EP0966578A1 - Fire barrier - Google Patents

Fire barrier

Info

Publication number
EP0966578A1
EP0966578A1 EP97904821A EP97904821A EP0966578A1 EP 0966578 A1 EP0966578 A1 EP 0966578A1 EP 97904821 A EP97904821 A EP 97904821A EP 97904821 A EP97904821 A EP 97904821A EP 0966578 A1 EP0966578 A1 EP 0966578A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
screen
foil
fire barrier
void
barrier system
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP97904821A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0966578A4 (en
EP0966578B1 (en
Inventor
Vaughn Barnes
Paul Heller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thermal Structures Inc
Original Assignee
Thermal Structures Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thermal Structures Inc filed Critical Thermal Structures Inc
Publication of EP0966578A1 publication Critical patent/EP0966578A1/en
Publication of EP0966578A4 publication Critical patent/EP0966578A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0966578B1 publication Critical patent/EP0966578B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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

  • the present invention generally relates to fire barriers for use in dynamic voids formed in
  • buildings and more particularly, pertains to systems that are capable of maintaining an effective
  • Fire barriers typically
  • Some configurations provide for the barrier to be rigidly afiBxed
  • both edges of the barrier are retained within grooves or tracks formed in both sides of the joint in order to allow both sides to
  • the prior art is therefore substantially devoid of a simple, low cost, low
  • the present invention provides a fire barrier system that prevents the spread of smoke
  • the barrier is relatively inexpensive, is
  • the fire barrier system of the present invention consists of foil-backed insulative material supported in a free-floating manner by a woven metallic screen component that is draped between
  • a loosely woven structure is critical in enabling the support
  • the insulation essentially remains stationary and undistorted as the screen
  • a single support screen component may be employed to support the insulation layer from
  • the insulation layer may be sandwiched between two woven metallic support
  • the barrier system of the present invention satisfies a need for a simple, easily installed,
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectioned perspective view of the fire barrier system of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section of a portion of an alternative embodiment barrier material
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the fire barrier system of the present invention.
  • the figures illustrate the fire barrier system of the present invention.
  • the system generally represents the fire barrier system of the present invention.
  • the system generally represents the fire barrier system of the present invention.
  • the system generally represents the fire barrier system of the present invention.
  • the system allows the sides of the void to undergo relative movement in
  • Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the barrier system 12 is disposed
  • barrier 18 Supported between the two screen components 18, 26 in a free floating manner is barrier
  • the layers may simply he on top of one another or may be adhesively bonded to one another,
  • the structure may simply be held together by staples.
  • material 22 is narrower than the width of the support screen 18, 26 such that its edges remain
  • fire caulking 29 is positioned along the edge of the refractory material.
  • Fig. 1 configuration illustrated in Fig. 1 is easily adapted to vertical configurations, as well as horizontal
  • the screen preferably consists of stainless steel
  • the refractory material preferably consists
  • Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment wherein the barrier material includes an additional barrier material
  • the barrier material freely floats between woven stainless steel support and
  • retention screens 30, 42 and consists of stainless steel foil backing 40 on the hot side, aluminum
  • he on top of one another may be adhesively bonded to one another, or are preferably stapled
  • Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the barrier system wherein the retention
  • barrier material consisting of foil backing 52, 56 on either side of refractory matting 54, is
  • the support screen has a loosely woven
  • a rigid retention flange 58 is
  • retention flanges 58 are used, as well as wholly vertical applications wherein two Z-shaped
  • retention flanges 60 are employed.
  • the barrier system of the present invention not only accommodates relative movement of
  • wires forming the woven support screen allow opposite edges of the screen to be shifted laterally relative one another without causing the screen to buckle or wrinkle, such that the foil-backed

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Building Environments (AREA)
  • Insulated Conductors (AREA)
  • Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)
  • Inorganic Insulating Materials (AREA)
  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Thermistors And Varistors (AREA)

Abstract

A fire barrier (12) for use in dynamic voids to seal against the spread of fire. Flexible foil-backed insulation material (22) is supported by a woven metallic support screen (18) positioned in the void. As the surfaces (14, 16) defining the void undergo relative movement, the ability of the individual wire elements of the screen (18) to move in a scissor-like fashion relative to one another allows the screen to distort laterally without shearing, wrinkling, or buckling while the insulation material (22) floating thereon is effectively isolated from any shear forces. The foil backing (20, 24) allows the insulation (22) to freely shift relative to the support screen (18).

