Smoke testing equipment

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a portable and lightweight smoke testing apparatus. [Solution] The smoke testing apparatus of the present invention comprises a tube formed of a film and a smoke generating device, wherein the inside of the tube is pressurized with gas to inflate the tube, and test smoke from the smoke generating device can be released from near the tip of the tube.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a smoke addition test instrument for inspecting a smoke detector installed at a high place.

Background Art

[0002] Smoke detectors are periodically subjected to a smoke addition test. Patent Document 1 describes a smoke addition test instrument for performing a smoke addition test. The smoke addition test instrument includes a tip portion that imparts smoke to the smoke detector during the test, and a support rod for lifting the tip portion to the position of the smoke detector.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the smoke detector is installed at a normal height, a smoke addition test can be performed with a smoke addition test instrument having a support rod as in Patent Document 1. In the smoke addition test instrument of Patent Document 1, a sensor cover at the tip of the support rod is applied to the smoke detector to emit test smoke. Such a smoke addition test instrument is used when performing a smoke addition test on a smoke detector installed on a normal-height ceiling with a ceiling height of about 2.5 to 3.0 m. On the other hand, there are also smoke detectors installed at a higher position than normal, such as on a high ceiling. For such a smoke detector, an operator had to climb on a stepladder or the like, hold the smoke addition test instrument above, and apply the tip portion to the smoke detector to perform a smoke addition test. Although it is possible to test the smoke detector by lengthening the support rod, when the support rod becomes longer, it is difficult to carry, and the weight increases, making it difficult to apply the smoke addition test instrument to the smoke detector.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a portable and lightweight smoke testing device that can be used with smoke detectors installed at high positions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A smoke test apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a tube formed of a film and a smoke generating device, wherein the inside of the tube is pressurized with gas to inflate the tube, and test smoke from the smoke generating device can be released from near the tip of the tube. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention provides a portable and lightweight smoke testing apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows a smoke detector being tested using the smoke testing apparatus of Example 1. [Figure 2] This figure shows the smoke test apparatus of Example 1 with the pressurized air blower removed. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the tube in the smoke test apparatus of Example 1. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the tube in Example 1, which was inflated with air containing test smoke. [Figure 5] This figure shows a smoke detector being tested using the smoke testing apparatus of Example 1. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the upper part of the smoke test apparatus in a modified example of Example 1. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the smoke detector being tested using the smoke testing apparatus of Example 2. [Figure 8] This diagram shows a smoke detector being tested using the smoke testing apparatus of Example 3. [Figure 9] This figure shows a smoke detector being tested using the smoke testing apparatus of Example 4. [Figure 10] This figure shows a smoke detector being tested using a smoke testing apparatus in a modified example of Example 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The smoke test apparatus in each embodiment is for supplying test smoke T to a smoke detector S located at a high position, and is used in a vertically elongated configuration. In the drawings, the vertical direction as it is used is shown. [Examples]

[0010] Figure 1 shows the smoke detector S being tested using the smoke testing apparatus 1 of Example 1. The smoke testing apparatus 1 has a tube 11 made of cylindrical film, a pressurized air blower 12, a smoke generating device 13 (shown in Figure 2), and a fixing band 14. Test smoke T is discharged from a smoke outlet 111 located at the top of the tube 11 and supplied to the smoke detector S. The pressurized air blower 12 is inserted into the lower part of the tube 11, opposite the smoke outlet 111, and is fixed to the outside of the tube 11 with the fixing band 14.

[0011] Figure 2 shows the lower part of the smoke test apparatus 1 of Example 1 with the pressurized air blower 12 removed. A small compressor (not shown) is provided inside the pressurized air blower 12 to which the smoke generator 13 is attached. The pressurized air blower 12 is inserted into the tube 11 through the opening 112 and fixed to the tube 11 by a fixing band 14 as shown in Figure 1. In Figure 2, the smoke generator 13 is hidden by the pressurized air blower 12 and is shown with a dotted line. The hidden portion at the upper end of the pressurized air blower 12 is also shown with a dotted line. The smoke generator 13 is attached to the pressurized air blower 12. Air taken in from the intake port 121 by the pressurized air blower 12 is converted into gaseous test smoke T by the smoke generator 13 and sent into the tube 11.

[0012] Figure 3 shows the tube 11 in the smoke test apparatus 1 of Example 1. The tube 11 is made of tubular polyethylene resin, and in Figure 3, the sides of the double polyethylene film are closed to form a tube. In the upper part of Figure 3, the open end of the tube 11 is welded in two places, leaving the area near the center untouched, forming a welded portion 111a.

