Patent ID: 7445052

Claim:
A fire protection and fire extinguishing device for an aquiferous domestic appliance coupled to an electrical supply, the aquiferous domestic appliance having a water supply arrangement for supplying water to the domestic appliance such that the domestic appliance can perform an aquiferous operation on items being handled by the domestic appliance, the fire protection and fire extinguishing device comprising: means for monitoring the atmosphere within the domestic appliance, detecting gasses resulting from smoldering electrical components prior to the onset of fire, and generating a signal upon detecting gasses resulting from smoldering electrical components; means for disconnecting main electrical power to the appliance in operational communication with said monitoring means and operational to disconnect electrical power to the appliance responsive to a signal from said monitoring means; at least one water sprinkler system activated by said means for monitoring the atmosphere for providing a spray mist to said appliance when said electrical supply is switched off from said appliance to extinguish a fire, said at least one water sprinkler system being connected to the water supply arrangement of the domestic appliance for receiving water therefrom and said means for monitoring the atmosphere being located in a door of said domestic appliance; and a base pan for capturing said water from said spray mist and a float element disposed within the base pan in a configuration wherein the float element rises with rising water and is in operational communication with a water input shut-off valve for closing said water input shut-off valve when a preset float water level is reached in said base pan, thereby forestalling water from escaping said base pan.