IE20200234A2 - A barrier for providing insulation and/or preventing the spread of fire - Google Patents

Abstract

A non-combustible cavity tray for a cavity wall of a building having a means for delivering internal moisture towards the other leaf of a cavity wall (2) and the cavity tray being width adjustable to fit all/multiple cavities of different sizes.

Description

The present invention relates to building elements for multi-storey buildings. In particular, the present invention relates to arrangements for providing insulation and preventing the spread of fire in multi-storey buildings.

The construction of buildings having an inner layer and outer layer with a cavity or gap therebetween, such as a cavity wall or curtain wall, is common. In order to increase the structural integrity of such buildings, it is necessary to bridge the cavity or gap between the two layers with structural supports such as brackets at wall/floor slab junctions between two levels.

A problem associated with such constructions is that in the event of a fire, cavities or gaps between the inner layer and outer layer of the building allow air to be drawn in and smoke to vent out through openings in the two layers of the building which enables the spread of fire to accelerate between floors/levels of a building via the cavity or gap. Therefore, building regulations require the implementation of fire prevention arrangements such as fire barriers or fire stops to close the edges of the two layers around window and door openings and at junctions where the outer layer is in alignment with a compartment floor. Fire prevention arrangements are typically formed from a core of mineral wool or other fire-resistant material loosely wrapped in a plastic cover. However, structural supports such as masonry brackets at wall/floor slab junctions often have projections with small partitions in-between. Therefore, installation of fire prevention arrangements at these areas around the structural supports is difficult as it requires the material to be cut on site and manoeuvred around the projections of the structural supports and into the small partitions between the projections. Cutting through such fire prevention arrangements is messy and time consuming and improper installation can result in the rapid spread of fire between floors/levels of a building via the cavity or gap between the inner layer and outer layer of the building. Furthermore, in practice, fire prevention arrangements should not be cut more than 50% of the way through which can be difficult to monitor on site.

In addition, to prevent against thermal bridging between the inner layer and outer layer of such buildings, insulation must be installed in the cavity or gap between the two layers. As with fire prevention arrangements, the insulation must be cut on site and manoeuvred around the structural supports. This can be difficult and time consuming and often results in improper installation of insulation, resulting in thermal bridging between the two layers of the building. 22/10/2020 It is an object of the present invention to improve the ease of installation of insulation and fire prevention arrangements around structural supports of a building.

It is a further object of the present invention to prevent fire from passing between floors/levels of the building via the cavity or gap between the inner layer and outer layer of a 5 building.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a barrier for providing insulation and/or preventing the spread of fire in a building, the barrier comprising an inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material and an outer membrane for housing the inner 10 body of insulating and/or fire resistant material, the barrier further having one or more incisions to enable the barrier to slot over and/or under one or more projections of one or more structural supports of a building, wherein the one or more incisions are preformed on the barrier.

Advantageously, preforming the one or more incisions on the barrier removes the 15 requirement for onsite manipulation and cutting of the barrier and therefore improves the ease of installation of the barrier around structural supports of a building.

Preferably, the one or more incisions are preformed in a factory or place of manufacture.

Preferably, the one or more incisions extend into the outer membrane for housing the 20 inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Ideally, the one or more incisions extend into the inner body of insulating and/or fireresistant material.

Preferably, the one or more incisions extend no more than 50% of the way through the barrier.

Ideally, the one or more incisions extend no more than 25% of the way through the barrier.

Preferably, the one or more incisions extend no more than 50% of the way through the depth of the barrier.

Ideally, the one or more incisions extend no more than 25% of the way through the 30 depth of the barrier.

Preferably, the one or more incisions extend no more than 50% of the way through the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Ideally, the one or more incisions extend no more than 25% of the way through the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Preferably, the one or more incisions extend no more than 50% of the way through the depth of the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material. 22/10/2020 Ideally, the one or more incisions extend no more than 25% of the way through the depth of the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Preferably, the one or more incisions extend no more than 50% of the way through 5 the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Ideally, the one or more incisions extend no more than 25% of the way through the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Preferably, the one or more incisions extend no more than 50% of the way through the depth of the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Ideally, the one or more incisions extend no more than 25% of the way through the depth of the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Preferably, the one or more incisions are preformed to correspond with the position of one or more projections of one or more structural supports of a building.

Preferably, the one or more incisions are preformed to correspond with the shape of 15 one or more projections of one or more structural supports of a building.

Preferably, the barrier comprises a plurality of incisions.

Advantageously, this enables the barrier to be slotted over and/or under a plurality of projections of the one or more structural supports.

Further advantageously, this enables adjustment of the position of the barrier in the 20 building by moving the barrier so that a different incision engages with a projection of the structural support without the requirement to form more incisions.

Preferably, the plurality of incisions are spaced apart.

Most preferably, the plurality of incisions are equally spaced apart.

Preferably, the plurality of incisions are spaced to correspond to one or more 25 projections of one or more structural supports of a building.

Advantageously, spacing the one or more incisions to correspond to the one or more projections of the one or more structural supports enhances the ease of installation of the barrier around the one or more structural supports.

Preferably, the barrier is feathered with spaced apart width wise incisions along at 30 least one upper or lower surface of the barrier.

Preferably, the barrier comprises a retaining means to retain the structure of the barrier during storage and/or transportation.

Preferably, the retaining means is configurable to retain mutually opposing surfaces of the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material together during storage and/or 35 transportation. 22/10/2020 Preferably, the retaining means is configurable to retain mutually opposing surfaces of the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material, created by the one or more incisions, together during storage and/or transportation.

Preferably, the retaining means is configurable to retain edges of the one or more 5 incisions together during storage and/or transportation.

Advantageously, this prevents the edges of the one or more incisions from butterflying relative to each other during storage and/or transportation.

Further advantageously, this prevents the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material of the barrier falling out of the outer membrane for housing the inner body of 10 insulating and/or fire-resistant material through the incisions during storage and/or transportation.

Preferably, the retaining means bridges the one or more incisions.

Preferably, the retaining means seals at least a part of the one or more incisions.

Ideally, the retaining means seals only a part of the one or more incisions.

Preferably, the retaining means extends along an entire side of the barrier containing incisions.

Preferably, in one embodiment, the retaining means is formed separate to the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Preferably, the retaining means is formed as one piece.

Advantageously, the retaining means can be applied to the barrier to seal all of the one or more incisions by one application of the retaining means.

Alternatively, the retaining means is formed from a plurality of pieces.

Ideally, in another embodiment, the retaining means is formed as an integral part of the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Preferably, the retaining means is removable or cuttable to open the one or more incisions through the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fireresistant material.

Preferably, the retaining means is formed from a material such as plastic or paper that can be removed or cut without the requirement for specialized tools.

Preferably, the retaining means is formed from a non-combustible material.

Ideally, in one embodiment, the retaining means is perforated to enhance the ease of separation of the retaining means.

Ideally, the retaining means comprises a frangible portion at or about the one or more incisions.

Ideally, the frangible portion is in alignment with the one or more incisions.

Advantageously, this enables the one or more incisions to be quickly opened prior to the installation of the barrier around one or more structural supports of the building. 22/10/2020 Preferably, the barrier is configurable to be disposed in a cavity of a cavity wall having an outer leaf and inner leaf.

Preferably, the barrier can be placed alongside one or more other barriers to extend along the cavity as far as the outer leaf and inner leaf extend around the building.

Preferably, the barrier is configurable to abut and/or overlap and/or underly one or more other barriers to extend along the cavity as far as the outer leaf and inner leaf extend around the building.

Preferably, the barrier is configurable to extend across the cavity of the cavity wall between the inner leaf and outer leaf.

Preferably, the barrier is configurable to extend across the cavity of a wall between the inner layer and outer layer.

Preferably, the barrier is configurable to seal the cavity.

When we say seal, we mean across the cavity between the inner leaf and the outer leaf and also along the cavity as far as the outer leaf and inner leaf extend around the 15 building. This provides the cavity with sealed compartments to prevent the spread of fire between the floors/levels of the building via the cavity.

Alternatively, the barrier is configurable to be disposed between a floor slab and curtain wall to seal a gap between the floor slab and curtain wall.

Advantageously, this prevents the spread of fire between floors/levels of a building 20 via the gap between the floor slab and curtain wall.

Preferably, the barrier is compressible.

Advantageously, this means that the barrier can form an airtight seal in the cavity of a cavity wall or in the gap between a floor slab and curtain wall and prevent the rerouting of fire, heat, smoke, flames, fumes and/or any other emissions produced by combustion past 25 the barrier via openings in the cavity or gap.

Preferably, the barrier is compressible between the inner leaf and outer leaf of a cavity wall.

Ideally, the barrier is compressible against the one or more support structures of the building.

Preferably, at least part of the barrier is impermeable to water.

Advantageously, this prevents moisture from passing through the barrier.

Preferably, the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fireresistant material is impermeable to water.

Advantageously, this protects the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant 35 material from the ingress of moisture.

Preferably, at least part of the barrier is non-combustible.

Preferably, all of the barrier is non-combustible. 22/10/2020 Preferably, the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material is noncombustible.

Preferably, the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fireresistant material is non-combustible.

Advantageously, in the case of a fire, the barrier will not enhance the spread of fire.

Preferably, the barrier is useable as a cavity barrier or firestop.

Ideally, the barrier is configurable to contain a fire to one compartment of a cavity in a cavity wall.

Ideally, the barrier is configurable to contain a fire to one compartment of a cavity in a to cavity wall for at least 15 minutes.

Ideally, the barrier is configurable to contain a fire to one compartment of a cavity in a cavity wall for up to four hours.

Preferably, at least part of the barrier is formed of a non-conductive material.

Ideally, the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire15 resistant material is formed of a non-conductive material such as plastic.

Advantageously, forming the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material of a non-conductive material prevents thermal bridging between the inner leaf and outer leaf of the cavity wall or between a floor slab and curtain wall via the barrier. the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material is formed of a non-combustible material.

Preferably, the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material is wrapped in the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Ideally, the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material is shrink wrapped in 25 the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Advantageously, this prevents movement of the inner body of insulating and/or fireresistant material relative to the outer membrane for housing this inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material. This is in comparison to loosely wrapped barriers.

Further advantageously, this prevents misalignment of the one or more incisions into 30 the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material relative to the one or more incisions into the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Preferably, the barrier is cube or cuboid in shape.

Preferably, the one or more incisions extend along a longitudinal surface portion of 35 the barrier.

Preferably, the one or more incisions extend through the entire width of the barrier. 22/10/2020 Preferably, the one or more incisions extend at least partially through the height of the barrier.

Ideally, the one or more incisions extend orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the barrier.

Preferably, in use, the one or more incisions extend through the width of the barrier perpendicular to the cavity wall or curtain wall.

Preferably, in use, the one or more incisions extend through the barrier parallel to the one or more projections of the one or more structural supports.

Ideally, the plurality of incisions extend parallel to each other, io According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a barrier for providing insulation and/or preventing the spread of fire between floors/levels of a building, the method comprising providing a barrier having an inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material and enclosing the inner body of insulating and/or fire 15 resistant material in an outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material.

Preferably, the method comprising the initial step of wrapping the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material in the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Ideally, the method comprising the step of shrink wrapping the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material in the outer membrane for housing the inner body insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Advantageously, this means that the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material is compacted and prevents the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 25 falling out of the one or more incisions as they are formed. This is in comparison to the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material being loosely wrapped and free to crumble out of the one or more incisions.

Preferably, the method comprising the step of preforming the one or more incisions on the barrier in the factory.

Advantageously, preforming the one or more incisions on the barrier increases the ease of installation of the barrier by obviating the requirement for onsite cutting of the barrier.

Ideally, the method comprising the step of forming one or more incisions no more than 50% of the way through the barrier.

Most ideally, the method comprising the step of forming one or more incisions no 35 more than 25% of the way through the barrier.

Preferably, the method comprising the step of bridging the one or more incisions with a retaining means to retain the structure of the barrier during storage and/or transportation. 22/10/2020 According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for installing a barrier for providing insulation and/or preventing the spread of fire between floors/levels of a building, the barrier having an inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material and an outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material, the method comprising fitting the barrier over and/or under one or more projections of one or more structural supports which extend between an outer wall and inner wall and/or floor slab of a building wherein the one or more projections are received within one or more preformed incisions on the barrier.

Preferably, the method comprising the step of removing and/or cutting a retaining means bridging the one or more incisions.

Preferably, the method comprising the step of compressing the barrier to the required size for fitting the barrier between the outer wall and inner wall and/or floor slab of the building.

Preferably, the method comprising the step of disposing the barrier between the outer wall and inner wall and/or floor slab of the building.

Preferably, the method comprising the step of aligning the one or more incisions with the one or more projections of the one or more structural supports which extend between the outer wall and inner wall and/or floor slab of the building.

Ideally, the method comprising the step of slotting the one or more incisions of the barrier over and/or under the one or more projections of the one or more structural supports which extend between the outer wall and inner wall or floor slab of the building.

Ideally, the method comprising the step of slotting the one or more incisions of the barrier over and/or under the one or more projections of the one or more structural supports 25 so that the one or more projections are inserted into the one or more corresponding incisions.

Advantageously, this surrounds the one or more projections within the barrier.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings: 30 Figure 1 is a perspective view of the barrier according to the present invention slotted below projections of a structural support.

Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the barrier according to the present invention slotted below projections of a structural support.

Figure 3 is a top view of a barrier according to the present invention disposed between an inner wall and outer wall of a building. 22/10/2020 Figure 4 is a sectional view of a barrier according to the present invention disposed between an inner wall and outer wall of a building.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the barrier according to the present invention slotted above projections of a structural support.

Figure 6_is a second perspective view of the barrier according to the present invention slotted above projections of a structural support.

In the drawings there is shown a barrier 1 for providing insulation and/or preventing the spread of fire in a building. The barrier 1 has an inner body of insulating and/or fire10 resistant material 2 and an outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 3. The barrier 1 further has one or more preformed incisions 4 to enable the barrier 1 to slot over and/or under one or more projections 6 of one or more structural supports 5 of a building. Preforming one or more incisions 4 on the barrier 1 mitigates the requirement for onsite manipulation and cutting of the barrier 1 and therefore 15 improves the ease of installation of the barrier 1 around structural supports 5 of a building. In this embodiment, the barrier 1 has a plurality of preformed incisions 4. This enables the barrier 1 to be slotted over and/or under a plurality of projections 6 of one or more structural supports 5._This further enables adjustment of the position of the barrier 1 in the building by moving the barrier 1 so that a different incision engages with a projection of the structural 20 support without the requirement to form more incisions.

In this embodiment, the incisions 4 extend no more than 50% of the way through the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material 3 and no more than 50% of the way through the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material 2. The incisions 4 extend no more than 50% of the depth 10 of the barrier 1. The 25 incisions 4 are preformed to correspond with the position and the shape of the or more projections 6 of structural supports 5 of the building.

In this embodiment, the plurality of incisions 4 are spaced to correspond to the one or more projections 6 of the one or more structural supports 5 of the building. This enhances the ease of installation of the barrier 1 around the one or more structural supports 5. The 30 barrier 1 is feathered with spaced apart width wise incisions 4 along at least one upper or lower surface of the barrier 1.

Referring to figure 7, the barrier 1 has a retaining arrangement 7 to retain the structure of the barrier 1 during storage and/or transportation. The retaining arrangement 7 is configurable to retain edges of the one or more incisions 4 together during storage and/or 35 transportation. This prevents the edges of the one or more incisions 4 from butterflying relative to each other during storage and/or transportation and prevents the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material 2 of the barrier 1 falling out of the outer membrane for 22/10/2020 housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material 3 through the incisions 4 during storage and/or transportation. The retaining arrangement 7 bridges the one or more incisions. The retaining arrangement 7 seals at least a part of the one or more incisions 4. In this embodiment, the retaining arrangement seals only a part of the one or more incisions 4. 5 The retaining arrangement 7 extends along an entire side of the barrier 1 containing incisions 4. In one embodiment, the retaining arrangement 7 is formed separate to the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material 3 or is formed as an integral part of the_outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material 3. The retaining arrangement 7 is formed as one piece. This 10 means that the retaining arrangement 7 can be applied to the barrier 1 to seal all of the incisions 4 by one application of the retaining arrangement 7. Alternatively, the retaining arrangement may be formed from a plurality of pieces.

The retaining arrangement 7 is removable or cuttable to open the one or more incisions 4 through the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire15 resistant material 3. The retaining arrangement 7 is formed from a material such as plastic or paper that can be removed or cut without the requirement for specialized tools. The retaining arrangement may also be formed from a non-combustible material. In one embodiment, the retaining arrangement 7 is perforated to enhance the ease of separation of the retaining arrangement 7. In another embodiment, the retaining arrangement 7 has a frangible portion 20 at or about the one or more incisions 4 and in alignment with the one or more incisions 4. This enables the one or more incisions 4 to be quickly opened prior to the installation of the barrier 1 around one or more structural supports 5 of the building.

The barrier 1 is configurable to be disposed in a cavity of a cavity wall having an outer leaf 15 and inner leaf 14 as illustrated in figure 4. The barrier 1 can be placed alongside one 25 or more other barriers to extend along the cavity as far as the outer leaf 15 and inner leaf 14 extend around the building. The barrier 1 is configurable to abut and/or overlap one or more other barriers to extend along the cavity as far as the outer leaf 15 and inner leaf 14 extend around the building. The barrier 1 is configurable to extend across the cavity of the cavity wall between the inner leaf 14 and outer leaf 15. The barrier 1 is configurable to seal the 30 cavity. When we say seal, we mean across the cavity between the inner leaf 14 and the outer leaf 15 and also along the cavity as far as the outer leaf 15 and inner leaf 14 extend around the building. This provides the cavity with sealed compartments to prevent the spread of fire between the floors/levels of the building via the cavity. The barrier 1 is also configurable to be disposed between a floor slab 18 and curtain wall or outer cavity leaf 15 to 35 seal a gap between the floor slab 18 and curtain wall or outer cavity leaf 15. This prevents the spread of fire between floors/levels of a building via the gap between the floor slab 18 and curtain wall or outer cavity leaf 15. 22/10/2020 The barrier 1 is compressible. This means that the barrier 1 can form an airtight seal in the cavity of a cavity wall or in the gap between a floor slab 18 and curtain wall or outer cavity leaf 15 and prevent the rerouting of fire, heat, smoke, flames, fumes and/or any other emissions produced by combustion past the barrier 1 via openings in the cavity or gap. This 5 is illustrated in figure 4. The barrier 1 is compressible between the inner leaf 14 and outer leaf 15 of a cavity wall. The barrier 1 is compressible against the one or more support structures 5 of the building. At least part of the barrier 1 is impermeable to water. This prevents moisture from passing through the barrier 1. The outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 3 is impermeable to water. This protects 10 the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 2 from the ingress of moisture. At least part of the barrier 1 is non-combustible. The inner body of insulating and/or fireresistant material 2 is non-combustible. This means that in the case of a fire, the barrier 1 will not enhance the spread of fire. The barrier 1 is useable as a cavity barrier or firestop and is configurable to contain a fire to one compartment of a cavity in a cavity wall for at least 15 15 minutes. The barrier 1 is useable as a cavity barrier or firestop and is configurable to contain a fire to one compartment of a cavity in a cavity wall for up to four hours. At least part of the barrier 1 is formed of a non-conductive material. The outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 2 is formed of a non-conductive material such as plastic. This prevents thermal bridging between the inner leaf 14 and outer leaf 15 of the 20 cavity wall or between a floor slab 18 and curtain wall or outer cavity leaf 15 via the barrier 1. The outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material may also be formed of a non-combustible material.

The inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 2 is tightly wrapped or shrink wrapped in the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire25 resistant material 3. This prevents movement of the inner body of insulating and/or fireresistant material 2 relative to the outer membrane for housing this inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 3. This is in comparison to loosely wrapped barriers. This further prevents misalignment of the one or more incisions 4 into the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 2 relative to the one or more incisions into the outer membrane for 30 housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 3.

In this embodiment, the barrier 1 is cuboid. However, the barrier 1 may be any other shape. The one or more incisions 4 extend along a longitudinal surface portion 8 of the barrier 1 and through the entire width 9 of the barrier 1. The one or more incisions 4 extend orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the barrier 1. In use, the one or more incisions 4 35 extend through the width 9 of the barrier perpendicular to the cavity wall or curtain wall. In use, the one or more incisions 4 extend through the barrier 1 parallel to the one or more 22/10/2020 projections 6 of the one or more structural supports 5. The plurality of incisions 4 extend parallel to each other.

In use, a barrier 1 for providing insulation and/or preventing the spread of fire 5 between floors/levels of a building, the barrier 1 having an inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material 2 and an outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material 3 is manufactured by providing a barrier 1 having an inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material 2 and enclosing the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material 2 in an outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire 10 resistant material 3 preforming one or more incisions 4 on the barrier 1. Preforming the one or more incisions 4 on the barrier 1 increases the ease of installation of the barrier 1 by mitigating the requirement for onsite cutting of the barrier 1.

