Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method, a device and a computer program for planning an aspirative fire detection system having a detector module and a pipe system. In order to be able to plan an aspirative fire detection system in an easily-realized yet effective manner, the invention provides for planning the detector module with the aid of a planning table and planning the pipe system with the aid of a pipe planning table.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from European Patent Application No. 09172716.4, filed Oct. 9, 2009, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a method, device and computer program for planning an aspirative fire detection system. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    An aspirative fire detection system is designed to extract representative air samples from a closed room, for example a warehouse or an IT server room, either continuously or at predetermined times or upon predetermined events, and feed them to a detector module. The detector module serves to identify the physical or chemical properties of the supplied air samples so as to allow a conclusion to be drawn from said properties as to the chemical or physical state of the air within the closed room. 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of an aspirative fire detection system. A pipe system  102  is arranged in a target room  101  to aspirate air samples through various intake openings. The pipe system  102  is equipped with an aspiration detector into which the air samples from the target room  101  are fed to a detector module  103  to detect fire characteristics, respectively to measure oxygen and other gases. A fan  104  is furthermore provided, serving to suck in the air samples from the target room through the pipe system. The suction power of fan  104  is thereby adapted to the respective pipe system  102 . 
         [0007]    To be understood by the term “fire characteristic” are physical parameters subject to measurable changes in the vicinity of a fire; e.g. the ambient temperature or the percentage of solids, liquids or gases in the ambient air such as smoke particles, smoke aerosols, vapor or fumes, for example. 
         [0008]    Typical areas of application for aspirative fire detection systems are in the monitoring of spaces such as e.g. double floors, false ceilings, tunnels, ducts, poorly accessible hollow spaces, warehouse storage areas, high-bay warehouses, elevator shafts, museums, cultural facilities, freezer warehouses, air-conditioning systems and also the monitoring of rooms containing high value or important equipment such as e.g. rooms housing data processing equipment inside banks or other such similar facilities, or even the data processing equipment itself. To this end, representative portions of the room air or the cooling air are continuously extracted, these being referred to as air samples. The air samples are extracted through a pipe system which is mounted e.g. below the ceiling. 
         [0009]    In order to ensure effective monitoring of the respective room, aspirative fire detection systems need to be individually designed, i.e. planned, depending upon the size and the type of room to be monitored and the respective purpose of monitoring. Different parameters need to be considered in such planning including the desired responsivity (sensitivity) of the fire detection system, the size and configuration of the pipe system, and the number of intake openings in the pipe system. The optimal planning of a fire detection system is characterized by the components of the fire detection system, in particular the detector module and the pipe system, being adapted to the size and type of room to be monitored on the one hand and to the desired responsivity for the room monitoring on the other; i.e. neither overdimensioned nor underdimensioned. Due to the plurality of parameters to be considered, optimal planning is a relatively complex problem which, in practice, creates considerable difficulties for one skilled in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Based on this problem as defined, the task of the present invention is thus specifying a suitable and efficient method as well as a device and a computer program for planning an aspirative fire detection system. 
         [0011]    This task is solved by a method for planning an aspirative fire detection system having a detector module and a pipe system, wherein the method comprises the following steps: planning the detector module with the aid of at least one planning table; and planning the pipe system with the aid of at least one pipe planning table. This task is further solved with a device for planning an aspirative fire detection system having a detector module and a pipe system, wherein the device comprises the following: means for planning the detector module with the aid of at least one planning table; and means for planning the pipe system with the aid of at least one pipe planning table. Finally, this task is further solved with a computer program which includes instructions furnished to perform a method for planning an aspirative fire detection system having a detector module and a pipe system, wherein the method comprises the following steps: planning the detector module with the aid of at least one planning table; and planning the pipe system with the aid of at least one pipe planning table; or set up a device for planning an aspirative fire detection system having a detector module and a pipe system, wherein the device comprises the following: means for planning the detector module with the aid of at least one planning table; and means for planning the pipe system with the aid of at least one pipe planning table when run on a computer. Advantageous embodiments are described in the following Description. 
         [0012]    With respect to the method for planning an aspirative fire detection system, the invention provides for planning the detector module of the fire detection system with the aid of at least one planning table on the one hand and planning the pipe system of the fire detection system with the aid of at least one pipe planning table on the other. The planning table and the pipe planning table enable the detector module and the pipe system to be easily, quickly and cost-efficiently dimensioned to the respective application scenario. 
