GB2507432A

GB2507432A - Flue Enclosure support

Info

Publication number: GB2507432A
Application number: GB1401378.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Stuart Ebbs
Original assignee: SPECFLUE Ltd
Current assignee: SPECFLUE Ltd
Priority date: 2010-06-30
Filing date: 2010-06-30
Publication date: 2014-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-30
Also published as: GB2481623A; GB201401378D0; GB2481623B; GB201011052D0; GB2507432B

Abstract

A flue enclosure support 1 is securable, in use, to a flue 4 for supporting a flue enclosure 2 at a predetermined distance from the flue. Preferably, the flue enclosure support comprises a spacing element 7 having a first end for abutting the flue and, at the opposite end, a supporting surface or engagement means 5 for supporting the flue enclosure at a predetermined distance from the flue. The flue enclosure support may also comprise a strap 9, which is securable around the flue.

Description

FLUE ENCLOSURE SUPPORT

This invention relates to flue-enclosure supports, flue enclosures, kits and associated methods.

S

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A flue is a structure forventing hot flue gases or smoke, for example from a boiler, stove, furnace or fireplace to the outside atmosphere. Flues are typically installed vertically, or as near as possible to vertical, to ensure that the products of combustion flow smoothly, and evacuate.

Flues used in buildings may be installed such that they extend up through the exterior or interior of a building, or a combination of both. If a flue is installed in the is interior of a house, it is commonly enclosed within a ventilated wooden frame and plasterboard structure, such that it is not visible and unsightly.

Forsafety, in the interior of a building, building regulations specify that combustible materials must be kept a pre-determined distance away from a flue. This is a safety measure to ensure that if the temperature is high within the flue, combustible materials are a safe distance away and are unlikely to ignite via radiated heat.

In some buildings, flues may be exposed. A common place where flues are exposed is in the loft spaces of houses and it is apparent that in situations such as these, building regulations are not being adhered to.

As noted above, enclosures are often built to create a box-like structure around exposed sections of a flue, using timber and plasterboard. Building such enclosures, which must each be custom-made, is time consuming and it can be difficult to ensure that the enclosures themselves are positioned at the required distance from the flue. In addition, such conventional enclosures may block off the flue from sight, such that it cannot be monitored and it may be time consuming to remove such enclosures if maintenance is required.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention provides a flue-enclosure support, a flue enclosure, a kit for s installation of a flue enclosure and a method for spacing a flue enclosure at a predetermined distance from a flue as defined in the appended independent claims to which reference should now be made. Advantageous and preferred features of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

The term flue" is used herein to refer to any duct, pipe or conduit for conveying products of combustion. This encompasses, but is not limited to, prefabricated flues such as prefabricated twin-wall flues, double-skin insulated flues, single-skin flues and flue liners.

is In a first aspect of the invention, the invention may thus provide a flue-enclosure support securable to a flue for supporting a flue enclosure at a predetermined distance, or spacing, from the flue. Securing the flue-enclosure support to the flue may advantageously maintain the predetermined spacing of the flue enclosure from the flue more reliably and conveniently than a stand-alone structure built around a flue, such as a conventional timber and plasterboard structure.

Commonly, the flue may be a prefabricated flue such as a twin-wall flue.

Preferably, the flue-enclosure support is releasably securable to the flue to allow efficient adjustment, removal and/or replacement, for example if the flue requires 23 servicing or replacement.

Advantageously, the flue-enclosure support may comprise a spacing element securable at one end to the flue and comprising, at the opposite end, a supporting surface, or other structure, for supporting or engaging the flue enclosure at the pre-determined distance from the flue.

The flue-enclosure support may comprise a strap which is securable around an exterior surface of the flue. Consequently, in use, the flue-enclosure support may surround the flue. Spacing elements may then extend outwardly from the strap, away from the flue.

The flue-enclosure support may be adjustable such that it is securable around a s variety of sizes and shapes of flue. Although it is preferred that the flue-enclosure support fastens around a section of the flue, it may be securable to the flue by other means such as adhesion. It is undesirable to secure the support to the flue by any means which requires puncturing the flue, or the outer skin of a prefabricated twin-wall flue, unless the flue is designed for this.

In use, the strap of the flue-enclosure support may provide a substantially continuous abutment surface to abut, or directly contact, an exterior surface of the flue. This may advantageously permit a secure and stable fit to the flue. The strap may be preformed to be substantially the same shape as the outer surface of the is flue to which it abuts, or it may be flexible so that it can be formed to the shape of the flue during installation. In use, the abutment surface of the strap preferably forms a substantially annular shape because the majority of flues are of circular section. However, the abutment surface could be of any shape to correspond with a particularly-shaped flue.

