DRY-RISER, DRY RISER SYSTEM, AND ENGINEERING STRUCTURE COMPRISING THE DRY-RISER

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to dry-riser for use in fire fighting, the dry-riser being configured to allow a fluid flow through the dry-riser, wherein the dry-riser comprises at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and wherein the at least one dry-riser outlet comprises a quick-release valve coupling for connecting the at least one dry-riser outlet to a fire hose. The disclosure further relates to a dry-riser system comprising the dry-riser and a fire hose, and an engineering structure comprising the dry-riser.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A dry-riser for use in firefighting, the dry-riser being configured to allow a fluid flow through the dry-riser, comprising: at least one dry-riser inlet; and at least one dry-riser outlet; wherein the at least one dry-riser outlet comprises a quick-release valve coupling configured to connect the at least one dry-riser outlet to a fire hose.

15. The dry-riser according to claim 14, wherein the at least one dry-riser inlet comprises a second quick-release valve coupling configured to connect the dry-riser inlet to a water supply.

16. The dry-riser according to claim 14, wherein the second quick-release valve coupling comprises a check valve.

17. The dry-riser according to claim 16, wherein the check valve is arranged upstream of a manually operated valve of the second quick-release valve coupling.

18. The dry-riser according to claim 14, wherein the quick-release valve coupling comprises a check valve.

19. The dry-riser according to claim 18, wherein the quick-release valve coupling further comprises a manually operated valve.

20. The dry-riser according to claim 19, wherein the manually operated valve is a ball valve.

21. The dry-riser according to claim 19, wherein the check valve of the quick-release valve coupling is arranged downstream of the manually operated valve.

22. The dry-riser according to claim 14, wherein the fluid is water, and wherein at least a portion of the dry-riser is configured to have a high pressure operating water pressure of at least 20 bar.

23. The dry-riser according to claim 22, wherein the at least a portion of the dry-riser is configured to have a high pressure operating water pressure in a range of 20 bar-150 bar.

24. The dry-riser according to claim 23, wherein the at least a portion of the dry-riser is configured to have a high pressure operating water pressure in a range of 30 bar-80 bar.

25. The dry-riser according to claim 14, wherein an inner diameter of at least a portion of the dry-riser is less than 2.0 inches.

26. The dry-riser according to claim 25, wherein an inner diameter of at least a portion of the dry-riser is less than 1.4 inches.

27. The dry-riser according to claim 25, wherein an inner diameter of an outlet of the dry-riser is less than 2.0 inches.

28. A dry-riser system for use in firefighting, the system comprising: at least one fire hose; and a dry-riser configured to allow a fluid flow through the dry-riser, the dry-riser comprising at least one dry-riser inlet and at least one dry-riser outlet; wherein the at least one dry-riser outlet comprises a quick-release valve coupling configured to connect the at least one dry-riser outlet to the at least one fire hose.

29. The dry-riser system according to claim 28, wherein the at least one fire hose comprises a quick-release coupling part configured to be connected to the quick-release valve coupling so as to, in a connected state, allow a water flow from the dry-riser to the at least one fire hose.

30. The dry-riser system according to claim 28, wherein the at least one fire hose is dimensionally stable.

31. The dry-riser system according any one of claim 28, wherein an inner diameter of the at least one fire hose is less than 1.6 inches.

32. The dry-riser system according to claim 28, wherein an inner diameter of the at least one fire hose is less than or equal to 1.2 inches.

33. A dry-riser system, for use in firefighting, the dry-riser system comprising: an engineering structure comprising a dry-riser configured to allow a fluid flow through the dry-riser, the dry-riser comprising at least one dry-riser inlet and at least one dry-riser outlet; wherein the at least one dry-riser outlet comprises a quick-release valve coupling configured to connect the at least one dry-riser outlet to the at least one fire hose.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081] The dry-riser, the dry-riser system, and the engineering construction comprising the dry-riser system will now be described in greater detail based on non-limiting exemplary examples and with reference to the drawings, on which:

[0082] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a dry-riser system according to the present disclosure installed in a building,

[0083] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a water flow in the embodiment of the dry-riser system shown in FIG. 1,

[0084] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the dry-riser system according to the present disclosure,

[0085] FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of an outlet of the dry-riser system shown in FIG. 3,

[0086] FIG. 5a shows a perspective view of an inlet of the dry-riser system shown in FIG. 3, and

[0087] FIG. 5b shows a perspective top view of the inlet shown in FIG. 5a.

[0088] Similar reference numerals are used for similar elements across the various examples and figures described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0089] In FIG. 1, a schematic view of an embodiment of a dry-riser system 1 according to the present disclosure is shown, when installed in a building 2 comprising multiple storeys 100, 200, 300. The dry-riser system 1 comprises a dry-riser 10 having a first section 12 extending through the multiple storeys 100, 200, 300 of the building 2 in a substantially vertical height direction H, and a first 20, a second 22, and a third outlet 24 as well as a first 30 and second inlet 32. FIG. 2 shows a functional flow chart of the dry-riser system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0090] The dry-riser first section 12 is a pipe having a substantially circular cross-section and made from a stainless steel alloy and having an internal aperture with a diameter of 30 mm. In other examples, the dry-riser first section 12 may be made from and/or comprise a different material, such as copper, carbon steel, steel, cupronickel, tantalum, tempered glass, Teflon-based materials, or any combination thereof.

[0091] The dry-riser first section 12 is configured by means of the material and material dimensions to have an operating water pressure inside the aperture of the dry-riser first section 12 of up to 70 bars. The dry-riser first section 12 has a substantially same aperture diameter as well as a same outer diameter along an entire length thereof. However, as the water pressure as well as the needed water flow, in use, may vary along the dry-riser first section 12, the dry-riser first section 12 may in other examples vary in an internal aperture diameter or an outer diameter. In some examples, an internal aperture diameter and/or an outer diameter of the dry-riser first section 12 may be larger at a lower point in the vertical height direction H of the dry-riser and smaller at a higher point in the vertical height direction H to be operable at the desired water pressure. Where the dry-riser system 1 is provided in a different engineering structure, such as a container ship, the dry-riser first section 12 may extend in a substantially horizontal direction. The aperture diameter and/or the outer diameter of the dry-riser first section may in this case be substantially the same along the entire length of the dry-riser first section 12 or may vary.

[0092] The dry-riser 10 further comprises the first 20, the second 22, and the third outlet 24 respectively arranged on a first 100, second 200 and third storey 300 of the building 2. Each of the first 20, second 22, and third outlets 24 are illustrated extending at an angle of approximately 40 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the dry-riser first section 12. They may however be extending at a different angle to the dry riser first section 12, such as substantially in parallel or substantially orthogonally thereto. The first 20, second 22 and third outlets 24 are made from the same material as the dry-riser first section 12. The outlets 20, 22, 24 are mounted such that an aperture of each of the outlets are fluidly connected to the aperture of the first section 12. The outlets 20, 22, 24 are mounted on the first section 12 by means of pipe fittings, such that an aperture of a respective aperture of the outlets 20, 22, 24 faces the fitting and via this is connected to the aperture by means of a respective opening in the first section 12. In other examples, the outlets may be integrally formed with the first section 12 and/or connected thereto by other means, such as by means of internal threads in the outlets 20, 22, 24 and in a respective opening in the first section 12.

[0093] Each of the outlets 20, 22, 24 further comprise a quick-release valve coupling 40, comprising a manually operated ball valve 44 as well as a fire hose receiving portion 42 comprising a check valve 46. The manually operated ball valve 44 is arranged upstream of, i.e. nearer along a flow path the dry-riser first section 12 and/or the first or second inlet 30, 32 than the fire hose receiving portion 42 and check valve 46, as also shown in FIG. 2. Thereby the manually operated ball valve 44 may be closed to prevent a water flow and thus a water pressure at the fire hose receiving portion 42, which is useful e.g. when a fire hose 60 is connected to the fire hose receiving portion 42. The manually operated ball valve 44 may be any known manually operated ball valve able to operate at the desired operating pressure. In other examples, the manually operated ball valve 44 may be a different type of manually operated valve, such as a manually operated butterfly valve, a manually operated globe valve, a manually operated gate valve, and/or a manually operated diaphragm valve.

[0094] The dry-riser 10 including the first section 12, outlets 20, 22, 24, and inlets 30, 32 thereof are configured to have an operating water pressure inside the respective apertures thereof of 70 bar. The dry-riser 10 is, however, able to withstand higher water pressures up to 90 bar without breaking. The operating water pressure, however, ensures a sufficient water flow for the system to be efficient in firefighting, i.e. approximately 200 I/m.

