Combustible concealed space

Abstract

Fire protection system and methods for concealed spaces providing for effective fire protection over an effective depth range measuring from a minimum six inches up to a maximum that is greater than thirty-six inches. A combustible concealed space that includes an upper deck and a ceiling deck spaced about a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the ceiling deck with a fire protection system having a firefighting fluid supply pipe and at least one automatic upright sprinkler coupled to the fluid supply pipe and positioned to define an effective depth range that measures from six inches to a maximum of at least sixty inches.

Claims

1. A combustible concealed space system, comprising: an upper deck spaced from a longitudinal axis; a ceiling deck spaced from the longitudinal axis, a depth range between the upper deck and the ceiling deck in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is greater than or equal to fifty four inches and less than or equal to eighty four inches, at least one of the upper deck and the ceiling deck comprising unobstructed wood truss construction; a fluid supply pipe comprising a parallel portion parallel to the longitudinal axis; an automatic upright sprinkler coupled to the parallel portion of the fluid supply pipe, the sprinkler comprising: a frame body that receives a fluid from the fluid supply pipe, the frame body comprises an inlet and an outlet defining a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet to define a discharge coefficient of a nominal K-factor, the passageway and the outlet define one of (i) the nominal K-factor to be 4.2K with a sprinkler to sprinkler spacing greater than 12 feet or (ii) a nominal K-factor of 5.6K with a sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing of greater than 12 feet; a seal assembly; a thermally responsive trigger to support the seal assembly in the outlet; and a deflector coupled to the frame body and spaced from the outlet.

2. The combustible concealed space system of claim 1, comprising: the thermally responsive trigger comprises a glass bulb having a response time index (RTI) of 24 (m-s).sup.1/2, and a temperature rating of 200° F.

3. The combustible concealed space system of claim 1, comprising: the deflector is a planar member with a central portion axially aligned with the passageway and an outer peripheral portion circumscribed about the central portion.

4. The combustible concealed space system of claim 1, comprising: the deflector comprises a plurality of spaced apart tines to define a plurality of open ended slots formed therebetween extending radially inward at equal distance.

5. The combustible concealed space system of claim 1, comprising: the upper deck defines a slope relative to the ceiling deck that does not exceed 2:12.

6. The combustible concealed space system of claim 1, comprising: the deflector is spaced at a distance from the upper deck ranging from 1 1/12 inches to 4 inches.

7. The combustible concealed space system of claim 1, comprising: the fluid supply pipe is made from CPVC.

8. The combustible concealed space system of claim 1, comprising: the frame body comprises a pair of frame arms diametrically opposed about the outlet to support the deflector spaced from the outlet.

9. A combustible concealed space system, comprising: an upper deck spaced from a longitudinal axis; a ceiling deck spaced from the longitudinal axis, a depth range between the upper deck and the ceiling deck in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is greater than or equal to fifty four inches and less than or equal to eighty four inches, at least one of the upper deck and the ceiling deck comprising non-combustible insulation-filled wood joist construction; a fluid supply pipe comprising a parallel portion parallel to the longitudinal axis; an automatic upright sprinkler coupled to the parallel portion of the fluid supply pipe, the sprinkler comprising: a frame body that receives a fluid from the fluid supply pipe, the frame body comprises an inlet and an outlet defining a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet to define a discharge coefficient of a nominal K-factor, the passageway and the outlet define one of (i) the nominal K-factor to be 4.2K with a sprinkler to sprinkler spacing greater than 12 feet or (ii) a nominal K-factor of 5.6K with a sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing of greater than 12 feet; a seal assembly; a thermally responsive trigger to support the seal assembly in the outlet; and a deflector coupled to the frame body and spaced from the outlet.

10. The combustible concealed space system of claim 9, comprising: the thermally responsive trigger comprises a glass bulb having a response time index (RTI) of 24 (m-s).sup.1/2, and a temperature rating of 200° F.

