Water Mist Nozzle Layout for Ventilated Data Center Floor Voids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection systems for data centers face limitations, including the need to shut down ventilation systems during fire protection operations, restrictions on cable types, and requirements for wet systems, which hinder flexibility and continuous cooling capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A water mist fire protection system with automatic nozzles that can operate as either a wet pipe or dry pipe system, allowing for continuous ventilation and protection of both fire-propagating and non-fire-propagating cables, and enabling configuration as a preaction system to keep water out of the piping until activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water mist system is used for fire protection in data centers, then fire suppression capability is improved, but the ventilation system must be shut down which worsens continuous cooling capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air handling system as an intermediary component that actively manages airflow during fire suppression operations. This mediator allows the ventilation system to remain operational by directing airflow away from the fire zone while maintaining cooling in non-affected areas, thus resolving the contradiction between fire suppression and continuous cooling requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The data center space is segmented into protected zones and non-protected zones. Water mist nozzles are strategically positioned to confine fire suppression to specific cable tray areas, while other zones continue to receive cooling airflow. This spatial segmentation allows simultaneous operation of fire protection and ventilation systems in different regions
2Speed
If a wet pipe system is used, then immediate water discharge is achieved, but water remains in piping during unactuated state which worsens system flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between dry pipe and wet pipe configurations based on operational requirements. During normal operation, the system maintains a dry pipe configuration for flexibility and water damage prevention. Upon detection of fire conditions, the system dynamically fills with water and switches to wet pipe mode for immediate discharge, thus achieving both flexibility and rapid response
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the piping system state (from dry to wet) to achieve different operational modes. By controlling the presence or absence of water in the piping through preaction valves, the system can switch between configurations to meet different requirements for immediate discharge versus system flexibility and water damage mitigation
3Reliability
If ventilation systems are interlocked with fire protection systems, then fire safety is improved, but operational independence is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning water in the piping network through preaction valves before actual fire suppression is needed. This preliminary preparation allows the ventilation system to maintain operational independence during normal operations while ensuring fire safety readiness, eliminating the need for restrictive interlocks
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
Enables effective fire protection without shutting down ventilation systems, accommodating various cable types, and providing flexible system configurations, ensuring continuous cooling and efficient fire suppression in data centers.
Implementation Method 1
automatic nozzles attached to a piping system containing water and connected to a supply so that water discharges immediately from the nozzles operated by the heat from a fire
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
Water mist fire protection systems and methods for the protection of data centers having a raised floor defining an interstitial space beneath the floor. The systems and methods include the location of a plurality of automatic water mist nozzles above and/or beneath the floor to generate a water mist for effectively addressing a fire in the presence of a flow of forced air ventilation through the interstitial space. The systems and methods of water mist fire protection include the interconnection of the automatic water mist nozzles to a water supply to provide for dry pipe or preaction systems and methods. Water mist fire protection of data centers using fire propagating cable is also provided.