[0095] The fire hose receiving portion 42 is configured to receive a fire hose 60 and fluidly connecting this to the check valve 46 and, when this is opened, to the manually operated ball valve 44 and, when this is opened, further to the dry-riser first section 12 and thereby to the inlets 30, 32. The fire hose receiving portion 42 has spring-loaded snap-acting means (not shown), which are configured to receive a connecting portion 62 of the fire hose 60, to provide the quick-release functionality. The snap-acting means are configured to engage with grooves on an outer side, i.e. on the side facing away from an aperture of the fire hose 60, of the fire hose connecting portion 62, such that, when the connecting portion 62 of the fire hose 60 is inserted into the fire hose receiving portion 42, it retains the connecting portion 62. The connecting portion 62 of the fire hose 60 can further be quickly disconnected from the fire hose receiving portion 42 by pulling an outer peripheral ring member (not shown), i.e. a locking ring, of the fire hose receiving portion 42 in a direction away from the respective outlet 20, 22, 24, whereby the spring causes the snap-acting means to disengage the groove of the connecting portion 62. Alternatively or additionally, different engagements may be provided between the connecting portion 62 of the fire hose 60 and the fire hose receiving portion 42, such as engagement of connecting means in an inner groove, spring-loaded barbs, or any combination thereof. In other examples, the fire hose receiving portion 42 may additionally or alternatively comprise any other known type of snap-acting means.

[0096] When the connecting portion 62 of the fire hose 60 is inserted into the fire hose receiving portion 42 of the quick-release valve coupling 40 and engaged with the snap-acting means thereof, the connecting portion 62 further opens the check valve 46 of the quick-release valve coupling 40. The connecting portion 62 and fire hose receiving portion 42 are each shaped such that a tapered part of the connecting portion 62 pushes back a flow stopping component of the check valve 46 and thereby mechanically actuates and opens the check valve 46. The skilled person will appreciate that the actuation of the check valve 46 by the connecting portion 62 of the fire hose 60 may be provided in any known way.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 1, the fire hose 60 comprises the connecting portion 62 at one end thereof and an interconnecting portion 64 at a second end thereof. The interconnecting portion 64 comprises a quick-release valve coupling similar to the quick-release valve coupling 40 of the dry-riser, configured to receive a connecting portion 62 of another fire hose 60 as well as to receive a firefighting tool, such as a jet pipe or a nozzle, with a connecting portion similar to that of the fire hose 60. The interconnecting portion 64 similarly provides a fluid connection between elements received at the interconnecting portion 64 and the aperture of the fire hose 60. Thereby, the fire hose 60 can either be connected to a nozzle for use in firefighting or be extended in length in a quick and seamless manner. In other examples, a second fire hose and/or a fire-fighting tool may be non-removably attached to the interconnecting portion 64.

[0098] A respective fire hose 60 is, as shown in FIG. 1, provided on a respective storey 100, 200, 300 of the building 2. Alternatively, a fire hose 60 may be brought from a fire truck to the relevant storey 100, 200, 300 by a firefighter. The fire hose 60 has an inner diameter of the aperture of 30 mm and are made in a rubber material to withstand an operating water pressure of 50 bar. Due to gravitational force acting on the water and the pressure reduction by letting out water during firefighting the actual water pressure in the fire hose 60 may be lower than the 50 bar operating water pressure. In some diameter of the supply hoses may be less than 30 mm, such as approximately 28 mm, 26 mm, 25 mm, 23 mm, 20 mm, or less, or between than 30 mm and 40 mm, such as 32 mm, 34 mm, 35 mm, 38 mm, or up to 40 mm.

[0099] The two inlets 30, 32 of the dry-riser 10 are arranged below the outlets 20, 22, 24 in the vertical height direction H. As seen from FIG. 1, the inlets 30, 32 are arranged outside the building 2. In practice, the inlets 30, 32 may preferably be arranged so that fire trucks can get easy access thereto, such as on an outer wall of the building 2 approximately one metre above ground level. Alternatively, or additionally the inlets 30, 32 may be arranged at a basement level, such as in or by an underground parking facility, and/or may be arranged free-standing at a distance from the building 2, i.e. not attached to the outer wall of the building 2. In other examples of the dry-riser more than two, such as three, four, five, six, or more inlets 30, 32 may be provided or alternatively a single inlet may be provided.

