System and method for suppressing fires
A method and apparatus for suppressing a fire utilizing non-azide solid gas propellant generation to produce and transport a suitable gas for suppressing a fire in a normally occupied area. The nitrogen gas produced by the solid propellant gas generation is optionally treated to remove undesirable elements such as water and/or carbon dioxide from the product gas prior to the delivery of the product gas to the protected hazard area.
1. A method of suppressing fires in a space comprising the steps of:
(a) generating a first fire suppressing gas mixture from at least one non-azide solid propellant chemical, the first fire suppressing gas mixture comprising nitrogen and at least one of moisture and carbon dioxide,
(b) filtering at least a percentage of said at least one of moisture and carbon dioxide from the first fire suppressing gas mixture to produce a second fire suppressing gas mixture; and
(c) delivering the second fire suppressing gas mixture into the space.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first gas is nitrogen.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second gas comprises water vapor.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the third gas is CO 2 .
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein substantially all of the second gas is filtered from the first fire suppressing gas mixture in step (b).
6. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the predetermined time ranges from about one to five minutes.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of reducing the temperature of the second fire suppressing gas mixture.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solid propellant chemical is azide free.
9. A gas generator for generating and delivering a fire suppressing gas mixture to an enclosed space, comprising:
a tower;
a pre-packed non-azide solid propellant canister disposed within said tower;
a pyrotechnic device for igniting said solid propellant canister and thereby generating said fire suppressing gas mixture;
a discharge diffuser for directing the fire suppressing gas mixture within said enclosed space;
and at least one filter for filtering at least a portion of one gas from said fire suppressing gas mixture.
10. The gas generator as claimed in claim 9 , further comprising at least one screen for reducing the temperature of said fire suppressing gas mixture.
11. The gas generator as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said discharge diffuser includes a 180° directional cap.
12. The gas generator as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said discharge diffuser includes a 360° directional cap.
13. The gas generator as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said discharge diffuser includes a perforated cap.
14. The gas generator as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said discharge diffuser includes a 90° directional cap.