NOBLE PRIYA
| US8403070B1 | 2013-03-26 | |||
| US5860251A | 1999-01-19 | |||
| US20200082168A1 | 2020-03-12 | |||
| US6810626B2 | 2004-11-02 | |||
| US8079182B1 | 2011-12-20 |
| CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A fire retardant sheathing system for a building, the fire retardant sheathing system comprising: a plurality of fluid or air carrying hoses comprising a pair of double rail hoses and a set of perimeter hoses enclosed within a false ridge cap installed on a roof of said building; a pump-manifold unit disposed on the false ridge cap and configured to selectively receive fluid from a fluid supply source, the pump-manifold unit operable to selectively pressurize each hose from the plurality of hoses for, at least partially or fully, forming a hose frame structure over and around the building; a fire resistant cover disposed within a housing installed adjacent to said building; a winch unit installed on the roof of the building, the winch unit having a cable coupled by a user to the fire resistant cover, wherein upon coupling, the winch unit and the pump-manifold unit co-operatively pull the fire resistant cover out of the housing and over the pair of double rail hoses at least until the fire resistant cover is drawn over the set of perimeter hoses of the partially formed hose frame structure; a set of anchor members provided on a ground surface and located distally away from the building such that upon pressurization, ends of the plurality of hoses in the fully formed hose frame structure are secured to the ground surface by the user using the set of anchor members; and a set of tethers provided on the fire resistant cover, wherein the user secures the fire resistant cover to the ground surface using the set of tethers. 2. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 1 further comprising one or more extendable stanchions installed at distal ends of the roof. 3. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 2, wherein the one or more extendable stanchions are pivotally hinged at the distal ends of the roof such that the user operably swings out each extendable stanchion to support the hose frame structure and the fire resistant cover thereon. 4. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 1, wherein the winch unit and the pump- manifold unit are operated by the user to co-operatively pull the fire resistant cover until the fire resistant cover is drawn over the hose frame structure to a user-reachable height. 5. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 1 further comprising a remotely located ground level valve system configured to selectively supply fluid from the fluid supply source to the pump-manifold unit. 6. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 1, wherein the set of perimeter hoses, when pressurized, are configured to distend the fire resistant cover to a pre-defined maximum peripheral distance away from the building. 7. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 1, wherein the pump-manifold unit is configured to pressurize the pair of double rail hoses prior to pressurizing the set of perimeter hoses. 8. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 1, wherein the housing of the fire resistant cover is installed within a socket defined on the ground surface, and wherein the housing is located proximal to corresponding anchors to which ends of the pair of double rail hoses are secured upon pressurization. 9. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 1, wherein the fire resistant cover is a multilayer cover having an outermost radiation reflective layer. 10. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fluid or air carrying hoses are configured to carry one of air and water. 11. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 10, wherein the pump-manifold unit is configured to selectively receive a corresponding one of air and water from the fluid supply source. 12. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 1, wherein the winch unit is an electrically powered winch unit. 13. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 1 further comprising a dedicated secondary power source to electrically drive the pump-manifold unit and the winch unit. 14. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 1 further comprising an aerial surveillance system for performing a three dimensional survey of the building and the ground surface adjoining the building. 15. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 14, wherein a size and position of each hose from the plurality of hoses is selected based on the three dimensional survey performed by the aerial surveillance system. 16. The fire retardant sheathing system of claim 14, wherein a size of the fire resistant cover is selected based on the three dimensional survey performed by the aerial surveillance system. 17. A method of manufacturing a fire retardant sheathing system, the method comprising: using an aerial surveillance system for performing a three dimensional survey of a building and a ground surface adjoining the building; providing a plurality of hoses, wherein a size and position of each hose from the plurality of hoses is selected based on the three dimensional survey performed by the aerial surveillance system; and forming a fire resistant cover, wherein a size and shape of the fire resistant cover is selected based on the three dimensional survey performed by the aerial surveillance system. 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising forming the fire resistant cover as a multi-layer cover having an outermost radiation reflective layer. 