GB2524591A - Cable support - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for supporting a cable or cable trunking comprises a clip which is shaped to encompass the cable or cable trunking and includes means to attach the clip to a wall or ceiling of a building. The clip comprises an inner core or layer 10 of fireproof material, which may be ceramic-based, located within an outer envelope comprising a fire-rated or glass cloth 8 coated internally with a fireproof material. The clip may also include an intumescent pad 7 and an aluminium foil layer 9.

Description

CABLE SUPPORT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a cable support. More especially the invention relates to apparatus for retaining a cable secured to or supported by a wall or ceiling of a building substantially in its supported position in the event of a fire.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In many domestic and industrial buildings, electrical and other cables are conventionally located within trunking secured to a wall or ceiling of a building. In many instances such trunking is produced from a plastics material whose integrity quickly degrades in the event of excessive heat. A consequence of this is that, in the event of a fire, the physical integrity of the trunking deteriorates to such an extent that the previously supported cables are eventually released causing them to hang down to the floor or otherwise to a level where they represent a serious hazard to firefighters and people seeking to leave the building, especially in the presence of smoke where vision is impaired.

This is particularly the case where cable supporting cables are posibioxied above doorways, especially fire doors.

It is known that fire fighters have lost their lives or been seriously injured simply by becoming caught up within, and restrained by, dangling cables.

One objective of this invention is to prevent or at least alleviate this problem.

SJJI44ARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention provides cable support apparatus which comprises a clip shaped to encompass a cable or cable trunking and including means for attaching the clip to a wall or ceiling of a building, the clip comprising an inner core or layer of fireproof material located within an outer envelope comprising a fire-rated cloth coated internally with a fireproof material.

The inner core or layer is preferably a strip or sheet of a ceramic-based fire rated material. One such material is that which is commercially available under the trademark "flexi-felt".

The outer envelope is preferably a foiled glass cloth internally coated with a fire proof material.

The means for attaching the clip to a wall or ceiling preferably comprises a metallic end piece formed with a key-hole slot for receiving a screw or the like.

A pad of an intumescent material may be secured to one side of the clip.

In another aspect, the invention provides a cable support which comprises a strap formed from an outer sheath of a glass cloth foil lined internally with a coating of fire proof material, the sheath encapsulating a core of a fire-proofed material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: -Figure 1 is a view from above of a cable support in accordance with the invention positioned around plastics trunking housing electrical cables; Figure 2 is a side view in perspective of the cable support shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a section taken through the cable support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The cable supporting clip illustrated in the drawings Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings comprises a main body portion 1 which locates around a length of cable containing trunking 2 and includes a pair of metallio plates 3 for attaching each end of the clip to a wall or ceiling 4 of a building. Each plate 3 includes a key-hole slot 5 for receiving a screw 6 or the like. The key-hole slot 5 is provided for ease of fitting.

The use of a simple securing method allows one metal plate 3 to be unscrewed to allow wires and cables supported by the clip to be adjusted before that end of the clip is re-fixed.

The clip may be attached to the supporting wall or ceiling on each side of the trunking as shown in Figures 1 and 2 or may be folded over the trunking and secured to the wall or ceiling only on one side of the trunking. The flexible nature of the clip enables the clip to support rectangular, round or other shaped trunking.

Positioned between the upper part of the clip and the trunking 2 is a pad 7 of intumescent material.

A section taken through the clip is shown in Figure 3. The clip comprises an outer sheath of a glass cloth 8 with a foil foil layer 9 and an inner layer of a ceramic-based heat resistant material 10.

The inner layer 10 may be folded along its longitudinal axis to provide a double layer. The fold is shown by a dotted line in figure 3.

S

The aluminium foil 9 is laminated to the glass cloth 8 using a Neoprene based adhesive. The other side of the cloth is ooated with a sprayed coating of a fire proofed liquid such as one known as PU.

The outer sheath 8, 9 extends over the pad 7 such that the pad 7 is encompassed within the clip structure.

In an alternative embodiment the outer sheaf comprises a glass cloth coated with a liquid containing an intumescent material such as graphite. A glass cloth with intumescent coating is adhered to either side of the inner layer of heat resistant material. Each glass cloth layer may be further secured to its side of the inner layer by staples or the like. The outer surface of eaoh glass cloth may then be covered with foil.

The materials chosen of the clip provide it with flexibility to allow is to be bent into, for example, an S-shaped" configuration to allow the metal plates at each end to be secured to the ceiling 4 and side of the trunking 2 respectively, as for example shown in figures 1 and 2. The clip may be provided in a flattened state, as outlined in figure 3, prior to use.

The heat resistant material 10 may be, for example, one that is available under the brand Flexi-felt TM The material 9 is preferably folded for enhanced heat resistance.

For armoured cables or plastic conduits, a single or double screw fixing units of the same material structure as the clip body 1 may be used.

s In practice a number of spaced apart clips extend across the ceiling to support the cables and wires across the ceiling.

The clips may, for example be 800mm apart. For doors, the clips would generally be fitted 50Cm each side of the door frame and one or two clips across the top of the door opening.

Claims (8)

1. ClAIMS 1. Cable support apparatus which comprises a clip shaped to encompass at least one cable or cable trunking and including means for attaching the clip to a wall or ceiling of a building, the clip comprising an inner core or layer of fireproof material located within an outer envelope comprising a fire-rated cloth coated with a fireproof material.
2. 2. Cable support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner core or layer is preferably a strip or sheet of a ceramic-based fire rated material.
3. 3. cable support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the outer envelope is a glass cloth coated with a liguid coating containing intumescent material.
4. 4. Cable support apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the intumescent material is graphite.
5. 5. Cable support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for attaching the clip to a wall or ceiling comprises a metallic end piece formed with a key-hole slot for receiving a screw or the like.
6. 6. cable support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 further comprising a pad of an intumescent material secured to one side of the clip.
7. 7. A cable suppcrt which comprises a strap formed from an outer sheath of a glass cloth coated with a fire proof material, the sheath encapsulating a core of a fire-proofed material.
8. 8. A cable support substantially as hereinbefore described and referred to in the accompanying figures.