device is to be used for a real fire situation in the establishment.

[0011] It is therefore necessary to monitor the use of the actuated safety devices and to detect abnormal behavior or the beginning of abnormal behavior of these devices, in order to replace them or to plan maintenance if necessary and before an actual fire situation occurs.

[0012] We know from document EP 2 055 352 of a fire door or smoke door equipped with a monitoring device for the latter, allowing the detection of an opening of the door or a poor closing of the door (for example when the door is closed but has a play which leads to it pivoting slightly on its pivot axis, which causes smoke to leak through the door frame).

[0013] The monitoring device comprises two parts, one being fixed to the leaf of the fire door (or in the fire door) and the other part being fixed to the door frame (or inside the door frame).

[0014] The monitoring device has a device for collecting and transmitting information on the state of the door (open, or closed, or with play) which can be retrieved by a data collection device or transmitted remotely to a control station via an antenna.

[0015] The disadvantage of such a device is that it is fragile (if one of the parts fails, the device no longer works) and that it is designed only for a swing door (therefore it does not adapt to other safety devices).

[0016] The invention aims to provide a control cabinet which aims to monitor the use of the DAS.

[0017] The invention relates to this purpose to a control cabinet in particular for an actuated safety device designed to adopt either an actuated state, in which it acts in particular to fight against the spread of a fire or smoke, or a non-actuated state in which the actuated safety device is passive, said control cabinet comprising a control module for said at least one actuated safety device to move it from said actuated state to said non-actuated state, and vice versa.

[0018] In accordance with the invention, the control cabinet is remarkable in that it comprises:

[0019] a module for receiving and processing secondary information from said at least one actuated safety device, said secondary information indicating whether said at least one actuated safety device is in said actuated state or in said non-actuated state or in an intermediate state between said actuated state and said non-actuated state, and

[0020] a module for recording and transmitting said second information to a remote monitoring station, preferably at predefined regular intervals.

[0021] Thus configured, the cabinet can transmit information on the status of the device to which it is associated to a remote control station, in particular to monitor that the safety-activated device is not being activated improperly. If such an event is detected, the remote control station can either notify a site manager, record the information for insurance purposes, or dispatch someone to verify that the safety-activated device is still functioning and return it to its deactivated position.

[0022] The control cabinet may also include the following features, taken separately or in combination:

[0023] - said module for recording and transmitting second information transmits said second information to the remote control station using a low-power radio communication protocol,

[0024] - the cabinet includes a control button for an operating mode of said control cabinet, among at least two operating modes, said control button being capable of adopting at least two positions, each position corresponding to one operating mode of said cabinet,

[0025] - the cabinet may advantageously include a manual control box including at least three control buttons, among which:

[0026] a first control button for switching said at least one actuated safety device of said actuated state said non-actuated state,

[0027] a second control button for switching said at least one actuated safety device from said non-actuated state to said actuated state, and

[0028] a third reset control button.

[0029] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a control cabinet as defined above and at least one actuated safety device.

[0030] Finally, the invention relates to a method for implementing an assembly as defined above, said method comprising the following steps: - reception of said second information on the activated or non-activated state of said at least one actuated safety device by said receiving module, preferably at regular intervals,

[0031] - recording and transmission to a remote monitoring station of said seconds information by said recording and transmission module.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, said remote monitoring station sends an alert message to an operator's personal device in the event of detection of an inappropriate state of said at least one actuated safety device, said inappropriate state being said actuated state or said non-actuated state or said intermediate state of said at least one actuated safety device.

[0033] Preferably, the method includes a step of receiving and recording said first information from said at least one fire detection device and in that said first information is recorded and transmitted to said remote monitoring station.

[0034] Preferably, when the method implements a control cabinet comprising a control button for one of at least two operating modes, including a first and a second operating mode, said method is notable in that, when said first operating mode is activated, said recording and transmission module does not transmit said second information to said remote monitoring station, and in that, when said second operating mode is activated, said recording and transmission module transmits said second information to the remote monitoring station.

[0035] Furthermore, a third operating mode of the cabinet can be activated by pressing said control button and, according to the third operating mode, said second information is transmitted to a device capable of recording the information from said memory by connecting said device to a connector of said cabinet, said connector preferably being a USB port. PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0036] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent upon examination of the detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0037] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of an assembly according to the invention, comprising a cabinet according to the invention, a fire detection device, an alarm device, a fire safety control unit and a fire curtain in a non-actuated state,

[0038] [Fig.2] illustrates the whole of [Fig.1], the fire curtain being in a state actuated intermediate,

[0039] [Fig.3] illustrates the assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the fire curtain in an actuated state, and

[0040] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of the curtain control cabinet firebreak and the modules it comprises. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0041] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an assembly according to the invention.

