Activatable barrier system and method of activating the barrier system

Abstract

An activatable barrier has a barrier body that can be moved between a first position and at least one second position. An actuation device is configured for moving the barrier body from the first position into one or the other of the second positions. A control device, which is connected to the actuation device, is configured to control the actuation device as a function of a control signal for moving the barrier body. The barrier body, in the first position, is recessed into a delimitation of a space, through which a flow of people is guided. In the at least one second position, the barrier body projects from the delimitation, so that the flow of people is redirected or braked by the barrier.

1 . An activatable barrier, comprising:
 a barrier body movably disposed between a first position and at least one second position;   said barrier body, in the first position, being withdrawn in a delimitation of a space through which a flow of people is guided, and said barrier body, in the at least one second position, projecting from the delimitation to thereby redirect or slow or brake the flow of people with said barrier body;   an actuation device connected to said barrier body and configured for moving said barrier body from the first position into the at least one second position; and   a control device connected to said actuation device and configured for controlling said actuation device in dependence on a control signal for moving said barrier body.   
     
     
         2 . The activatable barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein said barrier body comprises an inflatable partition wall. 
     
     
         3 . The activatable barrier according to  claim 2 , wherein said inflatable partition wall consists of a fire-resistant material. 
     
     
         4 . The activatable barrier according to  claim 2 , wherein said actuation device comprises a compressor and a compressed air container for inflating said inflatable partition wall. 
     
     
         5 . The activatable barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein said barrier body includes a warning device for outputting warning information to persons who are being guided through the space. 
     
     
         6 . A barrier system in a building, comprising:
 a plurality of activatable barriers each according to  claim 1 , said barriers being arranged at predetermined spacing distances from each other in a wall, a floor or a ceiling of a hallway of the building; and   a communication interface configured to receive control signals from an alarm or emergency system in the building and to forward the control signals to said control devices of said activatable barriers, whereupon said actuation devices of said activatable barriers are capable of being controlled by the alarm or emergency system.   
     
     
         7 . The barrier system according to  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of activatable barriers include barrier bodies to be filled with water, and wherein said actuation devices of said activatable barriers each has a valve connected to a sprinkler system of the building. 
     
     
         8 . The barrier system according to  claim 6 , which further comprises:
 a monitoring system configured to record characteristics of a flow of people in the hallway of the building, and to forward the characteristics in form of a detection signal to said control devices of said activatable barriers; and   wherein said control devices are also configured to control said actuation devices in dependence on the detection signal.   
     
     
         9 . A method for selectively blocking a flow of people in a building, the method which comprises:
 detecting a safety-critical state in a building; and   depending on the safety-critical state, moving at least one barrier body from a first position in a delimitation of a hallway of the building, through which a flow of people is being guided, into at least one of a plurality of second positions, in which the at least one barrier body projects from the delimitation, so that the flow of people is diverted or braked by the at least one barrier body.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the step of moving the at least one barrier body comprises inflating an inflatable partition wall. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the step of moving the at least one barrier body comprises filling a hollow partition wall with a flexible envelope with water from a sprinkler system of the building. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the safety-critical state comprises a fire alarm in the building or an evacuation situation from the building. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the step of moving the at least one barrier body comprises extending the barrier body from a wall, from a floor or from a ceiling of the hallway in the building. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , which comprises extending the the at least one barrier body such that a part of the hallway of the building is completely blocked for the flow of people.