Installation for extinguishing fire, spray head

11

to standby mode over a section valve 482a, 482b, after a fire detector 490a, 490afc or 490fc has given a signal. The fire detector 490a controls the section 483a; the fire detector 490afc controls the sections 483a and 483fc; and the fire detector 490fc controls the section 483fc. The pressure in the 5 line 445p can be much lower (more than 10 times lower), e.g. 6 bar, than the pressure in the line 481 (and the lines 81, 181, 281 and 381 in previous figures). The section valves 482a, 482fc can have small dimensions (e.g. NS 1,5) and be inexpensive compared with the section valves (of the type 10 NS 20, for instance) in FIGS. 10,13 and 14. The dimension of the line 445p (and the lines 445a, 445fc) can be small, e.g. 6 mm, compared with the line 481 (and 81, 181, 281 and 381), e.g. 50 mm and the lines (distribution lines) 81rf, 181rf, 281rf and 381rf, e.g. 25 mm, in the FIGS. 8 to 13. This means 15 substantial savings in the costs for long tunnels and similar applications, where the installation is very long, compared with the use of sprinklers of the type not comprising a separate line for the activation of the sprinklers, because no rough distribution lines, the length of which shall corre- 20 spond to the length of the tunnel, are needed between the section valves and the sprinklers.

In FIG. 17, part of the sprinklers can be changed for spray heads without heat-activated release means, e.g. of the type shown in FIG. 6. 25

Inside the railway wagon 498, there can be an installation of the type illustrated in the FIGS. 8,10, 13 and 14.

FIGS. 19 to 21 show an installation for a car tunnel 500. The figures use reference numerals corresponding to those 3Q used in the FIGS. 17 and 18 for similar things. The sprinklers 530a, 530fc are of the type shown in FIG. 4 and the spray heads of the type shown in FIG. 6.

The installation of FIGS. 19 to 21 differs from that of FIGS. 17 and 18 by the section valves 582a, 582fc being 35 arranged to feed extinguishing medium from the conduit 581 into the control pipes 545 (the pipes 45' and 45" in FIGS. 6 and 4) of the sprinklers 530a, 530fc, 530afc and the spray heads 580a. In addition, non-return valves 589a, 589fc have been arranged in the control pipe 545 for preventing fluid 40 from flowing from one section to another (e.g. from section 583a to section 583fc and vice versa). Non-return valves can naturally also be placed in connection with the control lines 445a, 445fc in FIG. 17 in case if the control lines were combined to a long control line. The sprinkler 530afc is 45 common for the sections 583a and 583fc.

As shown in FIG. 20, the sprinklers 530a, 530fc are directed towards the central parts of the tunnel 500 and towards the lorries 599, while at least part of the spray heads 580a are arranged to deliver extinguishing medium towards 50 the upper portion of the tunnel 500 for preventing smoke gases from ignition. The water amount in the spray heads 580a spraying at ceiling (roof level can be considerably smaller than in the sprinklers 530a and the spray heads shall have a small droplet size (typically smaller than the sprin- 55 klers 530a have) to provide an effective cooling. Part of the spray heads 580a, 580fc may, of course, be directed towards the central parts of the tunnel.

FIG. 22 shows a general design for the installation according to the invention. The figure uses reference numerals 60 corresponding to those used in the previous figures for similar components. The installation of FIG. 22 can be used for instance in factory installations, high storage and car decks on ferries. The section valves 682a, 682fc are coupled to the control lines 645a, 645fc and the pipe line 681 in such 65 a way that the sprinklers 630a and the spray heads 680a are activated by the pressure of the extinguishing medium over

12

the section valve 682a and the control line 645a, and the sprinklers 630fc and the spray heads 680fc are activated by the pressure of the extinguishing medium over the section valve 682fc and the control line 645fc. The fire detector 690a controls the section valve 682a and the section 683a, and the fire detector 690fc controls the section valve 682fc and the section 683fc. The spray head 680abcd becomes active when whichever of the fire detectors 690a, 690fc, 690c or 690rf gives a signal.

