CA1113072A - Method for making a fire-proof passage and passage obtained thereby - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A method is described for passing at least one element, such as electric cables, ducts, pipes or like elongated elements, through a wall or ceiling, wherein the wall or ceiling has at least one passage opening for the element or such an opening is made in the wall or ceiling.
The method comprises making use of a substantially fire-resistant panel, said opening is closed with said panel, a collar from substantially fire-resisting material is arranged against at least one panel surface for each element or ele-ment group whereby to surround the element or element group, and the hollow space remaining inside the collar is filled with a fire-resisting material.

Description

2 ~13~2 This invention relates to a method for passing through a wall or ceiling with elements such as electric ca-bles, ducts, pipes, etc., whereby said wall has at least one passage opening for said elements or such an opening is made in said wall The field of the art of the invention relates to the fire-proofing of a passage for some elements from one enclosure to another and pertains to the problems attached to the fighting of the fire progress from one space or room to an adjacent space or room.
Even if the invention has for the problems which are met when making a passage which is absolutely fire-tight or which at least slows down the ~ire, whatever the nature of those elements passing through a wall, a particular embodiment of the invention applies to the pas-sage of electric cables inside a generating station The resistance to fire comprises three main aspectswhich are to be taken into consideration :
a) tightness to fire b) limitation of the temperature which can appear on that sur-face which is nGt exposed to the fire c) the fire-stability of the materials Up to now the research work has been widely scat-tered and generally the passages are not fire-proof even if the importance of the problem is perfectly grasped.

According to the invention there is provided a method for passing at least one element, such as elec-tric cables, ducts, pipes or like elongated elements, through a wall or ceiling, wherein the wall or ceiling has at least one passage opening for the element or such an opening is made in the wall or ceiling. The method comprises making use of a substantially ~ire-resistant ~h , 3 ~ 1~ 3~7 2 panel, said opening is closed with said panel, a collar from substantially fire-resisting material is arranged against at least one panel surface for each element or element group whereby to surround the element or element group, and the hollow space remaining inside the collar is filled with a fire-resisting material.
The invention also provide a passage for the fire-proofed passing of elements such as electrical cables, ducts, pipes, etc. whlch comprises a substantially fire- :
resisting panel, a number of openings provided in said panel and collars from substantially fire-proof material which ' are arranged against at least one panel surface and around said element.
In a variation, a fire-proof plaster is poured in-side said collar.
In another variation, a fireproof compound is poured inside said collar.
Other details and features o~ the invention will stand out from the description given below by way of non limi-tative example and with reference to the accompanying dra-wings, in which :
Figure 1 is a front view of the passage of elec-tric cables on three levels accoraing to the invention, Figure 2 is a cross-section along line II-II in ' figure 1.
Figure 3 is a lengthwise cross-section showing a step in the method according to the invention.
The method as shown in the drawings al]ows to make fire-proof passages, which can oppose for a longer time and under b,etter conditions the fire progress. Said method further allows to design such a passage under particularly favourable conditions according to a simple techni~ue wh1ch .
. ', makes logical use of the fire-resisting properties of the materials used.
There should first bs noted that hereinafter the terms "fire-resisting" or "fire-proof" are used to mean those properties of said ma-terials which enable same with- -stand to fire during a predetermined period established by legal requirements or those of a particular user. It should also be noted that in the examples given hereinafter, the suggested dimensions or ratios have been given while taking into account that it is useless from the practical point of view to consider a fire resistance which outlasts sub-stantially some limit. Anyway the arrangement and dimen-sions are given but to illustrate a single example.
When considering the cross-section shown in fi-gure 2, it will be noted that it is of no importance whether the space on the right-hand side of wall 1 be the space which is to be subjected to fire first. With reference to this figure, it will be noted that wall 1 has an opening 2 which may have been provided when erecting same or made afterwards, : :
In the example shown, the one surface of wall 1 is provided with a panel 3, which is comprised in this :: : :
~;; case of three layers of fire-proof material such as rock-wool ::: : : :
for example. The presence of said three layers finds an expla-nation in the requirement of stiffening the panel and lt : .
is clear that depending on the size thereof or the fire re-~sistance required~ use can be made of some other number of ~`~ layers.

