Tab track fire-rated wall assembly with dynamic movement

Abstract

A fire-rated head-of-wall assembly includes a header track having bendable tabs, a pair of which is configured to hold a wall stud in place relative to the header track. An upper wallboard piece abuts against the ceiling and a lower wallboard piece is spaced from the upper wallboard piece to form a gap. A fire-resistant material, such as mineral wool, is positioned within the gap. An outer wallboard piece spans across the gap.

Description

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS[0001]Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUNDField of the Invention[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to metal stud and track framing systems and fire-rated head-of-wall assemblies for use in building construction, particularly for use in the interior and / or exterior wall of a building. In particular, one of the present inventions relates to a fire-rated and non-fire rated track having a stud retention feature. Another of the present inventions relates to fire-rated head-of-wall assemblies.Description of the Related Art[0003]A wall assembly commonly used in the construction industry includes a header track, bottom track, a plurality of wall studs and a plurality of wall board members, possibly among other components. A typical header track resembles a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The technical effects of this patent are to provide a manufactured framing system that allows for required vertical deflection movement, prevents lateral side to side movement of the studs, and is made from a solid track that does not allow smoke, sound or light to travel through the wall. Additionally, the patent aims to address the challenge of providing a fire-rated joint that can stand the test of time and minimize the risk of failing an inspection and shutting down a building project. The solution includes the use of long-term fire protection materials that can seal a deflection gap in a head-of-wall joint and provide sound absorption, fire protection, and allow for movement while being concealed by the outer drywall board.

Problems solved by technology

If the wall studs are rigidly attached to the slotted track and not allowed to move freely in at least one direction, the stability of the wall and the building might be compromised.

During installation, extra labor is required as mechanical framing screws are used through the slotted track into the stud on both sides of the wall.

When the drywall is installed over this framing attachment point, the drywall humps up around the framing screw causing the drywall to flare out away from the framing.

When the drywall flares out away from the framing, it no longer maintains a tight seal to the framing and can provide smoke or sound flanking paths through and or around the slots.

The fire block arrangements often involve the time-consuming process of inserting by hand a fire resistant material into the wall gap and then applying a flexible sealing layer to hold the fire resistant material in place.

Head-of-wall joints often present a serious challenge in terms of reducing or preventing the spread of smoke and fire during a building fire.

In the past, metal stud wall framing assemblies that provided set attachment points at 8 inch or 4 inch on center in hopes to provide attachment points for all studs have not been successful because studs, although they cannot exceed the maximum allowable spacing of 16 inch or 24 inch, many times will be less than the maximum spacing in order to work around MEP's.

Recent changes to the 2012 International Building Code (IBC) has put enormous scrutiny on fire rated perimeter building joints.

A failure in any portion of the fire sealant will render a failure in the fire rated joint.

Fire sealant is installed by hand in the field, which can make it difficult to ensure proper adhesion, proper depth to width ratio, and proper bond breaker utilization throughout the entire application of fire sealant.

Failing an inspection could bring a project to a complete halt resulting in wasted effort and causing the owner and contractor tremendous financial harm.

Another challenge is that fire-rated joints need to provide a 10-year performance warranty and currently most fire sealant manufacturers only provide a 1-year warranty.

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