Foam fire suppression apparatus

A method for providing a fire suppression system in a building structure, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting a non-fire-suppression-dedicated water source into fluid communication with a sprinkler head via at least one conduit;
• providing a foam source connected in fluid communication with the at least one conduit and thereby with the sprinkler head;
• and
• providing a control module configured to control a flow of foam from the foam source into the conduit.

A fire suppression apparatus configured to be installed in a building structure, the apparatus comprising:

• a sprinkler head;
• a conduit providing fluid communication to the sprinkler head from a non-fire-suppression-dedicated water source having a water source pressure;
• a control module;
• a foam source, the foam source being in fluid communication with the conduit via the control module;
• and
• a compressed gas component, the compressed gas component being in fluid communication with the conduit;
• and
• wherein the compressed gas component is configured for increasing a pressure in the conduit above the water source pressure.

A fire suppression apparatus configured to be installed in a pre-existing building structure, the apparatus comprising:

• a sprinkler head;
• a conduit providing fluid communication to the sprinkler head from a non-fire-suppression-dedicated water source having a pressure;
• a control module;
• a foam source, the foam source being in fluid communication with the conduit via the control module;
• and
• means for increasing a pressure in the conduit above the water source pressure.

A method of retrofitting a building with a fire suppression apparatus, the method comprising:

• evaluating a building, the building not containing a fire suppression-dedicated water source, the building comprising a non-fire-suppression-dedicated water source having a water source pressure, and the building comprising a plurality of levels;
• directing the installation of a plurality of sprinkler heads on a level of the building;
• identifying at least one non-fire-suppression-dedicated water source having a water source pressure in the building;
• directing the installation of a conduit providing fluid communication to the sprinkler heads from the identified non-fire-suppression-dedicated water source;
• directing the installation of a foam apparatus in fluid communication with the conduit;
• directing the installation of a means to increase the water source pressure from the identified non-fire-suppression-dedicated water source;
• and,
• directing the installation of a control module in association with the conduit, foam apparatus, and pressure increasing means.

A building with a retrofitted fire suppression system comprising:

• a water system, the water system consisting essentially of non-fire-suppression-dedicated water sources, at least one of the non-fire-suppression-dedicated water sources having a water source pressure;
• a plurality of levels;
• a plurality of sprinkler heads located in at least a majority of the floors;
• a foam generating apparatus;
• and,
• a pressure increasing apparatus configured to increase pressure between the water system and the sprinkler heads above the water source pressure;
• wherein the sprinkler heads, foam generating apparatus, and pressure increasing apparatus are in fluid communication with the non-fire-suppression-dedicated water sources having a water source pressure.

A retrofit fire suppression system for use in a building without a fire-suppression-dedicated water source, comprising:

• a plurality of sprinkler heads;
• a foam generating apparatus;
• a pressure increasing apparatus;
• and,
• a means for connecting the sprinkler heads, the foam generating apparatus, and the pressure increasing apparatus in fluid communication to a non-fire-suppression-dedicated water source having a pressure.