The invention relates to a multi-area fire extinguishing system, having a control system, a number of fluid control lines that are configured to transmit a control pressure as a function of control commands of the control system, and a number of fluid-actuated area valves that are each in fluid communication with the control lines, wherein the area valves are configured to be actuated as a function of the received control commands. The invention proposes, in particular, a fluid-actuated area blocking apparatus which is operatively coupled to the fluid control lines and to the area valves and which is configured such that, when one or more area valves are actuated, said area blocking apparatus opens up those area valves and blocks all other area valves. The invention furthermore relates to a controller for a multi-area fire extinguishing system, to an area blocking apparatus for a fire extinguishing system, and to the use of same.

A valve assembly includes a pipe fitting through which a gas is configured to flow. The inlet of the pipe fitting is configured to connect to an open port of a fire suppression sprinkler system so that gas flows from the fire suppression sprinkler system into the pipe fitting. The valve assembly also includes a vent valve. The inlet of the vent valve is connected to the outlet of the pipe fitting. The vent valve is operable to move between an open position and a shut position. The valve assembly includes an inert gas analyzer and at least one vent port upstream of the inert gas analyzer. The inert gas analyzer is positioned to measure the inert gas content of gas flowing in front of the inert gas analyzer and through the vent port to an outside environment.

The valve 100 comprises a housing 102 having a main inlet 104, a detection port 106 and an outlet 108. The inlet 104, detection port 106 and outlet 108 each provide a channel extending from an exterior of the valve into a hollow interior 110 defined in part by the housing 102. The inlet 104 is arranged, in use, to be connected to a source of pressurised extinguishant fluid. The inlet is arranged to be in fluid communication with the interior of a pressurised cylinder. The detection port 106 is arranged, in use, to be in fluid communication with a fire detection system. Specifically, the detection port is arranged to be in communication with a length of fusible fire detection tubing 12. The valve has two valve parts 124, 130 which are relatively movable between a first position, a second position and a third position. In the first position, a face seal 138 prevents communication between the high pressure chamber 114 and the low pressure chamber 118, in the second position, the face seal 138 is in an unsealed position and allows communication between the high pressure chamber 114 and the low pressure chamber 138, and in the third position, the face seal 138 prevents communication between the high pressure chamber 114 and the low pressure chamber 118. The present invention utilises the face seal 138 between opposing sealing faces provided in the valve 100. The sealing faces move directly away from each other such that a swollen seal located therebetween will not cause any undue resistive forces which may lead to the valve not functioning. In particular, the present invention is sensitive and enables a relatively small reduction in pressure within the low pressure reservoir (as may be due to a gradual leak in the fusible tube 12) to be replenished from the high pressure chamber 114 as the valve parts 124, 130 move smoothly between the first position and the second position.

A fire sprinkler head has a valve with an X-brace latch, and includes a flexible conduit. A sprinkler nozzle is secured to a first end of the flexible conduit. The sprinkler nozzle includes a first fitting, a sprinkler orifice and fusible element. A second fitting is secured to the second end of the flexible conduit and includes the valve. The valve has a valve element which is moveable from a latched position to an unlatched position. A flexible link extends from the sprinkler nozzle to the X-brace valve latch. Breaking of the fusible element releases the flexible link to move from the latched position to the unlatched position, releasing the valve for flow there-through.

A device and method for the visual inspection of the existence of pressure within a branch line of pipe is described. A mechanical tee includes a collar portion configured to extend around a pipe. The collar portion defines an axis and includes one or more fasteners to secure the tee to the pipe. A neck portion is coupled to the collar portion. The channel of the neck portion is in fluid communication with the interior of the pipe. A seal is used to prevent leakage between the pipe and the mechanical tee. A pressure indicating device is in fluid communication with the channel of the neck portion and configured to provide a visual indication of the pressure level in the channel. The pressure indicating device may optionally include electrical contacts to communicate with a monitoring system to discern and track the pressure levels in the channel.

A fire suppression system in which the water supply line is fitted with repeating arrays or groups of sprinkler heads. Each array is composed of at least two side-discharge sprinklers. The side-discharge sprinklers in each array are aimed so that their coverage areas point in opposite directions. Each side-discharge sprinkler includes a lateral heat shield. The lateral heat shield has a concave heat-concentering side that focuses radiant heat toward the sprinkler's trigger, and a convex heat-scattering side that disperses radiant heat away from the trigger. In some embodiments, the array can include one or more vertical-discharge sprinklers. The vertical-discharge sprinkler may include a heat collector to facilitate early activation of its trigger. The fire suppression system is advantageous in high-challenge applications like facilities where large quantities of combustible items are stored in close proximity, such as in warehouses and attics.

A fire suppression system in which the water supply line is fitted with repeating arrays or groups of sprinkler heads. Each array is composed of at least two side-discharge sprinklers. The side-discharge sprinklers in each array are aimed so that their coverage areas point in opposite directions. Each side-discharge sprinkler includes a lateral heat shield. The lateral heat shield has a concave heat-concentering side that focuses radiant heat toward the sprinkler's trigger, and a convex heat-scattering side that disperses radiant heat away from the trigger. In some embodiments, the array can include one or more vertical-discharge sprinklers. The vertical-discharge sprinkler may include a heat collector to facilitate early activation of its trigger. The fire suppression system is advantageous in high-challenge applications like facilities where large quantities of combustible items are stored in close proximity, such as in warehouses and attics.

In an example, an electronic device may monitor a rate of change of water pressure associated with a charged fire sprinkler system. The electronic device may determine whether the rate of change of water pressure is greater than a threshold. The electronic device may, in response to determining that the rate of change is not greater than the threshold, initiate a system recharge in which a fire pump of the fire sprinkler system is activated to attempt to recharge the water pressure.

In an example, an electronic device may monitor a rate of change of water pressure associated with a charged fire sprinkler system. The electronic device may determine whether the rate of change of water pressure is greater than a threshold. The electronic device may, in response to determining that the rate of change is not greater than the threshold, initiate a system recharge in which a fire pump of the fire sprinkler system is activated to attempt to recharge the water pressure.

An adjustable inert gas generation assembly for producing a flow of inert gas for introduction into a pipe network of a fire protection system includes an inert gas generator with an outlet in fluid communication with the pipe network and configured for selectively producing a flow of inert gas to the pipe network at least at a first purity level and a second purity level, wherein the first purity level is produced while the assembly is in a first mode and the second purity level is produced while the assembly is in a second mode; wherein the second purity level is higher than the first purity level; and a control circuit in electrical communication with the inert gas generator and configured to selectively switch the inert gas generator between the first and second modes.