Abstract:
A portable, inexpensive, and easily installed fire protection sprinkler system for protection of objects against encroaching outdoor fires is provided. The system comprises a flexible hose to which is attached two pipes. Sprinkler heads are mounted to the ends of the two pipes, and a water hose is attached to one of the pipes. The flexible hose allows the pipes to be placed at angles to each other as would be necessary, for example, if the sprinkler system is placed over a peaked roof.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to fire protection sprinkler systems and in particular to sprinkler systems used to protect structures and other objects from forest fires and other outdoor fires.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The threat of forest fires and other fires destroying structures and other objects has existed for a long period of time. However, as urban density has increased, as urban developments have reached further into forests, and as commercial enterprises such as logging, oil and gas exploration, etc. have moved further into the wilderness, the protection of homes, sheds, bridges, wood piles and other objects against forest fires, wildfires, and other outdoor fires has become increasingly important.  
         [0003]     One method of protecting such objects against outdoor fires is to spray the object, and in particular the top surface thereof (typically the roof) with water. The spray of water resists fire ignition by cooling the object, and by wetting it. At present, there are two systems commonly used for spraying such objects.  
         [0004]     In the first system, an impulse-type sprinkler (for example those sold under the trade-mark RAINBIRD) is affixed to a post, which is in turn affixed to the eaves of the roof. A hose is then connected to the sprinkler and to a water source. The water source may be a municipal water system, or more commonly if the structure is in a rural area, a pump drawing water from a pond, lagoon or lake.  
         [0005]     There are many problems with such a system. First, the system is not structurally stable. Owing to the action of the impulse-type sprinkler, the sprinkler vibrates when the sprinkler operates, which vibrations are carried through to the post. The vibration of the post in turn tends to work the post loose from the eaves of the roof of the building resulting in failure. Second, impulse-type sprinklers typically have small spray orifices. Because the water being used for spraying is often drawn from a pond, lagoon or lake, particulate matter can easily clog the orifices of the sprinkler again resulting in failure, or at least compromised performance. Third, because the post must be affixed to the eaves of the roof, the system is not easily portable. Fourth, affixing the post to the eaves of the roof can result in undesirable damage to the roof, whether structurally, aesthetically or both. Fifth, because the sprinkler is affixed at the edge of the roof, full spray coverage of the roof is difficult. Sixth, installation of the system can be challenging and dangerous. Affixing the post to the roof will typically require the use of a ladder and the possible awkward handling of the post and sprinkler. This is a particularly important disadvantage to many contractors since in many jurisdictions, employees who are required to use ladders in the performance of their jobs must have undergone ladder training. Finally, where the roof is pitched it is necessary for the angle at which the sprinkler is mounted to be adjusted so as to increase coverage.  
         [0006]     The second system is very similar to the first system except that pop-up style garden sprinklers are affixed directly to the eaves of the roof without the use of a post. This system presents almost all of the same problems as the first system except this system is even less portable and more difficult to install and maintain since a greater number of sprinklers will typically be required.  
         [0007]     There is therefore a need for a fire protection sprinkler system which alleviates one or more of the above problems.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention provides a simple, easy to install and effective sprinkler system for spraying structures and other objects with water to help protect them against outdoor fires.  
         [0009]     In a broad aspect, the present invention provides a fire-protection sprinkler system for protecting an object against outdoor fires, said sprinkler system comprising: a first flexible hose having a first end and a second end; a first and a second fluid-conducting pipe, each having a first end and a second end, said first ends of said first and second pipes attached to, and in fluid connection with, the first and second ends of said first flexible hose respectively; a first and a second sprinkler head mounted on, and in fluid connection with, the second ends of said first and second pipes respectively, each of said first and second sprinkler heads having a spray axis; lateral stabilizers mounted on the sprinkler system for stabilizing the sprinkler system; and a pressurizable fire-suppression fluid source connected to the sprinkler system, and in fluid connection therewith, wherein the first flexible hose allows the first and second pipes to be positioned on the object at any of a plurality of angles to each other, the lateral stabilizers and the first and second pipes assist in maintaining the first and second sprinkler heads in position during operation, and upon pressurizing the fluid source, the fire-suppression fluid travels through the sprinkler system to the first and second sprinkler heads, which spray the fire-suppression fluid onto the object.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a sprinkler system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a right end view of the sprinkler system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a sprinkler system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a sprinkler system in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     A preferred embodiment of the sprinkler system of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and is described below in the context of an application in which the system is mounted on the roof of a building.  
