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(11) | EP 1 192 973 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 158(3) EPC |
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| (54) | USMANOV'S PROTECTION ENCLOSURE |
| (57) The invention relates to the fire-prevention equipment and may used as a means of
protection of fire-brigade personnel as well as for persons involved in emergency
and reconstruction works during the fires at oil and gas gushers, timber warehouses,
oil and lubricant product warehouses, inflammable liquids, and industrial and residential
buildings, etc. The objective of this invention is a designing of efficient and mobile apparatus for the protection of people from the hazardous factors of fire, i.e. the flows of heat and visible spectrum radiation, convective gas flows and noise incoming from all sides; all-side bombarding by flammable substances in case when there is an eruption of fire products. The protecting cover consists of the system of protecting screens for protecting the people from hazardous fire factors for the life and health of people: the flows of heat and visible spectrum radiation, convective gas flows and noise, all-side bombarding by flammable substances in case when there is an eruption of fire products. The cover is designed in the form of a corridor, where liquid is supplied to the walls and the ceiling of the corridor. |
[0001] The invention relates to the fire prevention equipment and may used as:
1) a means of protection of fire-brigade personnel as well as for persons involved in emergency and reconstruction works during the fires at oil. and gas gushers, timber warehouses, oil and lubricant product warehouses, inflammable liquids, and industrial and residential buildings, etc.
2) a means for emergency evacuation from fire sites;
3) a steady-state construction of industrial or any other purposes.
[0002] There exists a protecting cover designed in the form of a frame of communicating tubes placed both horizontally and vertically. There are openings on the surface of tubes. The metal nets are attached to the both sides of the frame at some interval between them. The water basin is connected with the frame by means of the communicating tubes [1].
[0003] The disadvantage of this apparatus is its low efficiency caused by:
1) This is a vertical screen, which protects only from frontal heat flows and be placed perpendicular to the vector of heat expansion. It does not provide protection at large fires from radiation that may come from any sides; from fire products in cases when there is an explosion of flammable substances (that most of the time entails the death of people), as well as from the hazardous effect of noise. The noise at large oil and gas gusher fires may reach the levels dangerous for people's lives and health.
2) At any existing pressure water runs out of the tube openings only in the form of a stream and do not disintegrate into fine drops by itself. As a result a drop-water medium is not formed in the space between the two nets as was expected in this apparatus.
[0004] The objective of this invention is a designing of efficient and mobile apparatus for the protection of people from:
- the flows of heat and visible spectrum radiation incoming from all sides;
- all-side bombarding by flammable substances in case when there is an eruption of fire products;
- hazardous effect of noise.
[0005] This objective is achieved by the following design. The protecting cover consists of at least one module (in the form of a corridor) comprised of walls and a ceiling. Each of the walls and the ceiling are made of two parallel planes equipped by a system of communicating tubes with openings, in parallel to these planes; the openings are equipped with sprayers, which spray the cooling liquid into the space between the parallel planes.
[0006] The floor of the corridor is also made of a parallel planes and system of communicating tubes. The tube system is placed on the internal surface of the corridor. The system of tubes is placed on the external surface of the corridor. The system of tubes is placed in the space between the planes. The planes, at least one of them, are made in the form wattled or perforated or punched nets. The nets of the frame are made of powder metallurgy products. The nets of the frame are made of fireproof plastic. The nets of the frame are made of copper. The nets of the frame are made of brass. The nets of the frame are made of iron (steel). The nets of the frame are made of materials covered by a metal film. The nets of the frame are made of materials covered by a metal film with a high reflective capacity. The nets of the frame are made of galvanised steel wires. The nets are made from a wire with diameter 0.1-3.0 mm. The size of a net cell may vary from 0,1-3,0 mm. The gap between the frame and the nets is 1-200 mm. The diameter and material of the wire, the size of the external net cell, as well as the net itself (wattled or perforated) are chosen exceeding those of the internal net.
[0007] The butt ends (lateral facets) of the protecting planes are equipped with locks that connect these planes into modules and further connects these modules with one another. Each module is equipped by a device for attaching the module to the mechanism used for its transportation (e.g. a crane.
[0009] The essence of this invention lies in the fact that the proposed construction allows to create favourable conditions for the emergency workers and firemen to work in the immediate proximity to fire core thanks to following:
1) In the space between the nets of the walls, ceilings, floors there forms a vapour-drop-air medium from the sprinkled liquid drops. Under the heat radiation impact, the sprinkled liquid drops start to evaporate both on their way to the nets and at the contact with the nets; liquid film on the nets (at least on the internal nets planes) also evaporates. These processes absorb the part of the heat flow falling on the nets and on the vapour-drop-air medium;
2) There is the reflection of the heat radiation and convective gas flows: from the nets, from the liquid film on the nets, from vapour-drop-air medium;
3) The external noise is reduced by the vapour-drop-air medium and liquid film on the nets;
4) When each of the corridor walls is made of more than two nets, a combined application of cooling liquid may be used: in the spaces between the first and second nets the liquid is sprayed by means of sprayers, whereas in the space between the second and third nets the liquid is supplied in the form of an air-mechanical and chemical foam.
