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Continuous weight-monitoring solutions for fire suppression systems

Fire-suppression systems that rely on gaseous extinguishing agents must be periodically inspected to ensure that the cylinders contain the correct amount of agent. There are two primary methods available: manually measure the level of the agent in the cylinders and then calculate the weight using a conversion table that accounts for thermal expansion and contraction of the agent, or weigh the cylinders. Making manual calculations introduces the potential for errors, and weighing the cylinders often involves disconnecting them from the system, which may result in system downtime. Neither method allows real-time or remote access to the weight data.

TLX Fire & Security has taken advantage of integrated sensing technology to develop a range of continuous weight-monitoring solutions that can provide both on-site and remote monitoring of the weight of the agent in the system’s cylinders in real time – the Liquid Level Sensor, the Suspended Weight-Monitoring System and the Platform Weight-Monitoring System.

TLX’s Liquid Level Sensor replaces methods that rely on manual level measurements by automatically displaying the thermally compensated weight of the agent without the errors that can be caused by manual measurements. The Liquid Level Sensor is comprised of a sealed tube with a magnetic float mounted on the outside of the tube. This tube is installed in the cylinder before it is filled with the extinguishing agent. There is another magnetic float inside the tube that moves with the float outside the tube. These rise and fall together as the fluid level in the cylinder changes to provide an accurate measurement of the fluid level inside the cylinder. A sensor at the end of the tube at the top of the cylinder sends float position and temperature data to a microcontroller that can be pre-programmed with a conversion table for that specific cylinder and extinguishing agent configuration. The microcontroller then determines the weight of the extinguishing agent.

The weight can be displayed directly at the cylinder on a digital display or transmitted to the fire control panel through a hardwired or wireless connection. Data can also be accessed remotely or downloaded using a USB connection. Additionally, a simple GO/NO-GO status can be displayed with green and red LEDs to indicate the status of the cylinder.

For systems where the cylinders must be weighed, TLX offers two solutions that eliminate the need to disconnect the cylinders from the system. The Suspended Weight-Monitoring System and Platform Weight-Monitoring System monitor cylinder weight in real-time and are accurate to within 100 grams. If the weight falls below a designated threshold, an alarm can be sent directly to the fire control panel. Up to 20 weighing units can be connected in series and individually addressed to one central weight-control panel, which can display individual cylinder weights and alarm conditions.

The Suspended Weight-Monitoring System has a maximum load capacity of 230kg per weighing unit. The Platform Weight-Monitoring System has a maximum load capacity of 500kg per weighing unit and features mechanical lockouts on the weighing platform to prevent load cell damage during cylinder loading.

These weight-monitoring solutions are currently configured for on-site monitoring, but since the data they collect can be sent to the fire control panel, technicians can monitor them remotely through any system that allows remote access. If desired, TLX can configure these solutions for wireless connectivity, enhancing remote monitoring of the fire suppression system.

For more information, go to www.tlxtech.com