The sprinklers 630a, 630fc are preferably of the type shown in FIG. 4 and the spray heads 680a, 680fc, 680abcd are preferably of the type shown in FIG. 7.

Part of the sprinklers of FIG. 22 or all of them can be changed for spray heads without heat-activated release means and vice versa.

FIG. 23 shows another embodiment for the general design of the installation according to the invention. The figure uses reference numerals corresponding to those used in the previous figures for similar components. The installation of FIG. 23—like the installation of FIG. 22—can be used e.g. in factory installations, high storage spaces and car decks on ferries. The installation of FIG. 23 differs from that of FIG. 22 by the section valves 782a, 782fc being coupled to pneumatic control pipes 745a, 745fc and 745p, which do not have any connection with the extinguishing medium pipe 781.

All installations of the FIGS. 8 to 20 comprise preferably a source of extinguishing medium (not shown), water-based fluid constituting the extinguishing medium. At least part of the spray heads used for the installation may preferably be of the type described in WO92/20453, i.e. they give off a concentrated penetrating mist of water, which is capable of penetrating into the seat of fire.

The invention has been described above with reference to one example only. Therefore, it is pointed out that the details of the invention may differ from the examples in many respects within the scope of the attached claims. Accordingly, e.g. the division into sections may vary according to the application. As appeared earlier, the application of the FIGS. 8 to 16 needs not necessarily be a means of transportation in the form of a railway wagon, but it can be some other means of transportation, for instance a ferry. Further, the installation can be used for other spaces, both open and closed, which do not necessarily have anything to do with means of transportation.

What is claimed is:

1. Installation for extinguishing fire, the installation comprising a number of spray heads (130a, 130fc; 230; 230afc, 280a, 280fc; 330a, 380a; 430a, 430fc; 530a, 530fc, 530afc, 580a, 580fc; 630a, 630fc, 630afc, 680a, 680fc, 680afc, 6mabcd; 730a, 730fc, 780a, 780fc, 780afc, 780abcd), a pipe system (81; 181; 281; 381; 481; 581; 681; 781) for leading extinguishing medium to the spray heads, the spray heads comprising a holder body (3, 3', 3", 3"') having an inlet (5, 5', 5", 5"') for incoming extinguishing medium and at least one nozzle (2, 2', 2", 2"'), wherein

the spray heads (130a, 130fc; 230; 230afc, 280a, 280fc; 330a, 380a; 430a, 430fc; 530a, 530fc, 530afc, 580a, 580fc;630a,630fc,630afc,680a,680fc,680afc,680abcd; 730a, 730fc, 780a, 780fc, 780afc, 780abcd) comprise a cover (13, 13', 13", 13"'), positioned by means of a locking device (14, 17, 14', 17', 14", 17", 14"', 17"') in a protective position in front of said nozzle (2, 2', 2", 2"') when the installation is in an inactive mode and, upon activation of the installation, arranged to be displaced to a free position by opening the locking 13

device, in which free position the cover is out of the
way of said nozzle so that the nozzle may spray
extinguishing medium when the spray head is in an
active mode, the cover being arranged to be displaced
to the free position by a pressure medium exerting a 5
force on the locking device so that it opens (FIGS. 8,
10, 13, 14, 17, 19, 22, 23).

2. Installation according to claim 1, wherein the spray heads (130a, 130fc; 230; 230afc, 280a, 280fc; 330a, 380a; 430a, 430fc; 530a, 530fc, 530afc, 580a, 580fc; 630a, 630fc, 10 630afc, 680a, 680fc, 680afc, 680abcd; 730a, 730fc, 780a, 780fc, 780afc, 780abcd) comprise a displaceable device (6,

6', 6", 6"') arranged to be displaced in relation to the holder body (3, 3', 3", 3"') for displacing the cover (13, 13', 13", 13"') to the free position (FIGS. 8,10,13,14,17,19,22,23). 15

3. Installation according to claim 2, wherein the displaceable device (6, 6', 6", 6"') comprises a projection area being exposed to pressure of said pressure medium for exerting the force against the locking device (14, 17, 14', 17', 14", 17", 14"', 17"') by means of the fluid pressure in a pressure 20 chamber (7, 7', 7", 7"').

