Abstract:
A test system ( 10 ) for testing a fire suppression system ( 100 ) for a determination of a flow ratio of at least two different constituents ( 2, 4 ) where the fire suppression system ( 100 ) is of a type that mixes the flow of the at least two constituents ( 2, 4 ) for distribution whereby only one of the two constituents ( 2, 4 ), is required for testing of the flow ratio, the system ( 10 ) comprising a control box ( 14 ), a first constituent flow meter system ( 16 ) and a second constituent line flow meter system ( 18 ), wherein the first constituent ( 2 ) is directed through the first constituent flow meter system ( 16 ), the first constituent ( 2 ) is directed through the second constituent line flow meter system ( 18 ), each flow meter system ( 16, 18 ) detecting a flow rate therein, and the control box ( 14 ) compares the flow rates of the first constituent ( 2 ) through each flow meter system ( 16, 18 ), and indicates the flow rate ratio had the second constituent ( 4 ) been directed through the second constituent line flow meter system ( 18 ). The system ( 10 ) is portable and waterproof, and obviates the need to discharge expensive foam concentrate ( 8 ) as well as disposal costs of foam.

Description:
This application claims priority to provisional U.S. application Ser. No. 60/348,109 to be assigned, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TESTING FOAM-WATER FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS, inventor Tom Boyle, filed Nov. 9, 2001. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a fire suppression system, more particularly to foam-water fire protection systems, and most particularly to a method and system for testing foam-water fire protection systems. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many types of suppression systems currently exist. Of these, a great portion of these systems are dedicated to extinguishing fires or blanketing a spill where the material is of a type that water alone will not suffice. Often, these systems utilize a foam, typically a foam concentrate mixed with water via a proportioning valve such that the water mixes with and carries the foam through the system. 
   As with all fire suppression systems, it is the hope that the system is infrequently, if ever, needed to suppress a fire or prevent a hazardous spill from igniting. However, because of a lack of use, it is often uncertain whether fire suppression systems are in proper working order. In addition, a lack of use may lead those in control of the systems to neglect proper maintenance and testing. 
   One issue present with testing of a fire suppression system is the labor and cost involved. With foam-water suppression systems, typical testing methods involve sending foam through the proportioner and/or other parts of the system, and measuring the flow (volume and rate) of the mixture. The foam is specially formulated, must be purchased at an expense, and cannot be recycled. In addition, the use of the foam in testing results in an expensive disposal issue of the foam and water mixture due to environmental regulations. Furthermore, typical testing systems are cumbersome and laborious, as is the process itself. These factors further contribute to an inclination by some to delay proper testing and maintenance, or forego such altogether. 
   There is a variety of foam-water fire suppression systems. Two types are commonly referred to as an In-Line Balanced Pressure Proportioner system, or ILBP, and a Bladder Tank Proportioner system. Both of these rely on a source of foam concentrate and a source of water (fire protection water supply). Often times, the foam concentrate is stored in, for instance, a bladder tank. In both of these types of systems, as well as others, a valve known as a proportioner controls the mixing of the foam concentrate and water. Once the mixture passes through the proportioner, it is then forced through a portion of the fire suppression system containing sprinklers or other devices for applying the foam/water mixture to the area of concern, either a fire or a hazard with potential for fire. In these systems, it is of great concern that the levels are properly mixed, a fact that relies to some degree on pressure on the valve and in the lines providing the water and foam concentrate. This requires being able to test the effectiveness and proper working order of the proportioner and of the system in general. 
   As an international standards organization, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), of Quincy, Mass., has developed standards for the testing of various fire equipment. Among these standards is Standard 25, Standard for Inspection testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. The neglect of maintenance and testing of fire protection and suppression systems is a serious issue, and it has long been desired to be able to test the systems easily and without a great expense. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a test system  10  for testing a fire suppression system  100  for a determination of a flow ratio of at least two different constituents  2 ,  4  where the fire suppression system  100  is of a type that mixes the flow of the at least two constituents  2 ,  4  for distribution whereby only one of the two constituents  2 ,  4 , is required for testing. The test system  10  comprises a control box  14 , a first constituent flow meter system  16 , and a second constituent line flow meter system  18 , wherein the first constituent  2  is directed through the first constituent flow meter system  16 , the first constituent  2  is directed through the second constituent line flow meter system  18 , each flow meter system  16 ,  18  detecting a flow rate therein, and the control box  14  compares the flow rates of the first constituent  2  through each flow meter system  16 ,  18 , and indicates the flow rate ratio had the second constituent  4  been directed through the second constituent flow meter system  18 . 
