METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING FIRE AND SMOKE

Abstract: A control of smoke and fire in a region threatened by a fire through the use of an exit door (9) and a doorcase (8) around the exit door (9) is accomplished in such a manner to first supply a water from a water source to a water supply tube (5) which is connected to the doorcase (8) in a constant level of pressure by a pump (3). The water supply tube (5) is provided with a solenoid valve (6) for controlling the water flow into the doorcase (8) and a branch connecting portion (15). Further, an air under pressure is supplied to an air supply tube (16) connected to the branch connecting portion (15) to fluid-communicate with the water supply tube (5). The air supply tube (16) is provided with an air solenoid valve (13) for controlling the air flow into the branch connecting portion (15). The solenoid valve (6) is opened to render the water to flow into the doorcase (8) having a plurality of nozzle holes (82) facing to the exit door (9), if a fire is detected either by a detector (11) or a manual actuator (12). Further, the air solenoid valve (13) is opened to render the air under pressure to flow into the branch connecting portion (15), if opening the exit door (9) is detected by a pressure sensor (10).

Description: 64 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING FIRE AND SMOKE Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for controlling fire and smoke in an area threatened by fire; and, more particularly, to an improved method and apparatus for excluding smoke from people suffering from fire so that an escapee can move to a safety place without danger caused by smoke and an escapee who failed to escape early can survive without danger caused by smoke until a rescue team contacts him. Description of the Prior Art Conventionally, there have been known two types of methods for controlling smoke in an area threatened by fire. One type of method is, so called, forced air charging method wherein a pressure in a control section is made greater, by supplying an air thereinto, than that in a remainder section, thereby preventing smoke in the remainder section from permeating into the control section. The other is, so called, charging and exhausting method wherein smoke within the control section is exhausted compulsorily from the control section and, at the same time, a fresh air is supplied to the control section. In the forced air charging method, since the control section is maintained in a high air pressure in order to prevent smoke generated outside the control section from permeating thereinto, it is difficult for the old and the weak or a child outside the control section to open an exit door of the control section due to the high air pressure generated within the control section. Further, in the forced air charging method, if an exceedingly larger amount of air is supplied to the control section, there may be a further spread of fire or an inadvertent counter flow of smoke and heat toward a corridor. The charging and exhausting method has two fold of advantages. One of them is that smoke permeating into the control section is exhausted compulsorily from the control section. The other resides in that the method can reduce the possibility of the smoke permeation by keeping a pressure within the control section greater than the remainder, e.g., in such a manner that a flow rate of the supply air is kept higher than the flow rate of the exhaust smoke by 50% of the latter. Though the greater pressure is maintained within the control section, however, in top level of the control section, the smoke permeation is not reduced due to unbalance between the flow rate of the supply air and the exhaust smoke in accordance with the charging and exhausting method. Further, the charging and exhausting method is adapted to require a mechanical power in charging air and in exhausting smoke, thereby rendering the whole control device complicated and requiring a careful adjustment of the flow rates. On the other hand, the methods also have a common fatal shortcoming that since, when an emergency exit door is opened, both methods cannot maintain a required minimum pressure within a control section, e.g., an emergency stairway, the control section is charged with smoke easily due to, so called, a chimney draft. Summary of the Invention It is, therefore, a primary object of the invention to provide a smoke control system capable of solving those problems of the prior art smoke control apparatuses. The above and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a method and apparatus for controlling smoke and fire in a region threatened by a fire, wherein a pump supplies a water to a water supply tube connected to the doorcase from a water reservoir in a constant level of pressure, the pump being actuated by a signal from a power controller actuated by a receiver, and the water supply tube is provided with a solenoid valve for controlling a water flow into the doorcase depending upon a signal from the receiver, and the water supplied to the doorcase is sprayed through a plurality of nozzle holes formed through an interior part of the doorcase to block off smoke permeation through a gap between the doorcase and the exit door, and when an escapee opens the exit door, a pressure sensor allows an air under pressure in an air reservoir to flow into a branch connecting portion to be mixed with the water from the water supply tube. The present invention is further characterized in that a compressor is energized by a power controller actuated by a signal from a receiver to produce an air under pressure and the air under pressure is supplied to a doorcase through an air supply tube to block off smoke permeation through a gap between the doorcase and the exit door. Brief Description of the Drawings The above and other objects and features of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a whole block diagram of the inventive system; Fig. 2 illustrates a partial enlarged sectional view of a branch connecting portion employed in the present invention; Fig. 3 depicts a partial enlarged sectional view of a doorcase employed in the present invention; and Figs. 4 and 5 represent modifications of the present invention, respectively. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments As shown in Fig. 1, a pump 3 supplies water in a reservoir 4 to a water supply tube 5 connected to a door case 9 in a predetermined level of water pressure and flow rate. The water in reservoir 4 is supplied from a water source tube 7 according to a signal from a receiver 1 and a power controller 2. If the water from the water source tube 7 is maintained in the required level of pressure and flow rate, the water source tube 7 can be directly connected to the water supply tube 5 via a auxiliary tube 7a. In this case, a check valve 7b should be installed in the auxiliary tube 7a in order to prevent an inadvertent counter flow. The water supply tube 5 includes a solenoid valve 6 for controlling a water flow into the doorcase 9 which is actuated by a signal from the receiver 1. The water supply tube 5 further includes a bypass tube 5a equipped with a separate emergency operation valve 5b in order to manually control the water flow into the doorcase 9 without depending upon the solenoid valve 6. The receiver 1 is electrically connected to a detector 11 to thereby be actuated by the same 11. In order for a person finding out a fire in advance of the detector 11 to manually operate the receiver 1, the latter 1 is further electrically connected to a manual actuator 12. The receiver 1 is further electrically connected to a pressure sensor 10 mounted on the doorcase 8 for detecting a pressure exceeding a predetermined level from the doorcase 8 and an exit door 9. As shown in Fig. 2, in order to mix an air under pressure with water, an air supply tube 16 is connected to a branch connecting portion 15 mounted to the water supply tube 5 adjacent to the doorcase 8. The air supply tube 16 is provided with an air solenoid valve 13 for controlling an air flow which is actuated by a signal from the pressure sensor 10 through the receiver 1. The air supply tube 16 is further connected to an air reservoir 14 charged with the air under pressure by a compressor 17. As shown in Fig. 3, the doorcase 8 in accordance with the present invention is of a rectangular frame 81. The water supply tube 5 extends through an exterior part of the rectangular frame 81. A plurality of nozzle holes 82 are formed through an interior part of the rectangular frame 81 to prevent smoke permeation through a gap between the doorcase 8 and the exit door 9 in such a way that the sprayed water via the nozzle holes 82 seals the gap. The operation and effect of the present invention constructed in this manner is now described. When a fire occurs, the detector 11 mounted on, e.g., a ceiling, detects smoke and send the receiver 1 a signal. Then, the receiver 1 operates the pump 3 via the power controller 2 to maintain the water in the water supply tube 5 in a predetermined level of pressure and actuates the solenoid valve 6 tυ supply the water in the water supply tube 5 to the doorcase 8. In this state, the water supplied to the doorcase 8 via the water supply tube 5 terminating within the rectangular frame 81 is sprayed to a gap between the doorcase 8 and the exit door 9 via the plurality of nozzle holes 82 in a predetermined level of pressure and flow rate, preventing smoke permeation via the gap. In this manner, the present invention can keep a particular section from being contaminated with smoke. As a result, even a person who failed to escape early is able to survive, waiting for a rescue without a danger caused by, e.g., poisonous gas. In case that the detector 11 cannot detect smoke or a man finds out a fire in advance of the detector 11, the manual actuator 12 electrically connected to the receiver 1 can allow the receiver 1 to generate the signal needed to launch the normal operation of the whole mechanism aforementioned above. Further, in case that the water supply from the water supply tube 5 to the doorcase is not achieved due to a malfunction of the solenoid valve 6 or the receiver 1, the emergency operation valve 5b of the bypass tube 5a can be opened manually to allow the water to be supplied to the doorcase 8. Meanwhile, when an escapee opens the exit door 9, an operative signal from the pressure sensor 10 is transmitted to the air solenoid valve 13 through the receiver 1 and the air supply tube 16 in order to actuate the air solenoid valve 13, resulting that an air under pressure within the air reservoir 14 is supplied tυ the branch connecting portion 15. By the branch connecting portion 15, the water supplied through the water supply tube 5 is mixed with the air under pressure. The mixture of the water and the air under pressure is sprayed to the exit door 9 through the nozzle holes 82 at a high level of speed. As a result, the water is atomized by the air under pressure and a reaction force of the sprayed water allows the exit door 9 to be easily opened. The atomized water functions as a membrane preventing smoke from permeating the space caused by opening the exit door 9. Further, as described above, the pressure caused by the water and air ensures protecting the escapee safely and the sprayed water not only prevents an additional spread of fire but also extinguishes the fire. Referring to Fig. 4, the present invention dispensing with the air supply device is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, water is sprayed into a gap between the doorcase 8 and the exit door 9 in a predetermined level of pressure and flow rate, preventing smoke permeation via the gap. In this manner, the present invention can keep a particular section from being contaminated with smoke. As a result, even a person who failed to escape early is able to survive, waiting for a rescue without a danger caused by, e.g., poisonous gas. A modification of the present invention is shown in Fig. 5. An air supply tube 50 is connected to an air reservoir 30 which contains an air under pressure produced by a compressor 40. The air supply tube 50 is also connected to a doorcase 80. The air supply tube 50 is provided with a solenoid valve 70 for controlling an air flow into the doorcase which is actuated by a signal sent from a detector 110 or a manual actuator 120 through a receiver 10. The air supply tube 50 is further provided with a bypass tube 60 having an emergency operation valve 60a. The operation of the modification of the present invention constructed in this manner is now described. When a fire occurs, the detector 110 mounted on, e.g., a ceiling, detects smoke and send the receiver 10 a signal. Then, the receiver 10 actuates the solenoid valve 70 to supply the air under pressure in the air reservoir 30 to the doorcase 