19. A method of installing and using a fire retardant sheathing system on a building, the method comprising: installing a false ridge cap on a roof of said building; providing a plurality of fluid or air carrying hoses comprising a pair of double rail hoses and a set of perimeter hoses beneath the false ridge cap; providing a pump-manifold unit disposed on the false ridge cap; providing fluid from a fluid supply source to the pump-manifold unit, using the pump-manifold unit to selectively pressurize each hose from the plurality of hoses for, at least partially or fully, forming a hose frame structure over and around the building; storing a fire resistant cover within a housing installed adjacent to said building; installing a winch unit on the roof of the building; coupling a cable of the winch unit by a user to the fire resistant cover, co-operatively pulling the fire resistant cover out of the housing and over the pair of double rail hoses using the winch unit and the pump-manifold unit at least until the fire resistant cover is drawn over the set of perimeter hoses of the partially formed hose frame structure; providing a set of anchor members on a ground surface located distally away from the building; securing, upon pressurization, ends of the plurality of hoses in the fully formed hose frame structure to the ground surface by the user using the set of anchor members; providing a set of tethers on the fire resistant cover; and securing the fire resistant cover to the ground surface using the set of tethers by the user. 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising providing a dedicated secondary power source to electrically drive the pump-manifold unit and the winch unit. |
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The presently disclosed subject matter generally relates to the field of devices for use on buildings. Particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to a fire retardant sheathing system for use on buildings.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wildfires, or bushfires, are known to cause extensive damage to properties lying adjacent to dense vegetation areas. In many cases, besides property damage, these wildfires pose grave risk to human and animal life in the vicinity of such areas. Many fire retardation devices have been developed in the past to help mitigate losses that could potentially be encountered by residential, or commercial, property owners whose properties lie in areas that are prone to such wildfires.
[0003] However, use of conventionally known fire retardation systems does not help quickly and easily deploy a fire retarding means to the effect of protecting such residential, or commercial, properties in addition to human and animal life. For instance, U.S. Patent 2,365,127 (hereinafter “the Ί27 reference”) discloses a conflagration retardant curtain that requires a user to apply manual effort typical of unfolding and hanging, or suspending, curtains from a rooftop of a building, thus suffering from the drawback that in the event of an imminent, or advancing, fire, the user may neither easily nor quickly deploy such conflagration retardant curtain of the Ί27 reference. In another instance, U.S. Patent 3,715,843 (hereinafter “the ’843 reference”) discloses a fire-resistant protection apparatus that is similar in its inefficacy of use and operation to that disclosed by the Ί27 reference. Essentially, the ’843 reference requires several skilled persons to deploy the fire-resistant protection apparatus prior to an imminent, or approaching, fire.
[0004] In yet another instance, U.S. Patent 4,858,395 (hereinafter “the ’395 reference”) discloses a fire protection device for a structural building. The fire protection device of the ’395 reference uses a fire resistant sheet that is rendered in a folded condition within a housing on a roof of the building so that when deployed from the housing, it can be unfolded to envelop the building. However, for deployment fire protection device of the ’395 reference, a user is required to apply manual effort extensively by pulling on one or more cable lines that in turn drag out the fire resistant sheet from within the housing, particularly, by forcing the fire resistant sheet against an opposing bias of a spring loaded cover of the housing, thus, making the fire resistant sheet susceptible to getting at least caught, or hooked onto, one or more comers, or edges, of the spring loaded cover if not altogether tearing, or encountering the possibility of being ripped off at such comers or edges, in which case, the fire resistant sheet would be rendered useless immediately upon tearing.
[0005] In yet another instance, U.S. Patent 5,423,150 (hereinafter “the Ί50 reference”) discloses an automated exterior fire protection system that deploys a fire resistant blanket that is stored under the roof of the structure, for example, an attic or another similar structural element of the building structure. During use of the automated exterior fire protection system disclosed by the ‘150 reference, threatening fires are detected by a sensor to provide a signal that initiates automatic deployment of the blanket. However, installation of the automated exterior fire protection system of the ‘150 reference is complex in that to accomplish installation of the fire protection system, an existing configuration of the building structure may require modifications in the form of, for example, at least sliding tiles or sliding roof panels that operably open and close for deployment of the fire resistant blanket. Besides being complex, such installation is nevertheless cumbersome and expensive to undertake.
