Ceiling-Only Fire Protection System for High-Piled Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire protection systems for storage, particularly for exposed expanded plastics in rack storage, are limited by existing installation standards and do not effectively address high-challenge fires without additional accommodations like in-rack sprinklers or vertical barriers, and they often rely on thermal automatic responses which may not provide comprehensive protection.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling-only fire protection system that uses a network of fluid distribution devices and detectors to identify and respond to fires with a controlled, fixed volumetric flow of firefighting fluid, dynamically or pre-defined, to quench fires without the need for additional structural barriers, operating fluid distribution devices above and about the fire to limit its impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thermal automatic response sprinklers are used, then the system operates automatically when heat-activated, but the system may not provide comprehensive protection for high-challenge fires in rack storage
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the storage area into multiple zones with detectors and fluid distribution devices strategically positioned throughout, rather than relying on a single thermal response mechanism. This segmentation allows for more comprehensive coverage and reliable detection/response in high-challenge fire scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and positioning of fluid distribution devices before the fire reaches critical thermal levels. Detectors identify fire presence early, and the controller activates specific fluid distribution devices in advance, ensuring comprehensive protection before the fire can spread extensively.
2Reliability
If additional structural barriers like in-rack sprinklers or vertical barriers are installed, then fire protection coverage is improved, but the device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential fire protection function from complex structural barriers and concentrates it into fluid distribution devices positioned at strategic locations. This eliminates the need for in-rack sprinklers or vertical barriers while maintaining effective fire suppression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid distribution devices serve multiple functions: they distribute firefighting fluid, are positioned to address fires at various heights, and work in coordination with detectors to provide comprehensive protection without requiring additional structural modifications.
3Reliability
If a fixed volumetric flow of firefighting fluid is distributed to quench fire, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but water usage must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies firefighting fluid with fixed volumetric flow only to the specific locations where fires are detected, rather than distributing water uniformly throughout the entire storage area. This localized application ensures effective fire suppression while minimizing overall water usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates and deactivates fluid distribution devices based on real-time fire detection data. The controller adjusts which devices operate and for how long, maintaining fixed volumetric flow during active suppression while reducing total water consumption through precise temporal and spatial control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces the impact of fires on storage commodities by providing comprehensive fire protection at heights and arrangements not covered by current standards, minimizing damage and controlling fire propagation without the need for additional structural accommodations, and can address high-challenge fires with reduced water usage.
Implementation Method 1
a fixed volumetric flow of firefighting fluid is distributed to effectively quench a fire
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of detectors to detect a fire in a storage occupancy
Data Source
AI summary
Fire protection systems and methods for ceiling-only high-piled storage protection. The systems and methods include a fluid distribution, detection and control sub-systems to identify one or more fluid distribution devices for controlled operation to address a fire.