Method for checking the implementation of maintenance works in fire extinguishing systems

Abstract

The invention concerns a method of checking the implementation of maintenance works in a fire extinguishing installation, wherein there is provided an identification (3) which contains a radio identification means, for example a transponder chip or an NFC tag which is fixedly connected to a unit (2) to be maintained so that the identification (3) cannot be non-destructively removed from the unit to be maintained, wherein the identification (3) contains data of the unit (2) to be maintained and wherein the unit to be maintained is part of the fire extinguishing installation and has to be uninstalled for maintenance, wherein there is provided a reading unit (8) with which the identification of the unit (2) to be maintained and the data thereof are read and wherein the identification (3) is arranged concealed or shielded on the unit (2) to be maintained in such a way that the data of the identification cannot be read with the reading unit (8) when the unit (2) to be maintained is in the non-uninstalled state.

Claims

1. A method of checking the implementation of maintenance works in a fire extinguishing installation, the method comprising: providing an identification which contains a radio identification means which is fixedly connected to a unit to be maintained so that the identification cannot be non-destructively removed from the unit to be maintained, wherein the identification contains data of the unit to be maintained and wherein the unit to be maintained is part of the fire extinguishing installation and has to be uninstalled for maintenance, providing a mobile reading unit with which the identification of the unit to be maintained and the data thereof are read, and arranging the identification concealed or shielded on the unit to be maintained in such a way that the data of the identification cannot be read with the mobile reading unit when the unit to be maintained is in the non-uninstalled state.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the identification is mounted in the installed state of the unit to be maintained of the fire extinguishing system in such a way that the mobile reading unit can only be approached to the identification as far as a predetermined spacing, wherein the predetermined spacing is greater than the minimum reading distance necessary for a successful reading operation of the data of the identification by the mobile reading unit.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined spacing is more than 2 cm, wherein the unit to be maintained is arranged in the operative state in a housing and thus the spacing between the identification and the mobile reading unit is at a minimum 2 cm or more.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the housing has an electromagnetic shielding and wherein the housing is metallic and/or has a metalising layer.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the unit to be maintained has an outside and an inside and the identification is provided at the inside of the unit to be maintained.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the identification is provided with an electromagnetic shielding covering which is to be removed for reading the identification by the mobile reading unit.

7. A method of checking the implementation of maintenance works in a fire extinguishing installation, the method comprising: providing an identification which contains a radio identification means including at least one of a transponder chip or an NFC tag which is fixedly connected to a unit to be maintained so that the identification cannot be non-destructively removed from the unit to be maintained, wherein the identification contains data of the unit to be maintained and wherein the unit to be maintained is part of the fire extinguishing installation and has to be uninstalled for maintenance, providing a mobile reading unit with which the identification of the unit to be maintained and the data thereof are read, and arranging the identification concealed or shielded on the unit to be maintained in such a way that the data of the identification cannot be read with the mobile reading unit in the non-uninstalled state, wherein at least two reading operations for reading the data and for identification by the mobile reading unit are necessary for maintenance of the unit to be maintained, wherein after a first reading operation of the at least two reading operations it is necessary to wait for a first predetermined time duration (T1) before a second reading operation of the at least two reading operations can be successfully carried out wherein the first time duration (T1) is stored in the mobile reading unit.

8. A fire extinguishing installation comprising: at least one unit to be maintained, wherein the unit to be maintained is fixedly connected to an identification which contains a radio identification means including at least one of a transponder chip or an NFC tag so that the identification cannot be non-destructively removed from the unit to be maintained, wherein the identification contains data of the unit to be maintained and wherein the unit to be maintained is part of the fire extinguishing installation and has to be uninstalled for maintenance, and a mobile reading unit with which the data of the identification of the unit to be maintained can be read, wherein the identification is arranged concealed or shielded on the unit to be maintained in such a way that the data of the identification cannot be read with the mobile reading unit when the unit to be maintained is in the non-uninstalled state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1a shows a view from above of an arrangement of the unit to be maintained with identification,

(2) FIG. 1b shows a section through FIG. 1a,

(3) FIG. 2 shows an alternative configuration in which the identification is within the unit to be maintained,

(4) FIG. 3a shows an alternative configuration for FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 3b shows an alternative configuration for FIG. 1,

(6) FIG. 4 shows a further alternative configuration with a cover 9 of electromagnetically shielding material over the identification,

(7) FIG. 5 shows a further alternative configuration, and

(8) FIG. 6 shows a timeline T.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(9) FIG. 1a shows a view from above illustrating a pipe 1 which is parallel to a wall 2. The pipe 1 is part of a fire extinguishing installation, for example a feed pipe for an extinguishing agent, for example water. A valve 3 is disposed within the pipe 1 in a given portion.

