GB2166481A - Glass partitions - Google Patents

Abstract

A framing system for glass in fire partitions, comprises steel crossbars 1 and 'hard' insulation material 2 sandwiching the glass 4, the edges of which are surrounded by 'soft' fireproof insulation 5. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A framing system, particularly suitable for glass in fire partitions This invention relates to a framing system, particularly suitable for glass in fire partitions where the partitions are constructed of fireproof glass, steel crossbars, screw joints and fireproof insulation.

Down to recent times internal fire partitions have usually been constructed out of materials such as plaster, concrete, steel, etc. In recent years glass types have been developed which fulfil the desired requirements for fire partitions in regard to insulation and integrity.

Some framing systems for glass are known where parts of the crossbars constitute clamping devices which, for example in combination with rubber gaskets, keep the glass in position, as shown in British Patent 1,479,403 and West German Patent 30 48 152. These systems will, however, be unsuitable for framing fire partitions. In case of fire gaskets will burn and create air passage, thus leading to the possible collapse of the wall.

According to the present invention there is disclosed a framing system, particularly suitable for glass in fire partitions, said system comprising one or more steel crossbars, constituting the supporting structure of the partition, screw joints, rubber weather-stripping, decor sections and insulating material, wherein soft fireproof insulation is in abutting relation along the end surfaces of the glass plates and in abutting relation against the opposing edge areas of the glass plates, and wherein said soft insulation(s) is pressed by means of the screw joints against the glass plates by, on one side, the steel crossbars and, on the other side, a hard, fireproof insulation board so as to impede the passage of smoke/air and a heat transfer in the framing system in the event of fire.

An advantage of the framing system according to the present invention is to achieve a construction which, when exposed to fire, will retain its qualities of firmly enclosing the glass and will prevent air passage in the partition.

A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which comprises a sectional view of part of a framing system in which two plates of glass are framed by steel crossbars.

In the drawing one has shown a cross section of the framing system according to the invention. The glass plates 4 are framed by the steel crossbars 1 which have the shape of a "hat profile." Steel crossbars constitute the supporting framework in a partition, and are often arranged in a "grid structure." When attaching the partition to a ceiling, a wall or a floor, one replaces one of the glass plates with a steel section which is fastened to the building. The steel sections may, for example, be constructed by welding together two steel sections or cold-rolling one section.

A fireproof insulation board 2, for example of the type designated "Promatec," is countour cut and fastened, for example with screw joints, to the steel section 1. The insulation board 2 and the steel section 1 exert sufficient pressure on the glass plates 4 through the edge areas of the insulation board 2 facing the glass plates and through the flange areas of the steel section 1 facing the glass plates, while direct contact between the glass plates and the steel sections 1 or the hard insulation 2 is being prevented by compressing a soft, fireproof insulation 5, for example the type designated "Fibertax," between all of these, thus providing a stable, soft enclosure of the glass.

For the purpose of decor and obtaining an attractive framing system, an aluminium section 3, for example, may be pressed on to the hard insulation board 2 after the system has been assembled.

To prevent water penetration, etc., in the crossbars, the fissures between the decor section 3 and the glass plate 4 and between the steel section 1 and the glass plate 4 may be sealed by, for example, a careful insertion of rubber weather-stripping.

1. A framing system, particularly suitable for glass in fire partitions, said system comprising one or more steel crossbars, constituting the supporting structure of the partition, screw joints, rubber weather-stripping, decor sections and insulating material, wherein soft fireproof insulation is in abutting relation along the end surfaces of the glass plates and in abutting relation against the opposing edge areas of the glass plates, and wherein said soft insulation(s) is pressed by means of the screw joints against the glass plates by, on one side, the steel crossbars and, on the other side, a hard, fireproof insulation board so as to impede the passage of smoke/air and a heat transfer in the framing system in the event of fire.

2. A framing system substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

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

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A framing system, particularly suitable for glass in fire partitions This invention relates to a framing system, particularly suitable for glass in fire partitions where the partitions are constructed of fireproof glass, steel crossbars, screw joints and fireproof insulation. Down to recent times internal fire partitions have usually been constructed out of materials such as plaster, concrete, steel, etc. In recent years glass types have been developed which fulfil the desired requirements for fire partitions in regard to insulation and integrity. Some framing systems for glass are known where parts of the crossbars constitute clamping devices which, for example in combination with rubber gaskets, keep the glass in position, as shown in British Patent 1,479,403 and West German Patent 30 48 152. These systems will, however, be unsuitable for framing fire partitions. In case of fire gaskets will burn and create air passage, thus leading to the possible collapse of the wall. According to the present invention there is disclosed a framing system, particularly suitable for glass in fire partitions, said system comprising one or more steel crossbars, constituting the supporting structure of the partition, screw joints, rubber weather-stripping, decor sections and insulating material, wherein soft fireproof insulation is in abutting relation along the end surfaces of the glass plates and in abutting relation against the opposing edge areas of the glass plates, and wherein said soft insulation(s) is pressed by means of the screw joints against the glass plates by, on one side, the steel crossbars and, on the other side, a hard, fireproof insulation board so as to impede the passage of smoke/air and a heat transfer in the framing system in the event of fire. An advantage of the framing system according to the present invention is to achieve a construction which, when exposed to fire, will retain its qualities of firmly enclosing the glass and will prevent air passage in the partition. A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which comprises a sectional view of part of a framing system in which two plates of glass are framed by steel crossbars. In the drawing one has shown a cross section of the framing system according to the invention. The glass plates 4 are framed by the steel crossbars 1 which have the shape of a "hat profile." Steel crossbars constitute the supporting framework in a partition, and are often arranged in a "grid structure." When attaching the partition to a ceiling, a wall or a floor, one replaces one of the glass plates with a steel section which is fastened to the building. The steel sections may, for example, be constructed by welding together two steel sections or cold-rolling one section. A fireproof insulation board 2, for example of the type designated "Promatec," is countour cut and fastened, for example with screw joints, to the steel section 1. The insulation board 2 and the steel section 1 exert sufficient pressure on the glass plates 4 through the edge areas of the insulation board 2 facing the glass plates and through the flange areas of the steel section 1 facing the glass plates, while direct contact between the glass plates and the steel sections 1 or the hard insulation 2 is being prevented by compressing a soft, fireproof insulation 5, for example the type designated "Fibertax," between all of these, thus providing a stable, soft enclosure of the glass. For the purpose of decor and obtaining an attractive framing system, an aluminium section 3, for example, may be pressed on to the hard insulation board 2 after the system has been assembled. To prevent water penetration, etc., in the crossbars, the fissures between the decor section 3 and the glass plate 4 and between the steel section 1 and the glass plate 4 may be sealed by, for example, a careful insertion of rubber weather-stripping. CLAIMS

1. A framing system, particularly suitable for glass in fire partitions, said system comprising one or more steel crossbars, constituting the supporting structure of the partition, screw joints, rubber weather-stripping, decor sections and insulating material, wherein soft fireproof insulation is in abutting relation along the end surfaces of the glass plates and in abutting relation against the opposing edge areas of the glass plates, and wherein said soft insulation(s) is pressed by means of the screw joints against the glass plates by, on one side, the steel crossbars and, on the other side, a hard, fireproof insulation board so as to impede the passage of smoke/air and a heat transfer in the framing system in the event of fire.

2. A framing system substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawing.