EP0730695B1 - Gap seal - Google Patents
Gap seal Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0730695B1 EP0730695B1 EP95902841A EP95902841A EP0730695B1 EP 0730695 B1 EP0730695 B1 EP 0730695B1 EP 95902841 A EP95902841 A EP 95902841A EP 95902841 A EP95902841 A EP 95902841A EP 0730695 B1 EP0730695 B1 EP 0730695B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- seal
- seal according
- fire
- gap
- composition
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/62—Insulation or other protection; Elements or use of specified material therefor
- E04B1/92—Protection against other undesired influences or dangers
- E04B1/94—Protection against other undesired influences or dangers against fire
- E04B1/948—Fire-proof sealings or joints
Definitions
- This invention relates to gap seals, especially to seals for gaps between structural elements such as panels in building structures.
- the present invention provides a seal or joint for installation in such gaps, and which accommodates variation in the size of the gap and changes in the gap size resulting from movement of the panels, for instance by expansion or contraction or lateral movement of one or more adjoining panels.
- Such seals are sometimes referred to as expansion joints.
- the seal or joint of this invention also provides a fire-resistant barrier in fire conditions and additionally may confer thermal and/or acoustic and/or moisture insulation.
- a fire-protective barrier for installation in structural gaps which barrier consists of an assembly of at least two discrete components, namely a soft compressible mechanical gasket of resilient flexible material typified by neoprene plastic, optionally having an elongate cavity or hollow, assembled with one or more strips or masses of intumescent material.
- a fire-proofing sealing element consisting of a flexible impervious tube, the tubular hollow of which is filled with aqueous alkali metal silicate solution or gel which produces a silicate foam mass when subjected to fire conditions.
- the present invention provides a one-piece fire-resistant flexible resiliently compressible gap seal having inherent intumescence.
- the seal of the present invention comprises a flexible resiliently radially compressible tube formed of a composition based mainly on a blend of elastomeric material and intumescent material, i e the proportions of elastomeric material and intumescent material are substantially greater than the proportion of any additional ingredient present in the composition.
- Preferred additional ingredients in the composition include a fire-retardant agent and/or a fusible inorganic binder.
- Suitable ingredients include a reinforcing filler and/or a light-weight filler.
- One or more additional ingredients such as those known for use in elastomeric compositions, may also be present.
- the tube may be produced in long lengths, for example by extrusion, for cutting to lengths required for the gap to be sealed.
- the seal may comprise a laminate of the composition with one or more layers of other material.
- the elastomeric material provides a binder for the other composition ingredients.
- it may be a synthetic rubber.
- it is curable at a temperature lower than that at which the intumescent material commences to intumesce.
- a preferred elastomeric material is epdm.
- a suitable intumescent material is expandable graphite material.
- Such material usually comprises chemically-treated graphite which commences to expand by several times its original volume, e g 100-200 times, when heated above a critical temperature, e g about 190°C.
- expandable graphite materials are those available under the trade name 'CALLOTEK', for instance 'CALLOTEK 100' or 'CALLOTEK 500'.
- the composition contains a high proportion of intumescent material.
- the ratio of intumescent material to elastomeric material may be at least 1:1 by weight.
- the fire-retardant agent suitably is an ablative material.
- a preferred fire-retardant agent is alumina trihydrate. It is found that alumina trihydrate also enables an increase in the temperature employed for curing the elastomeric material in the composition without premature activation of the intumescent material.
- the fusible inorganic binder is a material which is capable of melting and resolidifying at elevated temperatures such as fire temperatures.
- a preferred fusible material comprises glass particles.
- the fusible material comprises a mixture of particles having different melting points, suitably commencing at about 200°C. Such a particle mixture may melt progressively over a temperature range of about 200°C to 900°C, for instance about 350°C to 700°C.
- the material then resolidifies above the melting temperature. For instance, resolidification may commence at a temperature above about 700°C or above about 900°C to form a crystalline solid. In doing so, it acts as a binder for maintenance of stability of the seal in fire conditions.
- suitable fusible glass particles are those available under the trade name "Ceepree" ex ICI/Brunner Mond & Company.
- a suitable reinforcing filler for the composition is carbon black.
- a suitable light-weight filler may be, for instance, hollow microspheres such as polymeric microballoons.
- the polymeric microballoons preferably are of a resilient material, for example epdm.
- Suitable resilient microballoons are those obtainable under the trade name 'EXPANCEL'.
- ingredients may be selected from, for example, curatives, accelerators, processing aids, anti-ageing agents, fungicides, pigments, fibre reinforcements, etc.