[0100] The two inlets 30, 32 comprise identical features in terms of a quick-release valve coupling 50 comprising a supply hose receiving portion 52 for receiving and retaining a supply hose 70 as indicated in FIG. 2. The supply hoses 70 are rubber hoses similar to the fire hoses 60. In other examples, the supply hoses may be different from the fire hoses 60 in one or more of dimensions, material, and/or shape. The supply hoses 70 thereby have an inner aperture with a diameter of approximately 30 mm or 30 mm. In other examples, the diameter of the supply hoses may be less than 30 mm, such as approximately 28 mm, 26 mm, 25 mm, 23 mm, 20 mm, or less, or more than 30 mm, such as 32 mm, 34 mm, 35 mm, 38 mm, or more. The supply hoses 70 may be configured, preferably by means of materials and dimensions, to have an operating pressure similar to that of the dry-riser 10, such as 50 bar.

[0101] The supply hose receiving portion 52 comprises a check valve 56 and is configured to receive and retain the supply hose 70 in a manner similar to the way, in which the fire hose receiving portion 42 of the outlets are configured to receive and retain a fire hose 60, i.e. by means of spring-loaded snap-acting means configured to engage and retain the supply hose 70. This will be described further with respect to the examples of the dry-riser system 1′ shown in FIGS. 3-5b below. It will, however, be self-evident that the connection between the supply hose 70 and a quick-release valve coupling 50 of a respective inlet 30, 32 in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be provided in a similar manner as in the examples shown in FIGS. 3-5b.

[0102] The quick-release valve coupling 50 further comprises a manually operated ball valve 54 arranged downstream of the supply hose receiving portion 52 and check valve 56. The manually operated ball valve 54 is similar to the manually operated ball valve of the quick-release valve couplings 40 of the outlets 20, 22, 24. In other examples, the manually operated ball valve 54 of an inlet 30, 32 may be different from that of the outlets 20, 22, 24. The manually operated ball valve 54 may be any known manually operated ball valve able to operate at the desired operating pressure, such as the same operating pressure as for the dry-riser 10. Alternatively or additionally, the manually operated ball valve 54 may be a different type of manually operated valve, such as a manually operated butterfly valve, a manually operated globe valve, a manually operated gate valve, and/or a manually operated diaphragm valve. In some examples, as will be described with reference to FIGS. 3-Sb, the manually operated ball valve 54 may be avoided, such that the check valve 56, with respect to the water flow, may be connected directly to the first section 12 or any potential other portion of the dry-riser 10.

[0103] The dry-riser 10 further comprises an emptying outlet 80 for emptying water from the dry-riser first section 12 after use, e.g. when a fire has been extinguished in the building 2. The emptying outlet 80 comprises a manually operated valve for opening the emptying outlet 80 so as to let out water from the dry-riser 10 there through. The manually operated valve of the emptying outlet 80 is similar to the manually operated ball valve 54 of the quick-release valve coupling 50 of the inlets 30, 32 as well as the manually operated ball valve 44 of the quick-release valve coupling 40 of the outlets 20, 22, 24. In other examples, the manually operated valve of the emptying outlet 80 may be of another type, such as the possible types mentioned with respect to the inlet and/or outlet manually operated ball valves 44, 54.

[0104] The emptying outlet 80 is arranged at a lowermost point of the dry-riser first section 12 so as to allow gravitational force acting on the water in the dry-riser first section 12 to aid in emptying the dry-riser 10, when the emptying outlet is opened. In other examples, the emptying outlet 80 may be arranged at another position at the dry-riser 10 and may comprise other means, such as pumps, air inlets, or the like to aid in emptying the dry-riser 10.

[0105] As shown in FIGS. 3-5b, the emptying outlet 80 is arranged neighbouring the inlets 30′, 32′ and further comprises a traditional Storz coupling TS. The traditional Storz coupling TS comprises a manually operated ball valve and may be used to connect a traditional supply hose of dimensions corresponding to a traditional fire hose, where supply hoses 70, 72 cannot be provided. In other examples of the dry-riser 10′, the traditional Storz coupling TS as well as the manually operated ball valve may be avoided.

[0106] As seen in FIG. 1, the dry-riser 10 further comprises an air inlet 90 for letting in air, i.e. pressurised air, into the dry-riser 10 to aid in emptying the dry-riser, when the emptying outlet 80 is opened. The air inlet 90 comprises a manually operated valve arrangement in the form of a ball valve for letting through air when opened and for closing off for water inside the dry-riser 10 when closed, such that an operating water pressure as described above can be maintained in the dry-riser first section 12. In other examples, the manually operated valve arrangement may be another type of valve arrangement, such as a check valve, gate valve, piston valve, or any of the manually operated valves described with respect to the manually operated ball valves 44, 54 of the out-/inlets 20, 22, 24, 30, 32.

