A wet pipe fire protection sprinkler system and method of operating a wet pipe fire sprinkler system includes providing a sprinkler system having a pipe network, a source of water for the pipe network, at least one sprinkler head connected with the pipe network and a drain valve for draining the pipe network. An inert gas source, such as a nitrogen gas source, is connected with the pipe network. Inert gas is supplied from the inert gas source to the pipe network. Water is supplied to the pipe network thereby substantially filling the pipe network with water and compressing the inert gas in the pipe network.

An oxygen-reducing installation and method include a compressed gas storage having a container for storing a compressed gas, which can be an oxygen-reduced gas mixture or an inert gas, and having a fluid connection to an enclosed area via a line system to feed at least a portion of the compressed gas to the enclosed area. A gas separation system provides an oxygen-reduced gas mixture and includes an outlet for delivery of the oxygen-reduced gas mixture produced in the gas separation system to the compressed gas storage and/or to the enclosed area as required.

An assembly of a mounting bracket configured and arranged for mounting upon a vertical surface, and a consolidated dry sprinkler compressor unit configured and arranged for hanging engagement upon the mounting bracket after the mounting bracket has been mounted upon a vertical surface. The consolidated dry sprinkler compressor unit including a mounting rail, an air compressor mounted on the rail, a pressure tank mounted on the rail and in fluid communication with the air compressor for receiving air pressurized by the air compressor, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with compressed air in the pressure tank for generating a low pressure signal when the pressure in the pressure tank falls below a threshold value, and a pressure switch in electrical communication with the pressure sensor and the air compressor for activating the air compressor upon receipt of the low pressure signal from the pressure sensor so as to supply the pressure tank with additional pressurized air.

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.

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.

A fire sprinkler head (12) has a valve (42) with an X-brace latch (54), and includes a flexible conduit (14). A sprinkler nozzle (16) is secured to a first end of the flexible conduit (14). The sprinkler nozzle (16) includes a first fitting (28), a sprinkler orifice (20) and fusible element (22). A second fitting (40) is secured to the second end of the flexible conduit (14) and includes the valve (42). The valve (42) has a valve element (44) which is moveable from a latched position to an unlatched position. A flexible link (56) extends from the sprinkler nozzle (16) to the X-brace valve latch (54). Breaking of the fusible element (22) releases the flexible link (56) to move from the latched position to the unlatched position, releasing the valve (42) for flow there-through.

A wet pipe fire protection sprinkler system and method of operating a wet pipe fire sprinkler system includes providing a sprinkler system having a pipe network, a source of water for the pipe network, at least one sprinkler head connected with the pipe network and a drain valve for draining the pipe network. An inert gas source, such as a nitrogen gas source, is connected with the pipe network. Inert gas is supplied from the inert gas source to the pipe network. Water is supplied to the pipe network thereby substantially filling the pipe network with water and compressing the inert gas in the pipe network.