11. The combustible concealed space system of claim 9, comprising: the deflector is a planar member with a central portion axially aligned with the passageway and an outer peripheral portion circumscribed about the central portion.

12. The combustible concealed space system of claim 9, comprising: the deflector comprises a plurality of spaced apart tines to define a plurality of open ended slots formed therebetween extending radially inward at equal distance.

13. The combustible concealed space system of claim 9, comprising: the upper deck defines a slope relative to the ceiling deck that does not exceed 2:12.

14. The combustible concealed space system of claim 9, comprising: the deflector is spaced at a distance from the upper deck ranging from 1 1/12 inches to 4 inches.

15. The combustible concealed space system of claim 9, comprising: the fluid supply pipe is made from CPVC.

16. The combustible concealed space system of claim 9, comprising: the frame body comprises a pair of frame arms diametrically opposed about the outlet to support the deflector spaced from the outlet.

17. A combustible concealed space system, comprising: an upper deck spaced from a longitudinal axis; a ceiling deck spaced from the longitudinal axis, a depth range between the upper deck and the ceiling deck in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is greater than or equal to fifty four inches and less than or equal to eighty four inches, at least one of the upper deck and the ceiling deck comprising unobstructed bar joint construction; a fluid supply pipe comprising a parallel portion parallel to the longitudinal axis; an automatic upright sprinkler coupled to the parallel portion of the fluid supply pipe, the sprinkler comprising: a frame body that receives a fluid from the fluid supply pipe, the frame body comprises an inlet and an outlet defining a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet to define a discharge coefficient of a nominal K-factor, the passageway and the outlet define one of (i) the nominal K-factor to be 4.2K with a sprinkler to sprinkler spacing greater than 12 feet or (ii) a nominal K-factor of 5.6K with a sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing of greater than 12 feet; a seal assembly; a thermally responsive trigger to support the seal assembly in the outlet; and a deflector coupled to the frame body and spaced from the outlet.

18. The combustible concealed space system of claim 17, comprising: the thermally responsive trigger comprises a glass bulb having a response time index (RTI) of 24 (m-s).sup.1/2, and a temperature rating of 200° F.

19. The combustible concealed space system of claim 17, comprising: the deflector is a planar member with a central portion axially aligned with the passageway and an outer peripheral portion circumscribed about the central portion.

20. The combustible concealed space system of claim 17, comprising: the deflector comprises a plurality of spaced apart tines to define a plurality of open ended slots formed therebetween extending radially inward at equal distance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, and together, with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments are some examples of the invention as provided by the appended claims.

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a first embodiment of a preferred combustible concealed space and fire protection system.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a second embodiment of a preferred combustible concealed space and fire protection system.

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a third embodiment of a preferred combustible concealed space and fire protection system.

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a fourth embodiment of a preferred combustible concealed space and fire protection system.

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a fifth embodiment of a preferred combustible concealed space and fire protection system.

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a fifth embodiment of a preferred combustible concealed space and fire protection system.

(8) FIGS. 7A & 7B are cross-sectional and elevation views of a preferred automatic sprinkler for use in the systems of FIGS. 1-6.