[0013] Figure 4 shows the tube 11 in Example 1, which has been inflated with test smoke T. A smoke outlet 111 with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the tube 11 is formed near the center of the tip of the tube 11 by the welded portion 111a. The tube 11 becomes cylindrical by taking in gas from the test smoke T through the opening 112, which is the open end at the bottom. The inside of the cylindrical tube 11 is filled with test smoke T. The test smoke T inside the tube 11 is released from the smoke outlet 111, but the diameter of the smoke outlet 111 is smaller than the diameter of the inflated tube 11, and it is formed small enough so that the pressurized tube 11 can stand on its own. Then, the air pressurized and blown into the inside of the tube 11 from the pressurized air blower 12 shown in Figure 2 inflates the tube 11, making it self-supporting and allowing the smoke outlet 111 to be positioned at a high place. The inflated and self-supporting tube 11 serves as a support structure for the tube 11 itself and the smoke outlet 111, and the operator can move the position of the tube 11 and the smoke outlet 111 by moving the lower part of the smoke test device 1.

[0014] Air is converted into test smoke T by the smoke generator 13, and the test smoke T passes through the inside of the tube 11 and reaches the smoke outlet 111, which has a smaller diameter than the tube 11, and is released. Then, as shown in Figure 1, the test smoke T can be supplied to a smoke detector S installed at a high place. The tube 11 is pressurized and inflated by the test smoke T, which is a gas inside, and the test smoke T from the smoke generator 13 can be released from the smoke outlet 111 near the tip of the tube 11.

[0015] The smoke addition test apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 is carried into the test site with the tube 11 folded or rolled up. Then, the forced air supply unit 12 is operated to activate a small compressor, and air is forcedly supplied into the inside of the tube 11. Then, the tube 11 expands and becomes a support structure that can stand independently in the vertical direction. The operator stands the smoke addition test apparatus 1 so that the smoke discharge port 111 faces upward, and brings the smoke discharge port 111 close to the smoke detector S. Then, the smoke generating device 13 is operated, and when smoke is mixed into the air, the air in the tube 11 becomes the test smoke T. The test smoke T is discharged from the smoke discharge port 111 to the vicinity of the smoke detector S, and the smoke addition test can be performed.

[0016] When a plurality of smoke detectors S are installed at high places, after the smoke addition test for one smoke detector S is completed, the position of the smoke discharge port 111 can be directly brought close to other smoke detectors S, and the smoke addition tests can be carried out one after another. After all the smoke addition tests are completed, the smoke generating device 13 and the forced air supply unit 12 are stopped. Then, the test smoke T and air inside the tube 11 escape from the smoke discharge port 111, and the tube 11 no longer has a support structure. Then, the flattened tube 11 can be folded or rolled up, and the smoke addition test apparatus 1 can be carried in a compact state.

[0017] Fig. 5 shows a state in which the smoke detector S is being tested with the smoke addition test apparatus 1 of Example 1. In Fig. 5, a smoke addition test is being performed on the smoke detector S with an obstacle R nearby. The forced air supply unit 12 can change the air delivery amount by changing the operating speed of the compressor, and can adjust the flexibility of the tube 11. When the operating speed of the compressor is decreased and the air delivery amount is reduced, the pressure inside the tube 11 becomes smaller, and the tube 11 becomes flexible. The flexible tube 11 can insert its upper part between the obstacles R. Then, as shown in Fig. 5, a smoke addition test can be performed on the smoke detector S with an obstacle R nearby.

[0018] <Modified Example> Figure 6 shows the upper part of the smoke test apparatus 2 in a modified example of Example 1. Figure 6(a) is a top view of the upper part of the smoke test apparatus 2, and Figure 6(b) is a side view of the upper part of the smoke test apparatus 2. The modified example of Example 1 differs from Example 1 only in its upper structure. The smoke test apparatus 2, like the smoke test apparatus 1, includes a tube 21 formed from a cylindrical film, a pressurized air blower 22, a smoke generator 23, and a fixing band 24. Note that the opening 212 at the bottom of the tube 21, the pressurized air blower 22, the smoke generator 23, and the fixing band 24 are not shown in Figure 6.

