GB2200666A

GB2200666A - Weatherproof and fireproof enclosures

Info

Publication number: GB2200666A
Application number: GB08702087A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Thwaites; Michael John Mullen
Original assignee: Dufaylite Developments Ltd
Current assignee: Dufaylite Developments Ltd
Priority date: 1987-01-30
Filing date: 1987-01-30
Publication date: 1988-08-10
Also published as: GB8702087D0

Abstract

A weather proof and/or fire proof enclosure comprises a framework made up of elongate members (3, 4) to which the panels (5) are attached, each panel having a stepped edge which overlaps both an adjacent panel and one of the members (3, 4) to form a sealed enclosure. The panels are surrounded by a step edged frames 21 which are provided with an integral flange 30, and comprise a corrugated skin 20 and an insulating cladding sheet 22. The framework members may be clad with insulating members 40. <IMAGE>

Description

HIGH STRENGTH ENCLOSURES This invention relates to high strength enclosures particularly to weather proof and/or fireproof enclosures for protecting equipment or personnel inside from weather or attack, or for containing fire-hazardous equipment or operations, e./g. welding.

It is known to construct enclosures for use in harsh environments from a number of modular units. One such system using panels which may be locked together either directly or via framework members is described in our published British Patent Specification 2177138.

We have found that enclosures constructed as illustrated in that specification do not always perform satisfactorily, particularly in harsh conditions such as are encountered in exposed locations, for example off-shore locations where the enclosure is subjected to high wind stresses.

We have now found that by the use of a particular construction technique, and particular features on the panels, improved enclosures may be made which will withstand harsh environments satisfactorily.

According to a first feature of the present invention there is provided an enclosure consisting of a framework formed of elongate members defining an enclosed volume and a plurality of panels fitted into the framework to form walls enclosing the volume, wherein the elongate members of the framework are constructed as a series of portal frames, and the panels are constructed with stepped edges enabling them to be inserted into the framework such that the panels extend between adjacent members of the framework and cover the exterior of the framework, each panel butting against the next and with a compressible gasket between adjacent panels to provide a seal, the panels having around their periphery a plurality of engagement means adapted to cooperate and engage with appropriate formations of the elongate frame members forming the portal frames.

Preferably the engagement means are camlocks and the portal frame members are hollow section tubes having in their walls slots and engagement pins over which the camlock tongue may engage. This fixing system is described in more detail in specification 2177138 and is the preferred fixing system for attaching the panels to the portal frame members.

As noted above, each panel has a stepped edge configuration. It is highly preferred that one or two sides of each panel have, as an integral extension of the stepped configuration edge, a flange extending in a plane parallel to the plane of the panel enabling panels to be fitted together with such flanges on each panel extending across and being in contact with an unflanged edge of the adjacent panel.

Figures 2 and 3 of specification 2177138 show panels having edge flanges welded on them. Such welded edge flanges, while satisfactory, are not as preferred as flanges formed integrally with the stepped edge of each panel. In particular, problems due to distortion arising from the elongate weld seam along the.welded on flange are avoided.

In constructions according to the invention, all of the major panels forming the enclosure are applied to the framework from the outside. This necessarily leaves the frame members exposed from the inside, which may be undesirable for aesthetic or other reasons, e.g. thermal insulation. Accordingly, it is preferred to provide, attached from the inside of the enclosure, a plurality of strip members attached to the interior sides of the framework members and extending to each side of the frame member to overlap the edges of the panels affixed to either side of the framework member. Such strips may be made of thermally insulating material and may be attached e.g. by screw fastenings with the interior faces of the framework members.

We have found that enclosures constructed on a portal frame and a panel basis as described above are quick and easy to erect on site and provide enclosures of very high structural strength and great weather resistance.

The invention is illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one end of an enclosure during construction, showing portal frames and one panel in position; Figure 2 is a horizontal section through a vertical portal framework member showing the edges of two panels attached thereto.

