Fire protection element with bimetal

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fire protection element and a method for sealing a combustible body penetrating an opening in a wall or ceiling in the event of a fire using the fire protection element.

[0002] To prevent the spread of fire or smoke in buildings, penetrations in ceilings or walls, such as those containing pipes or cables, must be able to be sealed in the event of a fire. Building components containing an intumescent material can be used for this purpose. In the event of a fire, the intumescent material expands due to the rising temperature and seals the opening, thus preventing or at least delaying the spread of smoke or fire through it.

[0003] The intumescent material is often used in the form of fire-resistant inserts, which are installed as bandages or strips within the wall or as collars in front of the wall. The fire-resistant insert is usually attached to a housing or fabric made of, for example, plastic, fiberglass, or metal.

[0004] The problem is that the commonly used intumescent materials, such as expandable graphite, have a comparatively high activation temperature of over 150 °C. Particularly in the case of low-melting-point pipes, for example those made of polypropylene, this can lead to the pipe being melted away before the intumescent material can seal the pipe opening.

[0005] To address this problem, fire protection devices are known that provide an additional mechanical seal for a pipe. For example, AU 2018 217 245 A1 describes a system in which several springs, held by a low-melting-point tab, are used to mechanically compress the pipe in the event of a fire, in addition to an intumescent material.

[0006] In DE 10 2004 014 347 B4, lamellar barrier elements made of bimetallic material are used, which are arranged rolled up around the pipe and unroll in case of fire in order to close the opening in an iris-like manner.

[0007] All these solutions have in common that they are expensive to manufacture and only ensure a secure seal at elevated temperatures. At the same time, the established fire protection solutions, when using additional mechanical elements such as springs, require a lot of space, which complicates installation.

[0008] JP S63 197470 A discloses a fire protection element for sealing a combustible body penetrating an opening in a wall or ceiling in the event of a fire, wherein the fire protection element has a band-shaped support from which tongues project transversely to its longitudinal direction at the edges, which are connected to the band-shaped support. EP 0 890 372 A2 discloses a self-closing fire protection device for sealing off a duct in a ventilation and / or air conditioning system, wherein the individual sealing elements have a coating formed from a foaming agent. DE 295 11 265 U1 discloses a fire protection device for sealing off a ventilation duct in the event of a fire using a fire-resistant compound, wherein rods or segments form a retention device for the fire-resistant compound in its foamed state. Strips of a heat-sensitive memory metal or bimetal may also be provided.

[0009] One objective of the invention is therefore to provide a cost-effective and simply constructed fire protection element that can close an opening at an early stage in the event of a fire.

[0010] The object of the invention is achieved by a fire protection element for sealing a combustible body penetrating an opening in a wall or ceiling in the event of a fire, wherein the fire protection element has a band-shaped support from which tongues project transversely to its longitudinal direction at the edges, which are connected to the band-shaped support, wherein at least a substantial part of the tongues is formed from a bimetallic material which can move in one direction under the influence of heat, and wherein at least on one side of the tongues a fire protection material is applied.

[0011] The use of a bimetal has the advantage that the tongues of the fire protection element can move even at slightly elevated temperatures and thus begin to close the opening as soon as the combustible material begins to soften. The temperature at which this movement occurs and the force with which it is performed can be adjusted by selecting a specific bimetal. It is essential to the invention that a substantial portion of the tongues is formed from a bimetal, where "substantial portion of the tongues" means that at least 50% of the tongues, preferably at least 75%, and more preferably at least 90% of the tongues are formed from a bimetal. It is particularly preferred that all tongues of the fire protection element are formed from a bimetal.

[0012] Since the bimetal itself actively moves towards the center of the softening flammable material, the opening is mechanically closed by the tongues. If at least the tongues of the fire protection element are additionally coated with a fire-resistant material, this material can be actively moved towards the center of the opening by the movement of the bimetal, thus bringing it closer to the opening exposed by the flammable material and requiring closure. If the fire is already entering the opening from the other side of the wall, the fire-resistant material is moved towards the heat source and thus exposed to an increased temperature, causing it to activate sooner. Therefore, the tongues, as carriers of the fire-resistant material, actively support the closure of the opening in the event of a fire. Additionally, the bimetal prevents the transmission of heat radiation or at least reduces its transmission.