         [0013]    The detector module planning step preferably includes the following steps: selecting a number of intake openings and determining the sensitivity class to be achieved for the fire detection system based on the planning table and the number of intake openings. The detector module planning step can additionally include the step of selecting a desired sensitivity class and determining the required responsivity for a detector module in order to achieve the desired sensitivity class. The step of selecting the detector module based on the required responsivity and determining a sensitivity setting for the detector module based on the given detector module and the required responsivity can likewise be provided. 
         [0014]    This procedure has the advantage of basing achievable sensitivity classes on one central influencing factor, namely the number of intake openings. Because depending on the number of intake openings, the A, B and C sensitivity classes pursuant the European EN 54-20 standard can be achieved with any given detector module. Determining the number of intake openings early on enables the achievable sensitivity classes to be easily and efficiently specified using the planning table. The desired sensitivity class can then be selected therefrom. Afterwards, a suitable detector module and an appropriate sensitivity setting can be easily and efficiently determined with the aid of the planning table. 
         [0015]    The inventive planning method preferably further comprises the following steps: selecting an air filter and defining a planning table and/or a pipe planning table based on the air filter. The question of whether and what type of air filter is provided has a considerable influence on the design of the overall system. It is therefore expedient to provide for a different planning table depending on the type of air filter selected. 
         [0016]    In one preferred embodiment of the inventive solution, the pipe system planning step includes the following steps: selecting a desired pipe length, selecting a pipe shape based on the pipe length and the pipe planning table, and selecting a fan voltage based on the pipe length and shape. These steps enable the pipe system to be planned easily and quickly with the aid of the pipe planning table. 
         [0017]    In one preferred realization of the inventive method, same comprises the following steps: selecting a desired class of pipe accessories and determining a pipe planning table based on the pipe accessory class. The step of selecting a desired pipe accessory class can hereto encompass the step of selecting one or more components from the component group comprising condensate separators, detonation arrestors, valve control unit shut-off valves, detector boxes, sound suppressors and aspiration detectors. By the providing of a plurality of differing pipe planning tables which, depending upon the desired pipe accessory class, ultimately define the air resistance class, planning the pipe system is easy and simple. The air resistance classes can thereby relate to, for example, the “without pipe accessories,” “slightly increased air resistance,” “increased air resistance” or “high air resistance” classes. 
         [0018]    The invention furthermore relates to a device for planning an aspirative fire detection system having a detector module and a pipe system, wherein the device comprises a means for planning the detector module with the aid of a planning table and a means for planning the pipe system with the aid of a pipe planning table. The planning table and pipe planning table enable easy and efficient planning. 
         [0019]    The means for planning the detector module preferably comprises a means for selecting a number of intake openings and a means for determining the achievable sensitivity classes based on the planning table and the number of intake openings. The means for planning the detector module can further comprise a means for selecting a desired sensitivity class, a means for determining a required responsivity for a detector module to achieve the desired sensitivity class, a means for selecting the detector module based on the required sensitivity and/or a means for determining a sensitivity setting for the detector module based on the detector module and the required sensitivity. In this way, a suitable detector module and its sensitivity setting can be quickly and easily determined on the basis of the planning table and the number of intake openings. 
         [0020]    In one preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a means for selecting an air filter and a means for determining a planning table and/or a pipe planning table based on the air filter. Since the selection of the air filter can have considerable influence on the planning, providing a plurality of planning tables and the determination of same based on the selected air filter can result in simple and efficient planning. 
         [0021]    In one preferred embodiment, the means for planning the pipe system comprises a means for selecting a desired pipe length, a means for selecting a pipe shape based on the pipe length and the pipe planning table, and a means for selecting a fan voltage based on the pipe length and shape. This embodiment enables simple and quick planning of the pipe system. 
         [0022]    The device according to the invention preferably comprises a means for selecting a desired pipe accessory class and a means for determining a pipe planning table based on the pipe accessory class. The means for selecting a desired pipe accessory class can thereby comprise a means for selecting one or more components from the component group comprising condensate separators, detonation arrestors, valve control unit shut-off valves, detector boxes, sound suppressors and aspiration detectors. Planning the pipe system depends to a considerable degree on the pipe accessory class. Providing a plurality of pipe planning tables based on the pipe accessory class to be used during the planning stage can achieve simple and efficient planning of the pipe system. 
         [0023]    The described inventive method and inventive device can be accomplished or set up by means of a computer program. Hence, the invention further relates to a computer program which includes instructions furnished to perform the inventive method or set up an inventive device when run on a computer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The following will reference the accompanying drawings in describing an embodiment of the invention in greater detail. 
