Controlled system and methods for storage fire protection

Abstract

Fire protection systems and methods for ceiling-only high-piled storage protection. The systems and methods include a fluid distribution, detection and control sub-systems to identify one or more fluid distribution devices for controlled operation to address a fire.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for ceiling-only fire protection of a storage occupancy having a ceiling defining a nominal ceiling height of thirty feet or greater, the system comprising:
 a plurality of fluid distribution devices disposed beneath the ceiling and above a high-piled storage commodity in the storage occupancy having a nominal storage height ranging from a nominal 20 ft. to a maximum nominal storage height of 55 ft.; and   means for quenching a tire in the storage commodity.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the storage commodity is any one of Class I, II, III or IV, Group A, Group B, or Group C plastics, elastomers, or rubber commodities. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the commodity is exposed expanded plastic having a maximum nominal storage height of at least 40 ft. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the exposed expanded plastic commodity has a maximum nominal storage height ranging from fifty to fifty-five feet (50-55 ft.). 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the commodity includes rack storage being any one of multi-rack, double-row rack, or single-row rack storage. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the commodity includes a non-rack storage arrangement including any one of palletized, solid-piled, bin box, shelf or back-to-back shelf storage. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means includes:
 a fluid distribution system including a network of pipes interconnecting the fluid distribution devices to a water supply;   a plurality of detectors to monitor the occupancy for the fire; and   a controller coupled to the plurality of detectors to detect and locate the fire, the controller being coupled to the plurality of distribution devices to identify and control operation of a select number of fluid distribution devices defining a discharge array above and about the fire, the controller including:
 an input component coupled to each of the plurality of detectors for receipt of an input signal from each of the detectors; 
 a processing component for determining a threshold moment in growth of the fire; and 
 an output component to generate an output signal for operation of each of the select fluid distribution devices in response to the threshold moment. 
   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the identified select number of fluid distribution devices of the discharge array consists of any one of nine, eight or four distribution devices. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a programming component coupled with the processing component for a user to preprogram the select number. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the processing component is coupled to the input component to dynamically identify the select number of fluid distribution devices defining the discharge array. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the processing component processes readings from the plurality of detectors to detect and locate a fire, and the processing component determines the distribution devices closest to the fire based on a highest reading from the plurality of detectors. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the processing component processes readings from the plurality of detectors and dynamically identifies the select number of distribution devices by identifying a minimum number of fluid distribution devices for placement in a device queue based on a device being associated with a detector reading meeting or exceeding a user-defined threshold. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the processing component is coupled to the input component to make a fixed determination of the select number of fluid distribution devices defining the discharge array. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the processing component is coupled to the input component to determine a first distribution device associated with a threshold detection of a fire by the plurality of detectors; the processing component determining a plurality of distribution devices adjacent the first distribution device to define a total number of fluid distribution devices equal to the select number. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein determining the fluid distribution devices adjacent the first distribution device is independent of readings from the plurality of detectors. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the processing component is coupled to the input component to identify a first detector meeting or exceeding a threshold indicating the presence of a fire; the processing component being coupled to the output component to operate a first fixed pattern of fluid distribution devices associated with the first detector to address the fire; the processing component and output component operating a second fixed pattern of fluid distribution devices different than the first fixed pattern for a first duration; and operating a third fixed pattern of fluid distribution devices different than the first and second fixed pattern for a second duration. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the fluid distribution devices includes an open frame body and an electrically operated solenoid valve coupled to the frame body to control a flow of water to the frame body. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the fluid distribution devices includes a frame body with a seal assembly disposed therein and an electrically responsive actuator arranged with the frame body to displace the seal assembly to control a flow of water discharge from the frame body. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the actuator includes a transducer responsive to an electrical signal to operate the transducer. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the frame body defines a nominal K-factor of any one of 14.0 GPM/PSI 1/2 ; 16.8 GPM/PSI 1/2 ; 19.6 GPM/PSI 1/2 ; 22.4 GPM/PSI 1/2 ; 25.2 GPM/PSI 1/2 ; 28.0 GPM/PSI 1/2 ; and 33.6 GPM/PSI 1/2 . 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the nominal K-factor is 25.2 GPM/PSI 1/2 . 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nominal ceiling height is 45 feet and the nominal storage height is 40 feet. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nominal ceiling height is 50 feet and the nominal storage height is 45 feet. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the ceiling height is 48 feet and the storage height is 43 feet. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nominal ceiling height is 60 feet and the nominal storage height is 55 feet. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nominal ceiling height is 30 feet and the nominal storage height is 25 feet. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for quenching identifies and operates four fluid distribution devices immediately above and about a fire so as to contain the fire vertically and laterally within a cross-sectional area defined by the spacing between the four fluid distribution devices. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the fluid distribution devices are on 10 ft.×10 ft. spacing. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the fluid distribution devices are installed above a double row rack array of Group A plastic commodity having a nominal storage height of forty feet defined by eight tiers of palletized commodity, the means for quenching containing a test fire in the commodity so as to limit the fire to six tiers or less. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the fluid distribution devices are installed above a double row rack array of Group A plastic palletized commodity, the means for quenching containing a test fire in the commodity so as to limit the fire horizontally to no more than two pallets about the test fire. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the fluid distribution devices are installed above a double row rack array of Group A plastic commodity, the means for quenching containing a test fire in the commodity so as to limit the fire to 75% of the commodity or less. 
     
     
         32 .- 54 . (canceled)