Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement

Abstract

A fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement, which comprises a bounded space and one or more fire extinguishing agents inside the bounded space, which is configured to contain and isolate an overheated and / or burning article from its surroundings, wherein at least one of the fire extinguishing agents has thermal insulation properties.

Description

[0001] FIRE PREVENTION AND EXTINGUISHING ARRANGEMENT

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement as described in the preamble of claim 1, which arrangement is suitable for preventing and extinguishing battery fires.

[0004] The arrangement according to the invention is very well suited for preventing and extinguishing, for example, lithium-ion battery fires and enables their safe extinguishing.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The continuous development of batteries for battery-powered devices has led to a significant reduction in battery size. Due to their lightweight and compact design, these batteries have gained widespread adoption among device manufacturers. The prevalence of batteries in consumer electronics, as power sources for vehicles and in industrial applications is steadily increasing.

[0007] The battery industry has faced a growing demand for small, lightweight batteries with high energy density, which has been addressed through advancements in battery electrolytes. However, a drawback of these more efficient electrolytes is their increased susceptibility to thermal runaway and autoignition. Furthermore, as both the number and operational lifespan of batteries increase, the risk of battery fires correspondingly rises.

[0008] Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries represent one of the advanced battery technologies. In modem society, devices incorporating Li-ion batteries are ubiquitous, being present in both residential and professional environments. These batteries are commonly utilized in various applications, including mobile phones, tablet computers, laptops, cordless power tools, electric shavers, vacuum cleaners and electric or hybrid vehicles. Although generally considered a safe energy storage technology, Li-ion batteries pose inherent risks due to their high efficiency. In the event of failure, a Li-ion battery poses a significant fire hazard. Typically, failure is triggered by an external factor, such as mechanical impact, temperaturefluctuations, overcharging or similar conditions, which can initiate thermal runaway within the battery. Thermal runaway is a rapid exothermic process that generates heat and releases flammable and toxic chemical gases, often before the appearance of visible flames. These gases include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen fluoride (HF), hydrogen chloride (HC1), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane, butane and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). In the event of a thermal runaway in a battery, the subsequent sequence of events includes smoke generation, explosion and fire.

[0009] A lithium-based battery undergoes combustion at extremely high temperatures, typically ranging between 700 °C and 1000 °C. These elevated temperatures, along with the emission of sparks, initiate a fire, which is further sustained and intensified by flammable gases released as the battery cells continue to decompose, ultimately resulting in rapid fire propagation. This process occurs significantly faster than conventional fire incidents. Once the exothermic reactions initiate, they propagate at such a high rate that the battery cells often appear to undergo an explosive event. A battery experiencing thermal runaway can ignite not only the device itself but also adjacent objects or, in extreme cases, an entire building.

[0010] Owing to the self-sustaining nature of thermal runaway, lithium battery fires are highly challenging to extinguish. In larger battery systems, such as those utilized in electric vehicles, re-ignition may occur hours or even days after the initial event, even following a period of cooling. The generation of flammable gases (including oxygen), combined with residual heat, can induce re-ignition, sustaining combustion until the battery cell has fully discharged its stored energy.

[0011] When addressing Li-ion battery fires, water-based extinguishing agents provide a critical cooling effect; however, they are incapable of forming a thermal barrier around the fire. Once the supply of water-based extinguishing agents is depleted, fire suppression capacity is effectively exhausted.

[0012] Foam-based extinguishing systems are designed to suppress fire by forming a film on its surface; however, this film is not capable of withstanding the extreme temperaturesgenerated during a Li-ion battery fire. The same limitation applies to wet chemical extinguishing agents.

[0013] Specialized fire extinguishers designed for Li-ion battery fires available on the market utilize Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD) as an extinguishing agent. This agent consists of magnesium-iron-aluminium silicate mineral (vermiculite) particles chemically suspended in water and is discharged as a fine mist, which provides a cooling effect while simultaneously forming a heat-resistant barrier around the burning battery cell to inhibit thermal propagation and prevent re-ignition. Vermiculite exhibits strong thermal insulation properties, as it expands upon exposure to > 300 °C temperatures, thereby mitigating heat transfer from the burning cell to its surroundings.

