GB2429021A

GB2429021A - Closure for service shaft during construction of building

Info

Publication number: GB2429021A
Application number: GB0516411A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Davidson
Original assignee: AMBAR KELLY Ltd
Current assignee: AMBAR KELLY Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-10
Filing date: 2005-08-10
Publication date: 2007-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-10
Also published as: GB0516411D0; GB2429021B

Abstract

A closure assembly 1 for a service shaft during construction of a building, to prevent workmen falling into the shaft, comprises a cover 2, 3, 4 mounted to a frame 5, 6, fixed to the inner periphery of the shaft. As shown, the frame 5 may comprise a P-section member fixed at 32 to fixings 31, and attached to an angle member 35 standing on a structural I- beam 37, the arrangement forming permanent shuttering for concrete 40 of floor 30, in which fixings 31 become embedded. Movable cross members 7, 8 may support edges of covers 2, 3, and 4. The covers may include removable sacrificial panels (Fig 4, not shown) which can later be removed so that services may pass through the covers, which remain in place.

Description

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SERVICE SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND AN

ASSOCIATED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT AND CLOSURE THEREFOR

DhSCRI PT ION This invention relates to a service shaft assembly arid an associated closure arrangement and alosure Lherefor, for use in the construction of a multi-Level building wherein building services are to 0 be supplied to one or more upper levels of the under- construction aiid/or finally-constructed building.

Presently, it is known to provide a service shaft for building services generally vertically through in- reqister apertures in the various levels of the under- coi-istruction building.

These known service shafts tend to be somewhat haphazard in construction and are never provided with suiLably safe closures through which services can be provided hut which would prevent workman and other personnel from falling down them. Any such closures, such as sheets of wood or other sheet material, are merely laid over the open service shafts, resulting in unsafe war king environments.

Lt is an object of the present invention to provide a service shaft assembly and an associated ciirangemerit and closure for supplying services to the upper level(s) of a building, which overcome, or at least substantially reduce, the disadvantages associated with the known service shafts and other arrangements discussed above.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention resides in an assembly comprising a service shaft, a (.iosure t.herefor and a frame extending around at least part, of the inner periphery of the shaft at an upper level of an under-construction building and arranged La at least partially support the closure in its closed position with respect to the frame and shaft.

0 Preferably, a support extends between two sides, preferably opposed sides, of the frame for at least partially supporLing the closure over the shaft. The position of the support along the length of the Lwo sides of the frame between which it exterìds, may be

adjustable.

The assembly may include one or more closure supports, depending upon the number of sections which 2( The or each closure support may comprise a beam, preferably tubular, whose opposed ends are preferably mounted detachably to the respective sides of the rame.

In an embodiment of serviceshaft assembly to be described in more detail hereinbelow, such mounting of the opposed ends of the support beam to their respective frame sides may be effected by means of o spigoLs upon which the respective ends of the beam are mounted, by means of male/female coupling, arid which may he positioned adjustably along the length of their corresponding frame sides.

Each such spigot may be mounted detachably to its 3 corre pondinq frame side by means of tabs or similar components, which are preferably hook-shaped, engaging in corresponding apertures in the frame side. In this embodiment, each spigot can have two pairs of hook- shaped Labs engageahie in respective pairs of two rows of spaced apertures extending along the corresponding side of the frame. In this case, the frame sides are preferably hollow, such that the hook-shaped tabs of each spigot can be inserted through the respective pairs of apertures in the inner walls of the hollow IS frame sides.

The closure can be arranged to he received upon Lhe support(s) and frame at a level which is flush with the horizontal surface of the floor of the level aL the under-construction building with which the frame is associated.

The closure itself, which may be formed in one or more sections, depending upon operating requirements, can he secured, for example, by being bolted, to the sides of the frame and/or to the support(s) extending thereacross.

The closure, or possibly one of its sections, may he provided wiLh at least one access hole through which building materials can he passed. Similarly, she closure, or possibly one or more of its sections, may be provided with at least one access hole for permanent building services, for example, power, water, air conditioning ducting and the like.

Covers may he provided to close the access holes wlien riot in use and may be sacrificial for subsequent removal and disposal.

A second aspect of the invention provides a () c Insure arrangement for a service shaft for supplying services Lo an upper level of an under-construction building, which arrangement comprises a closure and a frame which is adapted to extend around at least part of the inner periphery of a service shaft at an upper IS level of an under-construction building, in use, and which is arranged to at least partially support the closure in its closed position with respect to the fi.arne and associated shaft.

