Water discharge methods for fire extinguishing equipment, fire extinguishing equipment

Abstract

In a facility divided into a field area and a seating area, the present invention provides a fire extinguishing system and a water discharge method that can encourage evacuation in order to prevent water from splashing onto people in the seating area when water is discharged into the field area, which is the protected area. [Solution] The fire extinguishing equipment 9 according to the present invention is a water discharge method for a fire extinguishing equipment 9 that is installed in a facility divided into a field section 1 for performing games or performances and a seating section 3 for watching the games or performances on the field section 1, and is equipped with a swirling nozzle 7 that discharges water to a fire occurring in the protected area, with the field section 1 as the protected area. When a fire occurs and water discharge is started, the method comprises a shifted water discharge step in which water is discharged from a shifted position to a location on the field section 1 away from the seating section 3, regardless of where the fire occurred, and a main water discharge step in which, after the shifted water discharge step, the nozzle swirls toward the fire source while continuing to discharge water and discharges water toward the fire source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water discharge method and a fire extinguishing facility of a fire extinguishing facility provided with a swivel nozzle for discharging water against a fire.

Background Art

[0002] Fire extinguishing facilities equipped with a swivel nozzle that swivels in the direction of a fire source and discharges water toward the fire source are installed in various facilities, and their protection ranges are predetermined. For example, in a facility divided into a field section for competitions, performances, etc., such as a baseball field, an arena, etc., and a spectator section for watching competitions, performances, etc. in the field section, it is generally set that the field section is the protection range. Also, in a facility having an atrium like a shopping mall and having a hierarchical structure section provided around the atrium, it is generally set that the floor section of the atrium is the protection range.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a fire breaks out at the end inside the field section of such a facility, for example, a baseball field, if the swivel nozzle discharges water toward the fire at the fire occurrence location, part of the water discharge may also hit the stand (spectator section). On the other hand, from the perspective of people in the stand, the field section is separated from the stand by a fence or the like, or has a different floor level, so there is less sense of crisis regarding the fire that has occurred, and it is conceivable that they will become onlookers and gather on the field section side of the stand to watch the fire from the stand. If water is sprayed in this situation, there is a concern that some of the water may splash onto people in the stands, potentially causing damage.

[0005] The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a fire extinguishing method and fire extinguishing equipment that can encourage evacuation so that people in the seating area or the multi-level structure are not hit by the water sprayed onto the field area or the atrium when water is sprayed onto the field area or the atrium, which are the protected areas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The method of water discharge for a fire extinguishing system according to the present invention is a method of water discharge for a fire extinguishing system installed in a facility divided into a field area for competitions or performances and a seating area for watching the competitions or performances on the field area, and equipped with a swirling nozzle that discharges water against a fire occurring in the protected area, with the field area being the protected area. When a fire breaks out and water is to be discharged, regardless of the location of the fire, a shifted water discharge process is performed in which water is discharged to a location in the field area that is away from the seating area, The invention is characterized by comprising a main water discharge step, in which, after the shifting water discharge step, the device rotates toward the fire source while continuing to discharge water and discharges water toward the fire source.

[0007] (2) A method for spraying water from a fire extinguishing system installed in a facility having an open space and a multi-level structure surrounding the open space, the system being equipped with a swirling nozzle that sprays water against a fire occurring in the protected area, with the floor of the open space as the protected area, When a fire breaks out and water is to be discharged, regardless of the location of the fire, a shifted water discharge process is performed in which water is discharged to a location on the floor that is away from the multi-level structure, The invention is characterized by comprising a main water discharge step, in which, after the shifting water discharge step, the system rotates toward the fire source while continuing to discharge water and then discharges water toward the fire source.

[0008] (3) The fire extinguishing system according to the present invention comprises a fire detection device for detecting a fire, a swirling nozzle for discharging fire extinguishing water while swirling around a protected area, and a control unit that controls the swirling of the swirling nozzle and water discharge based on information from the fire detection device. The control unit is characterized in that, upon receiving fire detection information from the fire detection device, it rotates the nozzle toward a preset position unrelated to the location of the fire, performs a diverted water discharge at that position, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, rotates the nozzle toward the location of the fire while continuing to discharge water, and performs a main water discharge toward the location of the fire.