[0014] However, lithium-ion battery fires are typically of such intensity that the portable fire extinguishers currently available on the market are generally ineffective in fully extinguishing a burning battery, particularly in the case of larger Li-ion battery systems. Furthermore, conventional fire extinguishers tend to leave residual deposits and require substantial storage space.

[0015] Publication CN 111514509A discloses a water-based solid micro-system fire extinguishing agent for suppressing lithium battery combustion flames. The extinguishing agent comprises at least water and a powder component. The powder component comprises non-metallic mineral particles, such as vermiculite and / or encapsulated bicarbonate powder. The composition bears similarities to AVD agents.

[0016] According to prior art, alternative fire extinguishing solutions for managing lithium battery fires are also known. For instance, publications EP3412344B1 and EP4094810A1 disclose extinguishing compositions capable of suppressing and extinguishing fires by generating an aerosol. Specifically, EP4094810A1 describes a fire extinguishing sheet comprising at least a potassium compound, which thermally decomposes upon reaching a predetermined temperature to generate fire-suppressing species. In the event of a fire, aerosols containing potassium radicals are released from the sheet, and these aerosols interrupt the combustion chain reaction through a negative catalytic effect. The fire extinguishing sheet may be placedin contact with or adjacent to a battery within a device, for example. However, a drawback of both solutions is their inability to isolate and cool an overheated device or electric vehicle to prevent ignition. These known solutions lack thermal insulation and cooling capabilities and thus cannot serve to mitigate thermal runaway events effectively.

[0017] The prior art also discloses solutions for the prevention of battery fires, such as charging pouches for mobile devices.

[0018] In addition, specialized fire safety cabinets designed for the safe charging and storage of Li-ion batteries are available on the market. These cabinets provide a fire-protected environment that limits the potential spread of fire beyond the cabinet.

[0019] Fire safety cabinets typically do not incorporate a separate fire suppression agent, nor do the aforementioned charging pouches. Instead, they are passively designed to withstand high temperatures and prevent fire propagation to the surrounding environment. In some cases, fire safety cabinets may incorporate automatic fire suppression systems that activate upon fire detection. These systems commonly utilize extinguishing agents such as carbon dioxide (CO2) or foam.

[0020] There are also solutions for extinguishing burning electric vehicles. For example, publication WO2023052687A1 discloses a device for constraining a vehicle fire. The device is configured to surround a burning vehicle and is configured as a movable framework larger than a vehicle. The framework is confined with a fireproof material and one end of the framework includes a tambour door. The framework disclosed in the publication occupies a considerable amount of space and is difficult to transport. A parking facility operator must allocate an entire parking space for such a framework. Moreover, the framework cannot be transported by a standard fire truck without the use of additional trailers. In addition, the solution requires employment of a separate fire extinguisher to fully extinguish a burning electric vehicle.

[0021] Fire blankets specifically designed for electric vehicle fires are also commercially available. While these may assist in controlling and isolating such fires to a certain extent, they are not capable of fully extinguishing a burning electric vehicle without the use of a separate fireextinguishing system. Furthermore, applying extinguishing agents under the blanket is also challenging, which may further reduce the effectiveness of the fire suppression.

[0022] All the aforementioned solutions are designed primarily for fire suppression after ignition has occurred, offering limited or no capability for thermal isolation or pre-ignition intervention. For example, fire blankets and charging bags may limit flame spread but do not actively cool overheated batteries or suppress thermal runaway. Aerosol-type agents can interrupt combustion but lack thermal insulation properties and cannot prevent ignition or isolate overheated cells. Fire-resistant cabinets provide passive containment but may not prevent thermal propagation within battery packs, at least not without the employment of a separate fire extinguishing agent.

[0023] Thus, existing solutions do not provide a comprehensive approach that integrates thermal isolation, preventive cooling, and effective suppression within a compact, passive, and autonomously activated system suitable for a wide range of lithium battery applications.

