Wet Fire Protection System Pressure Control Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wet system fire protection designs are reactive and dependent on the number of sprinkler actuations, leading to delayed water pressure delivery and increased hydraulic demand, which limits their effectiveness in addressing fires at higher ceilings and requires more sprinklers and water flow.
Innovation Solution
A predictive system that withholds fluid pressure for a predetermined period after initial sprinkler actuation, allowing for transient pressurized water delivery to thermally actuated sprinklers, independent of the number of activations, using a pressure control assembly with a timing device to manage the withholding period and ensure effective fire suppression with fewer sprinkler activations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If water pressure is delivered immediately upon sprinkler actuation in conventional wet systems, then fire response is rapid, but hydraulic demand increases and system complexity increases to manage pressure delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-positioning water in the piping system at controlled pressure levels, and by pre-programming the pressure control assembly to deliver pressure after a predetermined time delay. This allows the system to respond rapidly to fire while managing hydraulic demand through controlled pressure delivery timing rather than immediate full-pressure delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic pressure control through the pressure control assembly that transitions from a closed state to an open state based on detected flow conditions and predetermined time delays. This dynamic adjustment of pressure delivery allows the system to balance rapid response with reduced hydraulic demand by delivering pressure only when and where needed.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional wet systems deliver water pressure to all sprinklers, then fire coverage is comprehensive, but system complexity increases due to piping arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by delivering water pressure selectively to specific zones or sprinklers based on detected flow conditions rather than uniformly to all sprinklers. The pressure control assembly controls pressure delivery to the demand portion based on local flow detection, reducing the need for complex piping arrangements while maintaining effective fire coverage in the affected area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the sprinkler system into a supply portion and a demand portion separated by a pressure control assembly. This segmentation allows independent control of pressure delivery to different zones, simplifying the overall piping arrangement while maintaining comprehensive fire coverage capability through selective pressure delivery.
3Quantity of substance
If high thermal sensitivity sprinklers are used to reduce water flow demand, then fewer sprinklers are needed, but system reliability decreases due to premature actuation risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism - the pressure control assembly with flow detection - that mediates between the sprinkler actuation and full pressure delivery. This intermediary allows the use of high thermal sensitivity sprinklers for reduced water flow demand while maintaining reliability, as the flow detection mechanism ensures that pressure is only delivered when actual fire conditions are confirmed through detected flow, preventing premature actuation effects.
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 reduces the total fluid flow demand, allows for fire protection at higher ceilings with fewer sprinklers, and simplifies system design by eliminating the need for complex piping arrangements, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective fire protection solution.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure control assembly to withhold fluid pressure from the demand portion for a predetermined period of time following thermal actuation of one or more sprinklers in the demand portion
Implementation Method 2
a timing device to control delivery of the fluid pressure to the sprinklers
Implementation Method 3
thermal actuation of one or more sprinklers in the demand portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Wet fire protection systems and methods for the protection of a stored commodity are provided. The system includes a supply portion coupled to a water supply and a demand portion including a plurality of sprinklers disposed above the commodity with each sprinkler having an operating pressure range. The plurality of sprinklers are interconnected by a network of pipes filled with water to provide each sprinkler with an initial pressure of water. A pressure control assembly is disposed between the supply portion and the demand portion to withhold fluid pressure from the supply portion from pressurizing the demand portion for a predetermined withholding period following actuation of at least one sprinkler in response to a fire.