Method for controlling stationary fire-extinguishing systems

• US 20030146843A1
• Filed: 01/31/2003
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Minimax GmbH & Company KG (MX International SARL)
• Original Assignee: Minimax GmbH
• Inventors: Dittmer, Hauke
• Granted Patent: US 6,788,208 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/588
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/38 by both sensor and actuator, e.g. valve, being in the danger zone

Abstract

A method and a fire-alarm system controls stationary fire-extinguishing systems. The fire-alarm devices of the fire-alarm system are equipped with one or more detectors. If at least one pre-adjustable alarm threshold of a fire identification characteristic is reached, the fire-extinguishing device is activated and the fire detectors are selectively switched to a higher stage of sensitivity. The detectors to be switched are locally selected depending on the actual development of the fire in terms of space. The dynamic adaptation of the sensitivity of the detectors to the development of a fire permits analyzing the development of the fire through the generated smoke, water vapor or extinguishing-water mist, and to influence the fire-extinction process in a targeted manner. The fire-extinction process and the development of the fire in terms of time can be effectively adapted in this manner, which contributes to a reduction of the amount of fire-extinguishing used and of the damage caused by the fire-extinguishing agent to persons and valuable materials.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a stationary fire-extinguishing system having a fire-extinguishing device and a fire-alarm system having at least one fire-alarm device with at least one detector, said at least one detector detecting identical or different fire identification characteristics and triggering an alarm signal activating the fire-extinguishing device when at least one pre-adjustable alarm threshold of the detected fire identification characteristics is exceeded, comprising the steps of:

(a) activating the fire-extinguishing device after said at least one pre-adjustable alarm threshold of a fire being detected has been exceeded; and

(b) subsequently switching at least one detector to a higher degree of sensitivity, said at least one detector being selected to be switched to the higher sensitivity based on developing characteristics of the fire being detected over space and time.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of switching at least one detector to an increased sensitivity is effected simultaneously with the activation of the fire-extinguishing device or with a variably selectable ,delay in time after such activation.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fire-extinguishing system comprises a control unit arranged in said at least one fire-alarm device or in a fire-alarm center coupled to said at least one fire-alarm device, said control unit evaluating detector signals of said at least one detector, adjusting the sensitivity of said at least one detector, and selecting the detectors to be switched to the higher degree of sensitivity for an optimal detection fire development.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one detector is switched to an increased sensitivity incrementally or continuously.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said at least one fire-alarm device or said at least one detector is arranged in different locations and disposed with an alignment corresponding with an expected fire hazard, and the method further comprises the steps of continually analyzing fire development during extinguishment from several directions, and emitting an extinction stop-signal upon termination of the fire.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein a detector element for monitoring continuing application of a fire-extinguishing agent is connected with at least one fire-alarm device, said detector element generating a fire-extinction stop-signal when application of the fire-extinguishing agent is adequate for fighting the fire and transmitting said signal to a control system to terminate fire-extinction.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein following a first activation of the fire-extinguishing device and switching of the fire-alarm system to a higher sensitivity stage, and after a first fire-extinction cycle has elapsed, the method further comprises the steps of transmitting by the fire-alarm system activation signals serving as trigger pulses to the fire-extinguishing device at variable time intervals if a fire hazard continues to exist, said trigger pulses restarting an elapsed fire-extinction cycle, and repeating the fire-extinction cycles until an end of the fire has been detected.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein after the end of the fire has been detected, the control system of the fire-alarm system or the fire-alarm device transmits an extinction stop-signal to the fire-extinguishing device, thereby triggering a preset after-extinction cycle.