Firefighting Station

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The addition of foaming agents and additives to firefighting water streams can be particularly useful for fighting fires, for example, fires in office buildings, industrial factories, chemical plants, petrochemical plants and petroleum refineries. The use of compressed air firefighting foam requires that air and a foam concentrate be mixed and added at constant proportions to the water stream. When the foam extinguisher solution is delivered, the foam effectively extinguishes the flames of chemical and petroleum fires, which would not be effectively extinguished by the application of water alone.

Compressed air foam technology improves the firefighting capacity of water and foam chemicals by producing a higher energy stream that penetrates the fire and by producing a higher quality foam bubble structure than is obtainable by other methods. The size of the compressed air foam bubble can be varied by controlling the ratio of compressed air to foam solution. Further, compressed air foam lines are lighter than water lines and place less stress on the firefighters and allow a greater degree of mobility. This facilitates reduced water damage, quicker fire knockdown, and a “safer” environment for both the firefighters and potential victims. Moreover, the compressed air foam will reduce the associated smoke damage by absorbing smoke from the air.

However, current compressed air foam systems are not applicable to being transported to space restricted areas or to be permanently fixed in space restricted areas.

What is needed is a firefighting station that is applicable to space restricted areas and can utilize existing pressurized air and water infrastructures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a firefighting station. The firefighting station includes an optional portable cart, one or more chemical foam proportioners, one or more first manifolds, one or more first valves, one or more first check valves, one or more second manifolds and one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs.

The firefighting station, as described herein, may be a rapid attack cart system. In this system, pressurized water is supplied from a hydrant, a portable pump, a relay station, for example, a fire truck, a home water system, an industrial type water connection, a feed from a hotel, or another fire hose station. The firefighting station would allow rapid response and deployment into areas where normal fire truck would not have the clearance to respond. For example, the firefighting station could be stationed or deployed in a high threat area, for example, an industrial conveyor belt in a restricted space. The firefighting station could be wheeled or permanently stationed near the fire area, hooked up to water hydrant and a source of pressurized air, and produce a chemical foam, a compressed air foam, water, a dry chemical fire suppression agent, or a combination thereof, either individually or simultaneously. The firefighting station could also be configured with break-apart feature for carrying or for storage in small compartments, for example, in a fire truck compartment. The firefighting station could also be stationed with permanent water and gas piping in hazardous areas of a plant or refueling center.

The present invention provides a firefighting station. The firefighting station includes:

an optional portable cart including one or more wheels;

one or more chemical foam proportioners each having one or more water inlets and one or more chemical foam outlets,

- wherein each of the one or more chemical foam proportioners is independently coupled to the optional portable cart;

one or more first manifolds each having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, wherein each inlet is independently in fluid communication with the one or more chemical foam outlets,

one or more first valves each having an inlet and one or more outlets,

- wherein each inlet of the one or more first valves each independently in fluid communication with the first outlet of each of the one or more first manifolds,
- wherein one or more of the outlets of the one or more first valves provide aspirated foam to an inlet of one or more fog nozzles;

one or more first check valves each independently in fluid communication with the second outlet of the one or more first manifolds and an inlet of one or more second valves;

one or more second manifolds each having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet,

- wherein the first inlet of the one or more second manifolds is in fluid communication with an outlet of the one or more second valves,
- wherein the second inlet of the one or more second manifolds is in fluid communication with an outlet of one or more compressed gas check valves,
- wherein an inlet of one or more compressed gas check valves is configured to receive one or more compressed gases from the outlets of one or more gas compressors, one or more gas cylinders, or a combination thereof;
- wherein the outlet of the one or more second manifolds is in fluid communication with an inlet of one or more third valves,
- wherein one or more of the outlets of the one or more third valves provide one or more compressed gas foams to an inlet of one or more compressed gas foam nozzles; and

one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs each having an inlet and an outlet,

- wherein the inlet of each of the one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs is placed in fluid communication with the outlets of one or more gas compressors, one or more gas cylinders, or a combination thereof,
- wherein the outlet of each of the one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs is placed in fluid communication with the inlets one or more compressed gas check valves.

