Abstract: A combined plug and sealing ring for a sprinkler nozzle includes a nozzle plug having a substantially cylindrical portion adapted to engage within a nozzle orifice of a sprinkler nozzle, and a cap overlaying the substantially cylindrical portion. A sealing ring is adapted to seat onto a threaded pipe fitting portion of the sprinkler nozzle. A leash interconnects the nozzle plug and the sealing ring. A combined plug and sealing ring in combination with a sprinkler nozzle, and a method of installing a sprinkler nozzle in a highly corrosive or extremely corrosive environment are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for activating a sprinkler system comprises maintaining a liquid extinguishant in system pipes under a standby pressure that is less than the operating pressure, determining an arrangement of the sprinklers that will control a fire, and opening the sprinkler system valve in response to a drop in pressure in each of the pipes to which at least one of the sprinklers of the arrangement is connected. An alternate method comprises providing a bypass around the system valve, and opening the system valve in response to (1) a predetermined flow of liquid extinguishant through the bypass and (2) a drop in pressure in the sprinkler system below a predetermined pressure. In a variation of the alternate method, the system valve is opened in response only to a predetermined flow of liquid extinguishant through the bypass.

Abstract: A frame of a sprinkler or nozzle for use in a corrosive service environment. The frame includes a corrosion resistant metal having a passive oxide film that is chemically stable in the service environment. Alternatively, the frame includes a polymer that is inert in the service environment.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the temperature and moisture of a gas has an aspirated flow passage with a configuration that causes the gas to have turbulent flow and, therefore, to mix. A dry bulb thermometer and a wet bulb thermometer positioned in the flow passage downstream of the configuration that causes mixing measures the temperature and moisture of the gas. A wick and a water reservoir for keeping the wet bulb thermometer wet are cleaned and refilled by a flow of water through the gas passage. The gas passage is heated to prevent condensation of any moisture in the gas.

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 method for quantifying droplet fluxes of a water mist spray uses different measuring apparatuses and compares the measurements of the two apparatuses with one another. One of the measuring apparatuses is an iso-kinetic sampling probe in which the air velocity of the portion of the water spray mist entering the probe is made equal to the air velocity of the water mist spray around the probe by connecting a source of vacuum to the probe. The drops of the spray entering the probe are prevented from passing out of the probe. The air velocity of the spray entering the probe is measured by an anemometer, the drops of the entering spray are collected in a reservoir, and the depth of water in the reservoir is measured by a differential pressure transducer. The output of the pressure transducer is sent to a computer that calculates the water collection rate based on the sectional area of the probe opening and the water collection rate in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of detecting the actuation of a sprinkler involves sensing a first fluid pressure at a first flow cross section, in one of the sprinkler and a conduit in which the sprinkler is mounted, sensing a second fluid pressure at a second flow cross section, in the sprinkler, wherein said first flow cross section is larger than said second flow cross section, and comparing the fluid pressures sensed at the first and second flow cross sections in order to detect a change in the relation of the fluid pressures due to actuation of the sprinkler, and thereby detect actuation of the sprinkler. The fluid pressures are sensed by ports in the sprinkler, or by one port in the sprinkler and one port in the conduit, and at least one transducer connected to the ports, and output signals from the transducer are sent to a computer or other recording instrument.

Abstract: Braces for bracing objects in structures against forces due to earthquakes are tested by subjecting components of the braces for attaching the braces to the object or structure to cyclic loading of approximately 15 cycles. The cyclic forces are applied to different samples of the components at differing angles, and a load rating is determined for each angle. Prior to cyclic testing, forces are applied monotonically to the components in both tension and compression, the flexible loading direction of the component is determined from the monotonic testing, and the deformation that the component can resist when a load is applied in cycles is estimated from the monotonic testing.

Abstract: A device for measuring the flux received by a specimen in fire test apparatuses has a copper disk or plate of the same dimensions and the same type of surface coating as a typical material specimen, an embedded heating coil and thermocouple, and an insulated sample holder similar to that used for a specimen. The transient response of the embedded thermocouple is measured for several different levels of imposed incident radiation without electrical heating and for several different known levels of electrical heating without any imposed radiation. The principle of Electrical Substitution Radiometry (ESR) is applied, and the transient responses to incident radiation and electrical heating under identical thermal conditions are compared to determine the amount of incident radiation that is actually absorbed by the device while it is being irradiated. The situations are kept thermally identical, thereby insuring that all effects due to heat losses (e.g. convection, radiation and conduction) are exactly the same.

Abstract: A method for quantifying droplet fluxes of a water mist spray uses different measuring apparatuses and compares the measurements of the two apparatuses with one another. One of the measuring apparatuses is an iso-kinetic sampling probe in which the air velocity of the portion of the water spray mist entering the probe is made equal to the air velocity of the water mist spray around the probe by connecting a source of vacuum to the probe. The drops of the spray entering the probe are prevented from passing out of the probe. The air velocity of the spray entering the probe is measured by an anemometer, the drops of the entering spray are collected in a reservoir, and the depth of water in the reservoir is measured by a differential pressure transducer. The output of the pressure transducer is sent to a computer that calculates the water collection rate based on the sectional area of the probe opening and the water collection rate in the reservoir.

Abstract: A device for measuring the flux received by a specimen in fire test apparatuses has a copper disk or plate of the same dimensions and the same type of surface coating as a typical material specimen, an embedded heating coil and thermocouple, and an insulated sample holder similar to that used for a specimen. The transient response of the embedded thermocouple is measured for several different levels of imposed incident radiation without electrical heating and for several different known levels of electrical heating without any imposed radiation. The principle of Electrical Substitution Radiometry (ESR) is applied, and the transient responses to incident radiation and electrical heating under identical thermal conditions are compared to determine the amount of incident radiation that is actually absorbed by the device while it is being irradiated. The situations are kept thermally identical, thereby insuring that all effects due to heat losses (e.g. convection, radiation and conduction) are exactly the same.

Abstract: A device is provided for measuring heat flux from a test material exposed to a flame. The device includes of an elongate element defining a passageway for a fluid, a fluid flowing through the passageway, a mechanism for measuring the rate of water flow through the passageway, and a plurality of temperature-sensing elements positioned along the passageway and within the elongate element. The temperature-sensing elements are spaced from one another longitudinally with respect to the passageway.

Abstract: Braces for bracing objects in structures against forces due to earthquakes are tested by subjecting components of the braces for attaching the braces to the object or structure to cyclic loading of approximately 15 cycles. The cyclic forces are applied to different samples of the components at differing angles, and a load rating is determined for each angle. Prior to cyclic testing, forces are applied monotonically to the components in both tension and compression, the flexible loading direction of the component is determined from the monotonic testing, and the deformation that the component can resist when a load is applied in cycles is estimated from the monotonic testing.

Abstract: In a fire simulation system, a fire in a clean room is simulated. A material of the type that would burn in the clean room fire is burned in a burn cell and air and combustion products are circulated through the burn cell and a secondary exposure cell in parallel. Clean room filters are provided at the top of the burn cell and the secondary exposure cell and both cells have perforated floors. A primary exposure loop may also be connected in the circulation system to receive unfiltered air and combustion products from the bum cell. The material and/or equipment to be tested for fire damage is placed in the secondary exposure cell and/or the primary exposure loop for a predetermined time and then is removed from the cell and exposed to a controlled humidity. Following the controlled humidity exposure, the material and/or equipment is evaluated for damage.