Hyperbaric hypoxic fire escape and suppression systems for multilevel buildings, transportation tunnels and other human-occupied environments

Abstract

Hyperbaric Hypoxic Fire Escape and Suppression System is provided for multilevel buildings, transportation tunnels and other human-occupied environments. The system produces and maintains a hypoxic hyperbaric environment in a separate part of a building (staircase shaft) or a tunnel (service tunnel) in order to provide an entirely secure escape area in case of a fire emergency and instantly extinguish an ongoing fire in a building or a tunnel by releasing a breathable hyperbaric hypoxic fire-extinguishing composition into location affected by fire. Additionally, the system provides continuing adequate protection against biological and chemical warfare and contaminants by filtering ambient air before processing it by the system and by establishing breathable fire-suppressive atmosphere at a positive atmospheric pressure inside a building or tunnel.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of:[0002] U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 750,801 "Hypoxic Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression Systems and Breathable Fire Extinguishing Compositions for Human Occupied Environments" filed Dec. 28, 2000,[0003] U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 854,108 "Hypoxic Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression Systems with Breathable Fire Extinguishing Compositions for Human Occupied Environments" filed May 11, 2001 and[0004] U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 975,215 "Mobile Firefighting Systems with Breathable Hypoxic Fire Extinguishing Compositions for Human Occupied Environments" filed Oct. 10, 2001.[0005] The present invention introduces the method, equipment, and composition of a fire escape and suppression system that produces and maintains a hypoxic hyperbaric environment in a separate part of a building (preferably staircase shaft) or a transportation tunnel in order to provide an entirely secure escape in case of a fire emergency and instantly extinguish an ongoing fire on any floor or...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] A method of extinguishing an ongoing fire in a building or tunnel by releasing such pressurized fire-extinguishing hypoxic atmosphere or composition from said escape compartment into an environment affected by fire. This allows to replacing rapidly the contaminated normoxic atmosphere in such environment with the human-breathable hypoxic fire-extinguishing atmosphere and suppressing any fire at once.

[0018] The provision of the hypoxic hyperbaric fire extinguishing composition having an oxygen content ranging from 7% to 14% under increased barometric pressure up to 1 atmosphere above standard, which makes it absolutely safe for human breathing.

Problems solved by technology

Current fire suppression systems in buildings are ineffective in saving human life, especially in a catastrophic fire and destructive to property and valuables.

Moreover, modem building design itself does not provide reliable escape routes and safety areas for trapped people.

Staircases and elevator shafts may easy become lethal traps for fire escapees who may die from smoke inhalation or fire.

Other human-occupied facilities like transportation tunnels have virtually no fire safety systems at all.

Still, the minor Chunnel fire in 1998 claimed over a billion (US) dollars from damages and business loss.

In addition, ventilation shafts and equipment (which are present in virtually all multilevel buildings and tunnels) can dramatically accelerate a fire's propagation and significantly increase the risk of toxic inhalation.

Positive pressure systems are used in military vehicles and vessels for that purpose, however recent terrorist threats call for introduction of similar systems also in civil building construction.

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