MXPA99006249A - Fire barrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A fire barrier (12) for use in dynamic voids to seal against the spread of fire. Flexible foil-backed insulation material (22) is supported by a woven metallic support screen (18) positioned in the void. As the surfaces (14, 16) defining the void undergo relative movement, the ability of the individual wire elements of the screen (18) to move in a scissor-like fashion relative to one another allows the screen to distort laterally without shearing, wrinkling, or buckling while the insulation material (22) floating thereon is effectively isolated from any shear forces. The foil backing (20, 24) allows the insulation (22) to freely shift relative to the support screen (18).

Description

BARRIER AGAINST FIRE Background of the Invention The present invention relates generally to fire barriers for use in dynamic separations formed in constructions, and more particularly, belongs to systems that are capable of maintaining an effective barrier against the propagation of fire despite a substantial relative displacement or distortion of the surfaces that define such separations.

A variety of separations or dynamic joints are typically incorporated into a construction to prevent damage as the structure undergoes movement due to thermal, wind and seismic loads. To prevent the propagation of heat, smoke, and flames through it, it is necessary to adjust such separations with fire barriers. It is especially important for a fire barrier to fix it to a joint to keep it intact after the joint undergoes substantial displacement or distortion due to seismic activity, since the risk of fire is acute followed immediately by an earthquake. Ref .: 30688 - Several fire barrier systems have been invented to try to accommodate the magnitude of the anticipated movement during a seismic event. Substantial widening and / or narrowing, as well as substantial lateral or shear displacement of a seismic joint can be expected. Fire barriers typically consist of a sheet of flexible material that hooks to each joint wall and hangs loosely between them. Such a configuration does not in any way prevent the narrowing of the gap while the looseness in the material accommodates a widening of the gap beyond its nominal width. Its inherent flexibility also allows the material to take any differential vertical displacement between the two sides of the joint. Although it is flexible, the previously used barrier materials are, however, substantially less able to accommodate the relative lateral displacement between the sides of the joint, and are prone to shear failure. In an effort to address this defect, several complex mechanisms have been further developed to allow one or both sides of the barrier to change along the walls of the joint. Some configurations that are provided for the barrier are fixed rigidly to one side of the board while the opposite edge of the barrier is maintained. d.e.slizably in a slot or channel glued to the opposite wall of the board. Alternatively both edges of the barrier are held within grooves or channels formed on both sides of the joint to allow both sides to laterally change the relative walls of the joint.

This prior art of fire barrier systems suffer from a number of disadvantages. The complexity of many such systems makes their initial cost quite high. In addition, the installation of a complex system is often more difficult, especially to modify existing constructions, thus increasing the production cost more. Finally, several mechanisms that allow such systems accommodate lateral displacements that typically rest on several moving parts that would require periodic maintenance. The prior art is therefore substantially free of a simple barrier, low-cost, low-tension barrier, which is easy to install and which is capable of being convenient to the relative lateral shells.

Brief Description of the Invention The present invention provides a fire barrier system that prevents the propagation of smoke, heat and flame through a dynamic separation such as a seismic joint. The configuration of the system ensures that an effective barrier is maintained despite substantial displacement or relative distortion of the joint in all three dimensions. In addition, the barrier is relatively inexpensive, it is easily installed, it is quickly readjusted to many existing joint configurations and does not require essentially maintenance.

The fire barrier system of the present invention consists of reinforced metal sheet insulation material supported in a free floating manner by a metal mesh component of the mesh that hangs between the two sides of the dynamic separation. A loose mesh structure is critical in allowing the component of the support to accommodate the relative lateral displacement of the opposite edges without corrugation or corrugation. The ability of the individual wire elements to combine with one another with a scissor-like movement serves to lighten the tension to the cut, and thus provide a uniform dimensional fit to the lateral distortion. Because the insulation is supported in a free floating manner by the support grid, the insulation is maintained essentially stationary and does not distort as the grid changes and distorts to accommodate lateral displacement of the joint walls. The presence of the metal sheet between the insulation and the support grid reduces the friction between the insulation and the support grid to ensure relative free movement between them. Therefore the insulating material is effectively isolated from the shear forces that would otherwise be transferred to it.

A component of the simple support grid could be used to support the insulation layer below. Alternatively, the insulation layer could be a sandwich between two metal mesh support grids to float freely therebetween. The system of the present invention is easily adaptable for horizontal and vertical applications, as well as transitions between horizontal and vertical surfaces.

The barrier system of the present invention satisfies a need for a simple, easily installed and relatively inexpensive device capable of preventing the propagation of smoke, flame, and heat through a dynamic joint despite a substantial distortion of such a joint in the three dimensions. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cross section of the fire barrier system of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional cross-sectional enlargement of a portion of a barrier material of the alternative embodiment; Y FIG. 3 is a cross section of an alternative embodiment of the fire barrier system of the present invention Detailed Description of the Preferred Modalities The figures illustrate the fire barrier system of the present invention. The system generally consists of a barrier material that is flame, heat, and smoke proof and is supported between opposing sides of a dynamic separation. The system allows the sides of the separation to undergo relative movement in all three dimensions without compromising the ability of the barrier to develop its sealing function. Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the barrier system 12 is disposed between the two sides 14, 16 of a dynamic spacing extending across a horizontal surface. A support grid 18 and a retaining grid 26 are arranged in parallel with one another, and are hung between the two sides of the gap. The edges of the grids are rigidly fixed to the sides of the gap by means of any appropriate fastening system. Only bolts or bolts 27 extending through both grids within the edges of the gasket below it are shown as an example. Alternatively, a rigid flange extending along the total length of each edge of the grid could rest to place the two edges of the grid between the layers against the edges of the joint.

