AU2004240173A1

AU2004240173A1 - Conduit Connection Device with Intumescent Collar

Info

Publication number: AU2004240173A1
Application number: AU2004240173A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Darren William Lenthall; Shane Bradley Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-12-19
Filing date: 2004-12-17
Publication date: 2005-07-07

Description

TITLE

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CONDUIT CONNECTION DEVICE WITH INTUMESCENT COLLAR SFIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a conduit connection device with an intumescent collar, particularly to a conduit connection device with an intumescent collar for use with conduits for utility services, such as plumbing pipes, which are to be installed in a cast concrete floor.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION It is known to provide collars of intumescent material around PVC pipework to prevent the passage of fire and smoke through the pipework in the event of a fire.

When exposed to fire, the intumescent material provides a high volume expansion and pressure seal to close voids caused by heat-softened pipe, so creating a fire seal.

Collars of intumescent material can be installed as a retrofit once plastic plumbing pipework has been installed and concrete formwork has been completed. The collars may be installed by wrapping strips of intumescent material around an exterior circumference of a pipe and securing the material thereto with strong adhesive tape, hook and eye material (eg. VelcroTM) bands, or metallic fastening bands.

Alternatively, the collar is formed from a metal shell produced in two hinged halves, lined with intumescent material, to be fastened around the pipework with a metallic clip.

Typically, the construction of an above ground cast concrete floor in a multi-story building initially involves the preparation and construction of what is commonly known as a prelay, comprising an open formwork of timber enclosing a steel grid, into which wet concrete is poured. When the concrete is cured, the formwork is removed to reveal the cast concrete floor.

Collars of intumescent material can also be installed around pipework before the C- concrete formwork has been completed and removed. However, the installation of Ssuch fixtures is a time consuming and tedious task, requiring precise location of the pipes in the timber formwork. In the case of installing plumbing pipes, for example, a hollow vertically aligned pipe is first fixed in the desired location by hammering only a lower portion of several nails into the timber formwork around the outer periphery of the pipe, and then wiring the pipe to the surrounding nails. Furthermore, it is essential, particularly in the case of plumbing fixtures, that the fixtures are aligned substantially vertically in the formwork so that sound connections to up-pipes from underneath the formwork can be successfully achieved after the concrete floor has been laid and cured. A fixture, which is misaligned from the vertical by more than 1is more likely to form a leaking connection with an up-pipe.

When wet concrete is poured into the prelay, it is frequently found that the wet concrete has seeped underneath the fixtures, thereby blocking access to the fixtures from underneath the cast concrete floor when the timber formwork is removed.

Furthermore, the weight of the wet concrete often dislodges the fixtures from their desired location, misaligning them from an upright vertical position. Under these conditions, it is often difficult to locate the fixtures from underneath the cast concrete floor in order to connect them with the utility services located directly underneath them in the floor cavity. Thus, a large amount of time is wasted by construction workers trying to locate the fixtures from underneath the cast concrete floor so that construction can proceed. Furthermore, those fixtures that are eventually located are frequently aligned at an angle wherein a sound connection cannot be made.

Typically, in a pre-lay scenario, an annulus of intumrnescent material is fitted around a pipe with a friction fit therebetween. The annulus preferably has a mesh-like basket, a plurality of clips, or some similar retaining means to retain the annulus in the desired location when the concrete formwork is removed.

SIt is also known to provide a conical sleeve with an intumescent material lining that is placed in the formwork. The conical sleeve is sectioned at ground level such that an opening of desired diameter in the conical sleeve is provided for receiving a pipe, around which pipe the intumescent material is then located. However, a void remaining in the formwork then requires refilling, and the sectioning and filling procedure is time consuming. Furthermore, sound alignment of the conical sleeve and N the pipe, as described above is fraught with error.

The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a conduit connection device comprising a hollow elongate portion and an outer flange extending outwardly therefrom, the hollow elongate portion being provided with a recess for housing an intumescent collar and the flange being arranged, in use, to be secured to a surface such that the hollow elongate portion is secured in a substantially upright position, whereby the hollow elongate portion is arranged to receive a conduit in such manner that in the event of a fire the intumescent collar facilitates closure of the conduit.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of use of a conduit connection device having an intumescent collar, comprising the steps of: a) securing the conduit connection device to a prelay surface of a floor, wherein the

