GB2306983A

GB2306983A - Insulating strips

Info

Publication number: GB2306983A
Application number: GB9623303A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Peter Tiernan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-11-11
Filing date: 1996-11-08
Publication date: 1997-05-14
Also published as: GB9523128D0; GB9623303D0

Abstract

A strip is formed from plaster board or fire lining board 1 with a substantially deeper layer of mineral wool insulation 2 secured to layer 1 by adhesive. The strip is used to fill a gap formed between a flange of a steel girder and a block work wall built into the web between the two flanges of the girder 7. Successive portions of insulating strip will be fitted along the height of the gap with the ends 3 and 4 of successive strips overlapping. The outer face of the board 1 can then be plastered and/or decorated.

Description

ImProvements relating to Insulatina StriDs When buildings are constructed using steel girders and building bricks and blocks the bricks or blocks will be fitted into the webs of the girders. However this may leave a gap between the building bricks or blocks and one of the flanges of the girder. It is difficult to fill this gap (to create a neat appearance) and there is the risk that a passageway will be formed which can act as a fire or smoke channel in the event of a fire occurring.

According to the present invention there is provided an insulating strip for filling between the flanges of a steel girder and comprising a rigid outer layer of plaster board or fire lining board and an inner insulating layer of mineral wool secured to the outer layer by adhesive.

When this strip is fitted into the web left between the flanges of the girder and the building bricks or block the mineral wool will fill the web and the outer layer of board will give rigidity to the strip and provide a smooth outer surface to the infill.

It is preferred that the outer layer of the strip should overhang the inner layer at one end and should underhang the inner layer at the other end by a similar amount. Successive portions of strip can then be overlapped with one another to fill a long gap.

The invention further extends to a method of filling a gap left in the web of the steel girder during the construction of a building, wherein insulating strips -of this invention as hereinbefore defined are formed to a width in excess of the width of the gap, the outer layer is trimmed to match the width of the gap along its length and the inner layer is trimmed to be just wider than the trimmed outer layer, and the strip is pressed into the gap whilst compressing the oversize inner layer until the outer layer is flush with the edge of the outer flange of the girder.

In the preferred method the gap of the web is filled by successive lengths of insulating strips which are overlapped at their ends by the overhang and underhang portions of the two layers.

The invention may be performed in various ways and a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an insulating strip of this invention; and Figure 2 illustrates the use of the strip of Figure 1 within a building construction; and Figure 3 is a cross-section through the assembly shown in Figure 2.

The insulating strip shown in Figure 1 of the Drawings comprises a strip of plaster board or fire lining board 1 with a substantially deeper layer of mineral wool insulation 2 secured to layer 1 by adhesive. Where the strip is to be fire resistant the adhesive would be heat resistant. As can be seen the layer 1 overhangs the layer 2 at one end 3 but will underhang the layer 2 at the other end 4. The strip is to be used to fill a gap 5 formed between a flange 6 of a steel girder 7 and a block work wall 8 built into the web between the two flanges of the girder 7. The gap width between the flange 6 and the wall 8 will be measured (it may vary along the length of the gap 5) and the lining board 1 of the infill strip will be cut to the same width so as to fill the gap. The insulation layer 2 is then cut to be about 5 mm over the size of the trimmed board 1.The mineral wool insulation is then pressed into the gap 5 until the board 1 is flush with the edge of the flange 6 of the girder. The insulation layer 2 will be compressed so as to fill the whole void area formed in the gap 5. Successive portions of insulating strip will be fitted along the height of the gap 5 with the ends 3 and 4 of successive strips overlapping. The outer face of the board 1 can then be plastered and/or decorated as desired.

It is preferred that the board 1 should be made to be 20 to 30% over-size (as trimming is more difficult with a narrower over size portion to be cut away). The board can easily be trimmed on site. The component parta of the insulating strip assist each other. The mineral wool insulation reduces the possibility of snapping of the face of the board 1 and the board itself gives the mineral wool more rigidity when loading the strip into place and fitting into tight gaps. The overlap at the ends of the strip assists in maintaining a line within the gap 5 and prevents individual board to board joints from getting out of line.

The infill provided by the insulated strip will be resistant to impacts and is essentially maintenance free. X,y damage to sections can nevertheless be repaired easily by removal and replacement.

An intumescent strip 9 could be provided, abutting the face of the block work 8, behind the board 1 and set into one edge of the insulation layer 2. This will expand on heating to ensure that any expansion, for example of the girder 7, will not allow a gap to occur.

The insulating strip can be used as a fire stop, smoke seal, soundproofing or thermal insulation.

Claims

1. An insulating strip for filling a gap in the web of a steel girder and comprising a rigid outer layer of plaster board or fire lining board and an inner insulating layer of mineral wool secured to the outer layer by adhesive.

2. An insulating strip according to Claim 1, wherein the outer layer overhangs the inner layer at one end and underhangs the inner layer at the outer end by a similar amount.

3. A method of filling a gap left in the web of the steel girder during the construction of a building, wherein insulating strips as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2 are formed to a width in excess of the width of the gap, the outer layer is trimmed to match the width of the gap along its length and the inner layer is trimmed to be just wider than the trimmed outer layer, and the strip is pressed into the gap whilst compressing the oversize inner layer until the outer layer is flush with the edge of the web of the girder.

4. A method according to Claim 3 as dependant upon Claim 2, wherein the gap in the web is filled by successive lengths of insulating strips which are overlapped at their ends by the overhang and underhang portions of the two layers.

5. An insulating strip or a method of filling a gap, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.