Ember attack resistant wall transitions
The wall transition system addresses installation complexity and ember attack gaps by using sheeting rail members with planar sections and splice plates or brackets, achieving compliance with building codes and aesthetic appeal while reducing gaps to less than 3 mm.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- AU · AU
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STEVEN LASTAVEC
- Filing Date
- 2026-06-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing building wall transitions are difficult to install, require complex notches, and fail to meet ember attack ratings due to gaps exceeding 3 mm, posing a challenge for aesthetic and functional compliance with building codes.
A wall transition system using inner and outer sheeting rail members joined by a planar section, allowing for simple notches and narrow gaps, with splice plates or custom brackets to accommodate purlin profiles, ensuring ember resistance and ease of installation.
The solution provides ember-resistant wall transitions that comply with building codes, are easy to install, and reduce gaps to less than 3 mm, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.
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Abstract
Description
Field of the Invention [1] This invention relates generally to building wall transitions that are resistant to ember attack. Background of the Invention [2] Garraport is a term used to describe the roof only projection attached to a typical steel shed. [3] A typical shed has primary structural members such as rafters and columns and secondary roof and wall sheeting railing comprising purlins and girts respectively. [4] The accepted method of construction is to extend continuous purlin sections through wall sheeting. [5] However, to do so, the fitter needs to notch edges of the wall sheeting to accommodate the purlins therethrough. Purlins typically come in top span, Z-section or C-section profiles. It is difficult and time-consuming to cut notches conforming to these purlin profiles. [6] Furthermore, ember attack ratings require less than 3 mm gaps at all transition points. However, it is impossible to cut notches conforming tightly to purlin cross sections. [7] Furthermore, a typical notch cut for a top span purlin expose a gap of approximately 60mm wide x 60mm high therethrough. [8] As such, a need therefore exists for a way to create an ember attack resistant wall transition point which complies with relevant building codes, is easy to install by fitters of various trade skill levels and is aesthetically pleasing. [9] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Disclosure
[10] According to one aspect, there is provided an ember attack resistant wall transition across wall sheeting, the wall transition comprising inner and outer sheeting rail members adjoining at the wall sheeting, and a joiner joining adjacent ends of the inner and outer sheeting rail members, the joiner having a planar section, wherein the wall sheeting extends up between the inner and outer sheeting rail members, and wherein an upper edge of the wall sheeting comprises a narrow notch such that the wall sheeting closely conforms to either side of the planar section. 2026205157 30 Jun 2026
[11] By arranging the sheeting rail members as inner and outer members joined by the planar section of the joiner, the wall sheeting can be cut to accommodate the planar section rather than being cut to match the full profile of the sheeting rail members. This may assist installation by allowing a narrow, relatively simple notch to be formed in the wall sheeting, while also reducing ember-accessible gaps at the wall transition.
[12] In an embodiment, the sheeting rail members are purlins. In another embodiment, the sheeting rail members are girts. The same general transition principle may therefore be applied at roof span transitions and side wall connection transitions, including where the building comprises a shed and an adjoining garraport or other open-sided roofed structure.
[13] Preferably, the sheeting rail members comprise Z-section profiles. In such embodiments, the joiner may comprise a splice plate joining distal ends of the inner and outer sheeting rail members. The splice plate may span between the inner and outer sheeting rail members, and may be fastened to each of the inner and outer sheeting rail members so that the sheeting rail arrangement remains connected across the wall transition while still allowing the wall sheeting to extend between the separated rail members.
[14] In an embodiment, the narrow notch comprises a straight cut. The straight cut may be approximately 3 mm wide. Preferably, there is a tolerance of less than 3 mm between the wall sheeting and the splice plate. In this way, the wall sheeting may be installed with a relatively simple straight cut which closely receives the splice plate, rather than requiring a more complex notch corresponding to the Z-section profile.
[15] In an embodiment, the Z-section profiles comprise at least one of Z100, Z150, Z200 and Z250 Z-section profile types.
[16] In another embodiment, the sheeting rail members comprise nested in-line C-section profiles. In such embodiments, the joiner may comprise at least one right-angled bracket joining adjacent ends of the inner and outer sheeting rail members. Preferably, the rightangled bracket is a custom right-angle bracket. The right-angled bracket may provide a connection between the separated C-section rail members while presenting a relatively narrow section for the wall sheeting to accommodate.