- a composition suitable for a seal or joint according to the invention may have the following formulation:- Ingredients Parts by weight Elastomer (epdm) 100 Intumescent agent (expandable graphite) 100-200 Fire-retardant agent (alumina trihydrate) 20 Fusible inorganic particles ('Ceepree') 10 Filler (carbon black) 30 Light-weight filler ('EXPANCEL') 10 Other ingredient(s) 5
- composition ingredients may be blended by conventional techniques.
- the tubular form of the seal may be produced by, for instance, extrusion of the composition.
- the composition may be subjected to elastomer-curing conditions in its tubular form.
- the cure temperature preferably should be below that at which the intumescent material would start to intumesce.
- An example of a suitable cure temperature is about 150°C.
- the seal is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.
- the external diameter of the seal in its uncompressed state is greater than the width of the gap to be sealed, so that the seal is held in compressed state in the gap.
- a preferred level of compression of the seal in the gap is at least about 20% of the uncompressed seal diameter.
- the tubular wall thickness of the seal preferably should be such that, when the seal is subjected to fire conditions which degrade the elastomeric material, the composition expands intumescently into the hollow of the tube and across the gap to maintain or increase the barrier effect of the seal, and thereby prevents traverse of flame, smoke and other hazardous fire products.
- the ratio of the tubular wall thickness to the uncompressed seal external diameter may be in the range of, for instance, 0.08:1 to 0.5:1. Preferably the ratio is at least about 0.1:1.
- the cross-sectional outer shape of the tubular wall of the seal may be of any shape suitable for fitting the seal into the gap to be sealed.
- the tubular wall of the seal in its normal uncompressed state, has a substantially circular cross-sectional surface shape, but alternatively it may have, for instance, an elliptical or a polygonal outer surface shape.
- the seal may be provided with one or more longitudinal slits in the wall, extending from the external surface thereof, to facilitate compression for insertion into a gap.
- One such slit may penetrate completely through the wall if desired, and in that case the seal preferably should be located in the gap such that the slit is not exposed.
Description
This invention relates to gap seals, especially to seals for gaps
between structural elements such as panels in building structures.
Gaps at the junction of structural panels, such as walls, ceilings and
floors of buildings, frequently are provided to allow for small movements
between the panels.
The present invention provides a seal or joint for installation in such
gaps, and which accommodates variation in the size of the gap and changes
in the gap size resulting from movement of the panels, for instance by
expansion or contraction or lateral movement of one or more adjoining
panels. Such seals are sometimes referred to as expansion joints.
Furthermore, the seal or joint of this invention also provides a fire-resistant
barrier in fire conditions and additionally may confer thermal and/or acoustic
and/or moisture insulation.
In US-A-3566541 issued in 1971, there is described a fire-protective
barrier for installation in structural gaps, which barrier consists of an
assembly of at least two discrete components, namely a soft compressible
mechanical gasket of resilient flexible material typified by neoprene plastic,
optionally having an elongate cavity or hollow, assembled with one or more
strips or masses of intumescent material.
In FR-A-2299045 published in 1976, there is described a fire-proofing
sealing element consisting of a flexible impervious tube, the tubular hollow
of which is filled with aqueous alkali metal silicate solution or gel which
produces a silicate foam mass when subjected to fire conditions.
Both of these prior proposals require an assembly of a flexible
component and an intumescent or foamable component. In contrast, the
present invention provides a one-piece fire-resistant flexible resiliently
compressible gap seal having inherent intumescence.
The seal of the present invention comprises a flexible resiliently
radially compressible tube formed of a composition based mainly on a blend
of elastomeric material and intumescent material, i e the proportions of
elastomeric material and intumescent material are substantially greater than
the proportion of any additional ingredient present in the composition.
Preferred additional ingredients in the composition include a fire-retardant
agent and/or a fusible inorganic binder.
Other suitable ingredients include a reinforcing filler and/or a light-weight
filler.
One or more additional ingredients, such as those known for use in
elastomeric compositions, may also be present.
The tube may be produced in long lengths, for example by extrusion,
for cutting to lengths required for the gap to be sealed.
If desired, the seal may comprise a laminate of the composition with
one or more layers of other material.
The elastomeric material provides a binder for the other composition
ingredients. Suitably, it may be a synthetic rubber. Preferably it is curable
at a temperature lower than that at which the intumescent material
commences to intumesce. A preferred elastomeric material is epdm.
A suitable intumescent material is expandable graphite material. Such
material usually comprises chemically-treated graphite which commences to
expand by several times its original volume, e g 100-200 times, when
heated above a critical temperature, e g about 190°C. Examples of
expandable graphite materials are those available under the trade name
'CALLOTEK', for instance 'CALLOTEK 100' or 'CALLOTEK 500'.
Preferably, the composition contains a high proportion of intumescent
material. For instance, the ratio of intumescent material to elastomeric
material may be at least 1:1 by weight.
