Hinged Protective Housing for Fire Sprinkler Heads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sprinkler head protection devices fail to adequately protect against small and medium construction debris, as well as human error, during construction and maintenance activities, leading to accidental damage and increased time and expense in shutting down and restarting sprinkler systems.
Innovation Solution
A nonobstructive protective housing for sprinkler heads with hinged case halves and snap latches that allow water flow, accommodating various pipe configurations, providing physical protection without restricting operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional sprinkler head cages with large bar spacing are used, then they can prevent large objects like basketballs and volleyballs from contacting sprinkler heads, but they fail to protect against small and medium construction debris such as cement chips and steel fragments
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing is divided into multiple components: a main housing body, removable side panels, and a bottom panel. This segmentation allows the structure to provide comprehensive protection while maintaining accessibility for installation and maintenance. The side panels can be removed to expose the sprinkler head for servicing while the main housing remains in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing is designed to fit over the existing sprinkler head assembly, creating a nested structure where the sprinkler head is contained within the protective housing. The housing envelops the sprinkler head completely, providing protection against debris while allowing the sprinkler head to remain functional.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If painter cups made of light thin plastic are used, then they can prevent paint from contacting sprinkler heads, but they are very fragile and do not protect sprinkler heads from impact
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing is constructed from composite materials that combine durability with protection. The housing body, side panels, and bottom panel are made from materials that provide impact resistance while maintaining structural integrity. This composite construction eliminates the fragility issue present in thin plastic painter cups.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing features a curved or rounded exterior design that distributes impact forces more effectively than flat structures. The curved surfaces help deflect debris and reduce concentrated stress points, enhancing the overall protection against impact while maintaining structural strength.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sprinkler systems are shut down during construction activities, then protection against damage can be provided, but excessive time is spent contacting fire departments and providing fire watch supervision
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing is installed on the sprinkler head before construction activities begin. This preliminary protection allows the sprinkler system to remain operational during construction without requiring shutdowns. The housing prevents debris from reaching the sprinkler head, eliminating the need for time-consuming shutdown and restart procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing acts as an intermediary barrier between the construction environment and the sprinkler head. It allows both construction activities and sprinkler operation to coexist by blocking debris paths while maintaining water flow to the sprinkler head, thus eliminating the need for system shutdowns.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective housing completely encloses the sprinkler head, then maximum protection is provided, but water flow from the sprinkler head may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing incorporates localized openings or apertures in specific positions to maintain water flow while providing overall protection. The housing structure is designed with strategic openings that allow water to pass through to the sprinkler head while blocking debris paths, thus maintaining both protection and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing includes removable side panels that can be opened or closed as needed. This dynamic design allows the housing to transition between a fully enclosed protective state and an open state that allows water flow, enabling adaptation to different operational requirements while maintaining maximum protection when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A nonobstructive protective housing for a fire sprinkler head has a first case half and a second case half with apertures formed in the case halves. The second case half is hingedly coupled to the first case half. The first case half and the second case half are movable between an open position and a closed position. A method of non-obstructively protecting a fire sprinkler head with the nonobstructive protective housing includes fastening the nonobstructive protective housing around the fire sprinkler head such that the apertures accommodate a flow of water from the fire sprinkler head.