[0042] This assembly equips, for example, a building.

[0043] It comprises one or more fire detection devices, schematically illustrated by a manual trigger 1, a control cabinet 2 according to the invention associated with a fire curtain 4, constituting a closure contributing to the fire safety of the building, and an alert device 3.

[0044] The fire curtain 4 includes a curtain 40 which, when operated, closes an opening 41 delimited by a frame 42.

[0045] The control cabinet 2 receives orders (for example from a fire safety control unit CMSI) and can transmit information to a security station in building 5, illustrated for example in [Fig.4].

[0046] The remote monitoring station 5 is, for example, a computer. An operator (not shown) monitors the data he receives from the control cabinet 2 according to the invention.

[0047] The fire detection devices 1 or the building security station CMSI communicates with a module 20 ([Fig.4]) of reception and processing of the cabinet, which receives and processes information 10 which is transmitted to it: this may be electrical signals, or electronic messages which are emitted by the fire detection devices when they are activated (or not).

[0048] Information 10 may indicate that the detection device 1 has been activated, or that the detection device 1 has a malfunction (when it is no longer powered, for example).

[0049] In a conventional manner, the control cabinet 2 includes a control module 21 which controls the closing of the fire curtain 4 when it receives an order O from the CMSI (for example, when the fire detection devices 1 have been activated, after processing of the information 10 by the CMSI - see for example in [Fig.3]).

[0050] The CMSI also triggers alert devices 3, to warn visually or audibly of a danger.

[0051] The control cabinet 2 can also be connected to a device which visually alerts a person to the operation of the fire curtain.

[0052] The warning devices 3 may include rotating beacons 31 and / or siren transmitters 32 (see [Fig.4] in particular).

[0053] The actuated safety devices 4 (in our example, these are the fire curtains 40), can adopt at least two states: a non-actuated state, shown in [Fig.1], where the curtain 40 is in the raised position, an actuated state shown in [Fig.3], where the curtain is in the lowered position, capable of closing the opening 41 and thus fighting against the spread of fire or smoke.

[0054] A third state, intermediate between the unactuated state and the actuated state, can also be adopted by the fire curtain 40, as shown in [Fig.2].

[0055] Sensors 4a to 4h are positioned regularly on the frame 42 at the beginning and end of the stroke of the curtain 40.

[0056] Under normal operating conditions of the fire curtain 40, it remains in its unactuated state, in the raised position as illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0057] But it happens that some people operate the 40 fire curtains, without it being necessary.

[0058] These unnecessary actuations can subsequently lead to malfunctions in the fire safety system. They must therefore be monitored: this is how the cabinet 2 according to the invention allows for this monitoring.

[0059] To achieve this, the cabinet 2 includes a receiving and processing module 22 for second information 12 coming from the sensors 4a to 4h of the fire curtains 40: either the sensor detects the presence of the curtain at the beginning or end of its travel, or it does not. The information 12, transmitted by each sensor, consists solely of electrical detection signals that are transmitted by the sensors when the presence of the curtain is detected at a sensor. If the end of the fire curtain 40 is detected in the raised position (sensor 4a) and none of the other sensors detect the curtain 40, this means that the curtain is in a non-actuated state.

[0060] If the sensor 4h, in the lower position of the frame, detects the presence of the curtain 40, then this means that the curtain is in the activated state.

[0061] If the presence of the curtain is detected by only part of the sensors, this means that the curtain is in an intermediate state between the actuated state and the non-actuated state (see [Fig.2]).

[0062] The receiving and processing module 22 comprises sub-modules, each of these sub-modules being connected or capable of being connected to a sensor. In this way, the receiving and processing module 22 knows which sensor detects the presence of the curtain and which sensor does not.

[0063] The information 12 (associated with each sensor) allows the curtain to be indicated as activated, not activated or intermediate, and this information is transmitted to the processing module 20 which defines whether or not this second information 12 can be transmitted to a recording and transmission module 23, 24 (according to the operating mode of the cabinet which will be seen later).

[0064] In normal operating mode, illustrated in [Fig.4], the second information (12, 4a), (12, 4b) ... (12,4h) is transmitted to the recording and transmission module which has been represented by a recording sub-module 23 and a transmission sub-module 24.

[0065] The recording sub-module 23 includes a memory connected to a USB port so that its contents can be extracted by connecting either a USB key or a USB cable connected to a device capable of extracting data from the memory of the sub-module 23.

[0066] The sub-module 23 is an antenna included in the cabinet 2: the antenna is designed to transmit the second information via a low-power radio communication protocol, of the LoRa WAN (Low Range Wide Area Network) type, to the remote monitoring station 5.

