GB2589588A - Fire resistant refuse chute system - Google Patents

Abstract

A fire resistant refuse chute for mounting internally between adjacent floors of a building comprising an elongate, hollow tube arranged to extend from the lower surface of an upper floor to the upper surface of an adjacent floor below the upper floor, an entry door 12 formed in the side of the tube, the door being moveable between an open and a closed position, whereby in the open position, the door provides access for a user to place refuse into the tube, and an automatic fire suppression device 22, such as a fusible bulb sprinkler, mounted inside the tube, adjacent the door 12 and arranged to express fire suppressant material into the tube adjacent the door, when a fire is detected inside the tube.

Description

FIRE RESISTANT REFUSE CHUTE SYSTEM

This invention relates to a refuse chute and in particular to a fire resistant refuse chute Refuse chute systems are used in buildings having several floors to allow occupants to dispose of their general waste and recycling waste at a convenient point on their floor.

Typically the chute system is a form of stainless steel tube which runs substantially the entire height of the building from a foul air exhaust vent at the top through to an exit at the bottom of the chute system. Refuse is placed into the chute system via a self-closing hopper door unit. The hopper delivers the waste into the chute which then falls under gravity to the bottom where it is directed into a refuse or recycling container.

More sophisticated systems include electrical door interlocks which permit only one door to open at a time to avoid collisions of waste. Electrical door interlocks also permit the option of a fully automated cleaning system to operate whilst all doors are locked.

Recycling chute systems also give the operator the option to deposit the general waste or recycling waste into the relevant waste container by diverting waste appropriately at the exit..

Recently it has become apparent that it is necessary to improve the Fire Performance and resistance on mechanical services to high rise buildings. Services such as refuse chute systems require additional fire resistance and control systems to suppress fire hazards. Consultants are requesting additional fire prevention qualities particularly in buildings above 40 storeys.

Accordingly and in a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fire resistant refuse chute for mounting internally between adjacent floors of a building comprising an elongate, hollow tube arranged to extend from the lower surface of an upper floor to the upper surface of an adjacent floor which is below the upper floor, an entry door formed in the side of the tube, the door being moveable between an open and a closed position, whereby in the open position, the door provides access for a user to place refuse into the tube which is then carried by gravity downwardly through the tube, and an automatic fire suppression device, such as a fusible bulb sprinkler, mounted inside the tube, adjacent the door and arranged to express fire suppressant material into the tube adjacent the door, when a fire is detected inside the tube.

The chute system preferably provides:-a) Fire Certified Chute System A new design of Refuse Chute System incorporating:- * Thicker 2mm stainless steel construction chute system -fire certified to 4 hours.

* Fixed joints with intumescent gaskets.

Incorporating fusible bulb head sprinkler suppression.

* Joint joggle overlap to ensure water from sprinkler system cannot escape through the chute.

* Automated ventilation damper activated to restrict the oxygen into the chute from foul air ventilation.

Four hour fire certified fire door at exit of chute.

* Four hour fire certified hopper input door with smoke containment.

Optional items to enhance the fire and waste control include:-Chute suppression indicator to advise at which floor level the fire sprinkler is activated.

No power automated chute locking -in the event of power failure chute is locked closed.

Automated chute sweep and cleaning system, locks doors and cleans the chute system automatically. Can be activated and run by timer control.

The chute system is made of multiple sections between each floor, which means that by varying dimensions modular parts may be manufactured to suit all varying building floor to ceiling dimensions.

At the joins of each section the upper section extends into the lower section via a joggle inset across the join. This 'joggle' ensures any fire suppression (typically foam or water) cannot readily leak out of the join and cause water damage or flooding into the building.

These joints are also fire protected via an intumescent gasket at the ring joint to form a seal.

The chute itself is typically manufactured from 2mm stainless steel with welded angle ring joints and has achieved fully assembled with fire door ventilation damper and input hopper door.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:-Figure 1 is an elevation of a single floor of the fire chute viewed from the front which is the side visible to an occupant of the building; Figure 2 is a section generally through the centre of Figure 1 in a plane perpendicular to Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the point of abutment between the sections forming the chute of Figure 2.

Figure 1 is an elevation of a single floor of the chute system viewed from the front. The access door 8 and the hopper input smoke proof constructed (SPC) door are the only visible items for the user. The remainder of the chute system is enclosed with a fire rated stud or brickwork enclosure.

Figure 2 is a side elevation view indicating a typical proposed stud/brickwork enclosure Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the point of abatement between the sections highlighting the joggle' overlap between joints.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a chute comprises tubular sections 2 -1, 2 -2, 2 -3, which are typically cylindrical. While the sections are typically cylindrical they could take the form of rectangles or ovoids or any other shape which has a continuous circumference and a hollow interior The important characteristic is that the chute should be able to extend between ceiling and floor,have a hollow interior and not allow the escape of refuse, waster and/or fire gases. In this example three sections are used to suit the floor to floor height.

At the top of the chute formed in the top section of 2 -1 is a fire damper 4. This fire damper impedes the flow of any fire or gases into the foul air ventilation pipe above. The fire damper when activated will also impede any draw of oxygen into the chute system, thus restricting the supply of oxygen a fire would require to continue to burn.

Just below the damper is an access door 8, used for maintenance access to any cleaning system housed within or to maintain or reset the fire damper within.

In the lower section 2 -3 there is a and smoke containment hopper input door 12, which is bottom hinged. This hopper door 12 opens outwards to permit waste to be deposited within a restricted enclosure 14 located behind the door 12. Upon release of the door it self-closes and automatically releases the waste produce into the chute system via the entry typically 45 degree inlet gradient (16/18).

