IES85343Y1 - A firebreak roof divide system - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A barrier tor use in a gap between a root‘ and a party wall ofa building to prevent the spread of tire is disclosed. The barrier comprises a locating means mounted on top ol‘ the party wall dividing two areas ol‘ the building, the locating means receiving a barrier element which extends upwardly to abut a downward facing surface of the root‘. The barrier element is adapted to distort within a layer of a barrier element covering material to take the form and shape of the underside of any roofing material, tlicrcb_v forming a tight seal between the root‘ and the wall and preventing the spread ol‘l'1res across the gap at the roof junction.

Description

A FIREBREAK ROOF DIVIDE SYSTEM The present invention relates to a firebreak roof divide system for preventing the spread of fire between adjacent structural members.

Gaps between adjacent structural members such as those between terraced and semi- detached buildings are often responsible for the spread of fires. As a result, adjacent properties to the source of the fire are often unnecessarily damaged by fire. The spread of fires across these gaps is particularly problematic at the roof junction. This is because, despite best endeavours, the provision of a fireproof joint in this area is not always possible and also because roofing felt is highly flammable. Imperfections in the construction at the roof junction also contribute to the spread of fires between such adjacent structural members.

GB Patent Application No. 2 082 647 shows a particularly effective barrier for sealing the gap A variety of solutions have been proposed to overcome these problems. between two structural members of a building. The barrier described is highly effective once fitted.

It is an object of the present invention to improve upon the barrier disclosed GB Patent Application No. 2 082 647 by providing a barrier which takes the form of the underside of any roofing material, whilst maintaining a shape able to provide a good seal between the wall and the roof at the roofing junction. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a barrier which will provide the public and/or industry with a useful alternative.

It is acknowledged that the term ‘comprise’ may, under varying jurisdictions be provided with either an exclusive or inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted explicitly, the term comprise shall have an inclusive meaning — i.e. that it may be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components. Accordingly, the term ‘comprise’ is to be attributed with as broader interpretation as possible within any given jurisdiction and this rationale should also be used when the terms ‘comprised’ and/or ‘comprising’ are used.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent form the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

Accordingly, there is provided a barrier for use in a gap between a roof and a party wall of a building to prevent the spread of fire, the barrier comprising a locating means mounted on top of the party wall dividing two areas of the building, the locating means receiving a barrier element which extends upwardly to abut a downward facing surface of the roof, wherein the barrier element is at least partially enclosed in a layer of a barrier element covering material, and whereby the barrier element has a shape which is adapted to deform sufficiently so that when the barrier element abuts the roof the gap between the wall and the roof is sealed.

The shape of the barrier element is thus adapted to distort within the layer of the barrier element covering material to take the form and shape of the underside of any roofing material, thereby forming a tight seal between the roof and the wall. This will prevent the spread of fires across the gap at the roof junction. Forming the barrier element in this way will eliminate the need to profile the barrier element to ensure it snugly fits under the roofing material to provide the required seal.

Preferably, the locating means comprises a gasket layer covering sheet which rests on the top of a gasket layer fixed to the top of the party wall.

In another embodiment of the invention, the locating means comprises a depression formed in the gasket layer, whereby a base portion of the barrier element fits snugly on the gasket layer covering sheet material in the depression and extends upwardly from the depression to the roof. Preferably, the depression is substantially “U”-shaped.

Preferably, the ends of the gasket layer covering sheet includes wings, each wing being adapted to receive roofing felt from both sides of the building.

Preferably, the gasket layer covering sheet is a fire resistant waterproof membrane. For example, the gasket layer covering sheet may be formed from aluminium foil, light gauge metal or similar like materials having the requisite fire resistance and water proofing characteristics. The gasket layer covering sheet will thus facilitate water proofing of the party wall components in the event of roofing failure.

Preferably, the barrier element covering material is formed from wire mesh.

Preferably, the barrier element is formed from a substantially non—expanding fire resistant material. It will be appreciated that the barrier element must be composed of a material which will maintain an abutment to the roof so that during a fire a good seal between the roof and party wall is maintained. Preferably, the gasket layer is formed from the same material as the barrier element.

In a further embodiment, the barrier element is provided by a block of material in the form of a cockscomb vertical brush. Preferably, the vertical brush has a circular cross—section.

Preferably, the gasket layer is bonded to a fire resistant panel fixed to the top of the party wall.

In another embodiment of the invention, a link batten extends between the rafter sections of each of a pair of trusses, the link batten bridging the party wall. Use of such a link batten provides a fulcrum break point either side of the party wall, and allows the roof to collapse in a controlled manner as a result of fire without causing disruption to the configuration of the barrier at the critical abutment.

The link batten may also include a barrier element fixing means adapted to engage with the barrier element to hold it in the depression. Such a barrier element fixing means extends from the gasket layer to engage the barrier element via the depression.