Common circular-section flues typically have external diameters of between 150 millimetres (mm) and 300mm, preferably between 180mm and 260mm. Thus, in use, the strap may have a diameter of greater than about 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm or 300mm, preferably between about 150mm and 300mm or 23 between 180mm and 260mm.

The strap may take any appropriate form. One example may be a jubilee clip or other type of strap in which one end of the strap is engageable with the other end of the strap to tension the strap around a flue. In an alternative structure, a tab or flange may be provided at each end of the strap, arranged to extend radially outwardly from the flue surface when the strap is wrapped around a flue. Holes may be defined in each tab for receiving a bolt or a threaded rod. Tightening a nut or nuts on the bolt or threaded rod can then tighten, or tension, the strap around the flue. In more general terms, opposite ends of the strap may be engageable with any suitable fastener or fastening means which enables the strap to be tightened, or tensioned, or secured in position around the flue. This may advantageously make the strap compatible with a range of fastening means such as a screw, nut and bolt, clip, wire or clamp.

S

In a preferred embodiment, the strap used to encircle a flue may comprise two or more separate straps or strap portions, with separate fasteners or fastening means between each. This arrangement may advantageously make installation and attachment to the flue easier, especially if, for example, the flue-enclosure support has a preformed shape and is not sufficiently flexible to be easily deformed to wrap around the flue, or is rigid. In a preferred embodiment, first and second strap portions each form a half ring, such that when they are attached together they form a continuous ring around the flue. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second strap portions are substantially the same, and preferably is identical, for ease of manufacturing.

The flue enclosure is preferably securable to outer ends of the spacing elements of the flue-enclosure support, the outer ends being the ends of the spacing elements distant from the flue when the support is secured to the flue. Preferably, a supporting surface, or other engagement means, is positioned at the outer end of each spacing element of the flue-enclosure support. The flue enclosure may be securable to some or all of the supporting surfaces, or engagement means. Most preferably, the flue enclosure is releasably securable to the flue-enclosure support, so that it can be removed if needed, for example for servicing the flue.

In one embodiment, an aperture may be defined through a supporting surface to permit fastening of the flue-enclosure support to the flue enclosure by a suitable fastening means, such as a nut and bolt, or wire. Alternatively the outer end of a spacing element may comprise a clip or any suitable means for engaging with the flue enclosure.

However, it may not be necessary for every supporting surface, or any of the supporting surfaces, to be securable to the flue enclosure. For example, at least some of the supporting surfaces may simply be contact surfaces which prevent encroachment of the enclosure within the pre-determined distance. The flue enclosure may simply wrap around the flue-enclosure support and fasten to itself whilst being spaced from the flue by the flue-enclosure support. Alternatively, the flue enclosure may wrap around the flue-enclosure support and be held in place s by a separate tie, or enclosure strap, encircling the flue enclosure.

The oreach spacing element of the flue-enclosure support may comprise a strut or arm which resists any tendency of the enclosure to move towards the flue. There may be a plurality of struts, preferably at least three struts, more preferably four, five or six struts, preferably spaced around a circumference or periphery of the flue.

Alternatively, but less preferably, if the flue-enclosure support comprises a strap which fastens around the flue, the spacing element may be a continuous is protrusion (for example in the form of an annular plate) around the outside of the strap rather than a number of distinct struts or arms.

In use, the spacing elements, or struts, may be spaced substantially evenly around the flue. This is particularly advantageous if the support fastens around the flue, the evenly spaced arms allowing an even, predetermined spacing of the flue enclosure from the flue around the periphery of the flue.

The strut or struts are preferably oriented substantially radially with respect to the flue, in use. This is particularly preferable when the flue-enclosure support 23 engages with a substantially circular-section flue. If the flue is non-circular, by, for example, having a substantially rectangular or square cross-section, each strut may be arranged such that, in use, it is aligned substantially perpendicularly to an adjacent face of the flue.

In a preferred embodiment, each supporting surface positioned at the outerend of a strut, for abutting or securing to the flue enclosure, is arranged such that it is substantially perpendicular to the strut. This may advantageously provide a large, suitably-oriented, effective surface for abutting or engaging the flue enclosure if the strut extends radially outwards from the flue. Alternatively, the supporting surface may be positioned at an obtuse or acute angle with respect to the strut, if the strut does not protrude radially with respect to a flue.

