GB2594704A - Skeleton multi purpose modular construction framing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A multipurpose modular framing system in which the heating system and fire suppressant system are integrated into the frame. The frame is manufactured using square box section steel. Specific frame sections will be used for heating circuit depending on required heat output, supplied by an additional 1/1 and h/1 supply and return rail (fig1). Remaining frame sections will form buildings main structure but would rapidly fill with cold water in the event of a fire, along with heating circuit sections transitioning also to rapid cold fill. Floor joints will be of truss design but will also act as underfloor heating and fire suppressant circuit with incorporated sprinkle heads. The frame is designed to be encased with insulation board and external finish can still be brick finished. Hot water storage would comprise of integral slim cylinders replacing frame sections in required area.

Description

MUitipUrpOSe MOdUlar COnStRICtiOrl framing sYstern (Skeleton system) This invention relates to a steel' fabricated modular construction framing system for multi-purpose configurations and purposes relating to the construction of various types of buildings.

Traditicinal building methods typically *constructed out of brick and block work (masonry) with timber floor joists and roof trusses are slow, time consuming and take a lot of initial setting out, and rarely are finished dimensions true, resulting in visible deviations and poor finishes. Floor construction (joists) are usually weakened due to notching out for pipes, cables, ducts etc, alonE with brickwork weakened through drilling/hammering vibrations, excess drilling, and alterations_ i,e, installing plumbing services, rewires, room layout/alterations etc, along with repair work due to leaking pipes or faulty wiring, and are substantially expensive and tillle CORSUrning to repair, along with being a nuisance for the occupiers. Exposed pipework, and pipework penetrations can So be an easier route for fire or flood water to spread easier.

Furthermore, they are subject to catastrophic damage to both building and personnel by way of building collapse in the case of fire, or Severe inclement weather (i.e. tornado, hurricane, flood etc) clue to their pocr structural integrity_ My invention combines and solves most of the typical problems associated with modern day construction techniques, and massively simplifies and alleviates the need*for additional trades services and products, reducing costs, and maintaining service life of the building making it more streamlined and affordable/manageable. Keeping maintenance issues and accessibility in mind upon finished design.

Typically, although my use of a steel framed construction method is not unique, and there are many ci.lnligura Lions already on the Market Insurance companies frown upon covering these types of buildings due to "in the case of fire", structural integrity diminishing and frames twisting and buckling under the extreme heat of an intense fire. My design combats this as cold water is constantly running through the frame in this scenario.

To overcome these problems, my invention proposes a steel framed modular construction framing system that can be installed as a wet frame or dry frame specification, depending on the required purpose of the building. So, for example, in the case of a single-story name or typical 213/4 bedroom 2-3 story dwelling requiring a wet heating system, we would choose a wet frame installation. This then does away with first fix piurnbing activity causing disruption to floor joists and weakening the structure, and also does away with the need for external ln view) radiators, which are subject to damage from children/OAP's resulting in bums, flood damage etc, along with becoming a nuisance in certain room furniture layouts. Under floor heating could also be omitted or greatly downsized, due to heat replacement to buildings framevvork (walls/floors, where 40% of heat is lost).

The framing system replaces the construction of internal block walls, as this is replaced by the frame, with thermal insulation board encasing the framework externally. Finished exterior can still be brick work or cladded depending on spedfication. Ultimately, in the case of fire, the entirety of the buildings framework (skeleton system) transitions from a heating/cooling circuit to a fire suppressant device, protecting the buildings structural Integrity from weakness/collapse and the building occupants, as strategically placed sprinkler heads will be incorporated into the live floor joist trusses. So, the building is protecting itself and the occupants before emergency services arrive, meaning safer access for them and safer exit for occupants and emergency service personnel.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example, and with reference to Mitial accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a typical frame section consisting of a steel box section perimeter frame along with two intermediate internal horizontal frame supports/strengtheners (water flow channels). Heights and widths will be of a standard industry fixed measurement figure 2 shows bottom and top inlet and outlet flow and return ports, which will incorporate spedfic flow diverterispreader components designed for frame sections to correctly and evenly circulate vatet Figure 3 shows a typical bottom and top flow and return rail made from steel box section, these will involve: straight lengths and corner sections Cut to size using standard industry fixed measurements, Figure 4 shows flanged connections to join sections of flow and return rails together by way of bolted gasket joints.