         [0016]     The basic features of the preferred embodiment sprinkler system  10  include a first and a second sprinkler head  12   a ,  12   b  affixed to a first and a second pipe  14   a ,  14   b , which first and second pipes  14   a ,  14   b  are connected by a flexible hose  16 .  
         [0017]     The first and second sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b  are, in the preferred embodiment, butterfly type sprinkler heads sold for example under the trade-mark WIZ HEAD. Such butterfly type sprinkler heads are used in this preferred embodiment because they provide a uniform application of fluid which is more effective in cooling and wetting the roof of the building than are other types of sprinklers. Such sprinkler heads also have larger spray orifices reducing clogging which can result from the use of sprinkler heads having smaller spray orifices.  
         [0018]     The first sprinkler head  12   a  is screw-mounted to an elbow joint  18  which is welded to one end of the first pipe  14   a.  The second sprinkler head  12   b  is screw-mounted to a stem opening of a t-junction  20  which also has two arm openings, one of the arm openings being welded to one end of the second pipe  14   b.    
         [0019]     The other ends of the first and second pipes  14   a ,  14   b  are pressure-fitted to either ends of the flexible hose  16 . The first sprinkler head  12   a , the elbow joint  18 , the first pipe  14   a , the flexible hose  16 , the second pipe  14   b , the t-junction  20  and the second sprinkler head  12   b  are all in fluid-connection with one another allowing the flow of fluid therebetween.  
         [0020]     In this preferred embodiment, the elbow joint  18 , the t-junction  20 , and the first and second pipes  14   a ,  14   b  are constructed of a metal known in the industry as “black pipe”, an iron-based metal which is resistive to corrosion and is easily welded. The pipes  14   a ,  14   b  are approximately 3 feet in length and are of ½″ piping while the flexible hose  16  is a compression hose approximately 5 feet in length and of ½″ inner diameter.  
         [0021]     Each of the elbow joint  18  and the t-junction  20  have welded thereto a stabilizing base  24  having arms extending perpendicularly to both the pipes  14   a ,  14   b  and the sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b , as shown in  FIG. 2 . These stabilizing bases  24  act as lateral stabilizers so as to keep the sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b  upright during deployment and operation.  
         [0022]     The second arm opening of the t-junction  20  has a fitting  22  connectable to a water-source hose (not shown). The water-source hose is connected to a water source, whether a municipal water system, a pump drawing water from a lake, or any other water source capable of providing water at pressure through the water-source hose.  
         [0023]     A manner in which the above-described preferred embodiment sprinkler system  10  may be used will now be described.  
         [0024]     The preferred embodiment sprinkler system  10  may be deployed on the roof of the building on a permanent basis, or on a temporary basis when the risk of fire is high, for example where a forest fire is approaching the building.  
         [0025]     Deployment of the sprinkler system  10  of the preferred embodiment may be performed using either of two methods.  
         [0026]     First, the sprinkler system  10  may be carried up on to the roof using a ladder or other ascension device and placed onto the roof. The sprinkler system  10  is preferably positioned such that the sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b  provide the greatest coverage to the roof, or at least to the portion of the roof where greatest fire protection is desired. On a typical single-peaked roof, the sprinkler system  10  is positioned with the flexible hose  16  draped over the peak of the roof with the two pipes  14   a ,  14   b  extending down either side from the peak. The sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b  are thereby positioned at some point, preferably halfway down each side of the peak. The combined effects of the pipes  14   a ,  14   b , and the stabilizing bases  24  maintain the sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b  perpendicular to a local surface of the roof, namely that surface immediately surrounding the relevant sprinkler head, thereby providing the greatest possible coverage to the roof. The flexibility of the flexible hose  16  allows the sprinkler system  10  to be placed on roofs of varying shapes including those having high-angle peaks, low-angle peaks, or on flat roofs.  
         [0027]     The water-source hose is then connected to the fitting  22  of the t-junction  20  by any of a number of known means including screw-mounting. Once water pressure in the water-source hose is provided, water travels through the t-junction  20  to the second sprinkler head  12   b , and through the t-junction  20 , second pipe  14   b , flexible hose  16 , first pipe  14   a  and elbow joint  18  to the first sprinkler head  12   a.  The sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b  then begin spraying water onto the roof. Preferably a uniform spray is provided by the sprinkler, thereby maximizing the cooling and wetting effect of the spray to optimize the fire-retardant effect thereof.  
