IES85417Y1 - A link batten - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A link batten (l) to join adjacent ends (2) of a pair of root‘ battens (3) is disclosed. The link batten (1) comprises an elongate member (5) of fire resistant material liaviiig a pair olends (6). each end (6) adapted to engage with one of the root‘ battens (3). and a tire resistant blade member (8) intermediate the ends (2) of the elongate member. 'l'he link batten (1) has a pair ofreceivers (12) for nails and the like to secure rooting material to it. The link batten (l) maintains the structural continuity and integrity of the root‘ construction (20) in the cold state (that is, prior to a fire) and in the event ol‘ lire results in roof collapse on only the tire affected side of the party or separating wall (21).

Description

A LINK BATTEN The present invention relates to a link batten, and more particularly, a link batten for use with a firebreak roof divide system for preventing the spread of fire between semi detached, terrace type housing, and or apartments. More particularly. the present invention relates to a non—combustib|e link batten for use over the width of a party or separating wall which replaces timber battens which are presently used at this point.

The primary cause of fire spread from one dwelling unit to another in a terrace of houses or pair of semi-detached houses is the premature collapse of the roof structure in the burning dwelling, once fire has entered the roof or attic space. Such a premature collapse typically occurs within ten to twenty minutes and is premature relevant to the party or separating walls minimum regulatory requirement of sixty minutes structural integrity and fire resistance.

A variety of solutions have been proposed to address the problem of such party or separating walls prematurely collapsing. GB Patent Publication No. 2 082 647 shows a tried. fire tested and approved fire barrier for closing or sealing the gap between two structural members of a building, that is, between a party or separating wall at its abutment with that of the roof covering. Use of such a barrier is adapted to prevent the spread of fire across the party wall. The barrier includes a link batten member which also acts as a support or fixing for the roofing tiles as shown in that publication.

The present invention relates to an improvement of the link batten disclosed in GB Patent Publication No. 2 082 647.

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 - ie. 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 from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

Accordingly, there is provided a link batten to join adjacent ends of a pair of roof battens, the link batten comprising an elongate member of fire resistant material, each end of the elongate member being adapted to engage with one of the roof battens, characterised in that link batten further comprises a resilient fire resistant member which extends normal to the elongate member and projects therefrom to connect the adjacent ends of the elongate member. The link batten of the present invention is adapted to be used with slates, tiles or any other roofing materials. Thus the link batten is multipurpose in its design to enable the fixing of the varying required roof coverings. and is therefore adaptable.

Use of such non-combustible link battens provides for the all important fulcrum break off point either side of a party or separating wall. The link batten allows the roof to collapse in a controlled and predictable manner without causing disruption to the configuration of the fire barrier or fire stop used for closing the gap of the party or separating wall at its abutment with the underside of the roof covering. The link batten of the present invention thus ensures that the arrangement at the party wall complies with regulatory requirements, overall assembly and embodiment. The provision of a resilient fire resistant link batten connecting the adjacent ends of the elongate timber battens will also enable the link batten to accommodate for alignment discrepancies of the adjacent ends of the timber battens over the full width of the roof or building.

Without the inclusion of the all important non-combustible link batten of the present invention, which can be constructed from steel or similar non-combustible materials, at this point over the full width of the party or separating wall, the normal continued timber battens at this point would cause a fulcrum or sea-saw type action to occur over the party or separating walls. In the event of fire such a fulcrum or sea-saw action occurs when the roof structure either side of the party or separating wall collapses. Such a fulcrum or sea- saw action will displace or disrupt the tiles, slates and or other roof coverings having an A/A, A/B or A/C rating (surface spread of flame rating requirement) along the line of the party or separating wall. Such a displacement or disruption may often extend up to a metre into the adjoining property. resulting in fire spread. It is to be understood that this is fire spread caused by the behavior of structure and not combustibility alone.

