TEST UNIT FOR SIMULATING FIRES

Abstract

The invention relates to a test unit for simulating fires, formed on the basis of an enclosure (1) in the form of a closed compartment with a floor, walls and ceiling made from reinforced concrete parts, which has an access area (2) located at one end of the enclosure (1), a central area (3) with side doors (4) and provided with an outflow passage (5) and one or more deflectors (6) for controlling the air and smoke, and a furnace area (7) covered in refractive material with a cleaning door (8) located at the opposite end of the enclosure (1). Said enclosure (1) incorporates temperature and smoke level probes (13), and all the electrical elements and probes (13) of the enclosure (1) are connected to a control panel (26) connected to a computer (28) that collects all the data supplied by such elements.

Claims

1. A test unit for simulating fires which, being applicable for studying the behavior of fire in different situations and providing a training and study tool, said unit comprising: an enclosure (1) in the form of a closed compartment with a floor, walls and ceiling made from reinforced concrete parts, which has an access area (2) located at one end of the enclosure (1), a central area (3) with side doors (4) and provided with an outflow passage (5) and one or more deflectors (6) for controlling the air and smoke, and a furnace area (7) covered in refractive material with a cleaning door (8) located at the opposite end of the enclosure (1); said enclosure (1) incorporates temperature and smoke level probes (13); wherein all the electrical elements and probes (13) of the enclosure (1) are connected to a control panel (26) connected to a computer (28) that collects all the data supplied by said elements.

2. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure (1) is formed by several modules (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) connected to one another.

3. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 1, wherein the access area (2), which is accessed through respective access doors (9), has a concrete partition (10) separating said access area (2) from the central area (3) of the enclosure, a wood door (11) having been provided therein.

4. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 3, wherein the separating partition (10) also has a window (12).

5. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 1, wherein the probes (13) are distributed throughout the entire enclosure (1) arranged in groups, vertically distributed at different heights from the floor.

6. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 1, wherein each of the side doors (4) is horizontally split into two portions that can be opened independently of one another or at the same time.

7. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 1, wherein the deflectors (6) are fixed in the ceiling of the enclosure and are electrically and manually operated through an external lever (14).

8. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 1, wherein the outflow passage is an opening in the upper part of the central area (3) of the enclosure (1), with approximate dimensions of 1×1 m and having a closure with electrical and manual control through another external lever (14′).

9. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 1, wherein the furnace area (7) has a rib (21) at the level of about 1 m for placing boards used as combustible material in the fire simulation.

10. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 9, wherein the rib (21) is provided with a mesh (22) that is separated from the concrete face (23) and acts like lattice behind which there is a gap (24) for placing the boards or other elements.

11. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning door (8) is made of concrete and has an angle iron (25).

12. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure (1) has a water spraying system comprising the incorporation of nozzles (17) connected, by means of branch ducts (18), to a pipe (19) which is in turn connected to a water tank or to the intake point of the supply system.

13. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 12, wherein an electrovalve open all the nozzles (17) distributed throughout all the areas of the enclosure (1).

14. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 1, wherein the control panel (26) is located in a hut (27) formed by a concrete module with closed faces and an access door, which is arranged attached to the enclosure (1) or is arranged at another point located away from same, in any case entirely independent of the enclosure (1).

15. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 14, wherein if the hut (27) is attached to the enclosure, it has a front face (29) formed by a meter-high concrete transom and pane of glass closing the rest of the face.

16. The test unit for simulating fires according to claim 14, wherein the enclosure (1) and the control hut (27) have a galvanized sheet metal roof (30), being a single pitch roof with a slope of about 2%.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] To complement the description that is being made and for the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification as an integral part thereof, wherein the following is depicted with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

[0019] FIGS. 1 and 2 show, respectively, a side elevational view and a plan view of an embodiment of the test unit for simulating fires, object of the invention, its general configuration and the parts and elements it comprises, as well as the arrangement thereof being seen therein. FIG. 1 only shows the elevational view of the enclosure which said unit has, whereas FIG. 2 schematically depicts, in addition to the plan view of the enclosure, a plan view of the control hut which the proposed test unit also has.

[0020] FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7-A and 7-B show, in respective perspective views, each of the modules into which the enclosure constituting the test unit of the invention are optionally divided, and which additionally determine in an approximate manner the different areas that said enclosure has.

[0021] FIGS. 8 and 9 show, in respective schematic perspective depictions, the operation of the levers moving the deflectors and the outflow passage, respectively.

[0022] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the detail of the outflow passage, showing the frame and the cover forming it.

[0023] FIGS. 11 and 12 show, in respective perspective views, respective fragments of the partition of the unit and of the cleaning door which the enclosure has, showing the different layers of material with which both elements are formed.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0024] In view of the mentioned drawings and according to the numbering used, a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the test unit for simulating fires object of the invention can be seen in said drawings, said test unit comprising the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0025] As can be seen in said drawings, the unit at hand is formed on the basis of an enclosure (1) in the form of a closed compartment, preferably having a rectangular configuration with a floor, walls and ceiling made from reinforced concrete parts 12 cm thick which, being formed by a single body or from several modules (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) connected to one another, has an access area (2) located at one end of the enclosure (1), a central area (3) with several side doors (4) and provided with an outflow passage (5) and one or more deflectors (6) as elements for controlling the air and smoke, and a furnace area (7) covered in refractive material and with a cleaning door (8) located at the opposite end of the enclosure (1).

[0026] As seen in FIG. 3, showing a partially sectioned perspective view of a first module (1a) into which the enclosure can be divided, the access area (2), which is accessed through respective access doors (9), has a separating partition (10) separating said access area (2) from the central area (3) of the enclosure, a wood door (11) and preferably a window (12) as well having been provided therein.

[0027] Said partition (10) is a concrete partition that is 10 cm thick; the wood door (11) is manually and electrically operated and is manufactured such that it withstand up to two hours in a fire, in accordance with the fire protection standard; and the window (12) is glazed with thermal glass, such that it allows observing the inside of the enclosure. This access area (2) provides a space that allows studying and analyzing what happens in a room located away from the focal point of a fire, through a door closed, depending on the temperature and amount of smoke.

[0028] It is important to point out that the incorporation of three temperature and smoke level probes (13), located a certain distance from the door and vertically distributed at different heights from the floor, has been envisaged.

[0029] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show, respectively, a second module (1b), a third module (1c) and a fourth module (1d) into which the enclosure (1) is optionally divided and which, in turn, approximately correspond with the central area (3) of said enclosure (1), this being the space in which the fire development studies are performed.

[0030] The existence of several side doors (4) on both sides of the enclosure (1) has been envisaged in said central area (3), each of which doors (4), with a width of 1 m, is horizontally split into two portions that can be opened independently of one another or at the same time. These side doors (4) are used to change the conditions of development of the fire and accordingly collect new data due to the provision of an agent supporting combustion, said doors (4) also being useful as an evacuation path at a given time.

[0031] Likewise, this central area (3) of the enclosure (1) has one or two deflectors (6) which are fixed in the ceiling thereof and when operated, they allow moving the air therein, said operation being both electric and manual through an external lever (14) that is suitably linked to same, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0032] Furthermore, and also next to the separating partition (10) of the first module (1a), there are also provided in this central area (3) groups of vertically arranged probes (13), specifically located close to the side doors (4) and at the same height as those mentioned above. Preferably, said groups of probes (13) are all located on one and the same side of the enclosure (1).

[0033] Finally, an upper opening or outflow passage (5) has been provided in this central area (3), preferably in the fourth module (1d) of those modules optionally forming the enclosure (1) seen in FIG. 6, said upper opening or outflow passage (5) having approximate dimensions of 1×1 m and a closure with electrical and manual control through another external lever (14′) the operation of which shown in FIG. 9 is also similar to the operation of the deflectors (6). As shown in FIG. 10, this outflow passage (5) consists of a frame (15) and a mobile cover (16) fitting on said frame, useful for controlling the level of smoke produced inside the enclosure, as well as for checking the temperature levels produced in said enclosure.

[0034] The second deflector (6) is arranged a short distance from this outflow passage (5) also for being able to move the air inside the enclosure and observe, by means of the probes, how the temperature is stratified. As seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, both the deflectors (6) and the outflow passage (5) incorporate a motor (31) connected to the operation levers (14, 14′) for operating same.

[0035] In addition, it should be pointed out that as shown in the example of FIG. 5, the enclosure optionally has a water spraying system for putting out fires which comprises the incorporation of a series of nozzles (17) connected by means of corresponding branch ducts (18) to a pipe (19) which, attached in the different modules by means of flexible connections (20), is connected to a water tank or to the intake point of the supply system.

[0036] FIGS. 7-A and 7-B show front and rear perspective views of a final or fifth module (1e) into which the enclosure (1) is divided in the preferred embodiment of the invention, corresponding with the furnace area (7), which can also be seen in FIG. 2. In this area, all the faces of the enclosure (1) are covered in refractive material, and the enclosure (1) has a rib (21) at the level of about 1 m for placing boards being used as combustible material in the fire simulation. These boards (not depicted) are arranged such that they are either secured by means of concrete beams protected with fire-resistant material, or inserted behind a mesh (22) which, as shown in FIG. 11, is separated from the concrete face (23) and acts like lattice, behind which there is a gap (24) for placing said boards or other elements, at the same time being useful for checking the characteristics and response to the fires of the fire-resistant protective materials used in the construction.

[0037] At the rear end of the enclosure, this furnace area (7) has a cleaning door (8) that is opened manually and provides access to the focal point of the fire or furnace where the combustion of the materials takes place, another group of vertically arranged probes (13) also having been provided in this last section of the enclosure. As seen in FIG. 12), this cleaning door (8) is made of concrete and has an angle iron (25) along the entire perimeter thereof.

[0038] Continuing with the features of the invention, it must be pointed out that all the electrical elements the enclosure comprises are connected to a control panel (26) located in a hut (27), which is arranged attached to the enclosure (1) or is arranged at another independent location away from said enclosure (1). Likewise, the probes (13) are also connected to said control panel, which is in turn connected to a computer (28) that collects all the data supplied by such elements. Furthermore, and where the unit has the aforesaid spraying system, the existence of an electrovalve opening all the nozzles (17) distributed throughout all the areas of the enclosure (1) is contemplated for being able to put the fire out at the discretion of the person responsible for the simulator.

[0039] This hut (27), which is entirely independent of the enclosure (1), is formed by a concrete module with closed faces and an access door, and in case of being arranged attached to said enclosure, it may have a front face (29) formed by a meter-high concrete transom and pane of glass closing the rest of the face, having and electrical outlet and air conditioning system.

[0040] It must finally be pointed out that both the enclosure (1) and the control hut (27) have a galvanized sheet metal roof (30), being a single pitch roof with a slope of about 2%.

[0041] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to provide further explanation so that a person skilled in the art will understand its scope and the advantages derived from it. Furthermore, it must be stated that the invention may be carried out to practice within its essential features in other embodiments differing in detail from the embodiment indicated by way of example, and such embodiments will also be covered by the protection that is sought provided that the fundamental principle of the invention is not changed, altered or modified.