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EP-4741023-A1 - SYSTEM FOR ESTABLISHING A FIRE BARRIER IN A TERRAIN

EP4741023A1EP 4741023 A1EP4741023 A1EP 4741023A1EP-4741023-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for establishing a fire barrier in a terrain with the aim of stopping the spreading of a wildfire. The system comprises a series of rods (2) which each comprises a plurality of nozzles (3) arranged at predetermined locations along a longitudinal axis of the rod at least when it is in an operation configuration. Each of the nozzles is in fluid connection with an inlet (4) via a first tube (5) for allowing pressurized water from an associated water supply to flow from the inlet to the nozzle so that the nozzle can atomize the water and provide a mist of water to the surroundings during use. The system may further comprise a movable carriage (11) for storing the series of rods before they are deployed and for transporting the series of rods along a line of deployment in the terrain during deployment of the rods into the operation configuration.

Inventors

  • Iversen, Kristian Lymann

Assignees

  • ForestValleyCare ApS

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241108

Claims (15)

  1. System (1) for establishing a fire barrier in a terrain, the system (1) comprising a series of rods (2) which are configured to be arranged: - in a transport configuration for storage and transportation to a location of deployment, and - in an operation configuration for establishing the fire barrier during use, wherein each rod (2) comprises: - a plurality of nozzles (3) arranged at predetermined locations along a longitudinal axis of the rod (2) at least when it is in the operation configuration, and - at least one support leg (9) for supporting the rod (2) in an upright or substantially upright orientation in the operation configuration, and wherein each of the plurality of nozzles (3) is in fluid connection with an inlet (4) via a first tube (5) for allowing pressurized water from an associated water supply to flow from the inlet (4) to the nozzle (3) so that the nozzle (3) can atomize the water and provide a mist of water (6) to the surroundings during use.
  2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rods (2) are telescopic and configured to be extended from a compressed state in the transport configuration to an extended state in the operation configuration during deployment of the system (1).
  3. System (1) according to claim 2, wherein the rods (2) are hollow and form a part of the fluid connection, and wherein the rods (2) are configured to be extended in response to a pressure of the pressurized water flowing from the inlet (4) to the nozzles (3).
  4. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rods (2) are mutually interconnected with second tubes (12) configured and arranged to allow water to flow from the inlet (4) to the nozzles (3) of a plurality of rods (2) of the series of rods.
  5. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: - each rod (2) is provided with sets of nozzles (3) arranged at the same, or substantially the same, location along the longitudinal axis of the rod (2), and - each set of nozzles (3) has at least two, such as at least three, such as four nozzles (3) pointing in different directions away from the longitudinal axis of the rod (2).
  6. System (1) according to claim 5, wherein each set of nozzles (3) is provided as a unitary component (10).
  7. System (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each rod (2) is provided with at least six, such as at least eight sets of nozzles (3) arranged spaced apart, such as at regular intervals, along the rod (2).
  8. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the rods (2) further comprises at least one top nozzle (3A) at an upper end of the rod (2), which at least one top nozzle (3A) is arranged to provide an upwardly extending mist of water (6) during use.
  9. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rods (2), at least when in the operating configuration, have a height of 10 to 30 m, such as 15 to 25 m, such as around 20 m.
  10. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rods (2) are made from aluminium or fibre-reinforced polymer, such as carbon-reinforced polymer.
  11. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a movable carriage (11) for storing the series of rods (2) before they are deployed and for transporting the series of rods (2) along a line of deployment in the terrain during deployment of the rods (2) into the operation configuration.
  12. System (1) according to claim 11, wherein the carriage (11) is configured to store at least 50 rods (2), such as at least 100 rods, such as at least 150 rods, such as at least 200 rods.
  13. System (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the carriage (11) comprises an installation ramp and/or a cantilever arm (15) for guiding the rods (2) from the transport configuration to the operation configuration.
  14. Method of establishing a fire barrier in a terrain by use of a system (1) according to any of the preceding claims.
