Threat-Based Fire Suppression Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire suppression systems in large structures often employ a single type of fire suppressant suitable for most but not all fire threats, and these agents are typically stored proximate to potential fire locations, which may not effectively address diverse fire threats in contained environments.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple detector types (heat, smoke, flame) that detect fire threats and select appropriate fire suppressant types from separate supplies, delivering them to the threat location via a network of dispensers, allowing for concurrent or sequential delivery of different suppressants to address various fire threats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single type of fire suppressant is used for most fire threats, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the effectiveness and reliability are worsened because it cannot address all fire threat types
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant system is segmented into multiple types (water, foam, dry chemical, clean agent) stored in separate containers, with each type optimized for specific fire threat categories. The system divides the suppressant delivery function into specialized subsystems that can be selectively activated based on detector input.
Solution Approach 2:
Different suppressant types are deployed to different locations or zones based on the specific fire threat detected. The system applies the appropriate suppressant quality (water for ordinary combustibles, foam for flammable liquids, etc.) to the specific location where the fire threat occurs, rather than using a universal suppressant throughout.
2Reliability
If multiple types of fire suppressants are stored in separate supplies and delivered selectively, then the reliability and effectiveness are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppression system is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple fire threat types (ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, electrical equipment, cooking oils) using a single integrated system architecture. The system can selectively deploy any suppressant type through common delivery infrastructure, making the system universally applicable to various fire scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates multiple detector types (heat, smoke, flame) that provide feedback about the fire threat characteristics to the control system. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically select and deploy the appropriate suppressant type based on real-time detection data, reducing the need for manual intervention and simplifying operation despite the system's complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fire suppressant supplies are located remotely from fire threat locations, then the system can address diverse fire threats more effectively, but the response time and speed are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple types of fire suppressants are pre-positioned in separate supplies at or near the locations where different fire threats may occur. The system prepares various suppressant types in advance at strategic locations, so when a fire threat is detected, the appropriate suppressant is already nearby and can be rapidly deployed without long-distance transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically routes the appropriate suppressant from the most proximate supply location to the fire threat location based on real-time conditions. The delivery infrastructure can dynamically switch between different suppressant sources, selecting the nearest or most appropriate supply to minimize response time while maintaining adaptability to various fire types.
Data Source
AI summary
Fire suppression systems are disclosed for contained environments within large structures, with the systems configured to detect one or more fire threat condition types at one or more fire threat locations with the system delivering a selected fire suppressant flow in response to a detected fire threat condition at a detected fire threat location within the contained environment. communication with a plurality of fire suppressant types that are releasable from centralized supplies