Use of such a link batten thereby maintains the structural continuity and integrity of the roof construction in the cold state (that is, prior to a fire) and in the event of fire resulting in roof collapse either side of the party or separating wall. Thus the non—combustible link battens of the present invention provide for the all important break off point either side of the wall. This structural fire engineering approach has, as its primary purpose, the prevention of the spread of fire from one dwelling unit, such as a house in a terrace of houses or in a pair of semi-detached houses, and or apartments to an adjoining dwelling unit whilst maintaining the structural continuity and integrity of the roof construction over the dwelling units and properties.

The fire resistant member extends through and or over the top of the compressible cockscomb seal used to form a part of the barrier at the party wall. The fire resistant member presses down on the cockscomb seal thus enabling the cockscomb seal to completely seal the gap at the party wall to the underside of the roof covering. The orientation of the resilient fire resistant or blade member in the present invention to be perpendicular relative to the elongate member will prevent disruption to the barrier due to the introduction of the link batten. The perpendicular orientation of the fire resistant member or blade in the present invention enables the fire resistant member to be inserted into and seal in the cockscomb barrier thus eliminating any distortion to the optimal shape of the barrier while maintaining a good seal at the critical abutment. Use of the link batten will also avoid the need to cut the barrier element at the relevant position to receive the fire resistant link batten member.

Preferably, the link batten member bridges a gap formed between adjacent ends of the roofing battens. Preferably, the roofing battens are timber battens.

Preferably. bores are provided in the elongate link batten member through which nails, screws, rivets and like are inserted for securing the link batten member to the adjacent ends of timber rooting battens and rafters, and or trusses.

Each end of the elongate member together with an end portion of the fire resistant member engages an end of a roofing timber batten, and or similar member.

Preferably, at least a portion of the link member is made of steel material.

In another embodiment of the invention, the elongate member comprises a support means for roofing material, the support means comprising a seating frame fonhing a portion of the elongate member and an infill portion mountable within the seating frame for receiving fixing means used to secure the roofing material, such as slates, tiles and or other material to the link batten.

In another embodiment of the invention, the seating frame comprises a section of the fire resistant member and extends normal to the elongate member and surrounds the infill portion.

Preferably, the edges of the fire resistant member and seating frame are lipped.

Preferably, the infill portion or ground is formed as an inverted container having a base wall and at least one side wall and an open mouth opposite the base.

Preferably, the elongate member is integrally formed.

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 plan view of a link batten according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the link batten of Fig. 1 joining adjacent ends of a pair of timber roof battens, and Figs. 3 and 4 shows the collapse of the roof without the inclusion of the all important non-combustible link batten of the present invention, which as shown is resulting in root collapse either side of the party or separating wall, and Figs. 5 and 6 shows the controlled collapse of the roof about a fulcrum close to the party/separating wall of a building incorporating the link batten shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a link batten. indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for joining adjacent ends 2 of a pair of timber roof battens 3 to prevent the spread of fire from one timber roof batten to the other timber roof batten and to provide continuity of the roof structure of two adjacent building units. In the instance shown, the timber roof battens 3 are located in two different roof spaces and the link member 1 bridges a gap, indicated generally by the reference numeral 4 formed between adjacent ends 2 of the timber roof battens 3.

The link batten 1 comprises an integrally formed elongate member, indicated generally by the reference numeral 5, of fire resistant material. in one embodiment, the link member 1 is made of galvanised steel material, although it is envisaged that a variety of other suitable fire resistant materials may also be used. Each end 6 of the elongate member 5 is adapted to engage with an adjacent end of a timber roof batten 3. Bores 7 are also provided in the elongate member 5 through which nails, screws, rivets and the like may be inserted for securing the link batten 1 to the timber roof battens 3. In this way. the link batten 1 provides good structural connectivity between the adjacent timber roof battens 3, but also a further layer of protection against the spread of fire.

