GB2297770A

GB2297770A - Fireproof damp-proof course

Info

Publication number: GB2297770A
Application number: GB9502600A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lewis Russell Jackson; David Arthur Jaina; Kenneth Hazelton Dabell
Original assignee: T D I
Current assignee: T D I
Priority date: 1995-02-10
Filing date: 1995-02-10
Publication date: 1996-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2015-02-10
Also published as: GB9502600D0; GB2297770B

Abstract

A damp-proof course 10 is formed of a flexible plastics membrane 12, to one side of which is bonded a sheet 14 of a fireproof material. The material sheet is dimensionally stable at varying conditions of temperature and humidity, and the unitary structure of the damp-proof course, which can be rolled upon itself, reduces the conventional site handling, delivery, and storage difficulties where separate materials are involved.

Description

Improved Daxp-Proof Course This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to damp-proof courses, and is especially concerned with providing a damp-proof course which is fireproof.

According to the present invention there is provided a damp-proof course comprising at least two layers, one of which is formed of a flexible, pressure resistant material having damp-proofing properties, and the other of which is formed of a continuous sheet of a fireproof material, whereby the damp-proof course is sufficiently flexible as to be rolled upon itself.

Preferably said one layer is formed of polyethylene or polyurethane.

Preferably also said other layer is formed of a non-combustible mineral wool. The latter may be an inert vitreous silicate material bonded with a thermosetting phenolic resin which has been urea extended.

Such a material may have the characteristics of being rot-proof, odourless, non-hygroscopic, will not sustain vermin, and will not encourage the growth of fungi, mould or bacteria. The material may be dimensionally stable under varying conditions of temperature and humidity.

The layers are preferably bonded together.

The invention further provides a method of installing, in a building, a damp-proof course comprising at least two layers which are secured together, one of the layers being formed of a flexible, pressure resistant, water impermeable material, and the other of the layers being formed of a continous sheet of a fireproof material whereby the structure is able to be rolled upon itself, unrolling the damp-proof course and locating the latter against a first building component with the fireproof material sheet adjacent thereto, and forming or locating a second building component on or adjacent to the flexible material, whereby to provide a damp-proof course which is fireproof.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a damp-proof course; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the damp-proof course used in a floor construction; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the damp-proof course used at a window or door opening in a wall; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the damp-proof course used at the junction of adjacent preformed panels having a supporting column.

Referring to the drawings, a structure in the form of a damp-proof course (dpc) 10 (Fig. 1) comprises a membrane 12 made of a flexible plastics material conforming to the relevant British standard, for example polythene, and a sheet 14 of a fireproof material bonded to one side of the membrane 12 by any suitable adhesive.

The sheet 14 is formed of a non-combustible inorganic mineral wool according to British Standard 3533. Such a material sheet complies with the recommendations of British Standard 5422 and British Standard 5970 and in addition with the requirements of BS3958 Part 5. The mineral wool is preferably an inert vitreous silicate material bonded with a thermosetting phenolic resin which has been urea extended and is up to 0.5 mineral oil. The material has a melting point above 6000C and is Class 0 to Building Regulations, achieving both a Class 1 Surface Spread of Flame to BS476 Part 7 and the required indices of performance of fire propagation to BS476 Part 6. The material is rot-proof, odourless, non-hygroscopic, does not sustain vermin, and will not encourage the growth of fungi, mould or bacteria.The material sheet is dimensionally stable under varying conditions of temperature and humidity.

After bonding, the dpc 10 is capable of being rolled upon itself with either the membrane 12 or sheet 14 innermost, without damage to either. The ability of the dpc to be formed into a roll is advantageous for handling and laying and manufacture is simplified by the use of a continuous sheet 14 of mineral wool which is robust when cut thinly and can also be cut accurately.

In a first example of a use of the dpc, Fig. 2 shows the dpc 10 in position on a floor structure. The dpc 10 is laid on top of a hard core base 16 with the fireproof sheet 14 adjacent thereto and extends up the side of a wall 18 to the intended level of a concrete floor 20. The dpc 10 has the membrane 12 longer than the sheet 14, so that the membrane 12 itself can then be laid over the course of bricks of the wall 18 at the floor level. Once the dpc 10 is in position, the concrete floor 20 is then laid on top. The dpc formed is easier to handle than a dpc comprising only the membrane 12, and can be laid faster, with less risk of displacement and with better jointing facilities. The formed dpc is lightweight and is more easily cut and shaped.

When used in a cavity wall 22 (Fig. 3), the dpc 10 is positioned between an outer skin 24 and an inner skin 26, with the fireproof sheet 14 adjacent the inner skin 26. The dpc 10 extends from the cavity 28 into the window opening with the extension being compressed against the wall by a window 30, the fireproof sheet 14 being innermost.

The formed dpc 10 is also advantageously used at a junction (Fig. 4) between preformed panels or slabs 32 with a supporting column 34, the fireproof sheet 14 being laid adjacent the column 34 and the membrane 12 across the joint of the panels or slabs 32.

It will be appreciated that the fireproof dpc can advantageously be used in other applications. The unitary structure reduces conventional site handling of separate dpc and fire retardant materials, as well as reducing deliveries of separate materials and also reducing storage difficulties where separate materials are involved.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Clajis:-

1. A damp-proof course comprising at least two layers, one of which is formed of a flexible, pressure resistant material having damp-proofing properties, and the other of which is formed of a continuous sheet of a fireproof material, whereby the damp-proof course is sufficiently flexible as to be rolled upon itself.

2. A damp-proof course according to Claim 1, wherein said one layer is formed of polyethylene.

3. A damp-proof course according to Claim 1, wherein said one layer is formed of polyurethane.

4. A damp-proof course according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said other layer is formed of a non-combustible mineral wool.

5. A damp-proof course according to Claim 4, wherein the mineral wool is an inert vitreous silicate material bonded with a thermosetting phenolic resin which has been urea extended.

6. A damp-proof course according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the material of said other layer has the characteristics of being rot-proof, odourless, non-hygroscopic, will not sustain vermin, and will not encourage the growth of fungi, mould or bacteria.

7. A damp-proof course according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the material of said other layer is dimensionally stable under varying conditions of temperature and humidity.

8. A damp-proof course according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the layers are bonded together.

9. A method of installing, in a building, a damp-proof course comprising at least two layers which are secured together, one of the layers being formed of a flexible, pressure resistant, water impermeable material, and the other of the layers being formed of a continous sheet of a fireproof material whereby the structure is able to be rolled upon itself, unrolling the damp-proof course and locating the latter against a first building component with the fireproof material sheet adjacent thereto, and forming or locating a second building component on or adjacent to the flexible material, whereby to provide a damp-proof course which is fireproof.

10. A method according to Claim 9, wherein the damp-proof course is in accordance with any of Claims 2 to 8.

11. A damp-proof course substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of installing a damp-proof course in a building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.