U.S. patent number 3,872,927 [Application Number 05/489,613] was granted by the patent office on 1975-03-25 for foam restraining barrier.
Invention is credited to Howard C. Stults.
United States Patent |
3,872,927 |
Stults |
March 25, 1975 |
FOAM RESTRAINING BARRIER
Abstract
A porous barrier circumscribes a defined volume within which the
high expansion foam fire extinguishing system is disposed. A
barrier fabricated of porous, non-combustible members are
interleaved and draped to enclose the interior of a warehouse or
other large open structure to permit the effective activation of a
high expansion foam fire extinguishing system. The porous barrier
is adapted to substantially negate wind loads created by the
disposition of high expansion foam while containing the body of
foam in a manner which is sufficient to extinguish a fire which has
occurred within the area surrounded by the barrier.
Inventors: |
Stults; Howard C. (Anaheim,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
23944547 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/489,613 |
Filed: |
July 18, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
169/48;
160/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62C
5/002 (20130101); E06B 3/01 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A62C
5/00 (20060101); E06B 3/00 (20060101); E06B
3/01 (20060101); E05f 015/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;169/48,49 ;160/6 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wood, Jr.; M. Henson
Assistant Examiner: Mar; Michael
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Spensley, Horn & Lubitz
Claims
I claim:
1. A restraining barrier for use with foam fire extinguishing
systems which include generators for producing a given volume of
fire extinguishing foam, said barrier comprising:
a. a pair of porous, non-combustible panels adapted to be
vertically positioned in parallel, spaced relation to one another,
each of said panels including a plurality of vertical seams
therein, the vertical seams of one of said panels being interleaved
with the vertical seams of the second of said panels, the vertical
height of said panels including a predetermined excess portion at
the bottom thereof;
b. distributed load means for weighting said panels, said
distributed load means being coupled to each of said panels
intermediate said excess portion and the portion of said panels
adapted to be vertically positioned;
c. a plurality of vertical battens uniformly disposed along each of
said panels;
d. a plurality of horizontal battens uniformly disposed along each
of said panels, the lowermost of said horizontal battens being
adjacent the upper terminus of said vertical seams; and
e. release means for vertically positioning said panels upon the
activation of the foam fire extinguishing system, said release
means being coupled to said panels.
2. A restaining barrier as defined in claim 1 wherein said panels
comprise a scrim having horizontal and vertical meshed filaments,
said horizontal and vertical filaments having substantially uniform
center to center intervals.
3. A restraining barrier as defined in claim 2 wherein the interval
between adjacent pairs of horizontal and vertical filaments
respectively is in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 inches.
4. A restraining barrier as defined in claim 2 wherein said scrim
is fabricated of fiberglass.
5. A restraining barrier as defined in claim 1 wherein said
distributed load means comprises sand horizontally and uniformly
disposed along said panels.
6. A foam restraining barrier for use in the interior of structures
protected by foam fire extinguishing systems which include
generators to produce given volumes of fire extinguishing foam,
said foam restraining barrier comprising:
a. a pair of porous, non-combustible panels adaped to be vertically
positioned in parallel spaced relation to one another with the
interior of the structure to provide a circumscribed area about the
volume of foam, each of said panels including a plurality of
vertical seams therein, the vertical seams of one of said panels
being interleaved with the vertical seams in the second of said
panels, the vertical height of said panels including a
predetermined excess portion at the bottom of said panels, said
panels being laterally suspended intermediate vertical supports
defining the circumscribed area of the structure being protected by
the foam fire extinguishing system;
b. distributed load means for weighting said panels, distributed
load means being coupled to each of said panels intermediate said
excess portion and the portion of said panel adapted to be
vertically positioned;
c. a plurality of vertical battens uniformly disposed along each of
said panels;
d. a plurality of horizontal battens uniformly disposed along each
of said panels, the lowermost of said horizontal battens being
adjacent said vertical seams, said horizontal battens being
laterally extended from said panels and slidably coupled to said
vertical supports; and
e. release means for vertically positioning said panels upon the
activation of the foam fire extinguishing system, said release
means being coupled to said panels.
7. A foam restraining barrier as defined in claim 6 wherein each of
said panels comprises a scrim having horizontal and vertical meshed
filaments, adjacent pairs of said horizontal and vertical meshed
filaments respectively having substantialy uniform center to center
intervals.
8. A foam restraining barrier as defined in claim 7 wherein the
interval between adjacent pairs of horizontal and vertical
filaments respectively is in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 inches.
9. A foam restraining barrier as defined in claim 7 wherein said
scrim is fabricated from fiberglass.