Also shown is a resilient fire resistant member, shown as blade member 8 which extends normal to the elongate member 5 and projects therefrom to connect the adjacent ends 6 of the elongate member 5. Each end 6 of the elongate member 5 together with an end portion 9 of the blade member 8 engages an end edge of a timber roof batten 3. The elongate member 5 also comprises a support means for roofing material 14 (see Figs. 5 and 6), such as a roofing tiles or slates and/or other material, used for covering the timber roof battens 3. The support means comprises a seating frame 11 forming a portion of the elongate member 5 and an optional infill portion or ground 12 mountable within the seating frame 11. Use of the infill portion 12 with the link member 1 may be dependent on the specific roofing material being used to cover the roofing trusses. For example, if roofing slates are being used then the infill portion or ground 12 would be suitable for receiving fixing means, such as nails and the like, to secure the roofing states 11 to the link batten 1. In the instance shown, the seating frame 11 comprises a section 15 of the blade 8, and a section 13 which extends normal to the elongate member 5 and surrounds the optional infill portion or ground 12 and is connected at its terminal or free end back to the blade member 8. The edges of the blade member 8 and sections 13 are tipped to provide seating ledges for the infill portion or ground 12, which is itself formed as an inverted container having a base wall and at least one side wall and an open mouth opposite the base. The infill portion or ground 12 is made of a plastics material and the base acts as an anchor for slate nails.

Figs. 3 and 4 show the collapse of the roof 20 without the inclusion of the all important non-combustible link batten of the present invention, which as shown is resulting in roof collapse either side of the party or separating wall 21. Without the inclusion of the all important non-combustible link batten 1 of the present invention over the full width of the party or separating wall 21, the normal continued timber battens 3 at this point would cause a fulcrum or sea-saw type action to occur over the party or separating walls 21. In the event of fire such a fulcrum or sea-saw action occurs when the roof structure either side of the party or separating wall 21 collapses. Such a fulcrum or sea-saw action will displace or disrupt the tiles. slates and or other roof coverings 14 having an A/A. A/B or NO rating (surface spread of flame rating requirement) along the line of the party or separating wall 21. Such a displacement or disruption often extends up to a metre into the adjoining property, resulting in fire spread.

Figs. 5 and 6 show the controlled collapse of a roof 20 on one side of a party wall 21 using the link batten of the present invention. In the instance shown, the link batten 1 provides a fulcrum break point at the critical abutment location relevant to the party/separating wall at either side of the party/separating wall 21, and allows the roof 20 to collapse in a controlled manner without causing disruption to the configuration of the firebreak roof divide barrier 22 at the critical abutment.

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 8. CO‘ Applicant's Agents Merrion Square DUBLIN 2.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A link batten to join adjacent ends of a pair of roof battens, the link batten Comprising; an elongate member of fire resistant material having a pair of ends. each end adapted to engage with one of the roof battens, characterised in that the link batten further comprises receiving means adapted to receive securing means to secure roofing material to the link batten and in which the receiving means is releasably mounted in a seating frame of the elongate member.

2. A link batten as claimed in Claim 1, comprising a pair of seating frames, one located substantially adjacent each end of the elongate member, each seating frame projects underneath the elongate member between the adjacent ends of the roof battens; the receiving means is formed as an inverted container having a top wall, at least one side wall and an open bottom opposite the top wall; the top wall of the receiving means is exposed through a cut-away portion of the elongate member when mounted in the seating frame; and the receiving means is made of a tire resistant plastics material.

3. A link batten as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2. further comprising a fire resistant blade member intermediate the ends of the elongate member, the blade member is substantially normal to the elongate member and adapted to project therefrom through or over the top of a fire barrier which extends between the ends of the roof battens; 10 the blade member is adapted to be bendable to enable the ends of the elongate member to be aligned with the ends of the roof battens to bejoined; each end of the elongate member is adapted for mounting on a surface of a roof batten; each end of the elongate member is adapted for mounting on a ridge of a roof bafien;and each end of the elongate member is substantially L-shaped to embrace the ridge.

4. A link batten as claimed in a Claim 3, in which each end of the elongate member defines the cross-sectional area of the roof battens and embraces the roof battens, aperture means are provided on the elongate member to receive securing means [or fixing the link batten between the ends of the roofing battens, the elongate member and the fire resistant blade member are integrally formed, and optionally in which the elongate member and the blade member are made of steel material.

5. A link batten substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.