SELF-TESTING FIRE DOOR

Abstract

Once a fire door has been installed, the door will typically require regular inspection to ensure that the fire door is still able to operate as intended. An issue typically seen with fire doors is related to the gaps between the door and the frame that being too large. The present disclosure provides a self-testing fire door system 100 comprising a first distance sensor 140 arranged to measure a first distance between a fire door 110 and a door frame 120. The first distance sensor 140 comprises a first sensor member 141 arranged on the door frame 120 and a second sensor member 142 arranged on the fire door 110 adjacent to the first sensor member 141 when the fire door 110 is in a closed position. The system 100 further includes a processor configured to measure, via the first distance sensor 140, a distance between the fire door 110 and the frame 120 and output the first distance.

Claims

1. A self-testing fire door system comprising: a door frame; a fire door attached to the door frame via one or more hinges, wherein the fire door is moveable between a closed position, in which the fire door covers an opening in the door frame, and an open position, in which the opening in the door frame is uncovered; a first distance sensor arranged to measure a first distance between the fire door and the door frame, wherein the first distance sensor comprises a first sensor member arranged on the door frame and a second sensor member arranged on the fire door adjacent to the first sensor member when the fire door is in the closed position; and a processor configured to: measure, via the first distance sensor, the first distance; and output the first distance; wherein the first distance sensor comprises three Hall effect sensors arranged such that each Hall effect sensor is aligned along different axes to each of the other Hall effect sensors in a triaxial arrangement.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second distance sensor arranged to measure a second distance between the fire door and the door frame, wherein the second distance sensor comprises a first sensor member arranged on the door frame and a second sensor member arranged on the fire door adjacent to the first sensor member when the fire door is in the closed position.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first distance sensor and the second distance sensor are in communication via a hardwired connection.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the first distance sensor is a node sensor and the second distance sensor is an auxiliary sensor.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a third distance sensor arranged to measure a third distance between the fire door and the door frame, wherein the third distance sensor comprises a first sensor member arranged on the door frame and a second sensor member arranged on the fire door adjacent to the first sensor member when the fire door is in the closed position.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first distance is a distance between a first surface of the fire door and the frame, the second distance is a distance between a second surface of the fire door and the frame, and the third distance is a distance between a third surface of the fire door and the frame.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the first distance is a first distance between a first surface of the fire door and the frame, and the second distance is a second distance between the first surface of the fire door and the frame.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to output the first distance is response to the fire door moving to the closed position.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the system comprises a closure sensor configured to provide an output when the door is moved to the closed position.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the system comprises an inertial measurement unit.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor comprises a time keeping unit and the processor is configured to output the first distance after a predetermined time interval.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to continually output the first distance at regular time intervals, wherein the regular time interval is at least every second.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to output the first distance to an alert unit, wherein the alert unit is configured to compare the first distance to a predetermined maximum allowable first distance and output an alert if the first distance exceeds the predetermined maximum allowable first distance; and wherein the predetermined maximum allowable first distance is user settable and/or resettable.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein: the processor is configured to keep a log of each measurement of the first distance; and the processor is Internet-enabled and the log is remotely accessible.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the first distance sensor comprises an analogue to digital converter.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to calculate a distance between the fire door and the door frame in three dimensions based on triangulation of the signals from the three sensors or based on a vector-based calculation.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a power source configured to provide power to the first distance sensor and the processor.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising a hub in communication with the processor, wherein the hub is further configured to communicate with further processors of further self-testing fire door systems.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the first distance sensor has an operational range of between 5 mm and 20 mm; and wherein the first distance sensor has a resolution of less than 0.05 mm.

20. A method of testing the fire door system of claim 1, the method comprising: measuring the first distance; and comparing the first distance to a predetermined maximum allowable first distance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a self-testing fire door system;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first distance sensor shown in FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the first and second distance sensors shown in FIG. 1; and

[0034] FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart showing the operational steps of the self-testing fire door system shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a self-testing fire door system 100. The system 100 includes a fire door 110 hung within a frame 120 via hinges 130. Although only two hinges 130 are shown, any number of hinges may be provided, and the number of hinges 130 may be dependent on a weight of the door 110. The door 110, the frame 120 and the hinges 130 are fire rated and are configured to withstand a fire for a specified period of time, such as 30, 60 or 90 minutes, such that a fire cannot pass through the system 100 at least until the period of time has elapsed. A sealing strip (not shown), such as a strip of intumescent material, may be provided between the door 110 and the frame 120 to seal the operational gap between the door 110 and the frame 120 in the event of a fire.

[0036] The self-testing fire door system 100 also includes a first distance sensor 140 and a second distance sensor 150. The first distance sensor 140 is arranged at a top edge of the door 110 and is configured to measure a distance between the top edge of the door 110 and a top portion of the frame 120. The first distance sensor 140 includes a first frame sensor member 141 and a first door sensor member 142. The first frame sensor member 141 and the first door sensor member 142 cooperate to measure a distance therebetween. The second distance sensor 150 is arranged at a left edge of the door 110 and is configured to measure a distance between the left edge of the door 110 and a left portion of the frame 120. The second distance sensor 150 includes a second frame sensor member 151 and a second door sensor member 152. The second frame sensor member 151 and the second door sensor member 152 cooperate to measure a distance therebetween. Further distance sensors, such as third or fourth distance sensors, may also be provided. The further distance sensors may be arranged to measure a distance between, for example, a right edge of the door 110 and a right portion of the frame 120, and/or to provide a second measurement alongside the first distance sensor 140 or the second distance sensor.

[0037] One of the first frame sensor member 141 and the first door sensor member 142, preferably the first frame sensor member 141, may comprise a magnet. The other of the first frame sensor member 141 and the first door sensor member 142, preferably the first door sensor member 142, may comprise three Hall effect sensors. Accordingly, triangulation of the signals provided by the three Hall effect sensors will provide a triaxial measurement of the distance between the first frame sensor member 141 and the first door sensor member 142. The second distance sensor 150, and any further distance sensors, may be configured in the same way as the first distance sensor 140. Alternative distance sensor arrangements are envisaged, such as optical distance sensors.

[0038] The first door sensor member 142 and the second door sensor member 152 are in communication via a hardwired connection 160. The hardwired connection 160 allows for power and data to be shared between the two door sensor members 142, 152. Accordingly, one of the distance sensors, such as the first distance sensor 140, may be a node sensor and the other distance sensor, such as the second distance sensor 150, may be an auxiliary sensor. Any further distance sensors provided may also be auxiliary sensors. Accordingly, the node sensor may comprise the power source and the components necessary for data storage and communication. The auxiliary sensor(s) may receive power and operational instructions from the node sensor, and provide data to the node sensor, in real time or otherwise.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the first distance sensor 140 shown in FIG. 1. The first frame sensor member 141 includes a magnet 143. The first door sensor member 142 includes a first Hall effect sensor 144, a second Hall effect sensor 145 and a third Hall effect sensor 146. Each Hall effect sensor 144, 145, 146 is configured to measure a magnitude or strength of a local magnetic field and output a voltage directly proportional to the magnetic field strength. Accordingly, a distance between the magnet 143 and each Hall effect sensor 144, 145, 146 may be inferred by the voltage output by each Hall effect sensor 144, 145, 146. As such, a first distance 147, between the magnet 143 and the first Hall effect sensor 144, a second distance 148, between the magnet 143 and the second Hall effect sensor 145, and a third distance 149, between the magnet 143 and the third Hall effect sensor 146, may be obtained. Through triangulation of the three obtained distances 147, 148, 149, a three-dimensional, or triaxial, distance measurement between the door and the frame may be obtained.

[0040] The relative positions of the three Hall effect sensors 144, 145, 146 on the door may be predetermined. The relative position of the magnet 143 on the frame may be predetermined. The first distance sensor 140 may be calibrated upon installation, and periodically thereafter, such that the output voltage of each Hall effect sensor 144, 145, 146 may be accurately converted into a distance. As will be clear from the present disclosure as a whole, the magnet 143 may instead be provided on the door, and the Hall effect sensors 144, 145, 146 may instead be provided on the frame. Furthermore, any number of Hall effect sensors 144, 145, 146 may be provided.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the first 140 and second 150 distance sensors shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the first distance sensor 140 is a sensor node and the second distance sensor 150 is an auxiliary sensor 150. The first distance sensor 140 includes permanently powered components and switched components arranged to be powered only when required. One permanently powered component is a micro controller arranged to control operation of the system. The micro controller is in communication with non-volatile memory arranged to store the relevant data, a real time clock consultable by the micro controller to obtain a real time value, and an inertial measurement unit configured to provide inertial data to the micro controller such that the micro controller is able to determine when a user opens and closes the door. Additionally, the micro controller is in communication with a battery tamper. The first distance sensor 140 also includes a battery arranged to power each component of the sensors 140, 150.

[0042] The micro controller is operable to switch on and off the switched components of the first distance sensor 140, which include at least three Hall effect sensors and an analogue to digital converter with associated voltage reference. The first distance sensor 140 is configured to obtain voltages proportional to the first distance, via the Hall effect sensors, and provide the voltages in digital form to the micro controller. The micro controller may then perform the necessary calculations to determine the first distance. The first distance sensor 140 also includes a switched radio transceiver operable to transmit and receive data wirelessly to and from a user device, as discussed herein.

[0043] The second distance sensor 150 includes at least three Hall effect sensors and an analogue to digital converter with associated voltage reference. The second distance sensor 150 is configured to obtain voltages proportional to the second distance, via the Hall effect sensors, and provide the voltages in digital form to the micro controller of the first distance sensor 140 via TWI buffers. The micro controller may then perform the necessary calculations to determine the second distance. The second distance sensor 150 receives power from the first distance sensor 140.

[0044] FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart 200 showing the operational steps of the self-testing fire door system shown in FIG. 1. Interrupts 210 drive data acquisition and wake functions. The interrupt may be, for example, a real time clock alarm, an output from the inertial measurement unit indicating the door has been opened and closed, or the battery tamper unit. Following the interrupt 210, the system is configured to wake up 220. The distance sensors are then configured to measure 230 the respective distance between the door and the frame. The data is then processed 240 and transmitted 250, in the manner described herein. Following the transmittal 250 of the data, the system awaits confirmation of the data being received by the user, such as at the hub described herein. Once the confirmation of receipt has been received 260, the system then sets 270 a real time clock alarm and returns to the sleep 280 mode, awaiting a future interrupt.