A support is preferably arranged to extend between two sides, preferably opposed sides, of the frame for at least partially supporting the closure over the shaft in use, the position of the support a] cog Lhe length of the two sides of the frame between which it extends, being adjustable.

The closure may comprise one or more sections and There may be one or more closure supports, depending upon the number of such sections. 3 ()

The or each closure support may comprise a beam, preferably tubular, whose opposed ends are preferably detachably mounted to the respective sides of the frame.

In an embodiment, such mounting of the opposed ends of the support beam to their respective frame sides may be effected by means of spigots upon which Lhe respective ends of the beam are mounted, preferably by means of male/female coupling, and which may be positioned adjustably along the length of their 0 corresponding frame sides.

Each such spigot may be mounted detachably to its corresponding frame side by means of tabs or similar components, preferably hook-shaped, engaging in IS corresponding apertures in the frame side. In this particular arrangement of embodiment, each spigot can have two pairs of hook-shaped tabs engageable in respective pairs of two rows of spaced apertures extend.inq along [he corresponding side of the frame, in which case, the frame sides are preferably hollow, such that the hook-shaped tabs or similar components of each spigot can be inserted through the respective pairs of apertures in the inner wails of the frame s ides.

The closure is receivable upon the support(s) and frame at a level which is preferably flush with [he horizontal surface of the floor of the level of the under-construction building with which the frame is 0 associated.

The closure may be formed in one or more sections as indicated above, depending upon operating Lequiremenits and can he secured, for example, by t.)oIts, to the sides of the frame and/or to the support(s) extending thereacross.

The closure, or possibly one of its sections, may he provided with at least one access hole through which building materials can be passed during building U) construcLion. Similarly, the closure, or possibly one or more of its sections, may he provided with at least one access hole for services, for example, power, water, air conditioning ductinq and the like.

Coveis may be provided to close such access holes when not in use but may be sacrificial for subsequent re1Tovai and disposal once permanent services have been I n stalled.

I third aspect of the invention resides in a closure for a service shaft for providing services to tiie upper level(s) of an under-construction building, which closure comprises an access hole through which bualding materials and/or services can be passed.

The closure can be arranged to be received upon a frame extending around at least part of the periphery of a service shaft, in which case, the closure may be at a level which is flush with the horizontal surface So of the floor of the level of an under-construction building with which the shaft frame is associated.

The closure may be formed in one or more sections of which at least one may be provided with an access hole through which building materials can be passed dod, similarly, at least one may be provided with an S occess ho'e for services, for example, power, water, air conditioning ducting and the like.

The closure may be provided with covers for losing the access holes when not in use. Such access 0 hole covers may be sacrificial for subsequent removal uc disposal, once permanent services have been installed.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides, in combination, a service shaft extending upwardly Lhrough an under-construction building and either a cLosure arraligement in accordance with the second napect of the invention defined above or a closure in accordance with the third aspect of the invention defined above.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a service shaft assembly and a closure arrangement and closure therefor will now be described 7S hy way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Pigure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a closure arrangement and associated closure extending over a sorvice shaft in an under- construction building; Figure 2 is a partial sectional elevation of the arrangement and closure of Figure 1, along the line LI-I I; S Figure is a partial sectional elevation of the -n1angemenL arid closure of Figure 1 along the line [il-Ill; and lgure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of a 0 preferred embodiment of closure arrangement and closure over a service shaft of an under-construction building.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of Lhe accompanying drawings, a closure arrangement, indicated generally at 11, for a service shaft for supplying services, such as power, water and the like, to an upper level of an under-construction building, comprises a closure comprising three generally planar sections 2, 3 and 4.

The closure sections 2, :3 ar-id 4 are supported partially by a rectangular frame comprising two pairs of opposed sides 5,6 secured around the inner periphery of the service shaft (not shown) Extending between and detachably secured to the opposed pair of frame side walls 6 are two support beams 7,8 also partially supporting the closure sections 2,3,4. i 0

Thus, the respective edges of the left-hand ClOsI.]re section 2 are received upon the left-hand frame side wall 5, the pair of opposed frame side wails 6 and the support beam 7, whilst the respective edges of the right-hand closure section 4 are received upon the right-har-id side wall 5, the pair of opposed rarne side wal is 6 and the support beam 8. The iespect.ive edges of the intermediate closure section 3 are received upon the pair of opposed frame side wails 6 and the two support beams 7,8.

The closure sections 2,3,4 are preferably secured, for example, by bolts, to the corresponding frame side wails 5 and 6 and the support beams 7 duct 8 As will he described in more detail hereinbelow, the positions of the support beams 7 and 8 along the length of the frame side walls 6 are adjustable, to accommodate closure sections of different widths.

