Abstract: A releasable link is mounted on the wall of a duct, plenum, chamber or the like. The link releases in response to a predetermined increase of temperature within the duct. The link is resettable without having to gain access to the interior of the duct. In addition, the link can be released manually or remotely from the outside. In another embodiment, in addition to being resettable as well as manually and/or remotely releasable from the outside, the link is releasable in response to a predetermined temperature increase occurring either within or outside of the duct.

Abstract: A double dome thermoplastic fully enclosed skylight structure is heat softenable for opening the heat and smoke vent to the ambient in case of extraordinary temperature elevation in the vicinity of the skylight structure. The inner dome has a plurality of holes for circulating hot air to the space between the two domes for softening the outermost dome. To provide thermal insulation during normal use the holes are sealed with a heat shrinkable thermoplastic film which shrinks in the presence of the elevated temperatures thus opening the holes at that time.

Abstract: An emergency escape wall structure actuated either by pressure against the wall or automatically actuated by the presence of heat, smoke, gas, or oxygen deficiency detectors or push buttons, any one of which actuates the automatic means or by a hand lever which manually opens the structure. Upon actuation, an escape panel falls outwardly and downwardly creating a massive opening to permit the escape of a large number of persons in a brief time period.

Abstract: The device comprises a case of a material non-deformable under the effect of heat and mounted on the wall around at least a part of the tube. A mass of material capable of swelling under the effect of heat is enclosed in the case. An element of a material which is substantially non-fusible at temperatures which are developed in the course of a fire has a part which is planar and perpendicular to a radial direction relative to the tube and is movable and slidable in said radial direction in the case. The element normally bears on the outer surface of the tube and the mass of swelling material is disposed on the opposite side of the element to the tube.

Abstract: Compact and autonomous device of high power for the opening of a smoke and heat vent, placed between the fix and the opening frame of the vent and composed of a fix arm forming the fix frame and a pivoting arm, the opening force being transmitted to the opening frame by means of a hinge fixed on a fitting piece gliding in the pivoting arm, which is retained in a closed position by means of a pivoting hook, driven by different pulling means, among which a pivoting lever kept in a retaining position by an electro-magnet, all forces and tensions being entirely taken up within the autonomous device and working in vertical and parallel planes, which are very close to one another.

Abstract: A two-compartment sink for the cleaning of automotive parts with solvents, provision being made for selectively drawing solvent fluid from either of two storage tanks and for selectively dispensing same through either or both of two dispensing heads including a nozzle on a flex hose and a feed-through brush. Protection is afforded against fire originating in the cleaning sink.

Abstract: The side curtains of a poultry house are automatically opened upon a power failure in the electrical circuit of the ventilating system. An electrical monitoring circuit activated responsive to such power failure, releases a winch which normally maintains the curtains in a closed position, causing them to drop to an open position. The electrical monitoring system includes a time delay relay which is activated upon the power failure to release a normally latched mechanism. A latching cable is thus released, freeing the winch.

Abstract: An electromagnetic door holding device for a door closer of the type having a spring operated rotating spindle operatively connected by an arm to a slider mounted for reciprocal movement in a track usually secured to the door frame wherein the slider has a cam which when the door is swung to a fully opened position engages and is held by an electromagnet against movement relative to the slider when the door attempts to return to a closed position and which engages and moves a detent carried by the slider into engagement with detent engaging means in the track so as to prevent movement of the slider relative to the track and thus releaseably hold the door in the open position. The energizing of the electromagnet allows the spring to move the cam out of engagement with the detent and thus permit the slider to move and enable the door to move to a closed position.

Abstract: Means for retarding the spread of fire from a building space, comprising an upwardly extending duct, the cross-sectional area of which is related by formulae to the cross-sectional area for air intake to the space, and has an access gate at the lower end for connecting the duct with the building space, and preferably a release gate at the upper end for connecting the duct with the outside atmosphere. Preferably the access gate and release gate are thermally actuated by having heat destructible components which are destroyed by flames from a fire in the space. The cross-sectional area of the duct and of the air intake are determined by design to i) drain away flames and smoke, ii) produce a depression in the building space thereby retarding the spread of fire, and iii) draw sufficient air to the building space to ensure relatively low fire temperature and a relatively short fire duration. The same ducts may serve a number of building spaces above one another at different floor levels.