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conduit connection device comprises a hollow elongate portion and an outer Sflange extending outwardly therefrom, the hollow elongate portion being provided with a recess for housing the intumescent collar and the flange being arranged to be secured to the prelay surface by an attachment means, whereby in use the attachment means secures the conduit connection device to the prelay surface; b) casting wet concrete onto the prelay surface and allowing the wet concrete to cure; c) engaging a first hollow pipe with an upper open end of the conduit connection device and; d) engaging a second hollow pipe with a lower open end of the conduit connection device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side plan view of a first embodiment of a conduit connection device adapted to house an intumescent collar for use with plumbing pipes in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the conduit connection device adapted to house an intumescent collar shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side plan view of a second embodiment of the conduit connection device of the present invention; and DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figures 1 to 3, wherein like symbols and numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is shown a conduit connection device 10 adapted to house an intumescent collar 100. The conduit connection device 10 includes a hollow elongate portion 20, a recess 40 in the hollow elongate portion 20 for housing the intumescent Scollar 100, and a flange 30 extending laterally outwards from a lowermost edge 22 of the hollow elongate portion 20. Preferably, the hollow elongate portion 20 comprises a hollow cylindrical member, as is shown in each of the Figures 1 to 3. However, it should be understood that the hollow elongate portion 20 may be provided as a hollow portion of any suitable shape.

In the first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2, the recess 40 is N'q disposed adjacent to the lowermost edge 22 of the hollow elongate portion However, it is envisaged that the recess 40 could be disposed at any location between the lowermost edge 22 and an uppermost edge 26 of the hollow elongate portion The recess 40 shown in Figure 1 comprises a hollow wall portion 42 having a broader width than the hollow elongate portion 20 and an upper wall portion 44 interconnecting the hollow wall portion 42 to the hollow elongate portion 20. The upper wall portion 44 is slightly upwardly inclined but it will be understood that in alternative embodiments of the invention the upper wall portion 44 may be substantially horizontal.

In alternative embodiments where the recess 40 is located intermediate the lowermost and uppermost edges 22, 26 of the hollow elongate portion 20, the recess 40 may also be provided with a lower wall portion, of similar dimensions to the upper wall portion, to interconnect the hollow wall portion 42 to the hollow elongate portion The purpose of the recess 40 is to house the intumescent collar 100. The intumescent collar 100 is preferably an annulus of intumescent material whose thickness is substantially the same length as the upper wall portion 44, and whose depth is substantially the same length as the hollow wall portion 42. In this way, the intumescent collar 100 is adapted to fit substantially contiguously with the upper wall C portion 44 and the hollow wall portion 42 of the recess The intumescent collar 100 may be optionally provided with an outer metal shell or lining. In this case, the outer metal shell or lining is arranged to fit substantially contiguously with the upper wall portion 44 and the hollow wall portion 42 of the ¢€3 recess In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flange 30 is provided with a plurality of substantially rectangular notches 32 equidistantly spaced and disposed in a peripheral surface 34 of the flange 30. Alternatively, the flange 30 is provided with a plurality of equidistantly spaced dimples or apertures disposed in an upper surface 36 of the flange 30. The notches 32 (or optionally, the dimples or apertures) are arranged, in use, to receive attachment means, such as screws or nails for example, to secure the flange 30 to a formwork surface.

It is envisaged that, in use, the conduit connection device 10 will be located in a predetermined location (in accordance with a building plan, for example) on the timber formwork. The conduit connection device 10 is secured to the timber formwork by disposing the flange 30 contiguously on an upper surface of the timber formwork and placing several nails, or alternative attachment means, through the notches 32 in the flange 30, thereby forming a seal between the timber formwork and the flange In this way, the conduit connection device 10 is conveniently and precisely located in an upright position in the predetermined location on the timber formwork. When wet concrete is poured into the formwork, the conduit connection device 10 can not be dislodged from its location or misaligned from an upright position. Furthermore, the wet concrete is not able to seep underneath the conduit connection device 10 and consequently block access to the hollow elongate portion 20 from underneath the cast C- concrete floor when the timber formwork is removed.

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SIt is evident that use of the conduit connection device 10 in this manner dramatically r reduces the time expended in preparing a prelay and connecting the pipes to utility services located in the floor cavity once the floor is cast, cured and the formwork is removed. Furthermore, as a direct result of maintaining the upright alignment of the conduit connection device 10, the number of sound connections made to utility c-i services is increased.

In each of the embodiments of the invention, as shown in Figure 1, the hollow elongate portion 20 is preferably provided with an inwardly projecting ridge 24 disposed intermediate the lowermost edge 22 and the uppermost edge 26 of the hollow elongate portion 20. Preferably, the inwardly projecting ridge 24 is disposed adjacent the upper wall portion 44 of the recess 40, as shown in Figure 1.

The hollow elongate portion 20 is arranged in use to receive at least a first hollow pipe 70, particularly right-angled up-pipes, for direct connection with plumbing services and drainage facilities located in the floor cavity directly beneath the cast concrete floor. It will also be appreciated that the hollow elongate portion 20 is also arranged to receive a second hollow pipe 60 from above the cast concrete floor.

