Fire-Fighting Equipment for Confined Spaces
In addition to its existing fire-fighting products KSB now offers a new system specially developed for installation in confined spaces. This system which was introduced this year, comes in at a width of 80 cm and a height of 180 cm and thus fits through any door with standardised dimensions.
The new Hya-Solo D FL Compact single-pump system fulfils all requirements of the new DIN 14462 standard for fire-fighting water systems, applicable since April 2009. (Image: KSB)
The ready-to-connect pressure booster systems Hya-Solo D FL Compact and Hya-Duo D FL Compact comprise several close-coupled pumps, an inlet tank mounted on the same baseplate and components for controlling and monitoring the entire system.
The inlet tank is designed to DIN EN 1717 and features a Class AB air gap as per DIN EN 13077. Mains water supply for filling the system is achieved through a butterfly valve with electric actuator. In terms of technology, the systems comply with the current edition of DIN 14462 for fire-fighting water systems, applicable since 2009. They are destined for use in residential buildings as well as on commercial and industrial premises. Their maximum flow rate is 36 cubic metres per hour, to a head of up to 150 metres.
The pump sets are started and stopped as a function of pressure. When consumption decreases, the pumps are stopped as a function of pressure after the set after-run period. In the event of fire, the pumps can also be started from a wall hydrant when one or more limit switches are activated. In automatic mode, the protective features such as dry running and motor protection cannot be enabled as water handling in an emergency is of top priority. Then, only a fault message appears in the display on the control cabinet door.
The Hya-Duo D FL Compact dual-pump system features a stand-by pump and separate electric circuits, thus meeting redundancy requirements. As a standard, a timer in the control cabinet starts the daily operation check run and the weekly flushing for pipe hygiene.
A temperature sensor monitors the inside of the pumps. If the set limit is exceeded, a solenoid valve opens and lets the water flow back to the inlet tank. This means the temperature inside the pump cannot rise above the limit and damage the pumps.
The discharge and suction side of the pumps are each equipped with a lockable valve which prevents any unauthorised person from closing the valves and thus stopping the system. The mains switch is also protected against unauthorised actuation. The pressure switches and limit switches are monitored for broken wires and short circuit to make sure the pressure is maintained and the system is always ready for fire-fighting.
KSB’s new system has a range of electronic features for added reliability, for example, the phase and control voltage monitoring, or the motor protection device which signal an alert in the event of fire but without switching the pumps off automatically. Volt-free contacts offer additional flexibility for remote monitoring of the system and can also be hooked up to external systems such as a drinking water stop or a drainage system.
Source: KSB SE & Co. KGaA
