WO1994003689A1

WO1994003689A1 - Shelter apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1994003689A1
Application number: PCT/AU1993/000410
Authority: WO
Inventors: Graham Shandiman
Original assignee: Graham Shandiman
Priority date: 1992-08-10
Filing date: 1993-08-10
Publication date: 1994-02-17

Abstract

A method of providing a building having emergency shelter apparatus, the method including arranging for a free-span structure to extend across a space designated for a utility room accessible from the interior of the building, providing emergency shelter apparatus for the designated space, said emergency shelter apparatus being formed as the accessible utility room, and securing the emergency shelter apparatus to the building foundations. The building may be an office or factory, but preferably, the building is a proposed dwelling and said free-span structure is a ceiling structure and including, forming the building about the emergency shelter apparatus with a free-span structure extending across the emergency shelter apparatus. Suitably, the junction between said outer sidewalls and said ceiling structure is concealed such as by plaster, cornice or such like, however, the concealment of the junction is preferably conducted so as to maintain structural independence between the building and the emergency shelter apparatus.

Description

SHELTER APPARATUS This invention relates to a shelter apparatus. This invention has particular but not exclusive application to a shelter apparatus for a dwelling for protection against a cyclone, hurricane, tempest or such like and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to such application. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications, such as earthquake shelter, air-raid shelter and such like. The shelter apparatus of this invention may also be used in office of factory situations.

In areas where cyclones are prevalent, occupants of dwellings are often advised to remain in the bathroom or under the stairs when the cyclone is in the vicinity. Present dwellings in cyclone areas may be built to comply with a code designed give protection the occupants in the event that the dwelling structure fails during a cyclone. The structural entity designed to afford such protection is frequently incorporated into the structure of the remainder of the dwelling, and may be assembled from component parts on site. Such shelters cannot always be utilised for any purpose other than as a cyclone shelter.

The present invention aims to alleviate one or more of the above and/or other disadvantages and to provide apparatus which will be reliable and efficient in use.

With the foregoing in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in a method of providing a building having emergency shelter apparatus, the method including:- arranging for a free-span structure to extend across a space designated for a utility room accessible from the interior of the building; providing emergency shelter apparatus for the designated space, said emergency shelter apparatus being formed as the accessible utility room, and securing the emergency shelter apparatus to the building foundations. The building may be an office or factory, but preferably, the building is a proposed dwelling and said free-span structure is a ceiling structure and including, forming the building about the emergency shelter apparatus with a free-span structure extending across the emergency shelter apparatus. Suitably, the junction between said outer side walls and said ceiling structure is concealed such as by plaster, cornice or such like, however, the concealment of the junction os preferably conducted so as to maintain structural independence between the building and the emergency shelter apparatus.

The shelter apparatus may be erected on the construction site of the building, but preferably, the method of construction includes forming the emergency shelter apparatus remote from the building site, transporting the emergency shelter apparatus to the building site and attaching the emergency shelter apparatus to building foundations. Accordingly, a building having emergency shelter apparatus and thsu constructed in accordance with the method.

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in shelter apparatus suitable for use in a building such as a dwelling, office or factory, and including:- a walk-in sheltering structure; door means for accessing said sheltering structure; accommodation means within said sheltering structure, and anchoring means for anchoring said sheltering structure to a foundation. The shelter apparatus may be constructed from panels such as solid panels, but preferably, the sheltering structure is a lightweight framed structure having a metal frame and an outer structural skin forming side walls and a top wall. Suitably, the metal frame includes a lower perimeter frame which is apertured for through bolting to the foundations.

In a preferred form, the shelter apparatus is a untility room for a dwelling such as a pantry and includes a walk-in accessible bunk platform assembly which may be utilised as storage shelves when used as a utility room. Suitably, the punk platform assembly includes a plurality of vertically spaced apart shelves and wherein the lower shelf forms the lid of a storage compartment.

The shelter apparatus in a preferred embodiment is a rectangular box-like structure and the entire top wall terminates adjacent a horizontally extending free-span structure

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in a free standing emergency shelter apparatus adapted to be located in a dwelling and utilised as an everyday utility room, said shelter apparatus including:- wall means, including side walls and a top wall; access means for access to the interior of the shelter apparatus, said access means being closable for isolating the interior of the shelter from the exterior of the shelter; accommodation means comprising an enclosure formed from said wall means, said enclosure including headroom over a narrow walkway and a bunk platform assembly beside the walkway, and anchoring means for anchoring the wall means to a fixed location.

Preferably, the wall means includes frame means and sheeting fixed thereto. The shelter apparatus may be constructed for the single purpose of sheltering personnel from danger such as a cyclone or other form of tempest, earthquake, civil commotion or such like. Preferably, the shelter apparatus is adapted for use as a storage room in a dwelling when not required for use as a shelter, but also easily converted for use as a shelter when required. Typically, the shelter is used as a kitchen pantry in a dwelling.

The bunk platform assembly is preferably adapted for use as a support for one or a plurality of beds or berths or such like and may be of box-like configuration and adapted to provide storage for emergency provisions and/or bedding. The berths are preferably vertically spaced, and may be adapted for use as shelving when the shelter apparatus is being used in its alternative use such as a kitchen pantry. In a further preferred embodiment, the bottom bunk is adapted for use as a seat.

In a further aspect, this invention resides in a pantry including:- wall means, including side walls and a top wall; access means for access to the interior of the pantry, said access means being closable for isolating the interior of the pantry from the exterior of the pantry; shelving means comprising a plurality of vertically spaced apart substantially horizontal shelves extending inwardly from at least one of said side walls, and anchoring means for anchoring the pantry to a fixed location, the arrangement being such that said pantry may be prefabricated and delivered as a unit to a building site. The shelter may be an earthquake or the like shelter, but preferably the shelter is a cyclone shelter and the shelving means may be adapted for use as beds or bunks to accommodate a user requiring shelter therein. It is also preferred that the lower shelving is the upper surface of be of box-like storage assembly adapted to provide storage for emergency provisions and/or bedding.

The shelter apparatus may be assembled on the building site, but preferably, the shelter apparatus is prefabricated in a factory or such like. It is also preferred that the shelter apparatus be erected and secured on-site prior to erection or sheeting of the remaining building structure. Preferably the building is a dwelling but it could be a commercial or industrial building. Furthermore the shelter apparatus could be a kitchen or lounge module or the like formed independent of the remaining structure. In a further aspect this invention resides broadly in a dwelling having a ventilated room module anchored to the dwelling foundations but structurally independent of the remaining dwelling structure, said room module being adapted to accommodate people. Preferably the room module is formed as a walk-in pantry and suitably the pantry is as defined above.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein: -

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the top, front and one side of a shelter apparatus; FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a shelter apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the shelter apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the shelter apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 collectively shows framing elevations for the rear and side walls, front wall and ceiling of the shelter apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 is a framing plan of the shelter apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic isometric view of a typical stud to plate connection for the shelter apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 6;

FIG. 8 is collectively shows sectional views of a corner detail, a door jamb detail, nogging, bunk connection and a wall to ceiling frame connection for the shelter apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of a footing detail for the shelter apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 8, and FIG. 10 collectively shows two alternative sheeting connection diagrams for the shelter apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 9.

Referring to FIG. 1, a shelter apparatus 10 includes two side walls 11 in edge abutting relationship with a rear wall 13 and front wall 12 to form an enclosure with a top wall 14. The front wall 12 includes a door opening having a hinged door 15 provided with a door handle 16 and a ventilation grille 17. The door 15 is also provided with a pair of locking pins 19 to securely close the door 15 against and/or within the door opening of the front wall 12.

The interior of the shelter apparatus 10 includes shelves or bunks 18 with a storage area for emergency rations and such like provided under the bottom bunks or shelves 18. A plurality of hold-down nuts 20 secure the side walls 11, front wall 12 and rear wall 13 to a base slab. The base slab is preferably constructed from concrete, however, other bases such as wooden floor, suspended concrete or such like may be provided.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the front wall 12 includes the door 15 with its handle 16 and ventilation grille 17, and stands in front of and is operatively connected to six shelves 18. The rear wall 13 stands behind and is operatively connected to the six shelves 18 and includes a rear ventilation grille 22 and each side wall 11 is operatively connected to three shelves 18.

Referring to FIG. 5, the side walls 11 and rear wall 13 each include a frame comprising a top plate 23, one or more bottom plates 24, and a plurality of spaced apart studs 25 extending therebetween. Between respective adjacent studs 25 are provided noggings 26. The front wall 12 includes a door opening framed by a door jamb 27.

The top wall 14 includes a frame comprising two wall plates 28 with a plurality of spaced apart cross beams 29 extending therebetween and with noggings 26 interposed between adjacent cross beams 29.

Referring to FIG. 6, the front wall 12, the side walls 11 and rear wall 13 are assembled from the frames shown in FIG. 5 with the door 15 installed and fixed with the hold down nuts 20 in the positions as shown. The studs 25 are welded to the bottom plate 24 along weld lines 30 as shown in FIG. 7, with a corresponding welded connection between the studs 25 and the top plate 23. The details of the respective connections are shown in FIG. 8. A nogging detail 31 shows internal panelling 36 fixed to the studs 25 and noggings 26 with external panelling 37 fixed to the studs 25. A wall to ceiling detail 32 shows the connection of a front, side or rear wall panel to a top wall 14 and the fixing of internal panelling 36 to ceiling panelling 38. External panelling 37 is also fixed to the front, side or rear wall panel. A door jamb detail 33 shows the connection of the door jamb 27 to the remainder of the front wall 12. A corner detail 34 shows the connection between two vertical walls and a shelf connection detail 35 shows the connection of the shelf 18 to the side wall 11.

Referring to FIG. 9, the front, side or rear walls 12, 11 or 13 as the case may be are held down on a base slab 21 by the hold-down nuts 20 each threaded onto a hold-down bolt 40 embedded into the base slab 21. Where the shelter apparatus is located against an external wall 39, the hold- down bolt 40 is embedded in an external footing 41, otherwise the hold-down bolt 40 is embedded in an internal footing 42. Referring to FIG. 10, sheeting is fixed to the respective frames according type of sheeting used. Metal sheeting fixing points shown typically at 43 may be more widely spaced apart than plywood fixing points shown typically at 44. Ordinarily, the metal sheeting, such as 0.6 mm gauge zinc alum sheeting may have fixing points 43 at approximately 675 mm centres along the corner studs 25 and at approximately 420 mm centres along the top and bottom plates 23 and 24 respectively. The plywood sheeting may have fixing points 44 along the studs 25 and along the top and bottom plates 23 and 24 respectively.

In the preferred embodiment, all framing sections are manufactured from continuously galvanized steel conforming to Australian Standard AS 1397-1984, and the galvanizing having a minimum average coating of 240 g/m². The structural components may be prefabricated into frames at a factory site, which is preferred, or may be assembled on site prior to erection.

Preferably, the studs are welded into the top and bottom plates as shown in FIG. 7, with the end of each stud extending firmly into the respective plate. Splices in studs are preferably avoided. Welding is preferably conducted using a metal inert gas (MIG) technique so as to assist in the preservation of the galvanic coating of the structural members, and the weld joints coated with a zinc rich surface coating such as a zinc rich paint.

In the installation of the shelter apparatus, an electrical earth connection is preferably provided in accordance with local ordinances. Where holes for services are provided, these are preferably punched or may be drilled in the centre of the web and grommets placed into such holes which are to be used for electrical services. In use, a shelter apparatus is a manufactured, cyclone rated kitchen pantry, modular unit. The unit may be used for every day use as a normal walk-in kitchen food pantry, linen closet, servery or such like. In the event of a cyclone, the unit may be used as an in-house cyclone shelter. The unit has four sides, one with a door, and a roof. The materials used to construct the unit are steel stud framing, having sheeting applied internally and externally with wall brace sheeting such as for example JAMES HARDIES FC. Alternatively the unit may be moulded from plastics material or fabricated of metal.

The unit is internally fitted out with six (6) shelves, the shelf support structure being fabricated with steel stud framing. The internal walls are fully lined with sheeting with the brace sheeting and then the shelf structure is attached by fixing through the sheeting and into the stud framing. The shelves themselves may be fitted with the brace sheeting to give added strength if desired.

Suitably, the unit is designed to be a compact, lightweight, robust unit. Typically, the shelves are approximately 600 mm wide and full length of the unit and are fixed to the walls along one side and at both ends. During normal use, the shelves are used for storage. During use as a shelter, such as in the event of a cyclone, the shelves are convertible to bunks for sleeping.

The bottom shelf is approximately 600 mm from the floor and has removable top sections to allow under shelf storage. Alternatively, the bottom shelf may include a hinged front panel permitting access to the storage space under the shelf. The under shelf storage would contain a survival pack with such items as for example, a plastic water container, a first-aid kit, sleeping bags, a torch or flashlight, a radio or wireless, spare batteries, canned food, and such like. The unit may also be provided with non-mains powered lighting such as battery powered lighting and such like.

The door of the unit is constructed with steel stud framing and provided with sheeting both sides with the brace sheeting such as JAMES HARDIES FC. The door, walls and/or roof are fitted with rigid air flow vents. The door hardware is both side lever action, non-locking with extension rods and catches top and bottom. The actuating lever for the door lock is preferably centrally positioned to permit wheel-chair operation and access.

During construction of the house slab the concrete is constructed with a greater thickness under the walls of the shelter apparatus and hold-down bolts cast in on the same plan as the wall bracing. The hold-down bolt layout may be drawn on the house plans and a template supplied to allow quick installation and minimise mistakes and delays. Lightweight construction and transportability of the shelter apparatus permits mass production with minimal delays to builders, occurring from on site labour difficulties, bad weather and such like. The shelter apparatus may be delivered to the building site upon demand, or on a "just in time" basis.

On completion of the slab, the shelter apparatus is placed on the hold-down bolts and fixed in position. Preferably, the shelter apparatus is the first part of the structure erected after completion of the slab. The only on- site work would be to fix internal skirting boards after installation. Once erected and/or placed on the hold-down bolts, the shelter apparatus may be used as a lock-up shed for tools and equipment used in the construction of the remainder of the structure. The house frame, walls and ceiling of the structure are built around the unit but are not structurally attached to it. The only item attached to the unit would be the front wall gyprock ceiling cornice for appearance sake only.

For existing structures, the unit may be provided in knocked down kit form to permit transport of the unit inside the structure. Hold-down bolts would be in the form of masonry fasteners or such like, or equivalents for wooden floors, and the unit may be erected in the space provided. As in the case of the prefabricated unit, the remainder of the structure is not structurally attached to the unit. In the event of a severe cyclone should the roof and ceiling structure be removed and/or the walls collapse, the shelter apparatus would be a free standing shelter. For the small cost of extra wall studs and extra screws the design parameters of the shelter apparatus could exceed a W70 C/C4 rating. With certified engineers inspection of existing residences the unit could be installed and have an approved rating. When a shelter apparatus of this invention is installed and completed in a house, the visual effect would be no different to a normal every day house utility room. In the event of a cyclone, a shelter apparatus of this invention, normally used as a kitchen pantry, may be used as a cyclone shelter. An example of a cyclone drill would as follows: -

1. Remove all unwanted and perishable goods out of the shelter apparatus.

2. Transfer sleeping gear from under bunk storage are to the shelf/bunks.

3. Place non-perishable food and goods to under bunk storage. 4. Fill water container.

5. Sit and listen with ease of mind to further cyclone reports.

In a typical embodiment, the shelter apparatus is 2100 mm wide, 2100 mm long and 2547 mm high, with a door head 2010 mm from the floor. The door is a solid core timber door for a 720 mm wide opening with a 300 mm by 350 mm air vent centrally located above 300 mm above the bottom edge of the door. A similarly dimensioned air vent is centrally located in the rear wall downward of 300 mm from the top wall. All steel framing is of grade 550 MPa UNO galvanised, and all wall and roof panel frames welded together. Respective wall frames are connected by stitch welding the adjacent studs, wall plates or beams together. The stud framing is 75 mm by 1.0 mm gauge high tensile section at 400 mm centres maximum, with 0.6 mm zinc alum sheeting to the outside of the wall and ceiling frames or 7 mm F14 plywood. The eternal linings are of 10 mm gauge gyprock on and the internal linings are 6 mm fibre cement sheeting such as sold under the trade mark VILLABOARD. Where metal sheeting is used, the sheeting is fixed to the top and bottom plate of the respective frame at each stud location and at the quarter points on the end studs by welding. Where plywood sheeting is used, the sheeting is fixed at 150 mm centres to the top and bottom plates and end studs and at 300 mm centres on each other stud by 6 gauge 25 mm bugle head TLK screws.

The frame is anchored to a concrete slab by M12 hold- down nuts and bolts, and the concrete slab is constructed with F62 mesh 30 mm below the upper surface of the slab and extending across the footprint of the shelter. Where the slab under the shelter is internal to the remainder of a building slab, the mesh extends 350 mm beyond the footprint of the shelter into the surrounding slab. Where the shelter is situated adjacent an edge of the building slab, a 50 mm deep and 20 mm wide rebate is provided on the upper edge of the slab. A typical external footing is 300 mm wide by 350 mm deep and a typical internal footing is 300 mm wide and 250 mm deep. The noggings are 75 mm by 1.0 mm gauge high tensile section welded to the studs by two 20 mm by 6 mm welds about the web and flanges of the noggings. Three shelves are attached to each side of the shelter leaving a 820 mm wide access space between them. The shelves are fixed to the respective walls by a pair of No. 8 wafer head TEK screws at each fixing point, that is at each stud along the rear and each end of each shelf.

It will of course be realised that while the above has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is claimed in the following claims.

Claims

— CLAIMS —

1. A method of providing a building having emergency shelter apparatus, the method including:- arranging for a free-span structure to extend across a space designated for a utility room accessible from the interior of the building; providing emergency shelter apparatus for the designated space, said emergency shelter apparatus being formed as the accessible utility room, and securing the emergency shelter apparatus to the building foundations.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the building is a proposed dwelling and said free-span structure is a ceiling structure and including, forming the building about the emergency shelter apparatus with a free-span structure extending across the emergency shelter apparatus.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, and including concealing the junction between said outer side walls and said ceiling structure.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, including maintaining structural independence between said building and said emergency shelter apparatus.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including forming the emergency shelter apparatus remote from the building site, transporting the emergency shelter apparatus to the building site and attaching the emergency shelter apparatus to building foundations.

6. A building having emergency shelter apparatus and constructed in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

7. Shelter apparatus suitable for use in a building as claimed in claim 6, including:- a walk-in sheltering structure; door means for accessing said sheltering structure; accommodation means within said sheltering structure, and anchoring means for anchoring said sheltering structure to a foundation.

8. Shelter apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sheltering structure is a lightweight framed structure having a metal frame and an outer structural skin forming side walls and a top wall.

9. Shelter apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said metal frame includes a lower perimeter frame which is apertured for through bolting to the foundations.

10. Shelter apparatus as claimed in any one claims 7 to 9, wherein said sheltering structure includes a walk-in accessible bunk platform assembly.

11. Shelter apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10 and including a plurality of vertically spaced apart shelves and wherein the lower shelf forms the lid of a storage compartment.

12. Shelter apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein said accommodation structure is a rectangular box-like structure.