Explosion and fire barrier
United States Patent [1 1 Dolbeer et al.  
  Apr. 15, 1975 EXPLOSION AND FIRE BARRIER Inventors: William R. Dolbeer, 3524 Windsor Dr., Boise. ldaho 83705; George N. Robertson, II, 1857 Appletree Ln., Mountain View. Calif.  
 Filed: Sept. 18, 1973 Appl. No.: 398,520  
 US. Cl. 169/48; l69/l6; 239/207 Int. Cl. A62c 35/16 Field of Search 239/207, 208, 209; l69/48,  
 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Williams 239/208 X 3,050,134 8/1962 Multin 239/209 UX Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, Jr.  
 Assistant Examiner-Michael Mar Attorney, Agent, or Firmlohn W. Kraft; Charles L.  
 Kraft [57] ABSTRACT The explosion and firc barrier comprises a berm and a sprinkler system. The berm includes a pair of pre-cast concrete revetment panels which are fastened together by connectors, and fill material. The sprinkler system includes a multiplicity of valve-sprinkler heads mounted in the berm, and, operable to discharge a relatively low flow of water for irrigation of the berm. or at a high level to retard fire,  
 3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR I SIBTS sum 1 o 3 PATENTEUAPR 1 51975 sum 3 or 3 FIG.?  
 EXPLOSION AND FIRE BARRIER FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to barrier constructions and more particularly to barrier constructions in combination with sprinkler systems.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART An important type of barrier construction in the prior art has been berms and revetments. Berms and revetments used as military fortifications are widely known and require no description. Recently, however, berms and revetments have been used to protect vulnerable stock piles such as parking areas, tank farms and the like. Further, they have recently been employed as landscape screens alone or in combination with plant ing ornamental structures and the like.  
  A principal problem with all earth-fill berms is that fill material tends to be eroded by weather and wear. In the past revetments have been used as a pavement over till material to provide a retaining wall. It may be seen that it would be a principal advantage of a barrier construction to cover a classical earth-fill construction with a modular or panelized pavement, retaining wall. It is another problem in both berms and revetments of the prior art that the berm or revetment merely represents a barrier between the enclosure and the outside. This tends to ignore the principal advantage of an elevated point with respect to surrounding terrain for placement of protective equipment including fire fighting sprinklers and the like.  
  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a barrier construction having a modular or panelized pavement.  
  It is a further object of this invention that aforesaid barrier include a fire retarding sprinkler system.  
  It is another primary object of this invention that the present barrier construction include recepticles into which planting and the like may be disposed for landscape purposes.  
  It is an object of this invention that the aforesaid barrier-construction having planting include an irrigation sprinkler system in combination with the aforesaid fire control sprinkling system.  
  It is still another object that the aforesaid sprinkler system include a control circuit which may be activated by conventional means to irrigate planting and the like and to be activated in response to exposure of fire conditions.  
  These and other objects shall become apparent from the description following, it being understood that modifications may be made without affecting the teachings of the invention here set out.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The explosion and fire barrier comprises a berm and a sprinkler system. The berm includes a pair of pre-cast concrete revetment panels which are fastened together by connectors, and fill material. The sprinkler system includes a multiplicity of valve-sprinkler heads mounted in the berm, and, operable to discharge a relatively low flow of water for irrigation of the berm, or at a high level to retard fire. The sprinkler system may also include a suitable control circuit to operate automatically at the irrigation level, or be activated by the valve-sprinklers in case of fire.  
  A more thorough and comprehensive understanding may be had from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when read in connection with the drawings forming a part of this specification.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the explosion and fire barrier of this invention shown with fill material and planting. and a cross-run section of the present barrier.  
  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 22 of the FIG. 1 showing the interior configuration of the present explosion and fire barrier.  
  FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of the FIG. 1 ofa typical connector of this invention disposed at the upper edge of the explosion and fire barrier.  
  FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the lines 44 of the FIG. 2 ofa connector disposed into one side of the lower portion of a lateral of a revetment panel.  
  FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a connector plate of two end abutting revetment panels ofthe present barrier.  
  FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view ofa connector for fastening the low portions to end abutting laterals.  
  FIG. 7 is an exploded side-elevational view of the valve-sprinkler of this invention shown with its side walls broken away for illustrative purposes.  
  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the electric control circuit sprinkler system of this invention.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to the FIGS. 1 and 2, the explosion and fire barrier of this invention is shown to advantage and generally identified by the numeral 10. The barrier 10 generally comprises a berm 11 and a sprinkler system 12.  