   The test system  10  is preferably portable, and may be connected and disconnected to the fire suppression system  100 . The control box  14  is preferably waterproof and includes a pair of flow rate meters  30 ,  32 . The test system  10  of can include a recording means  12 , preferably a flatbed recorder. The first constituent flow meter system  16  receives the first constituent  2  from a fire protection first constituent supply source  15  at a flow rate appropriate for actual fire suppression conditions, and the second constituent line flow meter system  18  receives the first constituent  2  from a water balance line  122 . The test system  10  can include a booster pump  312  between the second constituent line flow meter system  18  and the water balance line  122  thereby providing the first constituent  2  with an inlet pressure to the second constituent line flow meter system  18  appropriate for actual fire suppression conditions to an outlet pressure from the second constituent storage  102 . The test system  10  is designed so that the first constituent  2  may be discharged from the test system  10 , or may be recovered. A nozzle  230  can be provided on the discharge for providing a sufficient pressure to the test system  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the first constituent  2  is water and the second constituent  4  is foam concentrate. 
   In a second preferred embodiment, a test system  10  is provided as above, with the additional ability of measuring the actual flow rate of the mixed constituents  2 ,  4  by directing the mixed flow through the test system  10 , and a probe  58  is located in the path of the mixed flow. The probe  58  can be connected to a conductivity controller  34  located in the control box  14 , the control box  14  displaying a reading of the flow by correlating the conductivity of the mixed flow to a conductivity of the two constituents  2 ,  4  based on the proportions of the two constituents  2 ,  4  present in the flow. This second embodiment may be utilized to determine the actual proportions of the two constituents  2 ,  4  in the mixed flow where both constituents  2 ,  4  are sent through the fire suppression system  100 , or may be utilized as a verification tool and calibratio means for the test system  10 . 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment test system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a representational view of a fire suppression system with a flow meter of the test system of the present invention attached thereto; 
       FIG. 3  is representational view of a flow meter of the test system of the present invention attached to a concentrate line and a water inlet pipe; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a hose nozzle of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is side elevation view of the hose nozzle of the present invention. 
   

   Corresponding reference numerals will be used throughout the several figures of the drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a test system  10  of the present invention is depicted including a chart recorder  12 , an electronics control box  14 , a water flow meter system  16 , and a concentrate line flow meter system  18 . The test system  10  is relatively small and compact. Accordingly, it can be mounted and transported for simple use and on-site deployment, as is pictured here on a test stand  22 . In a preferred embodiment, the test stand  22  is a 4-foot by 6-foot cart with wheels  24  and a handle  26 . The test system  10  measures the flow rates of two constituents  2  and  4  (see  FIG. 2 ), principally water and foam concentrate, though others may be substituted as per the requirements of a fire suppression system  100  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
   The recording means  12 , such as a chart recorder, is used to record the measurements taken by the test system  10 . In the present embodiment, a compact flatbed recorder is employed such as the RD 6100 2 pen chart recorder manufactured by Omega Engineering, Inc., of Stamford, Conn. It should be noted that the purpose of recording the test results may be either to make calculations based upon the results, or to establish proof of the testing. It should also be noted that other recording means may be employed, including other types of hard-copy (paper) recorders, or another means for recording data, such as magnetic tape or digital (computer/microprocessor) based recorders. 
   The electronics control box  14  includes, in a preferred embodiment, a weather-proof enclosure since many of the uses of the system  10  are tests performed outside of any protective enclosure, as well as the fact that the system  10  is measuring the flow of large amounts of water under pressure, water which could damage electronic components located within the control box  14 . The control box  14  measures 20″×20″×10,″ thereby providing space for electronics contained therein. Preferably, the electronics control box  14  includes a power source rated at least about 110 VAC. 
   The electronics control box  14  contains a first flow rate meter  30 , and a second flow rate meter, herein referred to as the concentrate meter  32 . In the present embodiment both flow rate meters  30  and  32  are manufactured by Omega Engineering, Inc. and are sold as the DPF701 Series Rate Meter/Totalizer. The control box  14  also includes a conductivity controller  34 . In a preferred embodiment, the conductivity monitor/controller  34  is manufactured by Omega Engineering, Inc. and sold as the CDCN-90A and is microprocessor based. 
   The first flow meter system  16  includes two sections of pipe  40 ,  42  with a water supply meter  44  mounted therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, each pipe  40 ,  42  is a 4″ Schedule #40 BLK pipe, and the supply meter  44  is a turbine meter manufactured by the Omega Engineering, Inc. and marketed as a FTB-740, though other pipes and meters would also suffice. The preferred turbine meter has a flow meter range of 6–1100 gallons per minute (GPM). The first constituent flow meter system  16  has an inlet end  46  and outlet end  48 . Each end of the flow meter system  16  includes hose connections  50 . Preferably, the hose connections  50  are 2½″ hose connections with National Standard Hose Threads (NSHT). As depicted, each hose connection  50  is covered with a standard hose cap  52 . Along the length of pipe  42  is an outlet  56  into which is inserted (in the internal flow path of the pipe  42 ) a probe  58  of the conductivity monitor/controller  34 . In the present embodiment, the Omega Engineering, Inc. manufactured CDCN-90A is used for the conductivity monitor/controller  34 , as mentioned above. 