[0019] In the modified tube 21, welding like that performed on the welded portion 111a in Example 1 is not carried out. Instead, the modified smoke test apparatus 2 is equipped with a cover cap 25 and a cover cap fixing band 26. In the modified apparatus, the cover cap 25 and the cover cap fixing band 26 are made of lightweight resin. The cover cap 25 is equipped with a disc-shaped bottom plate 251 and cylindrical side tubes 252 rising from the ends of the bottom plate 251. Although not shown, the side tubes 252 are made of a mesh-like structure to reduce weight. The bottom plate 251 is also provided with a smoke outlet 253 in the center. The smoke outlet 253 has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the tube 21 and is located near the tip of the tube 21 to release the test smoke T. The bottom plate 251 is made of a thin, hard resin, but it may also be in the form of a film. Near the center of the top of the tube 21, a smoke outlet 253 with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the tube 21 is formed by the cover cap 25. Although test smoke T leaks from inside tube 21 through smoke outlet 253, the diameter of smoke outlet 253 is smaller than the diameter of the expanded tube 21, allowing the pressurized tube 21 to stand on its own.

[0020] In the modified example, the tube 21 is a cylindrical film, and its upper opening is covered by a cover cap 25. The cover cap 25 is inserted into the upper opening of the tube 21 with the bottom plate 251 facing downwards. The cover cap 25 is then secured to the tube 21 by tightening the tube 21 to the side tube 252 from the outside with a cover cap fixing band 26. In Figure 6(b), the cover cap 25 located inside the tube 21 is shown by a dotted line. The cover cap 25 has the shape of a cup with an open top due to the side tube 252 and the bottom plate 251.

[0021] The test smoke T inside the tube 21 is released from the smoke outlet 253 into the side tube 252. In the modified example, the tube 21 is also pressurized and inflated with the test smoke T, which is a gas, allowing the test smoke T from the smoke generator 23 to be released from the smoke outlet 253 near the tip of the tube 21. The top of the tube 21, which is backed by the bottom plate 251 and the mesh-like side tube 252, covers the smoke detector S during testing as a detector cover. The cover cap 25 and cover cap fixing band 26 are lightweight, and their weight prevents the inflated tube 21 from bending, and does not hinder the operator's operability when aligning the cover cap 25 with the smoke detector S. The side tube 252 is formed in a mesh shape for weight reduction, but it may also be formed in a cylindrical shape instead of a mesh shape. [Examples]

[0022] Figure 7 shows the smoke detector S being tested using the smoke testing apparatus 3 of Example 2. The smoke testing apparatus 3, like the smoke testing apparatus 1, is equipped with a tube 31 made of film, a pressurized air blower 32, and a fixing band 34. Unlike Example 1, the tube 31 does not have an outlet for air supplied from the pressurized air blower 32. The smoke generating device 33 of the smoke testing apparatus 3 is located outside the tube 31 and is fixed to the fixing band 34, which secures the pressurized air blower 32 to the tube 31 by tightening. Test smoke T is released from the smoke generating device 33 into the smoke tube 35. The smoke tube 35 is located inside the tube 31 and is accessible from the outside through two welded portions 311a located at the top of the tube 31. The outer surface near the upper end of the smoke tube 35 is in close contact with a hole located near the center of the welded portion 311a, and the upper end of the smoke tube 35 serves as a smoke outlet 351.

[0023] The test smoke T generated by the smoke generator 33 passes through the smoke tube 35 and is released to the outside from the smoke outlet 351 near the tip of the tube 31 to perform a smoke test on the smoke detector S. The self-supporting nature of the tube 31 is achieved by increasing the internal pressure of the tube 31 by releasing air taken in from the intake port 321 by the pressurized air blower 32 into the tube 31. In Example 2, the tube 31 is also inflated by pressurizing the inside with air, which is a gas, and the test smoke T from the smoke generator 33 can be released from the smoke outlet 351 near the tip of the tube 31 via the smoke tube 35. The inflated and self-supporting tube 31 becomes a support structure for the tube 31 itself, the smoke tube 35, and the smoke outlet 351, and the position of the smoke tube 35 and the smoke outlet 351 can be moved by the operator moving the lower part of the smoke test apparatus 3. Furthermore, the smoke tube 35 is flexible, and by removing the pressurized air blower 32 or otherwise removing the air inside the tube 31, it can be rolled up together with the tube 31 to make it smaller. [Examples]

[0024] Figure 8 shows the smoke detector S being tested using the smoke testing apparatus 4 of Example 3. The smoke testing apparatus 4, like the smoke testing apparatus 3 of Example 2, is equipped with a tube 41 made of a cylindrical film, a pressurized air blower 42, a smoke generating device 43, a fixing band 44, and a smoke tube 45. The smoke generating device 43 is fixed to the fixing band 44.

