INSTALLATION FOR FIGHTING FIRE, SPRAY HEAD

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for fighting fire, the installation comprising a number of spray heads (330a, 380a), a pipe system (381) for leading extinguishing medium to the spray heads, the spray heads comprising a holder body having an inlet for incoming extinguishing medium, at least one nozzle and a cover locked in a protective position in front of said nozzle when the installation is in an inactive mode and, arranged to be displaceable upon activation of the installation to a released position by release of the locking, in which released position the cover is clear of said nozzle so that the nozzle may spray extinguishing medium when the spray head is in an active mode. In order to be able to use the installation in conditions in which it can be strongly exposed to dirt and impurities and in order that it will not be activated on account of the spray heads of the installation being exposed to impacts or heat not coming from the seat of the fire, the installation is characterized in that the spray heads (330a, 380a) comprise a displaceable device which is arranged to be displaced by the effect of pressure of a fluid in relation to the holder body and thus exert a force on a locking so that it releases the cover.

Description: INSTALLATION FOR FIGHTING FIRE, SPRAY HEAD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an installation for fighting fire, the installation comprising a number of spray heads, a pipe system for leading extin- guishing medium to the spray heads, the spray heads each comprising a holder body having an inlet for incoming extinguishing medium and at least one nozzle. The installation can be used both in open and closed spaces. The invention relates in more detail to an installation according to the preamble of attached claim 1. The invention relates further to a combination of a means of transportation and an installation for fighting fire. The expression means of transportation refers here to all kinds of vehicles, such as trains, lorries, ships as well as semitrailers, such as railway wagons (especially open ones) and trailers (especially open ones) for these vehicles. The invention relates also to a combination of a tunnel and an installation for fighting fire. The invention relates further to a spray head comprising a holder body, an inlet for incoming extinguishing medium and at least one nozzle. The invention relates in more detail to a spray head according to the preamble of enclosed claim 24. Such a spray head comprising a heat-activated release means, is known from US 5020601. The cover plate of the spray head falls off the spray head after heat-activation, whereafter the heat-activated release means releases and the spray head starts to discharge water. One of the greatest problems with fire fighting installations is to make the fire detection synchronized with the actual fire extinction in such a way that the fire extinction occurs as fast as possible at the site of the fire. An installation for fighting fire is known from WO 93/10860. This installation comprises a number of spray heads arranged in groups in such a way that each group comprises a number of spray heads. A spray head of each particular group comprises a heat-activated release means. When this melts or explodes on account of heat, the installation is arranged to deliver extinguishing medium to the other spray heads of the group. The other groups do not release. In order to make a further group release, the release means of this further group has to explode or melt. This known construction enables spraying extinguishing medium to a limited area in the vicinity of the fire with- out extinguishing medium being sprayed in areas with no fire, and in this manner, it is possible to manage with a relatively small amount of extinguishing medium. This known installation normally functions well. However, there are environments where an installation of this kind does not function satisfactorily or cannot function at all. In this connection, reference is made e.g. to environments where the spray heads are exposed to dirt, deposits and impurities of different kinds leading to the fact that the components of the spray heads, such as nozzles and heat-activated means, cannot function (the nozzles are blocked; the heat-activated release means do not function satisfactorily, because they respond poorly to the heat from fire, since they are very dirty). An example of such an environment is e.g. an open railway wagon. Open railway wagons are used for transporting vehicles and other equipment and goods that can be inflammable and thus constitute a fire risk. If a conventional fire fighting installation were installed in an open railway wagon, it would become too dirty to function in a relatively short time. Even in covered railway wagons (and trailers), such goods can be transported which very quickly make the railway wagon (trailer) dirty, and therefore, the present invention can also be applied to covered railway wagons (and trailers). Other examples of such envi- ronments are painter's shops and steel works. In certain environments, e.g. railway wagons, tunnels, car decks, high storages, where the fire may develop fast, it is desirable to control the fire in such a way that not too big an area is covered by releasing sprinklers. To divide the installation into sections, as shown in WO 93/10860, is not a suffi- cient solution for providing effective fire extinction, because in such environments, sprinklers release also in irrelevant sections (sections with no fire). A fire fighting installation with a known structure and mounted in a means of transportation, such as an open railway wagon, would thus in any case function unreliably for that reason alone that, because of wind conditions, hot gases generated at fire flow fast to such areas where there is no fire at all, the consequence being that extinguishing medium is delivered to a wrong area, i.e. an area with no seat of fire. This leads to a loss of extinguishing medium and constitutes an essential drawback in an application to a means of transportation, because vehicles have a limited capacity of transporting extinguish- ing medium, in practice. Further, delivering extinguishing medium to a "wrong" area may result in material damages. A typical example is constituted by a train driving at a speed of 140 km/h when a fire breaks out. The heat from the fire spreads and the ampoules of the sprinklers explode at a place far from the actual fire, which leads to that extinguishing medium, such as water, is sprayed to a wrong place. In tunnels and garages, hot exhaust gases from lorries can be directed straight up towards sprinklers, which also results in that sprinklers release without a fire or even without a risk of fire. On the basis of this, these difficult environments in many cases lack fire fighting installations, in spite of that a functioning fire fighting installation would be of great use. Mechanical loads can also make a fire fighting installation function unnecessarily (especially in case of a breakage of the release means of the installation). Such mechanical loads may arise at impacts by trucks, lorries, etc. There are also fire fighting systems in which the pipes leading to the sprinklers initially contain no water, which depends on the risk of freezing or on weight problems. It takes a certain time (typically 60 s) to fill the pipes and a fire broken out quickly may release too many sprinklers before the water reaches the sprinklers. Examples of environments where the fire may develop quickly are ships transporting vehicles: a fire on a ship deck may spread quickly. In certain environments, there is a risk that the fire starts explosively. In such an environment, it is probable that all ampoules of a fire fighting installation release by the pressure of the explosion, which makes it impossible for the installation to function effectively to fight the fire. Examples of the last- mentioned environments are transformers, paint cabinets and paint stores. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide an installation for fighting fire, which installation essentially decreases said problems and can be mounted in difficult environments, where the spray heads are exposed e.g. to dirt, deposits, mechanical impacts and wind conditions, which makes a release of spray heads, important for the extinction, more difficult or impossible. For this purpose, the installation according to the invention is characterized in that the spray heads comprise a displaceable device which is ar- ranged to be displaced by the effect of pressure of a fluid in relation to the holder body and thus exert a force on a locking so that it releases the cover. The idea of the installation according to the invention is that it comprises spray heads provided with covers preventing extinguishing medium from being sprayed until the cover has been removed (released so that it is out of the way of the nozzle) manually or by means of a signal from a fire detector (e.g. a smoke or heat detector responding to surface or radiation heat, or an optical detector). The spray heads cannot be made to spray merely by subjecting them to heat. The cover functions (before it is removed) at the same time as a protection against dirt, dust and deposits, if desired. The spray heads cannot be made to spray merely by subjecting them to heat. Before the spray heads release, the detectors give a signal or, alternatively, the spray heads are activated manually, which pressurizes an activation system. According to an especially preferred embodiment, part of said spray heads are sprinklers comprising a heat-activated release means and part of the spray heads are without a heat-activated release means (open nozzle spray heads). When the cover is displaced to the released position, these sprinklers are arranged to enter a standby mode, where the heat-activated release means is intact to be able to respond to heat and to provide thus a release of the sprinkler in question and to bring it to an active mode, where it sprays extinguishing medium. At detection of a fire, such an installation is capable of giving off extinguishing medium immediately to the area/areas where the probability of fire is great and it is also adapted to strengthen the spraying of extinguishing medium at certain "points" when the temperature at these "points" rises high enough. Preferred embodiments of the installation are set forth in attached claims 2 to 15. The greatest advantages of the installation are that it can be used in difficult environments, where the spray heads are exposed to dirt and impuri- ties. This is because the installation is capable of functioning reliably, though it has been exposed to dirt for a long time. The installation uses only little extinguishing medium, because extinguishing medium is given off (discharged) only at places where it is needed. For instance, sprinklers in tunnels, garages etc. are thus not released by hot exhaust gases of lorries, which gases can be di- rected straight up towards these sprinklers and could so make the installation function unnecessarily. The spray heads of the installation are also protected against mechanical loads. In such cases, the cover of the spray head prevents a release to a great extent. In environments with risk of explosion as well, the spray heads are prevented from releasing unnecessarily. The combination of a means of transportation and an installation for fighting fire is characterized by what is set forth in the attached claim 16. Preferred embodiments are presented in attached claims 17 and 18. The greatest advantages of the combination are that extinguishing medium is given off in case of fire only at places where it is needed and the installation is capable of functioning reliably though it has been exposed to dirt for a long time. The first-mentioned property is also extremely important, because a vehicle cannot carry very big amounts of extinguishing medium, in practice. In vehicles, the aim is to minimize the amount of extinguishing medium in every possible way for that reason alone that it is energy consuming and expensive to transport big amounts of extinguishing medium. The combination of a tunnel and an installation for fighting fire is characterized by what is set forth in the attached claims 19 to 23. The greatest advantages of the combination are that extinguishing medium is given off in case of fire only at places where it is needed, though the installation has been exposed to dirt for a long time. Claim 21 defines a construction implying sub- stantial savings in costs, and claim 23 defines a construction, which extremely effectively prevents a fire from spreading. The spray head according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a displaceable device, which is arranged to be displaced by the effect of pressure form a fluid in relation to the holder body and thus exert a force on a locking so that it releases the cover. Preferred embodiments of the spray head are set forth in appended claims 25 to 28. Such a spray head is protected against dirt and deposits, and therefore, it is capable of functioning reliably also in an dirty environment, though it has been installed long time ago. Nozzles and other components are protected against dirt, dust and other material which could spoil the properties of the spray head to respond to a fire or to deliver extinguishing medium, and it can be brought into a standby mode/active mode without being activated by heat. The cover protects also against mechanical impacts. An activation of the spray head from the inactive mode to the standby mode/active mode can be implemented very quickly in different manners, without a short exposition to a heat transported by the wind from a remote fire causing an undesired pre- activation, which would lead to that extinguishing medium would be delivered to undesired places where there is no fire. In practice, no heat directed to the spray head causes the cover to be displaced to the released or free position, but the displacement is provided by fluid pressure; on the other hand, the fluid pressure may be provided manually or in many different ways by means of a fire detector responding e.g. to surface or radiation heat, or by means of an optical flame detector. The fire detector gives a signal, which e.g. starts a pump in order to deliver fluid to the spray head, or gives a signal to a valve, which opens in order to deliver fluid (extinguishing medium) to the spray head. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the attached drawing, where Figure 1 shows a sprinkler according to the invention in a first inactive mode, Figure 2 shows the sprinkler of Figure 1 in a mode immediately after pre-activation, Figure 3 shows the sprinkler of Figure 1 and 2 in a standby mode, Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a sprinkler of the invention in a standby mode, Figure 5 shows a spray head according to the invention in a mode immediately after activation, Figure 6 shows a further spray head according to the invention in a first inactive mode, Figure 7 shows the spray head of Figure 6 in a mode immediately after activation, Figure 8 shows a first embodiment of the installation of the invention, Figures 9 to 12 show another embodiment of the installation of the invention, Figure 13 shows a third embodiment of the installation of the invention, Figure 14 shows a fourth embodiment of the installation of the in- vention, Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a discharge of extinguishing medium towards an object in the installation of Figure 14, Figures 17 and 18 show a fifth embodiment of the installation of the invention, Figures 19 to 21 show a sixth embodiment of the installation of the invention, Figure 22 shows a seventh embodiment of the installation of the invention, and Figure 23 shows an eighth embodiment of the installation of the in- vention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a sprinkler 230 of the invention in a first inactive mode. The sprinkler comprises a nozzle body 1 and a glass ampoule 18, mounted at the nozzle body by means of a holder 19. The nozzle body 1 comprising a number of nozzles 2 is mounted by means of a screw joint to a holder body 3, which again is mounted to a conduit 4 delivering extinguishing medium to an inlet 5 of the holder body 3 and further to the upper portion 22 of the nozzle body. The holder body 3 is surrounded by a cylindrical sleeve part 6. The sleeve part 6 is displaceable in relation to the holder body 3. Between the sleeve part 6 and the holder body 3, there is a pressure chamber 7. The pressure chamber 7 is formed between the holder body 3 and the sleeve part 6. The pressure chamber 7 is defined by a ring groove 11 made in the holder body 3 and by a first cylindrical inner surface 9 and a second inner surface 8 of the sleeve part 6. The diameter of the second inner surface 8 is bigger than the diameter of the first cylindrical inner surface 9. The transition between the surfaces 8 and 9 defines a shoulder 10, which forms, seen in the longitudinal direction of the spray head, a projected ring surface 10A, or an annular projec- tion area. The pressure chamber 7 is in contact with the inlet 5 over a passage generally indicated by reference numeral 12. The sleeve part 6 is sealed against the holder body 3 by means of a first ring seal 23 at the first cylindrical inner surface 9 and a second ring seal 24 at the second cylindrical inner surface 8. The ring seals 23, 24 are mounted in corresponding ring grooves 25 and 26 in the holder body 3. Thanks to this, the construction is simple. The sleeve part 6 comprises corresponding, but shallow ring grooves for the ring seals 23, 24, the grooves being situated in the first cylindrical inner surface 9. The sprinkler comprises a cover 13 in the form of a cup, which covers the glass ampoule 18 and the nozzles 2 and is by means of a ring seal 14 mounted against a flange-like part 15, which again is fastened to the holder body 3. The flange-like part 15 forms a ring groove 16 for the ring seal 14. The cover 13 comprises a cylindrical groove 17 for receiving the ring seal 14. The ring seal 14 will preferably be slightly pressed between the ring groove 16 and the cylindrical groove 17. It can be said that the cylindrical groove 17 together with the ring seal 14 constitute a locking keeping the cover 13 in place in protective position. Because of the press force against the ring seal 14, the cover 13 will not only be steadily mounted at the sprinkler, but also attends to that important components of the sprinkler, such as the nozzles 2 and the glass ampoule 18, are protected against and hermetically closed from the environment of the sprinkler. This is important, because the sprinkler is intended to be used in different environments, where it is exposed to dirt, which makes the sprinkler unusable and its function unreliable without this cover 13. In Figure 1 , the cover 13 is in protective position, where it also serves as a thermal shield preventing the ampoule 18 from exploding undesirably e.g. on account of a short hot gas flow against the sprinkler, e.g. from exhaust manifolds of lorries, which would result in the sprinkler causing a loss of extinguishing medium without a fire in the vicinity of the sprinkler. In case of fire, such a hot air flow may arise e.g. when the sprinkler is mounted in a means of transportation, such as an open railway wagon. By pre-activation, the sprinkler of Figure 1 can be brought into a standby mode by feeding pressurized fluid from the conduit 4 into the passage 12. A fluid pressure is then generated on the shoulder 10, the pressure pro- viding a force trying to press the sleeve part 6 downwards. The strength of the force is determined by the product of the fluid pressure and the projected ring surface 10A defined by the shoulder 10 and seen in the longitudinal direction of the holder body (i.e. conduit 4). When the strength of the force exceeds the force needed for opening the locking constituted by the ring seal 14 and the groove 17, the cover 13 is detached from the ring seal 14 and displaced (released) to the position shown in Figure 2, pressed by the lower edge 21 of the sleeve part. In this standby mode, the nozzles 2 of the sprinkler do not yet spray extinguishing medium. From Figures 2 and 1 can be seen that the sleeve part 6 comprises a stop 39, which will bear against the flange-like part 15. Therefore, the flange- like part may be called a blocking part 15. When the cover 13 is in the position shown in Figure 2, it falls off from the sprinkler and is detached from the sleeve part 6 and enters the free position, as shown in Figure 3. When the cover 13 is in the released position shown in Figure 3 the sprinkler is in standby mode. The sleeve part 6 comprises a third cylindrical inner surface 27 arranged to bear sealingly against the ring seal 14 when the sprinkler is displaced to standby mode. As is understood from Figure 2, the ring seal 14 provides an extra security against leakage if the ring seal 23 is not tight for some reason. The upper portion 30 of the sleeve part 6 is high enough for the ring seal 24 to bear liquid tight against the holder body 3. When the sprinkler is in the standby mode shown in Figure 3, the sprinkler may release in a conventional manner after the glass ampoule 18 has exploded by heat. Reference numeral 28 signifies a fastening part for receiving the end of a chain or a similar longitudinal element 29, the other end of which is intended to be fastened to the sprinkler or in the vicinity thereof. The element 29 prevents the cup 13 from being lost when the sprinkler passes from inactive mode to standby mode. In many applications, a heat-activated glass ampoule 18 is to be preferred. Instead of a heat-activated glass ampoule, it is possible to use a heat-activated means of another type: the heat-activated release means may e.g. consist of an eutectic metal or another material melting at low temperature or of a part deforming by heat. Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the sprinkler 230" according to the invention in standby mode. In Figure 4, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the Figures 1 to 3. The embodiment differs from that of the Figures 1 to 3 therein that there is no passage between the pressure chamber 7" and the inlet 5". The sprinkler is activated to the standby mode, where the cover 13" is displaced (see Figure 3) but the ampoule 18" is unbroken, by means of a separate line 45", which is in fluid com- munication with the pressure chamber 7" over a passage 46" in the holder body 3". Accordingly, the sprinkler is brought to the standby mode shown in Figure 4 by means of a fluid pressure or pressure medium in the line 45", which may be called control line, which fluid does not need have any connec- tion with the extinguishing medium in the pipe 4, not even when the sprinkler is in active mode. The fluid may thus be a gas, e.g. air. The fluid may also be equal to the extinguishing medium in the pipe 4, e.g. water. The fluid in the pipe 45" is not in fluid communication with the inlet 5", when the sprinkler is in inactive mode. An essential advantage of the embodiment of Figure 4 is that the sprinkler can be brought to standby mode by using small valves (valves 482a and 482b in Figure 17; valve 582a in Figure 19; and valves 682a, 782a in Figures 22 and 23) and small control pipes (pipes 445, 545, 645 and 745 in Figures 17, 19, 22 and 23). This is very important economically, especially if the fire fighting installation will be mounted in a long tunnel (cf. Figures 17, 19), which may have a length of about dozens of kilometers. As to the time, the cover 13" can be taken out of the way irrespective of whether the pipe 4 is pressurized or not, i.e. irrespective of whether fluid is fed to the nozzles or not; and additionally, the sprinkler can be made to spray only on condition that both the line 45" and the pipe 4" are pressurized. In the tunnel application, in particular, the pipe 4 (pipes 481 and 581 in Figures 17 and 19) is normally pressurized. Figure 5 shows a spray head 280 without any heat-activated release means. Accordingly, a pressure of extinguishing medium acting in the inlet 5" initially causes the sleeve 6" to be displaced downwards, and subsequently, the cover 13'" is pressed down and extinguishing medium can then immediately be sprayed out of the nozzles 2'". In Figure 5, reference numerals analogous with those in the Figures 1 to 3 are used for similar parts. Figures 6 and 7 show a further spray head 280' according to the in- vention in a first inactive mode and in an active mode, respectively. The figures use reference numerals corresponding to those used in Figure 4 for similar components. The nozzle body 1 ' with components belonging to it, such as a displaceable spindle 40' loaded by a spring 48' and provided with a channel 41' for leading extinguishing medium from the inlet 47' of the nozzle body to the nozzles 2', 2c', can preferably be of such a pressure-compensated (pressure-balanced) type which is disclosed in the publication WO 96/08291. The spray head does not need to be pressure-compensated. A possible high pressure acting in the inlet of the channel leading to the nozzles 2' does not reach the nozzles until the spindle 40' has been displaced. When the spindle 40' is displaced, with a closing part 42' being opened, a fluid communication between the inlet of the nozzle body and the nozzles 2' opens, so that these may spray extinguishing medium. Initially, the spray head can be made to spray only on condition that both the line 45' and the pipe 4 are pressurized. If there is no fluid in the pipe 4, said pre-activation is in question, which only implies that the cover 13' is displaced aside. The spray head 280' of Figure 6 can preferably be applied to the fire fighting installations of the Figures 13, 14, 19, 22 and 23. As mentioned earlier, the spray head needs not be pressure- balanced: especially in a dry pipe system, for instance, where no pressure of extinguishing medium acts in the inlet initially. In a wet pipe system as well, it is possible to use a non-pressure-balanced spray head on account of the closing part 42' preventing the spindle 40' from being pressed downwards by the spring 48', when the spray head is in passive mode with the cover 13' closed. When the pressure chamber 7' is pressurized, the cover 13' and also the closing part 42', being fastened to the cover, are pressed downwards, which results in that the spindle 40' is pressed downwards by the force of the spring 48' and the pressure of extinguishing medium directed to the spindle so that the spindle is out of the way of the inlet T and extinguishing medium can flow from the inlet 5' over the channel 41' to the nozzles 2', 2c'. When the spray head is in the inactive mode shown in Figure 6, the closing part 42' is kept in place in the nozzle body 1' by a locking comprising a first locking part 54' and a second locking part 55'. The first locking part 54' is locked to the nozzle body V by means of displaceable elements 50', e.g. metal spheres. The second locking part 55' is fastened to the first locking part 54' by an O-ring 52' positioned in a cylindrical groove 53' in the second locking part 55' when the spray head is in the inactive mode. The O-ring 52' keeps the second locking part 55' in place in the first locking part 54', though the cover 13' has not been mounted yet. Thanks to this, the final mounting of the spray head is simple: only the cover 13' needs to be mounted at the place where the spray head shall be placed, because the O-ring 52' and the locking parts 54', 55' can be (ready) mounted at the factory. The second locking part 55' is also fastened to an opening 58' in the cover 13'. A cotter 28' or any locking element, in princi- pie, can transmit the force from the cover 13' to the second locking part 55' so that this comes along when the cover is displaced. The second locking part 55' has such a shape that a support 57' is formed against the opening 58' of the cover. The elements 50' are arranged to be displaced to a position enabling detachment of the first locking part 54' from the nozzle body 1' when the second locking part 55' is displaced in relation to the first locking part. This takes place when the cover 13' is pressed downwards by a pressure from the control line 45'. In connection with this, the spindle 40' presses the first locking part 55' out of the nozzle body so that the spray head comes to the active mode shown in Figure 7. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate an open railway wagon 98 for transporting goods, such as vehicles 99. Sprinklers 230 of the type shown in Figure 1 are mounted in the railway wagon. The sprinklers 230 are coupled to a source of extinguishing medium (not shown) over a pipe system 81 , which supplies them, in case of fire, with extinguishing medium, preferably water-based extinguishing medium. The pipe system 81 extends along all wagons of the train, only one of them being shown in Figure 8. The reference numeral 81d refers to a distribution line. Reference numeral 90 refers to a fire detector. The detector 90 is e.g. of a type responding to radiation. It can preferably be an IR detector, but it may alternatively be a detector responding to UV radiation. An optical cable detector, a smoke detector or a gas detector is also possible. At detection of a fire, e.g. detection of a surface heated by the fire, the detector 90 gives a sig- nal to a pump (not shown) to start delivering extinguishing medium into the conduit 81. Consequently, the covers of all sprinklers 230 fall off and the sprinklers enter a standby mode, where they can respond to hot smoke gases. A manual activation of the installation can compensate for said detector activating system. Figure 10 shows another embodiment of the installation according to the invention. The figure uses reference numerals corresponding to those used in Figure 8 for similar components. The installation of Figure 10 differs from that of Figure 8 by the railway wagon 198 being divided into sections 183a, 183b by means of section valves 182a, 182b. If a detector 190a responds to a fire, it gives a signal to the section valve 182a to open. The sprinklers 130a then enter the standby mode with their ampoules uncovered. If hot smoke gases then flow towards a sprinkler 130a, the ampoule explodes and the sprinkler releases. The detector 190ab is arranged to give a signal both to the section valves 182a and 182b, i.e. both to section 183a and 183b. Instead of dividing the railway wagon into four sections, as shown in the figure, it is possible to divide the railway wagon 198 alternatively e.g. into two sections in such a way that the sections 183a and 184b constitute one section only, in which case one section valve, e.g. 182a, is enough. Figure 12 shows a lorry 199 in the railway wagon 198 and how the sprinklers 130a are arranged to spray towards the lorry. Figure 13 shows an installation similar to the installation of Figure 10, but with the essential difference that it comprises, not only sprinklers 230ab, but also spray heads 280a, 280b without release means, e.g. spray heads of the type described in Figure 5. The sprinklers 230ab and the spray heads 280a, 280b, and more exactly the nozzles in them, can preferably be also of the type disclosed in WO98/58705, the content of which is incorporated in this text. The last-mentioned spray heads have nozzles with a variable k factor so that the flow increases strongly with increasing pressure of the extinguishing medium. Figure 10 uses reference numerals corresponding to those of Figure 8 for similar parts. Another difference compared with Figure 10 is that the installation comprises non-return valves 89a, 89b preventing the section valve 282a from giving extinguishing medium to the spray heads 280b in the section 283b. The non-return valves 89a and 89b are built in corresponding valves 282a, 282b, but could alternatively be coupled directly to the conduit distributing extinguishing medium to the spray heads/sprinklers with the same result, as far as the function of the installation is concerned. The installation of Figure 13 functions in such a way that e.g. the detector 290a gives a signal, whereby the section valve 282a opens and the spray heads 280a start spraying extinguishing medium immediately. The sprinklers 230ab do not start spraying until their ampoules have exploded by heat. If the detector 290ab opens, it gives a signal to open both the section valve 282a and 282b. Extinguishing medium flows then both to section 283a and to section 283b. The spray heads 280a and 280b start spraying extin- guishing medium immediately, but the sprinklers 230ab do not start spraying until their ampoules have exploded by heat. Figure 14 shows a further installation according to the invention. The figure uses reference numerals corresponding to those in the previous figures for similar components. The installation of Figure 14 comprises two sections 383 extending along both sides of the railway wagon 398 and comprising both sprinklers 330a and spray heads 380a. When the fire detector 390a gives a signal to the section valve 382, extinguishing medium flows to the sprinklers 330a and the spray heads 380a. The spray heads 380a start spraying immediately, but the sprinklers do not, until their ampoules have exploded by heat. Accordingly, it is possible to deliver most extinguishing medium at certain points having the highest temperature along the railway wagon 398, at the same time as the spray heads 380a (not having an ampoule or another heat-activated release means) attend to initial cooling in the section where the fire has been detected. The spray heads 380a in the section 383 have also the function to prevent spray heads and sprinklers in the section located on the opposite side of the railway wagon 398 from functioning prematurely, which results in that extinguishing medium is not delivered unnecessarily. The embodiment of Figure 14 differs from previous embodiments also in such a way that part of the spray heads 380a are directed upwards, see Figure 16. Thanks to the fact that the spray heads 380a deliver extinguishing medium to the upper portion of the railway wagon, an effective cooling is achieved in areas where the temperature otherwise would be high and could cause ignition of smoke gases and a fast spreading of the fire. It is, of course, also possible to make spray heads/sprinklers spray upwards in the embodiments of Figures 8, 10 and 13. Figures 15 and 16 show how the spraying angles of the sprinklers 330a and the spray heads 380a preferably can be. Figures 17 and 18 show an installation mounted in a railway tunnel 400. A pipe system 481 extends along the tunnel 400. The sprinklers 430a, 430b of the installation are of the type shown in Figure 4. The sprinklers 430a, 430b are mounted directly to the pipe system 481. By means of a pneumatic line 445p, the spray heads 430a, 430b are brought to standby mode over a section valve 482a, 482b, after a fire detector 490a, 490ab or 490b has given a signal. The fire detector 490a controls the section 483a; the fire detector 490ab controls the sections 483a and 483b; and the fire detector 490b controls the section 483b. The pressure in the line 445p can be much lower (more than 10 times lower), e.g. 6 bar, than the pressure in the line 481 (and the lines 81 , 181 , 281 and 381 in previous figures). The section valves 482a, 482b can have small dimensions (e.g. NS 1 ,5) and be inexpensive compared with the section valves (of the type NS 20, for instance) in Figures 10, 13 and 14. The dimension of the line 445p (and the lines 445a, 445b) can be small, e.g. 6 mm, compared with the line 481 (and 81 , 181 , 281 and 381), e.g. 50 mm and the lines (distribution lines) 81d, 181d, 281d and 381d, e.g. 25 mm, in the Figures 8 to 13. This means substantial savings in the costs for long tunnels and similar applications, where the installation is very long, compared with the use of sprinklers of the type not comprising a separate line for the activation of the sprinklers, because no rough distribution lines, the length of which shall correspond to the length of the tunnel, are needed between the section valves and the sprinklers. In Figure 17, part of the sprinklers can be changed for spray heads without heat-activated release means, e.g. of the type shown in Figure 6. Inside the railway wagon 498, there can be an installation of the type illustrated in the Figures 8, 10, 13 and 14. Figures 19 to 21 show an installation for a car tunnel 500.The figures use reference numerals corresponding to those used in the Figures 17 and 18 for similar things. The sprinklers 530a, 530b are of the type shown in Figure 4 and the spray heads of the type shown in Figure 6. The installation of Figures 19 to 21 differs from that of Figures 17 and 18 by the section valves 582a, 582b being arranged to feed extinguishing medium from the conduit 581 into the control pipes 545 (the pipes 45' and 45" in Figures 6 and 4) of the sprinklers 530a, 530b, 530ab and the spray heads 580a. In addition, non-return valves 589a, 589b have been arranged in the control pipe 545 for preventing fluid from flowing from one section to another (e.g. from section 583a to section 583b and vice versa). Non-return valves can naturally also be placed in connection with the control lines 445a, 445b in Fig- ure 17 in case if the control lines were combined to a long control line. The sprinkler 530ab is common for the sections 583a and 583b. As shown in Figure 20, the sprinklers 530a, 530b are directed towards the central parts of the tunnel 500 and towards the lorries 599, while at least part of the spray heads 580a are arranged to deliver extinguishing me- dium towards the upper portion of the tunnel 500 for preventing smoke gases from ignition. The water amount in the spray heads 580a spraying at ceiling (roof) level can be considerably smaller than in the sprinklers 530a and the spray heads shall have a small droplet size (typically smaller than the sprinklers 530a have) to provide an effective cooling. Part of the spray heads 580a, 580b may, of course, be directed towards the central parts of the tunnel. Figure 22 shows a general design for the installation according to the invention. The figure uses reference numerals corresponding to those used in the previous figures for similar components. The installation of Figure 22 can be used for instance in factory installations, high storages and car decks on ferries. The section valves 682a, 682b are coupled to the control lines 645a, 645b and the pipe line 681 in such a way that the sprinklers 630a and the spray heads 680a are activated by the pressure of the extinguishing medium over the section valve 682a and the control line 645a, and the sprinklers 630b and the spray heads 680b are activated by the pressure of the extinguishing medium over the section valve 682b and the control line 645b. The fire detector 690a controls the section valve 682a and the section 683a, and the fire detector 690b controls the section valve 682b and the section 683b. The spray head 680abcd becomes active when whichever of the fire detectors 690a, 690b, 690c or 690d gives a signal. The sprinklers 630a, 630b are preferably of the type shown in Fig- ure 4 and the spray heads 680a, 680b, 680abcd are preferably of the type shown in Figure 7. Part of the sprinklers of Figure 22 or all of them can be changed for spray heads without heat-activated release means and vice versa. Figure 23 shows another embodiment for the general design of the installation according to the invention. The figure uses reference numerals corresponding to those used in the previous figures for similar components. The installation of Figure 23 - like the installation of Figure 22 - can be used e.g. in factory installations, high storage spaces and car decks on ferries. The installation of Figure 23 differs from that of Figure 22 by the section valves 782a, 782b being coupled to pneumatic control pipes 745a, 745b and 745p, which do not have any connection with the extinguishing medium pipe 781. All installations of the Figures 8 to 20 comprise preferably a source of extinguishing medium (not shown), water-based fluid constituting the extin- guishing medium. At least part of the spray heads used for the installation may preferably be of the type described in WO92/20453, i.e. they give off a con- centrated penetrating mist of water, which is capable of penetrating into the seat of fire. The invention has been described above with reference to one example only. Therefore, it is pointed out that the details of the invention may differ from the examples in many respects within the scope of the attached claims. Accordingly, e.g. the division into sections may vary according to the application. As appeared earlier, the application of the Figures 8 to 16 needs not necessarily be a means of transportation in the form of a railway wagon, but it can be some other means of transportation, for instance a ferry. Further, the installation can be used for other spaces, both open and closed, which do not necessarily have anything to do with means of transportation.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Installation for fighting fire, the installation comprising a number of spray heads (130a, 130b; 230; 230ab, 280a, 280b; 330a, 380a; 430a, 430b 530a, 530b, 530ab, 580a; 630a, 630b, 630ab, 680a, 680b, 680ab, 680abcd 730a, 730b, 780a, 780b, 780ab, 780abcd), a pipe system (81; 181; 281; 381 481; 581; 681; 781) for leading extinguishing medium to the spray heads, the spray heads comprising a holder body (3, 3', 3", 3'") having an inlet (5, 5', 5", 5'") for incoming extinguishing medium, at least one nozzle (2, 2', 2", 2'"), and a cover (13, 13', 13", 13'") locked (14, 17, 14', 17', 14", 17", 14'", 17'") in a protective position in front of said nozzle (2, 2', 2", 2'") when the installation is in an inactive mode and, arranged to be displaceable upon activation of the installation to a released position by release of the locking (14, 17, 14', 17', 14", 17", 14'", 17'"), in which released position the cover is clear of said nozzle so that the nozzle may spray extinguishing medium when the spray head is in an active mode, characterized in that the spray heads (130a, 130b; 230; 230ab, 280a, 280b; 330a, 380a; 430a, 430b; 530a, 530b, 530ab, 580a; 630a, 630b, 630ab, 680a, 680b, 680ab, 680abcd; 730a, 730b, 780a, 780b, 780ab, 780abcd) comprise a displaceable device (6, 6', 6", 6'") which is arranged to be displaced by the effect of pressure of a fluid in relation to the holder body (3, 3', 3", 3'") and thus exert a force on the locking (14, 17, 14', 17', 14", 17") so that it releases the cover (13, 13', 13", 13"'). (Fig.8, 10, 13, 14, 17, 19,22,23). 