The various layers of the panel are joined to-gether by a fire-proof compound with which not only the sur-:

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faces to be engaged with one another but also the outer sur-faces and notably the surface contacting wall 1, have been coa-ted beforehand. It should not be forgotten that the fire~
proof ca~und is a tacky material which acts both as adhesi-ve and hardening material but which is rlexible enough, and that it is thus useful to be able to cause the panel to a-dhere possibly to the wall.
The -thickness of the layer of fire-proof compound which is used both for joining the various panel layers and for coating the outer surfaces the eof, lies pr~ferably in the range from 2 to 8 mm. The thickness of the outer layers is of course determined by the time during which the panel should or will resi;t to fire. Said panel which is formed in this case by the junction of three layers of incombustible material has a thickness which is also a function of the requirements and notably of the mechanical steadiness of the panel when pierclng same for the passage o~ the elements, cables, sheaths and similar.
The panel 3 is held within a metal rame 4 which has a cross-section of Z-shape and is applied against~
the wall 1 with any suitable means, such as screws threaded into expansion plugs for example.
;~ The panel 3 retained inside frame 4 and adhe- - -.
rlng to the wall by means of the fire-proof compound it is coated with, is thus applied. over the circumference o~ ope-ning 2 and forms in this location a tight barrier against the progress of the flames which is of extreme importance At this stage, the panel 3 is pierced with a pointed metal rod to form a number of openings corresponding to the num-ber of elements 5, such as cables~ ducts or sheaths which .. .

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have to go through the wall. Through said openings can pass either a single element or a group of such elements. The ca-bles 5 or any other elements, are pulled through the openings which have thus been provided It is possible with some tecnni-ques to make use of supports or cable-ways 6 rrom steel sheet which are arranged on either side of the cushion 3 or wall 1.
In some cases, it has been suggested to line inwardly said supports or cable-ways 6 with asbestos cement cups 7 or similar The supports concerned, when they are used, are of course fastened onto reinforcements which are not shown in the figures The elements or cables passing through the panel 3 will be braced in every direction to leave a spacing let-ting the fire-proof compound or plaster enter those spaces remaining between said elements.
It is important to push back into the intervals all of the rock-wool fibres which might project on that panel side opposite the side through which the elements have been introduced. If this were not done, there would be a danger of having irregularities which might endanger the tightness of the unit, which tightness is precisely to be obtained with an extremely simple method which results in a comple-tely homogeneous structure.
On either side of the panel 3, collars 8 from fire-proof material coated with fire~resisting compound are applied on said cushion. Said collars have a U-shaped cross-section and are integral with panel 3 due to the compound with which all of said components (panel and collars) have been coated. It is of no consequence whether the collars ha~e been first coated or are coated afterwards, but is is ~13~7Z
important that the layer of fire-resisting compound be homo-geneous and continuous. The thickness of the walls of the collar is again a function of the particular conditions met, but in the described example, the thickness thereof will lie bet-ween 30 and 60 mm.
When the collar has been ar anged in posi~ion and becomes integral with the panel 3, said collar is sealed at that end thereo~ which is opposite to the panel by means of fire-proof compound 9 so as to form a cup between said compound plug 9 and panel 3. Inside that space remai-ning in the collar is poured a fire-proof plaster 10 Those passages which are part of -the levels in A and C have been so treated. The passage at level B is made by arranging or pouring inside the collar 8, said fire-proof compound which due to the consistency thereof, can slightly expand inside the collar and surround cables 5.
In the example as shown in figure 2, the collar 8 at level A can be thought of as a simple collar while the collars 8 at levels B and C should to the contrary be consi-dered as double collars because the width thereof is larger In that same example shown in figure 2, the panel has a feature of symmetry as to the right of the symme-try plane of panel 3 (as seen in figure 2), there are ~ -found the same collaxs and the same arrangement of fire-proof compound or plaster,but the experience has shown that such symmetry is Dot absolutely required and may be replaced by any embodiment with an unsymmetricalarrangement.

Whatever the type of collar used, said collars are sealed at the top with something like a pad or cover 11 which is also made of incombustible material coated with .

