FIRE-EXTINGUISHING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WAREHOUSES

Background of invention

The invention relates to a fire-extinguishing method according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention also relates to a fire-extinguishing apparatus according to the preamble of claim 11.

In the fire protection of warehouses, particularly of high-rise warehouses, conventional sprinkler apparatuses have been traditionally used, the operational effectiveness of which is based on a large volume of water sprayed by the system when activated. However, the large volume of water being sprayed causes water damages to stored items in both a fire situation and also e.g. as a result of incorrect activation. Large volumes of water also require massive pipings, water tanks and drainage. At warehouses, in which detrimental substances, such as chemicals or drugs, are stored, all the water sprayed by the extinguishing system has to be recovered and handled as hazardous waste. In connection with storage shelvings, a possible fire spreads extremely quickly along vertical flue spaces which can be formed e.g. between shelves and/or between adjacent and/or successive loads stored on shelves, such as items arranged on pallets or other packages.

Typically, the extinguishing systems of warehouses have utilised spraying heads arranged in the shelving and, in addition to them, spraying heads arranged e.g. on the ceiling of the warehouse. Such sprinkler arrangement utilising conventional low-pressure spraying is described in specification GB1286607. Their disadvantage is, inter alia, large volume of water required and also that a fire having started down is extremely quickly able to spread along vertical flue spaces in spite of the spraying of extinguishing medium.

Specification US3732930, again, describes an arrangement in which the shelving itself includes spraying heads provided with tanks and heat-guiding plates arranged in the flue spaces formed in the shelvings, which plates guide heat rising in the flue space to a sprinkler being close on a shelf which then triggers off and starts to spray water in its vicinity, such as on the shelf, in the aisle between the shelves and the flue space. A disadvantage of this arrangement is also the large volume of water and required special arrangements in the shelvings, such as heat guides arranged in the flue spaces and possibly laminar storage shelves.

Systems are also known which utilise ESFR sprinklers, which are only on the ceiling, but the volume of water produced by them is extremely large and causes great water damages when the system activates.

A particular problem are the great volumes of extinguishing medium and water damages caused by them at warehouses handling valuable items, such as at warehouses of electronics or drugs.

The object of this invention is to achieve a totally novel solution with which the disadvantages of known prior art are avoided. An object of the invention is to provide a fire-extinguishing arrangement based on medium mist into connection with warehouses, by means of which the spreading possibilities of fire are substantially decreased along flue spaces formed in shelvings. Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement by means of which extinguishing medium damages possibly sustained by the warehouse in a fire situation can be minimised, the protection effect remaining good. A further object is to provide an arrangement into connection with conventional storage shelves without special structural arrangements required by the shelves.

The invention is based on an idea in which spray nozzles spraying medium mist are arranged at the point of known flue spaces above the shelving.

The method according to the invention is mainly characterised in that, in a fire situation, extinguishing medium mist is sprayed by at least one spraying head such that the mist spray penetrates said flue space.

In addition, the method according to the invention is characterised by what is stated in claims 2-10.

The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that at least one spraying head is arranged in the shelving or in its vicinity such that, after the spraying head has activated, the mist spray sprayed by it penetrates said flue space.

The apparatus according to the invention is further characterised by what is stated in claims 11-20.

The arrangement according to the invention has numerous significant advantages. By arranging spraying head which spray high-pressure medium mist in the upper part of known vertical flue spaces of the warehouse or in its vicinity, an effective arrangement is provided for the fire extinguishing of storage shelvings. By spraying medium mist in the flues with high pressure, an effective medium mist spray is provided by means of which flames prevailing in the flues, particularly those aiming upwards, can be mechanically pressed down in a fire situation. Then, it is possible to considerably decelerated affect the spreading of the fire in the vertical direction and, in addition, a medium mist curtain is formed in the flues and the walls of the flue get wet to the extent that the spreading of the fire over the flue is limited. By using spraying head which spray medium mist, the volume of extinguishing medium can be kept small, whereby the number of damages caused by the extinguishing medium, such as water damages, for the stored items is considerably small compared to conventional water-spray extinguishing. The efficiency of the arrangement according to the invention can be improved by starting the spraying in the flues in a stage as early as possible after the detection of fire. The efficiency of the arrangement according to the invention can be further improved by arranging at the point of the

spraying heads above them a guide plate. The method and apparatus according to the invention is well applicable in the fire protection of many types of warehouses. It is particularly suitable for warehouses which store commercially valuable items, electronics, chemicals, drugs, or for warehouses in which large volumes of extinguishing medium would cause great harm to the items.

