NZ716757A

NZ716757A - Fire Collar

Info

Publication number: NZ716757A
Application number: NZ716757A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Paterson James
Original assignee: Passive Fire Systems Qld Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-02-13
Filing date: 2016-02-09
Publication date: 2023-02-24
Also published as: AU2016200823A1; AU2020277126A1; AU2016200823B2; AU2020277126B2; AU2020103627A4

Abstract

A fire collar for preventing the spread of fire in a building is provided, the fire collar including a body at least partly defining a passage; an obstructing member, configured to initially obstruct the passage, in response to heat from a fire; and intumescence, configured to subsequently obstruct the passage, in response to the heat. The obstructing member may be fast closing and reliable, i.e. resistant to reopening due to the intumescence. As the obstructing member is resistant to reopening due to the intumescence. As a result, the collar may be particularly effective at preventing the spread of fire between one area of a building to another area of the building.

Description

FIRE COLLAR TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fire collar. In particular, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a fire collar for preventing fire from spreading from one area of a building to another area of the building through a conduit.

BACKGROUND ART Passive fire protection is generally used in large buildings to prevent the spread of fire from one area to another. In particular, fire proof barriers may be used to separate different wings of a building, and concrete floors may help prevent fire spreading between different levels of the building.

In many cases, however, it is necessary to breach these barriers, for example for the installation of wiring and plumbing. A problem with fire proof barriers of the prior art is that such breaches may compromise the integrity of the barrier and thus enable fire to travel through the barrier. As an illustrative example, fire may spread between floors of a building through sewerage piping that extends between floors.

Fire collars may be used to help prevent fire from travelling through pipework.

Generally, such fire collars rely on intumescence, which expands from heat from the fire, thus blocking the pipework and thus preventing the passage of fire through the pipework.

A problem with fire collars of the prior art is that it can take quite some time for the intumescence to suitably expand. As such, fire may spread through pipework before the intumescence has expanded.

Other fire collars utilise mechanical elements (such as shutters) to close pipework. A further problem with such mechanical fire collars of the prior art is that they may reopen after being initially engaged, also enabling the fire to spread through the pipework.

As such, there is a need for an improved fire collar.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention is directed to a fire collar, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a fire collar for preventing the spread of fire in a building, the fire collar including: a body at least partly defining a passage; an obstructing member, configured to initially obstruct the passage, in response to heat from a fire; and intumescence, configured to subsequently obstruct the passage, in response to the heat.

Advantageously, the obstructing member may be fast closing and reliable, i.e. resistant to reopening due to the intumescence. As a result, the collar may be particularly effective at preventing the spread of fire between one area of a building to another area of the building.

Preferably, the obstructing member is configured to obstruct the channel independently of intumescence.

The obstructing member may comprise one or more blades. The blades may be spaced around the channel.

The blades may be pivotally coupled to a housing of the fire collar, and configured to pivot between an open position, where the blades do not obstruct the channel, and a closed position where the blades obstruct the channel.

The fire collar may include springs configured to bias the blades towards the closed position.

The blades may be held in the open position by the pipe, and configured to close when the pipe softens or melts.

The blades may comprise four blades The intumescence may comprise a plurality of segments. The segments may be spaced around the channel. Each segment may be associated with a blade.

The segments may be tapered to conform to a rear surface of the blade. In particular, the segments may fill a cavity formed by a rear of the blades.

The fire collar may include an intumescence retainer, for retaining the intumescence.

The intumescence retainer may include a plurality of apertures.

The fire collar may include a flange for mounting against formwork for receiving concrete.

The fire collar may include a removable blade retainer, for retaining the blades in the open position prior to installation of the pipe.

The channel may be configured to receive a 50mm or 100mm PVC pipe.

The channel may be configured to receive a 50mm Raupiano pipe. The collar may include an adapter, for fitting between the channel and the pipe. The adapter may be configured to prevent vibration from transferring from the pipe to the collar.