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~3~72 fire-resisting compound. Said pads or covers become integral - -on the one hand with the top edge of collars 8 and on the other hand with the side surface of panel 3.
-To insure the sealing the unit is completely fi-nished by coating with a fire-resisting compound. The thick-ness of the fire-proof compound layer ~lhich finishes the unit formed by the panel and the collars can lie between 2 and 8mm when it is desired to obtain a resistance to fire which fulfils the usual standar~. ~owever ~ wi~be noted again that larger thicknesses will give results allowing to oppo-se the fire progress during longer periods of time but which are often useless or at least not required by law.
The best results are obtained by ~aklng use of rock-wool with a density of at least 100 kg per cubic meter.
It is clear that it is possible to use different types of collars, that is collars formed by two identical parts or substantially identical parts of U-shape. Such a collar type is particularly suitable when it is desired to ` obtain according to the same principles, a passage of verti-~ :
cal or substantially vertical elements through a horizontal or substantially horizontal wall. In such a case, there .
will be provided collars generating a cup with substantially vertical aæis for receiving the fire-proof plaster or com~
pound through an opening or duct located at the top, There will be noted that the spacing in every direction between the elements or element groups through a panel is extremely varying and it is not necessary for said spacing to be constant. It will also be noted that it is easy to go through panel 3 with a pointed metal rod w~lich forms openings which are quite suitable for the passage ' .~:'. .
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of one element or a plurality of elements. With the method as shown in figure 3, the fire-proof compound 9 (or plaster 10) can be poured inside collar 8 while the elements 5 will be braced by means of a pin 12 which cooperates with a ~ig 13. The pin 12 is removed after arranging between the vari-ous elements, fire-resisting parts 15.
The above description shows that the method ac-cording to the invention results in using the various mate-rials under conditions which should be considered not only as optimum but rather as required if it is desired to fight with simple and economical means, the fire progress during periods of time which are at least equal to and often easlly :~
longer than those periods as required by law or by the master of the works.
The passage as shown in the drawings and descri-bed above is but one type of passage giving a resistance un-known up to now to the progress of ~ire from one location to another, through an opening provided in a partition The invention thus lies as defined above, in the use and the arrangement o~ materials which due to the proposed arrangements, provide a perfect fire tightnesswhe-re the opening is provided in the wall, limit the tempera-tures to the values which are normally allowed as letting the insulating materials used retain the natural properties thereof in a maximized way, and insure for said materials an extended stability against the degrading of the mechani-cal structure thereof.
The dimensions:when given are only by way of example and this is notably the case for the fire-proo~ :
compound layer shown in 14, and which is intended both to .

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comprise the panel 3 and to cover said panel, the collars 8 and the pads 11.
It must be understood that the invention is in no way limited to the above embodiments and that many chan-ges can be brought therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
For instance the word "collar" should mean an element of any suitable shape for forming about the elements 5, a space for retaining a fire-resisting or fire-proof ma-terial, and the word "panel" means àny stiff or fle~ible plate from fire-resisting or fire-proof material, ~en said plate is strong enough, the compound coating could be limited to those edges engaging the edges of said passage opening.
On the other hand in a variation for that case where elements 5 such as cables have been laid beforehand the panel 3 could be "built-up" about said elements and this all the more easily when use is made of fire-proof com-pound for assembling~the various parts of sald panel. The~
terms "lay the panel against the wall or ceiling" can mean that the panel is "glued" to the wall or ceiling by means of fire-proof compound, The glueing of the panel to the wall or ceiling is important as it does insure a remarkable tightness against :
fire which has not been noticed in any prevlous en~odiment, ~
However it is clear that the relatively fluid or thlck fire- . :
proof compound couId be replaced by any seaIing material o~ part, such as for instance a resilient gasket from subs-tantially fire-resisting material which is pressed between the panel and the edges of the passage opening for the :'~

elements, The presence of the collars enhances the tight-ness to hot gases and insures an increased heat insulation.
This has a favourable influence on the resistance said collars give to the temperature increase of the cable insulation and of the cables proper, As regards the conduction or the heat gradient, particularly surprising results are noted, There results that the invention can be applied to any methoc~ or passage which makes use of said collar, ~he-ther the panel is applied or not against the passage ope- ~ -ning, It is moreover possible to combine this inven-tion with a size-reducing provided in the passage opening by means for example of a rigid panel formed by one or a plurality of plates from a material known under the trade name "~ical".