  The berm 11 comprises a pair of revetment panels 13 and fill material 14. The revetment panels 13 provide a retaining wall by which to contain the fill material 14, and support means for the sprinkler system 12. Each of the revetment panels 13 is fabricated as a pre-cast concrete member with a major wall 15 and a plurality of laterals 16 which issue from and at intervals between the terminal ends of one side of the major wall 15. The major wall 15 is intended to be inclined centrally from bottom to top and includes a re-enforcing fabric 17. The laterals 16 issue substantially perpendicularly from the interior side of the major wall 15. The interiormost abutting edges of the laterals 16 are provided with a v substantially vertical edge 16&#39; which may be fitted to a butt joint. The interiormost vertical edge of one of the laterals 16 is further provided with a conduit recess 18 in which is carried the sprinkler system 12, lighting conduits (not shown) and the like.  
  The respective, opposingly disposed revetment panels 13 are fastened together at the aforesaid abutting edges by connectors 19. It is shown in the FIG. 3, each of the connectors 19 comprise a pair of anchors 20, connector plates 21 and lock nuts 22. Each of the anchors 20 comprises an anchor plate 23 and anchor bolts 24. The anchor plate 23 is placed with its broadest dimension adjacent the lateral l6 and is provided with a plurality of holes through which the bolts 24 may be disposed. The bolts 24 are disposed substantially perpendicularly through the plates 23 into the concrete material of the laterals 16. The bolts 24 may be provided with concrete tying barbs 24&#39; which may be manufactured as nuts, or as barbs in the manner of Lewis or rag bolts. The portion of the bolts 24 projecting through the plates 23 are provided with threads to which the nuts 22 may be engaged. The connector plate 21 is a metal strip placed with its broadest dimension in contact with the outermost face of the anchor plates 23. The connector plate 21 is provided with a pair of holes 21&#39; engageable with the anchor bolts 24, and a pair of slots 21&#34; engageable with a pair of anchor bolts 24 of the opposing anchor 20.  
  Referring to the FIG. 4, the anchors are cast into the uppermost terminal edge of the lateral abutting corners adjacent the vertical edge 16&#39; of each of the laterals 16 and into one side of the lowermost portion and adjacent the edge I6. Connector 19 is provided through the terminal side of the lateral 16 to provide ease of access for insulation of the connector 19 with both the upper connector 19 and the lower connector 19 it may be seen that the nature of the anchor 20 is a self-locating member during casting of the panel 13.  
  As shown in FIG. 1, the revetment panels 13 are joined endwise at their upper and lower portions by connectors 19&#39; and 19&#34; respectfully. Referring to the FIG. 5, the upper connectors 19&#39; include anchors 20 identical to the anchors 20 set out above, and a connector plate 25. The connector plate is provided with two sets of holes 26 to receive anchor bolts 24 of an opposing pair of panels 13, and two sets of slots 27 to receive two sets of bolts 24 in the opposite pair of revetment panels 13. The plate 25 is fastened to the anchor 20 by nuts 22.  
  As shown in FIG. 6, the lower connectors 18&#34; include anchors 20&#39; having plate 23&#39; which is substantially identical to the plate 23, set out above, with holes 23&#34;, and a pair of sleeves 28 which issue from one side of the plate 23 in registry with the holes 23&#34;. The sleeve 28 may be&#39;threaded to engage a threaded rod 24&#34;. Each threaded rod 24&#34; is provided at both ends with threads. The anchors 20&#39; are cast into the end laterals 16 in the manner of the lower connectors 19 set out above. The end lateral 16 which is to attach endwise the first panel 13, is provided with a pair of holes 29 to be in registry with the sleeve 28 which includes concrete typing cleats 28. The holes may be oversized to facilitate fitting and installation, and may be produced by sleeves or removeable inserts. The lower connectors 19&#39; may be fastened by mating the ends of the panels 13 with the sleeves 28 and holes 29 aligned, and by engaging the rods 24&#34; with the sleeves 28 through the holes 29. The connector plate 21 is secured to the assembled sleeves 28 and rods 24&#34; by nuts 22. It may be seen that ring bolts (not shown) may be engaged through the sleeves 28 and the holes 29 as temporary lifting means.  
  Referring to the FIGS. 1 and 2, the fill material 14 may be any interstitial material of suitable compaction to receive impact or compressive force on the berm 11 and receive and transmit said force throughout the berm l l. The fill material 14 may also be of a sort suitable for planting shrubs, flowers and the like. In the latter embodiment, a layer 30 of gravel may be disposed in the lower portion to a suitable height to permit drainage of the fill material 14, and a layer of loam 31 into which plants may grow.  
