GB2609079A

GB2609079A - Building aperture

Info

Publication number: GB2609079A
Application number: GB2207435.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Evans Paul
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-05-21
Filing date: 2022-05-20
Publication date: 2023-01-25
Also published as: GB202108450D0; GB202207435D0

Abstract

A building aperture frame 101 for fitting to a building aperture, and receiving a fitment e.g. a window, comprising a deflector 119 projecting outwardly such that in the event of a fire the deflector directs smoke and heated air escaping the building through the aperture away from the building such that the smoke and air is inhibited from rising an outer wall of the building. Preferably the deflector is angled upwardly and comprises a downward lip (123, fig 1) that induces an updraft in the smoke and heated gases. The frame may have a lower deflector 121 to deflect smoke away from the sill. The frame may comprise a two-part thermal barrier lining to inhibit smoke entering a wall cavity of the building and may be secured by an intumescent sealant. The deflector inhibits smoke re-entering an upper floor in a multi-storey building in the event of a fire.

Description

Building Aperture

Technical Field

The present invention relates to building aperture frames for fitting to building apertures and receiving building fitments such as windows, doors and all façade penetrations.

Background

Despite modern fire prevention systems, building fires, if not rapidly brought under control, can have devastating and tragic effects. This is especially the case in multi-storey buildings where evacuation can be difficult.

A particular problem that increases the danger of fires in buildings is smoke and heated gases escaping through burned-out windows on lower floors rising up the side of the building. In such situations, even if the fire itself is isolated on the lower floors, this smoke poses a significant danger to inhabitants of the upper floors and these rising heated gases can also lead to the fire spreading vertically up through external structures of the building, such as cladding and insulating cavities.

Summary

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a building aperture frame for fitting to a building aperture and receiving a building fitment such as a window. The frame comprises a deflector which projects outwardly from the frame such that, in use when the building aperture frame is fitted to an aperture in an external wall of a building, in the event of a fire, the deflector directs smoke and heated air escaping the building through the building aperture away from the building such that the smoke and heated air is inhibited from rising up the outer wall of the building.

Optionally, the deflector is positioned at an upper edge of the frame.

Optionally, when the frame is fitted to a building aperture, the deflector is angled upward relative to horizontal between 0 degrees and 45 degrees.

Optionally, when the frame is fitted to a building aperture, the deflector is angled upward relative to horizontal substantially at 45 degrees.

Optionally, the deflector further comprises a downward-projecting lip extending substantially the length of a distal edge of the deflector.

Optionally, the building aperture frame further comprises a further deflector positioned on a lower edge of the frame and which projects outwardly from the frame such that, in use in the event of a fire, the further deflector directs smoke and heated air away from a region of a sill of the fitment connected to frame.

Optionally, when the frame is fitted to a building aperture, the further deflector is angled upward relative to horizontal between 0 degrees and 45 degrees.

Optionally, the frame comprises a thermal barrier lining which, in use, is configured to extend the entire depth of the building aperture and around the entire inner periphery of the building aperture such that, in use in the event of a fire, smoke and heated air are inhibited from entering a wall cavity of the building.

Optionally, the thermal barrier lining is formed from two pieces: a first piece comprising an outer sleeve and a second piece comprising an inner sleeve which is received in the outer sleeve.

Optionally, the outer sleeve and inner sleeve are secured together by a layer of intumescent sealant.

Optionally, the outer sleeve is formed from four "U" shaped interlocking pieces each comprising a planar element and first and second perpendicularly oriented end pieces such that each respective end piece overlaps a planar element at each corner of the outer sleeve thereby reinforcing the corners of the building aperture frame.

Optionally, the first piece further comprises a first peripheral flange that extends around an edge of the outer sleeve for fixing the frame in place from a first side and the second piece comprises a second peripheral flange that extends around an edge of the inner sleeve for fixing the frame in place from a second side.

Optionally, the first side is an outer side of the building and the second side is an inner side of the building.

