System and method for suppressing fires
A method and apparatus for suppressing in a space includes structure and/or function for generating a first oxygen displacing fire suppressing gas mixture from at least one non-azide solid propellant chemical, the first fire suppressing gas mixture having at least a first gas. The first gas comprises nitrogen. At least the first gas is delivered into the space, thereby delivering a clean agent fire suppressant into the space that reduces the concentration of oxygen in the space to below a level necessary to sustain combustion. Preferably, the method and apparatus are used in inhabited spaces.
1. A method of suppressing fires in a space comprising the steps of:
generating a first oxygen displacing fire suppressing gas mixture from at least one non-azide solid propellant chemical, the first fire suppressing gas mixture comprising at least a first gas, said first gas comprising nitrogen;
delivering at least said first gas into the space thereby delivering a clean agent fire suppressant into said space to reduce the concentration of oxygen in said space to below a level necessary for sustaining combustion; and
filtering at least a percentage of a second gas from the first fire suppressing gas mixture upon delivery into the space.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second gas comprises water vapor.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second gas comprises CO2.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein substantially all of the second gas is filtered from the first fire suppressing gas mixture.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the step of reducing the temperature of the second fire suppressing gas mixture.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the clean agent fire suppressant is configured to leave no residue upon evaporation.
7. An apparatus for suppressing fires in a space comprising:
a generator for generating a first oxygen displacing fire suppressing gas mixture from at least one non-azide solid propellant chemical, the first fire suppressing gas mixture comprising at least a first gas, said first gas comprising nitrogen;
a diffuser for delivering at least said first gas into the space thereby delivering a clean agent fire suppressant to reduce the concentration of oxygen in said space for suppressing fires; and
a filter for filtering at least a percentage of a second gas from the first fire suppressing gas mixture upon delivery into the space.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the second gas comprises water vapor.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the second gas comprises CO2.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the filter filters substantially all of the second gas from the first fire suppressing gas mixture.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a screen reducing the temperature of the second fire suppressing gas mixture.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the clean agent fire suppressant is configured to leave no residue upon evaporation.
13. A system for suppressing fires in a space comprising:
a plurality of apparatus at respective locations within the space, each apparatus comprising:
a generator for generating a first oxygen displacing fire suppressing gas mixture from at least one non-azide solid propellant chemical, the first fire suppressing gas mixture comprising at least a first gas, said first gas comprising nitrogen; and
a diffuser for delivering at least said first gas into the space thereby delivering a clean agent fire suppressant into said space;
wherein the volume of clean agent fire suppressant delivered by the plurality of apparatus reduces the concentration of oxygen in said space to below a level necessary to sustain combustion.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein each apparatus comprises a tower for housing one or more generators.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein each apparatus comprises a pyrotechnic device for igniting its respective solid propellant chemical.
16. The system of claim 15 , further comprising:
a control panel connected to each pyrotechnic device for igniting the pyrotechnic device.
17. The system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a sensor for detecting a fire and in response issuing a signal to the control panel for initiating the igniting of each pyrotechnic device.
18. The system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a manual pull station for issuing a signal to the control panel for initiating the igniting of each pyrotechnic device.
19. An apparatus for suppressing fires in a space, comprising:
a generator for generating an oxygen displacing fire suppressing gas mixture from at least one non-azide solid propellant chemical, the oxygen displacing fire suppressing gas mixture having a first gas;
a filter for filtering out at least a portion of a second gas from the contents of the fire suppressing gas mixture thereby to result in a clean agent fire extinguishant; and
a diffuser for delivering the clean agent fire extinguishant into the space to reduce the concentration of oxygen in said space for suppressing fires.