Here, fire protection mainly means decreasing the harms of fire, such as extinguishing, smothering or controlling fire. A load generally means one or more products, packages or the like stored in a shelving. The load can be stored in the shelving either on a pallet or directly on a shelf.

Brief description of figures

Next, the invention will be described in detail by means of an example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which

Fig. 1 shows an arrangement according to the invention in connection with two storage shelvings seen in the direction towards the end of the shelvings,

Fig. 2 shows an arrangement according to the invention seen from the side of the shelving, and

Fig. 3 shows a layout of an arrangement according to the invention and the location of spraying heads from the top.

Detailed description of invention

Figs. 1-3 shows a simplified storage shelving in connection with which the apparatus and method according to the invention is applied. Each storage shelving IA, IB, 1C, ID comprises several shelves 2 which are arranged one on the other in layers in a way known as such. The shelves 2 formed by horizontal supports and vertical supports 3 form

in the shelving sections 4 or compartments in which loads 5 being stored, such as pallets 6 and items stored on them, are placed. The embodiment according to the figure shows a simple shelving unit which is formed of two back-to-back set shelvings IA, IB on the opposite sides of which there are simple shelves 1C, ID separated by aisles 7.

The loads 5 being stored at high-rise warehouses i.e. the items which are usually stored on transport loaders i.e. pallets 6 in the storage position 4 of the storage shelf. Between the storage shelvings, there typically is the aisle 7 along which an actuator, such as a shelving lift or a forklift, is able to pass and take or bring items being stored into/from the storage position. Between two aisles 7, there typically is, seen from the end of the shelf, two shelves IA, IB side by side such that there is only a narrow space 8 between these back-to-back arranged shelvings. In a fire situation, the narrow space 8 in question forms a vertical flue space along which a fire started in the lower part of the shelving is able to spread extremely quickly upwards. Typically, the width of the narrow space 8 is less than 0.5 metres. Depending on the target of application, there can also be wider spaces than that at least in special targets.

In connection with storage shelvings, a possible fire thus spreads extremely quickly along vertical flue spaces which can be formed besides e.g. in spaces 8 between the back-to-back set shelves also between adjacent and/or successive loads 5 stored on the shelves.

In the embodiment according to the figures, above the shelving are arranged spray nozzles 10, 11, 12 in a setting in which at least part of the spray nozzles are arranged at the point of the space 8 formed between the back-to-back set shelvings i.e. the flue space. In Fig. 1, spraying heads have been arranged at the point of the narrow flue space 8 between the shelves and also at the point of the aisle space 7 between the shelvings. The spraying heads 10, 11, 12 are arranged in the embodiment of the figure on the ceiling of the warehouse or in its vicinity at a distance from the upper part of the shelving. The distance

of the spraying head 10, 11, 12 from the upper part of the flue space can vary according to the target of application. According to an embodiment, the distance of at least one spraying head being above the narrow space 8 between the shelving from the upper part of the shelving is in the range of less than 2 m, typically less than 1.5 m. The spraying heads 10, 11, 12 are of such type which can spray medium mist with high pressure in the relatively narrow flue space. For example, specification WO92/20453 describes a spraying head which has required characteristics.

In the embodiment of the figures, there also are spraying heads 13 arranged into connection with the shelves 2 which are able to spray medium mist. In the embodiment according to the figures, the spraying heads 13 are arranged on the lower surface of every second shelf plane 2. Naturally, the number of the spraying heads 13 and their location in the shelving are dependent, inter alia, on the target of application being protected, the nature of the items being stored and/or the dimensions of the shelving. Alternatively depending on the target of application, also spraying heads arranged above the shelving i.e. ceiling nozzles can be solely used.