(9) FIG. 7C is a plan view of a preferred deflector for use in the automatic sprinkler of FIGS. 7A & 7B.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(10) Shown in FIGS. 1-6 are preferred embodiments of a combustible concealed space CS (CSa, CSb, CSc, CSd, CSe, CSf) having an upper deck UD and a ceiling deck CD spaced about a longitudinal axis A-A extending substantially parallel to the ceiling deck CD. For the preferred concealed spaces and systems described herein the upper deck UD can slope with respect to the ceiling deck at a slope not exceeding 2 inches of rise for each 12 inches of run (2:12). The concealed space CS can be adjacent and more particularly above an area A to be protected by one or more fire protection devices, such as for example, a sprinkler S. The preferred systems 10 generally include a firefighting fluid supply pipe or piping system 12 having a preferably parallel pipe portion 12a disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A. The supply pipe 12 is preferably of an appropriate material for use in fire protection systems, such as for example, steel pipe or CPVC pipe to carry the firefighting fluid, such as for example water. The preferred systems 10 includes one or more of a preferred automatic sprinkler 100 (100a, 100b) preferably coupled to the fluid parallel portion 12a of the fluid supply pipe 12. The preferred embodiments described herein provide for previously unknown concealed spaces and systems and methods for the fire protection of concealed spaces in which the effective depth range of the concealed space CS can be measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A from a minimum of six inches (6 in.) to a preferred maximum greater than thirty-six inches (36 in.), preferably up to a maximum of at least sixty-inches (60 in.) and in a preferred embodiment up to a maximum of no more than eighty-four inches (84 in.).

(11) Shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is a preferred embodiment of a preferred automatic sprinkler 100 for use in the preferred methods and systems described herein. The preferred sprinkler 100 generally includes a sprinkler frame body 110 for coupling to a firefighting fluid supply line, an internal seal assembly 112, a thermally responsive trigger 114, and a fluid distribution member 116 for distributing the firefighting fluid to address a fire. The sprinkler frame body 110 includes an inlet 110a, an outlet 110b with a passageway 110c extending between the inlet 110a and the outlet 110b. The outlet 110b and passageway 110c define a discharge coefficient of a preferably nominal K-Factor. Preferably, the frame body 110 defines a nominal K-factor of 4.2 gpm/psi.sup.1/2 or 5.6 gpm/psi.sup.1/2. Alternatively, the frame body can define a nominal K-Factor of any one of 2.8; 4.2; 5.6; 8.0; and 11.2 gpm/psi.sup.1/2.

(12) The frame body 110 further preferably includes a pair of frame arms 110d diametrically opposed about the outlet 110b. The preferred automatic sprinkler 100 includes a deflector 116 supported from and spaced from the outlet 110b by the frame arms 110d. Once coupled to a fluid supply pipe 12, the preferred deflector 116 and frame body 110 defines a preferred upright orientation. The frame arms 110d preferably converge toward an apex, knuckle or trepan 110e axially aligned with the passageway and outlet 110c, 110b. The deflector 116 is preferably engaged with and centered with the knuckle 110e. The preferred deflector 116 is a preferably planar member with a central portion 116a axially aligned and centered with the passageway 110c and an outer peripheral portion 116b circumscribed about the central portion 116a to define a substantially circular periphery and a diameter DIA of about 1¾ inches, and more preferably 1 11/16 inches. The preferred peripheral portion 116b includes a plurality of spaced apart tines (116c1, 116c2, 116c3, . . . 116ci) to define a plurality of open ended slots 116d formed therebetween extending radially inward preferably at equal distance toward the central portion 116a.

(13) In an unactuated state of the sprinkler 100, the sealing assembly 112 is supported in the outlet 110b by the thermally responsive trigger 114 which is preferably embodied as a thermally responsive glass bulb 114. The glass bulb 114 is supported against the sealing assembly 112 by the frame body 110 by a load or compression screw 115. In its thermal response to the fire, at a desired activation time, the bulb 114 ruptures thereby releasing its support from the sealing assembly which is preferably ejected from the sealing assembly by the ejection spring 117. The trigger 114 has a thermal response that is preferably faster than fast response, such as for example, a Super Fast response to realize a desired activation time. In one particular embodiment, the preferred trigger has a response time index (RTI) of 24 (m−s).sup.1/2 with a preferred temperature rating of 175° F. or more preferably 200° F. Thermally responsive triggers can be alternatively embodied as links or strut and lever assemblies as known in the art. Alternatively or additionally, the desired activation time and/or thermal responsiveness can be realized by the combination of a thermally responsive trigger and appropriate sprinkler body frame geometry that directs heat toward the trigger to provide for the desired activation response. An exemplary frame is shown and described in PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2014/047485.

(14) Once the sprinkler is actuated, water or other firefighting fluid delivered to the inlet 110a at the working or operating pressure of the sprinkler is discharged from the outlet 110b and impacts the sprinkler fluid distribution components to address a fire including, for example, the trepan 110e and/or the deflector 116. For the preferred sprinkler 100, water delivered at a preferred working pressure ranging between 7 psi. to 175 psi. is distributed to define a preferred coverage area, which preferably varies with the discharge coefficient or K-Factor of the sprinkler. The preferred sprinkler 100 defines a preferred minimum sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing SP of 8 ft. over an area of greater than 225 square feet or alternatively, a minimum sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing SP of 7 ft. over an area 225 square feet or less. For the preferred sprinkler 100 defining a K-Factor of 4.2 gpm/psi.sup.1/2, the sprinkler provides a preferred coverage area of 196 sq. ft. to define a maximum sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing SP of 14 ft.; and for the preferred sprinkler 100 defining a K-Factor of 5.6 gpm/psi.sup.1/2, the sprinkler provides a preferred coverage area of 256 sq. ft. to define a maximum sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing SP of 16 ft.; alternatively the sprinkler provides a preferred coverage area of 400 square feet to define a preferred maximum sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing SP of twenty feet (20 ft.).

(15) Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, shown are the preferred embodiments of combustible concealed spaces CS and fire protection systems 10. Particularly shown, are the relative locations of a preferred sprinkler for the varying embodiments of a concealed space CS. The preferred automatic sprinkler 100 for use in the preferred concealed spaces, systems and methods described herein defines an effective depth range that can measure from a minimum of six inches (6 in.) to a preferred maximum greater than thirty-six inches (36 in.), preferably up to a maximum of at least sixty-inches (60 in.) and in a preferred embodiment up to a maximum of no more than eighty-four inches (84 in.). Accordingly, the preferred systems described herein can provide for protected concealed spaces with an effective depth range at one foot or half-foot increments over three feet for an appropriate vertical spacing between the upper deck UD and the ceiling deck CD. The concealed spaces and systems can be configured as wet systems or dry systems, as is understood in the art. In one preferred embodiment of the wet system, the system is hydraulically designed with a hydraulically remote or design area of 1000 (sq. ft.) square feet with a design density of 0.1 gpm/sq. ft. In one preferred embodiment of the dry system, the system is hydraulically designed with a hydraulically remote or design area of 1300 (sq. ft.) square feet with a design density of 0.1 gpm/sq. ft. or less and more preferably 0.07 gpm/sq. ft.

(16) Shown in FIG. 1, the concealed space CSa shows each of the upper deck UD and ceiling deck CD with either an unobstructed wood truss T construction or an unobstructed bar joist construction with an upper chord member of 4 inches or less in vertical length. As shown, the fluid supply pipe 12 is preferably CPVC pipe with one or more parallel portions 12a extending parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A. One or more of the preferred sprinklers 100 are coupled to the parallel portion 12a of the piping 12. The deflectors 116 of the one or more sprinklers 100 are preferably spaced at a distance CL from the upper deck UD that ranges from a minimum of 1 1/12 inches to a maximum of 4 inches. For the concealed space CSa, the one or more sprinklers 100 are positioned and spaced to provide an effective depth range D from a preferred minimum distance of six inches (6 in.) between the top surface TS of the bottom chord and the bottom surface BS of the upper chord to a distance between the upper deck UD and the ceiling deck CD that preferably measures no more than a maximum sixty inches (60 in.). More preferably, the effective depth range D extends over a range from a minimum of at least six inches (6 in.), preferably greater than thirty-six inches (36 in.) up to a maximum of sixty inches (60 in.).

(17) In another preferred aspect, the sprinkler 100 and its central vertical axis is preferably spaced from a lateral face of a wood truss T at a preferred minimum spacing distance LD of 4½ inches. In other preferred aspects, the parallel pipe portion 12a has a bottom surface relative to the ceiling deck CD. The bottom surface of the parallel pipe portion 12a is preferably spaced from the ceiling deck CD at a distance PD being one of and more preferably the smaller of: (i) 6 inches maximum above the ceiling deck CD; (ii) 6 inches maximum above non-combustible ceiling insulation disposed along the ceiling deck (not shown); and (iii) ⅓ the distance between the upper and ceiling decks UD, CD.

(18) Shown in FIG. 2, the concealed space CSb shows each of the upper deck UD and ceiling deck CD with either non-combustible insulation-filled solid wood joist SWT construction or non-combustible insulation-filled composite wood joist CWT construction. As shown, the fluid supply pipe 12 is preferably CPVC pipe with one or more parallel portions 12a extending parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A. One or more of the preferred sprinklers 100 are coupled to the parallel portion 12a of the piping 12. The deflectors 116 of the one or more sprinklers 100 are preferably spaced at a distance CL from the upper deck joist members from a minimum of 1 1/12 inches to a maximum of 4 inches. For the concealed space CSb, the effective depth range D between the bottom and top surfaces BS, TS of the respective joists at the upper deck UD and ceiling deck CD preferably measures between 6 inches to 60 inches. In other preferred aspects, the parallel pipe portion 12a has a bottom surface relative to the ceiling deck CD. The bottom surface of the parallel pipe portion 12a is preferably spaced from the ceiling deck CD at a distance PD being one of and more preferably the smaller of: (i) 6 inches maximum above the ceiling deck CD; (ii) 6 inches maximum above non-combustible ceiling insulation disposed along the ceiling deck (not shown); and (iii) ⅓ the distance between the ceiling deck CD to the bottom surface of the upper deck joist member.

(19) Shown in FIG. 3 is another alternate embodiment of the concealed space CSc shows each of the upper deck UD and ceiling deck CD with either of unobstructed wood truss T construction and unobstructed bar joist construction with an upper chord member of 4 inches or less in vertical length. As shown, the fluid supply pipe 12 is preferably steel pipe with one or more parallel portions 12a extending parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A. One or more of the preferred sprinklers 100 are coupled to the parallel portion 12a of the piping 12. The deflectors 116 of the one or more sprinklers 100 are preferably spaced at a distance CL from the upper deck UD that ranges from a minimum of 1 1/12 inches to a maximum of 4 inches. For the concealed space CSc, the effective depth range D is provided from a preferred minimum distance of six inches (6 in.) between the top surface TS of the bottom chord and the bottom surface BS of the upper chord to a maximum distance between the upper deck UD and the ceiling deck CD that is preferably no more than a maximum eighty-four inches. In another preferred aspect, the sprinkler 100, and more particularly its vertical central axis, is preferably spaced from a lateral face of a wood truss T at a preferred minimum spacing distance LD of 4½ inches.

(20) Shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are alternate concealed spaces CSd, CSe, CSf in which the preferred fluid supply pipe 12 is steel pipe. The concealed space CSd of FIG. 4 shows the upper and ceiling decks UD, CD of solid wood joist SWT construction. Each of the joists define surfaces relative to the longitudinal axis A-A, including a bottom surface BS for joists disposed along the upper deck CD and top surfaces TS for joists disposed along the ceiling deck CD. The top surface TS is spaced from the bottom surface BS for a provided effective depth range D that preferably measures from six inches to sixty inches. For the preferred systems shown, the deflectors 116 of the sprinklers 100, are preferably spaced from the bottom surface BS of the solid wood joists SWT of the upper deck at a distance CL that ranges from 1 1/12 inches to two inches (2 in.).