4. Installation according to claim 3, wherein the displaceable device is a sleeve-like part (6, 6', 6", 6"'), which together with the holder body (3, 3', 3", 3"') defines the pressure chamber (7, 7', 7", 7"'). 25

5. Installation according to claim 1, wherein an optical detector or a detector responding to radiation heat or smoke (90; 190; 290; 390; 490a; 590a; 690a; 790a, 790fc, 790c, 790rf) is provided, said detector being arranged to start feeding extinguishing medium to the spray heads (80; 180; 30 130a, 130fc; 230; 230afc, 280a, 280fc; 330a, 380a; 430a; 530a, 530fc, 530afc, 580a, 580fc; 630a, 630fc, 630afc; 680a, 680fc, 680afc, 680abcd; 730a, 730fc, 780a, 780fc, 780afc, 780abcd) and to provide said force.

6. Installation according to claim 3, wherein the pressure 35 chamber (7', 7") is in fluid communication with a control line (445a, 445fc; 545; 645a, 645fc; 745a, 745fc) over a passage (46', 46") in such a way that a pressure of a pressure medium

in the control line is arranged to provide said force against the locking device (14', 17', 14", 17") (FIG. 17, 19, 22, 23). 40

7. Installation according to claim 6, wherein the control line (445a, 445fc; 745a, 745fc) is not in fluid communication with the inlet (5', 5") when the spray head (430a, 430fc, 730a, 780a, 780fc, 780afc, 780abcd) is in the inactive mode.

8. Installation according to claim 1, wherein the spray 45 heads (130a, 130fc; 280a, 280fc; 330a, 380a; 430a, 430fc; 530a, 530fc, 530afc, 580a, 580fc; 630a, 630fc, 630afc, 680a, 680fc, 680afc, 680abcd; 730a, 730fc, 780a, 780fc, 780afc, 780abcd) are arranged in a number of sections (183a, 183fc; 283a, 283fc; 383; 483a, 483fc; 583a, 583fc; 683a, 683fc; 783a, 50 783fc) to be activated separately or in groups, each section comprising a number of spray heads (FIG. 10,13,14,17,19, 22, 23).

9. Installation according to claim 8, wherein a non-return valve (89a, 89fc; 589a, 589fc; 689; 789) is provided for 55 leading extinguishing medium to one section (283a, 283fc; 583a, 583fc; 683a, 683fc; 783a, 783fc) of the number of sections and for preventing extinguishing medium from flowing to at least part of the spray heads in an adjacent section (FIG. 13, 21, 22, 23). 60

10. Installation according to claim 1, wherein part of said spray heads are sprinklers (230afc; 330a; 530a, 530fc, 530afc; 630a, 630fc, 630afc; 730a, 730fc, 730afc) comprising a heatactivated release means (18,18") and part of the spray heads (280a, 280fc; 380a, 380fc; 580a, 580fc; 680a, 680fc, 680afccrf; 65 780a, 780fc, 780afc; 780abcd) are without any heat-activated release means, which sprinklers, when the cover (13,13") is

14

displaced to the free position, are arranged to enter a standby mode, where the heat-activated release means is intact in order to be able to respond to heat and to provide in this way a release of the corresponding sprinkler and to bring it to an active mode, in which it sprays extinguishing medium (FIG. 12, 14, 19, 22, 23).

11. Installation according to claim 10, wherein a section (282a, 282fc; 383; 583a; 683a, 683fc; 783a, 783fc) is provided, said section comprising both spray heads (280a; 380a; 480a; 680a; 780a) without heat-activated release means and sprinklers (230afc; 330a; 430a) (FIG. 13, 14, 22, 23).