[0024] AIM OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The aim of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a fire extinguishing solution that is efficient, safe in use, structurally simple, compact in design, easily portable, non-contaminating, cost-effective to manufacture, and adaptable for use in extinguishing both small-scale battery-powered devices and larger battery-powered vehicles. Another aim is to prevent (lithium) battery fires and to mitigate the risks associated with such fires by developing an arrangement that enables the isolation and cooling of an overheated and / or burning battery-powered article, such as a mobile phone or an electric vehicle, thereby preventing ignition or, if ignition has already occurred, facilitating fire suppression. The fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to the invention is characterized by what is presented in the characterization part of claim 1. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is presented in the other claims.BRIEF DESRCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] To achieve the aim of the invention the fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement comprises a bounded space and one or more fire extinguishing agents inside the bounded space, which is configured to contain and isolate an overheated and / or burning article from its surroundings. Advantageously, at least one of the fire extinguishing agents has thermal insulation properties.

[0027] ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The main advantage of the arrangement according to the invention is the increased safety in the use of (lithium) battery-powered articles. An overheated, and possibly already burning, article can be quickly and safely isolated from its environment and cooled, and any flames can be smothered. This can be achieved with a single arrangement in which the isolating, cooling, and fire extinguishing functions are integrated. Another advantage of the arrangement according to the invention is its compactness, as it can be folded flat when not in use, thereby facilitating transportation and requiring less storage space compared to solutions known from the prior art. Accordingly, the arrangement is particularly well suited for environments with limited storage space, such as airplanes, ships, and trains.

[0029] LIST OF FIGURES

[0030] In the following, the invention will be described in detail by the aid of examples by referring to the attached simplified and diagrammatic drawings, wherein

[0031] Fig. la presents in an oblique top view an arrangement according to one preferred embodiment of the invention collapsed and lid closed,

[0032] Fig. lb presents in an oblique top view the arrangement according to Fig. la partially unfolded,

[0033] Fig 2 presents in an oblique top view the arrangement according to Fig. la unfolded and lid closed,Fig. 3 presents in an oblique top view the arrangement according to Fig. la unfolded and lid open,

[0034] Fig. 4 presents in an oblique top view the arrangement according to Fig. 3 into which an overheated or potentially already burning article is being placed,

[0035] Fig. 5 presents in an oblique top view a framework of the arrangement according to Fig.

[0036] 3,

[0037] Fig. 6 presents the framework according to Fig. 5 partially collapsed,

[0038] Fig. 7 presents in an oblique top view an arrangement according to another preferred embodiment of the invention partially collapsed and lid open,

[0039] Fig. 8 presents, viewed from the side and partially sectioned, an arrangement according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0040] Fig. 9 presents the arrangement according to Fig. 8 viewed from one end and partially sectioned,

[0041] Fig. 10 presents in an oblique top view the arrangement according to Fig. 8,

[0042] Fig. 11 presents in an oblique top view the arrangement according to Figs. 8-10 in its collapsed configuration,

[0043] Fig. 12 presents in an oblique top view a framework of the arrangement according to Figs.

[0044] 8-10, and

[0045] Fig. 13 presents the framework according to Fig. 12 partially collapsed.

[0046] DETAILED DESRCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] The basic idea of the invention is to provide an arrangement, apparatus and method for containing and isolating an overheated and / or burning battery-powered article from the external environment by enclosing the article inside a bounded space and to prevent the article from igniting, or if already ignited, to extinguish the combustion. The bounded space is configured to be sealed, preferably hermetically, to prevent oxygen ingress that could sustain combustion and, additionally, to prevent the escape of toxic combustion gases from the bounded space. The bounded space alone suppresses the fire, while additionally, the arrangement comprises one or more fire extinguishing agents.The bounded space comprises a shell comprising preferably at least five walls and is configured substantially as a rectangular parallelepiped, for example. The shell is made of a fireproof and flexible material, such as woven glass fabric coated with polymer silicone, for example. The bounded space is designed to have two configurations: a collapsed configuration (a storage configuration i.e. when not in use) and an unfolded configuration (when deployed i.e. when in use).

[0048] As a supporting structure inside the bounded space, the arrangement comprises a collapsible, articulated framework. The framework is made of e.g. a light metal, such as aluminium, and is arranged to facilitate the unfolding of the bounded space from its collapsed configuration during deployment i.e. the transition from the collapsed storage configuration to the expanded configuration for use. Accordingly, the framework is substantially flexible and generally conforms to the shape of the bounded space. It is positioned against the inner walls of the bounded space and articulated in a manner that allows the bounded space to be folded into its collapsed configuration.

[0049] The arrangement comprises one or more fire extinguishing agents inside the bounded space, at least one of them being a thermal insulator. Other preferred fire extinguishing agents include those that displace oxygen and smother the fire, agents that cool the overheated and / or burning article and agents that extinguish the fire through a negative catalytic effect by radical scavenging. The fire extinguishing agent or agents are preferably activated by the heat inside the bounded space or are otherwise automatically activated. Examples of different types of extinguishing agents and their activation methods will be presented below.

[0050] Advantageously, the arrangement comprises also at least one other fire extinguishing agent, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), which is capable of displacing oxygen. The CO2 is contained within the bounded space in the form of a pressurized CO2 cartridge, which, upon activation, releases carbon dioxide into the interior of the bounded space. Upon expansion, the released CO2 partially transitions into solid form (dry ice), which also cools the overheated and / or burning article.The fire extinguishing agents are preferably non-toxic. Accordingly, the arrangement comprises one or more of the following fire extinguishing agents, for example:

[0051] 1. thermal insulation: vermiculite, expanded perlite, ammonium polyphosphate;

[0052] 2. oxygen displacement: (bi)carbonates (e.g. KHCCh), carbon dioxide and other inert gases;

[0053] 3. cooling: dry ice, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide; and

[0054] 4. radical scavenging: alkali metal salts (e.g. K2CO3, KHCO3, KC1, K3PO4, I SiCh), transition metal oxides (e.g. CuO, Fe2C>3), phosphates (e.g. ammonium polyphosphate), borates (e.g. ZnEhCh, ammonium borate).

[0055] The bounded space comprises a coating on the inner surfaces of at least five of its walls and at least one fire extinguishing agent with thermal insulation properties, such as vermiculite powder, which is preferably incorporated into the coating. In addition, the coating advantageously comprises polymer silicone as a base material, in which case the coating replaces the polymer silicone coating of the glass fabric on the inner surfaces of at least five walls of the bounded space. The composition of the coating will be explained in more detail below.

[0056] Figure la presents an arrangement according to one preferred embodiment of the invention folded in its collapsed configuration, viewed obliquely from above. Figure lb presents the arrangement according to Fig. la partially unfolded. The arrangement comprises a bounded space, such as a box 1, and at least one fire extinguishing agent inside the box 1. In its collapsed configuration, the box 1 occupies minimal space, thereby facilitating transportation and storage. Advantageously, the box 1 comprises six walls, which are referred to as faces la-lc, with opposite faces being assigned the same reference number. The box 1 is preferably configured as a rectangular parallelepiped, wherein at least edges a and c have different lengths, with edge c being the longest. The lengths of edges a and b may be equal, or alternatively, the length of edge b may be shorter than that of edge a, or vice versa.

[0057] Figure 2 presents the arrangement according to Fig. la unfolded and lid closed, and figure 3 presents the arrangement according to Fig. la unfolded and lid open, viewed obliquely fromabove. The arrangement is configured to contain and isolate an overheated and / or burning battery-powered device from the external environment by enclosing the device inside the box 1. Advantageously, the box 1 comprises a hinged lid 2, which replaces one of the walls of the box 1. The lid 2 is configured to be hermetically closed and sealed, for example using a locking pin 3, thereby preventing oxygen from entering to sustain the combustion and toxic combustion gases from escaping from the box 1. In this embodiment, the lid 2 is positioned on the top of the box 1, at face 1c. As a supporting structure inside the box 1, the arrangement comprises a collapsible, articulated framework 4, which is configured to facilitate the unfolding of the box 1 in addition to providing structural reinforcement. The box 1 is preferably folded into its collapsed configuration in such a way that its largest faces 1c are positioned opposite to each other, remaining unfolded. Advantageously, side faces lb and end faces la fold in half, preferably inward.

[0058] Figure 4 presents the box 1 according to Fig. 3, into which an overheated or potentially already burning device 6, such as a mobile phone, is being placed. The box 1 comprises a coating 5 on the inner surfaces of at least five of its walls and at least one fire extinguishing agent with thermal insulation properties, such as vermiculite powder, which is preferably incorporated into the coating 5. Preferably, the lid 2 does not comprise the coating 5.