Optionally, the frame is made from steel.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, a building aperture frame is provided which includes a deflector which, in the event of a fire, directs smoke and heated gases escaping through the aperture away from the building. This arrangement inhibits smoke rising directly up the side of the building which in turn reduces the amount of smoke that might reenter the building at higher points. Moreover, by directing the escaping heated gases away from the building, the heating effect on the external structure of the building at points above the building aperture frame is reduced. This reduces the likelihood that the external structures of the building will be heated to a point where they too begin to combust and the fire spreads vertically up through external structures of the building.

Further, in severe fires where the spread of the fire is inevitable, use of building apertures in accordance with embodiments of the invention will delay spread of the fire, increasing the time available for building evacuation.

Various further features and aspects of the invention are defined in the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which: Figure 1 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting component parts of a building aperture frame arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention; Figure 2 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting the component parts shown in Figure 1 assembled into a building aperture frame; Figure 3 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting the component parts of an outer sleeve of a building aperture frame arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention; Figures 4a and 4b provide a cross-sectional view of a building aperture frame when situated in a building aperture in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention; Figure 5 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting generally the operation of building aperture frames arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention; Figure 6 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting a cross-section of the lining of a building aperture frame when the outer sleeve 103 is assembled using the four interlocking pieces as shown in Figure 3, and Figure 7 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting generally the operation of a deflector plate arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

Detailed Description

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a building aperture frame is provided which is configured to be fitted to building apertures located in external walls and to receive and retain building fitments. Such building fitments are typically windows but can include other externally facing fitments that seal building apertures, such as doors or panels, and which are prone to failure (e.g. full or partial destruction) in the event of a fire.

Building aperture frames in accordance with embodiments of the invention find particular advantageous use in high-rise buildings but can be used in any building setting.

Building aperture frames in accordance with embodiments include at least a deflector which projects outward and from the frame On use, when installed in a building aperture, on the outer facing side of the frame and projecting away from the building) which, in the event of a fire, direct smoke and heated gases escaping the building though the building aperture frame away from the building.

As described below, in certain embodiments, the lining of the frame is specially configured to provide enhanced thermal protection to the regions of the building wall surrounding the frame. Advantageously, this reduces the extent to which such regions are heated which in turn reduces the chance of fire spreading in the external structure of the building wall.

Advantageously, in accordance with such embodiments, in the event of a fire, the building aperture frame which is used under normal conditions to hold a building fitment such as a window, acts as a fire-resistant vent which exhausts smoke and heated gases away from the building.

As described below, in certain embodiments, the construction of the frame is such that the corners of the frame are inherently reinforced to increase the strength of the frame. Advantageously, this reduces the likelihood of the frame failing in the event of a fire and exposing any cavities in the building wall in which it is fitted to smoke, flames and heated gases.

Figure 1 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting unassembled component parts of a building aperture frame 101 in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

The building aperture frame 101 comprises an inner sleeve 102 and an outer sleeve 103.

The inner sleeve 102 comprises an inner lining 104 which comprises a first vertical panel 105, a second vertical panel 106, an upper horizontal panel 107 and a lower horizontal panel 108. The inner sleeve 102 further comprises an inner-facing peripheral flange 109 which extends around an inner peripheral edge of the inner lining 104.

The outer sleeve 103 comprise an outer lining 110 which comprises a first vertical panel 111, a second vertical panel 112, an upper horizontal panel 113 and a lower horizontal panel 114.

The inner lining 104 is sized and dimensioned so that it can be received by the outer lining 110 leaving a gap between the inner lining 104 and outer lining 110.

The outer sleeve 103 further comprises an outer-facing peripheral flange 115 which extends partially around an outer peripheral edge of the outer sleeve 103. Specifically, the outer-facing peripheral flange 115 comprises a first vertical flange edge 116, and second vertical flange edge 117 and a lower horizontal flange edge 118.

The building aperture frame 101 further comprises an upper deflector 119, an upper deflector holder 120 and a lower deflector 121.

The upper deflector 119 comprises a deflector plate 122 extending along the length of a distal edge of which is a downward projecting lip 123. Extending along a proximal edge of the deflector plate 122 is a back plate 124.

