Modular Fire Prevention Flooring With Drain Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flooring systems in facilities with flammable or combustible liquids fail to prevent the ignition of spilled fluids, as they do not address the removal of the fire triangle elements, leading to rapid fire spread and costly damage.
Innovation Solution
A modular fire prevention flooring system with rectangular planks featuring drain channels and metal filler to separate fluids from oxygen and heat, preventing ignition, and a purging fluid system to assist drainage and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If typical fire suppression systems (foam, water sprinklers, deluge systems) are used to remove oxygen or heat from burning fires, then fire burning is stopped, but damage is incurred before systems are triggered and cleanup costs are great
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-installing fire-retardant coatings on flooring surfaces before any fire incident occurs. This proactive measure ensures that when flammable liquids are spilled and ignited, the fire cannot spread across the floor surface, providing immediate protection without requiring detection or activation systems. The coating is already in place and functional before the harmful event occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful property of flammable liquids by applying fire-retardant coatings that chemically interact with the liquids to prevent ignition and spread. The coating transforms the floor surface from a fuel source that accelerates fire spread into a barrier that suppresses combustion, effectively converting the potential harm into a protective benefit.
2Loss of substance
If drainage systems are used to collect spilled flammable or combustible fluids, then fluid collection is achieved, but the fluid already on the floor can still be ignited and spread fire rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate functions into one integrated system: the drainage function for fluid collection and the fire prevention function through coated surfaces. The fire-retardant coating is applied to the entire floor surface including drainage areas, so that fluid containment and fire suppression work together synergistically. Spilled fluids are both collected by drainage systems and prevented from igniting by the coating, achieving dual protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the floor surface by applying fire-retardant coatings that alter the flammability characteristics. This parameter change transforms the floor from a combustible surface to a fire-resistant surface, fundamentally changing how the floor interacts with spilled flammable liquids and preventing the harmful effect of rapid fire spread.
3Productivity
If sloped floors with trench drains are used to drain spilled fluids, then fluid drainage is improved, but upon ignition the entire fuel-exposed floor area may ignite and spread fire quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the entire floor surface including sloped areas and trench drain regions with fire-retardant material before any fire incident. This ensures that when fluids spill and drain along the slope, the entire path including drainage infrastructure is already protected, preventing fire propagation along the drainage path while maintaining drainage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire-retardant coating acts as an intermediary barrier between the spilled flammable liquids and the floor surface. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact and ignition between the fuel and the floor, including in drainage areas, thereby blocking the fire propagation pathway while allowing the drainage system to function normally.
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
Effectively prevents the spread and ignition of flammable liquids by draining and cooling them, reducing the risk of fire and minimizing damage and cleanup costs.
Implementation Method 1
a purging fluid system to assist drainage and cooling
Implementation Method 2
flooring plank having a top wall, bottom wall, and sidewalls, the interior of the flooring plank defining a drain channel
Data Source
AI summary
A modular fire prevention flooring system includes a plurality of fire prevention flooring planks. Each plank is generally tubular and forms a drain channel. Fluids spilled onto the upper surface of the flooring system may drain through a plurality of drain holes formed in the upper surface of the planks. The planks may further include a metal filler positioned within the drain channels to stop combustion of burning fluids spilled into the drain channels. The metal filler may break up burning liquids and remove heat therefrom. In some embodiments, a purging fluid may be flowed through the planks to purge any spilled fluids therefrom.