(21) The concealed space CSe of FIG. 5 shows the upper and ceiling decks UD, CD of either non-combustible insulation-filled solid wood joist SWT construction or non-combustible insulation-filled composite wood joist CWT construction. Each of the joists SWT, CWT define surfaces relative to the longitudinal axis A-A, including a bottom surface BS for joists disposed along the upper deck CD and top surfaces TS for joists disposed along the ceiling deck CD. The top surface TS is spaced from the bottom surface BS for a provided effective depth range D that preferably measures from six inches to sixty inches. For the preferred systems shown, the deflectors 116 of the sprinklers 100, are preferably spaced from the bottom surface BS of the joists of the upper deck UD at a distance CL that ranges from 1 1/12 inches to four inches (4 in.).

(22) The concealed space CSf of FIG. 6 shows the upper and ceiling decks UD, CD of obstructed wood truss T construction with an upper chord member having a vertical length of greater 4 inches or greater. Each of the trusses T defines surfaces relative to the longitudinal axis A-A, including a bottom surface BS of the upper chord member and a top surface TS of the lower or bottom chord member. The top surface TS is spaced from the bottom surface BS for a provided effective depth range D that preferably measures from six inches to sixty inches (6-60 in.). For the preferred systems shown, the deflectors 116 of the sprinklers 100, are preferably spaced from the bottom surface BS of the trusses of the upper deck UD at a distance CL that ranges from 1 1/12 inches to two inches (2 in.).

(23) In view of the preferred concealed space and system descriptions preferred methods of concealed space fire protection is provided. One preferred method of concealed space fire protection includes obtaining an automatic upright sprinkler that includes a frame body having an inlet for receipt of a firefighting fluid, an outlet and a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet to define a discharge coefficient of a nominal K-Factor, a seal assembly, a thermally responsive trigger to support the seal assembly in the outlet; and a deflector coupled to the frame body and spaced from the outlet for distribution of the firefighting fluid; and distributing the automatic sprinkler for installation in a combustible concealed space between an upper deck portion and a ceiling deck portion to define an effective depth range D measuring from a minimum of six inches to at least sixty inches (6-60 in.) and preferably from greater than thirty six-inches to at least sixty inches and more preferably to a maximum of no greater than eighty-four inches. As used herein, “obtaining” can include any one of purchasing, manufacturing or otherwise acquiring; and “distributing” can include any one of selling, providing, or supplying. In another preferred embodiment, a method of combustible concealed space fire protection includes installing a fluid supply line between an upper deck portion and a ceiling deck portion of a combustible concealed space with an effective depth range D measuring from a minimum of six inches to at least sixty inches (6-60 in.) and preferably from greater than thirty six-inches to at least sixty inches and more preferably to a maximum of no greater than eighty-four inches. The preferred method further includes coupling an automatic fire protection sprinkler with a portion of the supply line substantially parallel to the upper deck and a ceiling for protection over the effective depth.

(24) The systems and methods described herein provide for an effective depth range from six inches to over thirty-six inches including the range of six inches to at least sixty inches (6-60 in.) to the largest range of six-inches to no more than eighty-four inches. It should be understood that other effective depth ranges can be realized such as, for example, ranges that increase at six inch increments over thirty-six inches such that the range is greater than previously known ranges. For example, other effective depth ranges may include: (i) six inches to forty-two inches (6 in.-42 in.); (ii) six inches to forty-eight inches (6 in.-48 in.); and (iii) six inches to fifty-four inches (6 in.-54 in.). Effective depth ranges larger than the preferred range of six to sixty inches (6 in.-60 in.) are also possible including, for example: (i) six inches to sixty-six inches (6 in.-66 in.); (ii) six inches to seventy-two inches (6 in.-72 in.); and (iii) six inches to seventy-eight inches (6 in.-78 in.). Although the minimum value of the ranges is preferably six inches, the minimum value can be any value that when compared with the maximum value provides a ranges that is greater than previously known values. For example, the minimum value can be greater than six inches, such as, twelve inches and the maximum of value of forty-two or eighty-four inches.

(25) 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.