[0067] It should be understood that the information could be transmitted to the remote monitoring station by other technical means, for example via the Internet, or by other kinds of antennas, without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0068] Furthermore, and preferably, the information (12, 4a), (12, 4b) ... (12, 4h) is transmitted at regular intervals, so that the remote monitoring station 5 can determine the time taken by a fire curtain 40 to change from its inactive state to its activated state, or vice versa. This allows the remote monitoring station 5 to determine not only whether the fire curtain has been improperly activated, but also whether the fire curtain takes longer to descend than expected, thus detecting a malfunction: maintenance can then be scheduled.

[0069] To test the proper functioning of the cabinet or to allow maintenance operations, the cabinet is provided to be equipped with a 6A control button (also called a "rotary encoder") for one of at least two operating modes:

[0070] Figure 4 shows such a control button 6A, which can adopt up to eight positions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H),

[0071] The position of the button determines the operating program of an electronic card.

[0072] It is usually always oriented to position A, which corresponds to a normal operating mode of the control cabinet 2, that is to say the operating mode in which all the second information received by the receiving and control module is recorded and transmitted to the remote monitoring station.

[0073] In case of installation or maintenance, the control button can be oriented to position B, for example.

[0074] The operating mode that corresponds to position C may correspond to an operating mode in which the functionalities of the cabinet are tested by an operator: in this case, the second information received by the receiving and processing module 22 is not transmitted, or even not recorded by the recording sub-module 23.

[0075] Operating mode D allows, for example, the information recorded in the recording sub-module 23 to be retrieved, but only using the USB port.

[0076] Other modes of operation could also be provided: for example, according to another mode of operation, it could be permitted to transmit information by another means, for example by BLUETOOTH system.

[0077] A second control device 6B (also called a "switch" device) is fitted to the control cabinet 2 and allows the selection of certain options with which the cabinet would be equipped: (fire detection mode - button I, direction of rotation of the motor allowing the fire curtain 40 to be raised or lowered - button J, use of the rotating beacon 32 - button K, activation of remote transmission and choice of the antenna model 24 used - button L, etc.).

[0078] The control cabinet is also equipped with a manual control box 7, which has three control buttons 71, 72 and 73, as can be seen in figures 1 to 3.

[0079] Button 71 provides manual control of the opening of the fire curtains 40, i.e. their transition from the activated state to the non-activated state.

[0080] Button 73 ensures manual control of closing the fire curtains 40, i.e. their transition from the unactuated state to the actuated state.

[0081] Button 72, located between buttons 71 and 73, allows the fire curtains to be reset: without resetting, the fire curtain 40 cannot be held in its unactuated state (the curtain rises but the means which ensure its retention in the open position do not work - these means can be suction cups, for example, which prevent the rotation of the shaft around which a fire curtain 40 is surrounded.

[0082] Reference will now be made to an operating mode of the assembly according to the invention, illustrated in the figures.

[0083] In normal cabinet operating mode (control button position on the letter A), the cabinet receives:

[0084] Initial information II from the CMSI (security station, etc.), and

[0085] Second information 12 from the actuated safety devices 4 (i.e., fire-resistant curtains 40), at regular intervals, which are initially processed by the reception and processing module 22

[0086] The first information II and the second information 12 are received by the reception and processing module 20 which: - on the one hand, it transfers information 12 to the recording and transmission module 23 and 24, to record and transmit it to the remote monitoring station 5, - on the other hand, it processes information II.

[0087] If information II indicates that the fire detection devices 1 are not activated, then the control cabinet does not command the actuation of the devices security 4. It only transmits the information 12 to the remote monitoring station 5. [Fig.1] illustrates this case.

[0088] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is also provided that the first information II received and processed by module 22 and which comes from the fire detection device(s) 1 is also recorded and transmitted to said remote monitoring station 5.

[0089] Fig. 2 shows that the actuated safety device 4 was actuated, for example by a third person, voluntarily.

[0090] Cabinet 2 receives information 12 according to which three sensors 4a, 4b and 4c of the actuated safety device 4 indicate that it detects the curtain 40, and according to which the other sensors detect no presence of curtain: the fire curtain is in an intermediate state between the actuated state and the non-actuated state.

[0091] The receiving and processing module 22 detects that the actuated safety device has been activated and has not descended properly.

[0092] The receiving and processing module 22 transmits the second information received to the recording and transmission module 23.

[0093] The remote monitoring station 5 receives this information and identifies that the state of the actuated safety device 4 is an inappropriate state.

[0094] The remote monitoring station 5 then sends an alert message to an operator's personal device: this could be a notification on a smartphone, an email...

