Fire extinguishing device, fire extinguishing equipment including fire extinguishing device, and method for managing fire extinguishing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a method with which maintenance and inspection of a fire extinguishing device and fire extinguishing equipment can be efficiently performed without requiring time for confirming the data plate of the fire extinguishing device. The present invention provides a fire extinguishing device characterized by comprising a fire extinguishing device body and a data plate attached to the body, the data plate including a two-dimensional code indicating management information of the body. For example, if the body is a valve device installed along piping of the fire extinguishing equipment, the management information of the body may include at least one among the model code, model number, working pressure range, maximum flow rate, pressure loss, attachment direction, year of manufacture, manufacturing number, and maintenance information of the body.

Description

Fire extinguishing equipment, fire extinguishing facilities including fire extinguishing equipment, and management methods for fire extinguishing equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing device, a fire extinguishing facility including the fire extinguishing device, and a method for managing the fire extinguishing device.

[0002] Various types of fire extinguishing equipment are installed in buildings. Some of these devices are part of the fire extinguishing system, such as valve devices (simultaneous release valves, alarm valves, gas bottle valves, etc.), while others function independently, such as fire extinguishers.

[0003] In order to keep fire extinguishing equipment in a state where it can function properly, regular or irregular maintenance (inspection and maintenance) is required, and in some cases inspection and maintenance is required by laws and regulations such as the Fire Service Act. Inspection and maintenance of fire extinguishing equipment and fire extinguishing facilities including fire extinguishing equipment is performed manually, with workers going to the installation location of the fire extinguishing equipment in question, checking the nameplate of the fire extinguishing equipment, and performing the necessary work (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-56652

[0005] However, the above inspection work is time-consuming. In particular, when the fire extinguishing equipment is installed near the ceiling, it takes time to check the nameplate located at a high place. Furthermore, when a large number of valve devices are installed, as in a large building, the labor and work time required by workers becomes enormous. As such, there are still issues with the inspection and maintenance work of conventional fire extinguishing equipment.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for efficiently performing maintenance and inspection of fire extinguishing equipment and fire extinguishing facilities without requiring time to check the nameplates of fire extinguishing equipment.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a fire extinguishing apparatus comprising: a fire extinguishing apparatus main body; and a nameplate attached to the main body, wherein the nameplate includes a two-dimensional code indicating management information of the main body.

[0008] For example, if the main body is a valve device installed midway in the piping of a fire extinguishing equipment, it is preferable that the management information of the main body includes at least one of the model symbol, model number, operating pressure range, maximum flow rate, pressure loss, installation direction, manufacturing year, manufacturing number, and maintenance information of the main body.

[0009] Alternatively, if the main body is a gas container valve, it is preferable that the management information of the main body includes at least one of the year of manufacture of the main body, the type of filled gas, the model number, the weight of filled gas, and maintenance information.

[0010] Alternatively, if the main body is a fire extinguisher, it is preferable that the management information of the main body is the type, model, model number, year of manufacture, and maintenance information of the main body.

[0011] In the fire extinguishing apparatus of the present invention, the management information of the main body may include an identifier indicating a location on the web of product information of the main body.

[0012] A second aspect of the present invention provides a fire extinguishing system including any of the fire extinguishing devices described above.

[0013] A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for managing fire extinguishing equipment, comprising the above-mentioned fire extinguishing equipment of the present invention and a portable information terminal including an imaging element, wherein the portable information terminal reads the two-dimensional code displayed on the nameplate of the fire extinguishing equipment via the imaging element, and records or transmits to an external computer the results of work performed on the fire extinguishing equipment in accordance with user input.

[0014] According to the present invention, by reading the two-dimensional code displayed on the nameplate of a fire extinguishing device with a mobile information terminal, a worker can easily and quickly grasp the management information of the fire extinguishing device. Therefore, since there is no need to climb up and down a ladder or the like to check the nameplate of a fire extinguishing device installed at a high place, it is possible to efficiently perform maintenance and inspection of fire extinguishing devices and fire extinguishing facilities without taking time to check the nameplate of the fire extinguishing device.

