GB2312690A - Joining fireproof panels together - Google Patents

Abstract

A joint is provided for joining first panel (2A) to a second panel (2B) or other member and especially for joining fireproof panels. In one embodiment, the joint comprises a box form post (5) including wing plates (6) which extend into respective panels (2A, 2B), and the panels are connected to the post by respective fastening members 11, 12 in the form of screws (13) extending laterally through a respective panel and screwed into the associated wing plate (6). In an alternative embodiment, especially for a cavity form panel, the joint includes a channel form member (28) located in the panel cavity (27) and two such panels can by connected by arranging the channel members (28) of respective panels back-to-back with the panels joined by external joining strips (31) linked to the internal channel members by screws (33) passing through a respective panel wall (25, 26). The channel form joint can also join a cavity panel to an external wall (40).

Description

PANEL, CONNECTING JOINT FOR A PANEL, AND A METHOD OF FORMING A PANEL JOINT, ALL ESPECIALLY CONCERNING A FIREPROOF PANEL" The present invention relates to a panel, especially a fireproof panel, and particularly to a connecting joint for such a panel and to a method of forming such a joint.

Partitioning panels and especially panels of the fireproof type have substantial demand in the building and construction industry. Such a panel is described in the present applicant's GB Patent 2 269 605 and essentially comprises a thick sheet of mineral fibre material which sheet can for example be built up from fibrious blocks, with metal facings, on the opposed outer surfaces of the sheet to maintain panel integrity, and the metal facings can have lipping end flanges located at the ends of the sheet. GB Patent 2 269 605 describes and claims a joint for connecting two such panels end to end, the joint comprising a tongue which is lodged in opposing slots in facing ends of the two panels, cover plates extending over the gap between the panels and first securing means, advantageously in the form of a self tapping screw or screws, extending from one cover plate and through one panel to be connected to one end of the tongue and a similar second securing means extending from the other cover plate and through the second panel to be connected to the other end of the tongue. The tongue was a simple strip of material e.g. metal without any real structural strength. It is an object of the present invention to provide a panel and/or a partitioning wall of which the panel forms a part achieving greater fireproof performance and improved structural strength and also to provide a joint for such a panel enabling this object to be met.

Therefore according to a first aspect of the present invention a joint for joining a first panel, especially but not exclusively a fireproof panel, to a second panel or to some other member comprising a profile member located at the periphery of said first panel, said profile member including wall means extending into the first panel so as to be substantially parallel therewith, first securing means for joining said first panel to said wall means, and locating means connected to said profile member to join the first panel to the second panel or to the other member.

The profile member having a two dimensional cross section constitutes a structural member providing increased structural strength to the panel, in comparison with the previous plain strip joining tongue. The profile member broadly will take the form of a bent plate-like structure and preferably comprises a channel section bar or a box-form structure.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the profile member constitutes a support post which preferably comprises a box-form metal structure. Preferably the post includes wall means comprising a first tongue extending into said first panel and a second tongue extending into a second panel to be joined to the first panel, said first securing means being joined to said first tongue while second securing means serve to joint the second panel to the second tongue. Either of the first and second securing means can comprise a fastening element extending transversely through ths panel to the wall means. Preferably covering layers extend between the first and second panels to cover the gap between facing ends of the panels, and additionaly protection members can be located between the post and said covering layers. At least one end of the post can be adapted for fitting to a wall surface e.g. floor, ceiling or soffit and to this end the post can include a flat plate foot.

In a further preferred embodiment, the profile member is in the form of a channel with opposed legs of the channel extending into said first panel so as to constitute said wall means, and at least one cover strip constituting said locating means is positioned on said first panel and secured to at least one of said channel legs by the first securing means. Preferably said cover strip is a plain strip and serves to join said first panel to a second panel arranged in co-planar relationship with the first, the second panel including a channel member to at least one leg of which the strip is secured by second securing means extending transversely through the second panel. The two channel member of the joint can be arranged back to back. Alternatively, the cover strip can comprise an angle plate to facilitate joining of the first panel to a lateral wall. The open side of the channel may face inwardly or outwardly and in the latter case the channel could function as a keying element receiving mortar when the panel is fitted appropriately to a mortar wall. The channel member is preferably of generally C-form with opposing flanges at the opening of the "C" inwardly bent: such a channel member is supplied under the Trade Name Unistrut.