In one embodiment, the firefighting station including one or more first hoses each independently in fluid communication with one of the outlets of the one or more first valves and an inlet of the one or more fog nozzles. In one embodiment, the firefighting station including one or more second hoses each independently in fluid communication with one of the outlets of the one or more third valves and one or more compressed gas foam system nozzles.

In one embodiment, the optional portable cart includes one or more handles to position the firefighting station. In one embodiment, the one or more handles are collapsible. In one embodiment, the optional portable cart includes one or more storage compartments.

In one embodiment, the one or more storage compartments are used to carry the one or more first manifolds, the one or more first valves, the one or more first check valves, the one or more second valves, the one or more second manifolds, the one or more fog nozzles, the one or more compressed gas foam nozzles the one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs, or a combination thereof, when the firefighting station is not in operation or is being transferred from a first place to a second place.

In one embodiment, the one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs is independently coupled to the optional portable cart. In one embodiment, the optional portable cart includes a two-wheel hand truck. In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foam proportioners each independently include one or more dual tank and dual agent chemical foam proportioners. In one embodiment, the one or more foam proportioners each independently include one or more self-contained, positive pressure, and automatic foam concentrate to water proportioners.

In one embodiment, the one or more foam proportioners each independently include one or more proportioner rangers for Class A foam from about 0.01 volume percent to about 10.0 volume percent. In one embodiment, the one or more foam proportioners each independently include one or more proportioner rangers for Class A foam from about 0.1 volume percent to about 1.0 volume percent. In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foam proportioners each independently have a flow range for Class A Foam from about 1 gallon per minute to about 1000 gallons per minute. In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foam proportioners each independently have a flow range for Class A Foam from about 5 gallons per minute to about 500 gallons per minute.

In one embodiment, the one or more foam proportioners each independently include one or more proportioner rangers for one or more aqueous film-forming foams from about 1.0 volume percent to about 5.0 volume percent. In one embodiment, the one or more foam proportioners each independently include one or more proportioner rangers for one or more aqueous film-forming foams of about 3.0 volume percent. In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foam proportioners each independently have a flow range for one or more aqueous film-forming foams from about 1 gallon per minute to about 1000 gallons per minute.

In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foam proportioners each independently have a flow range for one or more aqueous film-forming foams from about 100 gallon per minute to about 200 gallons per minute. In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foam proportioners each independently have a flow range for one or more aqueous film-forming foams of about 150 gallon per minute. In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foam proportioners each independently have a maximum pressure drop from about 5 pounds per square inch per about 500 gallons per minute. In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foam proportioners each independently have a maximum pressure drop from about 10 pounds per square inch per about 100 gallons per minute. In one embodiment, the firefighting station provides plain water, one or more foam, one or more compressed gas foams, one or more dry chemical agents, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the aspirated foam includes water, one or more chemical foams, and air. In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foams each independently include one or more Class A foams, one or more aqueous film-forming foams, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foams each independently include one or more Class A foams.

In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foams each independently include one or more aqueous film-forming foams. In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foams each independently include one or more Class A foams and one or more aqueous film-forming foams. In one embodiment, the one or more water inlets each independently operate at a water pressure from about 20 pounds per square inch to about 2000 pounds per square inch. In one embodiment, the one or more water inlets each independently operate at a water pressure from about 30 pounds per square inch to about 1000 pounds per square inch. In one embodiment, the one or more water inlets each independently operate at a water pressure from about 50 pounds per square inch to about 450 pounds per square inch.

In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foam outlets each independently operate at a chemical foam pressure from about 20 pounds per square inch to about 2000 pounds per square inch. In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foam outlets each independently operate at a chemical foam pressure from about 30 pounds per square inch to about 1000 pounds per square inch. In one embodiment, the one or more chemical foam outlets each independently operate at a chemical foam pressure from about 50 pounds per square inch to about 450 pounds per square inch.