[0013] The fire-resistant material can be applied to both sides of the tongues and to the strip-shaped support, preferably only to both sides of the tongues, and particularly preferably only to the side of the tongues with the lower coefficient of thermal expansion. In this way, a sufficient quantity of fire-resistant material can be applied with minimal material usage, depending on the combustible material used, for example, a pipe. In particular, the fire-resistant material applied to the side of the tongues with the lower coefficient of thermal expansion is effectively moved to the center of the opening by the movement of the tongues and is additionally covered by them.

[0014] By manufacturing the band-shaped support and the tongues as a single piece, a particularly simple and compact design can be achieved. For example, a bimetallic strip of sufficient length can be cut at regular intervals to create a fire protection element in which the support and the tongues are made from a single piece of bimetal.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the tongues can be separated from each other by slots. This ensures that the fire protection element can be fitted as a sleeve, for example around a pipe, without the tongues necessarily having to overlap.

[0016] To guarantee a sufficient seal of the opening, the tongues can be arranged without gaps. This ensures that a tongue is in contact at every point of the pipe.

[0017] Designing the tongues in the form of rectangles allows for a particularly simple and cost-effective manufacturing method for the fire protection element.

[0018] Early closure of the opening can be achieved if the tongues begin to move at a temperature of 100 °C, preferably at a temperature of 60 °C and particularly preferably at a temperature of 40 °C, in order to exert a force on the combustible body.

[0019] Preferably, the tongues reach their final position at a temperature of no more than 250 °C, particularly preferably at a temperature of no more than 200 °C, and even more preferably at a temperature of no more than 150 °C. This ensures that the fire-resistant material is already in the center of the opening before it is activated.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the tongues, starting from their initial position, can bend by more than 20°, preferably more than 90°, but less than 135°. In this way, in the event of a fire, the tongues themselves mechanically close the opening exposed by the decomposition of the combustible material. At the same time, however, they do not bend so far as to reopen the opening.

[0021] The fire-resistant material applied to the tongues can be selected from the group consisting of intumescent materials, in particular expanded graphite, fire-resistant coatings, fire-resistant foam, in particular polyurethane-based foams, and ablative coatings, in particular aluminum trihydrate, and combinations thereof. Alternatively or additionally to expanded graphite, the intumescent material can contain a melamine-based blowing agent, an acid-forming agent, for example ammonium polyphosphate, and an ash-forming agent, for example one or more polyalcohols. In this way, a suitable fire-resistant material can be selected depending on the type of combustible material.

[0022] When using expanded graphite as a fire-resistant material, the resulting arrangement involves the expanded graphite sealing the opening and being further stabilized mechanically by the tongues. This approach generally allows for the use of less fire-resistant material, as sufficiently effective sealing properties of the fire-resistant element can still be achieved.

[0023] Different fire-resistant materials can be applied to one or both sides of the tongues and / or the ribbon-shaped support, selected from the group consisting of intumescent materials, in particular expanded graphite, fire-resistant coatings, fire-resistant foam, in particular polyurethane-based, and ablative coatings, in particular aluminum trihydrate, and combinations thereof. This allows the fire-resistant element to be tailored to a specific requirement.

[0024] The strip-shaped support and / or the tongues can be provided with an additional coating, preferably an adhesive coating and / or a colored coating. An adhesive coating, for example, improves the adhesion of the applied fire-resistant material to the fire-resistant element. It is particularly advantageous if at least one side of the fire-resistant element is provided with a colored coating. This allows, for example, the side with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion to be color-coded, which should be the side facing the center of the opening, in order to ensure correct installation.

[0025] To further improve the fire protection properties, the fire protection element can include an additional fire protection strip arranged on the carrier and / or the tongues, wherein the fire protection strip comprises a fire protection material selected from the group consisting of intumescent material, in particular expanded graphite, fire-resistant coatings, fire-resistant foam, in particular polyurethane foam, and ablative coatings, in particular aluminum trihydrate, and combinations thereof. In this way, additional fire protection layers can be provided, which additionally ensure the closure of the opening in the event of a fire.

[0026] The invention further relates to a method for sealing a combustible body penetrating an opening in a wall or ceiling in the event of a fire, wherein a fire protection element according to the invention is first provided. The fire protection element is then inserted into the opening in the wall or ceiling, with the tongues protruding at least partially from the opening and surrounding the combustible body. In this way, the tongues are exposed to rapid heating in the event of a fire and begin to move towards the opening to be sealed, even before the combustible body has completely decomposed. Furthermore, this allows for early activation of the fire protection material applied to the tongues.

[0027] According to a first embodiment of the method, the fire protection element can be inserted into a gap formed between the wall or ceiling and the combustible body already placed in the opening and fixed in place by adhesive. Alternatively, the fire protection element can be inserted into the opening and secured therein before the combustible body is placed in the opening.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the fire protection element can be attached to the combustible body by means of a locking element, a wire, metal cable tie, or adhesive, and inserted into the opening in the ceiling or wall together with the combustible body. This allows for simple and space-saving installation of the fire protection element.

[0029] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and the drawings referred to. These should not, however, be understood in a limiting sense. The drawings show: Figure 1 a top view of a fire protection element according to the invention, Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of a fire protection element according to the invention arranged around a pipeline, wherein the tongues are in a starting position, and Figure 3 a perspective view of a fire protection element according to the invention in its initial position, which is placed around a pipe leading through an opening in a wall.

[0030] In Figure 1 A fire protection element 10 is shown, with a ribbon-shaped support 12, from which tongues 14 project transversely to its longitudinal direction at the edges, which are connected to the ribbon-shaped support 12.

[0031] In the embodiment shown, the ribbon-shaped support 12 and the tongues 14 are made in one piece and formed from a bimetal.

[0032] Alternatively, the ribbon-shaped support 12 and the tongues 14 can be made of different materials. In particular, only the tongues 14 can be made of a bimetal, and the support 12 can be made of a less expensive material, for example, sheet steel.

[0033] The tongues 14 can also be glued, welded, soldered, or screwed to the ribbon-shaped support 12. In an alternative embodiment, the ribbon-shaped support 12 can also include recesses in which the tongues 14 engage and are fastened.

[0034] The individual tongues 14 can have the same or different widths. The widths of the tongues are advantageously selected based on the opening to be closed. Preferably, the tongues therefore have a width of 1 / 3 of the diameter of the opening to be closed, more preferably 1 / 6, and further preferably 1 / 12 or less. Particularly preferably, the tongues have a width of 25 mm.

[0035] In Figure 1 One embodiment is shown in which the tongues 14 are separated from each other by slots 16. In another embodiment, not shown here, the tongues 14 are arranged without any gap between them.

[0036] The tongues 14 are preferably rectangular and arranged parallel to each other. Such an embodiment is relatively easy to manufacture by cutting a bimetallic strip at regular intervals with a suitable cutting tool. In principle, however, other tongue shapes are also conceivable, for example a trapezoidal shape tapering towards the free end of the tongues, in order to enclose the combustible body, preferably a pipe or cable duct, in a desired manner.

[0037] In the Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, a fire-resistant material 18 is applied to the tongues 14. The use of expandable graphite as the fire-resistant material 18 is particularly preferred, as it ensures a good seal and is cost-effective to process.

[0038] Since the tongues 14 are made of a bimetal, they can bend in one direction when the temperature changes. A bimetal consists of two layers of metals with different coefficients of thermal expansion. As a result, when the temperature changes, the bimetal moves in the direction where the metal with the lower coefficient of expansion is located. Accordingly, the fire protection element 10 is installed so that this side of the tongues 14 faces the combustible material or the center of the opening to be closed in the event of a fire.