[0010] Thus, the degree of penetration inside the protecting corridor of hazardous fire factors: i.e. infrared and light spectrum of electro-magnetic radiation, convective gas flows and noise impact decreases.
[0012] The sizes of the module are chosen to ensure that it can be moved manually or by means of mechanisms when regulating the cover's length.
[0013] Each consecutive module, when assembled with the end of corridor by means of connecting devices, is connected to the system of water supply. Thus, each protecting plane (be it a wall, ceiling or floor) is turned into fireproof screen which reflects and partly absorbs the hazardous fire factors, and which consists of parallel nets forming vapour-drop-air medium in the space between the nets.
[0014] The invention is explained by the drawings. Fig.1 shows the general view of one of the options of the protecting cover. Fig. 2 shows the general view of the wall. Fig.3 shows the cross-section of the wall. Fig.4 shows the wheeled option of the cover.
[0015] The protecting cover consists of a module 1 (in the form of a corridor), walls 2 and a ceiling 3 that are designed in the form of the parallel nets 4,5; the gap between the nets varies 0.3 -30 cm. In parallel to the net planes 4,5 there is a system of communicating tubes 6 with the openings 7, which are equipped with sprayers 8. The sprayers are situated in a way that allows the sprinkling liquid (water, water with surface-active substances, etc.) to form a vapour-drop-air medium in the space 9 between the nets.
[0016] The system of communicating tubes 6 may be placed in the internal surface of the corridor (Fig. 1,2) or on the external surface of the corridor (Fig.4), or in the space between the nets (Fig.3); the nets 4 and 5 may be made of metal, e.g. stainless steel or galvanised steel, copper, brass, fireproof plastic, powder metallurgy products, etc. The nets 4,5 may be made wattled, perforated or punched.
[0017] The wattled nets 4,5 may be made of wire with the diameter varying 0,1 - 3,0 mm. and with the net cells varying 0.1 -3.0 mm.
[0018] The size of the net cells, diameter and the material of the wire is chosen to ensure that the cooling liquid film is formed on the internal net 4 (possibly on the external net 5) when the liquid is sprinkled into the space between the nets. In our experiments a brass (or copper) wire with diameter of 0,2 mm; the cell size was 0,5*0,5 mm for the internal net were used. With the aim of increasing the resistance of the net to the mechanical tension, the chosen diameter and the size of the cells of the external net 5 may exceed the diameter and the cell size of the internal net 4.
[0019] When perforated or punched nets are used the net cell size and the distance between the cells of the external net 5 may exceed the corresponding parameters of the internal net 4.
[0020] On the butt-ends 10 of the modules 1 there attached locks 11, which allow to connect the modules to one another. Simultaneously, the system of tubes 6 of these modules are connected to one another as well as to e.g. fire hydrant (not shown on the drawing).
[0021] If need be, the module 1 may be equipped with floor 12 of the same construction as the walls 2 and the ceiling 3.
[0022] With the aim of facilitating the transportation of the module, it may be placed on the flat-car 13 with wheels 14. With the aim of rapid penetration inside the burning constructions, the modules are made telescopic.
[0023] The protecting cover functions as follows. The system of tubes of the module 1 is connected to the fire hydrant (fire engine, fire pumps at the water basin) by means of a fire hose and this protecting cover is placed towards the fire core. The cooling liquid through the system of tubes 6 goes to the sprayers 8 and is sprayed into the space 9 between the nets. As a result a vapour-drop-air medium is formed in the space between the nets, a water film is formed on the nets. All this creates the conditions conducive to the diminishing the penetration inside the cover by hazardous fire factors. If need be, the first module 1 is connected to the next module by means of locks 11, and so forth, in order to achieve the required length of the cover.
[0024] Under the most dangerous conditions, an air is supplied from the location of the main site of the fire-fighting unit inside the protecting cover by means of an air compressor or a fan. From the opposite end of the protecting cover, which comes into the fire core, a frontal protecting wall is erected. This frontal wall may have openings for the entrance and exit of people as well as for the fire extinguishing.
Bibliography:
1. The protecting cover, consisting of at least too parallel planes and the system of
tubes with openings, whose distinguishing feature is that the cover is made in the
form of at lest one module (in the form of a corridor), the walls and the ceiling
of which are made in the form of parallel planes, at least one of which is made in
the from of a net, a system of communicating tubes with openings is placed in parallel
to these planes, whereas the openings of the tubes are equipped by sprayers, directed
into the space between the planes.