In a further preferred embodiment the locating means serve to secure a door frame of a fireproof door to the channel member of the panel. The present invention is also a panel system including a joint in accordance with the present invention as aforesaid.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a method of providing a joint between a first panel and a second panel or another member comprises providing a profile member with wall means, locating the profile member at the periphery of the first panel so that said wall means extend into said first panel and substantially parallel therewith, securing the first panel to said wall means, connecting locating means to said profile member, and attaching said locating means to the second panel or other member to join same to the first panel.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a method of forming a partition wall comprises securing a post to a base formation, for example a floor, providing at least one lateral tongue or wing plate on the post, positioning a panel so that an end thereof is penetrated by said tongue, and securing the panel to the tongue. Preferably an additional lateral tongue is provided on the post for the fitting of a further panel in a similar manner, and the two tongues can extend oppositely for the provision of a co-planar partition utilising the panels. Covering strips can be located between the panels.

The present invention is also a partition wall made by the above method.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a panel, especially but not exclusively a fireproof panel comprises a central base and panel sheetings on either side of the base so that the sheetings are laterally spaced by the central base said central base including a profile member extending at the periphery of the panel which profile member provides wall means extending between and parallel to the sheetings, and securing means for joining the sheetings to the wall means. Preferably the securing means comprises at least one fastening element extending through a sheeting to the wall means. The profile member facilitates the joining of the panel to a second panel or to some other member and as a void can be present between the sheetings the heat barrier performance of the panel is substantially improved. Additionally the central base can impart substantial structural strength to the panel.

The profile member is preferably in the form of a channel, and preferably has a C shaped cross section such as the member sold under the Trade Name Unistrut, but a box form member is also possible.

The external surfaces of the sheetings can comprise metal facings. Where the profile member is of channel form, the open side of the channel may face inwardly or outwardly.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig 1 shows in plan view on section A-A in Fig 2 end portions of a pair of panels joined end to end by means of a post/joint in accordance with the present invention; Fig 2 shows the section B-B of Fig 1; Fig 3 shows in plan view on section C-C of Fig 5 end portions of panels meeting one aspect of the present invention and joined end to end by a joint in accordance with another aspect of the present invention; Fig 4 shows diagramatically the perimeter base frame of each panel of Fig 3 as viewed on section D-D in Fig 3; Fig 5 shows the section E-E of Fig 3; Fig 6 shows a view similar to Fig 3 but including a modification; Fig 7 shows a plan view of a panel of Fig 3 linked to a lateral wall; Fig 8 shows a similar view to that of Fig 7 but with a modification; and Fig 9 shows a plan view of a panel of Fig 3 adapted to carry the frame of a fire door.

Referring firstly to Figs 1 and 2, a partition wall 1 constitutes a firewall and is constructed to have sufficient structural strength to withstand a certain loading and especially a certain wind loading. Therefore the wall 1 comprises a steel post 5 joined to and supporting similar fireproof panels 2A and 2B, each panel 2A, 2B being formed from a sheet core 3 of suitable fibrous material with metal facing sheets 4 thereon.

The post 5 is of box-form cross section and has welded thereto, on opposite sides, wing or tongue plates 6 to provide means to anchor the panels 2A, 2B to the post 5 as will be explained. The post 5 is mounted on or carried by a suitable surface 8 (Fig 2) which can be for example a floor, ceiling or soffit, and for this purpose the post 5 carries a foot plate 7. To facilitate installation each panel 2A, 2B has a rebate 9 on opposite surfaces of the sheet core 3 at the panel ends, the facing sheets 4 being shaped appropriately, and prior to installation each panel 2A, 2B has holes punched and countersunk on the facing sheet surfaces at the rebates 9 at a selected pitch distance P (e.g. 300 mm) for the reception of fixing screws. Additionally to assist penetration of the tongue plates 6 into the panels 2A, 2B pre-formed slots are cut in the ends of the sheets 3 e.g.

by routing.

In the formation of the partition wall 1, the post 5 is secured at a selected location on the support surface 8 by means of fasteners 10 at the foot plate 7. The panels 2A, 2B are then slid onto respective tongue plates 6, the plates 6 extending parallel to the panels 2A, 2B, and the panel 2A is secured to its plate 6 by a first securing means 11 while the panel 2B is secured to its respective plate 6 by a second securing means 12. More especially these securing means 11, 12 can comprise self tap self drill screws 13 of countersunk type, for example Buildex LT75 screws, passing laterally through the sheets 3 via the pre-drilled holes at the rebates 9 and fixingly engaging the tongue plates 6. The screws 13 on one side of each plate 6 are staggered relative to the screws on the other side, as shown in Fig 2.