         [0028]     The second method of deploying the sprinkler system  10  of the preferred embodiment is to first throw an end of a rope over the roof from a first side of the building to the other side such that the rope will be approximately in line with the desired final orientation of the sprinkler system  10 . The end of the rope is then tied to the first sprinkler head  12   a , the elbow joint  18  or the first pipe  14   a , and a water-source hose is connected to the fitting  22  of the t-junction  20 . The rope is then pulled from the first side of the building thereby drawing the sprinkler system  10  up to the roof, and then on to the roof. The rope continues to be pulled until the sprinkler system  10  is in its desired position. Adjustments may be made to the position or orientation of the sprinkler system  10  by pulling on the rope and/or the water-source hose from the ground. The advantage of this method is that there is no necessity for personnel installing the sprinkler system  10  to climb ladders or to otherwise mount the roof of the building.  
         [0029]     Optionally, if greater coverage of the roof is desired, additional lengths of pipe may be connected to the sprinkler system with additional sprinkler heads attached thereto. Two possible configurations are illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  which provide top views of a second and third embodiment of the sprinkler system of the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , additional lengths of pipe  14   c  and  14   d  are provided extending from, and colinear with, the first and second pipes  14   a  and  14   b , with additional sprinkler heads  12   c  and  12   d  provided at their ends. Such a configuration allows greater coverage over a very wide roof. In  FIG. 4 , four additional pipes  14   e ,  14   f ,  14   g ,  14   h  are provided extending from, and perpendicular to, the first and second pipes  14   a  and  14   b , with additional sprinkler heads  12   e ,  12   f ,  12   g ,  12   h  provided at their ends. Such a configuration allows greater coverage over a very long roof.  
         [0030]     Additionally, greater coverage by the sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b  may be achieved by inserting a riser (not shown) between the first sprinkler head  12   a  and the elbow joint  18 , and between the second sprinkler head  12   b  and the t-junction  20 . Such risers allow the sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b  to be positioned further away from the roof, thereby increasing the range of the sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b  and also resulting in a more uniform spray falling on to the roof. In one example, a 4-inch riser may be used.  
         [0031]     Although the sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b  in the preferred embodiment have been described as being butterfly-style, it is to be understood that other types of sprinkler heads may be used within the broad scope of the invention, for example impulse-type, pop-up type, spot type or oscillating.  
         [0032]     Although the elbow joint  18 , the t-junction  20  and the first and second pipes  14   a ,  14   b  have been described in the preferred embodiment as being made of black pipe, it is to be understood that these elements may be made of other materials within the broad scope of the invention, PVC, aluminum, galvanized steel or stainless steel for example.  
         [0033]     Although the sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b  have been described as being connected to the elbow joint  18  and the t-junction  20  through screw-threading in the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that these connections may be made through other means within the broad scope of the invention, glue, clamping, or pressure-fitting for example. Further, although the pipes  14   a ,  14   b , the elbow joint  18 , the t-junction  20  and the bases  24  are described as being connected by welding in the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that these connections may be made through other means within the broad scope of the invention, screw-threading, glue, clamping or pressure-fitting for example, as appropriate. Alternatively, two or more of these elements may be integral with each other. Additionally, although the flexible hose  16  is described as being connected to the pipes  14   a ,  14   b  by a pressure-fitting in the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that these connections may be made through other means within the broad scope of the invention, screw-threading, glue, welding or clamping for example.  
         [0034]     Although the dimensions of the pipes  14   a ,  14   b  and flexible hose  16  have been provided in describing the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that pipes and hoses of other dimensions may be used within the broad scope of this invention. Appropriate dimensions to be used in a particular application will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art dependent upon the size and shape of the roof, volume and pressure of water to be sprayed, etc.  
         [0035]     Although the preferred embodiment sprinkler system has been described as being used on the roof of a building, it is to be understood that the invention may be used to protect other objects and structures against outdoor fires, bridges and lumber piles for example.  
         [0036]     Although the preferred embodiment sprinkler system has been described with the water-source hose being connected to the t-junction  20 , it is to be understood that the water-source hose may be connected to other points in the sprinkler system, the pipes  14   a ,  14   b , or the flexible hose  16  for example, by means of appropriate connections.  
         [0037]     Although the lateral stabilizers have been described in the preferred embodiment as arms extending laterally from the elbow joint  24  and the t-junction  20 , it is to be understood that other lateral stabilizers may be used, lateral projections on the pipes  14   a ,  14   b , the use of square piping as the pipes  14   a ,  14   b , or projections extending downwardly and outwardly from the sprinkler heads  12   a ,  12   b  for example.  
         [0038]     Although the preferred embodiment sprinkler system has been described as being adapted to spray water onto the object to be protected, it is to be understood that other fire-suppression fluids may be sprayed using the invention, Class A Fire Foam or Flame Out™ for example.  
         [0039]     Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically described herein.