[17] Where the sheeting rail members comprise nested in-line C-section profiles, the narrow notch may comprise a straight cut. The straight cut may be approximately 3 mm wide. This may allow the wall sheeting to extend up between the inner and outer C-section rail members with a narrow opening around the bracket, thereby reducing the need for a larger or irregular cut in the wall sheeting. 2026205157 30 Jun 2026
[18] In an embodiment, the C-section profiles comprise at least one of C100, C150, C200 and C250 C-section profile types.
[19] The wall transition may be a roof span transition. Alternatively, the wall transition may be a side wall connection transition. The wall transition may be used as part of a pitched roof building design or a skillion roof building design.
[20] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings
[21] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[22] Figures 1 A and B shows a single rafter transition for ember control along a roof span;
[23] Figures 1C and D show a single column transition for ember control at a sidewall connection;
[24] Figure 1E shows a single eave purlin transition for ember control at an eave purlin connection;
[25] Figures 2 A - B show a back-to-back rafter transition for ember control along a roof span;
[26] Figures 2 C and D show a back-to-back column transition for ember control at a sidewall connection;
[27] Figures 3 A and B show a back-to-back rafter transition for ember control along roof span;
[28] Figures 3C and D show a back-to-back column transition for ember control at a side wall connection;
[29] Figures 4 and B show a single rafter transition for ember control along roof span;
[30] Figures 5 A and B show a back-to-back rafter arrangement ember control along roof span;
[31] Figures 5 C and D show a back-to-back column transition for ember control at a side wall connection;
[32] Figures 6 A and B show a single rafter transition for ember control along a roof span;
[33] Figure 6 C and D show a single column arrangement for ember control at a side wall connection;
[34] Figures 7 A and B show a double rafter arrangement for ember control along roof span; and 2026205157 30 Jun 2026
[35] Figure 7 C and D show a double column arrangement for ember control at a side wall connection. Description of Embodiments
[36] Figures 1 A and B show a single rafter transition 100 for ember control along a roof span, suitable for use with top span purlins (TS22, TS40, TS61, TS64, TS96, TS120).
[37] The transition 100 can be used for all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400).
[38] The transition 100 can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs.
[39] The transition 100 comprises wall sheet 101, a rafter 102, a stiffener spacer 103 and a garraport spacer 104. An enclosed side 109 of the building is to the left side of the rafter 102 and an open side 110 of the building as to the right of the wall sheet 101.
[40] The transition 100 comprises a split purlin arrangement supporting roof sheeting 111 thereatop and which comprises an outer purlin member 105 and an inner purlin member 106. Top L-shaped flashing 107 locates between the outer and inner purlins 105, 106 and, preferably, lower L-shaped flashing 108 locates between the outer purlin 105.
[41] The flashing 107, 108 is preferably .55mm thick non-combustible steel.
[42] The principle of operation of the transition 100 is that the flashing 107, 108 prevents embers from travelling into the enclosed area 109. An ember deflected from the top flashing 107 lands on the bottom flashing 108 and should extinguish.
[43] Figures 1C and D show a single column transition 200 for ember control at a sidewall connection.
[44] The transition 200 is suitable for use with top span purlins (TS22, TS40, TS61, TS64, TS96, TS120). The transition 200 can be used for all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400). The transition 200 can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs as roof shape / direction is inconsequential to design.
[45] The transition 200 comprises a wall girt 112 on the inner side 109 supporting wall sheeting 101 on the outer side 110. The transition 200 comprises a double column 113 and garraport spacer 114.
[46] The transition 200 comprises a girt arrangement comprising an inner girt member 115 and an outer girt member 116 similarly comprising the L-shaped top flashing 107 between the inner and outer girt members 115, 116 and, preferably, the L-shaped bottom flashing 108 beneath the outer girt 116. 2026205157 30 Jun 2026
[47] Similarly, if an ember is blown towards the wall sheeting 101 of the outer side 110, the flashing 107, 108 prevents embers from travelling into the enclosed side 109. Similarly, embers landing on the bottom flashing 108 should self-extinguish.