In one embodiment, the one or more fog nozzles each independently operate at a chemical foam pressure from about 20 pounds per square inch to about 2000 pounds per square inch. In one embodiment, the one or more fog nozzles each independently operate at a chemical foam pressure from about 30 pounds per square inch to about 1000 pounds per square inch. In one embodiment, the one or more fog nozzles each independently operate at a chemical foam pressure from about 50 pounds per square inch to about 450 pounds per square inch.

In one embodiment, the one or more gas compressors, one or more gas cylinders, or a combination thereof, each independently operate at a gas pressure from about 20 pounds per square inch to about 2000 pounds per square inch. In one embodiment, the one or more gas compressors, one or more gas cylinders, or a combination thereof, each independently operate at a gas pressure from about 30 pounds per square inch to about 1000 pounds per square inch. In one embodiment, the one or more gas compressors, one or more gas cylinders, or a combination thereof, each independently operate at a gas pressure from about 50 pounds per square inch to about 450 pounds per square inch.

In one embodiment, the one or more compressed gas foam nozzles each independently operate at a compressed gas foam pressure from about 20 pounds per square inch to about 2000 pounds per square inch. In one embodiment, the one or more compressed gas foam nozzles each independently operate at a compressed gas foam pressure from about 30 pounds per square inch to about 1000 pounds per square inch. In one embodiment, the one or more compressed gas foam nozzles each independently operate at a compressed gas foam pressure from about 50 pounds per square inch to about 450 pounds per square inch.

In one embodiment, the one or more water inlets each independently receive water from an industrial water source, a home water source, a vehicle water source, a fire hydrant, a pressurized water tank, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the one or more first valves each independently include one or more first gate valves one or more first gated wye valves, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the one or more second valves each independently include one or more second gate valves. In one embodiment, the one or more third valves each independently include one or more third gate valves, one or more third gated wye valves, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the firefighting station further includes a fluid pump connected between the water source and the foam proportioner. The fluid pump serves to either boost the fluid pressure supplied by the external fluid source (e.g., fire hydrant) or to be able to draw fluid from a static water source, for example, a non-pressurized tank, a ditch, a stream, a lake, a river, a bay, an ocean, and the like, or combinations thereof.

The present invention provides a firefighting station. The firefighting station includes:

an optional portable cart including a two-wheel hand truck;

one or more chemical foam proportioners each having one or more water inlets

and one or more chemical foam outlets,

- wherein each of the one or more chemical foam proportioners is independently coupled to the optional portable cart,
- wherein the one or more foam proportioners each independently include one or more self-contained, positive pressure and automatic foam concentrate to water proportioners;

one or more first manifolds each having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet,

- wherein each inlet is independently in fluid communication with the one or more chemical foam outlets,

one or more first valves each having an inlet and one or more outlets,

- wherein each inlet of the one or more first valves each independently in fluid communication with the first outlet of each of the one or more first manifolds,
- wherein one or more of the outlets of the one or more first valves provide aspirated foam to an inlet of one or more fog nozzles;

one or more first check valves each independently in fluid communication with the second outlet of the one or more first manifolds and an inlet of one or more second valves;

one or more second manifolds each having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet,

- wherein the first inlet of the one or more second manifolds is in fluid communication with an outlet of the one or more second valves,
- wherein the second inlet of the one or more second manifolds is in fluid communication with an outlet of one or more compressed gas check valves,
- wherein an inlet of one or more compressed gas check valves is configured to receive one or more compressed gases from the outlets of one or more gas compressors, one or more gas cylinders, or a combination thereof;
- wherein the outlet of the one or more second manifolds is in fluid communication with an inlet of one or more third valves,
- wherein one or more of the outlets of the one or more third valves provide one or more compressed gas foams to an inlet of one or more compressed gas foam nozzles; and

one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs each having an inlet and an outlet,

- wherein the inlet of each of the one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs is placed in fluid communication with the outlets of one or more gas compressors, one or more gas cylinders, or a combination thereof,
- wherein the outlet of each of the one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs is placed in fluid communication with the inlets one or more compressed gas check valves.

