A fire protection apparatus includes a plurality of bladders that are substantially
filled with a non-flammable liquid via a manifold that is coupled to a source of
non-flammable liquid and includes one or more nozzles that discharge the non-flammable
liquid into each of the plurality of bladders. In one specific embodiment, the
apparatus is initially in a substantially collapsed state at or near a ceiling.
When fire or smoke is detected, the non-flammable liquid flows into the manifold.
As the plurality of bladders begin to fill with non-flammable liquid, the weight
of the filling bladders causes the fire protection apparatus to deploy, spanning
from ceiling to floor. The bladders may include one or more discharge orifices
that allow the non-flammable liquid to flow out of the bladder and down the exterior
of the bladder once the bladder is filled to the level of its discharge orifices.
In another embodiment, stationary bladders may be placed in walls, such as between
buildings or between rooms in a building, to provide fire protection. These stationary
bladders are filled using a manifold similar to the deployable embodiment until
the bladders are substantially full. In both embodiments, the bladders may include
separations between one or more of the bladders that allow a person to pass through
the fire protection apparatus, if needed.