Each supporting surface may be formed simply by bending an end of the strut, or s may be formed by securing a separate component to the end of the strut. In an alternative embodiment, the supporting surface could be provided by an end of the spacing element or strut itself, without a separate supporting surface arranged at the end of the support.

The flue-enclosure support may, in use, space the flue enclosure from the flue at a distance of at least about 10 mm, 20mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 80mm 01100mm. Consequently, the spacing element, such as a strut, may have a length of at least about 10mm, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, 80mm 01100mm.

However, the flue enclosure may be spaced at any suitable distance and this may is vary depending on manufacturing or building standards. Larger flues tend to require a greater spacing distance.

The flue-enclosure support is preferably manufactured partially or wholly from a non-combustible material, preferably metal, most preferably stainless steel.

In a preferred embodiment, the flue-enclosure support has a maximum width (in a direction parallel to the axis of the flue) of about 10 to 100mm, 25 to 75mm or 40 to 60 mm. Most preferably, the width of the attachment is substantially 50mm.

23 A number of flue-enclosure supports may be positioned along a length of flue, ensuring spacing of the flue enclosure from the flue along an extended section of the flue. The flue-enclosure supports may also be easily arrangable at intervals along a length of flue which is not straight, or which incorporates an angle, bend, elbow or corner, or changes direction, to enable consistent spacing of the flue enclosure from the flue. The same type of flue-enclosure support may advantageously be useable along any portion of flue without having to customise for a particular section of flue.

In an alternative embodiment the flue-enclosure support may complise an annular outer ring to engage with or abut or support the flue enclosure. The outer ring may comprise two or more ring segments, with spacing elements extending inwardly, in use, from the outer ring towards the flue. The flue enclosure may then surround s and be supported by the outer ring, at the predetermined spacing from the flue The outer ring may be a separate component which fastens to outer ends of spacing elements of a flue-enclosure support as described above, or it may be integral with the spacing elements. The outer ring may be sufficiently rigid to bridge between adjacent spacing elements and provide a rigid support forthe flue enclosure between the spacing elements.

The additional bracing or support provided by a rigid outer ring may enable a less rigid flue enclosure to be used.

is In a further alternative embodiment, comprising an outer ring, the outer ring may be tensioned in order to secure the flue-enclosure support to the flue,the tension in the outer ring urging inner ends of the spacing elements against the outer surface of the flue.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there may be provided a flue enclosure, preferably prefabricated, for use with a flue-enclosure support as described herein. The flue enclosure may be securable, preferably releasably securable, to the flue-enclosure support. The flue enclosure may only partially surround the flue, for example if the flue is close to a wall, or may completely 23 surround it.

The flue enclosure may be fastenable to the flue-enclosure support. In a preferred embodiment, an aperture is defined through the flue enclosure through which a suitable fastening means may be inserted, such as a nut, bolt and washer, or a screw, a clip or wire. Consequently, the enclosure may be installed and removed easily, especially compared to stand-alone enclosures which are conventionally built around flues, such as conventional timber and plasterboard structures.

Preferably, the flue enclosure is foraminous, or comprises a plurality of apertures.

This may be in a lattice arrangement or a mesh. This may advantageously allow observation of the section of the flue which is enclosed, may allow ventilation to prevent a build-up of heat, and may allow attachment of the flue-enclosure support to the flue enclosure by applying fasteners through apertures in the flue enclosure.

Preferably, the flue enclosure is capable of forming a substantially uniform tubular enclosure around a flue. To achieve this, the enclosure is preferably rigid enough so that it is capable of maintaining a tubular structure or shape, and does not collapse, even where it is not attached to a flue-enclosure support. However, it is also preferable that the enclosure is flexible enough such that it may be wrapped, bent or formed around two or more flue-enclosure supports spaced along the length of a flue to form the tubular enclosure. Preferably the enclosure is of a metal, such as stainless steel.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there may be provided a kit for installation of a flue enclosure at a predetermined distance from a flue, comprising, preferably separately, a flue-enclosure support as described herein and a flue enclosure as described herein. The kit may further comprise instructions for installation, preferably instructing attachment of the flue support to the flue priorto engagement of the flue enclosure with the flue-enclosure support. The kit may further comprise a fastening means for releasably securing the flue-enclosure support to the flue, such as a nut and bolt. The kit may further comprise a fastening means for releasably securing the flue enclosure to the flue-enclosure support, such as a nut, bolt and washer. The kit may comprise the flue enclosure pre-attached to, or integral with, one or more flue enclosure supports.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there may be provided a method for spacing a flue enclosure at a predetermined distance from a flue, comprising securing a flue-enclosure support, as described herein, to a flue as described herein. Preferably, the flue-enclosure support is secured to the flue prior to engagement with a flue enclosure.

It is envisaged that a flue enclosure made of a freely-available raw material, such as wire netting or chicken wire, may be used in combination with a flue-enclosure support embodying the invention. If such a material is not sufficiently rigid, then an increased number of flue-enclosure supports, positioned sufficiently close together, may be required. Flue-enclosure supports comprising rigid outer rings as described above may also be used to support less rigid enclosures.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a fastened flue-enclosure support according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of the flue-enclosure support of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view of the flue-enclosure support of Figure 1 and Figure 2, in an unfastened form.

Figure 4 is a side view of the flue-enclosure support of Figures ito 3.

Figure 5 is a three dimensional view of a flue enclosure according to the invention secured to three flue-enclosure supports as in Figures 1 to 4, the flue-enclosure supports being secured to a prefabricated twin-wall flue in the loft space of a house.

Figure 6 is a top view of a flue-enclosure support according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a top view of a flue-enclosure support according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

A flue-enclosure support 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, comprises two separate, s identical halves 11 and 13. In Figures 1, 2 and 4, the two halves of the flue-enclosure support are fastened together. Figure 3 shows the flue-enclosure support when the two halves are not fastened together.

The two halves of the flue-enclosure support are fastenable together to form a circular strap 9. A protruding tab, or flange 3, protrudes radially outwardly from each end of each half of the strap and is fastenable to a corresponding tab of the other half of the strap. A hole 17, is defined through each tab, permitting a fastening means, in the form of a nut and bolt 15, to be inserted through each pair of corresponding holes and tightened in order to tension the support around a is flue..

The flue-enclosure support has four spacing elements, in the form of struts 7 protruding outwardly from the strap. Each half of the flue-enclosure support has two struts, positioned such that fastening the two halves together results in the struts being spaced evenly around the strap 9. The struts protrude radially outwards with respect to the circular strap and each strut is 50mm in length At the end of each strut, spaced from the strap, is a supporting surface 5, for securing the flue-enclosure support to a flue enclosure. The supporting surface is 23 formed by bending the end of the strut and is perpendicular to the strut 7, with an aperture or hole 19 defined through it, permitting fastening to the flue enclosure.

The supporting surface provides an area of 50mm2, and the hole defined through it is a slot of 20mm x 5mm.

The flue-enclosure support is manufactured from 0.5mm 430-grade stainless steel and has a maximum width of 50mm.

In use, the flue-enclosure support 1 is attached to a prefabricated twin-wall flue (see Figure 5) by bolting the two halves of the flue-enclosure support 11, 13 to each other around the flue such that the strap 9 fastens around the circumference of the flue. During installation, each half of the flue-enclosure support is positioned relative to the other half such that the apertures 17, defined through each tab 3, are aligned with each other. This alignment, prior to fastening, is demonstrated in s Figure 3. Once the holes are aligned, a bolt 15 is inserted through the paired apertures and is maintained in position by a nut 16, such that the tabs are urged towards each other to tension the strap around the flue.

Once two or more flue-enclosure supports are secured to the flue, spaced along the length of the flue, a tubular flue enclosure can be wrapped around the outside of the supports such that it completely encircles the supports and contacts each of the four supporting surfaces 5.

Figure 5 shows a prefabricated flue enclosure 2 fastened to the flue-enclosure is support of figures ito 4, in the loft space of a house. Wooden beams 27 defining the loft space are indicated. Three flue-enclosure supports 1 are fastened to the prefabricated twin-wall flue 4. The size and shape of the flue-enclosure supports allows them to be attached at intervals along the flue, as desired by the user. They are adaptable for use with flues which may change direction as they pass through a building and can be unfastened and refastened to the flue to allow rapid adjustment when the flue enclosure is being installed.

The flue enclosure is formed from a mesh sheet of stainless steel. Each hole 25 defined through the mesh potentially allows connection of the flue enclosure to a 23 flue-enclosure support by alignment with a hole 19 formed in a support surface of the flue-enclosure support and inserting a bolt. The bolts are used in conjunction with nuts and washers to ensure a secure attachment. The slotted shape of the holes 19 in the supporting surfaces accommodates any misalignment with the holes in the mesh. The stainless steel sheet is flexible enough that two ends of the sheet (not shown) can be manoeuvred to wrap around the flue. However, the enclosure is rigid enough such that a tubular shape is maintained when secured to the flue-enclosure support, and does not readily collapse at portions of the enclosure that are not directly connected to the flue-enclosure support. This may prevent combustible material in the loft from coming into contact with the flue, or from coming closer to the flue than the predetermined spacing.