           [0025]    Shown are: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an aspirative fire detection system; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart to illustrate an embodiment of the inventive method of planning an aspirative fire detection system, e.g. as according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a list of possible air filter types for use in an aspirative fire detection system, e.g. as in accordance with  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4   a  is an embodiment of a planning table for planning a fire detection system without an air filter; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4   b  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system without an air filter when no other pipe accessory is used; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4   c  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system without an air filter when a detector box and/or a valve control unit is/are used as pipe accessory/accessories; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4   d  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system without an air filter when an aspiration detector or condensate separator is used as a pipe accessory; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4   e  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system without an air filter when a detonator arrestor is used as a pipe accessory; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5   a  is an embodiment of a planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD type air filter; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5   b  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD air filter when no other pipe accessory is used; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5   c  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD air filter when a detector box and/or a valve control unit is/are used as pipe accessory/accessories; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5   d  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD air filter when an aspiration detector or condensate separator is used as a pipe accessory; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5   e  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD air filter when a detonation arrestor is used as a pipe accessory; 
           [0039]      FIG. 6   a  is an embodiment of a planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD-1 type air filter; 
           [0040]      FIG. 6   b  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD-1 air filter when no other pipe accessory is used; 
           [0041]      FIG. 6   c  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD-1 air filter when a detector box and/or a valve control unit is/are used as pipe accessory/accessories; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6   d  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD-1 air filter when an aspiration detector or condensate separator is used as a pipe accessory; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6   e  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD-1 air filter when a detonation arrestor is used as a pipe accessory; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7   a  is an embodiment of a planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD-2 type air filter; 
           [0045]      FIG. 7   b  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD-2 air filter when no other pipe accessory is used; 
           [0046]      FIG. 7   c  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD-2 air filter when a detector box and/or a valve control unit is/are used as pipe accessory/accessories; 
           [0047]      FIG. 7   d  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD-2 air filter when an aspiration detector or condensate separator is used as a pipe accessory; 
           [0048]      FIG. 7   e  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an LF-AD-2 air filter when a detonation arrestor is used as a pipe accessory; 
           [0049]      FIG. 8   a  is an embodiment of a planning table for planning a fire detection system having an SF-400/SF-650 type air filter; 
           [0050]      FIG. 8   b  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an SF-400/SF-650 air filter when no other pipe accessory is used; 
           [0051]      FIG. 8   c  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an SF-400/SF-650 air filter when a detector box and/or a valve control unit is/are used as pipe accessory/accessories; 
           [0052]      FIG. 8   d  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an SF-400/SF-650 air filter when an aspiration detector or condensate separator is used as a pipe accessory; 
           [0053]      FIG. 8   e  is an embodiment of a pipe planning table for planning a fire detection system having an SF-400/SF-650 air filter when a detonation suppressor is used as a pipe accessory; 
           [0054]      FIG. 9  is the response sensitivity of three different detector modules; and 
           [0055]      FIG. 10  shows different pipe shapes for a pipe system of a fire detection system. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0056]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an aspirative fire detection system. A pipe system  102  to suck in air samples through various intake openings is disposed in a target room  101 . The pipe system  102  is equipped with an aspiration detector in which the air samples from the target room  101  are fed to a detector module  103  to detect fire characteristics, respectively to measure oxygen and other gases. A fan  104  is further provided which serves to suck in the air samples from the target room through the pipe system  102 . The suction power of the fan  104  is thereby adapted or adaptable to the respective pipe system  102 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 2  shows a flow chart to illustrate an embodiment of the inventive method of planning an aspirative fire detection system, e.g. as in accordance with  FIG. 1 . An air filter type is selected in Step  201 . Different types of example air filters from among which can be selected in Step  201  are listed in  FIG. 3 . These air filter types differ particularly with respect to the particle sizes which they filter. The LF-AD filter type filters particularly large particles, while the SF-650 filter can also filter very small particles out of the air, provided they are larger than 1 μm. The right column in  FIG. 3  indicates common impurities of the indicated particle sizes. 
         [0058]    A planning table based on the selected air filter type is determined in Step  202 .  FIG. 4   a  shows an embodiment of a possible planning table. This planning table is to be used with the embodiment described here which indicates that no air filter will be used. On the other hand, the planning table and pipe planning table embodiments shown in  FIGS. 5   a  to  5   e  are to be used when the LF-AD air filter is selected.  FIGS. 6   a  to  8   e  meanwhile depict planning table and pipe planning table embodiments to be used when the LF-AD-1, LF-AD-2, SF-400 or SF-650 air filter types will be used. 