[0025] In the smoke test apparatus 4 of Example 3, the smoke tube 45 is provided outside the tube 41, and the test smoke T is released from the smoke outlet 451 of the smoke tube 45 near the top of the tube 41. The smoke tube 45 is bonded to the side of the tube 41. The top of the tube 41 is completely closed at the welded portion 411a, and the pressurized air blower 42 releases air taken in from the intake port 421 into the inside of the tube 41, increasing the internal pressure of the tube 41 and making the tube 41 self-supporting. The inflated and self-supporting tube 41 becomes a support structure for the tube 41, the smoke tube 45, and the smoke outlet 451, and the operator can move the position of the smoke tube 45 and the smoke outlet 451 by moving the lower part of the smoke test apparatus 4.

[0026] The test smoke T generated by the smoke generator 43 passes through the smoke tube 45 installed along the tube 41 and is released to the outside from the smoke outlet 451 near the tip of the tube 41 to perform a smoke test on the smoke detector S. In Example 3 as well, the tube 41 is inflated by pressurizing the inside with air, and the smoke tube 45 allows the test smoke T from the smoke generator 43 to be released from the smoke outlet 451 near the tip of the tube 41. Furthermore, the smoke tube 45 is flexible, and by removing the pressurized air blower 42 or otherwise removing the air inside the tube 41, it can be rolled up together with the tube 41 to make it smaller. [Examples]

[0027] Figure 9 shows the smoke detector S being tested using the smoke testing apparatus 5 of Example 4. The smoke testing apparatus 5, like the smoke testing apparatus 4 of Example 3, is equipped with a tube 51 made of film, a pressurized air blower 52, and a fixing band 54, and the upper part of the tube 51 is sealed with a welded portion 511a. The tube 51 is inflated by the intake of air from the air intake port 521 to make it self-supporting.

[0028] In the smoke test apparatus 5 of Example 4, the smoke generator 53, which has a smoke outlet 531, is fixedly installed near the tip of the tube 51. In Example 4 as well, the tube 51 has a support structure that is supported by pressurizing and inflating its interior with air, and the test smoke T from the smoke generator 53 can be discharged from the smoke outlet 531 near the tip of the tube 51. The smoke generator 53 in Example 4 generates the test smoke T by remote control. However, it is also possible to raise the smoke generator 53 to the vicinity of the smoke detector S after it has been set to a smoke-generating state without using remote control. In Example 4 as well, the tube 51 can be made smaller by folding or rolling it up by removing the pressurized air blower 52 or otherwise removing the air inside the tube 51.

[0029] <Variation> Figure 10 shows the smoke detector S being tested with the smoke testing apparatus 6 in a modified example of Example 4. In this modified example of Example 4, as in Example 4, the smoke generating device 63 is fixed and installed near the tip of a tube 61 made of film. The opening of the tube 61 is sealed by welding at the upper welded portion 611a and the lower welded portion 611b.

[0030] In the modified example of Example 4, the smoke test apparatus 6 has a gas supply pipe 621 inserted into the tube 61 from a helium gas cylinder 62. The helium gas cylinder 62 is filled with helium gas, and by opening the gas supply valve 622, helium gas is supplied to the inside of the tube 61.

[0031] When helium gas is filled into the tube 61, the tube 61 expands and becomes rigid. Also, the helium gas causes the tube 61 to float upwards. Therefore, smoke testing can be performed on smoke detectors S installed at a higher position than the smoke detector S being tested with the smoke testing apparatus 5 of Example 4. In the modified example of Example 4, the tube 61 is also inflated by pressurizing the inside with helium gas, allowing the test smoke T from the smoke generator 63 to be released from the smoke outlet 631 near the tip of the tube 61. In the modified example of Example 4, the tube 61 can also be made smaller by folding or rolling it up by removing the air from inside the tube 61.

[0032] In Example 4 and its modified form, a long tube, such as a roll, may be brought to the smoke test site, cut to a length appropriate to the height at which the smoke detector S is installed, and then welded together. In this way, if the distance to the smoke detector S is short, the tube can be cut into short pieces and inflated using air as in Example 4, and if the distance to the smoke detector S is long, the tube can be cut into long pieces and inflated using a gas containing helium as in the modified form of Example 4. The method of bringing a long tube, such as a roll, to the smoke test site, cutting the tube to a length appropriate to the height at which the smoke detector S is installed, and then welding together can be carried out similarly in other examples.

[0033] The modified cover cap 25 in Example 1 is made of a lightweight, non-deforming material. However, it may also be made of a lightweight, flexible material. If it is flexible, the cover cap 25 can be flattened when housing the smoke test apparatus 2, and the film of the tube 21 can be wrapped around it. Furthermore, the configuration of the modified cover cap 25 in Example 1 can be applied to other embodiments. While the modified cover cap 25 in Example 1 uses the film of the tube 21 to cover its periphery, the cover cap 25 itself may also cover its periphery.