The upper deflector holder 120 comprises a horizontal fixing panel 125 and a holding plate 126. The lower deflector 121 comprise a horizontal fixing panel 127 and a deflector plate 128.

The inner-facing peripheral flange 109 includes a plurality of fixing-receiving holes 129 disposed around the edge of the inner-facing peripheral flange 109. Similarly, the outer-facing peripheral flange 115 includes a plurality of fixing-receiving holes 130 disposed at each corner of the outer-facing peripheral flange 115.

Figure 2 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting the component parts shown in Figure 1 assembled into the building aperture frame 101.

When assembled, the inner sleeve 102 is received by the outer sleeve 103 and the upper deflector holder 120 and lower deflector 121 are fixed to the outer sleeve 103 and the upper deflector 119 is fixed to the upper deflector holder 120. As described above, the dimensions of the inner lining 104 are such that the inner lining 104 is received by the outer lining 110 leaving a small gap between the outer peripheral face of the inner lining 104 and the inner peripheral face of the outer sleeve 103. This gap is typically at least 3mm and is filled with an intumescent sealant (typically provided by an intumescent mastic).

As can be appreciated with reference to Figure 2, when assembled, the upper deflector 119 is positioned on an upper edge of the building aperture frame 101 and the lower deflector 121 is positioned in a lower edge of the building aperture frame 101.

The deflector plate 122 of the upper deflector 119 is angled up from the horizontal, typically by around 45 degrees, although in other embodiments, the upper deflector 119 can be angled up from the horizontal by any amount from 0 degree to 45 degrees. The holding plate 126 of the upper deflector holder 120 is similarly angled from the horizontal to the upper deflector 119 so that the upper deflector holder 120 can receive the upper deflector 119.

The deflector plate 128 of the lower deflector 121 is angled up from the horizontal, typically by around 45 degrees, although in other embodiments, the lower deflector 121 can be angled up from the horizontal by any amount from 0 degree to 45 degrees.

The upper deflector 119 is secured to the upper deflector holder 120 by a bonding agent applied between the upper facing surface of the holding plate 126 and the lower facing surface of the deflector plate 122. Similarly, the upper deflector holder 120 is secured to the outer sleeve 103 by applying a bonding agent between the lower face of the horizontal fixing panel 125 and the upper face of the upper horizontal panel 113 of the outer lining 110. The lower deflector 121 is secured to the inner sleeve 102 by applying a suitable bonding agent between the lower face of the horizontal fixing panel 127 and the upper face of the lower horizontal panel 108 of inner lining 104 of the inner sleeve 102.

The bonding agent used to secure the upper deflector 119 to the upper deflector holder 120, to secure the upper deflector 119 to the outer sleeve outer sleeve 103 and to secure the lower deflector 121 to the inner sleeve 102 can be any suitable bonding agent. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the bonding agent is provided by intumescent mastic which as well as bonding these components to the building aperture frame 101, acts as a thermal barrier reducing the transfer of heat in the event of a fire.

In typical embodiments, the components of the building aperture frame 101 are fabricated from panels of 0.9mm thick steel (although any suitable thickness can be used). As will be understood by the skilled person, such panels can be cut from sheet metal, shaped (bent) as appropriate, and then welded together.

In certain examples, the outer lining 110 of the outer sleeve 103 is constructed from separate pieces which are shaped to lend extra strength to the frame. Figure 3 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting the component parts of an outer sleeve of a building aperture frame arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

As depicted in Figure 3, in certain embodiments, the outer sleeve 103 can be constructed by four interlocking pieces. These interlocking pieces comprise a shaped top piece 301, a shaped bottom piece 302, a first shaped side piece 303 and a second shaped side piece 304. In such embodiments, typically, these pieces are spot welded together.

In use, the building aperture frame 101 is situated in the aperture of a building. The dimensions of the building aperture frame 101 are selected to fit the aperture and the building aperture frame 101 is fixed in place from the inner side of the building via suitable fixings inserted in the fixing-receiving holes 129 of the inner sleeve 102 and from the outer side of the building via suitable fixings inserted in the fixing-receiving holes 130 of the outer sleeve 103.