  Referring again to FIG. 1, enclosures may be formed by disposing a cross-run of opposingly paired revetment panels 13 at the end of a line of opposingly paired panels 13. Inserts (not shown) may be disposed in a void between the major wall 15 of one berm l1 and the terminal end of the complimentary berm 11, and thr sprinkler system 12 may be connected through to both berms 11.  
  The sprinkler system 12 is intended as a fire control means and as an irrigation means to planting in the berm 11. As noted above, conduits 32 may be installed into the recess 18, and risers 33 may be connected to the conduits 32 to position a valve-sprinkler 34 above the berm 11. A valve-sprinkler 34 should be of the sort operable to irrigate the fill material 14 at a relatively low emission level and, alternatively, at a greatly higher flow of water in case of explosion and fire. The sprinkler system 12 is accordingly provided with a plurality of valve-sprinklers 34 at intervals along the berm 11.  
  Referring to the FIG. 7, each valve-sprinkler 34 comprises a body 35, a plunger 36 and an explosive cell 37. The body 35 is an upstanding, hollow, substantially cylindrical member having a transverse valve seat with a central hole 39. Threads 40 are cut in the cylindrical portion below the seat 38 in the body 35 to receive the riser 33. The plunger 36 is a cylindrical member having a substantially smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the body 35. The lower portion of the plunger 36 is tapered to seat into the complimentary tapered walls of the hole 39. The plunger 36 rides vertically within the cylindrical portion of the body 35 above the seat 38 and is guided within shoulders 41 forming a circular hole at the uppermost terminal end of the body 35. The plunger 36 is urged upwardly with respect to the body 35 by a spring 42. The spring 42 is disposed centrally, through the hole 39 between a recess 36&#39; in the lowermost terminal end of the plunger 36 and a spring spider 43 engaged in the portion below the seat 38 of the body 35. The spider 43 comprises a circular ring 43 threaded on its outer circumferential edge to engage the threads 40, and a spring-seat 44 disposed centrally in the ring 43&#39; on web members 45. It may be seen that the dimensions of the ring 43 and the spring-seat 44 does not substantially reduce the circumference of the interior cylindrical of the body 35 below the seat 38. The lowermost terminal side of the spring-seat 44 may be provided with a slot 47 into which a tool may be engaged to provide torque to engage the ring 43&#39; with the threads 40. The uppermost terminal side of the spring seat 44 may be provided with an upstanding wire 48 which is engageable with the spring guide 49 about which the spring42 may be disposed, and with a central hole 36&#34; in the plunger 36.  
  The upper cylindrical portion of the body 35 is provided with a transverse row of irrigation orifices 50 distally above the seat 38, and a transverse row of fire orifices S1 distally above the row of irrigation orifices 50. The irrigation orifices 50 are intended to spray the fill material 14 at a predetermined flow as shall hereinafter be described. It is to be understood that defusers, strainers and the like (not shown) may be included in the irrigation orifices in the manner of commonly known watering devices. It may be seen that the fire orifices 51 have greatly larger discharge sizes to release the substantially greater amount of water under pressure. Furthermore, it may be seen that, whereas irrigation orifices 50 are disposed at intervals about the circumference of the body 35, the fire orifices 51 are only disposed laterally, to each side of the barrier 10. It is another important element of the orifices 50 and 51 that the trajectory of the irrigating orifices 50 be projected downwardly towards the fill material 13 whereas the fire orifices 51 are disposed at a much higher trajectory to cover a substantially larger area. in the usual op erating position the plunger 36 is disposed nominally above the seat hole 39 to permit a predetermined, moderate flow of water from the riser 33 to the irrigation orifices 50. A ring 52 is disposed distally below the uppermost terminal end of the plunger 36 to temporarily block out the fire orifices 51. The ring 52 may be provided by either molding a ring 52 as a portion of the plunger 36 or by fastening a milled O-ring to the cylindrical walls of the plunger 36. During an explosion or fire which results in a high discharge of water from the valve-sprinkler 34 the plunger 36 is caused by the explosive cell 37 to rise completely out of the valve seat 38 to permit a maximum flow of water out of both the irrigation orifices 50 and the fire orifices 51, it being seen that the ring 52 moves with the plunger 36 adjacent the shoulders 41. It may be seen that the valve-like character of the plunger 36 is such that it may be used to control a valve-sprinkler 34 having only one orifice for both irrigation and fire discharge levels.  
