Moisture impermeable fire-barriers

Abstract

A preferred example of a pre-assembled, moisture, water, and gas impermeable fire-barrier system for use in expansion-joint spaces includes a fire-barrier having a first multi-layer of outermost protective cloth layer overlain by an insulation blanket overlain by stainless steel foil, a second multi-layer, overlaying and fixedly attached to the first multi-layer, containing an insulation blanket, overlain by a limited layer of intumescent material, overlain by impermeable silicon cloth to completely or partially surround the barrier, and a first attachment apparatus for attaching a first long edge of the fire-barrier to a building unit and a second attachment apparatus for attaching the opposing second long edge to an opposing spaced building unit, which attachment apparatus may be fixedly attached to the barrier, and where the barrier system may be fitted with a drain aperture and a drainage hose emanating from the aperture, the hose protected from the heat of a fire.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This Continuation-in-Part application claims benefit to Non-Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 12 / 185,160 filed Aug. 4, 2008 and to Provisional Application No. 60 / 953,703 filed Aug. 3, 2007.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX[0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]The present invention relates generally to fire-barriers and more particularly to moisture impermeable fire-barriers.[0005]The background information discussed below is presented to better illustrate the novelty and usefulness of the present invention. This background information is not admitted prior art.[0006]Modern building codes require that stresses experienced by buildings from extreme and / or repetitive changes in temperature, the force of high winds impinging on the building, multi-directional forces due to seismic eve...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]At the heart of the present invention is the inventor's realization that many, if not most or all, currently installed fire-barriers, even those with mandated covers, are at risk of coming into contact with various forms of moisture. This is of utmost importance because recently it was recognized that when moisture comes into contact with a barrier, the barrier likely will be weakened to the point of having the effectiveness of the barrier irrevocably destroyed. Thus, fire regulations now require a moisture impermeable cover to be placed over the barrier, to protect it from damage due to water or other fluids or chemicals.

[0013]Furthermore, the presence of the cover presents a problem. The protective moisture impermeable fire-barrier covers (referred to in the industry as “boots”) are usually about 4 inches thick. However, currently manufactured building units are frequently constructed from pre-cast concrete slabs that are only 4½ inches thick, leaving only ½ inch of space for the installation of a fire-barrier into expansion spaces between floor units. Moreover, it is imperative that the boot does not protrude above the floor surface, as it would not only create a tripping hazard, it would additionally expose itself to damage. If the boots are damaged by, for example, machines that are used to wash, maintain, or repair a floor, it is likely that moisture will reach the barriers. Thus, the thickness of presently available boots required to protect presently vulnerable fire-barriers and the minimal thickness of the pre-cast floor sections act to eliminate both top and side-mounting of fire-barrier into floor joint spaces.

[0017]One fire-barrier of the present invention is shaped and sized as required for installation into floor to floor expansion-joint spaces of an open-air baseball stadium, where the floors are heavily trod and frequently exposed to rain, melting snow and ice, and salty water. In this instance, the barrier would be bottom mounted to provide ample room for the inset installation of a cover to avoid any tripping hazards and so that the barrier's mounting hardware is not exposed to the elements. Such a barrier could also be fitted with drainage hoses to prevent the build-up of any fluid if that were to be desired. The prefabricated fire-barriers of the present invention are produced in various lengths as desired. However, because of the weight of the barriers and the difficulty in handling very long barriers, the length of the barriers is usually limited to, for example, 10 feet. Moreover, if the weight of the barrier dictates, a barrier is often manufacture to be four feet long. Therefore, when the expansion joint space is longer than that the manufactured barriers, two or more barriers must be installed end to end to accommodate the length of the joint space. The barriers of the present invention are pre-assembled and delivered to the site ready for one-step, easy, rapid installation by one or at most two installers. The barriers, either partially or completely encapsulated by an impermeable layer of material, are pre-assembled to have male and female butt-end connections that prevent any possible leaking from end to end seams. For seams made up of butt-end to butt-end connections, a butt-cover is available to ensure that there is no leakage of any collected fluids except through the drainage system. The seam-butt cover also ensures that there in no penetration of smoke or fire into the barrier from below the barrier.

[0018]Using silicone cloth to partially or totally encapsulating a barrier, is one example of how to make the barrier totally moisture impermeable. It should be understood that all fire-barriers must both be made to be gas and flame impermeability and to be able to maintain their gas and flame impermeability in order to be a fully-functional fire-barrier. The materials used to construct each barrier are fire resistant to degrees defined by the tests that the barriers are required to pass before they can be used. These materials are of exceptional strength and are firmly and sturdily attached to the attachment frame which is used in conjunction with the fire-barrier materials to attach the barrier to building units.

Problems solved by technology

While expansion-joint spaces improve the life-time integrity of the structure, they also present a major fire risk to the structure.

When fire-barriers fail, loss of both life and property can be the result.

Even though a barrier cover plate and a fire-barrier are correctly installed into an expansion joint space, the present inventor realized that it is difficult if not impossible, to prevent moisture from reaching barriers.

For example, fire-barriers, especially those installed between adjacent floor units, are subjected to daily stress from exposure to moisture, especially from water and cleaning chemicals used for floor washing that can leak through the smallest of openings even when a boot has been installed.

Heavy rain combined with strong wind can provide for water to permeate even very small openings in the sides of buildings, causing wetting of the sides and bottoms of barriers.

The Inventor realized that water from repeated condensation events can impair or destroy the effectiveness of a barrier.

Public facilities, such as open stadiums are regularly subjected to the effects of rain and snow.

Fire-barrier failure in any of these facilities is likely to result in unnecessary hazard to life and to the facility.

And now that life-saving sprinkler systems are becoming more and more required, fire-barriers are subject to water damage from fire sprinkler water that is released during isolated fire events.

As mentioned above, repeated exposure to moisture results in deterioration of the barrier.

Furthermore, the presence of the cover presents a problem.

However, currently manufactured building units are frequently constructed from pre-cast concrete slabs that are only 4½ inches thick, leaving only ½ inch of space for the installation of a fire-barrier into expansion spaces between floor units.

Moreover, it is imperative that the boot does not protrude above the floor surface, as it would not only create a tripping hazard, it would additionally expose itself to damage.

If the boots are damaged by, for example, machines that are used to wash, maintain, or repair a floor, it is likely that moisture will reach the barriers.

Additionally, the weight of water collecting on the surface of a barrier creates added weight stress on the barrier and on the means used to attach the barrier to the building structures, in addition to weakening the barrier from, for example, the growth of mold and mildew on the damp materials.

The increase in a barrier's weight due to the presence of moisture or water greatly increases its weight, thus, compromises the integrity of the attachments and of the barrier.

Failed barriers, regardless of the reason for the failure, pose life-threatening consequences.

However, because of the weight of the barriers and the difficulty in handling very long barriers, the length of the barriers is usually limited to, for example, 10 feet.

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