         [0059]    Subsequently, a number of intake openings are selected for the pipe system in Step  203 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 4   a , eight intake openings could be selected for use (see column  401  in  FIG. 4   a ). 
         [0060]    In Step  204 , the sensitivity classes to be obtained with the fire detection system are determined based on the planning table and the number of intake openings. The sensitivity classes are indicated in column  401  of  FIG. 4   a.    
         [0061]    The European EN 54-20 standard indicates three sensitivity classes. Class A specifies aspirating smoke detectors having extremely high sensitivity. This extremely high sensitivity of Class A is necessary if fires are to be detected at a very early stage or in cases of significant smoke dilution which can occur for example when IT areas are air-conditioned. Class B is used for aspirating smoke detectors of increased sensitivity. The early detection of fire afforded by Class B results in gaining a considerable amount of time in detecting fire very early on. Class C specifies aspirating smoke detectors having normal sensitivity. Class C detects fires with a normal quickness such as that provided by point-type smoke detectors, for example. 
         [0062]    A desired sensitivity class is selected in Step  205 . The sensitivity of a detector module necessary to achieve the desired sensitivity class is indicated in column  402 , shown in  FIG. 4   a . Based on the desired sensitivity class, the required sensitivity can thus be determined in Step  206 . Based on the required sensitivity, a detector module is then selected in Step  207 . 
         [0063]    The modules are indicated in column  403  and correspond to the detector modules indicated in  FIG. 9 . Hence, the module indicated in line  404  corresponds to the DM-TT-01-L detector module type, the module indicated in line  405  corresponds to the DM-TT-10-L detector module type, and the module indicated in line  406  corresponds to the DM-TT-50-L detector module type. 
         [0064]    Based on the required sensitivity, the suitable detector module can be selected in Step  207 . The sensitivity setting for the detector module is determined in Step  208  based on the detector module and the required sensitivity. 
         [0065]    The desired pipe accessory class for the pipe system is selected in Step  209 . Primary accessories encompass condensate separators, valve control unit shut-off valves, detector boxes, detonation arrestors, aspiration detectors or sound suppressors, the selection of which has effects on the air resistance class. 
         [0066]    A pipe planning table is determined in Step  210  based on the pipe accessory class. For example,  FIG. 4   b  shows a pipe planning table used when no pipe accessories have been selected. The  FIG. 4   c  pipe planning table is to be used when a detector box and/or valve control unit is included; the  FIG. 4   d  table is used when there is an aspiration detector or condensate separator; the  FIG. 4   e  table when a detonation arrestor has been selected. Noted in conjunction hereto is that the pipe planning tables of  FIGS. 4   b  to  4   e  are only to be used when no air filter has been provided. 
         [0067]    A desired pipe length is selected in Step  211 . In one preferred embodiment of an aspirative fire detection system, the following limiting values are to be observed: the minimum pipe length between two intake openings is to amount to 4 m. The maximum pipe length between two intake openings is to amount to 12 m. The maximum total pipe length can amount to 300 m, respectively two times 280 m when there are two detector modules in two connected pipe systems. A maximum of 32 intake openings are possible per detector module. 
         [0068]    Column  420  of  FIG. 4   d  shows an example of applicable pipe lengths when eight intake openings have been selected. A pipe shape is selected in Step  212  based on the pipe length and the pipe planning table. The pipe shapes are illustrated in  FIG. 10 . An I-pipe system  1001  is a smoke aspiration pipe system without any branches. A U-pipe system  1002  branches into two smoke aspiration pipe branches. The M-pipe system  1003  shown in  FIG. 10  is characterized by forking into three smoke aspiration pipe branches. A Double U-pipe system  1004  consists of four smoke aspiration pipe branches and a Quadruple U-pipe system  1005  is a smoke aspiration pipe system which branches into eight smoke aspiration pipe branches. 
         [0069]    After selecting the pipe shape, a fan voltage is selected in Step  213  based on the pipe length and shape. By so doing, the suction power of the fan is adapted to the pipe system. Various fan voltage examples are indicated in column  422  of  FIG. 4   d.    
         [0070]    The above procedure according to  FIG. 2  is illustrated by means of the tables shown in  FIGS. 4   a  to  4   e . For the sake of completeness, the following will address the embodiments of the planning and pipe planning tables shown in  FIGS. 5   a  to  8   e.    