Once fitted to a building aperture, a building fitment, such as a window is fitted to the building aperture frame 101.

Figure 4a provides a cross-sectional view of the building aperture frame 101 when situated in a building aperture along view line A shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4b provides a cutaway view of the building aperture frame 101 when situated in a building aperture along view line B shown in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 4a, positioned between the inner-facing peripheral flange 109 of the inner sleeve 102 and the back plate 124 of the upper deflector 119 are the structural components of the wall of a building. Typically, these include an inner wall layer 401 (typically brick), a cavity layer 402, an outer wall layer 403, an insulation layer 404 and an outer façade layer 405. An inner sealing layer 406 (typically provided by a suitable intumescent mastic) is disposed between the inner-facing peripheral flange 109 and inner wall layer 401. Similarly, an outer sealing layer 407 (again, typically provided by a suitable intumescent mastic) is disposed between the back plate 124 and facade layer 405.

Similarly, referring to Figure 4b, an inner sealing layer 408 (typically provided by a suitable intumescent mastic) is disposed between the inner-facing peripheral flange 109 and the inner wall layer 401, and an outer sealing layer 409 (typically provided by a suitable intumescent mastic) is disposed between the façade layer 405 and the outer-facing peripheral flange 115.

As shown in Figure 4a, typically, the upper deflector 119 is configured to project, horizontally, approximately 150mm away from the frame and the lower deflector 121 is configured to project, horizontally, at least 50mm away from the frame.

The downward-projecting lip 123 is typically around 5mm in length and projects down from the plane of the deflector plate 122. In the example shown in Figure 4a it can be seen that the plane of the downward-projecting lip 123 is approximately perpendicular to the plane of the deflector plate 122.

Although not shown in the Figures, in certain embodiments, the lower deflector 121 is also provided with a downward-projecting lip substantially corresponding to the downward-projecting lip 123 described above.

As described above, and as can be seen in Figures 4a and 4b, the gap formed between the lower face of the outer lining 110 and the upper face of the inner lining 104 is filled with an intumescent mastic layer 410. This intumescent mastic layer 410, which is typically at least 3mm deep, provides a thermal barrier between the inner sleeve 102 and outer sleeve 103 and also bonds the inner sleeve 102 and outer sleeve 103 together.

When the building aperture frame 101 is in use, a building fitment such as a window is fitted in the void formed within the inner lining 104.

In the event of a fire, particularly a "compartment fire" in a space within a building (for example an otherwise sealed room) adjacent the building aperture frame, it is likely that due to the intense heat, any building fitment fitted to the building aperture frame 101 will fail and the building aperture frame will thereby present a full or partial opening to the outside of the building. When this happens, smoke, heated air and gases will be rapidly exhausted through this opening.

Due to the provision of the upper deflector 119, the flow of this smoke and heated gas will be generally directed away from the outer wall of the building. This reduces the amount of smoke that rises directly up the side of the building thereby reducing the threat to inhabitants of the building who are above the fire. Moreover, the heated gases escaping the building are also exhausted away from the building. This reduces the heating of the external structure of the building in regions above the fire and reduces the likelihood that these external structures (for example insulating and/or decorative cladding) reach a temperature at which they too begin to combust thereby spreading the fire vertically through external structures of the building.

In use, it has been found that the downward-projecting lip 123 on the deflector plate 122 of the upper deflector 119 interacts with the movement of air outside the building and, in the event of a fire, the flow of heated gases escaping the building aperture frame 101, in such a way that smoke and heated gases are further drawn away from the building further reducing the degree to which smoke and heated gases rise up the outer wall of the building.

In particular, as generally depicted in Figure 7, it has been found that the downward-projecting lip 123 on the deflector plate 122 of the upper deflector 119 interacts with the movement of air outside the building (for example the prevailing wind) to cause an updraft away from the outer façade of the building and thereby disrupt the Coanda effect which otherwise causes the flow of smoke and heated gases escaping through building apertures to attach to the outside surfaces of the building.