  The plunger 36 is retained in its lower, irrigating position by the explosive cell 37. The cell 37 is a rupturable capsule 37&#39; filled with a volatile material 37&#34; which responds to external heat to break the capsule. The capsule 37 may be made of polymeric materials such as polyetheline or polypropeline and contain any of a number of volatile materials. The cell 37 retains the plunger 36 by means of a bale 53. The bale 53 comprises a ring 54 having threads on its interior circumfrential edge which are engageable with threads on the uppermost terminal end of the body 35, an inverted U- shaped hoop member 55 which is fastened upstandingly with its terminal ends fastened to the uppermost terminal side of the ring 54, and a cell-holder 56 which is mounted at the apex of the member 55. The cellholder 56 is provided with a parabolically-shaped cell cap 56 mounted with its concave side disposed downwardly, and an upstanding threaded adjusting screw 56&#34; by which the cap 56&#39; is adjusted vertically. The uppermost terminal end of the plunger 36 is provided with a recessed cell seat 57 into which the bottom portion of cell 37 may lodge. Thus, it may be seen that except for the top and bottom, the cell 37 is completely exposed to ambient conditions.  
  In operation external heat, such as heat from a fire, is operable to explode the cell 37 permitting the spring 42 to urge the plunger 36 upwardly to fully open the valve seat hole 39 and to open the fire orifices 51. It may be seen that a large diameter supply conduit 32 and riser 33 permit the valve sprinkler 34 to be fully utilized. It may be seen that the point at which the explosive cell 37 bursts and the fire orifices 51 become operative may be adjusted by either the cell holder 56 or by adjusting the threadable spring spider 43.  
  Referring to the FIG. 8, the valve-sprinkler 34 may be connected to a control circuit 58. The controlcircuit 58 includes an electric solenoid valve 59 disposed in the supply conduit 32. It may be seen that a manually controlled valve 60 may be disposed ahead of the solenoid valve 59 in the conduit 32 as a final control. The solenoid is connected to a direct-current power source 61 on one leg. The opposing leg of the solenoid 59 is connected to control means which may include a clock control 62 and automatic fire switches 63 contained in each of the valve-sprinklers 34. Clock control 62 is disposed between the solenoid 59 and a ground 64 and may include sub-circuits and components of the type known and used in the art. The switches 63 are connected in series between the ground leg of the solenoid 59 and grounds 64 at each valvesprinkler 34.  
  As shown more clearly in the FIG. 7, each of the switches 63 includes a push button-like switch 63&#39; mounted in the upper portion of the U-shaped hoop member 55, and an upstanding bar 66 disposed at the uppermost terminal end of the plunger 36, in alignment with the switch 63&#39;. The bar 66 may be fabricated as part of the ring 52 set out above. In operation, the explosive cell 37 may burst as set out above. and the plunger 36 will be caused to rise; the bar 66 will depress the switch 63 to activate the solenoid 59 to provide water. It may be seen that an important element of this invention is to insure a reliable source of electric power 61. It may also be seen that hydromechanical linkages having substantially the same circuit connections as the electrical connections set out above may be used to similar advantage.  
  Having thus described in detail a preferred apparatus which embodies the concepts and principles of the invention and which accomplishes the various objects, purposes and aims thereof, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes could be made in the apparatus without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. Hence, it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited only to the extent indicated in the appended claims.  
 We claim:  
  1. An explosion and fire barrier comprising: a pair of disposingly disposed revetment panels fabricated as a pre-cast concrete member with a major wall and a plurality of laterals which issue from and at intervals between terminal ends of one side of said major wall, said major wall being inclined centrally from its bottom to its top, the terminal end opposite the major wall contacting end of said laterals being provided with a substantially vertical abutting edge to mate with the opposing abutting edge of the lateral of the opposingly abuttor revetment, said revetment panels being connected by a connector mounter at the uppermost terminal edge adjacent said abutting edge of said lateral and a connector disposed at one side of the lowermost portion of said abuttor laterals adjacent said abutting edge; and fill material disposed within cavities formed by said disposed revetment panels and a sprinkler system comprising multiple use sprinklers connected to a supply conduit disposed through a recess in said laterals on risers, and means for controlling said sprinklers for irrigation of said fill material and for automatically supplying water under pressure to said sprinklers in case of fire or excessive heat.  
  2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said sprinklers means for controlling said sprinklers are responsive to heat.  
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling said sprinklers include an electric circuit.