[0039] This page, which is in Figure 1 The element shown may be provided with an additional color coating, in particular a colored acrylic dispersion, which indicates the correct orientation during the installation of the fire protection element 10.

[0040] An additional adhesive coating can also be provided on at least the tongues 14 before the application of the fire protection material 18, which ensures better adhesion of the fire protection material 18 to the surface of the fire protection element 10.

[0041] In Figure 2 Figure 1 shows a combustible body in the form of a pipe 20 inserted into an opening 22, penetrating a wall 24 shown separately. A fire protection element 10 is arranged around the pipe 20 within a gap 25 between the pipe 20 and the wall 24. The fire protection element 10 comprises several tongues 14 and a coating 26 made of fire-resistant material 18, which points towards the pipe and is applied to the tongues 14. The tongues 14 project at least partially from the wall 24 and surround the pipe 20.

[0042] Instead of the pipe 20, a cable or cable duct may be provided, which is led through the opening 22 in the wall 24.

[0043] The tongues 14 have a small thickness, for example, at most 1 mm. The thickness of the coating 26 made of the fire-resistant material 18 can be selected according to the desired application and is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 4.5 mm. Preferably, however, the coating 26 is at most five times, more preferably three times, and even more preferably twice as thick as the tongues 14.

[0044] In the event of a fire, the pipe 20 heats up until the material of the pipe 20 fails. Particularly with low-melting-point plastic pipes, for example made of polyethylene or polypropylene, the material of the pipe 20 fails at temperatures as low as approximately 130 °C. In this case, the tongues 14 heat up rapidly and move towards the center of the opening 22 exposed by the pipe 20, even if the fire-resistant material 18 has not yet been activated.

[0045] This means that the opening 22 is already mechanically closed at least partially by the tongues 14, so that a cap forms on the opening 22.

[0046] The movement of the tongues 14 moves the fire protection material 18 closer to the center of the opening 22 and exposes it to higher temperatures, so that the activation temperature of the fire protection material 18 is reached.

[0047] For example, if expanded graphite is used as a fire protection material 18, it expands very quickly in the heat and thus, in addition to the tongues 14, closes the opening 22. In this way, a very stable closure is ensured, which is formed on the one hand by the expanded graphite and on the other hand mechanically stabilized by the tongues 14.

[0048] Pipe 20 can also be a conduit. These melt particularly quickly in the event of a fire, so the opening 22 needs to be closed as early as possible. This is made possible by the early activation of the tongues 14 at low temperatures.

[0049] In the Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the fire protection element 10 is placed around the pipe 20 as a fire protection strip. To achieve such an arrangement, a pre-cut and coated bimetallic strip, as shown in Figure 1shown, routed around a pipe 20 and inserted into the opening 22 together with the pipe 20.

[0050] For this purpose, a first side edge 28 of the fire protection element 10 is guided towards a second side edge 30 of the fire protection element 10. The two side edges 28 and 30 can either be, as in Figure 2 shown, arranged side by side, or overlapping.

[0051] The side edges 28 and 30 can be glued together, or closure elements (not shown here) can be attached to the side edges 28 and 30 of the fire protection element 10 and connected together.

[0052] Alternatively, the fire protection element 10 is guided around the pipe 20 and then fixed to it by means of a wire and / or a metal cable tie.

[0053] The attachment of the fire protection element 10 to the pipe 20 can be carried out either when the pipe 20 is already installed inside the opening 22 or before the pipe 20 is inserted into the opening 22.

[0054] It is also conceivable that the strip-shaped support 12 is glued to the pipe 20 and the fire protection element 10 is attached to the pipe 20 in this way. This variant is particularly suitable if the fire protection element 10 is attached to the pipe 20 before the pipe 20 is installed in the opening 22.

[0055] Finally, the fire protection element 10 can first be inserted into the opening 22 and secured therein, for example by gluing, before the pipe 20 is inserted into the opening 22.

[0056] In all embodiments, the fire protection element 10 is mounted in such a way that the tongues 14 protrude at least partially from the wall 24, so that they are exposed to rapid heating in the event of a fire.