[0059] Upon deployment, the box 1 transitions from its collapsed storage configuration to its expanded configuration for use. Advantageously, the unfolding is designed to occur automatically upon removal of the locking pin 3, facilitated by strings or similar means integrated into the framework 4.

[0060] Upon exposure to heat, vermiculite expands and adheres to the surface of the hot or burning device 6, forming a heat-resistant barrier around it, thereby isolating the device 6 within the box 1 when the lid 2 is hermetically sealed using the locking pin 3. Advantageously, the arrangement comprises at least one pair of tongs 7, which are configured to grasp the device 6 and place it inside the box 1. The tongs 7 are removably attached onto the outer surface of the lid 2 or one of the walls of the box 1, or are stored inside the collapsed box 1, for example. The locking pin 3 and tongs 7 may be integrated into one multipurpose tool. For larger devices, such as laptops, the arrangement may comprise two pairs of tongs 7, for example.Figure 5 presents the framework 4 viewed obliquely from above in its unfolded configuration and Figure 6 presents the framework 4 partially collapsed. The framework 4 is preferably rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, flexible frame positioned against the inner walls of the box 1 as a support structure and articulated in such a way that the box 1 can be folded into a collapsed configuration.

[0061] Figure 7 presents an arrangement according to another preferred embodiment of the invention partially collapsed and lid open, viewed obliquely from above. The lid 2 is placed at one of the smallest faces (i.e. at one end) of the rectangular parallelepiped box 1.

[0062] Preferably, the box 1 and its framework 4 are configured to undergo shape transformation, resulting in the formation of a unified mass that encapsulates an overheated and / or burning device 6. The shape transformation is designed to take place in a manner whereby the framework 4 undergoes melting when subjected to heat, thereby permitting the walls of the box 1, which are internally coated with e.g. vermiculite, to collapse and conform around the device 6.

[0063] Figures 8-11 presents an arrangement according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, viewed from the side and partially sectioned. The arrangement is adapted for extinguishing an overheated and / or burning electric or hybrid vehicle 11, such as an electric car, by enclosing the vehicle 11 inside the tent 10. The arrangement comprises a bounded space, such as a tent 10, and at least one fire extinguishing agent inside the tent 10. The tent 10 preferably comprises five walls and is configured substantially as a rectangular parallelepiped. The walls of the tent 10 are referred to as faces lOa-lOc, with opposite faces being assigned the same reference number. The face oriented towards the ground or other the underlying surface is open, meaning that face 10c lacks an opposite face. In its collapsed configuration, as shown in Figure 11, the tent 10 occupies minimal space, thereby facilitating transportation and storage. Advantageously, the tent 10 is first collapsed into a flat configuration by folding the largest face 10c, i.e. the roof, towards the ground while the side faces 10b and end faces 10a fold in half, preferably inward. The resulting flattened structure is then further folded in half at least once to achieve the collapsed configuration.As a supporting structure inside the tent 10, the arrangement comprises a collapsible, articulated framework 40, which is configured to facilitate the unfolding of the tent 10 in addition to providing structural reinforcement. Figure 12 presents the framework 40 viewed obliquely from above in its unfolded configuration and Figure 13 presents the framework 40 partially collapsed. The framework 40 is preferably rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, flexible frame positioned against the inner walls of the tent 10 as a support structure and articulated in such a way that the tent 10 can be folded into a collapsed configuration.

[0064] Advantageously, the inner surfaces of at least four walls of the tent 10 comprise a coating 50 and at least one fire extinguishing agent with thermal insulation properties, such as vermiculite powder, which is preferably incorporated into the coating 50.

[0065] Upon deployment, the tent 10 is unfolded from its collapsed storage configuration to the expanded configuration for use. The tent 10 is configured to be deployed by two persons, providing personnel protection, over an overheated and / or burning vehicle 11 in such a way that the vehicle 11 is completely covered. The tent 10 has weighted skirts or similar means to ensure that it seals against the ground or other underlying surface. The arrangement comprises a vacuum pump 20 and the tent 10 comprises a valve 30 for the pump 20. The vacuum pump 20 is used to create a negative pressure inside the tent 10 via the valve 30, causing the tent 10 to seal tightly over the vehicle 11.

