Fire Suppression Circulation System for Water Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire suppression system testing results in significant water waste, as the fluid used during testing is typically drained and discarded, which is environmentally and economically undesirable, especially in large buildings where large quantities are used.
Innovation Solution
A circulation system with a valve arrangement that directs tested fire suppression fluid to a holding tank for reuse, allowing the fluid to be reintroduced into the system, reducing waste and conserving water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fire suppression system testing is performed using conventional drainage methods, then the flow sensor can be tested effectively, but large quantities of water are wasted and discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a circulation system that recovers test water from the drainage line and returns it to the supply line. The circulation pump draws water from the drainage line and pumps it back to the supply line, allowing the same water to be reused for multiple tests. This directly addresses the water waste problem by recovering and reusing the substance that would otherwise be discarded.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system enables continuous reuse of test water throughout the testing period. Rather than draining water after a single test, the system maintains a continuous circulation loop where water is constantly reused for subsequent tests until the testing is complete. This extends the useful action of the water from a single-use to multiple uses.
2Productivity
If conventional testing valves and drainage arrangements are used, then fire suppression systems can be tested, but environmental and economic benefits are lost due to water consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump recovers water from the drainage line and returns it to the supply line, creating a closed-loop system. This allows the same water to be used repeatedly for testing multiple sprinkler heads and flow sensors, dramatically reducing the total water consumption required for complete system testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system essentially serves itself by circulating its own test water through the circulation pump and storage tank, eliminating the need for continuous fresh water supply during testing. The system uses its own resources (the test water already in the drainage line) to sustain continued testing operations.
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 recirculates tested fire suppression fluid, minimizing water consumption and aligning with green building principles by reducing waste and conserving natural resources.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation valve is provided downstream of a valve arrangement for testing a fire suppression sprinkler system to direct fire suppression fluid used during testing to a fluid holding tank and then to a circulation conduit to be reintroduced to the fluid supply
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for testing a fire suppression sprinkler system includes a supply conduit for supplying a fire suppression fluid to a plurality of sprinklers. A sensor senses a flow of fire suppression fluid through the supply conduit. A drain conduit drains fire suppression fluid when the fire suppression system is tested. A drain valve controls the flow of the fire suppression fluid so that when the fire suppression system is tested the fire suppression fluid is controlled to enter the drain conduit. A fire suppression fluid collection tank collects the fire suppression fluid which has entered the drain conduit for reintroducing the collected fire suppression fluid to the supply conduit. A circulation valve controls the flow of the fire suppression fluid so that when the fire suppression system is tested the fire suppression fluid enters the fire suppression fluid collection tank.