Preferably, the barrier element fixing means comprises spikes and/or blades which extend into the barrier element. in an alternative embodiment, the locating means comprises a channel section.

Preferably, the channel section comprises a base and two side walls and rests on its base on the gasket layer fixed to the top of the party wall preventing smoke from spreading under the barrier into the adjoining building through small gaps between the top of the party wall and the base of the channel section. Preferably, the channel section is integrally formed.

In another embodiment, a wing is integrally formed on each side of the channel section, the wings being adapted to receive roofing felt from both sides of the building.

Preferably, the wings of the channel section are formed as “V”-shaped sections which extend from the side walls of the channel section to the rafter sections of the trusses.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a barrier in position on a party wall of a building in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is the sectional view of Fig. 1 in which the building is shown in further detail, Fig. 3 show the steps involved in fixing a roofing tile onto the barrier when in situ on the building; Fig. 4 shows a cavity wall incorporating a barrier element in accordance with an alternative embodiment the invention; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a barrier in position on a party wall of a building in accordance with an alternative embodiment the invention; Fig. 6 is the sectional view of Fig. 5 in which the building is shown in further detail; Fig. 7 illustrates the controlled collapse of the roof of a building which incorporates the barrier shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 3, there is shown a barrier 1 for use in a gap 2 between a roof 3 and a party wall 4 of a building to prevent the spread of fire. The barrier 1 comprises a locating means, indicated generally by the reference numeral 5, mounted on top of the party wall 4 dividing two areas of the building. The locating means receives a barrier element 9 which extends upwardly to abut a downward facing surface of the roof 3. The locating means 5 comprises a gasket layer covering sheet 6 which rests on the top of a gasket layer 7 fixed to the top of the party wall 4. A depression 8 is formed in the gasket layer 7, whereby a base portion 10 of the barrier element 9 fits snugly on the gasket layer covering sheet 6 in the depression 8 and extends upwardly from the depression 8 to the roof 3. In the instance shown, the depression 8 is substantially u-shaped, although it will be appreciated that the depression 8 may also be substantially v-shaped, or it may have any suitable shape suitable for locating the base portion 10 of the barrier element 9.

The ends of the gasket layer covering sheet 6 terminate in wings 11, each wing 11 being adapted to receive roofing felt 12 from both sides of the building. in use, roofing felt 12 is rolled back onto the wings 11 thereby allowing any water which has leaked through the roofing tiles 3 to drain down the wings 11 and into the guttering (not shown).

The gasket layer covering sheet 6 is preferably formed from a waterproof membrane and it may also be foil backed and pre-fixed to the gasket layer 7. The gasket layer 7 is formed from a substantially non-expanding fire resistant material, such as that sold under the trade mark RockFibre®. The gasket layer 7 is fixed to the top of the party wall 4.

The barrier element 9 is at least partially enclosed in a layer of a barrier element covering material 13, which in the instance shown is a wire mesh. The barrier element covering material 13 is adapted to allow the barrier element 9 to take a preferred shape when fitted under the roof 3. The barrier element 9 is provided by a block of material in the form of a cockscomb vertical brush which is also formed from a substantially non-expanding fire resistant material such as that sold under the trade name RockFibre®. Such a material is suitable for maintaining an abutment to the roof 3 so that during a fire, the seal between the roof 3 and party wall 4 is maintained. The portion of the cockscomb vertical brush which extends out of the depression 8 is substantially bulb shaped, and use of the wire mesh will ensure that the compressive forces which will be exerted by the roof 3 will maintain the bulb shape of the barrier element 9. The barrier element 9 is thus adapted to deform sufficiently when fitted under the roof 3 to seal the gap 2 between the party 4 wall and the roof 3, the shape of barrier element 9 distorting within the layer of the barrier element covering material 13 to take the form and shape of the underside of any roofing material, and will thereby form a tight seal between the roof 3 and the wall 4. The barrier element 9 thus forms an effective fire and smoke barrier.

A link batten 15 extends between the rafter sections 16 of each of a pair of trusses bridging the party wall 4. The link batten 15 includes a barrier element fixing means (not shown) adapted to engage with the barrier element 9 in the depression 8. Alternatively, the barrier element fixing means may extend from the gasket layer 7 to engage the barrier element 9 via the depression 8. Such a barrier element fixing means may comprise spikes and/or blades which extend into the barrier element 9.