[0057] In Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a pipeline 20 with a fire protection element 10 attached around the pipeline 20. In this embodiment, the tongues 14 overlap each other at least partially.

[0058] It also protrudes into Figure 3 At least part of the tongues 14 protrude from the wall 24, while the band-shaped support 12 is completely installed within the wall 24. In this way, secure attachment of the fire protection element 10 is ensured, while the tongues 14 can be heated quickly in the event of a fire, thus ensuring early closure of the opening 22 exposed by the deteriorating pipe 20.

[0059] The fire protection element 10 can, as in Figure 3As shown, it can be mounted in a particularly space-saving manner, as no cuff or fixing is required.

Claims

1. Fire protection element (10) for sealing a combustible body, which penetrates an opening (22) in a wall or ceiling, in the event of a fire, wherein the fire protection element (10) has a belt-shaped carrier (12) from the edge of which tongues (14) protrude transversely to the longitudinal direction of said carrier, which tongues are connected to the belt-shaped carrier (12), wherein at least a significant proportion of the tongues (14) is formed of a bimetal which can move in one direction under the effect of heat, and wherein a fire protection material (18) is applied to at least one side of the tongues (14).

2. Fire protection element according to claim 1, characterized in that the fire protection material (18) is applied to both sides of the tongues (14) and to the carrier (12), preferably only to both sides of the tongues (14) and particularly preferably only to the side of the tongues (14) which has a lower coefficient of expansion.

3. Fire protection element according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the carrier (12) and the tongues (14) are designed in one piece.

4. Fire protection element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongues (14) are separated from one another by slots (16), or in that the tongues (14) are arranged so as to not be spaced apart.

5. Fire protection element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongues (14) are designed in the form of rectangles, preferably in that the tongues (14) are arranged parallel to one another.

6. Fire protection element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongues (14) move starting from a temperature of 100°C, preferably from a temperature of 60°C, and preferably in that the tongues (14) reach an end position at a temperature of at most 250°C.

7. Fire protection element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongues (14), proceeding from the starting position thereof, can achieve a bend of more than 20°, preferably more than 90°, but less than 135° when heated.

8. Fire protection element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement of the tongues (14) is reversible.

9. Fire protection element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fire protection material (18) is selected from the group consisting of intumescent material, in particular expandable graphite, fire protection coatings, fire protection foam, in particular polyurethane-based foam, and ablative coatings, in particular aluminum trihydrate, and combinations thereof.

10. Fire protection element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that different fire protection materials (18) are applied to one or both sides of the tongues (14) and / or to the carrier (12), preferably fire protection materials (18) selected from the group consisting of intumescent material, in particular expandable graphite, fire protection coatings, fire protection foam, in particular polyurethane-based foam, and ablative coatings, in particular aluminum trihydrate, and / or combinations thereof.

11. Fire protection element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (12) and / or the tongues (14) are provided with an additional coating, preferably an adhesive coating and / or a color coating.

12. Fire protection element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fire protection element (10) comprises an additional fire protection wrap which is arranged on the carrier (12) and / or the tongues (14), the fire protection wrap preferably comprising a fire protection material (18) which is selected from the group consisting of intumescent material, in particular expandable graphite, fire protection coatings, fire protection foam, in particular polyurethane-based foam, and ablative coatings, in particular aluminum trihydrate, and / or combinations thereof.

13. Method for sealing a combustible body, preferably a pipeline (20), which penetrates an opening (22) in a wall (24) or ceiling, in the event of a fire, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - providing a fire protection element (10) according to any of the preceding claims; and - introducing the fire protection element (10) into the opening (22), wherein the tongues (14) of the fire protection element (10) protrude at least partially from the opening (22) and enclose the combustible body; wherein the tongues move toward the opening (22) when heated.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that at least the belt-shaped carrier (12) of the fire protection element (10) is slid, between the wall (24) or ceiling and the combustible body, into the opening (22) and is secured therein.

15. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the fire protection element (10) is secured to the combustible body and is inserted into the opening (22) together with said combustible body.