Exterior Fire Sprinkler Control for Wildfire Water Conservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Homes and structures in wildland areas are vulnerable to destruction from wildfires due to the lack of effective fire protection systems, especially during dry and warm climate conditions.
Innovation Solution
A comprehensive fire protection system incorporating multidirectional sprinklers, fire service-approved firefighting foam, biodegradable heat energy inhibitors, and high-pressure pumps to create ignition-resistant surfaces, with automated and remote activation via sensors and a smartphone app, ensuring efficient water and foam application to prevent ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water and foam are applied continuously to exterior surfaces to prevent ignition, then fire protection effectiveness is improved, but water supply exhaustion occurs prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic application of water and foam to exterior surfaces rather than continuous application. The controller activates the pump and sprinklers at predetermined time intervals to maintain ignition resistance while conserving water supply duration, directly resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and supply duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies heat energy inhibitors and protective coatings to exterior surfaces in advance before fire threats occur. This preliminary protective measure reduces the frequency and duration of water application needed during actual fire events, thereby extending water supply duration while maintaining fire protection effectiveness.
2Productivity
If high-pressure pumps are used to maintain water flow rates, then fire stream effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high-pressure pump operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously, activating only when fire threats are detected or at predetermined intervals. This reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining the high water flow rates needed for effective fire streams when actually required.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system is designed to serve multiple functions: maintaining pressure for both preventive coating application and active fire suppression. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional system, energy consumption is optimized compared to having separate systems for each function.
3Speed
If automated sensor activation is implemented, then response time to fire threats is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates heat sensors and smoke detectors that provide feedback about fire conditions to the controller. This automated feedback loop enables rapid response to fire threats while using a relatively simple controller that processes sensor signals and activates the pump and sprinklers accordingly, balancing response speed with system complexity.
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 significantly increases the chances of survival for homes and structures by creating a defensible space and maintaining water pressure for extended periods, effectively preventing ignition and extending fire protection timelines.
Implementation Method 1
The installation of an exterior fire sprinkler system is to dampen or wet any ignitable surface prior to and after exposure
Implementation Method 2
the painting of all exterior surfaces with a heat energy inhibitor or similar product paint additive or clear compound similar to FlameCheck® to create a Class A fire rating on all affected surfaces
Implementation Method 3
The pumps may be high pressure/high volume pump(s) in that the minimum requirement (depending on facility/home size and application) produces a minimum of 112 PSI at 92 gallons per minute flow rate
Implementation Method 4
the direct and indirect (wind-driven) application of water and fire service-approved firefighting foam or other wetting agents on exterior surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is an external fire protection system utilizing both fire hoses and fixed atomized water sprinklers. Water is supplied by either a local utility or static source pressurized by reciprocating or auxiliary electric engine employing high pressure/high volume pumps that are independent of any power grid outages. Both manual and local heat sensor detection are incorporated for automatic activation. The system also includes remote activation via any WiFi internet source (e.g., satellite) via a phone app to any programmable logic controller for continuous or water-saving intermittent operation.