[0107] The valve arrangement of the air inlet 90 may in some examples comprise an overpressure valve arrangement configured to let out air from the dry-riser 10, when an air pressure inside the dry-riser 10 exceeds a threshold pressure. Thereby, water inside the dry-riser may push out the air through the overpressure valve arrangement of the air inlet 90, when this is provided, aiding in ensuring a sufficiently high water pressure at a, in a vertical height direction H, high point of the dry-riser, such as at the outlet 24 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0108] FIGS. 3, 4, 5a, and 5b show a different embodiment of a dry-riser system 1′. The dry-riser system 1′ here comprises a dry-riser 10′ having a first section 12 and a second section 14, which is angled 90 degrees with respect to the first section 12. The first 12 and second 14 sections have the same outer and inner diameter, are made from the same material, and are interconnected by a pipe fitting 16, in turn providing a fluid connection between the first 12 and second 14 sections. In other examples, the first 12 and second sections 14 are angled with another angle, e.g. less than or more than 90 degrees with respect to each other. Alternatively or additionally, the first 12 and second sections 14 may have different dimensions and/or be made from different materials.

[0109] It will further be appreciated that the dry-riser 10, 10′ may comprise any number of sections 12, 14 extending in the height direction H and/or at any angle thereto. For instance, where dry-riser system 1, 1′ is used in an engineering structure different from the building 2, such as a ship or a vessel, dry-riser sections 12, 14 may mainly extend in a substantially horizontal direction. Such sections may be interconnected by means of a number of pipe fittings 16 or by means of various flexible interconnectors, for which an operating pressure similar to the desired operating pressure of the dry-riser 1, 1′ can be achieved.

[0110] The dry-riser 10′ further comprises two outlets 20, 26 arranged at a same level in the vertical height direction H. The outlets 20, 26 each comprise a quick-release valve coupling 40 having a manually operated ball valve 44 and a fire hose receiving portion 42 as described with respect to the dry-riser 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Similarly, the fire hose receiving portion 42 of the quick-release valve coupling 40 comprise a check valve (not shown in FIGS. 3-5). As seen in FIG. 4, showing the outlet 26, to which a fire hose 60 is connected by the connecting portion 62 of the fire hose 60, the manually operated ball valve comprises a handle 44a, which a user, such as a firefighter, can use to open and/or close the manually operated ball valve 44.

[0111] Furthermore, the dry-riser 10′ comprises two inlets 30′, 32′ connected to and arranged at the second section 14. The inlets 30′, 32′ extend in a substantially horizontal direction, i.e. in a direction substantially perpendicular to the height direction H. The inlets 30′, 32′ each comprise a quick-release valve coupling 50′ having a supply hose receiving portion 52, similar to that of the quick-release valve couplings 50 of the inlets 30, 32 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The quick-release valve coupling 50′ does, contrary to the quick-release valve coupling 50, not comprise a manually operated valve. A check valve of the supply hose receiving portion 52 is therefore in direct fluid connection with the inlet 30′, 32′. Other features of the inlets 30′, 32′ as well as their respective quick-release valve coupling 50′ are, however, similar to those of the inlets 30, 32 and their respective quick-release valve coupling 50, described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Notably, the supply hose receiving portion 52 of the quick-release valve coupling 50′ and the features and functionality thereof are similar to those of the supply hose receiving portion 52 of the quick-release valve coupling 50.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 5a, showing a perspective zoomed view of the inlets 30′, 32′, and FIG. 5b, showing a top view of the inlets 30′, 32′, a respective supply hose 70 is connected to a respective one of the inlets 30′, 32′ by connecting the connecting portion 72 of each supply hose 70 to a respective supply hose receiving portion 52 of a respective quick-release valve coupling 30′, 32′. The connecting portion 72 of the supply hose 70 opens the check valve (not shown in FIGS. 3-5b) of the supply hose receiving portions so as to provide a fluid connection, allowing for a water flow, from an aperture of the supply hose 70 to a respective inlet 30′, 32′. The supply hose receiving portions 52 engages with and retains the supply hose 70 by a spring-loaded mechanism engaging with the connecting portion 72 of the supply hose 70. This is done in a similar manner as described above with reference to the fire hose connecting portions 62 and fire hose receiving portions 42. The supply hose receiving portions 52 may, in other examples engage with and/or retain the supply hose connecting portion 72 in a different way.

[0113] Although some examples have been described and shown in detail, the present disclosure is not restricted to these, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims. In particular, it is to be understood that other examples may be utilised and that structural as well as functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It should furthermore be emphasised that the term “comprises”/“comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.