[0006] In yet another instance, U.S. Patent 5,608,992 (hereinafter “the ’992 reference”) discloses a fire isolation device for a free standing structure. The device of the ’992 reference includes a left tarp and right tarp fabricated from a fire resistant material. The left tarp and right tarp are of a size to completely enclose the free standing structure. Attached to the left tarp and right tarp is a support structure, which is capable of moving from an upward position where the left tarp and the right tarp completely enclose the free standing structure to a downward position where the left and right tarp expose the free standing structure. This device also includes a moving mechanism for moving the plurality of support members from the downward position to the upward position. However, upon deployment, the left and right taps are moved into contact with the free standing structure thereby increasing the possibility of permitting heat inwardly i.e., towards the free standing structure which in turn may increase the possibility of a catastrophic fire hazard to the free standing structure.
[0007] In yet another instance, U.S. Patent 5,829,200 (hereinafter “the ’200 reference”) discloses an apparatus that includes fire retardant blankets normally stowed within housings in place on a building roof structure or below a roof eave. The apparatus of the ’200 reference uses cables that operably extract the blankets for deployment over a roof. However, the apparatus of the ’200 reference is overly bulky i. e. , not of a compact configuration. Besides, the apparatus of the ’200 reference comprises several moving parts therein that may be cumbersome, or at least tedious, to operate so that multiple pieces of the fire retardant blankets are sequentially rendered in adequately covering individual portions of the building such as sidewalls, front walls, gables adjoining the front walls and other portions of the building.
[0008] In yet another instance, U.S. Patent 6,810,626 (hereinafter “the ’626 reference”) discloses a fire protection device that includes a rolled fire-resistant protective cover having dimensions large enough to cover a building structure. The protective cover is stored in a storage bag disposed on an inclined top surface of the building structure. The device of the ’626 reference also includes a ring coupled to one or more release ropes for operatively releasing the rolled protective cover from the storage bag so that, upon release from the storage bag, the protective cover can roll down the inclined top surface by gravity. However, the ring is susceptible to being accidentally pulled by occupants themselves, or even misused by miscreants due to which the rolled protective cover may accidentally unfold and cover the building.
[0009] In yet another instance, U.S. Patent 5,146,996 (hereinafter “the ’996 reference”) discloses an apparatus and method for thrusting a cover onto a target area from a remote location. The target area may be water containing fish or a hazardous condition such as a fire and/or a chemical spill. The apparatus of the ’996 reference is of a type that can be released during deployment i.e., for thrusting the cover onto the target area by means of an aerial vehicle such as, for example, a helicopter. Accordingly, this process requires the use of additional and/or extraneous means of transportation for transporting the apparatus to a height above the target area prior to deployment of the cover over the target area. Therefore, the apparatus of the ’996 reference is not present within a premise of the target area and cannot be deployed immediately upon notice of an imminent fire.
[0010] In yet another instance, U.S. Patent 5,860,251 (hereinafter “the ’251 reference”) discloses a fire-resistant flexible dome apparatus for covering and protecting buildings, goods, livestock, persons and other objects from a fire. In one configuration of the flexible dome apparatus disclosed by the ’251 reference, a liquid-filled circumferential reservoir is provided in an integral manner with a ground-contacting periphery of the dome to add an improved ground seal and anchoring ability to help maintain structural integrity. However, a system design of flexible dome apparatus of the ’251 reference is such that the flexible dome apparatus requires a constant supply of air to maintain its shape, or form, around the building that is intended to be protected.
[0011] In yet another instance, U.S. Patent 6,658,801 (hereinafter “the ’801 reference”) discloses a portable fire curtain system to provide a cloak to cover a vented opening. This fire curtain is made of one sheet of a fire resistant or fire proof material that is folded and sewn together. However, the fire curtain of the ’801 reference is usable in cases where two- dimensional structures such as windows are encountered.