As can be appreciated, for example with reference to Figure 1, because the upper deflector 119 comprises the deflector plate 122 angled relative to the back plate 124, the upper deflector 119 acts as a conventional rain deflector which is a common feature on window frames. Advantageously, the upper deflector 119 can therefore act as an additional rain deflector or obviate a requirement to provide a separate rain deflector when the building aperture frame 101 is used to receive a window.

In building fires, it is particularly important to reduce the extent to which smoke, fire and heated gases propagate through any insulating cavities (e.g. the cavity layer 402 shown in Figures 4a and 4b). As can be appreciated with reference to Figures 4a and 4b, the inner lining 104 and outer lining 110 of the building aperture frame 101 together form a "double-skinned" lining containing a thermal barrier (provided by the intumescent mastic layer 410). This lining extends the entire depth of the building aperture and around the entire inner periphery of the building aperture such that, in use in the event of a fire, smoke and heated air are inhibited from entering a wall cavity of the building.

Moreover, in the event of a fire, the provision of the thermal barrier reduces the transfer of heat into the structure of the wall of the building reducing the extent to which components of the structure of the wall (in particular the insulation layer 404 and the façade layer 405) are heated, and thus reducing the likelihood that they will combust. The fact that the lining is double skinned increases the mechanical resilience of the building aperture frame 101 thereby reducing the likelihood of the lining rupturing and allowing flames, smoke and heated gases to pass into the cavity layer 402.

Generally, in typical embodiments, by performance, the building aperture frame seals the aperture from vertical horizontal and downward migration (heated droplets) of heat and smoke effectively nullifying a chemical fire ensuing and the "Coanda" effect (progressing up and around the building preventing the crowning growth. In the cavity or externally.

Returning to Figure 3, as described above, in certain embodiments, the outer sleeve 103 is constructed by four interlocking pieces 301, 302, 303, 304. Each interlocking piece 301, 302, 303, 304 takes a "U" shape which is formed by a planar element 301a, 302a, 303a, 304a terminated at each end by a first end piece 301b, 302b, 303b, 304b and a second end piece 301c, 302c, 303c, 304c each of which are oriented perpendicular relative to the planar element 301a, 302a, 303a, 304a.

The shaped top piece 301, shaped bottom piece 302, first shaped side piece 303 and second shaped side piece 304 are brought together such that the planar element 301a of the shaped top piece 301, planar element 303a of the first shaped side piece 303, planar element 302a of the shaped bottom piece 302, and planar element 304a of the second shaped side piece 304 together form the outer lining 110 of the outer sleeve 103.

In so doing, the first end piece 301b and second end piece second end piece 301c of the shaped top piece 301 overlap, respectively, the upper portion of the outer face of the planar element 304a of the second shaped side piece 304 and the upper portion of the outer face of the planar element 303a of the first shaped side piece 303. Similarly, first end piece 302b and second end piece 302c of the shaped bottom piece 302 overlap, respectively, the lower portion of the outer face of the planar element 304a of the second shaped side piece 304 and the lower portion of the outer face of the planar element 303a of the first shaped side piece 303.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the shaped bottom piece 302, first shaped side piece 303 and second shaped side piece 304 each comprise a further planar element 302d, 303d, 304d which is perpendicular to each planar element 302a, 303a, 304a and, in use, generally in the same plane as the wall of the building to which the building aperture frame 101 is fitted. As can be appreciated from Figure 3, these further planar elements 302d, 303d, 304d together form the outer-facing peripheral flange 115 of the outer sleeve 103.

Figure 6 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting a cross-section of the lining of the building aperture frame 101 when the outer sleeve 103 is assembled using the four interlocking pieces 301, 302, 303, 304 shown in Figure 3. As can be seen, by virtue of the first end piece 301b and second end piece 301c of the shaped top piece 301, the first end piece 302b and second end piece 302c of the shaped bottom piece 302, the first end piece 303b and second end piece 303c of the first shaped side piece 303 and the first end piece 304b and second end piece 304c of the second shaped side piece 304, each corner of the lining comprises 3 layers. This configuration provides a "triple layer at each corner of the lining thereby enhancing the rigidity and strength of the building aperture frame 101 and reducing its susceptibility to buckle or warp under intense heating. Consequently, in the event of a fire, the building aperture frame 101, so arranged, provides an even more reliable barrier preventing smoke, flames and heated gases entering the cavity of the building wall in the event of a fire.