[0009] (4) Furthermore, the fire extinguishing system according to the present invention comprises a fire detection device for detecting a fire, a swirling nozzle for discharging fire extinguishing water by swirling around a protected area, and a control unit that controls the swirling of the swirling nozzle based on fire location designation information that specifies the location where a fire has occurred. The control unit is characterized in that, upon inputting the fire location designation information, it rotates the nozzle toward a preset location unrelated to the fire location, performs a staggered water discharge at that location, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, rotates the nozzle toward the fire location while continuing to discharge water, and performs a main water discharge toward the fire location.

[0010] (5) In addition, in the facilities described in (3) or (4) above, which are divided into a field area where competitions or performances take place and a seating area for viewing the competitions or performances on the field, The swivel nozzle protects the field area, The control unit is characterized by controlling the rotating nozzle to rotate the nozzle toward a predetermined position in the field area, away from the seating area, and to perform offset water discharge at that position.

[0011] (6) Furthermore, in the case described in (5) above, the staggered water discharge is performed when a portion of the water discharged to the seating area would fall on the area where the fire occurred, and the control unit controls the swivel nozzle to perform the main water discharge without staggered water discharge when the water discharged to the area where the fire occurred would not fall on the seating area.

[0012] (7) In addition, in the case described in (3) or (4) above, the facility is installed in a building that has an open space and a multi-story structure is provided around the open space, The aforementioned swivel nozzle protects the floor area of ​​the open space, The control unit is characterized by controlling the rotating nozzle to rotate the nozzle toward a predetermined position on the floor away from the hierarchical structure and to perform offset water discharge at that position.

[0013] (8) Furthermore, in the case described in (7) above, the staggered water discharge is performed when a portion of the water discharged to the multi-level structure is to be sprayed to the fire site, and the control unit controls the swivel nozzle to perform the main water discharge without staggered water discharge when the water discharged to the fire site is not to be to be sprayed to the multi-level structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In this invention, when a fire occurs and water is to be discharged, the system includes a shifted water discharge step in which water is discharged from a shifted position in the field area, away from the seating area, regardless of the location of the fire, and a main water discharge step in which, after the shifted water discharge step, the system rotates toward the fire source while continuing to discharge water and discharges water toward the fire source. By shifting the water discharge, people in the seating area are made aware that water discharge has begun, and by rotating toward the fire source while continuing to discharge water, people in the seating area closer to the field are made aware that water is approaching, and are encouraged to evacuate to avoid getting wet or injured by the water discharge. In addition, in the present invention, when a fire breaks out and water discharge is started, regardless of the location of the fire, a shifted water discharge step of shifting the position and discharging water at a position on the floor portion of the blow-through portion away from the hierarchical structure portion, and after the shifted water discharge step, a main water discharge step of turning toward the fire source while continuing to discharge water and discharging water toward the fire source are provided. By discharging water in a shifted manner, people in the hierarchical structure portion can be made aware that water discharge has started, and since the water discharge continues while turning toward the fire source, people in the hierarchical structure portion near the blow-through portion can be made aware that the water discharge is approaching, and evacuation can be promoted so as not to get wet or injured by the water discharge.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining the water discharge method of the fire extinguishing equipment according to Embodiment 1, and is a diagram showing the water discharge range when the field portion of the stadium is taken as the protection range. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of the shifted water discharge position and the main water discharge position of the swivel nozzle in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram of the main part configuration of the fire extinguishing equipment according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 4] It is an explanatory diagram of an example of the water discharge method in the main water discharge of the fire extinguishing equipment according to Embodiment 2.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a part of a stadium 5 having a field portion 1 and a spectator section 3, and shows a portion corresponding to the protection range of one swivel nozzle 7 in the fire extinguishing equipment installed in the stadium 5. The swivel nozzle 7 discharges fire extinguishing water, and the fan-shaped range shown in FIG. 1 is the protection range. In addition, the water discharge distance can be properly used, such as long-distance water discharge to the farthest distance, intermediate water discharge at an intermediate distance, and near-neighbor water discharge at a short distance.

[0017] The protective range of the swivel nozzle 7 covers the field section 1 in a fan shape, but as shown in Figure 1, there are parts of the field section 1 where the water discharge range extends over the seating area. Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, if a fire occurs in the field area 1, which is close to the seating area on the right side of the diagram, and there is a fence or other barrier or difference in elevation between the fire site and the seating area, it is conceivable that some spectators who do not feel in danger will gather in the seating area 3 closer to the fire site to watch the fire as onlookers.