[0012] For the aforementioned reasons, it would, therefore, be prudent to implement a system that is simple to manufacture, or assemble, yet easy to use and quick to deploy when encountered with an imminent, or approaching, fire. Further, in view of the aforementioned drawbacks, there also exists a need for a system providing a fire resistant cover that obviates the need for extensive manual effort during deployment whilst the cover itself is customized to suit building specifications i.e., size and shape of the building.
SUMMARY
[0013] To overcome the above-mentioned limitations and problems, the present disclosure provides a fire retardant sheathing system for use on buildings that effectively isolates the building from an incoming, or approaching, fire with an air gap therebetween.
[0014] The fire retardant sheathing system of the present disclosure is configured to help a user easily and quickly deploy a fire resistant cover over a building by merely actuating a ground level, and therefore remotely located, air/water valve assembly for erecting a hose frame system upon which the fire resistant cover is enveloped by actuating an electric winch system provided in the fire retardant sheathing system simultaneously, or concurrently i.e., in tandem with the actuation of the air/water valve assembly.
[0015] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides the fire retardant sheathing system for a building. The fire retardant sheathing system includes a plurality of fluid or air carrying hoses. The plurality of fluid or air carrying hoses includes a pair of double rail hoses and a set of perimeter hoses that are enclosed within a false ridge cap installed on a roof of said building. The fire retardant sheathing system further includes a pump-manifold unit that is disposed on the false ridge cap and configured to selectively receive fluid from a fluid supply source. The pump- manifold unit is operable to selectively pressurize each hose from the plurality of hoses for, at least partially or fully, forming a hose frame structure over and around the building. The fire retardant sheathing system further includes a fire resistant cover disposed within a housing installed adjacent to said building. The fire retardant sheathing system further includes a winch unit that is installed on the roof of the building. The winch unit has a cable coupled by a user to the fire resistant cover. Upon coupling, the winch unit and the pump-manifold unit cooperatively pull the fire resistant cover out of the housing and over the pair of double rail hoses at least until the fire resistant cover is drawn over the set of perimeter hoses of the partially formed hose frame structure. The fire retardant sheathing system further includes a set of anchor members provided on a ground surface and located distally away from the building such that, upon pressurization, ends of the plurality of hoses in the fully formed hose frame structure are secured to the ground surface by the user using the set of anchor members. The fire retardant sheathing system also includes a set of tethers provided on the fire resistant cover that allows the user to secure the fire resistant cover to the ground surface.
[0016] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the fire retardant sheathing system further includes one or more extendable stanchions installed at distal ends of the roof.
[0017] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more extendable stanchions are pivotally hinged at the distal ends of the roof such that the user operably swings out each extendable stanchion to support the hose frame structure and the fire resistant cover thereon.
[0018] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the winch unit and the pump-manifold unit are operated by the user to co-operatively pull the fire resistant cover until the fire resistant cover is drawn over the hose frame structure to a user-reachable height.
[0019] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the fire retardant sheathing system further includes a remotely located ground level valve system configured to selectively supply fluid from the fluid supply source to the pump-manifold unit.
[0020] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the set of perimeter hoses, when pressurized, are configured to distend the fire resistant cover to a pre-defined maximum peripheral distance away from the building.
[0021] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the pump-manifold unit is configured to pressurize the pair of double rail hoses prior to pressurizing the set of perimeter hoses. [0022] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the housing of the fire resistant cover is installed within a socket defined on the ground surface. Further, the housing is located proximal to corresponding anchors to which ends of the pair of double rail hoses are secured upon pressurization.
[0023] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the fire resistant cover is a multi-layer cover having an outermost radiation reflective layer.
[0024] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of fluid or air carrying hoses is configured to carry one of air and water.
[0025] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the pump-manifold unit is configured to selectively receive a corresponding one of air and water from the fluid supply source.
[0026] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the winch unit is an electrically powered winch unit.
[0027] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the fire retardant sheathing system further includes a dedicated secondary power source to electrically drive the pump-manifold unit and the winch unit.
[0028] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the fire retardant sheathing system further includes an aerial surveillance system for performing a three dimensional survey of the building and the ground surface adjoining the building.
[0029] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a size and position of each hose from the plurality of hoses is selected based on the three dimensional survey performed by the aerial surveillance system.
[0030] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a size of the fire resistant cover is selected based on the three dimensional survey performed by the aerial surveillance system. [0031] Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a fire retardant sheathing system. The method includes using an aerial surveillance system for performing a three dimensional survey of a building and a ground surface adjoining the building. The method also includes providing a plurality of hoses, wherein a size and position of each hose from the plurality of hoses is selected based on the three dimensional survey performed by the aerial surveillance system. The method also includes forming a fire resistant cover, wherein a size and shape of the fire resistant cover is selected based on the three dimensional survey performed by the aerial surveillance system.
[0032] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the method also includes forming the fire resistant cover as a multi-layer cover having an outermost radiation reflective layer.
[0033] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of installing and using a fire retardant sheathing system on a building. The method includes installing a false ridge cap on a roof of said building. The method further includes providing a plurality of fluid or air carrying hoses comprising a pair of double rail hoses and a set of perimeter hoses beneath the false ridge cap. The method further includes providing a pump-manifold unit disposed on the false ridge cap. The method further includes providing fluid from a fluid supply source to the pump-manifold unit. The method further includes using the pump-manifold unit to selectively pressurize each hose from the plurality of hoses for, at least partially or fully, forming a hose frame structure over and around the building. The method further includes storing a fire resistant cover within a housing installed adjacent to said building. The method further includes installing a winch unit on the roof of the building. The method further includes coupling a cable of the winch unit by a user to the fire resistant cover. The method further includes co-operatively pulling the fire resistant cover out of the housing and over the pair of double rail hoses using the winch unit and the pump-manifold unit at least until the fire resistant cover is drawn over the set of perimeter hoses of the partially formed hose frame structure. The method further includes providing a set of anchor members on a ground surface located distally away from the building. The method further includes securing, upon pressurization, ends of the plurality of hoses in the fully formed hose frame structure to the ground surface by the user using the set of anchor members. The method further includes providing a set of tethers on the fire resistant cover. The method further includes securing the fire resistant cover to the ground surface using the set of tethers by the user.
[0034] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes providing a dedicated secondary power source to electrically drive the pump-manifold unit and the winch unit.
[0035] Other and further aspects and features of the disclosure will be evident from reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0036] The illustrated embodiments of the disclosed subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices and processes that are consistent with the disclosed subject matter as claimed herein.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a fire retardant sheathing system for a building, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the building subject to a three dimensional surveillance by an aerial surveillance system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a fire retardant sheathing system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a method flow chart depicting steps of installing and deploying the fire retardant sheathing system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] The following detailed description is made with reference to the figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosure, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations in the description that follows.
[0042] Reference throughout this specification to “a embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “one embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in an embodiment” or “in one embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
[0043] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the disclosed subject matter can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other structures, components, and materials as substitution or replacement to the structures, components, materials disclosed herein. In other instances, one or more structures, components, and materials disclosed herein may altogether be omitted, and equivalent structures, components, materials may be used in lieu thereof. Also, in the present disclosure, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosed subject matter.
[0044] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a fire retardant sheathing system 101 for a building 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the fire retardant sheathing system 101 includes a plurality of fluid or air carrying hoses 110. In an embodiment, the plurality of fluid or air carrying hoses 110 is configured to carry air therethrough. In an alternative embodiment, the plurality of fluid or air carrying hoses 110 is configured to carry water therethrough.
[0045] Further, the fluid or air carrying hoses 110 includes a pair of double rail hoses 115 and a set of perimeter hoses 113. As such, when not in use, the plurality of hoses 110 i.e., the pair of double rail hoses 115 and the set of perimeter hoses 113 are enclosed within a false ridge cap 106 installed on a roof of the building 100.
[0046] Furthermore, the fire retardant sheathing system 101 further includes a pump-manifold unit 124 that is disposed on the false ridge cap 106 and configured to selectively receive fluid from a fluid supply source, for example, an air or water source. To that end, in an embodiment, the fire retardant sheathing system 101 may also include a remotely located ground level valve system (not shown) that is configured to selectively supply fluid from the fluid supply source to the pump-manifold unit 124. As such, the pump-manifold unit 124 is operable to selectively pressurize each hose 113, 115 from the plurality of hoses 110 for, at least partially or fully, forming a hose frame structure over and around the building 100. Detailed explanation to the partial and full formation of the hose frame structure will be made later herein in conjunction with FIG. 4.
[0047] Still further, the fire retardant sheathing system 101 also includes a fire resistant cover 116 that is disposed, or stored, within a housing 114 installed adjacent to said building 100 (when not in use).
[0048] Furthermore, the fire retardant sheathing system 101 also includes a winch unit 122. In an embodiment, the winch unit 122 may, preferably, be embodied in the form of an electrically powered winch unit 122. The winch unit 122 is installed on the roof of the building 100. The winch unit 122 has a cable 104 that can be coupled to the fire resistant cover 116 by a user of the fire retardant sheathing system 101.
[0049] Upon coupling the cable 104 of the winch unit 122 to the fire resistant cover 116, the winch unit 122 and the pump-manifold unit 124 are operable to co-operatively pull the fire resistant cover 116 out of the housing 114 and over the pair of double rail hoses 115 at least until the fire resistant cover 116 is drawn over the set of perimeter hoses 113 of the partially formed hose frame structure.
[0050] The fire retardant sheathing system 101 further includes a set of anchor members 118 provided on a ground surface G and located distally away from the building 100 such that, upon pressurization, ends of the plurality of hoses 110 in the fully formed hose frame structure are secured to the ground surface G by the user using the set of anchor members 118. The fire retardant sheathing system 101 also includes a set of tethers 119 provided on the fire resistant cover 116 that allows the user to secure the fire resistant cover 116 to the ground surface G.
[0051] In an embodiment, the fire retardant sheathing system 101 further includes one or more extendable stanchions 128 installed at distal ends of the roof. In a further embodiment, the one or more extendable stanchions 128 are pivotally hinged at the distal ends of the roof such that the user operably swings out each extendable stanchion 128 to support the hose frame structure and the fire resistant cover 116 thereon.
[0052] In an embodiment, the winch unit 122 and the pump-manifold unit 124 are operated by the user to co-operatively pull the fire resistant cover 116 until the fire resistant cover 116 is drawn over the hose frame structure to a user-reachable height.
[0053] In an embodiment, the set of perimeter hoses 113, when pressurized, are configured to distend the fire resistant cover 116 to a pre-defined maximum peripheral distance away from the building 100.
[0054] In an embodiment, the pump-manifold unit 124 is configured to pressurize the pair of double rail hoses 115 prior to pressurizing the set of perimeter hoses 113.
[0055] In an embodiment, the housing 114 of the fire resistant cover 116 is installed within a socket (not shown) defined on the ground surface G. Further, the housing 114 is located proximal to corresponding anchor members 118 to which ends of the pair of double rail hoses 115 are secured upon pressurization. [0056] In an embodiment, the fire resistant cover 116 is a multi-layer cover having an outermost radiation reflective layer.
[0057] In a further embodiment, the pump-manifold unit 124 is configured to selectively receive air from the fluid supply source. In a further embodiment, the pump-manifold unit 124 is configured to selectively receive water from the fluid supply source. As would be evident to one skilled in the art, a type of fluid, namely- air or water received by the pump-manifold unit 124 corresponds to that being supplied by the fluid supply source.
[0058] In an embodiment, the fire retardant sheathing system 101 further includes a dedicated secondary power source 126, for example, a generator, a battery, or other secondary power means known to persons skilled in the art to electrically drive the pump-manifold unit 124 and the winch unit 122.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the fire retardant sheathing system 101 further includes an aerial surveillance system 120 for performing a three dimensional survey of the building 100 and the ground surface G adjoining the building 100. The aerial surveillance system 120 may include, for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a drone (as shown), or any other type of surveillance system known to persons skilled in the art.