Also, the sections 2,3,4 in this particular embodiment do not have any apertures therein and act only to close the service shaft.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the two pairs of opposed sides 5,6 of the frame which are secured around the inner per.. iphery of the service shalt comprise generally hollow sections 15,16 respectively, each formed in generally P-section from sheet metal, such as steel.

Each side wall section 15,16 is secured to the pen phera.l wall 30 of the service shaft by means of L- - 10- rhaped, multi-sheer connectors 31 embedded in the wall $0. Each section 15,16 is connected to the respective connectors 31 by suitable means, as shown at:32.

The leg 17 of each P-shaped side wall section 15 ir bolt ad or welded, at 33, to the upright arm 34 of on L-proli]ed bracket 35 whose lower arm 36 is mounted necurely between the shaft periphery 30 and a steel beam 37. I ()

The upriqht arm 34 of the bracket 35 abuts a corner connector 38.

i.n practice, concrete forming the floor 40 of the buiJdinq level, may he poured against the wall sections 15, 16 and arm 34 of the bracket 35 to form permanent shuttering. If required, the L-shaped COnnectors 31 can he embedded in the concrete as an anchorage therefor.

In Figure 3, the lower arm 36 of the bracket 35 is shown bolted, at 39 to the steel beam 37.

The outer face of the F-shaped section 16, as uhown in Ligure 2, is provided with pairs of apertures in which are receivable respective pairs of hook- Olp)ed tabs 19 of a spigot 20 proj ect.ing outwardly foiti the respective side wall section 16 of the side wail 0. 0

Tn this manner, the position of the spigot 20 a:Lc)I)g the ienqth of the side wall section 16 can be adjusted to accommodate closure sections of different widths, as discussed above.

Each spigot 20 is welded to a plate 21 and is slidably received within a respective support beam 8 (Figure 2), 7 (Figure 3) A pair of bolts 22 locate the support beam 7,8 ai-id corresponding spigot 20 securely together.

Each closure section 3,4, as shown in respective Figures 3 and 2, is bolted, at 23 to corresponding side wall sections 15,16 and support beams 7,8.

is Referring now to Figure 4, here the closure arrangement, indicated generally at 41, comprises three sections 42,43 and 44, for location over the otherwise open upper end of Lhe service shaft extending upwardly through an under-construction building. These closure sections 42,43,44 have eftectively replaced the closure sections 2,3,4 of the closure arrangement 1 of Figure 1, the sections 2,3,4 being sacrificial.

2S The closure sections 42,43,44 have holes 45 to 52 for receiving therethrough permanent building services and the holes 49 to 52 are closed by the sacrificial covers 53 to 56 respectively bolted to the closure section 44 hut removable therefrom to install permanent building services such as those indicated above.

- 12 - The hole 45 in the closure section 42 is used to accommodate permanent services such as ductwork for ail- conditioning and the like.

Thus, the invention provides a service shaft asseibly arid associated closure arrangement and Closure for use in the construction of a multilevel building wherein building services can be supplied to the upper level(s) ol an under_construction and/or tinaily_conistructed building and which provide a safe working envjronmert for personnel during such construction ft is to be appreciated that the various aspects IS 01- the invention can include modifications and variation15 upon the embodiments described without departing from the Scope of the appended claims.

Claims

- 13 - CLAIMS

1. An assembly comprising a service shaft, a closure therefor and a frame extending around at least part of the inner periphery of the shaft at an upper level of an under-construction building and arranged to support at least partially the closure in its closed position with respect to the frame and shaft.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 including a support extending between two sides, preferably opposed sides, of the frame for at least partially supporting the closure over the shaft.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the position of the support along the length of the two sides of the frame between which it extends, is

adjustable.

4. An assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3 including one or more closure supports, depending upon a number of sections which constitute the closure.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the or each closure support comprises a beam, preferably tubular.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the opposed ends of the beam are mounted detachably to the respective sides of the frame.

- 14 -

7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein such mounting of the opposed ends of the support beam to their respective frame sides is effected by means of spigots upon which the respective ends of the beam are mounted, and which are positioned adjustably along the length of their corresponding frame sides.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein each spigot is mounted detachably to its corresponding frame side by means of tabs or similar components, which are preferably hook-shaped, engaging in corresponding apertures in the frame side.

9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein each spigot has two pairs of hook-shaped tabs engageable in respective pairs of two rows of spaced apertures extending along the corresponding side of the frame.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the frame sides are hollow, such that the hook-shaped tabs of each spigot can be inserted through the respective pairs of apertures in the inner walls of the hollow frame sides.

11. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure is arranged to be received upon the support(s) and frame at a level which is flush with the horizontal surface of the floor of the level of the underconstruction building with which the frame is associated.

- 15 -

12. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure can be secured, for example, by being bolted, to the sides of the frame and/or to the support(s) extending thereacross.

13. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure is formed in one or more sections.

14. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure is provided with at least one access hole through which building materials can be passed.

15. An assembly according to claim 13 or 14, wherein one of the closure sections is provided with at least one access hole through which building materials can be passed.

16. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure is provided with at least one access hole for permanent building services.

17. An assembly according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein one of the closure sections is provided with at least one access hole for permanent building services.

18. An assembly according to any of claims 14 to 17 including covers to close the access holes when not in use. - 16-

19. An assembly according to claim 18, wherein the covers are sacrificial for subsequent removal and disposal.

20. A service shaft and closure assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A closure arrangement for a service shaft for supplying services to an upper level of an under- construction building, which arrangement comprises a closure and a frame which is adapted to extend around at least part of the inner periphery of a service shaft at an upper level of an under-construction building, in use, and which is arranged to support at least partially the closure in its closed position with respect to the frame and associated shaft.

22. An arrangement according to claim 21 including a support arranged to extend between two sides, preferably opposed sides, of the frame for at least partially supporting the closure over the shaft in use.

23. An arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the position of the support along the length of the two sides of the frame between which it extends, is

adjustable.

24. An arrangement according to claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein the closure comprises one or more sections.

25. An arrangement according to claim 24 including one or more closure supports, depending upon the number of closure sections.

26. An arrangement according to any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the or each closure support comprises a beam, preferably tubular.

27. An arrangement according to claim 26, wherein the opposed ends of the or each closure support are detachably mounted to the respective sides of the frame.

28. An arrangement according to claim 27, wherein such mounting of the opposed ends of the support beam to their respective frame sides is effected by means of spigots upon which the respective ends of the beam are mounted, preferably by means of male/female coupling, and which are positioned adjustably along the length of their corresponding frame sides.

29. An arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the or each spigot is mounted detachably to its corresponding frame side by means of tabs or similar components, preferably hook-shaped, engaging in corresponding apertures in the frame side.

30. An arrangement according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the or each spigot has two pairs of hook- shaped tabs engageable in respective pairs of two rows of spaced apertures extending along the corresponding side of the frame.

31. An arrangement according to claim 30, wherein the frame sides are hollow, such that any hook-shaped tabs or similar components of each spigot can be inserted through the respective pairs of apertures in the inner walls of the frame sides.

32. An arrangement according to any of claims 21 to 31, wherein the closure is receivable upon the support(s) and frame at a level which is flush with the horizontal surface of the floor of the level of the under-construction building with which the frame is associated.

33. An arrangement according to any of claims 21 to 32, wherein the closure, or one or more of its sections, as the case may be, can be secured, for example, by bolts, to the sides of the frame and/or to the support(s) extending thereacross.

34. An arrangement according to any of claims 21 to 33, wherein the closure, or one of its sections, as the case may be, is provided with at least one access hole through which building materials can be passed during building construction.

35. An arrangement according to any of claims 21 to 34, wherein the closure, or one or more of its sections, as the case may be, is provided with at least one access hole for services, for example, power, water, air conditioning ducting and the like. - 19-

36. An arrangement according to claim 34 or 35, wherein covers are provided to close the access holes when not in use.

37. An arrangement according to claim 36, wherein the covers are sacrificial for subsequent removal and disposal.

38. A closure arrangement for a service shaft, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

39. A closure for a service shaft for providing services to the upper level(s) of an under- construction building, which closure comprises an access hole through which building materials and/or services can be passed.

40. A closure according to claim 39 arranged to be received upon a frame extending around at least part of the periphery of a service shaft.

41. A closure according to claim 39 or 40 formed in one or more sections.

42. A closure according to claim 41, wherein at least one section is provided with an access hole through which building materials and/or services can be passed.

43. A closure according to claim 42 provided with covers for closing the access holes when not in use.

- 20 -

44. A closure according to claim 43, wherein the access hole covers are sacrificial for subsequent removal and disposal.

45. A closure for a service shaft substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

46. In combination, a service shaft extending upwardly through an underconstruction building and either a closure arrangement in accordance with any of claims 21 to 38 or a closure in accordance with any of claims 39 to 45.