GB2193983A - Intumescent filled hollow struts for strut & panel assemblies - Google Patents
Intumescent filled hollow struts for strut & panel assemblies Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2193983A GB2193983A GB08619867A GB8619867A GB2193983A GB 2193983 A GB2193983 A GB 2193983A GB 08619867 A GB08619867 A GB 08619867A GB 8619867 A GB8619867 A GB 8619867A GB 2193983 A GB2193983 A GB 2193983A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- strut
- struts
- intumescent
- panel assembly
- resistant material
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 title description 9
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 title description 9
- 239000003779 heat-resistant material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 230000009969 flowable effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011343 solid material Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 11
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 abstract description 11
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 abstract description 6
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 9
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920001084 poly(chloroprene) Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009435 building construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009172 bursting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- QFXZANXYUCUTQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethynol Chemical group OC#C QFXZANXYUCUTQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003915 liquefied petroleum gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003209 petroleum derivative Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000565 sealant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003566 sealing material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008961 swelling Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/62—Insulation or other protection; Elements or use of specified material therefor
- E04B1/92—Protection against other undesired influences or dangers
- E04B1/94—Protection against other undesired influences or dangers against fire
- E04B1/941—Building elements specially adapted therefor
- E04B1/942—Building elements specially adapted therefor slab-shaped
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
- E04B2/74—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge
- E04B2/7407—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge assembled using frames with infill panels or coverings only; made-up of panels and a support structure incorporating posts
- E04B2/7453—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge assembled using frames with infill panels or coverings only; made-up of panels and a support structure incorporating posts with panels and support posts, extending from floor to ceiling
- E04B2/7455—Glazing details
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Building Environments (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
A strut and panel assembly, commonly used for walls and partitions in buildings, comprises a frame of metal struts 1,2,3 with panels 4,5,6, e.g. of metal or glass, fitted in the openings of the frame. Where the struts are hollow, particularly horizontal struts, the fire- resistance of the assembly is increased by packing the hollow struts with an intumescent heat resistant material 7. The intumescent heat resistant material may be a flowable plastic, injected into the struts or a preformed strip inserted longitudinally into them. The struts are preferably substantially filled with the intumescent heat resistant material. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Building construction
External and internal walls of buildings and internal partitions in buildings are frequently constructed as an assembly of metal struts, secured together to form a frame, and flat or shaped panels fitted into openings in the frame and secured to the metal struts. Commonly the metal struts are of extruded aluminium alloy or steel, but the invention is not limited to the use of any particular metal or alloy. The panels are commonly of metal or glass, but other materials are used. Usually the metal struts have flanges to provide recesses or rebates to receive the edges of the panels and separate retaining strips or clips, usually of metal, are provided to engage the flanges and either interlock with them so as to be self-retaining or are secured by screws or the like to hold the panels in position.Alternatively, the panels may be secured to the struts or the flanges by screws or the like.
Resilient sealing material, either preformed strip or plastic, may be included in the joints between the margins of the panels and the struts, flanges and/or retaining strips. The invention is concerned with such assemblies, which will for convenience be referred to as "strut and panel assemblies".
Struts and panel assemblies are frequently used in factories and other work places to form partitions to define areas to be used for different purposes. They have significant advantages over walls of other constructions for such purposes, such as the ease and speed with which they can be assembled and dismantled, their smooth surfaces with absence of projections, and their easy adaptability by cutting the struts to suitable lengths to fit any required area. Their strength and rigidity can be improved by using at least some struts of hollow cross section. When glass or other transparent or translucent panels are used they can admit light to the area enclosed or defined. Metal or other opaque panels provide privacy and security.
Despite all these advantages which have made strut and panel assemblies popular, such assemblies may not have sufficient fire resistance (as defined in British Standard BS 476:
Part 8: 1972) for certain purposes for which they are otherwise very suitable, such as the construction of paint spray booths or storage areas for paints, petroleum products or other flammable materials.In a test in accordance with the said British Standard conducted by the Fire Insurance Research and Testing Organisation (hereinafter called FIRTO) a strut and panel assembly designed for use as a paint spray booth wall, built from aluminium struts of hollow cross section and panels of wire-reinforced glass and of stainless steel, with Neoprene seals in the joints between the panels and the struts, failed due to breakdown of integrity (as defined in the said British Standard) after 16 minutes and seven seconds.