2. The cover as claimed in claim 1, whose distinguishing feature is that the corridor
floor is made in the form of parallel planes and the system of communicating tubes.
3. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the system
of tubes is placed on the internal surface of the corridor.
4. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the system
of tubes is placed on the external surface of the corridor.
5. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the system
of tubes is placed in the space between the surfaces.
6. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the planes
are made in the form of internal and external, wattled, perforated or punched nets.
7. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are made of copper.
8. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are made of brass.
9. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are made of galvanised steel.
10. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are made of stainless steel.
11. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are made of the metal-coated material with high reflective capacity.
12. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are made of fireproof plastic.
13. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are made of powder metallurgy products.
14. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2,6-13, whose distinguishing feature is that the
nets are made from a wire with diameter 0.1-3.0 mm.
15. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2,6-13, whose distinguishing feature is that the
size of the net cells varies 0.1*0.1 - 3.0*3.0 mm.
16. The cover as claimed in claims 1,6, whose distinguishing feature is that the diameter
of the wire, the size of the external net cells may exceed the corresponding parameters
of the internal net.
17. The cover as claimed in claims 1,6, whose distinguishing feature is that the distance
between the net cells of the external net exceeds the corresponding parameters of
the internal net.
18. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are placed at the interval 0,3-30 cm from each other.
19. The cover as claimed in claim 1, whose distinguishing feature is that the locks are
attached to the butt-end of the corridor, which connect the modules with each other.
20. The cover as claimed in claim 1, whose distinguishing feature is that it is placed
on the wheeled flat-car.
21. The cover as claimed in claim 1, whose distinguishing feature is that the modules
are made telescopic.
Amended claims under Art. 19.1 PCT
1. The pretecting cover, consisting of at least too parallel surfaces and the system
of tubes with openings, whose distinguishing feature is that the cover is made in
the form of at least one module, the walls and the ceiling of which are made in the
form of parallel surfaces; parallel of which is placed system of communicating tubes,
whereas the openings of the tubes are equipped by sprayers, directed into the space
between the surfaces.
2. The cover as claimed in claim 1, whose distinguishing feature is that the module
floor is made in the form of parallel surfaces and the system of communicating tubes.
3. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the system
of tubes is placed on the internal surface of the module.
4. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the system
of tubes is placed on the external surface of the module.
5. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the system
of tubes is placed in the space between the surfaces.
6. The cover as claimed in claims 1,2, whose distinguishing feature is that the surfaces
are made in the form of wattled, perforated or punched nets.
7. The cover as claimed in claims 1,6, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are made of copper.
9. The cover as claimed in claims 1,6, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are made of galvanised steel.
11. The cover as claimed in claims 1,6, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are made of the metal-coated material with high reflective capacity.
12. The cover as claimed in claims 1,6, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are made of fireproof plastic.
13. The cover as claimed in claims 1,6, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are made of powder metallurgy products.
16. The cover as claimed in claims 1,6, whose distinguishing feature is that the diameter
of the wire, the size of the external net cells may exceed the corresponding parameters
of the internal net.
17. The cover as claimed in claims 1,6, whose distinguishing feature is that the distance
between the net cells of the external net may exceeds the corresponding parameters
of the internal net.
18. The cover as claimed in claims 1,6, whose distinguishing feature is that the nets
are placed at the interval 0,3-30 cm from each other.
19. The cover as claimed in claim 1, whose distinguishing feature is that the locks are
attached to the butt-end of the protecting surfaces, which connect them with each
other.
21. The cover as claimed in claim 1, whose distinguishing feature is that the modules
are made telescopic.
22. The cover as claimed in claim 1, whose distinguishing feature is that in the walls
or the ceiling of the protecting cover there is at least one opening for the purposes
of fire extinguishing and/or emergency works.
Statement under Art. 19.1 PCT
1. Claims 8, 10, 14, 15 have been removed, since in these claims the known materials used for the production of metal nets were given as well as the diameters of wires that is widely used in the production of nets and claim 20 as negligible.
2. A new dependent claim was introduced based on the description of the sheet 3, last paragraph , as follows:
"22. The cover as claimed in claim 1, whose distinguishing feature is that in the walls or the ceiling of the protecting cover there is at least one opening for the purposes of fire extinguishing and/or emergency works."
3. The notion of "corridor " has been removed, claims 1,2, 3, 4, since this notion is the same as the notion of "module".
4. In claim 19 the notion of "corridor" has been changed to that of "surfaces", since in the initial description an error was made. Since we propose a construction constituted of different parts, it is evident that the assembly of all elementary surfaces (walls, ceiling, floor and the modules themselves) is better made by means of unified locks.