Inert rendering method with a nitrogen buffer

• US 7,156,184 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2001
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wagner Group GmbH
• Original Assignee: Wagner Alarm- Und Sicherungssysteme GmbH
• Inventors: Wagner, Ernst Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Denion; Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran; Diem
• Application Number:
  US10/312,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20030226669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,877 Days
• Field of Search: 169/9, 169/11, 169/16, 169 44- 47
• US Class Current: 169/45
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0018 using gases or vapours that do not support combustion, e.g. steam, carbon dioxide

Abstract

The invention relates to an inert rendering method for preventing and/or extinguishing fires in enclosed spaces, wherein an oxygen-inhibiting gas is introduced into the target area in order to adjust a first basic level of inertion with a reduced oxygen content in comparison with natural conditions, and wherein an oxygen-inhibiting gas is further introduced in a gradual or sudden manner (in the case of a fire) into the target area in order to adjust one or more levels of inertion with a similarly reduced oxygen content. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method, comprising an oxygen-measuring device in the target area and a source of an oxygen-inhibiting gas. The aim of the invention is to provide an inert rendering method and device for carrying out said method enabling the storage of extinguishing gas needed to extinguish a fire in a simple, economical manner without having to resort to premises which are normally specially provided therefor.

Claims

1. A device for carrying out an inert rendering method for at least one of preventing and extinguishing fires in an enclosed target area wherein an oxygen-inhibiting gas is introduced into the target area in order to create a first basic level of inertion with a reduced oxygen content in comparison with natural conditions, and wherein an oxygen-inhibiting gas is further introduced in a gradual or sudden manner (in the case of a fire) into the target area in order to create one or more levels of inertion with a further reduced oxygen content, the inert rendering method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a buffer gas volume by introducing an oxygen-inhibiting gas in at least one enclosed buffer space which is connected to the target area via supply lines, wherein the oxygen content of the buffer gas volume is so low when the buffer gas volume mixes with the ambient air in the target area, that a level of inertion with a further reduced oxygen content is reached; and

b) guiding the buffer gas volume via the supply lines into the target area, where it is used by mixing the ambient air of the target area, thereby providing the first basic level of inertion with the buffer gas volume to create a level of inertion that differs from the first basic level of inertion, the device comprising

an oxygen measuring device positioned in a target area;

a source of an oxygen-inhibiting gas;

an enclosed buffer space that is connected to the target area via gas supply lines in which, by introducing an oxygen-inhibiting gas, a buffer gas volume is generated whose oxygen content is low, so that when mixing the buffer gas volume with the ambient air in the target area, a full level of inertion for an extinguishing operation can be reached; and

a mixing unit for mixing the ambient air of the target area with the buffer gas volume.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the level of inertion, which differs from a level of inertion created in step (a), is a second basic level of inertion with a reduced oxygen content.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the level of inertion, which differs from a level of inertion created in step (a), is a second basic level of inertion with a full level of inertion for the fire extinguishing operation.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the buffer space is a container.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply line connects the enclosed buffer spaces of the individual areas of a building so that the buffer gas volumes of the individual areas are guided into the target area.

6. A device according to claim 1, further including:

a valve unit connected between the supply line and buffer rooms of the individual areas of a building.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the mixing unit contains ventilation flaps and ventilators that are arranged proximate to the target area.

8. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fire detector for triggering the mixing of the buffer gas volume with the ambient air of the target area in the fire extinguishing operation.

9. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a control unit for regulating the oxygen content in the target area and a signal transmitter for switching from a first basic level of inertion to one or more, different basic levels of inertion.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit also monitors the air quality of the ambient air by measuring at least one of the CO and CO₂ content, and wherein the control unit activates at least one of the ventilation flaps and ventilators for the supply of fresh air.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein the signal transmitter generates a signal selected from the group consisting of:

a timing signal, a burglar alarm signal and an access control signal.