The failure was caused by burning of the Neoprene seals and bowing of the horizontal struts of the assembly, causing a gap to appear between a horizontal edge of a glass panel and the adjacent strut. After 28 minutes, the aluminium struts began to melt. The assembly was therefore unsatisfactory for its intended purpose since the Factories Act, 1961, Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied
Petroleum Gases Regulations, 1972 require a minimum fire resistance of 30 minutes for store rooms and the like which are required to be fire-resisting structures.
In a second test conducted by FIRTO, a strut and panel assembly of the same construction but with Sealmaster Intumescent
Compound (supplied by Sealmaster Limited,
Pampisford, Cambridge) in the joints between the panels and the struts failed due to breakdown of integrity after 22 minutes and was therefore also not satisfactory for the intended purpose. In this case the intumescent compound in the joints between the panels and the struts was not burnt, but swelled and then charred as intended. Nevertheless, bowing of the horizontal struts caused a gap to appear after 22 minutes.
According to the invention, a strut for use in a strut and panel assembly is of hollow cross section and contains an intumescent heat resistant material, for example the aforementioned Sealmaster Intumescent Compound.
Further, according to the invention, a strut and panel assembly includes a strut of hollow cross section containing an intumescent heat resistant material.
Still further, according to the invention, a method of increasing the fire resistance (as defined in the said British Standard) of a strut and panel assembly including at least one strut of hollow cross section comprises packing the said strut with an intumescent heat resistant material.
Sealmaster Intumescent Compound is a flowable plastic type of intumescent heat-resistant material which has itself been tested successfully under the said British Standard.
Such a plastic type of heat-resistant material may be injected into the strut through a hole formed in an upper surface of the strut, using a pressure feed or a hand-operated gun. A more rigid intumescent heat-resistant material, preformed to the appropriate cross section, could be inserted longitudinally into a hollow strut.
Preferably at least all the struts of a strut and panel assembly which are of hollow cross section and are disposed substantially horizontally are substantially filled with the intumescent heat-resistant material and each is provided with at least one hole in an upper wall of its hollow cross section. The hole is of sufficient size to permit adequate escape of the intumescent heat-resistant material if it is subjected to heat, which could otherwise cause bursting of the strut if its ends are completely closed. The hole may be closed by an easily-removable closure such as a snap-in resilient metal cap. In a long strut, several such holes may be provided at intervals along the strut.
In a further test conducted by FIRTO on a strut and panel assembly of the same construction as before with Sealmaster Intumescent Compound in the joints between the panels and the struts and with the horizontal struts substantially filled with the same Sealmaster Intumescent Compound, integrity and stability (as defined in the said British Standard) were maintained for 30 minutes, the minimum necessary to permit the assembly to be- used for the construction of paint spray booths or for other structures covered by the above-mentioned Regulations.
Other tests were conducted by the Applicant in which aluminium struts of hollow cross section with their ends capped with aluminium plates secured by screws were heated by means of an oxy-acetylene torch, directed towards the middle of the strut. The torch was initially spaced 290 mm from the strut and was moved to a spacing of 200 mm from the strut when there was no further increase in the temperature in the middle of the face of the strut opposite to that on which the torch flame impinged. Three specimens were tested, as follows:
A. A strut with no filling
B. A strut filled with Sealmaster Intumescent
Compound; with a hole of diameter 10 mm in one end plate.
C. A strut filled with Sealmaster Intumescent
Compound, with a hole of diameter 6 mm in the centre of the upper wall of its hollow cross section.
In Specimen A, a maximum initial temperature of 337"C was reached after 9 minutes and there was a gradual fall to 327"C after 15 minutes, when the torch was moved to 200 mm. After 24 minutes a hole appeared in the wall of the strut upon which the flame impinged. The recorded temperature was then -498 C.
In Specimen B, the temperature after 9 minutes was only 243"C and a maximum initial temperature of 302"C was reached after 23.5 minutes, when the torch- was moved to 200 mm. After 42 minutes a hole appeared in the wall of the strut when the recorded temperature was 486"C.