Description

FIRE BARRIER
Background of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to fire barriers for use in dynamic voids formed in
buildings, and more particularly, pertains to systems that are capable of maintaining an effective
barrier against the spread of fire despite a substantial relative displacement or distortion of the surfaces that define such voids.
A variety of dynamic voids or joints are typically incorporated in a building in order to
prevent damage as the stracture undergoes movement due to thermal, wind and seismic loads. In
order to prevent the spread of heat, smoke, and flames therethrough, it is necessary to fit such
voids with fire barriers. It is especially important for a fire barrier fitted to a joint to remain intact
after the joint has undergone substantial displacement or distortion due to seismic activity, as the
risk of fire is acute immediately following an earthquake.
Various barrier systems have been devised that attempt to accommodate the magnitude of
movement anticipated during a seismic event. A substantial widening and/or narrowing, as well as
substantial lateral or shear displacement of a seismic joint can be expected. Fire barriers typically
consist of a sheet of flexible material that is attached to each wall of the joint and loosely draped
therebetween. Such configuration does not in any way impede the narrowing of the gap while the
slack in the material accommodates a widening of the gap beyond its nominal width. Its inherent
flexibility also allows the material to take up any differential vertical displacement between the
two sides of the joint. Despite being flexible, the previously used barrier materials are, however,
substantially less capable of accommodating relative lateral displacement between the sides of the joint, and are prone to shear failure. In an effort to address this shortcoming, various complex
mechanisms have additionally been developed in order to allow one or both sides of the barrier to shift along the walls of the joint. Some configurations provide for the barrier to be rigidly afiBxed
to one side of the joint while the opposite edge of the barrier is slidably retained in a groove or
track attached to the opposite wall of the joint. Alternatively, both edges of the barrier are retained within grooves or tracks formed in both sides of the joint in order to allow both sides to
shift laterally relative the walls of the joint.
These prior art fire barrier systems suffer from a number of disadvantages. The complexity
of many of such systems renders their initial cost rather high. Moreover, installation of a complex
system is often more difficult, especially for retrofitment to existing buildings thereby further
increasing the overall cost. Finally, the various mechanisms that allow such systems to
accommodate lateral displacement typically rely on various moving parts that would require
periodic maintenance. The prior art is therefore substantially devoid of a simple, low cost, low
maintenance barrier system that is easily installed and that is capable of accommodating relative
lateral displacement.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a fire barrier system that prevents the spread of smoke,
heat and flame through a dynamic void such as a seismic joint. The system's configuration
ensures that an effective barrier is maintained despite substantial relative displacement or
distortion of the joint in all three dimensions. Moreover, the barrier is relatively inexpensive, is
easily installed, is readily retrofitted to many existing joint configurations and requires essentially
no maintenance. The fire barrier system of the present invention consists of foil-backed insulative material supported in a free-floating manner by a woven metallic screen component that is draped between
the two sides of the dynamic void. A loosely woven structure is critical in enabling the support
component to accommodate relative lateral displacement of opposite edges without wrinkling or buckling. The ability of the individual wire elements to shift relative one another with a scissor-
like motion serves to relieve shear stresses, and thereby provides for a uniform dimensional
adjustment to lateral distortion. Because the insulation is supported in a free-floating manner by
the support screen, the insulation essentially remains stationary and undistorted as the screen
shifts and distorts to accommodate lateral displacement of the joint walls. The presence of the foil between the insulation and support screen reduces friction between the insulation and the support
screen to insure free relative movement therebetween. The insulation material is thereby
effectively isolated from shear forces that would otherwise be transferred thereto.
A single support screen component may be employed to support the insulation layer from
below. Alternatively, the insulation layer may be sandwiched between two woven metallic support
screens so as to freely float therebetween. The system of the present invention is easily adaptable
to horizontal and vertical applications, as well as transitions between horizontal and vertical
surfaces.
The barrier system of the present invention satisfies a need for a simple, easily installed,
and relatively inexpensive device capable of preventing the spread of smoke, flame, and heat
through a dynamic joint despite substantial distortion of such joint in all three dimensions. These
and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectioned perspective view of the fire barrier system of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section of a portion of an alternative embodiment barrier material; and
FIG. 3 is a cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the fire barrier system of the present invention;
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
The figures illustrate the fire barrier system of the present invention. The system generally
consists of a flame, heat, and smoke proof barrier material that is supported between opposite
sides of a dynamic void. The system allows the sides of the void to undergo relative movement in
all three dimensions without compromising the barrier's ability to perform its sealing function.
Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the barrier system 12 is disposed
between the two sides 14, 16 of a dynamic void extending across a horizontal surface. A support
screen 18 and a retention screen 26 are disposed in parallel to one another, and are draped
between the two sides of the void. The edges of the screens are rigidly affixed to the sides of the
void by any appropriate fastening system. Shown as an example only are screws or bolts 27 that
extend through both screens into the edges of the joint therebelow. Alternatively, a rigid flange extending along the entire length of each edge of the screen may be relied upon to sandwich the
two screen edges against the edges of the joint.
Supported between the two screen components 18, 26 in a free floating manner is barrier
material consisting of metallic foil 20, 24 backing positioned on either side of refractory matting 22. The layers may simply he on top of one another or may be adhesively bonded to one another,
or preferably, the structure may simply be held together by staples. The width of the foil backed
material 22 is narrower than the width of the support screen 18, 26 such that its edges remain
clear of the area where the screens converge and are fastened to the side of the joint. Intumescent
fire caulking 29 is positioned along the edge of the refractory material. The horizontal
configuration illustrated in Fig. 1 is easily adapted to vertical configurations, as well as horizontal
to vertical surface transitions. It is critical for the support and the retention screen to have a sufficiently loosely woven structure so as to allow the individual wire elements of the weave to
shift relative one another in a scissor-like fashion. The screen preferably consists of stainless steel
wires, about 0.0075" in diameter at 24 wires per inch. The use of stainless steel wire mesh with a
wire diameter of 0.008" at approximately eight wires per inch has also been found to be
advantageous due the material's exceptional flexibihty. The refractory material preferably consists
of 1/4" thick 12# ceramic fiber insulation blanket backed by 0.003" stainless steel foil on the hot
side, and 0.003" aluminum foil on the opposite side.
Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment wherein the barrier material includes an additional
layer of insulation. The barrier material freely floats between woven stainless steel support and
retention screens 30, 42, and consists of stainless steel foil backing 40 on the hot side, aluminum
foil backing 32 on the opposite side, two layers of refractory matting 34, 38, and an additional septum layer of stainless steel foil 36 there between. Elements 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40 may simply
he on top of one another, may be adhesively bonded to one another, or are preferably stapled
together.
Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the barrier system wherein the retention
screen 26 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 is replaced by retention flanges 58 and 60. The
barrier material, consisting of foil backing 52, 56 on either side of refractory matting 54, is
supported in a free-floating manner by support screen 50. The support screen has a loosely woven
stracture that allows its individual wire elements to shift relative one another such that lateral
distortion does not result in shearing, buckling, or wrinkling. A rigid retention flange 58 is
attached to the side 46 of the joint to positively hold screen 50 in position, while its projecting lip
59 loosely retains the barrier material in position over the screen and across the joint. Fig. 3
illustrates an adaptation of the device to a transition between a horizontal and vertical surface
whereby an appropriately modified flange 62 is attached to the vertical wall. The flange again
performs the dual function of affixing the edge of the screen 50 to the joint wall 48, while its
projecting Up 61 controls the position of the barrier material. The single support screen
configuration can, forcourse, also be adapted to a horizontal application wherein two L-shaped
retention flanges 58 are used, as well as wholly vertical applications wherein two Z-shaped
retention flanges 60 are employed.
The barrier system of the present invention not only accommodates relative movement of
the sides toward and away from one another, as well as relative up and down movement, but
allows for relative lateral displacement. The scissor-like freedom of movement of the individual
wires forming the woven support screen allow opposite edges of the screen to be shifted laterally relative one another without causing the screen to buckle or wrinkle, such that the foil-backed
insulative material floating thereon is effectively isolated from any shear forces. The insulation is
thereby able to continue to fiilfill itsinsulative function during and after three dimensional relative
displacement of the surfaces that define the joint.
While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will also be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited
except by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A fire barrier system for sealing a dynamic void between architectural structures,
comprising: a metallic support screen spanning said void, a portion of said screen affixed to at least
one of the architectural structures; and
insulation material supported by said support screen in a free-floating manner such that
said insulation material is substantially isolated from sheer forces resulting from
relative movement between the structures.
2. The fire barrier system of claim 1 wherein a layer of metallic foil is positioned between
said support screen, and said insulation to reduce friction therebetween.
3. The fire barrier system of claim 2 wherein said foil is bonded to said insulation
material.
4. The fire barrier system of claim 2 wherein said foil is stapled to said insulation material.
5. The fire barrier system of claim 2 wherein a layer of metallic foil is positioned on both
sides of said insulation material.
6. The fire barrier system of claim 5 wherein said foil layers are bonded to said insulation
material.
7. The fire barrier system of claim 5 wherein said foil layers and said insulation layers are
stapled together.
8. The fire barrier system of claim I wherein opposite edges of said support screen are
rigidly attached to opposite sides of said dynamic void, and wherein said screen is at least as
wide as the maximum width attained by said dynamic void.
9. The fire barrier system of claim 1 wherein a rigid retention flange projects from each
side of the void over a portion of said insulation layer to maintain the insulation material in
position over said support screen.
10. The fire barrier system of claim 2 wherein a metallic retention screen having a
sufficiently loosely woven stracture to enable opposite edges of said retention screen to be
displaced laterally relative to one another substantially without causing said screen to shear,
buckle, or wrinkle, spans said void in parallel with said support screen so as to sandwich said
foil in between it and said support screen in a free-floating manner.
11. A fire barrier system for sealing a dynamic void, comprising:
a loosely woven stainless steel screen spanning said void and rigidly affixed to the
edges of said void;
a layer of stainless steel foil positioned over said screen in a free floating manner, said
foil being narrower than said screen; and
refractory matting of substantially the same width as said foil positioned over said foil.
12. The fire barrier system of claim 11 further comprising a layer of metallic foil positioned
over said matting.
13. The fire barrier system of claim 12 further comprising a loosely woven stainless steel
screen spanning said void, positioned over said metallic foil in a free floating manner, and rigidly afiBxed to the edges of said void.
EP97904821A 1997-01-07 1997-01-07 Fire barrier Expired - Lifetime EP0966578B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1997/000890 WO1998030764A1 (en) 1997-01-07 1997-01-07 Fire barrier

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0966578A1 true EP0966578A1 (en) 1999-12-29
EP0966578A4 EP0966578A4 (en) 2001-04-04
EP0966578B1 EP0966578B1 (en) 2003-07-16

Family

ID=22260259

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97904821A Expired - Lifetime EP0966578B1 (en) 1997-01-07 1997-01-07 Fire barrier

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0966578B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE245237T1 (en)
AU (1) AU1751597A (en)
CA (1) CA2277115C (en)
DE (1) DE69723585D1 (en)
HK (1) HK1026243A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1998030764A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE502007005489D1 (en) 2007-12-20 2010-12-09 Schuh Co Gmbh Felix Sealing device for a joint and joint
CN105464227A (en) * 2015-11-19 2016-04-06 吕五有 Deformation seam belt with flame retardant, thermal insulation and waterproof functions
KR102486841B1 (en) * 2022-03-14 2023-01-10 디에스씨(주) Exterior wall construction method with seismic structure and fire prevention function
KR102632642B1 (en) * 2023-07-26 2024-02-02 주식회사 에코텍이엔지 Seismic structure for absorbing multiple vibrations of exterior wall panel and construction method of exterior wall panel

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB638306A (en) * 1945-10-12 1950-06-07 Raybestos Manhattan Inc Improvements in or relating to high temperature insulating material
EP0346126A2 (en) * 1988-06-08 1989-12-13 The Standard Oil Company Fire barrier material
US4942710A (en) * 1988-05-06 1990-07-24 Balco International, Inc. Fire-rated expansion joint having three degrees of freedom
US5140797A (en) * 1985-09-23 1992-08-25 Balco, Inc. Expansion joint fire barrier systems
US5304408A (en) * 1992-08-17 1994-04-19 Transco Inc. Fire barrier insulation
US5461838A (en) * 1994-08-25 1995-10-31 Heller; Paul S. Fire barrier

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB638306A (en) * 1945-10-12 1950-06-07 Raybestos Manhattan Inc Improvements in or relating to high temperature insulating material
US5140797A (en) * 1985-09-23 1992-08-25 Balco, Inc. Expansion joint fire barrier systems
US4942710A (en) * 1988-05-06 1990-07-24 Balco International, Inc. Fire-rated expansion joint having three degrees of freedom
EP0346126A2 (en) * 1988-06-08 1989-12-13 The Standard Oil Company Fire barrier material
US5304408A (en) * 1992-08-17 1994-04-19 Transco Inc. Fire barrier insulation
US5461838A (en) * 1994-08-25 1995-10-31 Heller; Paul S. Fire barrier

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO9830764A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0966578A4 (en) 2001-04-04
EP0966578B1 (en) 2003-07-16
HK1026243A1 (en) 2000-12-08
DE69723585D1 (en) 2003-08-21
ATE245237T1 (en) 2003-08-15
CA2277115A1 (en) 1998-07-16
WO1998030764A1 (en) 1998-07-16
CA2277115C (en) 2001-11-27
AU1751597A (en) 1998-08-03

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