The installation is completed by applying fire protection board strips 14 to the post 5 as appropriate, which strips 14 can be secured to the post 5 by studs, pin welding screwing or adhesive bonding, and finally covering strips 15, 16 are applied across the joint between opposed rebates 9 and serve to maintain aesthetic compatability with the panels 2A, 2B. The covering strips 15, 16 can be secured by adhesive strips 18 at the rebates 9. The arrangement ensures effective fireproofing additionally at the joint.

By way of example, suitable dimensions of items may be: Post 5 - 80 x 80 x 5 (or 5.6 or 8) mm box section' Tongue Plate 6 - 50 x 1.5 (or 2) mm. (Rebate 9 and core end slots about same length).

Sheet core 3 - 100 mm thick (possibly made up by 2 x 50mm pieces) length and breadth suitably chosen.

Covering strips 15, 16 - 180mm x 0.7mm (thick).

Reference is now made to the embodiment shown in Figs 3 to 5. In certain building construction, for example in a nuclear power station, a particularly high performance is demanded of firepoof panels and barriers.

In particular performance requirements can be 3 hours of stability, integrity and insulation for the barrier and for the materials surrounding penetrating elements (e.g.

fluid and cable conduits through the barrier. The aim is that the barrier 21 shown in Fig 3 will meet this requirement. Fig 3 shows part of a fire barrier 21 comprising two similar panel assemblies 22A, 22B positioned end to end and joined at a butt joint in a manner satisfying the present invention. Each panel assembly 22A/B comprises a perimeter frame 23 (Fig 4) of rectangular form constituting a central base formed from suitable profile members provided in this case by channel members 24. The frame 23 is clad on either side by insulating sheets 25, 26 having suitable external facings, the frame 23 creating a void 27 between the sheets 25, 26. Each channel member 24 comprises flat opposed limbs 28, 29 defining wall members with outer back-turned flange portions 28A, 29A defining a side opening 30 which in this example faces inwardly, and a suitable channel of this type is available under the trade name Unistrut. The limbs 28, 29 therefore like the previous tongues 6 extend parallel to the panel and each sheet 25, 26 can be 50 mm thick and formed from suitable fibrous fireproof material.

Covers strips 31, 32 are utilised in the joint of the two assemblies 22A, 22B and extend between the assemblies as shown, the strip 31 32 being connected to the limbs 28, 29 of the back to back channel members 24 of respective assemblies 22, 22B by securing means similar to the securing means 11, 12 of the previous embodiment, specifically comprising self tap/self drill screws 33 in this case of hexagonal head type. In contrast to the previous arrangement however, the screws 33 are staggered in plan in Fig 3. The cover strip may have a thickness of 0.7 to 1 mm while the channel members 24 could be 41 mm x 41 mm x 2.5 mm thick.

A fireproof barrier 21 constructed as above achieves a high fire retarding performance and additionally enjoys a high level of structural strength. The frame 23 can also serve as general framing for penetration seals.

Fig 6 shows an embodiment similar to that of Fig 3 but with a modification. The Fig 3 arrangement should substantially avoid the possibility of smoke egress via the butt joint, but the barrier 35 of Fig 6 should even further reduce the possibility. Therefore in Fig 6, at the ends of the sheets 25, 26 there are provided internal rebates 36, 37 which combine in the joined condition to form recesses at the butt joint adjacent the back to back channel members 24, and a fillet of fibrous material 38 is placed in each of these recesses. Additionally Fig 6 shows the back to back channel members 24 spot welded together.

Fig 7 shows a panel assembly 22A fitted to a lateral wall 40 for example a floor, soffit/ceiling etc. In this case the cover strip serving as a locating member comprises an angle 41 e.g. with dimensions of 50 x 50 x 0.7 mm.

Fig 8 shows a panel assembly 22C generally similar to assembly 22A (B) fitted to a wall 42 in the form of a mortar sealing penetration. In this case however, assembly 22C has the channel member 24 reversed so that the side opening 30 faces outwardly thereby enabling the member 24 to constitute a keying member receiving wall mortar whereby the wall 42 is locked into the channel 24.

Fig 8 shows conduits 43 to 48 for cables and other items sealingly embedded in the penetration wall 42. Further angle cover strips 41 can also be present especially if extra thickness for the seal is required and also serving to cover strip the joint.