[0015] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fire extinguishing equipment 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram showing a piping 3, a fire extinguishing head 4 constituting the fire extinguishing equipment 1, and a valve device 10 as an example of fire extinguishing equipment. It is a diagram showing an example of a nameplate 11. It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system for fire extinguishing equipment. It is a flowchart showing a management procedure for fire extinguishing equipment.

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fire extinguishing device, a fire extinguishing facility including the fire extinguishing device, and a method for managing the fire extinguishing device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these drawings. Furthermore, since the drawings are intended to conceptually explain the present invention, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary to facilitate understanding.

[0017] In this embodiment, the fire extinguishing equipment that is the target of maintenance, including inspection and maintenance, is the valve device 10, and the valve device 10 constitutes a part of the fire extinguishing system 1. As the fire extinguishing system 1, a water-based fire extinguishing system such as a sprinkler system, a foam fire extinguishing system, or a foam fire extinguishing system for specific parking lots is suitable, but a gas-based or powder-based fire extinguishing system may also be used.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, fire extinguishing equipment 1 includes a water source (not shown), a pump 2, piping 3, a fire extinguishing head 4, a flame detector 5, and a valve device 10 as an example of fire extinguishing equipment. The pump 2 pumps fire extinguishing water from the water source (not shown) and supplies it to the piping 3. The piping 3 supplies the fire extinguishing water to the fire extinguishing head 4. The fire extinguishing head 4 sprays the fire extinguishing water into the spray compartment. The flame detector 5 detects a flame in the spray compartment and outputs a detection signal. The fire extinguishing head 4 and the flame detector 5 may be integrated into one unit. In addition, the fire extinguishing equipment 1 may include a foam fire extinguishing agent storage tank and mixer, a pressure reducing valve, a terminal test valve, an alarm device, a display device, an emergency power supply, etc.

[0019] For example, as shown in Figure 2, the valve device 10 is installed midway along the piping 3. Examples of the valve device 10 include, but are not limited to, a simultaneous release valve, a water flow detection device (alarm valve), an end test valve, and a manual valve. The simultaneous release valve is a control valve that supplies water to all heads in the compartment that requires water discharge. When water or a foam solution flows due to the opening of a fire extinguishing head, simultaneous release valve, or other valve, the water flow detection device pushes up and opens the valve on the main body, activating a pressure switch and sounding an alarm.

[0020] Here, the valve device 10, particularly the simultaneous release valve, is increasingly being installed near the ceiling in order to reduce the amount of piping within the fire extinguishing equipment 1. Conventional work procedures require workers to climb a ladder or the like to check valve information on a nameplate, forcing them to work at high altitudes. Since many valves are installed in large-scale facilities, workers often have to climb up and down to high altitudes, which is dangerous and requires time and effort.

[0021] A nameplate 11 is attached to the main body of the valve device 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the nameplate 11 displays management information for the valve device 10. The management information may include at least one of the following: model code, model number, operating pressure range, maximum flow rate, pressure loss, installation direction, manufacturing year, serial number (the above information may be referred to as specification information), and maintenance information (such as the last and next inspection, maintenance, and replacement times). Such information should be confirmed when inspecting and maintaining the valve device 10. Some of the management information is required to be displayed on the nameplate 11, etc., by relevant laws and regulations, such as the Fire Service Act.

[0022] A two-dimensional code 12 is also printed on the nameplate 11. The two-dimensional code 12 has information in both the horizontal and vertical directions. This allows for high storage density and allows for a large amount of information to be stored in a small area. Furthermore, stable reading is possible by correcting reading errors. The two-dimensional code 12 may be of either a stack type or a matrix type. Examples of the two-dimensional code 12 include, but are not limited to, QR Code (registered trademark), DataMatrix, MaxiCode, PDF417, Aztec, barcode, etc.

[0023] The two-dimensional code 12 includes management information for the valve device 10. For example, the two-dimensional code 12 may store at least one of the model symbol, model number, operating pressure range, maximum flow rate, pressure loss, installation direction, manufacturing year, serial number, and maintenance information for the valve device 10. In other words, the two-dimensional code 12 includes at least the same information as the management information written on the nameplate 11.