(10) The valve 3 is disposed in a pipe portion 4 which can be removed from the pipe 1. For example that pipe portion can be joined to the pipe 1 by suitable screw flanges. (Such screw connections are known and are not illustrated in the Figure).

(11) Fitted to the pipe 4 (externally) on the side of the pipe portion 4 which faces towards the wall 2 (this can also be the room ceiling) is an identification 6, for example an RFID transponder chip, an NFC tag or a technically comparable solution.

(12) Accordingly the identification 6 is directly opposite the wall 2 and thus faces away from the room 5. The room 5 is easily attainable on the opposite wall side of the pipe portion 4.

(13) It can be seen from FIG. 1b that the pipe is substantially of a circular cross-section.

(14) Because the identification 6 lies directly at the wall it is now not possible with a reading unit 7 which has a reading head 8 to approach the reading head directly to the identification unit 6 because the space between the pipe portion 4 and the wall only allows an approach movement of the reading head to a given spacing, for example 5 cm.

(15) If that reading spacing of for example 5 cm is greater than the minimum reading distance of for example 2 cm it is not possible to carry out a successful reading operation.

(16) For making the reading the reading unit 7 usually emits a given excitation signal (for example a burst signal) with a given energy content. That signal is fed by way of the usual antennas of a radio identification means (RFID transponder) which then generates a corresponding response signal and sends it back by way of its antennas to the reading unit 7.

(17) The radio identification means itself therefore does not contain its own energy storage means but the signal strength of the returned signal of the radio identification means crucially depends on the signal strength of the signal that the radio identification means receives.

(18) That however is dependent on the reading distance.

(19) The greater the distance the corresponding less energy is contained in the signal, that the radio identification means receives from the reading unit, and the corresponding less then is the energy of the signal which the radio identification means can emit.

(20) Accordingly a successful reading operation does not occur when the reading distance between the reading unit 7 and the identification is greater than the minimum reading distance.

(21) FIG. 2 shows a similar situation to FIG. 1, but there the identification 6 is fitted fixedly on the inside of the pipe portion 4. If the pipe for example is a metal pipe, which is regularly the case with pipes of fire extinguishing installations then by virtue of the metal nature of the pipe and its closed nature with the entire pipe 1 this involves such a great electromagnetic shielding effect (Faraday cage) that a successful reading operation is not possible even when the reading head 8 of the reading unit 7 is held against the outside of the pipe, in particular even at the location of the outside which is at the location where the radio identification means is fitted internally in the pipe portion 4.

(22) If the pipe is not a metal pipe but for example a plastic pipe then, in order to involve electromagnetic shielding, it can be provided with metal particles or can also be seen in the inwardly disposed metal cladding, for example with an electrically conductive coating, film or the like.

(23) FIGS. 3a, b show an alternative configuration to FIG. 1.

(24) In this case provided on the part of the pipe portion 4 that is towards the wall 2 is a cover 9 which on the one hand accommodates the identification 6 but on the other hand prevents a reading unit from being able to be approached to the identification 6 as long as the pipe portion 4 is not uninstalled.

(25) The cover 9 in that arrangement can be for example a plastic part or may also comprise metal and the cover is preferably fitted, for example glued, screwed or the like, to the outside of the pipe portion 4.

(26) FIG. 4 shows a further alternative.

(27) In this case once again the identification 6 is arranged between the wall 2 and the pipe portion 4. At the same time there is a cover 9 over the identification 6. That cover 9 is preferably of such a configuration that it provides electromagnetic shielding. That is possible for example by the cover itself comprising metal or a metal film or the like.

(28) If the pipe portion 4 is uninstalled a successful reading operation can therefore be carried out only when the cover 9 is removed.

(29) FIG. 5 shows a further alternative embodiment.

(30) In this case the pipe cross-section of the pipe portion 4 is not round but substantially rectangular or square.

(31) Once again the identification 6 is arranged at the side of the pipe portion 4 that is towards the wall 2. Once again a reading unit 7 with its reading head 8 cannot be moved sufficiently closely to the identification 6 to carry out a successful reading operation as long as the pipe portion 4 is not uninstalled.

(32) In a configuration of the pipe which can be readily reached from all sides and which is therefore not restricted at any side by a wall or ceiling portion it is appropriate for the identification 6 to be fitted within the pipe portion so that the pipe portion has to be uninstalled for a successful reading operation.

(33) FIG. 6 shows a timeline T.

(34) Within that timeline there are two time portions, namely T1 and T2.

(35) If the pipe portion 4 or the unit to be maintained in accordance with one of the illustrated examples is uninstalled then a first reading operation can be effected after uninstalling, whereby T1 is started. The second reading operation can be effected after conclusion of the maintenance operation, that is to say after expiry of the time portion T1. The second reading operation can be carried out during the second time portion T2 which adjoins the time portion T1 and which is after termination of the maintenance procedure.