[0018] In this state, if the swivel nozzle 7 is directed towards the fire site and water is discharged, some of the firefighting water may splash onto people gathered in the seating area 3 near the fire site, potentially causing them to get wet or injured. Therefore, the water discharge method of the fire extinguishing equipment in this embodiment includes a shifted water discharge step in which, when a fire occurs and water discharge is started, the water is discharged from a shifted position to a location in the field area 1 that is away from the seating area 3, regardless of where the fire occurred, and a main water discharge step in which, after the shifted water discharge step, the water is continued and the system rotates toward the fire source and discharges water toward the fire source. The following describes each step in detail.

[0019] <Shifted water discharge process> As described above, the shifted water discharge process is a process in which, when a fire occurs and water discharge begins, water is discharged by shifting the position to a location in the field area 1 that is away from the seating area 3, regardless of where the fire originated. The location where the staggered water spraying will be carried out is not particularly limited; it should be away from the seating area 3, and any location where people in the seating area will not be hit by the firefighting water. In the example shown in Figure 1, the case where the rotation angle of the swivel nozzle 7 is 108° is illustrated. In this case, the position of the staggered water discharge should be, for example, the middle of the protected area, i.e., 54° from both ends.

[0020] If the offset water discharge point is positioned in the middle of the protected area, as shown by the white arrow in Figure 1, the time required to circle to the fire source for main water discharge will not be excessively long, regardless of which side of the offset water discharge point the fire originates on. Figure 2 shows the case where the direction of the fire source is 32° to the right in the figure from the position of the offset water discharge. In this case, during the main water discharge process, as shown in Figure 2, the swivel nozzle 7 should be rotated 32° to the right in the figure from the position where the offset water discharge was performed.

[0021] The staggered water discharge process can be further broken down into two steps: a nozzle rotation step in which the rotating nozzle 7 rotates from the standby position to the position where staggered water discharge is performed, and a water discharge step in which water is discharged at the staggered water discharge position. The duration of the water discharge step can be, for example, about 5 to 30 seconds.

[0022] Furthermore, in the staggered water discharge process, the water discharge position and duration can be determined by the operator if the operation is performed by a person, or, as described later, if the operation is performed by a device, they should be pre-set in the device according to its installation location.

[0023] <Main water spraying process> This water discharge process involves, after the staggered water discharge process, rotating the swivel nozzle 7 towards the fire source while continuing to discharge water, and then discharging water directly onto the fire source. This water discharge process can be further subdivided into a staggered water discharge process, followed by a water discharge rotation process in which the rotating nozzle 7 rotates toward the fire source while continuing to discharge water, and a fire source water discharge process in which water is discharged toward the fire source.

[0024] During the water spraying rotation process, water is continuously sprayed, so people watching the fire from the seating area 3 recognize the start of the water spraying when the diverting spraying begins, and then recognize that the water is approaching. This makes them realize that they will be hit by the spray if they stay in that spot, and encourages them to leave.

[0025] By transitioning from the staggered water discharge process to the main water discharge process, people in seating area 3 can become aware that the water is approaching them, and at this point, they can become aware of the need to evacuate. In other words, even if there is only a fire, the area where the fire started and the seating area 3 are far apart, so people may not feel any danger, but the force of the water used for spraying can make them aware of the risk of damage.

[0026] Furthermore, when the fire source water discharge process begins, there will be no people in the seating area 3 where the water will be sprayed, and even if some of the water sprayed reaches the seating area 3, it will be possible to prevent any harm to people. Thus, according to the water discharge method of the fire extinguishing equipment of this embodiment, even when there is a partition such as a fence between the protected area, such as the field area 1 and the seating area 3, or when the protected area is on a lower floor than the seating area 3, and people in the seating area 3 are less likely to be vigilant about evacuation in the event of a fire in the protected area, it is possible to induce evacuation actions from people in the seating area 3 and prevent damage caused by being sprayed with water.

[0027] Furthermore, the operation of identifying the fire source location and rotating the water nozzle relative to the fire source location in this water discharge process may be performed by a person, similar to the shifted water discharge process, or it may be performed automatically by a device as described later.

