Which division are you and your team entering?Main Division
Idea NameFireproofing Your Grill
Team Member Name(s)Robert Werner
Idea SummaryGrill fires cause approximately 10,000 home fires each year in the United States. The Grill Abatement System (GAS) provides fire protection for the home griller. The system has a standard fire sprinkler head installed over the grilling surface to monitor for an uncontrolled grill fire. The piping is the same as in a standard household sprinkler system.
GAS is connected to a garden hose, enabling placement anywhere the grill can move. GAS has a built-in pressure sensor switch which is off when the hose has not been connected. This pressure sensor switch turns on when the water pressure is above 10 psi, confirming that the water is connected and available to the sprinkler head. A solenoid, controlled by the pressure switch, only turns on and allows propane to flow when the pressure sensor has been activated. The fire sprinkler head is normally closed until the temperature reaches a constant 200F; it is used in household kitchen installations.
If an unattended flare-up occurs, the sprinkler head will burst open and allow a flood of water to hit the grill. This drop in water pressure causes the pressure switch to open, cutting the power to the solenoid and stopping the flow of propane to the grill fire. The solenoid is powered by a battery or a wall outlet. The combination of a sustained water sprinkler flow and the loss of propane to feed the fire lower the temperature and put out the fire.