The present invention provides a firefighting station. The firefighting station includes:

an optional portable cart including a two-wheel hand truck;

one or more chemical foam proportioners each having one or more water inlets and one or more chemical foam outlets,

wherein each of the one or more chemical foam proportioners is independently coupled to the optional portable cart,

wherein the one or more foam proportioners each independently include one or more self-contained, positive pressure and automatic foam concentrate to water proportioners;

wherein the one or more foam proportioners each independently include one or more self-contained, positive pressure and automatic foam concentrate to water proportioners,

wherein the one or more chemical foam proportioners each independently have a maximum pressure drop from about 10 pounds per square inch per about 100 gallons per minute,

wherein the one or more chemical foam proportioners each independently have a flow range for one or more aqueous film-forming foams of about 150 gallon per minute,

wherein the one or more foam proportioners each independently include one or more proportioner rangers for one or more aqueous film-forming foams of about 3.0 volume percent,

wherein the one or more chemical foam proportioners each independently have a flow range for Class A Foam from about 5 gallons per minute to about 500 gallons per minute;

one or more first manifolds each having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet,

wherein each inlet is independently in fluid communication with the one or more chemical foam outlets,

one or more first valves each having an inlet and one or more outlets,

wherein each inlet of the one or more first valves each independently in fluid communication with the first outlet of each of the one or more first manifolds,

wherein one or more of the outlets of the one or more first valves provide aspirated foam to an inlet of one or more fog nozzles,

wherein the one or more first valves each independently include one or more first gate valves, one or more first gated wye valves, or a combination thereof;

one or more first check valves each independently in fluid communication with the second outlet of the one or more first manifolds and an inlet of one or more second valves;

one or more second manifolds each having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet,

wherein the first inlet of the one or more second manifolds is in fluid communication with an outlet of the one or more second valves,

wherein the second inlet of the one or more second manifolds is in fluid communication with an outlet of one or more compressed gas check valves,

wherein an inlet of one or more compressed gas check valves is configured to receive one or more compressed gases from the outlets of one or more gas compressors, one or more gas cylinders, or a combination thereof;

wherein the outlet of the one or more second manifolds is in fluid communication with an inlet of one or more third valves,

wherein one or more of the outlets of the one or more third valves provide one or more compressed gas foams to an inlet of one or more compressed gas foam nozzles,

wherein the one or more third valves each independently include one or more third gate valves, one or more third gated wye valves, or a combination thereof; and

one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs each having an inlet and an outlet,

wherein the inlet of each of the one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs is placed in fluid communication with the outlets of one or more gas compressors, one or more gas cylinders, or a combination thereof,

wherein the outlet of each of the one or more optional chemical fire suppression agent reservoirs is placed in fluid communication with the inlets one or more compressed gas check valves.

The present invention provides a firefighting station. The firefighting station includes:

an optional portable cart including one or more wheels;

one or more chemical foam proportioners each having one or more water inlets and one or more chemical foam outlets,

wherein each of the one or more chemical foam proportioners is independently coupled to the optional portable cart;

one or more first manifolds each having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, wherein each inlet is independently in fluid communication with the one or more chemical foam outlets,

one or more first valves each having an inlet and one or more outlets,

wherein each inlet of the one or more first valves each independently in fluid communication with the first outlet of each of the one or more first manifolds,

wherein one or more of the outlets of the one or more first valves provide aspirated foam to an inlet of one or more fog nozzles;

one or more first check valves each independently in fluid communication with the second outlet of the one or more first manifolds and an inlet of one or more second valves; and

one or more second manifolds each having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet,

wherein the first inlet of the one or more second manifolds is in fluid communication with an outlet of the one or more second valves,

wherein the second inlet of the one or more second manifolds is in fluid communication with an outlet of one or more compressed gas check valves,

wherein the outlet of the one or more second manifolds is in fluid communication with an inlet of one or more third valves,

wherein one or more of the outlets of the one or more third valves provide one or more compressed gas foams to an inlet of one or more compressed gas foam nozzles.