[0028] <Other forms> The above description concerns a facility divided into a field area 1 where competitions and performances take place, and a seating area 3 for watching the competitions and performances on the field area 1. The system is installed in such a facility, with the field area 1 designated as the protected area, and water is sprayed against a fire that occurs within that protected area. However, this embodiment is not limited to the above case, and can also be applied to fire extinguishing equipment installed in facilities such as shopping malls that have an atrium and a multi-story structure around the atrium, and which uses the floor of the atrium as a protected area and sprays water against fires occurring in that protected area.

[0029] The water discharge method in such a fire extinguishing system should include, when a fire occurs and water discharge is started, a shifted water discharge step in which water is discharged from a shifted position to the floor area, away from the multi-story structure, regardless of where the fire originated, and a main water discharge step in which, after the shifted water discharge step, water is continued and the system rotates toward the fire source and discharges water toward the fire source. The specific details of the staggered water discharge process and the main water discharge process are the same as those for fire extinguishing equipment installed in facilities having the field section 1 and seating area 3 described above.

[0030] Furthermore, the staggered water discharge process may be performed if a portion of the water discharged to the fire site falls onto the seating area 3. If a portion of the water discharged to the fire site does not fall onto the seating area 3, the main water discharge process may be performed without performing the staggered water discharge.

[0031] [Embodiment 2] Embodiment 1 relates to a method of water discharge for fire extinguishing equipment, including cases where it is operated by a person and cases where it is performed automatically by a machine. This embodiment relates to fire extinguishing equipment that can realize such a water discharge method when it is performed by a machine. For example, this relates to a fire extinguishing system installed in a facility divided into a field section 1 where competitions or performances are held, and a seating area 3 for watching the competitions or performances on the field section 1. The system is equipped with a swirling nozzle 7 that sprays water against fires occurring within the protected area, with the field section 1 being the protected area.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the fire extinguishing system 9 according to this embodiment includes, for example, three swivel nozzles 7, a fire detection device 11 for detecting fires, and a control unit 13 that controls the swivel of the swivel nozzles 7 and the discharge of water based on information from the fire detection device 11. The following provides a detailed explanation of each component. The fire extinguishing system 9 is equipped with various devices, including a water tank for storing fire extinguishing water, a fire pump for lifting the fire extinguishing water, a start control panel for the fire pump, and a device for switching between automatic and manual operation of the swivel nozzle 7. However, illustrations and explanations of such general devices are omitted.

[0033] <Fire detection equipment> The fire detection device 11 is used to detect fires by searching the protected area, and includes, for example, an infrared camera, an infrared camera control unit, and a rotation device for rotating the infrared camera. The fire detection device 11 rotates an infrared camera within the protected area, and the infrared camera control unit detects the presence or absence of a fire based on the image data. When the fire detection device 11 detects the occurrence and location of a fire, that information is input to the control unit 13.

[0034] <Department Head> When the control unit 13 receives fire detection information from the fire detection device 11, it controls the rotation and water discharge of the swivel nozzle 7. Specifically, it controls the swivel nozzle 7 as follows: When fire detection information is input, the nozzle is rotated toward a predetermined position in the field section 1, away from the seating area 3, regardless of the location of the fire, and a staggered water discharge is performed at that position. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the rotating nozzle 7 is controlled to rotate toward the location of the fire while continuing to discharge water, and a main water discharge is performed toward the location of the fire.

[0035] The time for shifting the water discharge at a predetermined position can be set in the control unit 13, for example, to about 5 to 30 seconds. Furthermore, when directing water discharge to a fire source, the swivel nozzle 7 may be rotated slightly from side to side to perform a swaying discharge, as shown in Figure 4. If the discharge width is 2m when not swaying, the discharge width when swaying will be approximately 6m. Swirling water spraying is effective when a fire is growing rapidly.

[0036] According to the fire extinguishing equipment 9 of this embodiment, the fire extinguishing method described in Embodiment 1 can be realized. In cases where there is a partition such as a fence between the protected area, such as the field area 1 and the seating area 3, or where the protected area is on a lower floor than the seating area 3, and people in the seating area 3 are less likely to be vigilant about evacuation in the event of a fire in the protected area, the equipment 9 of this embodiment can induce evacuation actions from people in the seating area 3 and prevent damage caused by being sprayed with water.