Alternative flue-enclosure supports are shown in figures 6 and 7. Features similar s to those described in figures 1 to 5 have been given like reference numerals.

Figure 6 shows a fastened flue-enclosure support 1 substantially as described for figures ito 5 except that the circular strap 9 is not formed by fastening together two separate halves. Instead, there the support comprises one continuous strap.

Two tabs 3, one at each end of the strap, allow the strap to be tensioned around a flue.

In use, during installation, the tabs have to be separated to place the support around the flue, and so the support must be sufficiently flexible to permit this.

is Once placed around the flue, the tabs 3 at each end are aligned and bolted together.

Figure 7 shows a fastened flue-enclosure support 1 substantially as described for figures ito 6 except that the support is formed from four separate but substantially identical quarters 30a, 30b 30c 30d, Each quarter has a strap portion and two tabs 3, one tab at each end of the strap portion. Each quarter also has a strut with a supporting surface 5 at the end of the strut.

As shown in figure 7, a circular strap 9 is formed around the flue when the four 23 quarters are bolted together, allowing the separate strap portions to be joined.

A flue-enclosure support having four separate portions may allow for more compact storage and easier transport.

Claims

Claims 1. A flue-enclosure support securable, in use, to a flue for supporting a flue s enclosure at a predetermined distance from the flue.
2. A flue-enclosure support according to claim 1, comprising a spacing element having a first end for abutting the flue and comprising, at the opposite end, a supporting surface or engagement means for supporting the flue enclosure at the pre-determined distance from the flue.
3. A flue-enclosure support according to claim 2, in which the supporting surface or engagement means is securable to the flue enclosure.is
4. A flue-enclosure support according to claim 2, in which the supporting surface or engagement means is releasably securable to the flue enclosure.
5. A flue-enclosure support according to any preceding claim, which is releasably securable to the flue.
6. A flue-enclosure support according to any preceding claim, comprising a strap which is securable around the flue.
7. A flue-enclosure support according to claim 6, in which the strap comprises 23 more than one strap portion, and in which the strap portions are fastenable together to encircle, in use, the flue.
S. A flue-enclosure support according to any of claims 2 to 7, in which the spacing element comprises a strut.
9. A flue-enclosure support according to any of claims 2 to 8, comprising a plurality of spacing elements which, in use, are spaced substantially evenly around the flue.
10. A flue-enclosure support according to claim 9, comprising at least three spacing elements, preferably four spacing elements.
11. A flue-enclosure support according to any of claims 2 to 10, in which, in use, the or each spacing element is oriented substantially radially with respect to the flue.
12. A flue-enclosure support according to claim 2, in which the supporting surface is arranged such that, in use, it is oriented circumferentially relative to the flue.
13. A flue-enclosure support according to any preceding claim, which, in use, spaces the flue enclosure from the flue at a distance of at least 30mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 80mm or 100 mm.
14. A flue-enclosure support according to any preceding claim which is manufactured from metal, preferably stainless steel.
15. A kit for the installation of a flue enclosure at a predetermined distance from a flue, comprising: a flue-enclosure support according to any of claims 1 to 14; and a flue enclosure.
16. A kit according to claim 15, further comprising a fastening means for securing the flue enclosure to the flue-enclosure support.
17. A kit according to claim 15 or 16, in which the flue-enclosure support is securable to the flue, preferably releasably securable.
18. A kit according to any of claims 15 to 17, in which a plurality of apertures are defined through the flue enclosure, preferably such that the flue enclosure comprises a lattice or mesh structure.
19. A kit according to any of claims 15 to 18, which forms a tubular enclosure around the flue.
20. A kit according to any of claims 15 to 19, in which the flue enclosure is of s metal, preferably stainless steel.
21. A flue enclosure for releasably engaging with a flue-enclosure support, as defined in any of claims ito 14.
22. A method for spacing a flue enclosure at a predetermined distance from a flue, comprising securing a flue-enclosure support to a flue, preferably releasably securing, and securing a flue enclosure to the flue-enclosure support, preferably releasably securing.is
23. A flue-enclosure support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
24. A flue enclosure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25. A kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
26. A method for spacing a flue enclosure at a predetermined distance from a 23 flue as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.