[48] Figure 1E shows a single eave purlin transition 300 for ember control at an eave purlin connection. The transition 300 is suitable for use with top span purlins (TS22, TS40, TS61, TS64, TS96, TS120) and for all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400). The transition 300 can also be used for pitched or skillion roof designs as roof shape / direction is inconsequential to design.
[49] The transition 300 has an eave purlin 105 rotated with respect to an inner purlin 106 such that the fitter only needs to provide a clean straight cut against the straight outer edges of the purlins 105, 106 to a tolerance of less than 3 mm to prevent ember ingress. An eave bracket 170 may fix the purlins 105, 106 together.
[50] A non-flammable caulking agent may be used between the purlins 105, 106 but is generally not necessary. As such, if an ember is blown towards the external dividing wall and up to the eave purlin 105, the ember should be deflected by the eave purlin 105 and sheet connection.
[51] Figures 2 A - B show a back-to-back rafter transition 300 for ember control along a roof span. The transition 300 is suitable for use with top span purlins (TS61, TS64) and can be used for all current C-section rafter sizes (C150). The transition 300 can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs.
[52] The transition 300 comprises a double rafter 118 and wall sheeting 101 on the outer side 110 thereof. Wall girts 120 locate on the inner side 109 of the wall sheeting 101. The transition 300 similarly comprises the split purlin arrangement comprising the outer purlin 105 and the inner purlin 106. The transition 300 similarly comprises the upper L-shaped flashing between the purlins 105, 106 and the lower flashing 108.
[53] The transition 300 provide ember attack resistance in a similar manner as that of the transition 100 although the transition 300 is a more cost-effective solution.
[54] Figures 2 C and D show a back-to-back column transition 400 for ember control at a sidewall connection of a similar configuration of transition 300 but wherein the transition 400 comprises a double column 119 and comprises an outer girt 116 and an inner girt 115.
[55] The transition 400 is suitable for use with top span purlins (TS61, TS64, TS96, TS120) and can be used for all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400). 2026205157 30 Jun 2026
[56] Preferably the transition 400 is limited to TS61, TS64 top span purlins and C150 C-section rafter sizes to enable all building components to mesh and connect correctly.
[57] The transition 400 can be used for all section types and can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs as roof shape / direction is inconsequential to design.
[58] Figures 3 A and B show a back-to-back rafter transition 500 for ember control along roof span. The transition 500 is suitable for use with top span purlins (TS22, TS40, TS61, TS64, TS96, TS120) and all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400). The transition 500 can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs.
[59] Transition 500 operates similarly to transition 100 although transition 500 is useful when using lager sections for big spans.
[60] Figures 3C and D show a back-to-back column transition 600 for ember control at a side wall connection. Transition 600 is suitable for use with top span purlins (TS61, TS64, TS96, TS120) and can be used for all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400).
[61] Transition 600 can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs as roof shape / direction is inconsequential to design.
[62] Figures 4 and B show a single rafter transition 700 for ember control along roof span. Transition 700 is suitable for use with Z-section purlins (Z100, Z150, Z200, Z250) and can be used for all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400). Transition 700 can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs.
[63] The enclosed side 109 of the building is on the left side of the rafter 102, and the open side 110 is to the right of wall sheet 101. The transition 700 similarly comprises a split purlin arrangement comprising the outer purlin 105 and the inner purlin 106. However, due to the engineering requirements of Z purlins requiring Z purlins to be continuous members, a splice plate 121 spans between the outer and inner purlins 105, 106.
[64] During installation, the fitter need only provide a 3mm wide, straight cut to accommodate the splice plate 121 which is generally of generally 3mm in thickness.
[65] Furthermore, the wall sheeting 101 extends up between the outer and inner purlins 105, 106.
[66] As such, if embers are blown towards the external dividing wall 101 and up to the external purlin 105, the embers should be deflected and extinguished.
[67] Figures 4 C and D show a single rafter transition 800 ember control at a side wall connection. The single rafter transition 800 is suitable for use with Z-section purlins (Z100, Z150, Z200, Z250) and can be used for all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, 2026205157 30 Jun 2026 C250, C300, C350, and C400). The transition 800 can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs as roof shape / direction is inconsequential to design.