   The concentrate flow meter system  18  is connected to the control box  14 . The concentrate flow meter system  18  is preferably a 2″ stainless steel flow meter  19  rated at 250 p.s.i., such as that manufactured by Omega Engineering, Inc. and marketed as FTB720 with a flow rate range of 2–300 GPM. The flow meter  19  is then connected to the electronics control box  14 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a typical fire suppression system  100  of the type utilizing a foam concentrate bladder tank system  102 , also referred to as a bladder tank foam water system, is depicted. The bladder tank system  102  stores second constituent  4 , typically foam concentrate, for the event the second constituent  4  is needed by the fire suppression system  100 .  FIG. 2  includes arrows indicating the direction of flow through various pipelines. The fire suppression system  100  depends on a fire protection first constituent supply  105  feeding into a supply pipe  106 . The supply pipe  106  connects to a proportioner  108 . The proportioner  108  is a valve as well as a mixer, in the sense that the proportioner  108  mixes supply of first constituent  2  with supply of second constituent  4  (foam concentrate) at the proper ratio. The proportioner  108  is also connected to a hazard pipe  110 . The hazard pipe  110  feeds sprinkler system (see  FIG. 6 ) or other means for dispersing the first and second constituent mixture (water/foam concentrate) by the fire suppression system  100 . Feeding directly into the proportioner  108  is a foam concentrate outlet line  120 . The foam concentrate outlet line  120  conveys foam concentrate directly from the bladder tank system  102  to the proportioner  108  for mixing. The bladder tank system  102  can include features known in the art, such as a fill connection  115 , a pressure vacuum vent  116 , and a tank drain valve  117 . 
   As depicted, the fire suppression system  100  requires balanced pressure between the first and second constituents  2 ,  4  (water and foam concentrate). The fire suppression system  100  includes a water balance line  122  and a foam concentrate balance line  124  represented with a valve  126  between the balance lines  122 ,  124 . Preferably, the valve  126  is a diapharam control valve providing automatic pressure balance. 
   Under fire suppression conditions, foam concentrate (second constituent  4 ) would be permitted to exit the bladder tank system  102  at an exit valve  130  along a concentrate feeder line  132 . The concentrate feeder line  132  is connected to a valve  134 , which is in turn connected to an intermediate feeder line  136 . The intermediate feeder line  136  connects to a concentrate pressure regulating valve  138 , which is in turn connected to the foam concentrate outlet line  120 . The concentrate pressure regulating valve  138  is preferably a 2″ water power ball valve. When the system  10  is in use, the concentrate pressure regulating valve  138  is actuated by the return flow exiting the concentrate flow meter system  18 . 
   The flow meter  19  of the concentrate flow meter system  18  of the test system  10  connects to an inlet line  150  and an outlet line  152 . The inlet line  150  connects to the water balance line  122 , and the outlet line  152  connects to the intermediate feeder line  136 . As such, water from the balance line  122  flows through the concentrate flow meter system  18 , through the proportioner  108 , and into the hazard pipe  110 . In this use of testing, valve  134  is closed. 
   During testing as described, the water flowing through the hazard pipe  110  flows to a test outlet pipe  170 . It should be noted that, under non-testing conditions, the flow through the hazard pipe  110  would be a mixture of foam concentrate and water, and the flow would not pass through the test outlet pipe  170 , instead being directed to the sprinklers or other foam dispersing means through the hazard pipe  110  as at location  172 . The test outlet pipe  170  has at its terminus a solution control valve  174  which connects to test stand line  176 . The test stand line  176  connects to, for instance, a hose  178  (see  FIG. 6 ) which connects to the hose connection  50  of the inlet end  46  of the water flow meter system  16  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary use of the system  10  is depicted having the concentrate line flow meter system  18  and flow meter  19  connected to a fire suppression system  200 . Foam concentrate (second constituent  4 ) is stored in a concentrate tank ( FIG. 2 ) and is delivered via a foam inlet pipe  204 . Water (first constituent) is delivered from a water supply ( FIG. 2 ) and delivered via a water inlet pipe  206 . A concentrate isolation valve  208  connects to the foam inlet pipe  204  located on the foam inlet pipe  204 , the concentrate isolation valve  208  having an open/close locking capability. When testing, the concentrate isolation valve  208  is locked in closed position. A tee  210  is connected to the concentrate isolation valve  208 , to the flow meter  19 , and to a concentrate line  212 . The flow meter  19  is additionally connected to a drain supply  214  from the water inlet pipe  206 . When testing, water flows through the flow meter  19  into the tee  210  and into the concentrate line  212  instead of the foam concentrate. A balancing valve  216  is located on the concentrate line  212  for insuring that proper pressure flow through the concentrate line  212  is maintained. After the flow through the flow meter  19  and concentrate line  212  passes through the balancing valve  216 , it enters a proportioner  218 . As depicted, a retard chamber  220  actuates a water powered ball valve  222 . When the fire suppression system  100  is tested or activated, water flows through the water inlet pipe  206 , and the ball valve  222  is actuated by the retard chamber  220  to open the concentrate line  212  so that the foam concentrate (during fire suppression conditions) or water (during testing conditions) passes through to the proportioner  218 . 