[0037] In the above description, the control unit 13 controlled the swivel nozzle 7 based on fire detection information from the fire detection device 11. However, the control unit 13 of the present invention is not limited to this, and instead of fire detection information, it may be configured to take fire location designation information and control the swivel of the swivel nozzle 7 and the discharge of water. Specifically, when fire location designation information is input, the control unit 13 controls the swivel nozzle 7 to rotate toward a predetermined position in the field section 1, away from the seating area 3, regardless of the designated location specified in the fire location designation information, and to perform a staggered water discharge at that position. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the swivel nozzle 7 is rotated toward the designated location while continuing to discharge water, and the main water discharge is performed toward the fire location.

[0038] Fire location designation information refers to the location information of a fire that has been identified, for example, when an operator identifies the location of a fire based on screen information such as a screen displaying the protected area.

[0039] <Other forms> The above description concerns a facility divided into a field area 1 where competitions and performances take place, and a seating area 3 for watching the competitions and performances on the field area 1. The system is installed in such a facility, with the field area 1 designated as the protected area, and water is sprayed against a fire that occurs within that protected area. However, this embodiment is not limited to the above case, and can also be applied to fire extinguishing equipment 9 installed in facilities such as shopping malls that have an atrium and a multi-story structure around the atrium, and which uses the floor of the atrium as a protected area and sprays water against fires occurring in the protected area.

[0040] The configuration of this fire extinguishing system 9 is such that it is installed in a facility having an open space and a multi-story structure surrounding the open space, and is equipped with a swivel nozzle 7 that sprays water against a fire occurring in the protected area, with the floor of the open space as the protected area. The control unit 13 that controls the swivel nozzle 7 and the water discharge should, when fire detection information or fire location designation information is input from a fire detection device 11, control the swivel nozzle 7 to swivel toward a predetermined position on the floor of the open space, away from the multi-story structure, regardless of the location of the fire, and perform a shifted water discharge at that position, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, swivel the swivel nozzle 7 toward the location of the fire while continuing to discharge water, and perform a main water discharge toward the location of the fire.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above explanation, the control unit 13 was configured to always perform a shifted water discharge when fire detection information or fire location designation information was input. However, the control unit 13 may control the swivel nozzle 7 to perform a partial water discharge when spraying water at the fire site will cause some of the water to reach the seating area 3 or the multi-story structure, and to perform a full water discharge without shifting the water discharge when spraying water at the fire site will cause no water to reach the seating area 3 or the multi-story structure.

[0042] In this case, when the control unit 13 receives fire detection information or fire location designation information, it will determine whether water will be sprayed on that location based on its positional relationship with the seating area 3 and the multi-story structure. Therefore, the control unit 13 should pre-set areas where water will be sprayed on the seating area 3 and the multi-story structure and areas where it will not, if water is sprayed within the protection range.

[0043] Furthermore, staggered water discharge may be implemented only in cases of long-distance or intermediate-distance water discharge. In the case of nearby water discharge, although people may get wet if they are sprayed with water, the water pressure is weak and the risk of injury is low, so priority may be given to discharging water to the fire source as early as possible.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, examples of locations for installing the fire extinguishing equipment 9 include a facility divided into a field area 1 for competitions and performances, and a seating area 3 for watching the competitions and performances on the field area 1, and a facility having an atrium with a multi-story structure surrounding the atrium. However, the facilities to which the fire extinguishing equipment 9 according to the present invention is installed are not limited to these, and it can be broadly applied to any facility where it is considered that there is a possibility of harm to people from the water discharge if the main water discharge is suddenly directed towards the fire source. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1. Field section 3 Audience seating area 5 Stadiums 7. Swivel nozzle 9 Fire extinguishing equipment 11. Fire detection equipment 13 Control Unit

Claims

[Claim 1] A method for discharging water from a fire extinguishing system equipped with a swirling nozzle for discharging water against a fire occurring within a protected area of ​​a facility, When a fire breaks out and water is to be sprayed, regardless of the location of the fire, there is a process called staggered spraying in which the water is sprayed in a position that is not exposed to people. A method for discharging water from a fire extinguishing system, characterized by comprising: a shifting water discharge step, followed by a main water discharge step in which the system continues to discharge water and rotates toward the fire source to discharge water toward the fire source.

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