The supply of medium in the spraying heads 10, 11, 12 is arranged in a way known as such with pipelines 18. In the pipelines, required stopper/regulation elements 19, such as valve elements, are typically arranged, which open the access of the medium in each pipe branch according to the requirements of the target of application.

The system can comprise a detector means 20, such as a fire, smoke or heat detector, based on an impulse conveyed by which the operation of the system is controlled. The system can also comprise spraying heads provided with a triggering means, such as a heat- sensitive ampoule. Then, as one triggering means activates, spraying is started at the beginning with at least one spraying head directed at the known flue space. Furthermore, spraying is done by one or more spraying heads arranged in the shelving. That is, the system can comprise separately-triggerable (e.g. by ampoules) sprinkler heads

and/or a group trigger (whereby the triggering of the sprinkler can also open the path to other nozzles of the spraying heads or pressure- operated triggering) and/or a zone trigger based on detection.

In supplying extinguishing medium, high pressure can be utilised, advantageously 15-300 bar. Typically is used pressure which is 50- 200 bar, most advantageously 70-150 bar.

The extinguishing medium utilised is typically liquid or a mixture of liquid and gas. The liquid mist provided with the nozzles is typically extremely fine. The drop size (Dv90) is typically less than 400 micrometres, advantageously less than 300 micrometres, most advantageously less than 200 micrometres.

The distance of the spraying heads set above the shelving from the floor level of the warehouse is relatively large, e.g. 5-10 metres. Depending on the target of application, the space can also be higher. The distance of the spraying heads 10, 11, 12 from each other can vary according to the application. In a typical case, the distance is 1-6 metres, advantageously 2-5 metres, most advantageously about 3-4 metres.

The figure also shows schematically and simplified an extinguishing medium source 16. A pump device 17 is connected to the extinguishing medium source 16. Instead of the pump device or in addition to it, some other suitable pressure source can be utilised, such as pressure tanks by means of the pressure of which extinguishing medium is conveyed to the spraying head at least in a fire situation.

As the extinguishing medium, liquid, such as aqueous extinguishing medium, such as water, and/or water with additive which intensifies extinguishing, and/or a mixture of liquid and gas is utilised.

The invention relates to a method in the fire protection of a warehouse, particularly a high-rise warehouse, which warehouse

comprises at least one shelving IA, IB, 1C, ID in which there are shelves 2 one on the other and vertical supports 3 which form storage positions 4 for loads 5, in connection with which shelving, there is at least one vertical space 8 which in a fire situation functions as a flue space. In the method according to the invention, in a fire situation, extinguishing medium mist is sprayed by at least one spraying head 10 such that the mist spray penetrates said flue space 8.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, in a fire situation, extinguishing medium mist is sprayed by at least one spraying head 10 such that at least one mist spray penetrates said flue space 8 and the mist spray presses down flames prevailing in the flue space, particularly those aiming upwards.

According to another embodiment of the invention, medium mist is sprayed by at least one spraying head 10 arranged in the vicinity of the upper part of the shelving.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, extinguishing medium is also sprayed by at least one spraying head 13 arranged into connection with the shelving IA, IB, 1C, ID, mainly directed towards at least one storage position 4 of the shelving. Spraying can also extend outside the shelf, such as in the flue area and/or aisle space.

According to a yet further advantageous embodiment, medium mist is sprayed by several spraying heads 10 arranged at the length of the flue space 8 and/or the shelving IA, IB. The length of the flue space mainly means its dimension in the longitudinal direction of the shelf. According to a yet further advantageous embodiment, medium mist is sprayed by several spraying heads 10 arranged dividedly at the height of the flue space and/or the shelving. Then, there can be spraying heads arranged at many different levels. The height of the flue space is usually the dimension of the height of the whole shelving, but in some cases it can also be lower than the height of the shelving.

According to a yet further embodiment, the system comprises only spraying heads arranged above the shelving i.e. ceiling nozzles, whereby the spraying head 10 of Fig. 1 can be a pilot nozzle provided with a triggering means i.e. an ampoule, which nozzle also opens the passage of extinguishing medium to the nozzles 11 and 12. It is also possible, according to a further embodiment, to set only a pilot valve at the point of the spraying head 10 of Fig. 1 and to lower the spraying head 10 in the vicinity of the upper edge of the flue 8 and further trigger the spraying heads 10, 11 and 12 at once. In connection with high shelvings, there can be spraying heads 10 i.e. flue nozzles at several levels.

According to a typical embodiment, extinguishing medium mist is also sprayed by spraying heads 11, 12 arranged at the point of the aisle spaces 7 in the vicinity of the shelving. Depending on the size of the warehouse, there can be several flue spaces and, correspondingly, also the number of aisle spaces is dependent, inter alia, on the type of the warehouse and the modes of its actuators. Thus, the number of shelvings set back-to-back can then be greater than two shelvings, whereby the volume of the flue spaces correspondingly increases.

According to an additional embodiment, at least one spraying head 10, 11, 12 is separately triggered by a triggering means, such as a heat- sensitive ampoule, and/or at least one group formed by several spraying heads 10, 11, 12 is triggered substantially together and/or at least one part of the spraying heads 10, 11, 12 is triggered separately and at least one second part of the spraying heads 10, 11, 12 as group triggering.

The invention also relates to a fire-extinguishing apparatus for warehouses, particularly for high-rise warehouses, which warehouse comprises at least one shelving IA, IB in which there are shelves 2 one on the other and vertical supports 3 which form storage positions 4 for loads 5, in connection with which shelving, there is at least one vertical space 8 which in a fire situation forms a flue space, which apparatus comprises at least one spraying head which is, when

activated, directed to spray extinguishing medium in the vicinity of the shelving. At least one spraying head 10 is arranged in the shelving IA, IB or in its vicinity such that, after the spraying head has activated, the extinguishing medium mist spray sprayed by it penetrates said flue space 8.

According to a typical embodiment, the spraying head 10 is arranged in the upper part of the shelving IA, IB or in its vicinity.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the spraying head 10 is arranged above the shelving at the point of the flue space 8. The spraying heads can have been arranged e.g. on the ceiling of the warehouse. According to another embodiment, the spraying heads are arranged e.g. in the structures of the shelf supportively.

According to an advantageous embodiment, there are arranged several spraying heads at the length of the flue space 8 and/or the shelving IA, IB. According to another embodiment, there are arranged several spraying heads 10 dividedly at the height of the flue space 8 and/or the shelving IA, IB. Thus, there can be spraying heads at several different levels. There can be spraying heads at even distances or unevenly dividedly at the height of the flue space and/or the shelving.

Typically, there can be also arranged spraying heads 11, 12 at the points of the aisle spaces 7 between the shelvings IA, IB, 1C, ID.

Depending on the type of the warehouse, the apparatus can further comprise spraying heads 13 directed mainly at the storage positions 4. When activated, also the spraying heads 13 directed towards the storage positions 4 are arranged to spray extinguishing medium mist.

Liquid or a mixture of liquid and gas is utilized as the extinguishing medium.

The spraying head 10, 11, 12 is typically such which provides a medium spray having good penetration which is able to, when activated, press down flames prevailing in the flue space.

According to a yet further embodiment, the apparatus comprises means for triggering at least part of the spraying heads 10, 11, 12 one by one and/or the apparatus comprises means for triggering at least part of the spraying heads 10, 11, 12 as a group and/or the apparatus comprises means for triggering at least one first part of the spraying heads 10, 11, 12 one by one and for triggering at least one second part of the spraying heads as a group. Naturally, also the spraying heads 13 arranged on the shelves can be a part of the above- mentioned groups and/or they can be triggered one by one.

It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but it may be varied within the scope of the enclosed claims. Characteristic features presented in the specification, mentioned in combination with each other may also be independent characteristic features.