2. Installation according to claim ^ ch a racte rized in that the displaceable device (6, 6', 6", 6'") comprises a projection area (10A, 10A', 10A", 10A'") being arranged to displace the displaceable device and exert the force against the locking (14, 17, 14', 17', 14", 17", 14'", 17'") by means of fluid pressure in a pressure chamber (7, T, 7", 7'"). (Fig.8, 10, 13, 14, 17, 19, 22, 23). 3. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the displaceable device is a sleeve-like part (6, 6', 6", 6'"), which together with the holder body (3, 3', 3", 3'") defines the pressure chamber (7, 7', 7", 7'"). (Fig.1 to 7). 4. Installation according to claim 2, c h a racte rized in that the pressure chamber (7, 7'") is in fluid communication with the inlet (5, 5'") over a passage (12, 12'") when the spray head is in the inactive mode so that a pressure of extinguishing medium in the inlet is arranged to provide said force against the locking (14, 17, 14'", 17'"). (Fig.5, 8, 10, 13, 14). 5. Installation according to claim 2, characte rized in that the pressure chamber (!', 7") is in fluid communication with a control line (45', 45", 445a, 445b; 545; 645a, 645b; 745a, 745b) over a passage (46', 46") in such a way that a pressure of a pressure medium in the control line is arranged to provide said force against the locking (14', 17', 14", 17"). (Fig.17, 19, 22, 23) (Fig.4, 6, 17, 19, 22, 23). 6. Installation according to claim 5, c h a racte rized in that the control line (45', 45", 445a, 445b; 745a, 745b) is not in fluid communication with the inlet (5', 5") when the spray head (430a, 430b, 730a, 780a, 780b, 780ab, 780abcd) is in the inactive mode. (Fig.4, 6, 17, 23). 7. Installation according to claim 1, ch a racterized in that the spray heads (130a, 130b; 280a, 280b; 330a, 380a; 430a, 430b; 530a, 530b, 530ab, 580a; 630a, 630b, 630ab, 680a, 680b, 680ab, 680abcd; 730a, 730b, 780a, 780b, 780ab, 780abcd) are arranged in a number of sections (183a, 183b; 283a, 283b; 383; 483a, 483b; 583a, 583b; 683a, 683b; 783a, 783b) to be activated separately or in groups, each section comprising a number of spray heads. (Fig.10, 13, 14, 17, 19,22,23). 8. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a non-return valve (89a, 89b; 589a, 589b; 689; 789) for leading extinguishing medium to one section (283a, 283b; 583a, 583b; 683a, 683b; 783a, 783b) of the number of sections and for preventing extinguishing medium from flowing to at least part of the spray heads in an adjacent section. (Fig.13, 21,22, 23). 9. Installation according to claim 1 or 7, ch aracterized in that part of said spray heads are sprinklers (230ab; 330a; 530a, 530b, 530ab; 630a, 630b, 630ab; 730a, 730b, 730ab) comprising a heat-activated release means (18, 18") and part of the spray heads (280a, 280b; 380a, 380b; 580a; 680a, 680b, 680abcd; 780a, 780b, 780ab; 780abcd) are without heat-activated release means, which covers (13, 13") of the sprinklers in the protective position are adapted to protect the heat-activated release means against heat so that these not are exposed and do not respond to heat but are arranged, when the covers are displaced to the released position, to put the sprinklers in a standby mode, where the heat-activated release means is intact in order to be able to respond to heat and to provide in this way a release of the correspond- ing sprinkler and to bring it to an active mode, in which it sprays extinguishing medium. (Fig.12, 14, 19, 22, 23). 10. Installation according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a section (283a, 283b; 383, 585a; 683a, 683b; 783a, 783b) com- prising both spray heads (280a; 380a; 480a; 680a; 780a) without heat- activated release means, and sprinklers (230ab; 330a; 430a). (Fig 13, 14, 22, 23). 11. Installation according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises an optical detector it comprises an optical detector or a detector responding to radiation heat or smoke (90; 190; 290; 390; 490a; 590a; 690a; 790a, 790b, 790c, 790d), arranged to start feeding extinguishing medium to the spray heads (130a, 130b; 280a, 280b; 330a, 380a; 430a, 430b; 530a, 530b, 530ab, 580a; 630a, 630b, 630ab, 680a, 680b, 680ab, 680abcd; 730a, 730b, 780a, 780b, 780ab, 780abcd) and to provide said force. (Fig.8, 10, 13, 14, 17, 19,22,23). 12. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that the control lines (445a, 445b; 545; 645a, 645b; 745a, 745b) of the spray heads (430a; 530a, 580a; 630a, 680a; 730a, 780a) belonging to a group are coupled to a control valve (482a; 582a; 682a; 782a) arranged to let fluid flow to the spray heads at detection of a fire. (Fig.17, 19, 22, 23). 13. Installation according to claim 12, characterized in that the control valve (482a, 482b; 782a, 782b) is coupled to a pneumatic line (445p; 745p) for leading air to the spray heads (430a, 430b; 730a, 730b, 780a, 780b) at detection. (Fig.17, 23). 14. Installation according to claim 12, characterized in that the control valve (582a; 682a) is coupled to the pipe system (581; 681) for leading extinguishing medium to the spray head (530a, 580a; 630a, 680a) at activation. (Fig.19,22). 15. Installation according to claim 12, characterized in that non-return valves (589a; 689; 789) are connected to the control lines (545; 645a, 645b; 745) for detaching the covers of certain spray heads and for preventing the covers of the remaining spray heads from being detached. (Fig. 19,22,23). 16. Combination of a means of transport and an installation for fighting fire comprising a number of spray heads (230, 230ab; 280a, 280b; 330a, 380a) and a pipe system (81; 181; 281; 381) for leading extinguishing medium to the spray heads, the spray heads each comprising a holder body (3, 3'") and an inlet (5, 5'") for incoming extinguishing medium, and at least one nozzle (2, 2'"), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the spray heads comprise a cover (13, 13'") locked (14, 17, 14'", 17'") in a protective position in front of said nozzle (2, 2'") when the installation is in an inactive mode and, arranged to be displaceable upon activation of the installation to a released position by release of the locking (14, 17, 14'", 17'"), in which released position the cover is clear of said nozzle so that the nozzle may spray extinguishing medium when the spray head is in an active mode, wherein the cover (13, 13'") is ar- ranged to be displaced to the released position by means of a displaceable device (6, 6'") which is arranged to be displaced by the effect of pressure of a fluid in relation to the holder body (3, 3") and thus exert a force on the locking so that it releases the cover. (Fig. 8, 10, 13, 14). 17. Combination according to claim 16, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the spray heads (130a, 130b; 230ab, 280a, 280b, 280ab; 330a, 380a) are arranged in a number of sections (183a, 183b; 283a, 283b; 383) to be activated separately or in groups, each section comprising a number of spray heads. (Fig. 10, 13, 14). 