[0060] In embodiments herein, a size and position of each hose from the plurality of hoses 110 is selected based on the three dimensional survey performed by the aerial surveillance system 120. In further embodiments herein, a size of the fire resistant cover 116 is selected based on the three dimensional survey performed by the aerial surveillance system 120.
[0061] FIG. 3 illustrates a method 300 of manufacturing the fire retardant sheathing system 101. As shown, at step 302, the method 300 includes using an aerial surveillance system 120 for performing a three dimensional survey of a building 100 and a ground surface G adjoining the building 100. At step 304, the method 300 also includes providing a plurality of hoses 110, wherein a size and position of each hose from the plurality of hoses 110 is selected based on the three dimensional survey performed by the aerial surveillance system 120. At step 306, the method 300 also includes forming the fire resistant cover 116, wherein a size and shape of the fire resistant cover 116 is selected based on the three dimensional survey performed by the aerial surveillance system 120. In an embodiment, the method 300 also includes forming the fire resistant cover 116 as a multi-layer cover having an outermost radiation reflective layer (not shown). [0062] FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 of installing and using the fire retardant sheathing system 101 on the building 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At step 402, the method 400 includes installing a false ridge cap 106 on the roof of said building 100. At step 404, the method 400 further includes providing the plurality of fluid or air carrying hoses 110 comprising the pair of double rail hoses 115 and the set of perimeter hoses 113 beneath the false ridge cap 106. At step 406, the method 400 further includes providing the pump-manifold unit 124 disposed on the false ridge cap 106. At step 408, the method 400 further includes providing fluid from the fluid supply source to the pump-manifold unit 124. At step 410, the method 400 further includes using the pump-manifold unit 124 to selectively pressurize each hose from the plurality of hoses 110 for, at least partially or fully, forming the hose frame structure over and around the building 100. At step 412, the method 400 further includes storing the fire resistant cover 116 within the housing 114 installed adjacent to said building 100. At step 414, the method 400 further includes installing the winch unit 122 on the roof of the building 100. At step 416, the method 400 further includes coupling the cable 104 of the winch unit 122 by the user to the fire resistant cover 116. At step 418, the method 400 further includes cooperatively pulling the fire resistant cover 116 out of the housing 114 and over the pair of double rail hoses using the winch unit 122 and the pump-manifold unit 124 at least until the fire resistant cover 116 is drawn over the set of perimeter hoses 113 of the partially formed hose frame structure. At step 420, the method 400 further includes providing the set of anchor members 118 on the ground surface G located distally away from the building 100. At step 422, the method 400 further includes securing, upon pressurization, ends of the plurality of hoses 110 in the fully formed hose frame structure to the ground surface G by the user using the set of anchor members 118. At step 424, the method 400 further includes providing the set of tethers 119 on the fire resistant cover 116. At step 426, the method 400 further includes securing the fire resistant cover 116 to the ground surface G using the set of tethers 119 by the user.
[0063] In an embodiment, the method 400 further includes providing the dedicated secondary power source 126 to electrically drive the pump-manifold unit 124 and the winch unit 122.
[0064] It is hereby envisioned that with use of embodiments disclosed herein, the fire retardant sheathing system 101 may be easily and quickly deployed using minimal effort on the part of the user. At best, one or two persons may be required to deploy the fire retardant sheathing system 101 in the event of an oncoming, or approaching, fire. In addition, an air gap is present between the building 100 and each of the plurality of hoses 110 and the fire resistant cover 116 of the fire retardant sheathing system 101. The air gap helps to further isolate the building 100 from heat concomitant with the oncoming, or approaching, fire thus facilitating the fire retardant sheathing system 101 to prevent transfer of heat from conduction, convection and radiation as well. Besides, the radiation reflective outermost layer of the fire resistant cover 116 further helps the fire retardant sheathing system 101 to keep any incident heat away from the building 100.
[0065] It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Also, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
[0066] The above description does not provide specific details of manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.
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