Sample C was heated for 60 minutes without a hole appearing in the wall.
Intumescent heat-resistant materials such as
Sealmaster Intumescent Compound are of course well known as sealants used for filling and sealing joints and gaps in building and other structures which are likely to be exposed to fire. Heat causes them to swell so that a seal is maintained in the joint or gap for some time even if parts of the structure are distorted by the heat. However, it is not believed that it has been proposed previously to use them in an enclosed space such as the interior of a strut of hollow cross section or to make use of their other properties which are utilised in the present invention.These properties are, firstly, the absorption of heat which causes them to intumesce; secondly the flow and expulsion of hot material through any available hole or through cracks caused by swelling of the material, which dissipates the heat content of the material expelled; and thirdly the absorption of heat which eventually causes charring of the material remaining in the enclosed space. All these properties are utilised in the present invention to provide substantially increased fire resistance compared with known strut and panel assemblies.
Although upright struts of a strut and panel assembly may, if they are of hollow cross section, be filled with an intumescent heat resistant material as mentioned, it is not considered that this is necessary or that it will affect significantly the fire-resistance of the assembly if horizontal struts are filled as described. It was noted in the afore-mentioned tests conducted by FIRTO that upright hollow struts of the assemblies were not distorted significantly by the heat so as to contribute to breakdown of integrity. It is thought that this was due to a flow of air inside the struts, caused by convection, having a cooling effect on the struts.
An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example by the accompanying drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a strut and panel assembly designed for use in the construction of a wall of a paint spray booth.
Figure 2 is a cross section on the line A-A, drawn to a somewhat larger scale.
The assembly illustrated in Fig. 1, constructed as a representative section of a paint spray booth wall for test purposes, is similar to the assemblies which were used in the above-mentioned tests which were conducted by FIRTO. The assembly comprises horizontal struts 1 secured to upright struts 2 which are fixed by screws to upright support struts 3.
All the struts are of aluminium, of hollow cross section, with flanges defining rebates to receive the edges of panels 4, 5 of wire-reinforced glass and panels 6 of stainless steel.
As shown in Fig. 2, the horizontal strut 1 is filled with an intumescent heat-resistant material 7 and has holes 8 in its upper wall to permit escape of that material if intumescence should occur. The holes 8 are of diameter 6 mm and are positioned on the centreline of the strut 1 and at points spaced 400 mm from the centre-line, the two upright support struts 3 being 2 m apart. All the horizontal struts 1 are similarly filled.
Claims (20)
1. A strut for a strut and panel assembly which is of hollow cross section and contains an intumescent heat-resistant material.
2. A strut as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the intumescent heat-resistant material is a flowable plastic material.
3. A strut as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the intumescent heat resistant material is a strip of substantially solid material, preformed to correspond with the cross section of the strut and inserted longitudinally into the strut.
4. A strut as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 having at least one hole in its wall.
5. A strut as claimed in Claim 4 in which the hole is closed by an easily-removable closure.
6. A strut as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from an aluminium alloy.
7. A strut as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 which is made from steel.
8. A strut as -claimed in any preceding claim which is substantially filled with the intumescent heat-resistant material.
9. A strut for a strut and panel assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
10. A strut and panel assembly including a strut as claimed in any preceding claim.
11. A strut and panel assembly wherein at least all struts which are to be substantially horizontal when the assembly is in use are struts as claimed in any preceding claim.
12. A strut and panel assembly as claimed in Claim 1 1 wherein each of the struts which is to be substantially horizontal has longitudinally-spaced holes in a part of its wall which is to be uppermost when the assembly is in use.
13 A strut and panel assembly as claimed in Claim 12 wherein each hole is closed by an easily-removable closure.
14. A strut and panel assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
15. A frame for a strut and panel assembly as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 14.
16. Method of increasing the fire-resistance of a strut and panel assembly which includes at least one strut of hollow cross section comprising packing that strut with an intumescent heat-resistant material.
17. Method as claimed in Claim 16 in which the said strut is substantially filled with the intumescent heat-resistant material.
18. Method of increasing the fire-resistance of a strut and panel assembly which includes struts of hollow cross section comprising sub stantiaily filling at least all such struts which are to be substantially horizontal when the assembly is in use with an intumescent heatresistant material.
19. Method as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 18 wherein the intumescent heat resistant material is a flowable plastic material and is injected into the or each strut.
20. Method as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 18 wherein the intumescent heat resistant material is a strip of substantially solid material, preformed to correspond with the cross section of a strut to be packed or filled and is inserted longitudinally into the strut.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8619867A GB2193983B (en) | 1986-08-15 | 1986-08-15 | Fire-resistant strut and panel assemblies for building construction. |
| ES8702402A ES2007397A6 (en) | 1986-08-15 | 1987-08-14 | Intumescent filled hollow struts for strut & panel assemblies |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8619867A GB2193983B (en) | 1986-08-15 | 1986-08-15 | Fire-resistant strut and panel assemblies for building construction. |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8619867D0 GB8619867D0 (en) | 1986-09-24 |
| GB2193983A true GB2193983A (en) | 1988-02-24 |
| GB2193983B GB2193983B (en) | 1990-07-18 |
Family
ID=10602741
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8619867A Expired - Fee Related GB2193983B (en) | 1986-08-15 | 1986-08-15 | Fire-resistant strut and panel assemblies for building construction. |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| ES (1) | ES2007397A6 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2193983B (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2635801A1 (en) * | 1988-08-30 | 1990-03-02 | Timo Ind | Partitions manufactured by assembly of panels and glass panes |
| EP0518513A2 (en) * | 1991-05-31 | 1992-12-16 | Zortech International Limited | Thermal insulation material |
| EP0806539A1 (en) * | 1996-05-06 | 1997-11-12 | General Electric Company | Fire endurance rated plastic articles for use in fire rated assemblies |
| EP1782974A3 (en) * | 2005-11-08 | 2007-07-18 | HÜBNER GmbH | Passageway with a floor between articulated vehicles |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB979421A (en) * | 1961-04-27 | 1965-01-06 | Saro Products Ltd | Improved fire-resistant internal partitioning |
| GB1351723A (en) * | 1970-02-05 | 1974-05-01 | Timber Research Dev Ass | Fire resistant strips |
| GB1482007A (en) * | 1973-10-19 | 1977-08-03 | Berg A | Fire-retarding wall structures |
| EP0147647A2 (en) * | 1983-11-28 | 1985-07-10 | Deko Loft Og Vaeg A/S | A post profile for internal partitions |
| GB2179978A (en) * | 1985-09-05 | 1987-03-18 | Nullifire Ltd | Fire seal for a cavity wall |
-
1986
- 1986-08-15 GB GB8619867A patent/GB2193983B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1987
- 1987-08-14 ES ES8702402A patent/ES2007397A6/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB979421A (en) * | 1961-04-27 | 1965-01-06 | Saro Products Ltd | Improved fire-resistant internal partitioning |
| GB1351723A (en) * | 1970-02-05 | 1974-05-01 | Timber Research Dev Ass | Fire resistant strips |
| GB1482007A (en) * | 1973-10-19 | 1977-08-03 | Berg A | Fire-retarding wall structures |
| EP0147647A2 (en) * | 1983-11-28 | 1985-07-10 | Deko Loft Og Vaeg A/S | A post profile for internal partitions |
| GB2179978A (en) * | 1985-09-05 | 1987-03-18 | Nullifire Ltd | Fire seal for a cavity wall |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2635801A1 (en) * | 1988-08-30 | 1990-03-02 | Timo Ind | Partitions manufactured by assembly of panels and glass panes |
| EP0518513A2 (en) * | 1991-05-31 | 1992-12-16 | Zortech International Limited | Thermal insulation material |
| EP0518513A3 (en) * | 1991-05-31 | 1994-04-27 | Zortech Int | |
| EP0806539A1 (en) * | 1996-05-06 | 1997-11-12 | General Electric Company | Fire endurance rated plastic articles for use in fire rated assemblies |
| EP1782974A3 (en) * | 2005-11-08 | 2007-07-18 | HÜBNER GmbH | Passageway with a floor between articulated vehicles |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ES2007397A6 (en) | 1989-06-16 |
| GB2193983B (en) | 1990-07-18 |
| GB8619867D0 (en) | 1986-09-24 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19930815 |