A fire safety device

Abstract

A fire safety device comprising: an interaction unit for mounting on a first side of a wall; and a transmission tunnel passing through the wall from the first side to a second side of the wall; the tr

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fire safety device, in particular a device for providing a means of dealing with fires safely. Background Fire safety is an increasing concern in many societies across the world. Fire can be dangerous for inhabitants of a premises on fire and firefighters who are on a scene to extinguish the fire. It would therefore be preferable for fires to be capable of being dealt with without entering the premises. Prior Art WO 2018 112 385 (MOFFA) discloses a fire suppression system comprising: a nozzle; a cartridge containing a pressurized gas; an agent tank coupled to the cartridge and having stored within a fire suppression agent; distribution piping providing a conduit that allows the fire suppression agent when expelled from the agent tank to flow from the agent tank to the nozzle; a release assembly coupled to the cartridge, wherein, upon activation of the release assembly, the cartridge releases the pressurized gas causing the fire suppression agent to expel from the agent tank through the distribution piping to the nozzle; one or more sensors to measure a current state at the nozzle, the cartridge, the agent tank, or the release assembly; and a communications module to receive measurements of the current state from the one or more sensors and transmit the current state to a remote monitoring platform. EP 3 352 862 (GUARDIANO etal) discloses a nozzle access device configured to be installed in a structural element and to accept connection by a fire hose nozzle to introduce firefighting fluid into an enclosed space. The device has a housing configured to be inserted in a hole formed in the structural element. The housing has a cylindrical body and a first face with an opening surrounded by an inwardly extending cylindrical socket. The housing has a second face, with an opening, which is attached to the cylindrical body. A movable nozzle connector in the housing has a connection portion configured to receive an inserted fire hose nozzle in a locking connection and a cylindrical nozzle stop portion extending from the connection portion. The nozzle stop portion is movably coupled within an interior of the socket of the first face. KR 1 020 140 070 696 (HWANG) discloses a firefighting injection module, which includes a main rod having an internal flow path which water for firefighting flows through and used to suppress the fire on the scene of a fire; a nozzle bracket connected to one end of the main rod to be detachable; a nozzle mounted on the nozzle bracket and having multiple spray holes to be connected to the main rod; a wireless camera mounted on one end of the nozzle; and a transparent insulation cover mounted on one end of the nozzle and encompassing the wireless camera, in order to easily suppress a fire in a small space where firefighters cannot go in or the fire taking place in general buildings. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a fire safety device comprising: an interaction unit for mounting on a first side of a wall; and a transmission tunnel passing through the wall from the first side to a second side of the wall; the transmission tunnel providing a sensor end in relation to the second side of the wall for sensing presence of a fire on the second side of the wall, and the interaction unit arranged to provide an interaction in relation to the sensor sensing a fire on the second side of the wall. In some embodiments of the device the interaction unit comprises an entrance to the transmission tunnel, which may be envisaged to comprise a closure means which may be lockable, such that a sensing means is permanently in operation but no airflow or access occurs through to the other side of the wall unless an authorised user requires access. The sensing means may be envisaged to comprise a thermal sensor, a smoke sensor or other means of identifying fire hazards. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a displaceable sensor, so as to allow for removal of the sensing means to access firefighting means, wherein the interaction unit is arranged for receipt of a fire extinguishing wand in its place for example. In other embodiments temperature sensor fixed onto a plate on the sensor side of the wall, which is located inside which measures and relays the internal temperature back to the interaction unit. In some embodiments of the device the interaction unit comprises a sensor control means, such that a user is enabled to sense on demand. In some embodiments of the device the interaction unit comprises a display means. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises an alert means, which may comprise wireless network connectivity and / or a loudspeaker, so as to broadcast an alert when a predetermined set of values is sensed at the sensor. In some embodiments of the device the interaction unit comprises a light source, which may illuminate the transmission tunnel, the second side of the wall, the environs of the interaction unit and / or provide a visual alert means. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a ventilation means to the transmission tunnel, for example feeding more air into the transmission tunnel. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises an air movement means in the transmission tunnel, such as a fan. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a structure including a device substantially as described herein with reference to the claims. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided means of firefighting comprising a device substantially as described herein with reference to the claims. In this way the device of the present invention may be envisaged to fit on either side of a hole through an exterior building wall, to help firefighters fight fires with extinguishing devices from outside a building, for firefighters who are looking to act more defensively or are unable to enter the building immediately but still want to manage the fire. Advantageously this limits the requirement for firefighters to enter the residence or building and improves safety forfirefighter as fires can be tackled externally, and allows for improved speed of initial attack, as firefighters can tackle the fire externally while waiting for a full crew or back-up. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment o the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a detail isometric view of the interaction unit from the embodiment shown in Figure 1, with door opened; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 7 shows a detail isometric view of the interaction unit from the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with door removed. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a fire safety device generally comprising: an interaction unit 99 for mounting on a first side of a wall; and a transmission tunnel 199 passing through the wall from the first side to a second side of the wall; the transmission tunnel providing a sensor end 5 in relation to the second side of the wall for sensing presence of a fire on the second side of the wall, and the interaction unit 99 arranged to provide an interaction in relation to the sensor sensing a fire on the second side of the wall. With reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a unit 99 that has a monolithic housing 10 being largely square with a shallow depth, with a door 19 that is hinged at a hinge 11 down one side of the front edge of the housing, and with the rear edge being attached to the wall in use by screw fixings 13. The door comprises a screen module 20, which provides a display screen and a control button. The housing comprises two battery saddles 16, each of which accepts a displaceable battery 15, in the pictured embodiment a C lithium ion battery, which may be recharged by a facilities manager or similar. The saddles include electrical connectors 22 which connect the batteries 15 to a printed circuit board 14 and to the screen module 20 when the door is closed. The screen module comprises a transparent screen cover 18 for security. In this way in order to replace the batteries the facilities manager would simply need to open the door to access the batteries in the saddles. The door and housing in the pictured embodiment each comprise a lanyard attachment point, and in the pictured embodiment a key padlock 12 is used to lock the door closed on the housing. Further embodiments may comprise combination locks, integrated or otherwise, or other locking means, for example electronic locking means for use with an electronic or ferromagnetic key. Between the battery saddles there is visible an end to a pipe 7. The pipe end comprises a resiliently deformable blocking plug 9, which plug provides a displaceable block to the pipe. This plug may be formed in a cellular plastic foam or similar so as to expand to fill the pipe and prevent unauthorised dislodging. In this way the blocking plug may be easily displaced when the door is opened, so as to allow for introduction of the fire extinguisher wand into the transmission tunnel so as to operate this on the distal side of the wall. The pipe 7 has an internal diameter of 30mm and is a cylindrical elongate tube with a hollow centre and open ends, formed in polyethylene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or the like rigid plastics. During installation, a threaded end of the central pipe screws directly into a corresponding thread in the housing, to create an IP67 water rating. The housing features a lip and groove with a tight tolerance fit of the door to prevent water leakage inside. A perforated ABS plate 5 on the distal sensor end of the pipe is screwed by screw fixings 3 to the distal side of the wall and comprises a seal for the transmission tunnel, such seal provided by a rupturable sealing membrane 4, and a displaceable capping ABS plate which may be tolerance or interference fit over the perforated ABS plate 5. The distal second sensor end of the pipe 7 comprises a screw fit end cap 6 to the perforated plate. In the pictured embodiment the capping plate includes magnets 2 which attract to the fixings 3. In this way, in use a user will: Determine the internal temperature of the room using the temperature reading on the screen; If applicable, break the seal of the distal end of the transmission tunnel; Place the extinguishing device through the transmission tunnel; Once the extinguishing device is inside the room, activate it to tackle the fire. The pipe end, pipe and seal forms the transmission tunnel for sensing of air at the interaction unit 99 in relation to air at the distal end of the pipe. In this way the pipe passes through a wall, and the hollow centre of the pipe comprises a tunnel for transmission of air from one side of the wall to the other. It may be envisaged that the transmission tube may include an air movement device such as a fan. In the pictured embodiment the blocking plug supports a sensor 8, which passes from one side of the blocking plug 9 in the hollow centre of the pipe 7, to the opposed side of the blocking plug, where it engages with the screen module. The screen module comprises a 7 segment display screen for minimal power usage and simple easy to read display means to relay danger warnings or reassurance to users. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of proection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A fire safety device comprising: an interaction unit for mounting on a first side of a wall; and a transmission tunnel passing through the wall from the first side to a second side of the wall; the transmission tunnel providing a sensor end in relation to the second side of the wall for sensing presence of a fire on the second side of the wall, and the interaction unit arranged to provide an interaction in relation to the sensor sensing a fire on the second side of the wall.

2. A fire safety device according to claim 1 wherein the interaction unit comprises an entrance to the transmission tunnel.

3. A fire safety device according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a displaceable sensor.

4. A fire safety device according to claim 3 wherein the displaceable sensor is attached to a foam plug.

5. A fire safety device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein a temperature sensor fixed onto a plate on the sensor side of the wall.

6. A fire safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the interaction unit is arranged for receipt of a fire extinguishing wand.

7. A fire safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the interaction unit comprises a sensor control means.

8. A fire safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the interaction unit comprises a display means.

9. A fire safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the device comprises an alert means.

10. A fire safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the interaction unit comprises wireless network connectivity.

11. A fire safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the interaction unit comprises a loudspeaker.

12. A fire safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the interaction unit comprises a light source.

13. A fire safety device according to any preceding claim comprising a ventilation means to the transmission tunnel.5 14. A fire safety device according to any preceding claim comprising an airmovement means in the transmission tunnel.

15. A structure including a device according to any of the preceding claims.10 16. A means of firefighting comprising a structure according to claim 15.

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