Modular Fire Suppression Cabinet for Faster Certified Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire suppression systems in specialized environments, such as the nuclear industry, face significant installation delays, high costs, and complex certification processes due to component-based designs requiring separate inspection and installation by multiple teams, which do not meet stringent requirements like ASME-NQA-1 and UL approval.
Innovation Solution
An integrated fire suppression system with a single, modular cabinet containing all components, allowing off-site assembly, inspection, and certification, featuring compartments for environmental isolation and stability, and a control panel that can be quickly installed and maintained, with remote monitoring and control capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a component-based fire suppression system is used, then the system can be assembled from separate components, but the installation time and cost increase significantly due to multiple inspection and certification processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate fire suppression components (tanks, control panels, piping, emitters) into a single integrated assembly that is pre-assembled and pre-inspected as one unit. This eliminates the need for separate inspection of individual components during installation, directly reducing installation time while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly is pre-assembled, pre-inspected, and pre-certified off-site before delivery to the installation location. This preliminary completion of assembly and inspection processes eliminates on-site delays and allows for rapid installation, directly addressing the time loss problem while preserving manufacturing flexibility.
2Reliability
If separate components are inspected and certified individually, then each component meets required standards, but the overall installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple inspection and certification processes into a single integrated inspection of the complete assembly. This maintains reliability by ensuring the entire system meets standards while simplifying the installation process to a single unit installation rather than assembling and inspecting multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly serves as a universal unit that can be installed in various locations and configurations without requiring location-specific assembly and inspection procedures. This multi-functionality reduces installation process complexity while maintaining compliance with required standards.
3Ease of operation
If multiple teams install separate components, then specialized installation can be achieved, but the number of personnel and security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the work of multiple installation teams into a single team installing one integrated unit. This maintains specialized installation capability through pre-engineered modular designs while reducing the number of personnel and security resources required during installation, testing, and certification.
Solution Approach 2:
Specialized installation tasks are performed preliminarily during manufacturing and off-site inspection, so that on-site installation requires only simple unit installation rather than complex assembly. This preliminary specialization maintains technical expertise while reducing on-site personnel requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If components are obtained from separate independent companies, then component selection flexibility is improved, but expense and installation delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated assembly is designed as a universal unit that can be configured for different applications and locations while maintaining rapid installation. This universality preserves adaptability and versatility in selecting applications while eliminating the time delays and expenses associated with coordinating multiple independent component suppliers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple component suppliers and installation processes into a single integrated system that can be manufactured and installed as one unit. This maintains the ability to select from different configurations and applications while dramatically improving installation speed by eliminating coordination delays between separate companies.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated fire suppression system includes a cabinet comprising a plurality of defined and isolated compartments; a fire alarm control panel mounted in the cabinet; a first walled compartment of the plurality of defined and isolated compartments, the first walled compartment comprising: a first door comprising a window and covering an opening to the first walled compartment; a gas solenoid electronically connected to the fire alarm control panel; a display electronically connected to the fire alarm control panel and visible through the window; a second walled compartment of the plurality of defined and isolated compartments, the second walled compartment positioned below the first walled compartment when the cabinet is positioned upright on a floor, the second walled compartment comprising a tank and a nozzle; and a gas line connected to the gas solenoid and extending out of the cabinet.