In use, the barrier 1 is manufactured by performing the initial step of wrapping or shrink wrapping the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 2 in the outer 15 membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 3. This means that the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 2 is compacted and prevents the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 2 falling out of the one or more incisions 4 as they are formed. This is in comparison to the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 2 being loosely wrapped and free to crumble out of the one or 20 more incisions 4. In use, the barrier 1 is manufactured by forming one or more incisions 4 no more than 50% or no more than 25% of the way through the barrier 1. In use, the structure of the barrier 1 is retained by bridging the one or more incisions 4 with a retaining arrangement 7 that is manufactured as a separate or integral part of the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material 2.

In use, a barrier 1 for providing insulation and/or preventing the spread of fire between floors/levels of a building, the barrier 1 having an inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material 2 and an outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material is installed by fitting the barrier 1 over and/or under one or more 30 projections 6 of one or more structural supports 5 which extend between an outer wall 15 and inner wall 14 and/or floor slab 18 of a building wherein the one or more projections 6 are engaged with one or more preformed incisions 4 on the barrier 1. In use the barrier 1 is installed by performing the initial step of removing and/or cutting a retaining arrangement 7 bridging the one or more incisions 4. In use, the barrier 1 is compressed to the required size 35 for fitting the barrier 1 between the outer wall 15 and inner wall 14 and/or floor slab 18 of the building. In use, the barrier 1 is disposed between the outer wall 15 and inner wall 14 and/or floor slab 18 of the building. In use, the barrier 1 is installed by aligning the one or more 22/10/2020 incisions 4 with the one or more projections 6 of the one or more structural supports 5 which extend between the outer wall 15 and inner wall 14 and/or floor slab 18 of the building. In use, the barrier 1 is installed by slotting the one or more incisions 4 of the barrier 1 over and/or under the one or more projections 6 of the one or more structural supports 5 which 5 extend between the outer wall 15 and inner wall 14 and/or floor slab 18 of the building so that the one or more projections 6 are received within the one or more corresponding incisions 4. This surrounds the one or more projections 6 within the barrier 1.

The skilled man will appreciate that all preferred or optional features of the invention 10 described with reference to only some aspects or embodiments of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention.

It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This 15 includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application.

In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the 20 transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, 25 or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (24)

1. A barrier for providing insulation and/or preventing the spread of fire in a building, the 5 barrier comprising an inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material and an outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material, the barrier further having one or more incisions to enable the barrier to slot over and/or under one or more projections of one or more structural supports of a building, wherein the one or more incisions are preformed on the barrier. 10

2. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein the one or more incisions are preformed in a factory or place of manufacture.

3. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more incisions extend into the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material. 15

4. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more incisions extend into the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

5. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier comprises a plurality of incisions.

6. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more 20 incisions extend through the entire width of the barrier, parallel to one another.

7. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier is feathered with spaced apart width wise incisions along at least one upper or lower surface of the barrier.

8. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more 25 incisions are preformed to correspond with the position of one or more projections of one or more structural supports of a building. 22/10/2020

9. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more incisions are preformed to correspond with the shape of one or more projections of one or more structural supports of a building.

10. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more 5 incisions are equally spaced apart from one another.

11. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier comprises a retaining means to retain the structure of the barrier during storage and/or transportation.

12. A barrier according to claim 11, wherein the retaining means is configurable to retain 10 mutually opposing surfaces of the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material together during storage and/or transportation.

13. A barrier according to claim 11, wherein the retaining means is configurable to seal at least a part and/or only a part of the one or more incisions.

14. A barrier according to claim 11, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the retaining 15 means is removable or cuttable to open the one or more incisions through the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire resistant material.

15. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier is configurable to abut against and/or overlap and/or underly one or more other barriers to extend along the cavity as far as the outer leaf and inner leaf extend around the 20 building.

16. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier is configurable to extend across a cavity of a cavity wall between an inner leaf and an outer leaf to seal the cavity.

17. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier is 25 compressible.

18. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the barrier is impermeable to water. 22/10/2020

19. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the barrier is non-combustible.

20. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the barrier is formed of a non-conductive material. 5

21. A barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material is shrink wrapped in the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

22. A method of manufacturing a barrier for providing insulation and/or preventing the spread of fire between floors/levels of a building, the method comprising the step of 10 wrapping the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material in the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material such that the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material is compacted within the outer membrane for housing the inner body of insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

23. A method according to claim 22, comprising the step of preforming one or more 15 incisions on the barrier in the factory.

24. A method according to claim 23, comprising the step of bridging the one or more incisions with a retaining means to retain the structure of the barrier during storage and/or transportation.