10. A foam restraining barrier as defined in claim 6 wherein said
distributed load means comprises sand horizontally and uniformly
disposed along said panels.
11. A foam restraining barrier for use within the interior volume
of structures protected by foam fire extinguishing systems which
include foam generators which, upon activation, produce given
volumes of fire extinguishing foam, said foam restraining barriers
comprising:
a. a pair of non-combustible panels fabricated from a fiberglass
scrim having horizontal and vertical meshed filaments, adjacent
pairs of said horizontal and vertical meshed filaments respectively
having substantially uniform center to center intervals, said
panels being adapted to be vertically positioned in parallel spaced
relation to one another and in contact with the floor of the
structure being protected, each of said panels including a
plurality of vertical seams therein, the vertical seams of one of
said panels being interleaved with the vertical seams in the second
of said panels, the vertical height of each of said panels
including a predetermined excess portion to be disposed along the
floor of the structure;
b. sand weighted members uniformly disposed along and coupled to
each of said panels adjacent said excess portions and adapted to
contact the floor of the structure when said panels are vertically
positioned;
c. a plurality of vertical battens uniformly disposed along each of
said panels;
d. a plurality of horizontal battens uniformly disposed along each
of said panels, the lowermost of said horizontal battens being
adjacent said vertical seams, said horizontal battens being
laterally extended from each of said panels and slidably coupled to
said vertical supports; and
e. release means for vertically positioning said panels upon the
activation of the foam fire extinguishing system, said release
means being coupled to said panels.
12. A foam restraining barrier as defined in claim 11 wherein the
interval between adjacent pairs of horizontal and vertical
filaments respectively is in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 inches.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to high expansion foam fire
extinguishing systems and, more particularly, to associated
apparatus utilized to confine high expansion foam within open
structures.
2. Prior Art
The prior art discloses many devices which are generally
catagorized as high expansion foam fire extinguishing systems.
Typical of those foam fire extinguishing systems which the present
invention is adapted to be used in conjunction with are described
in Applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,592,269, 3,709,302 and 3,750,754.
The foam fire extinguishing systems disclosed in the patents issued
to Applicant typically utilize a pre-mixed solution of water and
high expansion foam concentrate. Upon the detection of the presence
of a fire, the solution of high expansion foam concentrate is
subjected to pressure which forces the mixture into a manifold
having a plurality of nozzles. The mixture emitted from the nozzles
is within a foam generator which includes a foam generating screen
disposed opposite the nozzles, the generator defining an open
orifice through which air is drawn. The foam is formed by a
combination of air and high expansion foam concentrate striking the
screen element of the generator. Although the scope of the present
invention is broad enough to permit its use with substantially all
types of high and low expansion foam generators used for fire
extinguishing systems, the present invention is preferably used
with those systems defined in Applicant's patents listed
hereinabove.
One of the problems inherent in foam fire extinguishing systems is
the inability to isolate the foam to the particular area which may
be involved in fires. Where a foam fire extinguishing system is
incorporated into a structure having a limited area, the problem of
dissipation of the foam is minimized. Since most foam fire
extinguishing systems can only produce a limited amount of foam,
the concentration of the generated foam becomes a critical
factor.
The present invention barrier adapts the use of foam fire
extinguishing systems to structures having large interior open
areas which have heretofore been able to utilize the advantages of
foam fire extinguishing systems. As an example, warehouses or large
airplane hangers typically enclose vast open spaces containing
goods or airplanes which are clearly more valuable than the
building itself. As stated, one of the problems inherent in foam
fire extinguishing systems is the inability to isolate the
generated foam to the area to be protected. One of the methods used
by the prior art to isolate generated foam within defined areas is
the use of doors or other rigid structural elements incorporated
within the building. Upon the detection and activation of the fire
extinguishing equipment, the doors or other like rigid structures
are dropped from the ceiling to thereby isolate the generated foam.
The problems inherent in this type of structures are obvious. The
use of doors or other rigid elements generally preclude the rapid
positioning of the members thereby essentially precluding the
ability to isolate the generated foam. In addition, use of rigid
structures precludes full use of the available floor space since no
goods, air frames, etc., can be located beneath the elements being
lowered. Another problem inherent in this method is that a rigid
structure would essentially rpeclude firemen or other person
working within the building to move freely from one section of the
building to another.
Other problems which exist in the structures defined by the prior
art deal with the unreasonable structural loads which would be
imposed upon the building. If a building is retrofit with doors or
other rigid foam enclosing elements, the weight of the element
itself can impose an unreasonable structural load upon the
building. In addition, the generation of foam can create what is in
effect a wind load upon the door or rigid barrier and this in turn
will impose heavy loads on the structure of the building. It is
clear that these problems create a danger to firemen or other
persons in the building during operation of the foam generating
equipment.