Fig 9 shows a panel assembly 22A connected to and supporting the frame 50 of a firepoof door 49 including a door leaf 51. Thus in this case, a wing plate 52 is welded to the outside face of the channel 24 to provide a locating and carrying member for the frame 50. In particular, the door frame 50 is mounted on the wing plate 52 by means of a cap screw threadingly received in a nut 53 which is welded to a wing portion 52A and additionally by a screw 54 screwed into the wing plate 52 and the channel 24. Apertures 55 and 56 in the frame 50 give access to these two screws. The frame 50 has architrave parts 57, 58 covering the securing screws 33 and attached to the wing plate 52. The door frame 50 and leaf 51 house mineral fill material for promotion of the fireproof effect.

Claims (29)

1. A joint for joining a first panel, especially but not exclusively a fireproof panel, to a second panel or to some other member comprising a profile member located at the periphery of said panel, said profile member including wall means extending into the first panel so as to be substantially parallel therewith, first securing means for joining said first panel to said wall means, and locating means connected to said profile member to join the first panel to the second panel or to the other member.

2. A joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profile member takes the form of a bent plate like structure.

3. A joint as claimed in claim 2, wherein the platelike structure comprises a channel section bar or a boxform structure.

4. A joint as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the profile member constitutes a support post.

5. A joint as claimed in claim 4, wherein the post comprises a box-form metal structure.

6. A joint as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the post includes a wall means comprising a first tongue extending into said first panel and a second tongue extending into a second panel to be joined to the first panel, said first securing means being joined to said first tongue while second securing means serve to join the second panel to the second tongue.

7. A joint as claimed in claim 6, wherein any one of the first and second securing means comprises a fastening element extending transversely through the panel to the wall means.

8. A joint as claimed in any one of the claims 4 to 7 wherein covering layers extend between the first and second panels to cover the gap between facing ends of the panel.

9. A joint as claimed in claim 8, wherein protection members are located between said post and said covering layers.

10. A joint as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein at least one end of the post is adapted for fitting to a wall surface e.g. floor, ceiling and soffit.

11. A joint as claimed in claim 10, wherein said at least one end includes a flat plate foot.

12. A joint as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the profile member is in the form of a channel with opposed legs of the channel extending into said first panel so as to constitute said wall means, and at least one cover strip constituting said locating means is positioned on said first panel and secured to at least one of said channel legs by the first securing means.

13. A joint as claimed in claim 12, wherein said cover strip is a plain strip and serves to join said first panel to a second panel arranged in coplanar relationship with the first, the second panel including a channel member to at least one leg of which the strip is secured by second securing means extending transversely through a second panel.

14. A joint as claimed in claim 13, wherein the two channel members of the joint can be arranged back to back.

15. A joint as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cover strip comprises an angle plate to facilitate joining of the first panel to lateral wall.

16. A joint as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the open side of the channel faces outwardly and functions as a keying element receiving mortor when the panel is fitted appropriately to a mortar wall.

17. A joint as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the channel member is of generally C-form with opposing flanges at the opening of the "C" inwardly bent.

18. A joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locating means serve to secure a door frame of a fireproof door to the channel member of the panel.

19. A panel system including a joint in accordance with the preceeding claims.

20. A method of providing a joint between a first panel and a second panel or another member comprising providing a profile member with wall means, locating the profile member at the periphery of the first panel so that said wall means extend into said first panel and substantially parallel therewith, securing the first panel to said wall means, connecting locating means to said profile member and attaching said locating means to the second panel or other member to join same to the first panel.

21. A method of forming a partition wall comprises securing a post to a base formation, for example a floor, the post including a lateral tongue, positioning a panel so that an end thereof is penetrated by said tongue, and securing the panel to the tongue.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein an additional lateral tongue is provided on the post for the fitting of a further panel in a similar manner, and the two tongues can extend oppositely for the provision of a coplanar partition utilising the panels.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein covering strips are located between the panels.

24. A partition wall made by the method of any of claims 21 to 23.

25. A panel, especially but not exclusively a fireproof panel comprising a central base and panel sheetings on either side of the base so that the sheetings are laterally spaced by the central base said central base including a profile member extending at the periphery of the panel which profile member provides wall means extending between and parallel to the sheetings and securing means for joining the sheeting to the wall means.

26. A panel as claimed in claim 25, wherein the securing means comprises at least one fastening element extending through a sheeting to a wall means.

27. A joint substantially as hereinbefore described with reference and as illustrated in Figs 1 and 2 or Figs 3 and 5 or any of Figs 6 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

28. A panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

29. A method of forming a joint as claimed in claim 20 and substantially as hereinbefore described.