The fire-retardant agent suitably is an ablative material. A preferred
fire-retardant agent is alumina trihydrate. It is found that alumina trihydrate
also enables an increase in the temperature employed for curing the
elastomeric material in the composition without premature activation of the
intumescent material.
The fusible inorganic binder is a material which is capable of melting
and resolidifying at elevated temperatures such as fire temperatures. A
preferred fusible material comprises glass particles. Preferably the fusible
material comprises a mixture of particles having different melting points,
suitably commencing at about 200°C. Such a particle mixture may melt
progressively over a temperature range of about 200°C to 900°C, for
instance about 350°C to 700°C. The material then resolidifies above the
melting temperature. For instance, resolidification may commence at a
temperature above about 700°C or above about 900°C to form a crystalline
solid. In doing so, it acts as a binder for maintenance of stability of the seal
in fire conditions. Examples of suitable fusible glass particles are those
available under the trade name "Ceepree" ex ICI/Brunner Mond & Company.
A suitable reinforcing filler for the composition is carbon black.
A suitable light-weight filler may be, for instance, hollow
microspheres such as polymeric microballoons. The polymeric
microballoons preferably are of a resilient material, for example epdm.
Suitable resilient microballoons are those obtainable under the trade name
'EXPANCEL'.
Other ingredients may be selected from, for example, curatives,
accelerators, processing aids, anti-ageing agents, fungicides, pigments, fibre
reinforcements, etc.
By way of example only, a composition suitable for a seal or joint
according to the invention may have the following formulation:-
| Ingredients | Parts by weight |
| Elastomer (epdm) | 100 |
| Intumescent agent (expandable graphite) | 100-200 |
| Fire-retardant agent (alumina trihydrate) | 20 |
| Fusible inorganic particles ('Ceepree') | 10 |
| Filler (carbon black) | 30 |
| Light-weight filler ('EXPANCEL') | 10 |
| Other ingredient(s) | 5 |
The composition ingredients may be blended by conventional
techniques.
The tubular form of the seal may be produced by, for instance,
extrusion of the composition.
The composition may be subjected to elastomer-curing conditions in
its tubular form. The cure temperature preferably should be below that at
which the intumescent material would start to intumesce. An example of
a suitable cure temperature is about 150°C.
The seal is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.
Suitably the external diameter of the seal in its uncompressed state
is greater than the width of the gap to be sealed, so that the seal is held in
compressed state in the gap. A preferred level of compression of the seal
in the gap is at least about 20% of the uncompressed seal diameter.
The tubular wall thickness of the seal preferably should be such that,
when the seal is subjected to fire conditions which degrade the elastomeric
material, the composition expands intumescently into the hollow of the tube
and across the gap to maintain or increase the barrier effect of the seal, and
thereby prevents traverse of flame, smoke and other hazardous fire
products.
The ratio of the tubular wall thickness to the uncompressed seal
external diameter may be in the range of, for instance, 0.08:1 to 0.5:1.
Preferably the ratio is at least about 0.1:1.
By way of example only, dimensions and corresponding compressions
of the seal are given below, in which:-
| CD : W | W : UD | C (%) |
| 1:1 | 0.785:1 | 21.5 |
| 2:1 | 0.523:1 | 47.7 |
| 3:1 | 0.393:1 | 60.7 |
| 4:1 | 0.314:1 | 68.6 |
| 5:1 | 0.262:1 | 73.8 |
| 15:1 | 0.098:1 | 90.2 |
The cross-sectional outer shape of the tubular wall of the seal (i e in
a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube) may be of any
shape suitable for fitting the seal into the gap to be sealed. Typically, the
tubular wall of the seal, in its normal uncompressed state, has a
substantially circular cross-sectional surface shape, but alternatively it may
have, for instance, an elliptical or a polygonal outer surface shape.
Optionally, the seal may be provided with one or more longitudinal
slits in the wall, extending from the external surface thereof, to facilitate
compression for insertion into a gap. One such slit may penetrate
completely through the wall if desired, and in that case the seal preferably
should be located in the gap such that the slit is not exposed.
The names 'CALLOTEK', 'Ceepree' and 'EXPANCEL' are proprietary
trade names.
Claims (15)
- Seal for a gap between structural elements, which provides a fire-resistant barrier in fire conditions and which comprises intumescent material and a flexible compressible hollow gasket of resilient material, characterised in that the seal comprises a flexible resiliently radially compressible tube formed of a composition based mainly on a blend of elastomeric material and intumescent material.
- Seal according to Claim 1 wherein the intumescent material comprises expandable graphite.
- Seal according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the ratio of intumescent material to elastomeric material is at least 1:1 by weight.
- Seal according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the elastomeric material comprises epdm.
- Seal according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the composition comprises also a fire-retardant agent.
- Seal according to Claim 5 wherein the fire-retardant agent comprises alumina trihydrate.
- Seal according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the composition comprises also a fusible inorganic binder being a material which is capable of melting and re-solidifying at normal fire temperatures.
- Seal according to Claim 7 wherein the fusible inorganic binder comprises a mixture of glass particles having various melting points.
- Seal according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the composition comprises also one or more fillers.
- Seal according to Claim 9 wherein the composition contains light-weight filler being resilient microballoons of polymeric material.
- Seal according to any of the preceding Claims having a tubular form produced by extrusion.
- Seal according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the ratio of the tubular wall thickness to the external diameter of the seal in its uncompressed state is in the range 0.08:1 to 0.5:1.
- Seal according to Claim 12 wherein said ratio is at least 0.1:1.
- Seal according to any of the preceding Claims which, when present in a gap as a gap seal between structural elements, is under radial compression by at least about 20% of the uncompressed seal diameter.
- Seal according to any of the preceding Claims having one or more longitudinal slits in the tubular wall, extending from the outer surface of the wall.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9324344 | 1993-11-26 | ||
| GB9324344A GB2284218B (en) | 1993-11-26 | 1993-11-26 | Fire-resistant gap seal |
| PCT/GB1994/002588 WO1995014828A1 (en) | 1993-11-26 | 1994-11-25 | Gap seal |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0730695A1 EP0730695A1 (en) | 1996-09-11 |
| EP0730695B1 true EP0730695B1 (en) | 1998-01-28 |
Family
ID=10745751
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP95902841A Expired - Lifetime EP0730695B1 (en) | 1993-11-26 | 1994-11-25 | Gap seal |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0730695B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU1193895A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69408338D1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2284218B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995014828A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2072702A1 (en) | 2007-12-20 | 2009-06-24 | Felix Schuh & Co. GmbH | Joint |
| DE102010047772A1 (en) * | 2010-10-08 | 2012-04-12 | Phoenix Dichtungstechnik Gmbh | Sealing or damping profile |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6572948B1 (en) | 2000-10-31 | 2003-06-03 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Fire stop device with rupturable element |
| CN101275036B (en) * | 2007-03-28 | 2011-04-20 | 南京理工大学 | Preparation for polymer conductive nanometer compound material |
| US11486150B2 (en) | 2016-12-20 | 2022-11-01 | Clarkwestern Dietrich Building Systems Llc | Finishing accessory with backing strip |
| US11885138B2 (en) | 2020-11-12 | 2024-01-30 | Clarkwestern Dietrich Building Systems Llc | Control joint |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3566541A (en) * | 1969-03-06 | 1971-03-02 | Rixson Inc | Protective barrier for products of combustion |
| DE2503712A1 (en) * | 1975-01-30 | 1976-08-05 | Bayer Ag | FIRE PROTECTION SEALING ELEMENTS |
| DE3404221A1 (en) * | 1984-02-07 | 1985-08-08 | Lentia GmbH Chem. u. pharm. Erzeugnisse - Industriebedarf, 8000 München | METHOD FOR SEALING OPENINGS IN COMPONENTS IN THE EVENT OF FIRE |
| JPS6270478A (en) * | 1985-09-25 | 1987-03-31 | Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd | Fire-retardant rubber packing |
| DE3735779A1 (en) * | 1987-10-22 | 1989-05-03 | Irbit Research & Consulting Ag | SEALING ELEMENT |
| DE3917518A1 (en) * | 1989-05-30 | 1990-12-06 | Bayer Ag | FIRE PROTECTION ELEMENTS |
-
1993
- 1993-11-26 GB GB9324344A patent/GB2284218B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1994
- 1994-11-25 DE DE69408338T patent/DE69408338D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-11-25 EP EP95902841A patent/EP0730695B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-11-25 WO PCT/GB1994/002588 patent/WO1995014828A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1994-11-25 AU AU11938/95A patent/AU1193895A/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2072702A1 (en) | 2007-12-20 | 2009-06-24 | Felix Schuh & Co. GmbH | Joint |
| DE102010047772A1 (en) * | 2010-10-08 | 2012-04-12 | Phoenix Dichtungstechnik Gmbh | Sealing or damping profile |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU1193895A (en) | 1995-06-13 |
| GB2284218B (en) | 1997-06-04 |
| EP0730695A1 (en) | 1996-09-11 |
| GB9324344D0 (en) | 1994-01-12 |
| WO1995014828A1 (en) | 1995-06-01 |
| DE69408338D1 (en) | 1998-03-05 |
| GB2284218A (en) | 1995-05-31 |
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