Education and demonstration – Occupation – Fire fighting
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-06
2001-01-30
Rimell, Sam (Department: 3712)
Education and demonstration
Occupation
Fire fighting
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179620
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a building model for simulating the propagation of smoke from fires in buildings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When a fire actually breaks out in a building with a plurality of rooms, which are connected with each other via corridors or staircases, a very grave danger arises not only from the fire itself, but also from the smoke, which rapidly spreads through the building. In this case the propagation of the smoke for one is a function of the structure of the building, but also of further causes, for example open doors and windows, or the effect of ventilating installations.
In order to obtain the greatest possible fire protection, it is already required in the planning phase for buildings to take suitable counter-measures for restricting the smoke propagation. Tests performed in existing buildings are very expensive in time and costs, so that the experience used in planning of buildings mostly is the result of actual catastrophic fires.
With the deployment of the fire department in case of a fire it is also of extreme importance to have knowledge regarding the propagation of smoke, in particular as to the effects of measures which have been taken, for example the breaking of windows or the airing, or respectively ventilation of areas of the building. Here, too, the actions of the fire department are based on the experiences gathered in previous fires, since realistic training, for example in high-rise buildings, can hardly be performed.
Up to now, only training installations of actual room size are known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,818 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,707. However, the immense expenses of such installations appear to make them unsuitable for training purposes on a broad basis. The building model known from CH 402 473 is only used for illustration and has no fire-specific functions at all.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to create a building model by means of which it is possible to simulate the propagation of smoke in case of fires in buildings.
This object is attained in accordance with the invention in that the building model has several chambers, at least part of which are in contact with a central chamber by means of doors which can be closed, at least one steam-fog generator or smoke generator in a chamber, and at least one variably positionable miniature ventilator for generating pressure differences and air currents in the building model, wherein at least one lateral or the top cover plate of the model are transparent, and at least a portion of the chambers has windows, which can be closed.
It is possible with the aid of such a model to investigate the smoke propagation in a building under various effects, for example open windows and doors, as well as airing or draw-off measures. The doors and windows, as well as the arrangement of the miniature ventilator can also be affected during the simulation, for example for determining which course of action would make the most sense in fighting the fire. The transparent cover plate permits a view into the entire building from various perspectives, so that the building model is also suitable for the purpose of training large groups.
For example, it is possible with the aid of the building model in accordance with the invention to demonstrate that, in case of a source of fire in a room of a building (in the chamber of the building model), it would be advantageous to create an overpressure in the staircase, or respectively the corridor (central chamber) with the aid of a blower, instead of removing the air from there by suction.
In a first variation, the building model can be designed as a low building with a central chamber representing a corridor with chambers arranged around the latter. Preferably one ventilation flap is provided here in the upper cover plate in at least one chamber in order to simulate the ventilating properties of industrial flat-roofed buildings in particular.
For observing the smoke propagation in high-rise buildings, the central chamber can represent the model of a staircase, and the chambers can be arranged on several floors. Mixed shapes of the above mentioned alternatives of the invention are of course also possible, wherein several chambers of each “floor” are arranged around the central chamber representing the staircase.
Heat sources, for example electric heating devices or tea lights, are preferably arranged in the area of the fog, or respectively steam generators. With the aid of the heat sources it is possible to simulate the smoke propagation with even greater reality, since the fog and steam generators known from modeling operate at comparatively low temperatures, while in actuality smoke has a very high temperature and therefore rises, in contrast to cold smoke. The arrangement of heat sources in the vicinity of the fog, smoke or steam generators therefore permits the simulation of rising air currents.
If this is desired, it is possible to provide guide elements above the heat source for the specific deflection of the warm air current.
Since heat sources can destroy the generated fog or steam, the employment of ventilators is possible as an alternative, particularly in the area of the staircase, in order to be able to simulate the rising air currents without negatively affecting the quality of the steam, or respectively the fog. Moreover, the building model can have airing and ventilating installations, which simulate the air currents created in real buildings by air conditioning and ventilating installations.
In an advantageous further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the windows and doors can be actuated from the outside. It is possible to change the spatial conditions during the smoke generation with the aid of the actuating mechanisms, which for example are designed as a system of rods, in order to simulate an fire-fighting action by the fire department, for example, in which the doors are opened. In the spirit of the training of firemen close to actual conditions, it is also advantageous if the windows are made of an easily destroyed foil. In this case it is necessary to consider during a simulated operation whether a window is to be broken, or whether this should be avoided because of the creation of detrimental air currents.
A ventilator is advantageously arranged at the entry opening of the central chamber of the model. It is preferably reversible and provided with an aspirating tube on its suction side. By means of this it is possible to provide the removal of air from the central chamber by suction, as well as the buildup of an overpressure in the latter. Further ventilators can of course be arranged in the chambers of in the central chamber in order to be able to generate air currents close to actuality in areas of complex building models which are remote from the entry opening. The arrangement of oppositely acting ventilators next to each other for creating recirculating air currents is also conceivable.
Preferably a lateral wall, or respectively the transparent cover plate of the building can be removed, flipped open or pushed out of the way for making rearrangements or repairs in the chambers of the building model easier.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4526548 (1985-07-01), Livingston
patent: 5203707 (1993-04-01), Musto et al.
patent: 5226818 (1993-07-01), Feiock et al.
patent: 5316484 (1994-05-01), Layton et al.
patent: 5518403 (1996-05-01), Luftig et al.
patent: 5927990 (1999-07-01), Welch et al.
patent: 402 473 (1966-05-01), None
Larson & Taylor PLC
Miller Bena B.
Rimell Sam
LandOfFree
Firefighter training building model does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Firefighter training building model, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Firefighter training building model will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2487965