The present invention substantially resolves the problems which
exist in those structures disclosed by the prior art. The present
invention barrier utilizes a fiberglass or other non-combustible
barrier which is put into place upon the detection of a fire. The
non-combustible barrier is porous and is disposed in interleaved
sections which permits the inclusion of uniform seams or other
openings permitting firemen or other persons to move through the
barrier. The barrier has porous openings which are small enough to
preclude the loss of generated foam therethrough. In addition, the
present invention barrier prevents the build-up of pressure on the
barrier itself and on the building as a result of the created wind
load arising from the generated foam. The present invention barrier
is flexible so that it will drape around any object disposed
beneath the barrier and on the floor of the protected buidling and
still enclose any foam which is generated therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a flexible barrier to be used as
dividers within the buildings having large open spaces which are
protected from fire by foam fire extinguishing systems. The present
invention barrier is typically to be used with foam fire
extinguishing systems such as those described in Applicatnt's U.S.
Pat. Nos. 3,592,269, 3,709,302 and 3,750,754. The present invention
barrier is fabricated of a fiberglass scrim or other porous,
non-combustible material. The barrier is a pair of interleaved
members which are dropped from a level above the area to be
protected upon the detection of the fire and activation of the fire
extinguishing system. The barriers are weighted and are adapted to
drape around any object which may be disposed on the floor surface
beneath the barrier thereby maintaining the integrity of the
barrier to the foam being generated. Each interleaved barrier
comprises a number of panels having seams which are separated at
uniform intervals, the seams permitting access by firemen or other
persons working within the involved structure. The porous nature of
the barrier precludes the build-up of a wind load yet retains the
foam within the defined area. To provide stability to the
structure, horizontal and vertical supports couple the surface of
the barrier to the walls, ceiling or other stable portions of the
structure being protected. The barrier, after activation, provides
a porous structure which can retain the volvume of a foam being
generated even where structures, such as an airplane, may be
disposed below the barrier.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an
improved foam fire extinguishing system to be used in structures
having large unobstructed interior volumes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an
improved barrier for retaining the foam generated by foam fire
extinguishing systems.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an
enclosing barrier for a foam fire extinguishing system which can be
quickly and easily put in place upon the detection of a fire.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide
an enclosing barrier for a foam fire extinguishing system which is
inexpensive and simple to fabricate.
The novel features which ae belived to be characteristic of the
invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,
together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be
better understood from the following description considered in
connection with the accompanying drawing in which a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of
example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the
drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description only and
is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an interior volume of an open
structure illustrating a foam fire extinguishing system to be used
with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, schematic view of a barrier element
constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a barrier mounted in accordance
with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view illustrating the present invention
barrier draped about an object disposed along the plane of the
present invention barrier.
FIG. 6 is a side elevation, schematic view of the present invention
barrier disposed in the dropped position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An understanding of a foam fire extinguishing system usable with
the present invention can be best gained by reference to FIG. 1.
Structure 10 represents those classes of structures which include
large interior open spaces such as warehouses and airplane hangars.
As shown in FIG. 1, object 11 represents goods or other like
articles which are stored or otherwise within structure 10, in this
case, object 11 being disposed upon floor surface 12. Foam
generators 13 and 14 are disposed about the walls and upper
elevations of structure 10 to be in position for the generation of
foam upon the detection of a fire.
The present invention is usable with substantially all types of
foam generating systems and in particular to those foam fire
extinguishing systems described in Applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,592,269, 3,709,302 and 3,750,754. For the purpose of example
only, this discussion assumes that foam generators 13 and 14 are
the same as those described in Applicant's U.s. Pat. No. 3,709,302.
A premixed solution of high expansion foam concentrate and water is
pressurized and is ready for activation upon the detection of a
fire. When a fire is detected, the acqueous solution of high
expansion foam concentrate is input a line 15 and passes through
manifold 16 of each of the generators 13 and 14. Each generator 13
and 14 as shown in FIG. 1 is constructed of a top wall 16, bottom
wall 17, rear wall 18 and a pair of side walls 19 and 20 as well as
the generating screen 21. The form of the generators designated by
reference numerals 13 and 14 utilize a generating screen 21 which
is parallel to floor surface 12, but as explained this form of the
high expansion foam fire extinguishing generator is for the purpose
of example only.