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Claims (25)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Method for passing at least one element, such as electric cables, ducts, pipes, or like elongated elements, through a wall or ceiling, wherein said wall or ceiling has at least one passage opening for said ele-ment or such an opening is made in said wall or ceiling, which comprises making use of a substantially fire-resistant panel, said opening is closed with said panel, a collar from substantially fire-resisting material is arranged against at least one panel surface for each element or element group whereby to surround the element or element group, and the hollow space remaining inside the collar is filled with a fire-resisting material.

2. Method as defined in claim 1, in which when the elements pass through a substantially vertical wall, said element is surrounded at the bottom and sidewise with a unitary collar, the hollow space remaining inside said collar being filled with a fire-proof material, possibly after sealing said collar at the end thereof opposite said panel.

3. Method as defined in claim 1, in which when the elements go through a ceiling or a substantially horizon-tal wall, use is made of a collar which can be built-up about said element or element group by means of at least two parts forming together about said element or element group, a hollow space which can be filled with a fire-proof material.

4. Method as defined in claim 1, in which after sealing said opening with the panel, a number of said elements are passed through said panel.

5. Method as defined in claim 1, in which after first arranging said elements passing through the wall inside said passage opening, before locating said panel, said panel is provided about said elements by arranging thereabout a plurality of parts the assembly of which forms said panel.

6. Method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the panel is applied against that wall or ceiling portion which surrounds said opening.

7. Method as defined in claim 4, in which said panel is arranged inside a metal frame.

8. Method as defined in claim 5, in which a metal frame is mounted about the panel edges, said panel being assembled about elements which go through said wall or ceiling.

9. Method as defined in claim 7, in which the metal frame is applied against said wall or ceiling.

10. Method as defined in claim 8, in which the frame mounted about said panel is applied against said wall or ceiling.

11. Method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which a fire-proof plaster is poured inside said collar, or collar portion.

12. Method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which a fire-proof compound is poured inside said collar or collar portion.

13. Method as defined in claim 2, in which the collar is completed by means of a fire-proof material part acting as pad or cover insuring a complete sheathing.

14. Method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the collars or collar portions and any parts acting as pad or cover are coated with a fire-proof compound.

15. Method as defined in claim 1, in which said elements going through said panel are retained spaced by means of bracing parts from fire-proof material.

16. Method as defined in claim 15, in which the bracing of said elements is obtained by arranging along a first direction, a jig in parallel relationship with an element row and by guiding inside said jig provided with openings therefor, a pin which braces the elements along a direction at right angles to said first direction, the pin being removed after introducing any fire-proof plaster or compound and after locating between said elements a bracing part from fire-proof material.

17. Method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the collars and the panel are coated with a layer of fire-proof compound with a thickness from 2 to 8mm.

18. Passage for the fire-proof passing of elements such as electric cables, ducts, pipes, etc., which comprises a cushion of fire-proof material which is coated with a fire-resisting compound, a number of openings provided in said cushion, and at least one flange of fire-proof material coated with fire-resisting compound, said flange being positioned against said cushion, and fire-proof material filling the space between said flange and the elements.

19. Passage as defined in claim 18, in which said panel is clamped inside a metal frame.

20. Passage as defined in claim 19, in which said frame is of Z-shape in cross-section

21. Passage as defined in claim 18, in which the fire-proof material comprising said panel is rock wool.

22. Passage as defined in claim 21, in which said rock wool has a mean density of at least 100 kg per cubic meter.

23. Passage as defined in any one of claims 18 to 20, in which said panel of fire-proof material has a thick-ness from 100 to 200 mm.

24. Passage as defined in any one of claims 18 to 20, in which said panel of fire-proof material is comprised of at least two layers of fire-proof material jointed to-gether with a fire-resisting compound and with at least one exposed surface thereof coated with a fire-resisting compound.

25. Passage as defined in any one of claims 19 to 21, in which the fire-resisting compound has a layer thickness from 2 to 8 mm.