(36) The time portion T1 can be a maintenance time which is individually adapted for the maintenance personnel and can represent a time duration which on the one hand corresponds to a typical maintenance time which is known empirically and which on the other hand is also matched to individual performance of the corresponding maintenance personnel. If a service operative, by virtue of his great experience and competence, is quicker than another service operative, then that more experienced service operative will entail a maintenance time T1 shorter than that of an inexperienced service operative.

(37) As the specific maintenance is known, for example visual checking, cleaning of a part of the unit to be maintained, possibly small repairs, and so forth, the reading unit 7 has to be taken to the identification 6 for a successful reading operation twice, in which case the minimum time interval for a successful reading operation is defined, more specifically by the intended minimum time for the maintenance procedure.

(38) If that minimum time, that is to say the time interval between the two individual reading operations, is not observed, it is not possible to perform overall a successful reading process, with the consequence that there cannot be a successful maintenance acknowledgement.

(39) The maintenance time T1 is a typical maintenance time, that is to say a time duration which is established and based on experience, that is required for the specific maintenance.

(40) If the unit to be maintained has to be maintained only over a period of time, for example every 2 years, and for example only a given visual check has to be effected once, then a time duration of T1 is possibly required for that purpose.

(41) If on another occasion not just a visual check but also technical functional testing or even enforced uninstallation of a component has to be effected, that usually takes longer and a different time duration of T1* can then be pencilled in for that, in which case T1*>T1.

(42) The consequence of this is that, depending on what maintenance has to be carried out, different time durations T1, T1* and so forth are also programmed so that a successful reading operation presupposes that the different time durations T1, T1* and so forth involved are also observed.

(43) Thus with the invention the method not only compels uninstallation also actually to be effected, but requires a predetermined time duration also to be observed for a given maintenance step.

(44) The identification 6 can also include a commissioning date of the unit to be maintained, for example the valve flap, and can thus also make it possible to predetermine the type of maintenance. It is for example conceivable that only an ordinary visual check has to be effected annually, but that a mechanical functional check also has to be effected every three years. As a mechanical functional check takes longer than just a visual check the corresponding time duration T1 then also has to be longer than with a normal “visual check”.

(45) This overall also enhances the quality of maintenance and avoids an unwanted “piecework stress” which readily afflicts maintenance personnel when they are counted in terms of the number of maintenance operations they have performed.

(46) The solution described with reference to and illustrated in one of the Figures can also be verified in connection with a reading device fixedly installed in the fire alarm centre.

(47) In that case the unit to be maintained has to be uninstalled from the housing, then transported to the reading unit of the fire alarm centre in order there to trigger a first reading operation. The reading operation triggers a timer and it is only when a predetermined time duration T1 has expired, as already described, that a successful second reading operation can take place.

(48) Between the two reading operations the maintenance personnel has sufficient time to carry out the desired maintenance. If the maintenance personnel needs more than the intended minimum time, then that is harmless in terms of the successful second reading operation and thus the overall reading procedure.

(49) If the reading unit is a mobile reading unit the timer for measuring T1, T1*, T2 and so forth is itself disposed in the reading unit or a device connected thereto. As the second reading operation is required for conclusion of the maintenance, more specifically at a predetermined time interval after the first reading operation, the successful reading operation is suitably acknowledged (for example also optically and/or acoustically) and re-fitment of the part to be maintained can be effected.

(50) When the mobile reading unit has a wireless or radio link to the fire alarm centre and a suitable receiver there, the mobile reading unit can transmit the corresponding maintenance data (possibly including the times for the first and second reading operations or the time between two reading operations), besides the data of the identification, for example component data about the unit to be maintained, day of maintenance, possibly identification of the maintenance personnel, if same has a personal reading unit, and so forth.

(51) If the reading unit is to remain in the fire alarm centre however it is also possible for transmission of the data from the reading unit to be effected when the reading unit is brought into a suitable, for example wired, connection with the fire alarm centre.

(52) With the invention of the present application the system preferably intentionally uses a radio identification means which is part of the identification, in which a successful reading operation presupposes a minimum reading distance which is as short as possible, for example one or at a maximum 2 cm. As a result this structurally enforces uninstallation of the unit to be maintained, more specifically even when the reading head of the reading unit 7 is so narrow that it can also be in part introduced in the region between the pipe portion 4 and the wall 2.

(53) Insofar as the unit to be maintained is described in the present application this can be taken to mean entirely different parts, for example a pipe portion, a valve station, a valve flap, or nozzles, or flow monitors, or pumps, or any housing portions, or switches, and so forth.

(54) Initial tests of the invention have shown in practical application that fake service maintenance can be considerably reduced by implementation of the invention and thus at the same time the quality of maintenance is considerably improved.

(55) While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.

LIST OF UTILIZED REFERENCE NUMBERS

(56) 1 pipe 2 wall 3 valve 4 pipe portion 5 room 6 identification 7 reading unit 8 reading head 9 covering