         [0071]      FIGS. 5   a  to  5   e  show a further embodiment of a planning table  501  as well as further embodiments of pipe planning tables. The tables shown are to be used when the LF-AD air filter is selected in Step  201 . The pipe planning tables of  FIGS. 5   b  to  5   e  are used contingent upon the desired pipe accessory class selected in Step  209 . The pipe planning table  502  of  FIG. 5   b  is to be used when the LF-AD air filter is selected and no further pipe accessory has been provided. If it was established in Step  209  that the pipe system is to contain a detector box and/or a valve control unit, pipe planning table  503  from  FIG. 5   c  is then to be used. Pipe planning table  504  from  FIG. 5   d  is used when an aspiration detector or a condensate separator is to be used. If a detonator arrestor has been selected, pipe planning table  505  from  FIG. 5   e  is to be used. 
         [0072]    As can readily be seen by comparing  FIG. 5   a  or  5   b  with  FIG. 4   a  or  4   b , the selection of the LF-AD air filter has definite effects on the planning. While a comparison of column  511  with column  401  shows that the selection of the LF-AD air filter does not affect the achievable sensitivity classes, column  512  compared to column  430  discloses how when using the I-pipe form, for example, other pipe lengths are to be allowed for provided no further pipe accessories are used. 
         [0073]      FIGS. 6   a  to  6   e  show embodiments of a planning table  601  and pipe planning tables which are to be used when the LF-AD-1 air filter is to be used. Without any further pipe accessories, the pipe planning table  602  from  FIG. 6   b  is to be used; with a detector box and/or valve control unit (VSK), pipe planning table  603  from  FIG. 6   c  is to be used; with an aspiration detector and/or condensate separator, pipe planning table  604  from  FIG. 6   d  is to be used; and with a detonator arrestor, pipe planning table  605  from  FIG. 6   e  is to be used. 
         [0074]    As can be seen by comparing column  611  from  FIG. 6   a  with column  401  from  FIG. 4   a , selecting the LF-AD-1 air filter results in differences in the sensitivity classes which can be obtained. For example, box  612  shows that when using the DM-TT-10-L detector module, only sensitivity class B can be achieved if the sensitivity setting is at 0.1% light obscuration per meter. Differences can also arise due to the pipe length, as can be seen by comparing column  613  in  FIG. 6   b  to column  430  in  FIG. 4   b.    
         [0075]      FIGS. 7   a  to  7   e  show further embodiments of a planning table  701  and pipe planning tables  702  to  705  which are to be used when the LF-AD-2 air filter has been selected. If planning is to be based on no further pipe accessories, the pipe planning table  702  from  FIG. 7   b  is to be used. When a detector box and/or valve control unit is to be installed along with selection of an LF-AD-2 air filter, pipe planning table  703  from  FIG. 7   c  is to be used. With an aspiration detector and/or condensate separator, pipe planning table  704  from  FIG. 7   d  is to be used and with a detonator arrestor, pipe planning table  705  from  FIG. 7   e  is to be used. 
         [0076]    Comparing column  711  from  FIG. 7   a  to column  401  from  FIG. 4   a  shows that when using the DM-TT-50-L detector module with pre-alarm, sensitivity class C can no longer be obtained if the pre-alarm sensitivity is set at 0.66% light obscuration per meter (see Box  712  hereto). 
         [0077]      FIGS. 8   a  to  8   e  show further embodiments of a planning table  801  and pipe planning tables  802  to  805  which are to be used when either the SF-400 or the SF-650 air filter has been selected. Without any further pipe accessories, the pipe planning table  802  from  FIG. 8   b  is to be used; with a detector box, pipe planning table  803  from  FIG. 8   c  is to be used; with an aspiration detector and/or a condensate separator, pipe planning table  804  from  FIG. 8   d  is to be used; and with a detonator arrestor, pipe planning table  805  from  FIG. 8   e  is to be used. 
         [0078]    A comparison of column  811  from  FIG. 8   a  with column  401  from  FIG. 4   a  shows that when using these particular air filters, only the DM-TT-01-L detector module can be used if there are eight intake openings provided. In so doing, the sensitivity setting must be at 0.015 or 0.3% light obscuration per meter. 
         [0079]    Specified embodiments are purely for illustrative purposes and not to be regarded as limiting. There can be a number of deviations from a depicted embodiment without any departure from the inventive concept as indicated in the accompanying claims.