The hopper door 12 also has a slow closing damper control 20 ensuring slow and quiet closure of the hopper mechanism.

Fitted above the hopper door to the chute entry system is a fusible bulb head sprinkler 22 arranged to direct fire suppressant material (water or foam) directly into the main core of the chute body. The position of the sprinkler fitment enables no obstruction to the chute integrity but ensures a fire can be tackled directly from both the chute entry and into the main core itself.

At each ring joint connection an intumescent seal gasket is fitted 24. This ensures any small gaps between components or gaps that open through heat distortion are sealed close by the intumescent character of the seal. Doors 8 and 12 also include an intumescent seal within their framework construction.

With particular reference to Figure 3, at each join, the uppermost section has an extended 'joggle' 26 which extends past the abutment 28 where the flanges of the sections join (with an intumescent seal between them). This 'joggle' extension provides some additional heat protection for the joint but is also inclined inwardly with a step which serves to deflect the fire suppressant material ejected by the sprinkler nozzle 22. Thus any leakage of water through the joins is avoided This is an important feature because otherwise leakage here might cause flooding or water damage to floors below or even damage to other services fitted within the chute void. By ensuring that the fire suppressant material flows down through the chute system without leaking out, the integrity of the building below is maintained during operation of the sprinkler system.

To further improve the fire resistance, the fixings are typically made from stainless steel rather than mild steel, as in the prior art, and the SWG material thickness of the chute system is increased to a minimum of 2mm. This helps minimise distortion and thus maintains the integrity of the chute system for a much longer period.

Preferably at least the hopper input door 12 has an electrical interlocking facility to restrict door opening to one only, lock doors to allow for automated chute cleaning but importantly the system remains normally locked, so in the event of fire and power failure the hopper door input remains locked retaining the fire within the chute with no access permitted.

Furthermore the system typically includes a display panel (not shown) which allows a caretaker or concierge to see the status of the chute system and in particular to see whether a fire sprinkler has been activated and if so, which sprinkler 22. In this way it is possible to identify the location of the fire within the chute system andthus fire personnel can be directed to the appropriate position in the building. and residents can be evacuated to a safe distance. Furthermore it is possible to monitor the progress of the fire using this panel whilst the integrity of the signalling system is maintained.

The doors 8 and 12 are preferably of double skin construction and which, preferably with at least some of the other measures, may provide for fire certification to 4 hours with official smoke containment certification.

The chute terminates at its lowest point through a 4 hour horizontal fire door 6 activated by an external fusible link or a smoke detector solenoid so that it closes during a fire. This fire door is only at the base of each chute system.

The section of chute system below the fire door would typically be a recycling discharge selecting general waste or any recycling options on the electrical control panel prior to opening the input door.

If a bi-separator or tri-separator recycling system are not specified the chute terminates via an angled discharge deflector into a general waste container.

The chute system typically comprises:- * Fire Certified Chute System tested to 4 hours * Fire Suppression * Fully Automated Control System

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS1. A fire resistant refuse chute for mounting internally between adjacent floors of a building comprising:-an elongate, hollow tube arranged to extend from the lower surface of an upper floor to the upper surface of an adjacent floor which is below the upper floor, an entry door formed in the side of the tube, the door being moveable between an open and a closed position, whereby in the open position, the door provides access for a user to place refuse into the tube which is then carried by gravity downwardly through the tube, 10 and an automatic fire suppression device, such as a fusible bulb sprinkler, mounted inside the tube, adjacent the door and arranged to express fire suppressant material into the tube adjacent the door, when a fire is detected inside the tube.
2. 2. A chute as claimed in claim 1, further including an indicator display coupled to the fire suppression device and arranged to indicate that the fire suppression device has been activated.
3. 3. A chute as claimed in any of claims 1 01 2, including a lock for the door which when activated, prevents the door moving to the open position and wherein the lock is automatically activated at the same time as the fire suppression device.
4. 4. A chute as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tube is made in a plurality of sections which abut on a generally horizontal plane, and which are fastened together to form a join where each section abuts and wherein at each join, the upper section extends inside the section beneath it to a position below the point of abutment whereby the joint is shielded from incident fire suppressant material when the fire suppression device is active.
5. 5. A chute as claimed in claim 4 wherein the upper section extension is inclined inwardly towards the axis of a tube whereby fire suppressant material is deflected inwardly away from the point of abutment as it falls inside the tube.
6. 6. A chute as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, including an intumescent seal located between the sections where they abut.S
7. 7. A chute as claimed in any preceding claim, further including an upper engagement portion located at the end of the tube which is uppermost after installation, and a lower engagement portion which is located at the end of the tube which is lowermost after installation, wherein the two engagement portions are each arranged to engage with a further chute and wherein the upper engagement portion includes a fire damper arranged to arrest or delay the passage of fire through the upper engagement portion.
8. S. As claimed in claim 7, wherein at the lower engagement portion, the tube is arranged to extend inside the upper engagement portion of a tube section beneath it to a position below the point of engagement whereby the joint between the two engagement portions is shielded from incident fire suppressant material when the fire suppression device is active.
9. 9. A chute as claimed in claim 8 wherein the said extension is inclined inwardly towards the axis of the tube whereby fire suppressant material is deflected inwardly away from the point of engagement as it falls inside the tube.
10. 10. A chute as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, including an intumescent seal located between the portions where they engage.
11. 11. A chute as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tube and door are formed from stainless steel of at least 2.0mm thickness.