The fire collar may be installed into a concrete floor. Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

In another form, the present invention resides broadly in a fire collar for preventing the spread of fire in a building, the fire collar including: an obstructing member, configured to obstruct a passage, in response to heat from a fire; intumescence, configured to obstruct the passage, in response to the heat.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a fire collar, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the fire collar of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the fire collar of Figure 1; and Figure 4 illustrates a fire collar, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a fire collar 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the fire collar 100, and Figure 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the fire collar 100.

The fire collar 100 is for installing around a pipe in a building to prevent the passage of fire through the pipe. For example, the fire collar 100 may be installed into a concrete floor of an apartment in a high rise building to prevent the passage of fire between apartments through a sewerage pipe.

The fire collar 100 includes a housing 105, blades 110, and intumescence 115. The housing 105 defines a channel 120 through which a pipe (not illustrated), such as a 100mm Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sewerage pipe, can extend. In normal use, the blades 110 are supported by the pipe, however in case of fire, the pipe softens and eventually melts/burns away enabling the blades 110 to close, obstructing the channel 120.

The blades 110 are pivotally coupled to an upper portion of the housing 105 by axle pins 125. The axle pins 125 enable the blades 110 to pivot between an open position, where the blades 110 do not obstruct the channel 120, and a closed position where the blades 110 obstruct the channel 120. Springs 130 bias against an inner wall of the housing 105 and the blades 110, such that the blades 110 are biased towards a closed position. As such, when the pipe softens and eventually melts/burns away, the blades 110 close, preventing fire from travelling through the channel 120, and without assistance from the intumescence 115.

The intumescence 115 comprises four segments 135, equally spaced around the channel 120. Each segment 135 is placed behind a respective blade 110, and the blades 110 and intumescence are configured to operate independently of each other. In particular, an arm of the spring 130 extends into a channel 135a defined in a rear of a segment 135, such that the spring can operate between the blade 110 and the housing 105 without being influenced by the intumescence 115.

Each segment 135 is tapered to conform to a rear surface of the blade 110. As such, the intumescence is able to fill a cavity formed by a rear of the blades 110 and the housing 105 when in the open configuration.

The intumescence 115 is held to the housing 120 with an intumescence retainer 140, which prevents the intumescence 115 from falling out of the housing 105 when there is a fire. The retainer 140 is perforated (i.e. includes a plurality of holes 140a), which enables heat from the fire to pass through the retainer 140 and cause the intumescence 115 to swell. The retainer 140 further includes tabs 140b, which are folded upwards and through apertures 145 defined in the housing 105, and then outwards (as illustrated in Figure 2) to prevent the retainer 140 from disengaging from the housing. Furthermore, as the housing 105 may be set in concrete (discussed further below), concrete will form around ends of the tabs, further preventing the retainer 140 from disengaging from the collar 100 even if the housing 105 is damaged.

The fire collar 100 further includes a blade retainer 150, for retaining the blades 110 in the open position. In particular, the blade retainer 150 includes apertures 150a for receiving tips of the blades 110, thus preventing the blades 110 from pivoting. The blade retainer 150 generally simplifies installation of the pipe (as the pipe can simply be slid into the channel without interference from the blades 110), and is generally removed after installation of the pipe, as discussed below.

The housing 105 may be formed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or any other suitable material. Similarly, the blades 110 and intumescence retainer 140 may be formed of zinc steel of about 0.8mm thickness.

In use, and according to one embodiment, the fire collar 100 is nailed or otherwise attached to formwork for a concrete floor. A flange 155 of the fire collar 100 is mounted flush against a lower portion of the formwork such that concrete can be filled around the fire collar.

The concrete is then poured into the framework, allowed to cure, and the framework is removed, revealing the concrete floor and the fire collar 100. As such, the channel 120 extends from a lower edge of the floor to an upper edge of the floor. The pipe is then installed into the channel 120, and the blade retainer 150 is removed. The blades 110 then rest against an outer surface of the pipe.

In case of fire, the fire collar 100 essentially operates in two stages. Initially (i.e. moments after the fire reaches the pipe), the PVC pipe softens, melts and burns away causing the blades 110 to close. This provides initial protection, very quickly after the fire reaches the fire collar 110, preventing the fire from traveling through the channel 120.

Secondly, the intumescence 115 expands filling the channel 120. This generally takes place within a few minutes of the fire reaching the channel 120. The intumescence 115 provides a further barrier against fire passing the collar 100 (i.e. further seals the channel 120), and also prevents the blades 110 from reopening.

As such, the fire collar 100 provides very fast, yet very reliable protection against fire from spreading from one area of a building to another area of the building.

Figure 4 illustrates a fire collar 400, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The fire collar 400 is similar to the fire collar 100, but is configured to receive a 50mm Raupiano pipe, as discussed below.

The fire collar 400 includes a housing 405, blades 410, intumescence 415,an intumescence retainer 440 and a blade retainer 450, similar to the housing 105, blades 110, intumescence 115, intumescence retainer 140 and blade retainer 150 of Figure 1, albeit sized to suit a 50mm Raupiano pipe rather than a 100mm PVC pipe.

The fire collar 400 includes a Raupiano adapter 460, which fits between the Raupiano pipe and the housing 405. The Raupiano adapter 460 is advantageously formed of sound dampening material, such as rubber, to prevent vibrations of the pipe from being transferred to the fire collar 400 and to the floor.

The Raupiano adapter 460 has an inner diameter slightly smaller than that of the Raupiano pipe (e.g. 49.85mm), and as such, seals around the pipe and prevents movement of the pipe relative to the fire collar.

Installation of the fire collar 400 is similar to the installation of the fire collar 100, discussed above, but the Raupiano pipe is preferably lubricated prior to installation into the fire collar 400, to enable the Raupiano pipe to slide smoothly into the Raupiano adapter 460.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A fire collar for preventing the spread of fire in a building, the fire collar including: a body at least partly defining a passage; an obstructing member, configured to initially obstruct the passage, in response to heat from a fire; and intumescence, configured to subsequently obstruct the passage, in response to the heat.

2. The fire collar of claim 1, wherein the obstructing member is configured to obstruct the channel independently of intumescence.

3. The fire collar of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the obstructing member comprises one or more blades.

4. The fire collar of claim 3, wherein the blades are spaced around the passage.

5. The fire collar of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the blades are pivotally coupled to the body of the fire collar, and configured to pivot between an open position, where the blades do not obstruct the passage, and a closed position where the blades obstruct the passage.

6. The fire collar of claim 5, wherein the fire collar includes springs configured to bias the blades towards the closed position.

7. The fire collar of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the passage is configured to receive a pipe, and blades are configured to be held in the open position by the pipe, and configured to close when the pipe softens or melts.

8. The fire collar of any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the blades comprise four blades

9. The fire collar of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intumescence comprises a plurality of segments, spaced around the passage.

10. The fire collar of claim 9, wherein the segments are tapered to conform to a rear surface of a corresponding blade.

11. The fire collar of claim 10, wherein the segments fill a cavity formed by a rear of the corresponding blade.

12. The fire collar of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fire collar includes an intumescence retainer, for retaining the intumescence.

13. The fire collar of claim 12, wherein the intumescence retainer includes a plurality of apertures.

14. The fire collar of any one of the preceding claims, further including a flange for mounting against formwork for receiving concrete.

15. The fire collar of any one of the preceding claims, further including a removable blade retainer, for retaining one or more blades in an open position prior to installation of a pipe.

16. The fire collar of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passage is configured to receive a 100mm PVC pipe.

17. The fire collar of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passage is configured to receive a 50mm Raupiano pipe.

18. The fire collar of claim 17, further including an adapter, for fitting between the passage and the pipe, wherein the adapter is configured to prevent vibration from transferring from the pipe to the collar.

19. The fire collar of any one of the preceding claims, configured to be installed into a concrete floor.

20. A fire collar for preventing the spread of fire in a building, the fire collar including: an obstructing member, configured to obstruct a passage, in response to heat from a fire; and intumescence, configured to obstruct the passage, in response to the heat.