Figure 5*shows solid steel bar spacers welded in line top and bottom of rail segments at standard industry fixed point measurements. These are critical to allow for u bolt fixings to Secure frame to rail, and to allow for cable/water penetrations to pass through under or over frame rail section so to not obstruct (pass through) frame in case of replacement or alteration. Also, for frame to sit cornfortaialy on top of flanged connecticms with no direct weight being applied to flange.

Figure 6 shows a typical corner rail segment cut using a gandard industry fixed measurement.

Figure 7 shows u bolt frame securing fixings strategically located top middle and bottom throughout frame build.

Figure 8 shows gasket to jom segments.

Although my accompanying drawings are considerably basic, the basic principal and simplistic layout of my frame design should be relatively straight forward and easy to understand the complex task it will perform, The ground IL flow rail (fig 3) will cover 98% of the perimeter building dimensions but will not join to form a square base, so as the pumped water supply (entering nearest the heat source location} will not short circuit This is so the pumped water suOPIY passes equally through each fig 1 frame section, via fig 2 inlets and outlets {joined by solid or flexible pipe connections). In the same case, the top return rail (fig 3) will also cover 98% of the top perimeter but will not join, thus ensuring the equal return of pumped water in order to reheat, as in a typical heating circuit The same principal applies to the already designed, but no accompanying drawings yet (to follow), mid-level floor section {joist trusses). I have designed perimeter trusses, again of steel box section design with intermediate supports and bore holes through intermediate support sections to allow for even water circulation and full frame water protection, joined by way of flexible pipe connections, linking each segment, joined by way of u bolt fixings. So, water supply/flow will enter perimeter truss far example on the left hand side of building, passing through each individual joist truss, until it reaches the opposing right hand side/return water perimeter truss on route to be reheated at heat source. Strategically located sprinkler heads for fire suppression will be located on the underside of the floor joist trusses depending on room layout and building requirements.

rd floor and so on will be a repeat of ground floor configuration, although custom configurations can be easily incorporated into design. Even the roof trusses have been designed to allow for water circulation complete with sprinkler head fire suppression capabilities, again strategically located depending On room layout, building requirements-And roof trusses have also been configured and broken down into manageable segments tor 2 men to comfortable build, vvith no risk of injury_ I passionately believe that square really is the new round when it conies to building construction, structural integrity and fire protection, and the belief that because pipes are round, it fooled everyone. My design will have formed machine bends on typical frame sections, to allow for less pump restriction on corners. Fig 2 inlet and outlet connections are currently being manufactured, again to aliow for correct direction of water flow and alleviate pump restriction. Mid-level floor trusses will have rounded internal bored square corner cubes (square elbows) to alleviate pump restriction and in order-to maintain joist depth while keeping u bolt fixing locations adequate. The principal design of my framing system, and standard industry measurements means it can be uOscaled with ease for more commercial/industrial applications while keeping the typical design layout.

There are many configurations that can be used with my framing design for example: the typical frame sections can be configured to be installed in steel I beam and C channel (main frame) -applications on more commercial/industrial applications, where possible fig 2 inlet and outlets may be required on underside and topside of the frame instead of on the front fact But when designing my framing system, the configurations are limitless, I have even managed to perform zoning across the frame with relative ease for complete control of heat in the required construction, while keeping within the main purpose of the frames ability to leave no steel exposed to weakness from dry steel and fire, simply by adding strategically located flow headers at required zoning areas controlled via zone valves.

In connection with openings for windows and doors in my framing system design, obviously site specific dimensions would dictate the surrounding typical frame panel sizes, but dwarfed panels below and above v-rindows would continue tote supplied via IA and HA flow and return rails but would simply link by way of formed pipework around window, completing LA and Aft circuit_

Claims (6)

1. Claims 1.
2. A multi-purpose modular construction framing system fluid/gas/air (depending on requirement or combination) supply and return rails in segments, complete with underside and topside load beating spacers equally spaced.Z., A multi-purpose modular construction framing system according to claim 1 incorporatlog main frame segments secured to fluid/gas/air (depending on requirement or combination) supply rails to form perimeter of building.1.
3. A multi-purpose modular constmction framing system according to claim 1 for use in multiple configurations to suit building layout.
4. 4. A multi-purpose modular construction frammg system according to claim 1 which transitions to a fire suppressant system in the event of fire.
5. 5. A multi-purpose modular construction framing system according to claim 1 in which fluid/gas/air (depending on requirement or combination) supply and return rails are connected to main frame segments via inlet and outlet flexible or solid piped connections.
6. 6. A multi-purpose modular construction framing system according to claim 1 in which the C\I constructed frame becomes the buildings active Mechanical main structure-LtD