Fire Suppression System And Process For Deployment

Abstract

A fire suppression system, a method for deploying the fire suppression system, an adapter for use in the fire suppression system and a method for increasing local humidity using the fire suppression system, as well as uses of the adapter for transferring water to vehicles or aircraft are described. The fire suppression system is formed of segments of water transfer conduit extending from a main water source. The system includes a plurality of connections between at least some of the segments of water transfer conduit made using an adapter placed at a fixed location. In the system. the adapter has a main water dispensing device mounted thereon. The main water dispensing device is in water transfer communication with the water transfer conduit and the adapter includes one or more connection points for transfer of water via branch conduits extending outward from the adapter or inward to the adapter from a secondary water source.

1 . A fire suppression system formed of segments of main water transfer conduit extending from a main water source, the system comprising: an adapter connecting at least some of the segments of the main water transfer conduit, the adapter having an irrigation gun mounted substantially centrally to an upper surface of the adapter, the irrigation gun in water transfer communication with the main water transfer conduit, the adapter comprising one or more lateral connectors for connection to one or more branch conduits, the adapter further comprising one or more support members connected to a bottom surface of the adapter for elevating the bottom surface of the adapter above the ground. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation gun is mounted to a rigid upper pipe extending substantially vertically from the upper surface of the adapter. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the lateral connectors are rigid lateral pipes terminating in connector flanges for connecting to the branch conduits, and wherein the rigid upper pipe terminates in an upper connector flange for connecting to the irrigation gun. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the lateral pipes have at least two different diameters. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the lateral pipes are eight lateral pipes of two different diameters, wherein two lateral pipes of the eight lateral pipes have a similar diameter which is greater than the diameter of the remaining six lateral pipes. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the two lateral pipes having similar diameter are placed on opposite sides and adjacent to opposite ends of the adapter, thereby centralizing the center of gravity of the adapter. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein a valve is connected between the upper connector flange and the irrigation gun to control the flow of water to the irrigation gun. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter has a generally cylindrical main body with an inner diameter of at least about 8 inches (about 20 cm) and a length of at least about 48 inches (about 122 cm). 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the segments of water transfer conduit are provided by segments of layflat hose having an inner diameter of at least about 8 inches (about 20 cm). 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the segments of water transfer conduit are provided by segments of layflat hose having an inner diameter of at least about 10 inches (about 25 cm). 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the segments of water transfer conduit are provided by segments of layflat hose having an inner diameter of at least about 12 inches (about 30 cm). 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more support members elevate the bottom surface of the adapter at least about four inches (about 10 cm) above the ground. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more inline pumps for boosting water pressure in the water transfer conduit to provide water pressure at each water dispensing device of at least about 80 psi (about 550 kPa). 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation gun is configured to provide a water jet with a flow range between about 32 m 3 /h to about 235 m 3 /h. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation gun has a nozzle with a diameter between about 0.77 inches (about 2 cm) to about 1.77 inches (about 4.5 cm). 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation gun is adjustable to provide a range of angles of the water jet between about 15° to about 45° with respect to horizontal. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation gun is configured to automatically rotate about 360° during operation to provide a generally circular wet area surrounding the adapter. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation gun has a throw range up to about 100 meters when the water jet is dispensed at an angle of 24° at a water pressure of about 130 psi (900 kPa). 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the segments of layflat hose are provided with lengths of between about 150 meters to about 250 meters. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of the branch conduits is connected to one or more of the lateral pipes and one or more of the branch conduits is connected to either a branch water dispensing device or to a pump.