18. Combination according to claim 16, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that part of the spray heads are sprinklers (230ab; 330a) comprising a heat- activated release means (18) and part of the spray heads (280a) are without any heat-activated release means, which covers (13) of the sprinklers in the protective position are adapted to protect the heat-activated release means against heat so that these are not exposed and do not respond to heat but are arranged, when the covers are displaced to the released position, to put the sprinklers in a standby mode, where the heat-activated release means are intact in order to be able to respond to heat and provide in this way a release of the corresponding sprinkler and bring it to the active mode in which is sprays extinguishing medium. (Fig. 13, 14). 19. Combination of a tunnel and an installation for fighting fire, comprising a number of spray heads (430a, 430b; 530a, 530b; 580a) and a pipe system (481 ; 581 ) for leading extinguishing medium to the spray heads, the spray heads each comprising a holder body (3', 3") and an inlet (5', 5") for incoming extinguishing medium, and at least one nozzle (2', 2"), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the spray heads (430a, 430b; 530a, 530b; 580a) comprise a cover (13', 13") locked (14', 17', 14", 17") in a protective position in front of said nozzle (2', 2") when the installation is in an inactive mode and, arranged to be displaceable upon activation of the installation to a released position by release of the locking (14', 17', 14", 17"), in which released position the cover is clear of said nozzle so that the nozzle may spray extinguish- ing medium when the spray head in an active mode, the cover being arranged to be displaced to the released position by means of a displaceable device (6', 6") which by the effect of pressure of a fluid in relation to the holder body (3, 3") and thus exert a force on the locking so that it releases the cover. (Fig. 17, 19). 20. Combination according to claim 19, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the spray heads (430a, 430b; 530a, 530b, 580a) are arranged in a number of sections (483a, 483b; 583a, 583b) to be activated separately or in groups, each section comprising a number of spray heads. (Fig. 17, 19). 21. Combination according to claim 19, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the displaceable device (6', 6") comprises a projection area (10A, 10A"), which is arranged to exert the force against the locking (14', 17', 14", 17") by means of the fluid pressure in a pressure chamber (7', 7"), the pressure chamber being in fluid communication with a control line (45', 45") over a passage (46', 46") in such a way that a pressure of extinguishing medium in the control line is arranged to provide said force against the locking. (Fig. 17, 19). 22. Combination according to claim 19, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that part of the spray heads are sprinklers (530a, 530b, 530ab) comprising a heat-activated release means (18") and part of the spray heads (580a) are without heat-activated release means, which covers (13") of the sprinklers in the protective position are adapted to protect the heat-activated release means against heat so that these are not exposed and do not respond to heat but are arranged, when the covers are displaced to the released position, to put the sprinklers in a standby mode, where the heat-activated release means are intact in order to be able to respond to heat and provide in this way a re- lease of the corresponding sprinkler and bring it to the active mode in which is sprays extinguishing medium. (Fig. 19). 23. Combination according to claim 19 or 21 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that part of the spray heads (580a, 580b) are directed to spray extinguishing medium in the upper part of the tunnel, while the other spray heads (530a, 530b, 530ab) are directed to spray extinguishing medium in an area located more centrally in the tunnel (Fig. 19 to 21 ). 24. Spray head comprising a holder body (3, 3', 3", 3'"), an inlet (5, 5', 5", 5'") for incoming extinguishing medium and at least one nozzle (2, 2', 2", 2'") and a cover (13, 13', 13", 13"') locked (14, 17, 14', 17', 14", 17", 14'", 17'") in a protective position in front of said nozzle when the spray head is in an inactive mode and, arranged to be displaceable upon activation of the installation from said protective position to a released position by release of the locking (14, 17, 14', 17', 14", 17", 14'", 17'"), in which released position the cover is clear of said nozzle so that the nozzle may spray extinguishing liquid when the spray head in an active mode, c h a ra cte ri ze d in that the spray head (230; 230"; 280'; 280"') comprises a displaceable device (6, 6', 6", 6'") which is arranged to be displaced by the effect of pressure from a fluid in relation to the holder body (3, 3', 3", 3'") and thus exert a force on a locking (14, 17, 14', 17', 14", 17", 14'", 17"') so that it releases the cover (13, 13', 13", 13'"). (Fig.1 to 7). 25. Spray head according to claim 24, c h a ra cte ri zed in that the cover (13', 13'") is arranged to bring the spray head (280'; 280'") to the active mode when the displaceable device (6', 6") is displaced. (Fig.5, 6). 26. Spray head according to claim 24, c h a ra cte rize d in that the displaceable device (6, 6'") comprises a projection area (10A, 10A'") arranged to exert the force against the locking (14, 17, 14'", 17'") by means of a pressure in a pressure chamber (7, 7'") and that the pressure chamber (7, 7'") is in fluid communication with the inlet (5, 5'") over a passage (12, 12'") when the spray head is in the inactive mode so that a pressure of extinguishing medium in the inlet is arranged to displace the displaceable device (6', 6'") and provide the force against the locking. (Fig.1 , 5). 27. Spray head according to claim 24, c h a ra cte rize d in that the displaceable device (6', 6") comprises a projection area (10A', 10A") arranged to exert the force against the locking (14', 17', 14", 17") by means of the fluid pressure in a pressure chamber (7', 7") and that the pressure cham- ber (T, 7") is in fluid communication with a control line (45', 45") over a passage (46', 46") when the spray head is in the inactive mode so that a pressure of extinguishing medium in the control line is arranged to displace the displaceable device (6', 6") and provide the force against the locking. (Fig.6, 4). 28. Spray head according to claim 24, c h a ra cte rize d in that the spray head is a sprinkler (230, 230") comprising a heat-activated release means (18, 18"), wherein the cover (13, 13") of the sprinkler in the pro- tective position is adapted to protect the heat-activated release means against heat so that it is not exposed and does not respond to heat but is arranged, when the cover is displaced to the released position, to put the sprinkler in a standby mode, where the heat-activated release means is intact in order to be able to respond to heat and to provide in this way a release of the sprinkler and to bring it to the active mode, in which it sprays extinguishing medium. (Fig. 1 , 5).

Inventors: SUNDHOLM GOERAN, SUNDHOLM, GOERAN
Applicants: SUNDHOLM GOERAN, SUNDHOLM, GOERAN
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A62C37
IPC codes: A62C3, A62C35, A62C37, B05B1, B05B3