[0024] The two-dimensional code 12 may further store identifier information indicating the location on the web of product information for the valve device 10. Examples of product information include, but are not limited to, specifications, documents and images explaining inspection methods, etc. Examples of identifiers include, but are not limited to, uniform resource identifiers (URIs) such as uniform resource locators (URLs), IP addresses, etc.

[0025] Next, a method for managing fire extinguishing equipment will be described. This management method is used for inspecting and maintaining fire extinguishing equipment. Here, the valve device 10 is taken as an example of the fire extinguishing equipment to be inspected and maintained, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, this management method can be configured as a management system including a valve device 10 as fire extinguishing equipment, a mobile information terminal 30 operated by a user such as a worker, and a server 50 connected to the mobile information terminal 30 so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0027] The portable information terminal 30 is a portable computer terminal such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or PDA, and can be connected to a communication network wirelessly or via a wired connection. Therefore, the portable information terminal 30 can function as a client to the server 50. There may be one or more portable information terminals 30. The portable information terminal 30 includes an imaging element such as a camera. The portable information terminal 30 also stores an application program that can read information from the two-dimensional code 12 from an image acquired by the imaging element.

[0028] The server 50 is a computer or storage that stores various data related to the valve device 10. There may be one or more servers 50. The types of data stored in the server 50 are data indicating the specifications of the valve device 10, and may include, for example, at least one of the following: model symbol, model number, operating pressure range, maximum flow rate, pressure loss, installation direction, year of manufacture, serial number, etc.

[0029] The server 50 stores content (e.g., specifications for the valve device 10, explanatory videos on inspection methods, etc.) associated with the identifier (URL, etc.) displayed on the two-dimensional code 12, and can transmit data requested by a client (e.g., a web browser on the mobile information terminal 30).

[0030] The server 50 may store the inspection and maintenance history of the valve device 10 and can transmit the history data in response to a request from a client. The history data may include, for example, the date of inspection and maintenance, the person in charge of the work, and the inspection results for each inspection item. Therefore, when inspecting and maintaining the valve device 10, the worker can refer to the past history of the valve device 10, which enables more accurate inspection and maintenance and can also suggest replacement at the appropriate time.

[0031] Next, a method for managing fire extinguishing equipment using the above-described management system will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Here, too, the description will be given assuming that the object to be managed is the valve device 10, but the object to be managed is not limited to the valve device 10. The description will also be given assuming a situation in which inspection and maintenance of fire extinguishing equipment is carried out as part of the management work.

[0032] The worker goes to the installation location of the valve device 10 to be inspected and maintained, and takes a photograph of the nameplate 11 (particularly the two-dimensional code 12) of the valve device 10 with the mobile information terminal 30. If the valve device 10 is installed in a high location, such as near the ceiling, the worker may attach the mobile information terminal 30 to the tip of a rod-shaped object, such as a selfie stick, and take a photograph of the nameplate 11 of the valve device 10. This eliminates the need to climb a ladder or the like to check the specifications of the object to be worked on. It also eliminates the need to repeatedly climb up and down high places to work on the large amount of fire extinguishing equipment installed in large facilities.

[0033] The portable information terminal 30 reads the management information of the valve device 10 from the two-dimensional code 12 and displays the read management information for confirmation by the worker (step S1). The read management information may be displayed not only on a screen but also by audio reading. This allows the worker to easily understand the management information of the valve device 10 even in a situation where the nameplate 11 of the valve device 10 cannot be seen.

[0034] In addition, the mobile information terminal 30 may issue an alert if it determines from the read management information that the valve device 10 has been installed for a predetermined period of time (for example, 15 years for a simultaneous release valve). The alert may be anything that gives the worker notice, such as a message such as "This device has exceeded its standard expiration date," or it may illuminate the screen, emit a sound, or vibrate. This alerts the worker's attention.