A conical output 22 of foam concentrate and air contact screen 21
with the resulting generation of large quantities of foam 22. In
the form of the generators disclosed in Applicant's U.S. Pat.
described hereinabove, no auxiliary source of air is required, air
being drawn through orifice 24 by the partial vacuum created by the
conical output 22 of foam concentrate. Each of the generators 13
and 14 shown in FIG. 1 have a plurality of output nozzles. As an
example, where generators 13 and 14 utilize a set of eleven foam
emitting nozzles, 1,500 standard cubic feet per minute of foam can
be generated utilizing a solution delivery rate of 19 gallons per
minute at a pressure of 35 psi. The foam 23 which is generated by
exemplary generators 13 and 14 is sufficient to smother a fire
which may have involved object 11.
As stated previously, an object of the present invention is to
provide a usable medium which will permit foam fire extinguishing
systems to be utilized in structures which do not have sufficiently
closed vertical barriers for containing foam 23. In the example
described in connection wth FIG. 1, it can be seen that the
quantity of foam 23 produced by generators 13 and 14 is maintained
about the vicinity of object 11 only by the vertical confines of
structure 10. It can therefore be seen that a primary object of the
present invention is to permit the confinement of the quantities 23
of foam even where permanent vertical walls of a structure are not
sufficiently close to the objects being protected to permit
concentration of the foam and thereby facilitate extinguishing the
fire.
As stated previously, the structures utilized by prior art systems
to confine foam generated by a foam fire extinguishing system were
insufficient to meet the objectives of the present invention. The
structures generally included doors or other rigid elements which
could not be lowered sufficiently fast to confine the foam. The
non-porous nature of the barriers put large structural stresses on
the building from the created wind load, and the rigid barriers
could not be used where an object was placed on the floor surface
under the confining barrier. An understanding of the manner in
which the present invention barrier resolves these problems can be
best seen by reference to FIG. 2 wherein an enlarged view of a
barrier made in accordance with the present invention is shown.
FIG. 2 pictorially illustrates the bubbles 30 which make up the
quantity of foam 23 shown in FIG. 1. The generation of the foam
creates a wind load which would naturally create large structural
stresses on a non-porous barrier. The present invention barrier
utilizes a scrim 31 which is fabricated from a meshed,
non-combustible material. Since one of the objects of the present
invention is to provide a barrier which will drape around an
object, weight is a material consideration. Although the scope of
the present invention is broad enough to encompass the use of a
number of materials, the preferred embodiments of the present
invention utilizes a scrim 31 fabricated from fiberglass and coated
with a conventional non-combustible coating.
In order to meet the objectives of the present invention, scrim 31
comprises a close knit mesh of horizontal and vertical filaments 32
and 33 respectively. Scrim 31 must be porous enough to dissipate
the created wind load yet maintain the integrity of the quantity of
foam generated. Utilizing a glass cloth scrim 31 fabricated from
filaments 32 and 33 having a diameter of approximately 0.05 inches,
the center to center interval 34 and 35 between adjacent filaments
32 and 33 respectively should be approximately 0.25 inches. To
compromise the objectives set for the present invention, i.e.,
elimination of structural loads on the building and the ability to
retain the created bubbles 30 within the confined area, the center
to center intervals 34 and 35 can generally be within a ragne of
0.2 to 0.4 inches.
An understanding of the use of the present invention barrier can be
best gained by reference to FIG. 3 wherein an isometric view of the
present invention barrier in the activated position is shown. The
total barrier used to contain generated foam comprises first and
second panels 40 and 41 respectively. Each panel 40 and 41 is
fabricated of the porous, non-combustible scrim shown in FIG. 2.
Each panel 40 and 41 depends from upper support 42. Upper support
42 need not be disposed at the top of the structure being
protected, but need only be high enough to insure that the foam
which is contained by the present invention barrier will reach a
height which is higher than the objects which are being protected.
A plurality of chains 43a and 43b or other non-combustible lines
support panels 40 and 41 respectively. Each panel 40 and 41 is
strengthened by horizontal and vertical stiffening members 44 and
45 respectively which can be fabricatd of any suitable
non-combustible batten, chain or like member. As stated previously,
one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a barrier
which will insure that firemen or other personnel working in the
involved structure can move through the barrier. To fulfill this
objective, the bottom portion of panels 40 and 41 include open
seams 46a and 46b respectively which are uniformly disposed along
the panels 40 and 41 to provide for access by emergency personnel.
A totally open seam would permit unwanted passage of the foam
through panels 40 and 41 and therefore the seams 46a and 46b of
panels 40 and 41 are interleaved to insure that the solid portion
of one panel is aligned with a seam 46a or 46b of the other
panel.
