Segmented Fire Sprinkler System for High-Piled Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection systems for storage occupancies have hydraulic and installation limitations that increase the economic burden of providing desired fire protection, particularly in high-piled storage arrangements where the hydraulic demand is high and installation flexibility is limited.
Innovation Solution
A fire protection system that includes a plurality of fluid distribution devices arranged beneath the ceiling and above high-piled storage commodities, with a hydraulic demand defined by a minimized hydraulic design area and a reduced number of design fluid distribution devices, allowing for controlled actuation and flexible installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional automatic sprinklers are used in high-piled storage arrangements, then fire protection coverage is provided, but hydraulic demand increases and installation flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fire protection function by separating detection (heat-activated elements) from fluid distribution (deluge valves control multiple sprinklers). This allows selective activation of only the sprinklers needed for a specific fire location, reducing the number of simultaneously operating sprinklers and thus reducing hydraulic demand while maintaining comprehensive fire protection coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static conventional sprinkler operation to dynamic controlled actuation where deluge valves selectively activate specific groups of sprinklers based on fire location detected by heat-activated elements. This dynamic response reduces the number of sprinklers operating at any given time, lowering hydraulic demand while maintaining reliable fire protection
2Speed
If conventional automatic sprinklers are installed closer to the ceiling, then fire detection and suppression response is improved, but installation flexibility is reduced due to obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sprinkler system into multiple independently controllable groups managed by separate deluge valves. This allows flexible installation arrangements where sprinklers can be positioned at various distances from the ceiling while maintaining effective fire response through selective activation of appropriate sprinkler groups based on fire location
Solution Approach 2:
Heat-activated elements serve as intermediaries between the fire and the fluid distribution system. These elements detect fire conditions and trigger deluge valves, which then activate specific sprinkler groups. This intermediary mechanism enables flexible sprinkler positioning while maintaining rapid fire response through automatic detection and controlled actuation
3Reliability
If more sprinklers are installed to reduce hydraulic demand per sprinkler, then individual sprinkler performance is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple sprinklers into groups controlled by single deluge valves. Each deluge valve controls a specific group of sprinklers, allowing them to operate simultaneously as a unified system. This merging approach maintains reliable individual sprinkler performance when activated while reducing the total number of independently operating sprinklers needed, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Deluge valves serve multiple functions: they control groups of sprinklers, respond to heat-activated elements, and manage fluid distribution to multiple locations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for numerous individual sprinkler controls, simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective fire protection performance
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 reduces the hydraulic demand and enhances installation flexibility, providing efficient fire protection for storage occupancies while minimizing economic burdens.
Implementation Method 1
a fire suppression or control device that operates automatically when its heat-activated element is heated to its thermal rating or above
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2A
AI summary
Fire protection systems and methods of fire protection systems for protection of a stored commodity. The systems and methods included a plurality of fluid distribution devices disposed above the stored commodity and configured for selective identification and controlled actuation in response to a fire. The systems have a hydraulic demand defined by at least one of: i) a hydraulic design area having a minimum operational area of less than 768 square feet; or ii) less than twelve hydraulic design devices.