A pilot actuator for controlling the operation of a control valve. The control valve can be part of a dry-type fire suppression sprinkler system in which the sprinkler piping network is filled with pressurized gas such as, for example, air, nitrogen, or another gas. The pilot actuator is a differential valve that actuates the control valve when the gas pressure in the sprinkler piping network is at or below a value for tripping or actuating the pilot valve to the open position. The pilot actuator has a ratio of a change in a trip pressure set point to a change in an inlet pressure that is in a range of 0.007 to 0.045.

A sprinkler accelerator system includes an accelerator and at least one orifice. The accelerator is coupled with at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler, and vents gas from the at least one pipe when the at least one sprinkler opens. The at least one orifice controls a rate of change of pressure in the at least one pipe to control operation of a flow control valve coupled with the accelerator.

An air maintenance device (AMD) for fire protection system includes a gas inlet configured to couple with a source of compressed gas; a gas outlet configured to couple with a pipe network of the fire protection system; a first sensor configured to sense a system parameter of the pipe network of the fire protection system and to produce a first output corresponding to the system parameter; a first gas flow valve in fluid communication with and between the inlet and the outlet; and a first control circuit in communication with the sensor and with the first gas flow valve. The first gas flow valve is electrically controlled and configured to control a flow of gas from the source of compressed gas into the pipe network. The control circuit is configured to receive the first output from the sensor and output a control signal that is a function of the system parameter to the first gas flow valve. Other example AMDs, systems including AMDs, methods of installing AMDs, and methods of suppling gas to a pipe network using an AMD are also disclosed.

An example system for suppressing a fire condition in an aircraft includes a supply of fire suppressant agent on-board the aircraft, a conduit coupled to the supply of fire suppressant agent and configured to carry fire suppression agent, an inlet located downstream of the conduit that is coupled to the conduit and is configured to be attached to a cargo container in the aircraft to deliver the fire suppression agent directly into the cargo container, a valve connected to the conduit between the supply of fire suppressant agent and the inlet, a detector located inside the cargo container, and a computer controller in communication with the valve and in communication with the detector, and controlling operation of the valve for delivery of the fire suppression agent into the cargo container based on an output received from the detector.

The invention relates to an inertization apparatus for inerting a working volume in a chemical production plant by flushing with inert gas, where the chemical production plant comprises a plant-wide inert gas distribution system having pipes for distributing the inert gas and at least one inert gas offtake position which can be connected to a connecting conduit. According to the invention, it is provided that the connecting conduit between inertization apparatus and working volume is connected, at its end nearest the working volume, in a not reversibly detachable manner to an intermediate piece, where the intermediate piece can be connected in a reversibly detachable manner to a counterpiece provided on the working volume.

Ceiling only dry sprinkler systems and methods for protection of a storage occupancy employing a mandatory fluid delivery delay period. The systems and methods provide for fire protection of stored commodities of forty-five feet or greater with a hydraulic design ranging from six to eighteen design sprinklers. The systems and methods employ an upright sprinkler having a nominal K-factor greater than 28.

Ceiling only dry sprinkler systems and methods for protection of a storage occupancy employing a mandatory fluid delivery delay period. The systems and methods provide for fire protection of stored commodities of forty-five feet or greater with a hydraulic design ranging from six to eighteen design sprinklers. The systems and methods employ an upright sprinkler having a nominal K-factor greater than 28.

A connector includes a first member defining a first opening; a second member defining a second opening; and a third member defining a third opening, the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening being centrally connected to define a cavity within the connector. A method for draining a sprinkler assembly includes removing a plug from a third opening of a connector of the sprinkler assembly, a sprinkler body of the sprinkler assembly connected to a first opening of the connector, a flexible conduit of the sprinkler assembly connected to a second opening of the connector; and draining a fluid from the connector and the flexible conduit through the third opening.

A gas supply system primarily designed for use with fire sprinkler systems which includes a control system which uses flow demand to automatically determine the mode of operation and switch between providing air and nitrogen. The gas supply system can operate either in standard nitrogen generation mode where nitrogen is supplied to the reservoir tank and/or sprinkler system or in a bypass mode, where sufficient pressure is only obtained by directly supplying air. The gas supply system can provide for improved safety in operation as well as the ability to operate the sprinkler system primarily when filled with nitrogen supervisory gas.

A gas supply system primarily designed for use with fire sprinkler systems which includes a control system which uses flow demand to automatically determine the mode of operation and switch between providing air and nitrogen. The gas supply system can operate either in standard nitrogen generation mode where nitrogen is supplied to the reservoir tank and/or sprinkler system or in a bypass mode, where sufficient pressure is only obtained by directly supplying air. The gas supply system can provide for improved safety in operation as well as the ability to operate the sprinkler system primarily when filled with nitrogen supervisory gas.