To provide an effective barrier which meets the stated objectives,
the widths and height of panels 40 and 41 must contain a sufficient
amount of material to permit draping of panels 40 and 41 about any
object which may be disposed under panels 40 and 41. As can be seen
in FIG. 3, the bottom portion 47a and 47b of panels 40 and 41
respectively fall in excess folds along the floor surface. The
illustration shown in FIG. 3 presents no object which is under
panels 40 and 41 and therefore the draped excess is merely piled
along the floor surface. The required vertical draping will be
discussed in detail hereinbelow.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a side elevation view of the dropped
panels 40 and 41 is shown requiring the draping about an object 50.
Support lines 43a and 43b secure the upper extremities of panels 40
and 41 to support 42. As was shown in FIG. 3, horizontal and
vertical battens 44 and 45 respectively provide rigidity to panel
40. The edges of panels 40 and 41 are slidably coupled to vertical
supports 51 and 52 by slip rings 53. Slip rings 53 insure that
panel 40 can be raised and lowered while maintaining the proper
orientation of panels 40 and 41. The lower portions of panels 40
and 41 have open seams 46a and 46b to permit passage through the
panels after they have been put in the lowered positions as shown
in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. From FIG. 4 it is clear that panels 40 and 41
must be capable of draping around object 50 when it is in the lower
position to restrain the outflow of the generated foam. The excess
material 47 is loosly piled upon the surface of the floor 12 where
it is not in contact with any object 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the
excess material 47 permits panels 40 and 41 to drape around object
50 without the presence of any unreasonably large apertures or
openings through which foam can escape. The height of the panel is
contingent on the height of the structure being protected as well
as the objects which may be positioned beneath the present
invention barrier. The height should always be selected such that
excess portion 47 is at least ten feet in excess of the vertical
height of panels 40 and 41.
The ability to store the present invention foam barrier and
position same upon the detection of a fire can be best seen by
reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Vertical supports 43 suspend panel
40 (or 41) from upper support 42. When the present invention
barrier is in the lowered position as shown in FIG. 6, the upper
terminus 60 of panel 40 uniformly distributes the suspension of
panel 40 from the vertical supports 43. In order to properly allow
panel 40 to drop, a distributable load 61 is provided at the lower
end of panel 40. Although the scope of the present invention is
broad enough to utilize most materials which exhibit the preferred
characteristics, namely, liquids, the preferred embodiment of the
present invention utilizes sand to implement load 61. In this
manner, a human being or object beneath panel 40 at the time it is
activated will be contacted only by a member which has minimal
resistance to a shearing force and therefore by an object which
will produce less injury than would be produced by a rigid object.
In addition, the use of sand 61 will permit panel 40 to form a good
seal around whatever object was disposed beneath the panel prior to
its being activated. Excess portion 47 of panel 40 will be disposed
upon the floor surface 12 of the structure being protected, the
excess portion 47 being weighted down by the distributed sand
61.
In order to activate the present invention barrier, the upper
portion of panel 40 can be used as a shroud and connected to a
release apparatus 62 by a plurality of lines 63. As an alternative
form, a pivotable shelf or other like support can be used. The foam
fire extinguishing system described in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No.
3,592,269 utilizes a conventional heat detector to sense the
presence of a fire. When the sensor detects the presence of a fire,
it energizes a relay pack which produces an electrical signal to
the valve-pressure regulators of the foam fire extinguishing
systems. In a like manner, release apparatus 62 can be suitably
connected to the heat detection sensor utilized by the fire
extinguishing system to release line 63 thereby permitting panel 40
(and 41) to fall to the floor surface at a speed which is quick
enough to insure that generated foam will not be dissipated
throughout the opening stances of the building being protected. The
scope of the present invention is broad enough to utilize any
conventional releasing apparatus which can be activated upon the
detection of a fire, the specific choice being known to persons
having skill in the art.
It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides means
whereby foam fire extinguishing systems can be effectively utilized
within structures having large interior volumes. Through the use of
the porous barriers described hereinabove, the foam fire
extinguishing systems can be employed within the confines of the
barriers irrespective of the placement of airplanes, cargo or other
stored objects. The use of the interleaved pair of non-combustible
panels described insures that damage to objects within the building
will be kept at a minimum and permit fire personnel and other
persons to move through the building in order to put out the fire
as soon as possible. By providing a light weight, easily positioned
barrier circumscribing the foam generated by the fire extinguishing
equipment, the protection of warehouses, airplane hangars and other
like structures is facilitated without endangering the structural
integrity of the building.
* * * * *