Abstract: A negative-pressure smoke-guiding fireproof building structure includes at least one vertical smoke discharge flue arranged in the building and in fluid communication with a transverse smoke discharge flue arranged in upper space of each floor. At least one natural air inlet window having a door and at least one smoke-gas discharge window having a door are arranged in a wall of each independent room off each floor. The doors normally seal the windows in a closed position and are capable of automatically opening at a fire hazard. The smoke-gas discharge window is in fluid communication with the transverse smoke discharge flue. With a simple structure, the building structure effectively prevents fire spreading to peripheral adjacent rooms when one room in the building catches fire, so as to prevent a larger fire hazard.

Abstract: Self-closing vent assemblies configured to provide ventilation during normal ambient conditions and to close during a fire are provided. In one embodiment, the self-closing vent assembly includes a base vent plate having a plurality of apertures and a floating vent plate having a plurality of apertures offset from the apertures in the base vent plate. The floating vent plate is configured to move between a first position spaced apart by a distance from the base vent plate and a second position abutting the base vent plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for exhausting air from a space. The space may comprise the interior space(s) of buildings such as hospitals, enclosed shopping malls, warehouses, factories, high rise buildings, etc. The apparatus comprises at least a first discharging arrangement in the form of return and supply air ducts of an air handling unit (AHU). The apparatus also comprises a second discharging arrangement in the form of a smoke exhaust box. The return air duct is arranged to receive an air stream discharged from the space and is able to be isolated from the smoke exhaust box. Upon isolation of the return air duct, the smoke exhaust box is able to receive and discharge an air stream (e.g. a smoke-filled or contaminated air stream) from the space.

Abstract: A negative-pressure smoke-guiding fireproof building structure includes at least one vertical smoke discharge flue (1) arranged in the building and a transverse smoke discharge flue (2) arranged in upper space of each floor. The vertical smoke discharge flue (1) is in fluid communication with the transverse smoke discharge flue (2). At least one natural air inlet window (4) and at least one smoke-gas discharge window (5) are arranged in a wall (3-1) of each independent room (3) of each floor. The natural air inlet window (4) consists of an air inlet window (4-1), an air inlet window door (4-2) capable of sealing the air inlet window (4-1) in the normal state, and an air inlet window door opening mechanism capable of automatically opening the air inlet window (4-1) at a fire hazard.

Abstract: An environmental control system of a building utilizes lower vents which open into lower portions of rooms of a building, and upper vents which open into upper portions of rooms of the building. When the system is operating in a heating mode, heated air is delivered into the upper portions of the rooms through the upper vents and air is removed from the rooms through the lower vents. When the system is operating in a cooling mode, cool air is delivered into the rooms through the lower vents, and air is removed from the rooms through the upper vents. Operating the heating and cooling modes in this fashion provides the most efficient operation of the heating and cooling system. A switching unit is used to selectively couple the inlet and outlet of an environmental control system to the upper and lower vents.

Abstract: The present invention is a mobile air contaminant control system that includes a filter assembly enclosed by a mobile outer chamber. The filter assembly is tapered to create a large volume air way downstream from the filter assembly that enables more even air flow and filter loading. One or more exhaust fans pull the air through the filter assembly and exhaust it to the exterior of the chamber. The system is functionally attached to an exterior structure having at least one air intake and housing a work piece. As airborne contaminants are generated from the work piece(s), the control system exhausts them from the exterior structure through the filter assembly and into the external environment.

Abstract: Explosion vent apparatus is provided, which includes a vent support unit defining a vent opening adapted to be aligned with an area to be protected from an overpressure condition, a vent panel movably mounted on the support unit in a normal closed position blocking the outlet and movable through a first displacement away from its closed position to a first overpressure-relieving position upon application of an overpressure of one magnitude of pressure while allowing movement of the vent panel through a second and greater displacement to a second overpressure-relieving position upon application of a higher overpressure. The vent panel does not deform or rupture upon opening, and recloses after pressure relief, either under spring pressure when opened under a lower first pressure, or by a fluid actuated reclosing mechanism upon full opening of the vent panel under a higher second pressure.

Abstract: A fire damper assembly has a damper mounted in an air duct for movements between an open, air passing position in which the damper enables air to flow through the duct and a closed position in which the damper blocks the passage of air through the duct. A strut composed of joined but separable components normally underlies the damper and supports the latter in the open position. The strut may be moved from its damper engaging position to a damper-free position while the separable components remain joined. At least one end of the strut is pivotally connected to a support arm for swinging movements of the strut between damper engaging and damper-free positions and may have its opposite end manually detached from the second support arm, thereby enabling the damper to swing to its closed position. The respective support arms are removably maintained in strut-supporting position by releasable latches which enable a tactile sensing of their positions.

Abstract: A self-closing vent has its frame and a honeycomb screen coated with an intumescent material. When affixed to a wall with an opening the vent is normally open, allowing free flow of air through the opening, but when exposed to the heat of a fire, the intumescent material expands to close the vent, thereby preventing spread of the fire through the opening. The intumescent material preferably is FireFree 88, in a coating thickness of about 5 to 15 mils. In one preferred embodiment the vent opening is in a vehicle, between an engine compartment and a passenger space.

Abstract: A fire damper assembly has a damper mounted in an air duct for movements between air passing position in which the damper enables air to flow through the duct and another position in which the damper blocks the passage of air through the duct. A strut composed of joined but separable components normally underlies the damper and supports the latter in the air passing position. The strut may be moved from its damper engaging position to a damper-free position while the separable components remain joined. One end of the strut is pivoted to the frame for swinging movements between damper engaging and damper-free positions and may have its opposite end manually detached from the frame, thereby enabling the damper to move to its air-blocking position.

Abstract: A system for introducing make-up air into a building from above the roof for smoke control includes air shafts extending from the roof into a space in the building below a layer of smoke. The air shafts can be rigid or can be made of a flexible material which folds up when not in use. Air shafts of a flexible material have a contraction at the exit to inflate the shaft, unless the shaft extends to within one diameter from the floor.

Abstract: A self-closing vent has its frame and honeycomb screen coated with an intumescent material. When affixed to an external wall or eave of a building, the vent is normally open, allowing free flow of air into and out of the building, but when exposed to the heat of a fire, such as a wildfire, the intumescent expands to close the vent, thereby preventing an external fire from entering the building.

Abstract: A single layer sound insulated door assembly, and automatically releasing latch to open the door assembly in response to predetermined indicators of fire in the structure and a labyrinthine seal mechanism which limits sound transmission through the door assembly. An acoustical smoke vent is sound insulated and the doors are sealed to the curb by means of a unique labyrinthine gasket assembly effective at limiting sound transmission through the vent. The acoustical smoke vent of the present invention achieves a sound transmission class of STC 45 or better without the need for double layer door assemblies.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide ventilation system, comprising a carbon monoxide sensor, a fan, and a vent. The carbon monoxide sensor supplies power to the fan when a threshold level of carbon monoxide is detected. The fan includes a motor and a propeller which draws air into the fan unit, and expels the air through the vent. The sensor also includes an indicating device which produces an audio or visual indication that the threshold level has been reached. The indication continues until reset by a reset button.

Abstract: A portable environmental control system for evacuating particulate laden, toxic, and explosive gasses from an interior space includes a flexible partition for erection at the interior space, and a first section of flexible duct connected to the partition and to an electric motor driven blower unit having an explosion proof ducted fan. A second section of duct is connected to the blower unit and may be connected to a filter unit mountable in a window of an interior room or to a collapsible plenum having plural filter units mounted therein for treating and returning air evacuated from the space back into the space. The blower unit may be placed within a space having a high concentration of explosive gasses for evacuating the gasses by way of an elongated duct section connected to an elevating mechanism to discharge gasses out of doors above ground level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for training firefighters. The apparatus is uniquely designed to realistically simulate both the precursor indications of the flashover phenomena as well as flashover phenomenon itself. Because the trainees are positioned within the apparatus, the first hand training method of the invention teaches the trainee, not only how to recognize the warning signs of flashovers, but also teaches the trainee what follows these warning signs and what to do if confronted with the warning signs. The training apparatus of the invention is of a simple but durable construction which provides a high degree of safety to the trainees and is one which can be provided to fire departments at relatively low cost.

Abstract: A building construction includes a building structure and a ventilator, the ventilator having a stack defining a vent passage, a closure being provided for normally sealing off the vent passage, insulating material supported by the closure and providing an air seal within the vent passage under normal conditions, and vent actuating means operative in response to the presence of combustion products to disable the closure, automatically release the insulating material and exhaust combustion products through the vent passage.

Abstract: A narrow chimney-like airflow space is created between vertical columns of stacked, palletized loads by a narrow rectangular shaft of open mesh wire creating a narrow vertical passage extending the full height of the columns of palletized loads up which smoke can travel by convection to reach a smoke detector and trigger an alarm.