  15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the system (1) is according to any of claims 11-13, the method comprising the following steps: - transporting the series of rods (2) to the terrain by use of the carriage (11), - moving the series of rods (2) from the carriage (11) to the terrain while moving the carriage (11) along the line of deployment, - arranging the at least one support leg (9) so that the rod (2) is thereby supported in an upright or substantially upright orientation in the terrain, - deploying each of the rods (2) into the operation configuration, and - connecting at least one inlet (4) of the system to an associated supply of pressurized water thereby allowing pressurized water to flow from the at least one inlet (4) to the nozzles (3) so that the nozzles (3) can atomize the water and provide a mist of water (6) to the surroundings.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for establishing a fire barrier in a terrain. In particular, it relates to a system which has a low water consumption and requires less manpower than what is otherwise used for extinguishing a wildfire or at least for preventing a wildfire from spreading uncontrolled. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Due to climate changes, at least partly caused by increasing CO2 emissions, the global weather conditions are developing extremely, and one of the consequences is long periods of drought in many geographical regions around the world. The resulting very dry nature means that when a wildfire breaks out, it spreads quickly over large areas with fatal consequences, including loss of human and animal lives and destruction of buildings. In addition to the immediate consequences, the wildfires themselves also result in large CO2 emissions thereby adding to the negative effect on the climate. Some studies have estimated that around 20% of the total CO2 emission in the world comes from wildfires and that annually more than 300,000 people lose their lives as direct and indirect consequences of wildfires. Furthermore, the attempts to extinguish wildfires require very large amounts of water and manpower that may not be available or that at least could be better spent for other purposes. There is therefore a need for finding new and more efficient ways of fighting wildfires. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for establishing a fire barrier in a terrain which requires significantly less water than traditionally used fire-fighting methods used for extinguishing wildfires. It is another object of the present invention to provide a system for establishing a fire barrier in a terrain which requires less manpower than traditionally used fire-fighting methods used for extinguishing wildfires. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the prior art. In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a system that solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is based on the fact that it often requires enormous amounts of both water and manpower to extinguish a wildfire. Furthermore, more than one wildfire is often active at a time in a region, and lack of resources may therefore result in the wildfire spreading over large areas, including cities, before it can be extinguished. The overall idea behind the invention is therefore to be able to establish fire barriers to prevent the wildfires from spreading, and especially from spreading to cities or other critical areas, such as historically valuable locations, rather than trying to extinguish all the wildfires. Hereby a given amount of water and manpower can be used more efficiently. Preliminary calculations have shown that a possible water consumption may be in the order of 100-200 litres of water per hour per meter of the fire wall established by a system according to the present invention. This is significantly less than a typical amount of water spent on firefighting. Furthermore, by limiting the extension of the wildfires, the CO2 emissions caused by the wildfires can be limited thereby resulting in less negative influences on the climate. Throughout the description, reference is made to "wildfire" as that is what the invention has been designed in relation to. However, if desired or required, the system may also be used for establishing a fire barrier in other locations than in a terrain, such as within a city. Thus, the above-described object and several other objects are intended to be obtained in a first aspect of the invention by providing a system for establishing a fire barrier in a terrain, the system comprising a series of rods which are configured to be arranged: in a transport configuration for storage and transportation to a location of deployment, andin an operation configuration for establishing the fire barrier during use, wherein each rod comprises: a plurality of nozzles arranged at predetermined locations along a longitudinal axis of the rod at least when it is in the operation configuration, andat least one support leg for supporting the rod in an upright or substantially upright orientation in the operation configuration, andwherein each of the plurality of nozzles is in fluid connection with an inlet via a first tube for allowing pressurized water from an associated water supply to flow from the inlet to the nozzle so that the nozzle can atomize the water and provide a mist of water to the surroundings during use. The system will typically be stored and transported to a location of use by a movable carriage as will be described in further details below and in relation to the figures. As will also be described below, the carriage may be a part of the system. Inside the carriage, the rods may e.g. be suspended from rails in the ceiling