[0035] Alternatively, when the portable information terminal 30 reads an identifier such as a URL from the two-dimensional code 12, it displays the read identifier on the screen together with or separately from the management information. When the worker selects the identifier on the screen, the portable information terminal 30 can launch a web browser and request related content from the server 50. When the requested content (data) is received from the server 50, the portable information terminal 30 can display the received data on the web browser. The display on the web browser can include displaying received text data or still images, as well as playing received video data. Alternatively, the portable information terminal 30 can download and store content data in response to the worker's selection of the identifier. In either case, the worker can easily confirm the details of the inspection and maintenance work for the valve device 10 by checking the content displayed on the portable information terminal 30.

[0036] The worker performs inspection and maintenance work on the valve device 10. The portable information terminal 30 can display a screen for inputting results corresponding to each work item on the valve device 10. For example, inspection items for a simultaneous opening valve include the number of times the spindle is opened (setting), the type, the valve status (open status in the case of a valve), and the drainage status. When the portable information terminal 30 receives input from the worker (step S2), it can store the information in its own storage device or transmit it to the server 50 (step S3). This makes it possible to easily and reliably record inspection and maintenance history.

[0037] The above describes a fire extinguishing device, a fire extinguishing facility including the fire extinguishing device, and a method for managing the fire extinguishing device, which are one embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various design modifications are possible as long as the technical concept of the present invention is maintained, and all such design modifications are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0038] In the present embodiment, an example of inspecting and maintaining the valve device 10 of the fire extinguishing equipment 1 has been described. However, other objects may also be subject to inspection and maintenance, such as fire extinguishers and gas cylinder valves. When a gas cylinder valve is subject to inspection and maintenance, the management information stored in the two-dimensional code on the nameplate may be, for example, the year of manufacture, the type of gas filled, the model number, maintenance information, and the weight of the gas filled. Examples of inspection items include the model number, the year of manufacture, and external condition checks (deformation, damage, scratches, chips, discoloration, corrosion, etc.). When a fire extinguisher is subject to inspection and maintenance, the management information stored in the two-dimensional code on the nameplate may be, for example, the type, model, model number, maintenance information, and the year of manufacture. Examples of inspection items include the model number, the year of manufacture, external condition checks (deformation, damage, scratches, chips, discoloration, corrosion, fire extinguishing agent leaks, etc.), whether the pressure indicated by the pressure gauge is within a specified range, whether the safety valve is properly installed, and so on.

[0039] Although the present invention relates to fire extinguishing equipment, fire extinguishing facilities including fire extinguishing equipment, and a method for managing fire extinguishing equipment, it can also be widely applied to the management of objects that require a management history for various items for each individual object.

[0040] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Fire extinguishing equipment 2 Pump 3 Piping 4 Fire extinguishing head 5 Flame detector 10 Valve device 11 Nameplate 12 Two-dimensional code 30 Portable information terminal 50 Server

Claims

1. A fire extinguishing device comprising a main body of a fire extinguishing device and a nameplate attached to the main body, wherein the nameplate includes a two-dimensional code indicating management information of the main body.

2. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is a valve device installed in the middle of a pipe of a fire extinguishing facility, and the management information of the main body includes at least one of a model symbol, a model number, a use pressure range, a maximum flow rate, a pressure loss, an installation direction, a manufacturing year, a manufacturing number, and maintenance information of the main body.

3. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is a gas container valve, and the management information of the main body includes at least one of a manufacturing year, a filling gas type, a model number, a filling gas weight, and maintenance information of the main body.

4. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is a fire extinguisher, and the management information of the main body is the type, model, model number, manufacturing year, and maintenance information of the main body.

5. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 1, wherein the management information of the main body further includes an identifier indicating the location on the web of the product information of the main body.

6. A fire extinguishing facility including the fire extinguishing device according to claim 1.

7. A management method for a fire extinguishing device, including the fire extinguishing device according to claim 1 and a portable information terminal including an imaging element, wherein the portable information terminal reads the two-dimensional code displayed on the nameplate of the fire extinguishing device via the imaging element, and records or transmits to an external computer the result of an operation on the fire extinguishing device according to a user input.

Images