Fire protection system

Abstract

A fire protection system employs a plurality of radio frequency transmitter temperature sensors remotely located around a building to be protected, one or more sprinkler heads coupled to a water supply line and mounted on the roof of the building to provide sprinkler coverage of the building and a perimeter area surrounding the building, and control circuitry responsive to a radio frequency signal transmited by one or more of the remotely located temperature sensors when a temperature exceeding a threshold temperature of the sensors is sensed thereby to initiate the flow of water to the one or more sprinkler heads for a predetermined period of time. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the fire protection system. Further, since many modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the invention.

1 . A fire protection system for preenting a building to be protected and a desired perimeter area surrounding the building in advance of an approaching fire, the system comprising. 
 a plurality of radio frequency transmitter temperature sensors positioned at selected locations surrounding the building, each of the temperature sensors having an associated threshold temperature and being operative for transmitting a radio frequency signal whenever an ambient temperature exceeding the threshold temperature is sensed thereby;    one or more sprinkler heads coupled to a water supply line and mounted on the roof of the building to provide sprinkler coverage of the building and a perimeter area surrounding the building;    an electric water alve coupled in the water supply line; and control circuitry coupled to the electric water valve, said control circuitry including radio frequency receiver means for receiving said radio frequency signal, said control circuitry being responsive to said radio frequency signal transmitted by one ore more of the plurality of temperature sensors for actuating the electric water valve to thereby permit the flow of water to the one or more sprinkler heads for a predetermined period of time.    
     
     
         2 . A fire protecteion system as in  claim 1  wherein the threshold temperature associated with each of the temperature sensors is 135 degrees F.  
     
     
         3 . A fires protection system as in  claim 1  wherein said control circuitry includes adjustable timing relay means for setting said predetermined period of time.  
     
     
         4 . A fire protection system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a manually actuated system shutoff valve coupled in series with said electric water valve for enabling the user to manually shut off the fire protection system.  
     
     
         5 . A fire protection system as in  claim 4 , further comprising a manually actuated drain valve coupled in series with said system shutoff valve for enabling the user to drain water from the fire protection system.  
     
     
         6 . A fire protection system as in  claim 1  further comprising a manual bypass valve coupled around said electric water valve for permitting the user to manually operate the fire protection system.  
     
     
         7 . A fire protection system as in  claim 1  wherein each of said one or more sprinklers is operative for wetting a circular area of predetermined diameter.  
     
     
         8 . A method for prewetting a building to be protected and a desired perimeter area surrounding the building in advance of an approaching fire, the method comprising: 
 providing a plurality of ratio frequency transmitter temperature sensors positioned at selected locations surrounding the building, each of the temperature sensors having an associated threshold temperature and being operative for transmitting a radio frequency signal whenever an ambient temperature exceeding the threshold temperature is sensed thereby;    providing one or more sprinkler heads couple to a water supply line and mounted on the roof of the building to provide sprinkler coverage of the bulding and a perimeter area surrounding the building;    providing an electric water supply valve coupled in the water supply line;    providing control circuitry coupled to the electric water valve, said control circuitry including radio frequency reciever means for recieving said radio frequency siganl, said control circuitry being responsive to said radio frequency signal transmitted by one or more of the plurality of temperature sensors for actuating the electric water valve to thereby permit the flow of water to the one or more sprinkler heads for a predetermined period of time.