Method and apparatus for protecting building personnel during chemical or biological attack
First Claim
1. A decontamination system for responding to the detection of the presence of chemical or biological agents in a building having a sprinkler system for fire protection, the sprinkler system having a sprinkler head in fluid communication with a feeder pipe, the system comprising:
- means for opening said sprinkler head to release a fire suppressant material in response to a fire indicator;
means for opening said sprinkler head to release a decontaminations material different from the fire suppressant material in response to a chemical or biological agent detection signal;
fire detecting means for detecting the presence of fire in the building and for providing the fire indicator, chemical or biological detecting means for detecting the presence of a chemical or biological agent that is not otherwise given off by a conventional fire; and
means for generating said chemical or biological agent detection signal responsive to said chemical or biological detecting means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for at least partially decontaminating personnel in response to detection of an agent harmful to human life such as a chemical or biological agent. The system can provide a sprinkler head above a walkway such as a hallway through which personnel are expected to walk. The sprinkler can provide a spray of decontamination fluid such as gas or liquid over personnel passing underneath, removing or neutralizing at least some of the harmful agent and reducing the transport of the agent from one area to another. Preferably, the system includes a sprinkler or shower head coupled to an existing fire isle control sprinkler supply pipe, wherein the sprinkler head may include a valve that is remotely controlled and can be opened in response to detection of a chemical or biological agent.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A decontamination system for responding to the detection of the presence of chemical or biological agents in a building having a sprinkler system for fire protection, the sprinkler system having a sprinkler head in fluid communication with a feeder pipe, the system comprising:
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means for opening said sprinkler head to release a fire suppressant material in response to a fire indicator;
means for opening said sprinkler head to release a decontaminations material different from the fire suppressant material in response to a chemical or biological agent detection signal;
fire detecting means for detecting the presence of fire in the building and for providing the fire indicator, chemical or biological detecting means for detecting the presence of a chemical or biological agent that is not otherwise given off by a conventional fire; and
means for generating said chemical or biological agent detection signal responsive to said chemical or biological detecting means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A decontamination system for responding To the detection of the presence of chemical or biological agents in a building having a sprinkler system for fire protection, the sprinkler system having u plurality of springier heads in fluid communication with a number of feeder pipes, the system comprising:
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a fire detector for detecting the presence of fire in the building;
a valve local to at least one of the sprinkler heads for allowing flow from a feeder pipe and through said at least one sprinkler head, said valve responsive to said fire detector;
said valve also allowing flow from the feeder pipe and through said at least one sprinkler head in response to a chemical or biological agent detection signal;
a chemical or biological agent detector for detecting a nerve agent, a biological agent, or phosgene; and
circuitry for generating said chemical or biological agent detection signal responsive to said chemical or biological agent detector. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A decontamination system for responding to The detection of the presence of chemical or biological agents in a building having a sprinkler system for fire protection, the sprinkler system having a plurality of sprinkler beads in fluid communication with a number of feeder pipes, the system comprising;
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fire detecting means for detecting the presence of fire in the building;
chemical or biological detecting means for detecting the presence of a nerve agent, a biological agent, or phosgene in the building, and for providing a chemical or biological agent detection signal;
means for opening one or more of said sprinkler heads in response to the fire detecting means;
means for delivering water to one or more of said feeder pipes in response to the fire detecting means;
means for opening one or more of said sprinkler heads in response to the chemical or biological agent detection signal; and
means for delivering a chemical or biological agent decontamination fluid to one or more of said feeder pipes in response to the chemical or biological agent detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification