Vertical Fire Stress Test Facility for Water Flow Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire stress test methods for water flow valves and systems, such as those in fire extinguishing systems, inadequately represent real fire conditions due to horizontal valve alignment and lack of water flow, leading to inaccurate testing of non-metallic components like plastics, which are sensitive to heat.
Innovation Solution
A test facility with a vertically aligned water flow valve connected between feed and discharge lines, allowing for a realistic simulation of fire conditions by replicating the valve's operational state, including water flow and heat exposure, using a test system with a receiving means for fuel and a water supply line to simulate actual fire scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If horizontal valve alignment is used in fire stress testing, then the test setup is simpler, but the test accuracy does not represent real fire conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional horizontal test setup by implementing vertical alignment of the water flow valve. This inversion allows the test to accurately represent real fire conditions where valves are typically installed vertically in fire extinguishing systems, thereby improving test accuracy while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized vertical mounting configurations.
2Measurement precision
If water flow is excluded from the test, then the test procedure is simpler, but the testing of non-metallic components becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the test facility with integrated water supply systems, flow control devices, and drainage arrangements before conducting the fire stress test. This preliminary setup ensures that water flow can be readily introduced during testing to accurately simulate real fire conditions, improving the accuracy of non-metallic component testing while keeping the procedure manageable through pre-established infrastructure.
3Reliability
If vertical installation position is implemented, then the fire stress test represents real operational conditions better, but the test facility complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a vertical test facility configuration that serves multiple functions: it accurately represents real operational conditions, integrates water flow simulation, incorporates heat application systems, and includes drainage and safety features. This multi-functional vertical setup improves reliability by comprehensively simulating real fire conditions while managing complexity through integrated design that combines multiple test capabilities in a unified system.
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
This approach enables reliable and realistic fire stress testing of water flow valves and systems, particularly non-metallic components, by accurately simulating the heat and cooling effects experienced during a real fire, improving the reliability of testing and certification processes.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for a realistic simulation of fire conditions by replicating the valve's operational state, including water flow and heat exposure
Implementation Method 2
using a test system with a receiving means for fuel and a water supply line to simulate actual fire scenarios
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a test method for carrying out a fire claim test on a water flow valve and/or on a water flow valve system, in particular on a wet alarm valve and/or on a wet alarm valve station, as well as technical components to be used in this context and their use.