Referring to Figure 1 the enclosure which is mounted on a surface 1, for example steel decking on an oil production rig, consists of a number of portal frames each of which has two or more vertical members 3 and a horizontal top member 4.

As can be seen in Figure 1, along the sides of the portal frame members, each of which consists of a hollow square section steel tube, are a number of slots 2.

Transverse bars are located internally of the tube across each slot so that the slots and bars form a configuration which a camlock may engage to fasten the panels of the portal frames. One panel 5 is shown in position.

The detailed construction is evident from Figure 2 which is a horizontal cross section through one of the vertical members and of two panels adjacent thereto.

The vertical framework member consists of a square section steel tube 10 having along its sides a series of cut slots 11. Behind each slot is mounted a round bar 12 over which the hook of a camlock may engage.

Attached to this vertical member are two panels.

Each consists of an outer corrugated skin 20, a rectangular frame of stepped section steel 21, and an inner insulating cladding sheet 22. The space between sheets 20 and 22 is filled with e.g. three layers of insulating mineral fibre, for example as explained in more detail with respect to the panels illustrated in specification 2177138.

The edge frames 21 are provided with a suitable bearer plates 25 adjacent slots formed therein 26 and a conventional camlock, for example as described in the specification referred to, is mounted internally of each panel.

A compressible gasket 27 is mounted along the edge of the panel to provide a seal when the panels are assembled together.

The outer skin 20 of each panel is folded round the outer edge of section 21 in each case. In the case of the left hand panel as in Figure 2, sheet 20 is welded at its edge 29 onto member 21. In the case of the right hand panel, the external panel 20 is folded completely round the end of section 21, end section being denoted 30 and forming an external sealing flange, and is plug welded to the surface of the member 21 at a series of positions 31.

It can be seen that this construction for the edges of the panels provides the exterior of the enclosure with a surface formed of sheets 20 which overlap and are held in close relationship one to another to present an effectively continuous outer surface.

The interior of the enclosure is finished by affixing insulating strips 40 to the upright tube 10 by means of a series of screws 41 screwed into holes spaced at regular intervals along tube 10.

The overall sealing of the structure is improved by the presence of additional ceramic fibre gaskets 44 located at the edges of the cladding boards and butting against tube 10. Although each of the panels is assembled onto the portal frame from the exterior of the enclosure, the actuation of the camlocks to assemble them is carried out from the inside of the enclosure through access holes 45 which pass through cladding boards 22 and the innermost edge of member 21 on each panel.

Claims

1. An enclosure consisting of a framework formed of elongate members defining an enclosed volume and a plurality of panels fitted into the framework to form walls enclosing the volume, wherein the elongate members of the framework are constructed as a series of portal frames, and the panels are constructed with stepped edges enabling them to be inserted into the framework such that the panels extend between adjacent members of the -framework and cover the exterior of the framework, each -panel butting against the next with a compressible gasket between adjacent panels to provide a seal, the panels having around their periphery a plurality of engagement means adapted to cooperate and engage with appropriate formations of the elongate frame members forming the portal frames.

2. An enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the elongate members are tubular and have longitudinal slots with transverse pins formed in their walls, and the engagement means are camlocks which engage the pins of the members to secure each panel within the framework.

3. An enclosure according to claim 2, wherein the elongate members are of square cross section.

4. An enclosure according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least one side of each panel has a flange extending in a plane parallel to the plane of the panel, the flange being an integral extension of the stepped edge and which extends across and is in contact with the unflanged edge of an adjacent panel.

5. An enclosure according to claim 4, wherein the flanges are integrally formed with a stepped edge of each panel.

6. An enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality-of strips can be attached to the interior sides of the elongate members to overlap the edges of the panels fixed to either side of the elongate member.

7. An enclosure according to claim 6, wherein the strips are made of thermally insulating material.

8. An enclosure according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the strips are attached to the elongate members using screw fasteners which engage the interior faces of the members.

9. An enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each panel comprises three layers, an outer corrugated skin, a rectangular frame of stepped section steel and an inner insulating cladding sheet.

10. An enclosure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.