Supported between the two grid components 18, 26 in a free floating form is the barrier material consisting of metal sheet 20, 24 reinforcing the placement on either side of the refractory grating 22. The layers could simply rest on the part of another or could be adhesively bonded to another, or preferably, the structure could simply be joined with staples. The width of the reinforced metal sheet material 22 is narrower than the width of the support grid 18, 26 such that its edges remain clear of the area where the gratings converge and are secured to the side of the joint. The intumescent fire caulking is placed along the edge of the refractory material. The horizontal configuration illustrated in Fig. 1 easily adapts to vertical configurations, as well as transitions of horizontal and vertical surfaces. It is critical for the support and the retaining grid to have a sufficiently loose mesh structure to allow the individual wire elements of the wave to change with respect to one another in a scissor-like manner. The grid consists preferably of stainless steel wires, approximately 0.0075"in diameter of 24 threads per inch.The use of stainless steel wire mesh with a wire diameter of 0.008" to approximately eight threads per inch has also been found to It is advantageous due to the exceptional flexibility of the material. The refractory material preferably consists of 1/4"thick ~ 12 # ceramic fiber insulation blanket reinforced with 0.003" stainless steel metal sheet on the hot side, and 0.003"aluminum foil on the opposite side.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment wherein the material of the barrier includes an additional insulation layer. The barrier material floats freely between the woven stainless steel support and the retaining grids 30, 42, and consists of reinforced stainless steel sheet 40 on the hot side, reinforced aluminum foil 32 on the opposite side, two refractory grating layers 34, 38 and a separating membrane layer of stainless steel sheet metal 36 therebetween. The elements 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40 could simply rest on top of one another, could be adhesively bonded to one another, or preferably stapled together.

Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the barrier system wherein the retaining grid 26 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 is replaced by the retaining tabs 58 and 60. The barrier material, consisting of metal foils reinforced 52, 56 on each side of the refractory grating 54, is supported in a free floating manner by the support grid 50. The support grid has a loose mesh structure which allows its individual wire elements to change one with respect to the another such that the lateral distortion does not result in cutting, deformation, or corrugation. A rigid retention flange 58 is bonded to the side 46 of the gasket to positively hold the grid 50 in position, while its projecting edge 59 loosely holds the material of the barrier over the grate and through the gasket. Fig. 3 illustrates an adaptation of the device for a transition between a horizontal and a vertical surface whereby an appropriately modified flange 62 sticks to the vertical wall. The tab again develops the dual function of fixing the edge of the grid 50 to the wall of the joint 48, while its projection edge 61 controls the position of the material of the barrier. The configuration of the simple support grid can therefore also be adapted to a horizontal application where two L-shaped retention flanges 58 are used, as well as completely vertical applications where two retention flanges 60 are used in the form of Z.

The barrier system of the present invention does not accommodate only the relative movement of the sides towards and away from one another, as well as relative movement up and down, but allows relative lateral displacement. The freedom of scissor-like movement of the individual wires forming the metal mesh support grid allows the opposite edges of the grid to be exchanged laterally with respect to each other without causing the grid to ripple or corrugate, such that the material Reinforced metal foil insulation floating on it is effectively insulated for any shear force. This insulation is therefore able to continue satisfying its isolation function during and after the three-dimensional relative displacement of the surfaces that define the joint.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited except by the appended claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property.

Claims (14)

1. A fire barrier system to seal a dynamic separation between architectural structures, characterized in that it comprises: a metal support grid forming the separation, a portion of the grid fixed to at least one of the architectural structures; Y insulating material non-rigidly coupled to and supported by the supporting grid of a free floating form such that the insulating material is substantially insulated from the pure forces resulting from the relative movement between the structures.

2. The fire barrier system of claim 1, characterized in that a metal foil layer is placed between the grid of the support, and the insulator to reduce the friction between them.

3. The fire barrier system of claim 2, characterized in that the metal foil is joined to the insulating material.

4. The fire barrier system of claim 2, characterized in that the metal sheet is stapled to the insulating material.

5. The fire barrier system of claim 2, characterized in that a metal foil layer is placed on both sides of the insulating material.

6. The fire barrier system of claim 5, characterized in that the metal foil layers are bonded to the insulating material.

7. The fire barrier system of claim 5, characterized in that the metal foil layers and the insulating material are stapled together.

8. The fire barrier system of claim 1, characterized in that the opposite edges of the support grid are rigidly glued to opposite sides of the dynamic spacing, and where the grid is wider than the dynamic spacing.

9. The fire barrier system of claim 1, characterized in that a rigid retaining flange projects from each side of the gap on a portion of the insulating material to hold the insulating material in position on the support grid.

10. The fire barrier system of claim 2, characterized in that a metal retaining grid ties the separation in parallel with the support grid in order to sandwich the insulation between it and the support grid in a free floating manner.

11. A fire barrier system for sealing a dynamic separation, characterized in that it comprises: a loosely woven stainless steel wire grating that extends into the gap and is rigidly fixed to the edges of the gap; a layer of stainless steel sheet metal placed on the grid in a free-floating form, the metal sheet being narrower than the grid, the metal sheet non-rigidly engages the grid; Y a refractory grating of substantially the same width as the metal sheet placed on the metal sheet.

12. The fire barrier system of claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises a layer of metal foil placed on the grid.

13. The fire barrier system of claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises a loosely woven stainless steel grid extending in the gap, placed on the metal sheet in a free floating manner, and rigidly fixed to the edges of the separation .

14. The fire barrier system of claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises rigid retaining tabs extended from the edges of the gap to keep the layers of metal sheet in free float, and the refractory grid in position on the grid.