SPRINKLER TEST DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract

The invention relates to a sprinkler test device comprising: a chamber configured to fit around a sprinkler head mounted in a sprinkler system; a drain conduit for guiding extinguishing agent to a disposal or collection container; a temperature regulator for regulating the temperature in the chamber. The invention further relates to a method for testing a sprinkler system, comprising the following steps, to be executed in any suitable order; providing a sprinkler test device as described herein above; positioning the chamber of the sprinkler test device around a first sprinkler head of a sprinkler system to be tested; and regulating the temperature around the sprinkler head for testing purposes.

Claims

1. A sprinkler test device comprising: a chamber configured to fit around a sprinkler head mounted in a sprinkler system; a drain conduit for guiding extinguishing agent to a disposal or collection container; and a temperature regulator for regulating the temperature in the chamber.

2. The sprinkler test device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature regulator comprises a temperature sensor, preferably in the chamber.

3. The sprinkler test device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature regulator comprises a control unit.

4. The sprinkler test device according to any preceding claims claim 1, wherein the temperature regulator comprises an air heater.

5. The sprinkler test device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature regulator comprises a camera, a bulb burst registration device, or combinations thereof.

6. The sprinkler test device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to provide a time dependent temperature profile in the chamber.

7. The sprinkler test device according to claim 1, wherein the chamber of the test device is mounted on a mobile lifting device.

8. A method for testing a sprinkler system, comprising the following steps, to be executed in any suitable order; a. providing a sprinkler test device according to claim 1; b. positioning the chamber of the sprinkler test device around a first sprinkler head of a sprinkler system to be tested; and c. regulating the temperature around the sprinkler head for testing purposes.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein an auxiliary pump is connected to the sprinkler system before step b and a permanently installed pump of the sprinkler system is blocked off from the sprinkler heads of the system.

10. The sprinkler test device according to claim 4, wherein the air heater comprises a hot air gun.

11. The sprinkler test device according to claim 5, wherein the bulb burst registration device is an acoustic sensor.

12. The sprinkler test device according to claim 7, wherein the mobile lifting device comprises a forklift or a mobile crane.

Description

[0034] In order to further elucidate the invention, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. In the figures:

[0035] FIG. 1 depicts a first schematic view of a testing system according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0036] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic more detailed view of the system according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic testing regime according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0038] The figures represent specific exemplary embodiments of the inventions and should not be considered limiting the invention in any way or form. Throughout the description and the figures the same or corresponding reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding elements.

[0039] The expression “water” used herein is to be understood as, though not to be considered limited to water, but is referring to any suitable extinguishing agent, including water.

[0040] The expression “extinguishing agent” used herein is to be understood as, though not to be considered limited to any liquid or if so required foam or gaseous agent that is capable and suitable for extinguishing fires. The most commonly used extinguishing agent is water.

[0041] The expression “sprinkler head, spray head and spray nozzle” used herein are to be understood as, though not to be considered limited to those parts of the sprinkler system, where the water exits the system and is most of the time sprayed in the building space where a fire has occurred.

[0042] The expression “fuse” used herein are to be understood as, though not to be considered limited to any type of element that loses its physical integrity under a temperature rise, at a specific predetermined temperature such as a glass bulb, containing a liquid that starts to boil at a specific determined temperature, a specific alloy that melts at a predetermined temperature, or a set of parts hold together by such specific alloy.

[0043] In FIG. 1, a test device 1 is depicted comprising a chamber 2 which is positioned around and used on sprinkler head 3 of a sprinkler system 4. The Sprinkler system comprises a conduit 5 running from a water supply 6 to, amongst others, the sprinkler head 3. In the conduit 5, a pump 7 can be provided for urging the water towards the sprinkler heads and a water meter 8 for measuring the water flow. This flow meter can be for instance an induction flow meter.

[0044] From the chamber 2 of the test device 1, a hose 9 is running down towards a drain or a collection tank for inspecting and testing the actual outpouring flow from sprinkler head 3. A control unit 10 is connected through a power and control lines 11 to the chamber as is depicted in more detail in FIG. 2. The Chamber 2 of the testing device 1 can comprise a metal shell and can be mounted on a mobile lifting device 12, such as a fork lift or a mobile crane.

[0045] In FIG. 2 a detailed view of the testing device 1 is provided. Here the chamber 2 of the testing device 1 is positioned around the sprinkler head 3. The sprinkler head 3 is connected to the conduit 5 by means of a T-connector 13. The sprinkler head 3 typically comprises a deflector plate 14 and a fuse 15, which fuse holds in place a cap or stopper to seal of the exiting nozzle of the sprinkler head 1 as long as it is not activated.

[0046] The chamber 2 of the testing device 1 comprises in this embodiment a air heater 16, which can be a hot air gun or a hair drier. The air heater is powered and regulated by the controller 10 through the power and control line 17.

[0047] The chamber 2 further comprises a temperature sensor 20, which is connected to the controller by control line 21. The measured temperature can be used for regulating the temperature and for registering the temperature regime during a test. The chamber 2 can further comprise a camera 18 to inspect if the sprinkler 3 indeed is activated and provide a spraying pattern.

[0048] A typical test temperature regime is depicted in FIG. 3. In this figure the horizontal axis, the abscissa 23 represents time 24, and the vertical axis, the ordinate 22 represents the temperature 25. The line 26 represents the time dependent temperature regime that is used during a test.

[0049] The invention is to be understood not to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described in the specification. For instance the top wall of the chamber 2 can be comprising a set of inwardly arranged brushes which allow to be fitted around a sprinkler head, yet seal off and isolate the inner part of the chamber 2 as much as possible from the ambient surroundings, while the sprinkler head is penetrating through the brushes.

[0050] Another way may be a resilient foil seal with a central hole and e.g. a resilient reinforcement ring around said hole, for fitting snuggly around the sprinkler head 3 to be tested.

[0051] The temperature control regulated by the sensor 20 controller 10 and the heater 16, used to regulate the temperature may alternatively comprise a small container, configured to fit around the sprinkler head, which container can be filled with a temperature controlled liquid, e.g. a bio-based oil such as vegetable oil or any other suitable liquid or oil. In this alternative, the oil in the container is slowly heated up, until the fuse will collapse. These and other modifications are considered to be variations that are part of the framework, the spirit and the scope of the invention outlined in the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0052] 1. Test device [0053] 2. Chamber [0054] 3. Sprinkler head [0055] 4. Sprinkler system [0056] 5. Conduit [0057] 6. Water supply [0058] 7. Pump [0059] 8. Flow meter [0060] 9. Hose [0061] 10. Control unit [0062] 11. Control line [0063] 12. Mobile lifting device [0064] 13. T-connector [0065] 14. Deflector plate [0066] 15. Fuse [0067] 16. Air heater [0068] 17. Control and power line [0069] 18. Camera [0070] 19. Power and signal line [0071] 20. Temperature sensor [0072] 21. signal line [0073] 22. Ordinate [0074] 23. Abscissa [0075] 24. Arrow representing time [0076] 25. Arrow representing temperature [0077] 26. Line representing temperature regime