The method by which roofing tiles are fitted over the barrier element 9 will now be described. Initially, the link batten 15 is fixed between each of the rafter sections 16 bridging the party wall 4. In this way, the link batten 15 provides good structural connectivity between the trusses, but also a further layer of protection against the spread of fire and smoke. The link batten 15 has two attachment plates 17 and a connecting arm 18 which extends across the gap 2. A vertical groove (not shown) is then cut in the barrier element 9 at the relevant position to receive the connecting arm 18 and the attachment plates 17 are nailed to the rafter sections 16. The barrier element 9 is also cut across in line with the top edge of the rafter sections 16 in order to allow installation of the roof tiles 3. As the roof tiles 3 are pushed onto the barrier element 9 and secured to the rafter sections 16, as shown in Figs. 3(a) and (b), the bulb shaped cockscomb compresses as shown in Figs. 3(c) and (d) but still maintains a required critical bulb shape as it moulds to the shape of the underside of the roof coverings, including the roof tiles and any cladding.

Fig. 4 shows a further use for the barrier element 9 referred to in Fig. 1 to 3, again with parts similar to those described already with respect to Figs. 1 to 3 being identified by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment the barrier element 9. which is enclosed in a barrier element covering material 13, such as wire mesh, is placed in between stud cavity walls 25, 26 and an outer wall 27 of a building. The barrier element 9 may be covered in a damp proof cloth (DPC), such as polythene, to aid waterproofing and may extend both horizontally and/or vertically in the wall cavity 28.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a modification of the barrier shown in Figs. 1 to 3, with parts similar to those described already with respect to Figs. 1 to 3 being identified by the same reference numerals.

In the embodiment shown, the locating means 3 comprises a channel section, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, mounted on top of the party wall 3 dividing two areas of the building. The channel section 20 is integrally formed and receives the barrier element 9 which extends upwardly to abut the roofing tiles 7 to seal the gap 6 between the wall 3 and the roof 7.

Wings 21, which are integrally formed on each side of the channel section 20, are adapted to receive roofing felt 12 from both sides of the building. In the instance shown, the wings 21 of the channel section 20 are formed as “V"-shaped sections which extend from side walls of the channel section to the rafter sections 16. In use, the roofing felt 12 is rolled back into the wings 21 thereby allowing any water which has leaked through the roofing tiles 3 to drain down the wings 21 and into the guttering (not shown).

The channel section 20 comprises a base 22 and two side walls 23, 24 and rests on its base 22 on the gasket layer 7 fixed to the top of the party wall 4. In the instance shown, the gasket layer 7 is also bonded to a fire resistant panel 14 fixed to the top of the party wall 4. In this embodiment of the invention, the barrier element 9 forms a snug tight seal within in the channel section 20, whilst also ensuring that the compressive forces which will be exerted by the roof 2 will not cause any change to the critical bulb shape of the barrier element 20.

Fig. 7(a) and (b) show the controlled collapse of the roof on one side of the party wall. in the instance shown, the link batten 15 provides a fulcrum break point either side of the party wall 4, and allows the roof 3 to collapse in a controlled manner without causing disruption to the configuration of the barrier 1 at the critical abutment (i.e. within the gap 2).

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciate that additions and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

DERMOT P. CUMMINS & CO.

Applicant’s Agents Merrion Square Dublin 2

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A barrier for use in a gap between a roof and a party wall of a building to prevent the spread of fire, the barrier comprising a locating means mounted on top of the party wall dividing two areas of the building, the locating means receiving a barrier element which extends upwardly to abut a downward facing surface of the roof, characterised in that the barrier element is at least partially enclosed in a layer of a barrier element covering material, the barrier element having a shape which is adapted to distort within the layer of covering material to thereby mould the covering material against the downward facing surface of the roof to seal the gap between the party wall and the roof.

2. A barrier as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the barrier element covering material is formed from wire mesh and the barrier element is formed from a substantially non- expanding fire resistant material.

3. A barrier as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the locating means comprises a gasket layer covering sheet which sits on the top of a gasket layer fixed to the top of the party wall and comprises a depression formed in the gasket layer; a base portion of the barrier element fits snugly on the gasket layer covering sheet in the depression and extends upwardly to abut the roof; the gasket layer covering sheet comprises wings arranged to receive roofing felt from sides of the building; the gasket layer covering sheet is a fire resistant waterproof membrane, and the gasket layer is formed from the same material as the barrier element.

4. A barrier as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the locating means comprises a channel section having a base and two side walls, the base of the channel section seated on a gasket layer fixed to the top of the party wall; the barrier element is provided by a block of material in the form of a cockscomb vertical brush; the vertical brush has a circular cross-section and the channel section is integrally formed; an integrally formed wing extends from each side wall of the channel section, each wing being adapted to receive roofing felt from both sides of the building; the wings of the channel section are formed as “V”-shaped sections which extend from the side wall of channel section across the top of the party wall, and the gasket layer is bonded to a fire resistant panel fixed to the top of the party wall.

5. A barrier substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. DERMOT P. CUMMINS & CO., Applicant's Agents, 47 Merrion Square,