   After the proportioner  218 , the combined flow from the concentrate line  212  and the direct flow from the water inlet pipe  206  flow through a ball valve  224  and into a test outlet pipe  226  to the hose connection  50  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a hose monster  230  is depicted. The hose monster  230  is a nozzle manufactured by Hydro Flow Products, Inc. of Rolling Meadows, Ill. In order to properly connect to an outlet hose  320  (see  FIG. 6 ), the selected hose monster  230  preferably has an inlet diameter  232  of 4 inches. Furthermore, the hose monster  230  has an outlet diameter  234  of 6″, a outlet length  236  of 23″, and inlet length  238  of 15″, and an overall weight of 27 pounds. The hose monster  230  is necessary to provide the proper pressure on the flow of water. 
     FIG. 6  is a diagram of one embodiment and use of the present invention. As depicted, there is an existing structure  300  above which is located an existing sprinkler system  302 . Connecting to the sprinkler system  302  is a concentrate line  304  for delivering foam concentrate to the system, as well as a water flow connection  306  for delivering water. The concentrate line  304  and a main drain  308  of the sprinkler system  302  connect to the concentrate flow meter system  18  (flow meter  19 ). Flow of water passes from the main drain  308 , through a booster pump  312  and flow meter  19 , and returns to the concentrate line  304  where it passes through a proportioner ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ). The proportioner combines this flow with the main flow of water from the water supply. It should be noted that in bladder tank systems, the booster pump  312  is unnecessary because the existing water pressure supplied for the system  10  is the same pressure as would be exerted on the bladder tank. Thus, the amount of foam that would be displaced by the pressure is the same as the pressure of the water being injected in place of the foam concentrate. Combined flow from the proportioner passes through the test system  10  at the test stand  22  ( FIG. 1 ) and into an outlet hose  320  and is discharged from the hose monster  230 . 
   It is known that each fire suppression system of the types to which this system  10  is applicable require a proportional flow of water to foam concentrate. Each fire suppression system is provided with specific relative flow rates. Often, these fire suppression systems are specifically designed and built for a particular location, similar to the way that of air conditioning and heating systems (HVAC) systems are. The rates of flow for water and foam concentrate are dictated by the test and the characteristics of the foam itself. The flow rate for water is measured by the test system  10  by outletting the actual water of the system through the test stand line  176  (see  FIG. 2 ) connected to the hose connection  50  of the inlet end  46  of the water flow meter system  16  (see  FIG. 1 ). The flow rate of the foam concentrate is measured as the water supply system provides pressure (which may be boosted by the booster pump  312  as shown in  FIG. 6 ) through the water balance line  122 . The system  10  includes inlet line  150  connected to the water balance line  122 . The inlet line  150  directs water from the water supply through the flow meter  18 , thereby indicating the rate of flow water substituted for the foam. The components of the control box  14  then compare the flow of the water through the water flow meter system  16  to the flow of the water through the flow meter  19  to provide a reading of the relative flow rates. Thus, the test system  10  identifies proportional flow rates of the water supply and the foam concentrate. The percentage of the total flow through the water flow meter system  16  that is due to the flow through the flow meter  19  can be calculated using the measured total flow through water flow meter system  16  and the measured flow through the flow meter  19 . This is accomplished without discharge of any foam concentrate, and the resulting water can be dispersed through the hose monster  230 . 
   Furthermore, the probe  58  of the conductivity monitor/controller  34  is provided for measuring actual foam/water mixture flow. ( FIG. 1 ). In this manner, the fire suppression system actually releases foam concentrate mixed with water through the water flow meter system  16 . The probe  58  measures the conductivity levels of the resulting mixture, thereby determining whether the proper mixture of water and foam concentrate is being delivered by the fire suppression system. 
   While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.