The diameter of a bore of the hollow elongate portion 20 is marginally greater than the outer diameter of the hollow pipes 60, 70, such that when the hollow pipes 60, are received in the hollow elongate portion 20, an inner surface of the hollow elongate portion 20 is contiguous with respective outer surfaces of the hollow pipes 60, 70, and respective received ends of the hollow pipes 60, 70 abut the ridge 24. It will be understood that the bore of the hollow elongate portion 20 will be formed in several sizes to receive different sized hollow pipes 60, Further, the intumescent collar 100 defines a cylindrical space having a diameter substantially the same as a cylindrical space defined by the hollow elongate portion

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In this way, it will be understood that the intumescent collar 100 will also be contiguous with respective outer surfaces of the hollow pipes 60 or 70, and a friction fit between the hollow pipe 60 or 70 and the intumescent collar 100 will be afforded when the hollow pipes 60 or 70 are received in the conduit connection device In the event of a fire, the intumescent collar 100 will swell and char in reaction to heat of the fire. The pressure of the swollen intumescent collar 100 on the heat-softened hollow pipe 60 or 70 received therein causes the hollow pipe 60 or 70 to collapse in on itself and so facilitate closure of the hollow pipe 60, 70, thereby preventing or minimising passage of heat or smoke through the pipework of the building to an upper floor.

The present invention allows accurate and precise alignment of coupled pipework while at the same time providing a means for affording fire protection to the pipework connecting adjacent floors of multi-storey buildings.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A conduit connection device comprising a hollow elongate portion and an Souter flange extending outwardly therefrom, the hollow elongate portion being provided with a recess for housing an intumescent collar and the flange being arranged in use, to be secured to a surface such that the hollow elongate portion is secured in a substantially upright position, whereby the hollow elongate portion is arranged to receive a conduit in such manner that in the event of a fire, the intumescent collar facilitates closure of the conduit.

2. The conduit connection device according to claim 1, wherein the flange extends laterally outwards from a lowermost edge of the hollow elongate portion.

3. The conduit connection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flange is provided with a plurality of notches, the notches being arranged in use to receive an attachment means.

4. The conduit connection device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of notches are disposed in a peripheral surface of the flange.

The conduit connection device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the plurality of notches are equidistantly spaced.

6. The conduit connection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flange is provided with a plurality of dimples or apertures, the dimples or apertures being arranged in use to receive an attachment means.

7. The conduit connection device according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of dimples or apertures are disposed in an upper surface of the flange.

8. The conduit connection device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the plurality of dimples or apertures are equidistantly spaced.

9. The conduit connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein O the recess comprises a hollow wall portion.

The conduit connection device according to claim 10, wherein the hollow wall portion has a broader width than the hollow elongate portion.

11. The conduit connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein Sthe recess is disposed adjacent a lowermost edge of the hollow elongate Sportion.

12. The conduit connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the hollow elongate portion has an inwardly projecting ridge disposed intermediate a lowermost edge and an uppermost edge of the hollow elongate portion.

13. The conduit connection device according to claim 12, wherein a width throughout of the hollow elongate portion is marginally greater than a width of a hollow pipe, such that when the hollow pipe is received in the hollow elongate portion, an inner surface of the hollow elongate portion is contiguous with an outer surface of the hollow pipe and a received end of the hollow pipe abuts the inwardly projecting ridge.

14. The conduit connection device according to claim 12, wherein the hollow elongate portion has an upper portion and a lower portion, the inwardly projecting ridge being at a junction of the upper and lower a lower portions, and at least one of the upper or lower portions having a width that is marginally narrower than a width of a hollow pipe, such that when the hollow elongate portion receives the hollow pipe, an inner surface of the hollow pipe is contiguous with an outer surface of the hollow elongate portion.

The conduit connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein N, the hollow elongate portion is a hollow cylindrical member.

16. A method of use of a conduit connection device having an intumescent collar, comprising the steps of: a) securing the conduit connection device to a prelay surface of a floor, wherein the conduit connection device comprises a hollow elongate portion and an outer flange extending outwardly therefrom, the hollow elongate portion being provided with a recess for housing the intumescent collar and the flange being arranged to be secured to the prelay surface by an attachment means, whereby in use the attachment means secures the conduit connection device to the prelay surface; b) casting wet concrete onto the "prelay" surface and allowing the wet concrete to cure' c) engaging a first hollow pipe with an upper open end of the conduit connection device and; d) engaging a second hollow pipe with a lower open end of the conduit connection device.

17. A conduit connection device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 17TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2004. Darren William Lenthall and Shane Bradley Martin By their Patent Attorneys LORD COMPANY PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA.