GB2041435A - Improvements relating to reusable, fire-proof cladding in areas of high fire hazard - Google Patents

Abstract

A panel of sheet steel 1 has its central portion bent across the width to form a truncated triangular section 4 which can be clipped around the flange of an I section beam 9; opposing edges of the sheet are bent to form deep U cross sections 2,3 such that adjoining panels may be connected together, the amount of overlap of the said U sections allow varying distances between adjacent beams to be accommodated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to re-usable, fireproof cladding in area of high fire hazard There are many situations in industry where equipment such as electrical switchgear, transformers, cotripressor, internal combustion engines, etc. need to be screened by a durable and non-inflammable material from the surrounding environment in order to prevent an initial fire, which may be caused by such equipment, from spreading to combustable materials in the vicinity, thereby leading to a larger and more disastrous secondary fire.

Where such an installation is to be of a permanent nature, the screening or cladding may be in the form of a brick or concrete wall which may completely surround the potentially inflammable equipment or merely form a shield or barrier between it and the endangered enviroment. There are certain industries, usually of an extractive nature, where the above mentioned equipment had to be frequently relocated, these circumstances render the conventional forms of fire-proof cladding an expensive and time consuming item, particularly if the operations of dismantling and re-erection are regular occurrences. The alternative method of abandoning the disused site and providing a new one, is even more expensive.

The present invention relates to a form of fire-proof cladding which can be readily attached to a simple framework erected around inflammable equipment and which can be just as easily removed and transported when the site of the equipment is relocated. Such an invention will reduce the costs of fire-proofing by virtue of speed, reusability and ease of transport.

The object of the present invention is to provide a form of fire-proof cladding which can be easily and quickly attached to and equally quickly removed from the members of a structure or frame and will comprise for example, sheets of steel of a rectangular shape, one edge of each sheet is bent through an angle of 1 80 degrees in one direction to form a U sectional channel shape, while the opposing edge of the sheet is likewise bent but in the opposite direction to form another U sectional channel shape, such that in use, two adjacent sheets can be interlocked in a lateral direction by hooking the U formations together.

In order to secure each sheet to the vertical members of the frame or structurc in this example, an I section rolled steel joist-the central section of the panel is bent along two parallel lines to form a truncated triangular profile, the base of which receives the flange of the frame member, while the converging sides of the shape locate it securely around the edges of the afore mentioned flange.

In order to facilitate the easy and speedy placement of the panel around the said flanges, the sheet is preformed by having a slight bent across its width, approximately along the length of the formed truncated base, this allows one side of the I section flange to be located in one corner of the trancated base and then by bending the free end of the sheet until it is in line with the established length of the sheet, the other corner of the trancated base will clip around the second corner of the I section flange.

Any variations in the spacing between the vertical members of the frame, can be compensated for by the amount of overlap created in the interlocking U formations.

When the cladding needs to be removed so that it can be reused at a new site, each sheet can be dismantled by bending one edge of the panel in a direction away from the frame until it springs free of the I section flange, the panel can then be disengaged from the interlocking U formation of the adjacent panel.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, a prefered embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings which accompany this specification, in which Figure 1. Shows a Plan View of the cladding attached to adjacent frame members.

Figure 2. Shows a Front Elevational View of the cladding attached to adjacent frame members.

Figure 3. Shows a Perspective View of the cladding attched to adjacent frame members.

The sheet of steel 1 has one end bent into a U sectional channel 2 while the other end of the sheet is bent in an opposing direction to form a second U sectional formation 3 such that ajoining panels may be locked together.

The generaly central section of the steel panel 4 is bent at points 5 and 6 across the full width of the panel to form a truncated triangular shape 7. In order to securely locate the panel to the frame support 9, one flange of the frame member 8, is placed one corner of the truncated triangular shape, while a preformed bend 10 along the trucated base allows the second corner of the truncated shape to be locked around the second flange of the frame member when the panel is pressured in the direction of arrow 11.

1. A form of re-usable, fire-proof claòukEg intended to be quickly attached to a support frame, comprising a number of steel panels of rectangular dimensions having two of the opposing ends bent to form U sectional channel shapes, one in each direction such that adjoining panels can be interlocked in a lateral direction; indentations across across the width of each panel being of a generally truncated triangular sectional shape, allow the panel to

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to re-usable, fireproof cladding in area of high fire hazard There are many situations in industry where equipment such as electrical switchgear, transformers, cotripressor, internal combustion engines, etc. need to be screened by a durable and non-inflammable material from the surrounding environment in order to prevent an initial fire, which may be caused by such equipment, from spreading to combustable materials in the vicinity, thereby leading to a larger and more disastrous secondary fire. Where such an installation is to be of a permanent nature, the screening or cladding may be in the form of a brick or concrete wall which may completely surround the potentially inflammable equipment or merely form a shield or barrier between it and the endangered enviroment. There are certain industries, usually of an extractive nature, where the above mentioned equipment had to be frequently relocated, these circumstances render the conventional forms of fire-proof cladding an expensive and time consuming item, particularly if the operations of dismantling and re-erection are regular occurrences. The alternative method of abandoning the disused site and providing a new one, is even more expensive. The present invention relates to a form of fire-proof cladding which can be readily attached to a simple framework erected around inflammable equipment and which can be just as easily removed and transported when the site of the equipment is relocated. Such an invention will reduce the costs of fire-proofing by virtue of speed, reusability and ease of transport. The object of the present invention is to provide a form of fire-proof cladding which can be easily and quickly attached to and equally quickly removed from the members of a structure or frame and will comprise for example, sheets of steel of a rectangular shape, one edge of each sheet is bent through an angle of 1 80 degrees in one direction to form a U sectional channel shape, while the opposing edge of the sheet is likewise bent but in the opposite direction to form another U sectional channel shape, such that in use, two adjacent sheets can be interlocked in a lateral direction by hooking the U formations together. In order to secure each sheet to the vertical members of the frame or structurc in this example, an I section rolled steel joist-the central section of the panel is bent along two parallel lines to form a truncated triangular profile, the base of which receives the flange of the frame member, while the converging sides of the shape locate it securely around the edges of the afore mentioned flange. In order to facilitate the easy and speedy placement of the panel around the said flanges, the sheet is preformed by having a slight bent across its width, approximately along the length of the formed truncated base, this allows one side of the I section flange to be located in one corner of the trancated base and then by bending the free end of the sheet until it is in line with the established length of the sheet, the other corner of the trancated base will clip around the second corner of the I section flange. Any variations in the spacing between the vertical members of the frame, can be compensated for by the amount of overlap created in the interlocking U formations. When the cladding needs to be removed so that it can be reused at a new site, each sheet can be dismantled by bending one edge of the panel in a direction away from the frame until it springs free of the I section flange, the panel can then be disengaged from the interlocking U formation of the adjacent panel. In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, a prefered embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings which accompany this specification, in which Figure 1. Shows a Plan View of the cladding attached to adjacent frame members. Figure 2. Shows a Front Elevational View of the cladding attached to adjacent frame members. Figure 3. Shows a Perspective View of the cladding attched to adjacent frame members. The sheet of steel 1 has one end bent into a U sectional channel 2 while the other end of the sheet is bent in an opposing direction to form a second U sectional formation 3 such that ajoining panels may be locked together. The generaly central section of the steel panel 4 is bent at points 5 and 6 across the full width of the panel to form a truncated triangular shape 7. In order to securely locate the panel to the frame support 9, one flange of the frame member 8, is placed one corner of the truncated triangular shape, while a preformed bend 10 along the trucated base allows the second corner of the truncated shape to be locked around the second flange of the frame member when the panel is pressured in the direction of arrow 11. CLAIMS

1. A form of re-usable, fire-proof claòukEg intended to be quickly attached to a support frame, comprising a number of steel panels of rectangular dimensions having two of the opposing ends bent to form U sectional channel shapes, one in each direction such that adjoining panels can be interlocked in a lateral direction; indentations across across the width of each panel being of a generally truncated triangular sectional shape, allow the panel to be secured to an I section rolled steel joist frame member when one flange of the said member is placed in one corner of the said truncated shape and the other end of the panel, being preformed at an angle to the fixed part of the panel, is pushed towards the frame member thereby causing the second corner of the truncated shape to slip over the corner of the second flange of the member.

2. A form of re-usable, fire-proof cladding intented to be quickly attached to a support frame as claimed in claim 1. wherein the depth of the interlocking U sectional channels can be increased such that varying differences between adjacent support frame members can be accomodated.

3. A form of re-usable, fire-proof cladding, intended to be quickly attached to a support frame as claimed in claims 1 and 2, constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.