[0066] Once sealed in an airtight manner within the heat- and fire-resistant tent 10, the vehicle 11 can be cooled or, if already ignited, its combustion flames can be suppressed and extinguished by one or more fire extinguishing agents, which are activated by the heat inside the tent 10, or otherwise activated.

[0067] Preferably, the tent 10 and its framework 40 are configured to undergo shape transformation, resulting in the formation of a unified mass that encapsulates an overheated and / or burning vehicle 11. The shape transformation is designed to take place in a manner whereby the framework 40 undergoes melting when subjected to heat, thereby permitting the walls of thetent 10, which are internally coated with e.g. vermiculite, to collapse and conform around the vehicle 11.

[0068] The size of the tent 10 is easily modifiable. Advantageously, the tent 10 is of a size of, for example, 200 cm * 200 cm * 500 cm and covers the sizes of 90 % of current passenger vehicles. The tent 10 is preferably 200-250 cm in width, 150-250 cm in height and 500-600 cm in length.

[0069] The tent 10 may comprise a door at one of its side or end faces. The door is configured to be hermetically closed, thereby preventing oxygen from entering the tent 10 to sustain the combustion and toxic combustion gases from escaping from the tent 10. Preferably, the door does not comprise the coating 50.

[0070] The activation methods of the fire extinguishing agents may include, for example, the following:

[0071] 1. Heat activation, including materials such as vermiculite, expanded perlite, phosphates, alkali metal salts, metal hydroxides, transition metal oxides, and borates; 2. Closing the locking pin 3, which triggers CO2 cartridge discharge; and

[0072] 3. Pressing a button or a similar mechanism, which triggers CO2 cartridge discharge.

[0073] The coating 5, 50 comprises at least a polymer silicone component and a fire extinguishing component. Advantageously, the coating 5, 50 also comprises auxiliary agents, such as fillers and / or dispersing agents. The auxiliary agents are preferably non-toxic and flame retardant, and advantageously they have synergistic properties with other components of the coating 5, 50. Accordingly, the coating 5, 50 comprises one or more of the following components, for example:

[0074] 1. base material: a heat-resistant polymer silicone, such as polydimethylsiloxane; 2. fire extinguishing agent: see above;

[0075] 3. (flame-retardant) filler: aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide and / or kaolin; 4. dispersing medium: water, ethanol, and / or isopropanol;

[0076] 5. dispersing aids: surfactants, such as soy lecithin and / or saponins; and

[0077] 6. adhesion enhancer: polysaccharides, such as chitosan and / or xanthan gum.An example of an arrangement according to the invention for preventing and extinguishing a mobile phone fire could be as follows. The arrangement comprises a box 1, the shell of which is made of woven glass fabric coated with polymer silicone. The box 1 is configured as a rectangular parallelepiped defined by six walls (faces la-lc). The edges a, b, and c of the parallelepiped have lengths of approximately 10 cm, 5 cm, and 20 cm, respectively. The box 1 comprises a hinged lid 2, which functionally replaces the wall at the top face 1c of the box 1. The lid 2 is configured to be hermetically closed and sealed using a locking pin 3. As a supporting structure inside the box 1, the arrangement comprises a collapsible, articulated, and rectangular parallelepiped shaped framework 4 made of aluminium. The box 1 is designed to have two configurations: a collapsed storage configuration and an unfolded operational configuration. The unfolding is designed to occur automatically upon removal of the locking pin 3, facilitated by strings integrated into the framework 4. The arrangement comprises one pair of tongs 7, which are configured to grasp a mobile phone and place it inside the box 1. The tongs 7 are removably attached onto the outer surface of the lid 2. The inner surfaces of five of the walls of the box 1 comprise a coating 5, which comprises vermiculite powder as a fire extinguishing agent. In addition, the coating 5 comprises waterbased polydimethylsiloxane emulsion as a base material, magnesium hydroxide and kaolin clay as fillers, water-ethanol mixture as a dispersing medium, soy lecithin as a dispersing aid and xanthan gum as an adhesion enhancer. The inner surface of the lid 2 is not coated with the coating 5, but only with polymer silicone such as polydimethylsiloxane. As a second extinguishing agent, the arrangement comprises carbon dioxide, which is contained within the box 1 in the form of a pressurized CO2 cartridge. The CO2 cartridge is designed to discharge when the lid 2 is closed and the locking pin 3 is inserted into place.

[0078] In the event that a mobile phone overheats and / or ignites, it can be contained and isolated within the heat- and fire-resistant box 1 by performing the following steps: removing the locking pin 3, allowing the box 1 to unfold automatically, opening the lid 2, placing the mobile phone inside the box 1 using the tongs 7, closing the lid 2 and sealing the lid 2 with the locking pin 3. The insertion of the locking pin 3 triggers the discharge of the CO2 cartridge into the interior of the box 1. As the mobile phone is hermetically sealed within the box 1, it is thereby cooled by the released CO2. If already ignited, combustion flames aresuppressed and extinguished by the released CO2 and other fire extinguishing agents inside the box 1. The framework 4 may undergo melting when subjected to heat, thereby permitting the walls of the box 1 to collapse and conform around the mobile phone. The vermiculite and magnesium hydroxide contained in the coating 5 are activated upon exposure to heat. Vermiculite expands resulting in the formation of a unified mass that encapsulates and isolates the mobile phone. Magnesium hydroxide releases water vapor cooling the material and slowing combustion.

[0079] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to the examples described above but it may be varied within the scope of the claims presented below. Thus, for instance, the shell of the bounded space can be made of different material than presented above. The shell can be made of silica fabric, for example.

[0080] It is also obvious to a person skilled in the art that the shell of the bounded space may also have a shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped. For example, it could be partially spherical or have any other suitable geometry.

[0081] In addition, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the bounded space may be folded into its collapsed configuration in a different manner than presented above. For example, the side and / or end faces may be folded outward. Also, the bounded space may be folded in such a way that its side faces remain unfolded and are positioned opposite to each other. In that case, the bottom and top faces as well as the end faces fold in half, inward or outward.

[0082] Furthermore, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the coating may also be on fewer than five walls of the bounded space. For example, only four walls might be coated.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMSreceived by the International Bureau on 24 July 2026 (24.07.2026)

1. A fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement, which comprises a bounded space and one or more fire extinguishing agents inside the bounded space, which is configured to contain and isolate an overheated and / or burning article from its surroundings, characterized in that at least one of the fire extinguishing agents has thermal insulation properties.

2. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to claim 1,characterized in that the bounded space comprises a shell made of a fireproof material.

3. 3. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the fire extinguishing agent having thermal insulation properties is vermiculite, and that the shell of the bounded space is made of glass fabric coated with polymer silicone.

4. 4. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the shell of the bounded space comprises at least five walls.

5. 5. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that the inner surface of the shell of the bounded space comprises a coating (5, 50), which comprises at least one fire extinguishing agent.

6. 6. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bounded space is designed to have two configurations: a collapsed storage configuration and an unfolded configuration for use.

7. 7. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that as a supporting structure inside the bounded space, the arrangement comprises a collapsible, articulated framework (4, 40) positioned against the inner surface of the shell of the bounded space and arranged to facilitate unfolding of the bounded space from a collapsed storage configuration to an unfolded configuration for use.

8. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to claim 7,characterized in that the framework (4, 40) is made of a light metal, such as aluminium.

9. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement comprisesa fire extinguishing agent comprising one or more components configured to displace oxygen and smother the fire, which components are selected from: (bi)carbonates, carbon dioxide, other inert gases.

10. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a fire extinguishing agent comprising one or more components configured to cool the article, which components are selected from: solid carbon dioxide, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, for example.

11. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a fire extinguishing agent comprising one or more components configured to extinguish fire through a negative catalytic effect by radical scavenging, which components are selected from: alkali metal salts, transition metal oxides, phosphates, borates, for example.

12. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bounded space is a box (1), which comprises a lid (2) that can be hermetically closed.

13. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to claim 12,characterized in that the box (1) is rectangular parallelepiped shaped and comprises a rectangular parallelepiped framework (4).

14. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bounded space is a tent (10).

15. Fire prevention and extinguishing arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the tent (10) is substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped and comprises a substantially rectangular parallelepiped framework (40).

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