80 via the air supply tube 50. In this state, the air supplied to the doorcase 80 via the air supply tube 50 is sprayed into a gap between the doorcase 80 and an exit door 90, preventing smoke permeation via the gap. In this manner, the present invention can keep a particular section from being contaminated with smoke. As a result, even a person who failed to escape early is able to survive, waiting for a rescue without a danger caused by, e.g., poisonous gas. Although the invention has been shown and described with respect tυ the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A method for controlling smoke and fire in a region threatened by a fire through the use of an exit door and a doorcase around the exit door, said method comprising the steps of: (a) supplying a water from a water source to a water supply tube which is connected to the doorcase in a constant level of pressure by a pump, the water supply tube provided with a solenoid valve for controlling the water flow into the doorcase and a branch connecting portion; (b) supplying an air under pressure from an air reservoir to an air supply tube which is connected to the branch connecting portion to fluid-communicate with the water supply tube, the air supply tube provided with an air solenoid valve for controlling the air flow into the branch connecting portion; (c) opening the solenoid valve to allow the water to flow into the doorcase having a plurality of nozzle holes facing to the exit door, if an occurrence of a fire is detected by either of a detector and a manual actuator; and (d) opening the air solenoid valve to render the air under pressure to flow into the branch connecting portion, if opening the exit door is detected by a pressure sensor. 2. A method for controlling smoke and fire in a region threatened by a fire through the use of an exit door and a doorcase around the exit door, said methυd comprising the steps of: (a) supplying a water from a water source to a water supply tube which is connected to the doorcase in a constant level of pressure by a pump, the water supply tube provided with a solenoid valve for controlling the water flow into the doorcase; and (b) opening the solenoid valve to render the water to flow into the doorcase having a plurality of nozzle holes facing to the exit door, if an occurrence of a fire is detected by either of a detector and a manual actuator. 3. A method for controlling smoke and fire in a region threatened by a fire through the use of an exit door and a doorcase around the exit door, said method comprising the steps (if: (a) supplying an air under pressure from an air reservoir to an air supply tube which is connected to the doorcase, the air supply tube provided with an air solenoid valve for controlling the air flow into the doorcase; and (b) opening the air solenoid valve to render the air under pressure to flow into the doorcase having a plurality of nozzle holes facing to the exit door, if an occuirence of a fire is detected by either of a detector and a manual actuator. 4. An apparatus for controlling smoke and fire in a region threatened by a fire through the use of an exit door and a doorcase around the exit door, said apparatus comprising: a receiver actuated by a signal from either of a detector and a manual actuator; a water supply tube connected to the doorcase! a pump for supplying a water to the water supply tube from a water source in a constant level of pressure, the pump being actuated by a signal from a power controller actuated by the receiver; a solenoid valve installed within the water supply tube to control a water flow into the doorcase depending upon a signal from the receiver; a branch connecting portion mounted to the water supply tube nearby the doorcase; an air supply tube connected to the branch connecting portion to thereby fluid-communicate with the water supply tube; and an air solenoid valve installed within the air supply tube to control an air flow into the doorcase depending upon a signal from a pressure sensor. 5. An apparatus for controlling smoke and fire in a region threatened by a fire through the use of an exit door and a doorcase around the exit door, said apparatus comprising: a receiver actuated by a signal from either of a detector and a manual actuator; a water supply tube connected to the doorcase; a pump for supplying a water to the water supply tube from a water source in a constant level of pressure, the pump being actuated by- a signal from a power controller actuated by the receiver; and a solenoid valve installed within the water supply tube to control a water flow into the doorcase depending upon a signal from the receiver. 6. The apparatus for controlling smoke and fire of claim 4 or 5, further comprising a bypass tube provided with a check valve, said bypass tube connected, at its one end, to a portion of the water supply tube between the solenoid valve and the pump and connected to the water source at the other end thereof. 7. An apparatus for controlling smoke and fire in a region threatened by a fire through the use of an exit door and a doorcase around the exit door, said apparatus comprising: a receiver actuated by a signal from either of a detector and a manual actuator; an air supply tube connected to the doorcase; an air reservoir for containing therein an air under pressure produced by a compressor to supply the air under pressure to the air supply tube in a constant level of pressure, the compressor being actuated by a signal from a power controller actuated by the receiver; and an air solenoid valve installed within the air supply tube to control an air flow into the doorcase depending upon a signal from the receiver. 8. The apparatus for controlhng smoke and fire of claim 4 or 5, further comprising a bypass tube provided with an emergency operation valve for manually control the water flow into the doorcase, said bypass tube connected to a frontal and a rear portions of the water supply tube about the solenoid valve. 9. The apparatus for controlling smoke and fire of claim 7, further comprising a bypass tube provided with an emergency operation valve for manually control the air flow into the doorcase, said bypass tube connected to a frontal and a rear portions of the air supply tube about the air solenoid valve.

Inventors: SHIN DONG-WON, SHIN, DONG-WON
Applicants: SHIN DONG WON, SHIN, DONG-WON
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A62C2
IPC codes: A62C2, E06B5