12. Installation according to claim 6, wherein the control lines (445a, 445fc; 545; 645a, 645fc; 745a, 745fc) of the spray heads (430a; 530a, 580a; 630a, 680a; 730a, 780a) belonging to a group are coupled to a control valve (482a; 582a; 682a; 782a) arranged to let fluid flow to the spray heads at detection of a fire (FIG. 17, 19, 22, 23).

13. Installation according to claim 12, wherein non-return valves (589a; 689; 789) are connected to the control lines (545; 645a, 645fc; 745) for detaching the covers of certain spray heads and for preventing the covers of the remaining spray heads from being detached (FIG. 19, 22, 23).

14. Installation according to claim 12, wherein the control valve (482a; 782a) is coupled to a pneumatic line (445/>; 745/>) for leading air to the spray head (430a; 730a, 780a) at detection (FIG. 17, 23).

15. Installation according to claim 14, wherein the control valve (582a; 682a) is coupled to the pipe system (581; 681) for leading extinguishing medium to the spray head (530a, 580a; 630a, 680a) at activation (FIG. 19, 22).

16. Combination of a means of transport and an installation for extinguishing fire, wherein a number of spray heads (230,230afc; 280a, 280fc; 330a, 380a) and a pipe system (81; 181; 281; 381) for leading extinguishing medium to the spray heads are provided, the spray heads comprising a holder body (3,3', 3"'), at least one nozzle (2,2', 2"'), a cover (13,13', 13"'), positioned by means of a locking device (14, 17, 14', 17', 14", 17", 14"', 17"') in a protective position in front of said nozzle (2, 2', 2"') when the installation is in an inactive mode and, upon activation of the installation, arranged to be displaced to a free position by opening the locking device, in which free position the cover is out of the way of said nozzle so that the nozzle may spray extinguishing medium when the spray head is in an active mode, the holder body comprising an inlet (5, 5', 5", 5"') for incoming extinguishing medium, the cover being arranged to be displaced to the free position by a pressure medium exerting a force against the locking device so that it opens (FIGS. 8, 10, 13, 14).

17. Combination according to claim 16, wherein the spray heads (430a; 530a, 580a; 630a, 680a; 730a, 780a) are arranged in a number of sections (183a, 183fc; 283a, 283fc; 383) to be activated separately or in groups, each section comprising a number of spray heads (FIG. 10, 13, 14).

18. Combination of a tunnel and an installation for extinguishing fire, wherein a number of spray heads (430a, 430fc; 530a, 530fc; 580a) and a pipe system (481; 581) for leading extinguishing medium to the spray heads are provided, the spray heads comprising a holder body (3, 3', 3", 3"'), at least one nozzle (2, 2', 2", 2"'), a cover (13, 13', 13", 13"'), positioned by means of a locking device (14,17, 14', 17', 14", 17", 14"', 17"') in a protective position in front of said nozzle when the installation is in an inactive mode and, upon activation of the installation, arranged to be displaced to a free position by opening the locking device, in which free position the cover is out of the way of said 15

nozzle so that the nozzle may spray extinguishing medium when the spray head in an active mode, the holder body comprising an inlet (5,5', 5", 5"') for incoming extinguishing medium, the cover being arranged to be displaced to the free position by a pressure medium exerting a force against the 5 locking device so that it opens (FIG. 17, 19).

19. Combination according to claim 18, wherein part of the spray heads (580a, 580fc) are directed to spray extinguishing medium in the upper part of the tunnel, while the other spray heads (530a, 530fc, 530afc) are directed to spray 10 extinguishing medium in an area located more centrally in the tunnel (FIG. 19 to 21).

16

20. Combination according to claim 18, wherein the spray heads (430a, 430fc; 530a, 530fc; 580a) each comprise a displaceable device (6', 6") comprising a projection area, which is arranged to exert the force against the locking device (14', 17', 14", 17") by means of the fluid pressure in a pressure chamber (7', 7"), the pressure chamber being in fluid communication with a control line (45', 45") over a passage (46', 46") in such a way that a pressure of extinguishing medium in the control line is arranged to provide said force against the locking device.