CO2 fire suppression monitoring apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A monitor apparatus for use with a suppressant gas type fire suppression system, the fire suppression system having a controller that delivers a discharge signal to discharge suppressant gas from a suppressant gas delivery system into a protected environment in response to a fire signal, the monitor apparatus comprising:
- a connection for receiving a discharge signal from the fire suppression system during a full-discharge test or actual fire;
a suppressant gas concentration sensor communicating with the monitor apparatus independently of the fire suppression system, the suppressant gas concentration sensor located in the protected environment for sensing a concentration of the gas delivered by the fire suppression system into the protected environment during the full-discharge test or actual fire;
recording means for recording readings from the gas concentration sensor over a period of time corresponding to a discharge-to-concentration time plus a hold time of the fire suppression system during the full-discharge test or actual fire;
discharge prompting means for monitoring the gas concentration sensor independently of the fire suppression system and for generating a continue-discharge signal distinct from the discharge signal of the fire suppression system in response to a low suppressant gas concentration reading by the concentration sensor during the full-discharge test or actual fire, and a connection for delivering the continue-discharge signal to the fire suppression system during the full-discharge test or actual fire.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monitor apparatus and method for monitoring, verifying, and prompting an existing CO2 type fire suppression system in a room or building protected by the suppression system. In its most preferred form the monitor apparatus is a unit contained in a cabinet or housing placed in the protected room, with only a signal connection to the suppression system. The monitor apparatus has a suppressant gas concentration sensor enabled by a discharge signal received from the suppression system, and a datalogger to keep a verifiable record of the suppression system'"'"'s discharge performance. The monitor unit sends a continue-discharge signal back to the suppression system independently of the continuity of the suppression system'"'"'s discharge signal if a desired gas concentration level in the room is not reached or held per the suppression system'"'"'s own requirements.
21 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A monitor apparatus for use with a suppressant gas type fire suppression system, the fire suppression system having a controller that delivers a discharge signal to discharge suppressant gas from a suppressant gas delivery system into a protected environment in response to a fire signal, the monitor apparatus comprising:
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a connection for receiving a discharge signal from the fire suppression system during a full-discharge test or actual fire; a suppressant gas concentration sensor communicating with the monitor apparatus independently of the fire suppression system, the suppressant gas concentration sensor located in the protected environment for sensing a concentration of the gas delivered by the fire suppression system into the protected environment during the full-discharge test or actual fire; recording means for recording readings from the gas concentration sensor over a period of time corresponding to a discharge-to-concentration time plus a hold time of the fire suppression system during the full-discharge test or actual fire; discharge prompting means for monitoring the gas concentration sensor independently of the fire suppression system and for generating a continue-discharge signal distinct from the discharge signal of the fire suppression system in response to a low suppressant gas concentration reading by the concentration sensor during the full-discharge test or actual fire, and a connection for delivering the continue-discharge signal to the fire suppression system during the full-discharge test or actual fire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 15. A monitor apparatus for monitoring, verifying, and prompting the performance of a suppressant gas type fire suppression system associated with a protected environment, the fire suppression system comprising a controller that delivers a discharge signal to discharge suppressant gas from a suppressant gas delivery system into a protected environment in response to a fire signal, the monitor apparatus comprising a stand-alone unit independent of the fire suppression system and located within the protected environment, the unit comprising its own gas concentration sensor, the unit comprising means for generating a log of the concentration sensor readings during a full-discharge test or actual fire, the unit comprising a signal connection to the fire suppression system for receiving a discharge signal from the fire suppression system during the full-discharge test or actual fire to enable the sensor to monitor concentration levels of suppressant gas discharged by the fire suppression system into the protected environment during the full-discharge test or actual fire, and the unit further comprising a signal connection to the fire suppression system for delivering a continue-discharge signal distinct from the discharge signal of the fire suppression system to the fire suppression system during the full-discharge test or actual fire when sensed levels of the suppressant gas are not reached or held per the fire suppression system'"'"'s own requirements during the full-discharge test or actual fire.
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17. A method for monitoring, verifying, and prompting the performance of a suppressant gas type fire suppression system associated with a protected environment, the fire suppression system delivering a discharge signal to discharge suppressant gas from a suppressant gas delivery system into a protected environment in response to a fire signal, comprising the steps of:
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placing a monitor unit in the protected environment, the monitor unit comprising its own gas concentration sensor and a signal connection to the fire suppression system; activating the monitor unit with a discharge signal from the fire suppression system during a full-discharge test or actual fire; recording suppressant gas concentration levels in the protected environment during the full-discharge test or actual fire using the gas concentration sensor in the monitor; delivering a continue-discharge signal distinct from the discharge signal of the fire suppression system from the monitor unit to the fire suppression system during the full-discharge test or actual fire when suppressant gas concentration levels fall below a desired level as measured by the monitor unit'"'"'s gas concentration sensor during the full-discharge test or actual fire. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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21. A method for monitoring, verifying, and prompting the performance of a suppressant gas type fire suppression system associated with a protected environment, the fire suppression system delivering a discharge signal to discharge suppressant gas from a suppressant gas delivery system into a protected environment in response to a fire signal, comprising the steps of:
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providing a monitor, the monitor comprising a gas concentration sensor in the protected environment and a signal connection to the fire suppression system; activating the monitor with a discharge signal from the fire suppression system during a full-discharge test or actual fire; recording suppressant gas concentration levels in the protected environment during the full-discharge test or actual fire using the gas concentration sensor; delivering a continue-discharge signal distinct from the discharge signal of the fire suppression system from the monitor to the fire suppression system during the full-discharge test or actual fire when suppressant gas concentration levels fall below a desired level as measured by the monitor'"'"'s gas concentration sensor during the full-discharge test or actual fire.
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Specification