As described above, the building aperture frame 101 further includes a lower deflector 121. In use, the lower deflector is configured to protect, in particular, the lower sill of the building aperture frame 101 (formed by the lower horizontal panel 108 of the inner lining 104) and the inner-facing sides of the inner lining 104 from heated gases rising from fires below, by deflecting rising heating gases and smoke away from the building aperture frame 101.

Figure 5 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting generally the operation of building aperture frames arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. In particular, Figure 5 depicts smoke and heated gases drawn away from building by the effect of the top deflector and top deflector lip, and the sill of the building aperture frames being protected from rising smoke and heated gases by the lower deflector.

The term "building" used herein is not necessarily restricted to permanently situated land-based structures such as high-rise buildings, houses, office blocks and so on. It will be understood that aperture frames in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention can be used in other settings, for example maritime vessels such as ships, oil rigs and so on. Further, aperture frames in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention can be incorporated in temporary structures such as large tents, marquees and pavilions etc. Accordingly, the term "building" includes any suitable structure which typically includes fitments such as doors and windows.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations.

However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A building aperture frame for fitting to a building aperture and receiving a building fitment such as a window, said frame comprising a deflector which projects outwardly from the frame such that, in use when the building aperture frame is fitted to an aperture in an external wall of a building, in the event of a fire, the deflector directs smoke and heated air escaping the building through the building aperture away from the building such that the smoke and heated air is inhibited from rising up the outer wall of the building.
2. A building aperture frame according to claim 1, wherein the deflector is positioned at an upper edge of the frame.
3. A building aperture frame according to claim 2, wherein when the frame is fitted to a building aperture, the deflector is angled upward relative to horizontal between 0 degrees and 45 degrees.
4. A building aperture frame according to claim 3, wherein when the frame is fitted to a building aperture, the deflector is angled upward relative to horizontal substantially at 45 degrees.
5. A building aperture frame according to any previous claim, wherein the deflector further comprises a downward-projecting lip extending substantially the length of a distal edge of the deflector.
6. A building aperture frame according to any previous claim, further comprising a further deflector positioned on a lower edge of the frame and which projects outwardly from the frame such that, in use in the event of a fire, the further deflector directs smoke and heated air away from a region of a sill of the fitment connected to frame.
7. A building aperture frame according to claim 6, wherein when the frame is fitted to a building aperture, the further deflector is angled upward relative to horizontal between 0 degrees and 45 degrees.
8. A building aperture frame according to any previous claim wherein frame comprises a thermal barrier lining which, in use, is configured to extend the entire depth of the building aperture and around the entire inner periphery of the building aperture such that, in use in the event of a fire, smoke and heated air are inhibited from entering a wall cavity of the building.
9. A building aperture frame according to claim 8, wherein the thermal barrier lining is formed from two pieces: a first piece comprising an outer sleeve and a second piece comprising an inner sleeve which is received in the outer sleeve.
10. A building aperture frame according to claim 9, wherein the outer sleeve and inner sleeve are secured together by a layer of intumescent sealant.
11. A building aperture frame according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the outer sleeve is formed from four "U" shaped interlocking pieces each comprising a planar element and first and second perpendicularly oriented end pieces such that each respective end piece overlaps a planar element at each corner of the outer sleeve thereby reinforcing the corners of the building aperture frame.
12. A building aperture frame according to any of claims 9, 10 or 11, wherein the first piece further comprises a first peripheral flange that extends around an edge of the outer sleeve for fixing the frame in place from a first side and the second piece comprises a second peripheral flange that extends around an edge of the inner sleeve for fixing the frame in place from a second side.
13. A building aperture frame according to claim 12, wherein the first side is an outer side of the building and the second side is an inner side of the building.
14. A building aperture frame according to any previous claim, wherein the frame is made from steel.