[68] Figures 5 A and B show a back-to-back rafter arrangement 90 for ember control along roof span suitable for use with Z-section purlins (Z100, Z150, Z200, Z250) and all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400) which can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs.
[69] Figures 5 C and D show a back-to-back column transition 900 for ember control at a side wall connection suitable for use with Z-section purlins (Z100, Z150, Z200, Z250), all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400) and which can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs as roof shape / direction is inconsequential to design.
[70] Figures 6A and B show a single rafter transition 1000 for ember control along a roof span suitable for use with nested (in line) C section purlins (C100, C150, C200, C250), all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400) and which can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs.
[71] The transition 1000 works similar to transition 700 but wherein a custom right-angle bracket 123 (similar to standard general-purpose bracket (GPB bracket)) is used instead of a splice plate 121. Similarly, the fitter only needs to provide a 3mm wide, straight cut to accommodate the bracket 123 - the custom bracket is generally 3mm in thickness.
[72] Figure 6 C and D show a single column arrangement 1100 for ember control at a side wall connection suitable for use with C section purlins (C100, C150, C200, C250), for all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400) and which can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs as roof shape / direction is inconsequential to design.
[73] Figures 7 A and B show a double rafter arrangement 1200 for ember control along roof span suitable for use with nested (in line) C section purlins (C100, C150, C200, C250), for all current C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400) and which can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs.
[74] Arrangement 1200 is similar to transition 700 except that a custom bracket (similar to a standard GPB bracket) is substituted in place of the splice plate 121. Similarly, the fitter only needs to provide a 3mm wide, straight cut to accommodate the plate as the custom bracket is generally 3mm in thickness.
[75] Figure 7 C and D show a double column arrangement for ember control at a side wall connection suitable for use with C section purlins (C100, C150, C200, C250), for all current 2026205157 30 Jun 2026 C-section rafter sizes (C100, C150, C200, C250, C300, C350, and C400) and which can be used for pitched or skillion roof designs as roof shape / direction is inconsequential to design.
[76] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.
[77] The term “approximately” or similar as used herein should be construed as being within 10% of the value stated unless otherwise indicated.
Claims
1. An ember attack resistant wall transition across wall sheeting, the wall transition comprising:inner and outer sheeting rail members adjoining at the wall sheeting; anda joiner joining adjacent ends of the inner and outer sheeting rail members, the joiner having a planar section;wherein the wall sheeting extends up between the inner and outer sheeting rail members; andwherein an upper edge of the wall sheeting comprises a narrow notch such that the wall sheeting closely conforms to either side of the planar section.
2. The wall transition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheeting rail members are purlins.
3. The wall transition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheeting rail members are girts.
4. The wall transition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheeting rail members comprise Z-section profiles.
5. The wall transition as claimed in claim 4, wherein the joiner comprises a splice plate joining distal ends of the inner and outer sheeting rail members.
6. The wall transition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the splice plate spans between the inner and outer sheeting rail members.
7. The wall transition as claimed in claim 5, wherein the narrow notch comprises a straight cut.
8. The wall transition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the straight cut is approximately 3 mm wide.
9. The wall transition as claimed in claim 5, wherein there is a tolerance of less than 3 mm between the wall sheeting and the splice plate.2026205157 30 Jun 202610. The wall transition as claimed in claim 4, wherein the Z-section profiles comprise at least one of Z100, Z150, Z200 and Z250 Z-section profile types.
11. The wall transition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheeting rail members comprise nested in-line C-section profiles.
12. The wall transition as claimed in claim 11, wherein the joiner comprises at least one right-angled bracket joining the adjacent ends of the inner and outer sheeting rail members.
13. The wall transition as claimed in claim 12, wherein the right-angled bracket is a customright-angle bracket.
14. The wall transition as claimed in claim 12, wherein the narrow notch comprises astraight cut.
15. The wall transition as claimed in claim 14, wherein the straight cut is approximately 3mm wide.
16. The wall transition as claimed in claim 11, wherein the C-section profiles comprise atleast one of C100, C150, C200 and C250 C-section profile types.
17. The wall transition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wall transition is a roof spantransition.
18. The wall transition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wall transition is a side wall connection transition.
19. The wall transition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wall transition is part of a pitched roof building design.
20. The wall transition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wall transition is part of a skillion roof building design.