[0095] The operator can then check for himself the state of the actuated safety device 4, and possibly activate the buttons on the box 7 to reset the fire curtain 40 to the non-actuated position.

[0096] In this case, he presses the closing button 73, which releases all the restraining means of the fire curtain 40 and the device 4 then passes from its intermediate actuated state to its actuated state (see [Fig.3]).

[0097] Then the operator resets the retention system of the actuated safety device 4, by activating button 72.

[0098] Finally, the operator controls the raising of the curtain 40 of the safety-actuated device 4, by pressing the button 71, which controls the motor allowing the shaft around which the curtain 40 is wound to rotate.

[0099] It is understood from the preceding description how the invention makes it possible to monitor the proper functioning of a safety device.

[0100] It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the implementation of a device such as that described and illustrated and that it extends to the realization or implementation of any equivalent means.

Claims

Demands

1. An assembly comprising a safety-actuated device (4) and a control cabinet (2) designed to monitor the use of the safety-actuated device, said safety-actuated device being designed to adopt either an activated state, in which it acts in particular to combat the spread of fire or smoke, or a non-actuated state in which the safety-actuated device (4) is passive, said control cabinet (2) comprising a control module (21) for said at least one safety-actuated device (4) to switch it from said activated state to said non-actuated state, and vice versa, said assembly being characterized in that said safety-actuated device (4) comprising for this purpose sensors positioned regularly on a frame (42) which it comprises, each sensor being capable of transmitting information (12) in the form of electrical detection signals,and in that said control cabinet (2) comprises: - a module (22) for receiving and processing said information (12) from said sensors of said at least one actuated safety device (4), said information (12) indicating whether said at least one actuated safety device (4) is in said actuated state or in said non-actuated state or in an intermediate state between said actuated state and said non-actuated state, and - a module (23, 24) for recording and transmitting said information (12) to a remote monitoring station (5), at predefined regular intervals, said control cabinet comprising a control button (6) for an operating mode (A - H) of said control cabinet (2) from among at least two operating modes (A, B), said control button (6) being capable of assuming at least two positions,each position corresponding to an operating mode of said cabinet according to which said recording and transmission module transmits or does not transmit said information to the remote monitoring station (5).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said module (23, 24) for recording and transmitting information (12) transmits said information (12) to the remote control station (5) following a low power radio communication protocol.

3. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cabinet comprises a manual control box (7) including at least three control buttons among which: a first button (71) for switching said at least one actuated safety device (4) from said actuated state to said non-actuated state, a second button (73) for switching said at least one actuated safety device (4) from said non-actuated state to said actuated state, and a third button (72) for resetting.

4. A method of implementing an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, said method comprising the following steps: - receiving said information (12) on the actuated or non-actuated state of said at least one actuated safety device (4) by said receiving module (22), at regular intervals, - recording (23) and transmission (24) to a remote monitoring station (5) of said information (12) by said recording and transmission module (23, 24), and wherein said remote monitoring station (5) sends an alert message to an operator's personal device in the event of detection of an inappropriate state of said at least one actuated safety device (4), said inappropriate state being able to be said actuated state or said non-actuated state or said intermediate state of said at least one actuated safety device (4).

5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a step in which information (1) from at least one fire detection device (1) and information (2) on the activated or deactivated state of said at least one actuated safety device (4) are received by a receiving and processing module (20) which: - on the one hand, transfers to said recording and transmission module (22, 24) the information (12) on the activated or deactivated state of said at least one actuated safety device (4), to record them and transmit them to the remote monitoring station (5), and - on the other hand, processes information II, and in that, if information (II) from at least one fire detection device (1) indicates that said at least one fire detection device (1) is not activated, then the control cabinet does not command the actuation of the activated safety device (4).

6. A method according to any one of claims 4 or 5, implementing an assembly wherein said control cabinet (2) comprises a control button (6A) for an operating mode (A-H) of said control cabinet (2) from among at least two operating modes, including a first and a second operating mode (A, B), said method being characterized in that: when said first operating mode (A) is activated, said recording and transmission module (23, 24) does not transmit said information to said remote monitoring station (5), and in that, when said second operating mode (B) is activated, said module (23,24) recording and transmission transmits said information (12) from said at least one safety-actuated device (4) to the remote monitoring station (5) and said remote monitoring station (5) determines the time taken by the safety-actuated device to change from its non-actuated state to its activated state to detect a malfunction.

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that a third operating mode (C) of the cabinet is activated by actuation of said control button (6A) and in that, according to the third operating mode (C), said information (12) from said at least one actuated safety device (4) is transmitted to a device capable of recording the information from said memory by connecting said device to a connector of said cabinet, said connector preferably being a USB port.

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