[0034] The pressurized air blower and cover cap 25 are fixed to the tube using fixing bands. However, they may be fixed by other methods such as welding or bonding. Furthermore, the modified example using helium gas in Example 4 can also be applied to the smoke test apparatus 3 and 4 of Examples 2 and 3 shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0035] In Figure 5, in the smoke test apparatus 1 of Example 1, the tube 11 is made flexible by lowering the pressure inside the tube 11, thereby avoiding the obstacle R. In the smoke test apparatuses 3 to 5 of Examples 2 to 4, the flexibility of the inflated tubes 31, 41, and 51 can also be adjusted by adjusting the amount of air supplied by the compressors of the pressurized air supply sections 32, 42, and 52 to adjust the pressure inside the tubes 31, 41, and 51. Furthermore, in the modified example using helium gas in Example 4, the tube 61 can be made flexible by adjusting the amount of helium gas supplied to the tube 61.

[0036] The helium gas used in the modified example of Example 4 is expensive. Therefore, a pressurized air supply section may be provided to inflate the tube 61 using air as well, thereby giving it self-supporting properties. Alternatively, a pump and a gas tank may be provided to recover the helium gas in the tube 61 into the gas tank after the smoke test is completed.

[0037] In Example 1 shown in Figures 1-5 and Examples 2-4 shown in Figures 7-10, the upper parts of tubes 11, 31, 41, 51, and 61 are welded together as shown in the welded sections 111a, 311a, 411a, 511a, and 611a. However, welding is not required. For example, a cover cap may be provided as shown in Figure 6, or it may be secured with a clip or the like. The same applies when welding the lower part of the tube. Also, instead of the helium gas cylinder 62 shown in Figure 10, air may be supplied from an air cylinder.

[0038] Furthermore, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. In addition, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined by utilizing each other's technologies, as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in their purpose and configuration. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] S smoke detector, T test smoke, R obstruction, 1 Smoke test apparatus, 11 Tube, 111 Smoke outlet, 111a Welded part, 112 Opening, 12 Pressurized air blower, 121 Air intake, 13 Smoke generator, 14 Fixing band, 2 Smoke test apparatus, 21 Tube, 211 Smoke outlet, 211a Welded part, 212 Opening, 22 Pressurized air blowing part, 221 Air intake, 23 Smoke generating device, 24 Fixing band, 25 Cover cap, 251 Bottom plate, 252 Side tube, 253 Smoke outlet, 26 Cover cap fixing band, 3 Smoke test apparatus, 31 Tube, 311a Welded part, 32 Pressurized air blower, 321 Air intake, 33 Smoke generator, 34 Fixing band, 35 Smoke tube, 351 Smoke outlet, 4 Smoke test apparatus, 41 Tube, 411a Welded part, 42 Pressurized air blower, 421 Air intake, 43 Smoke generator, 44 Fixing band, 45 Smoke tube, 451 Smoke outlet, 5 Smoke test apparatus, 51 Tube, 511a Welded part, 52 Pressurized air blower, 521 Air intake, 53 Smoke generating device, 531 Smoke outlet, 54 Fixing band, 6. Smoke test apparatus, 61. Tube, 611a. Welded joint, 611b. Welded joint, 62. Helium gas cylinder, 621. Gas supply pipe, 622. Gas supply valve, 63. Smoke generator, 631. Smoke outlet.

Claims

1. A tube formed from film, Equipped with a smoke generator, The inside of the tube is pressurized with gas to inflate the tube, allowing the test smoke from the smoke generating device to be released from near the tip of the tube. A smoke test apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned smoke generator is used to produce the gas as test smoke. A smoke outlet with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the tube is provided near the tip of the tube, and test smoke is released from it. The smoke test apparatus according to claim 1.

3. Equipped with a smoke tube, The smoke tube is provided outside or inside the tube. The smoke tube allows the test smoke from the smoke generator to be sent to the vicinity of the tip of the tube and released. The smoke test apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The smoke generating device is provided near the tip of the tube, and the test smoke from the smoke generating device can be released from near the tip of the tube. The smoke test apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned gas is air, and is pressurized and blown into the tube by the pressurized air blowing unit, causing the tube to inflate. The flexibility of the inflated tube can be adjusted by changing the amount of air discharged from the pressurized air blowing unit. A smoke test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the following:

6. The gas includes helium gas. A smoke test apparatus as described in 3 or 4, characterized by the features described above.

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