Five-Branch Sprinkler System for Large Attic Fire Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire protection systems for large attic spaces with roof spans over 72 feet face challenges in hydraulic design, requiring high fluid flow rates and numerous sprinklers, which increases installation complexity and costs, especially in low-slope roofs where clearance is limited.

Innovation Solution

A five-branch sprinkler system is introduced, combining radially uniform and directional spray patterns, with specific sprinkler placements to reduce hydraulic demand to less than 200 GPM, effectively covering roof spans up to 100 feet with a more efficient distribution of firefighting fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fire protection systems are used for large attic spaces with roof spans over 72 feet, then adequate fire coverage is achieved, but hydraulic demand increases significantly requiring high fluid flow rates and numerous sprinklers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire coverageVSAvoidfluid flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The attic space is divided into distinct zones based on roof geometry: eave zones with low clearance, mid-span zones with adequate clearance, and ridge zones. Different sprinkler types are assigned to different zones - directional spray sprinklers are placed in eave zones to target low-clearance areas, while radially uniform sprinklers are placed in mid-span and ridge zones for broad coverage. This segmentation allows each zone to be protected optimally without requiring excessive fluid flow throughout the entire attic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different spray patterns and sprinkler configurations to different locations within the attic space based on local geometric conditions. Eave regions with limited clearance receive directional spray from specially oriented sprinklers, while areas with adequate clearance receive radially uniform spray. This local adaptation of protection strategy ensures adequate fire coverage in all areas while minimizing total hydraulic demand by avoiding over-provisioning in any single zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If conventional fire protection systems are used for large attic spaces, then fire coverage is achieved, but the number of sprinklers and piping increases installation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire coverageVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attic space is divided into distinct zones based on roof geometry: eave zones with low clearance, mid-span zones with adequate clearance, and ridge zones. Different sprinkler types are assigned to different zones - directional spray sprinklers are placed in eave zones to target low-clearance areas, while radially uniform sprinklers are placed in mid-span and ridge zones for broad coverage. This segmentation allows each zone to be protected optimally without requiring excessive fluid flow throughout the entire attic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines five branch lines with multiple sprinklers of different types into a single integrated protection system. The branch lines are strategically routed to serve multiple zones, and sprinklers are positioned to provide overlapping coverage areas. This merging approach consolidates what would otherwise require numerous separate protection systems, reducing overall installation complexity while maintaining comprehensive fire coverage throughout the large attic space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides comprehensive fire protection for large attic spaces with reduced hydraulic demand, minimizing the number of sprinklers and piping required, while maintaining effective fluid delivery density, thus simplifying installation and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

When the temperature surrounding the sprinkler is elevated to a pre-selected value indicative of a fire, the actuator operates thereby permitting ejection and release of the cap by the discharge of fluid through the unsealed sprinkler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat-responsive actuation: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

automatic fire protection sprinklers include a solid metal body and some type of deflector to distribute fluid discharged from the body in a defined spray distribution pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid spray distribution: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS11673008B1Fire protection systems and methods for the protection of sloped attic spaces having a span of up to 100 ft

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 MINIMAX VIKING RES & DEV GMBH

AI summary

Attic fire protection systems and methods for the protection of sloped attic spaces having large roof spans over eighty feet up to one hundred feet (80-100 ft.). The systems and method provide for a five-branch system with sprinklers having a directional spray interleaved between sprinklers having a uniform radial spray at the peak ridge and sprinklers having a uniform radial spray at the eave of the attic space. The systems and methods define a hydraulic demand with a total flow rate of under 175 GPM.