FIRE PROTECTION DEVICE

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of protection of equipment such as cable trays, pipes, electrical boxes or valves, or protection of partitions by fire protection means comprising an intumescent material. Prior art

[0002] The protection of devices such as cable trays has been carried out since the 1980s using technical thermal insulation products with refractory fibers using alkaline earth materials such as alumina-silicate which are used in particular in high-temperature industrial furnace installations, for example for the heat treatment of steels or others. These insulating products have the particularity of having a very high melting point of around 1300 to 1450°C and very good mechanical strength, high fire resistance and low shrinkage almost up to their melting temperature.

[0003] An example of fire protection using an insulating fibrous material of this type is known from document FR2973252 A1 in the name of the applicant. Other fire-resistant devices are known from documents GB 2388651 A or US 2006 / 138251 A1 for example. Technical problem

[0004] For buildings with high-pressure pipes, such as nuclear reactor buildings, the use of fibrous products should be avoided, however, because if such a pipe breaks, a powerful jet can destroy the protection of the cable trays and carry away the fibers which risk clogging the filters used in such buildings.

[0005] Furthermore, fire protection systems using insulating fibrous materials limit the dissipation of heat produced by power cables and require ventilation devices that increase the weight and bulk of the systems. Similarly, these solutions are inconvenient to install, particularly due to the emission of irritating fibers into the air, and require the use of chemical components, such as ceramic adhesives, which are not without danger for the operators who handle them.

[0006] These technical products based on alkaline-earth-alumina-silicate (AES) refractory fibres are therefore prohibited in EPR (European pressurized reactor) and VVER (water-water power reactor) type reactor buildings.

[0007] There is also a fire protection material on the market, a fabric (from the HAPUFLAM brand) resembling a 5x5 mm mesh screen impregnated with an intumescent product, but which has the disadvantage of being non-waterproof, not very flexible and not very fire-resistant.

[0008] The use of intumescent products for such applications is growing and in particular document EP 3 799 935 A1 proposes a fire protection blanket, suitable for covering cable trays, pipes or other equipment to be protected from fire, comprising a fabric forming a support for an intumescent product and describes more particularly a fire protection blanket which comprises a first layer consisting of a fabric of a material in particular a glass fabric resistant to heat above 500°C or a fabric with meta-aramid fibers and a second layer consisting of an intumescent material such as a silicone or other intumescent acrylic, epoxy or PVC material, said intumescent material containing graphite and / or silicate fillers.This document also proposes an installation method whereby cover plates are superimposed in a staggered pattern on elements to be protected in several thicknesses, and arranged non-contiguous so that spaces are left between these superimposed plates. Summary

[0009] It is necessary to improve the fire resistance of fire protection devices for equipment or walls and the present disclosure proposes to this end a fire protection device comprising a first mattress and a second mattress each provided with a first face provided with a layer of intumescent material, such that said mattresses are arranged in two thicknesses on a wall to be protected or around equipment to be protected, the first mattress covering said equipment, the second mattress being positioned on separating elements positioned on the first mattress, these separating elements defining a free space between the first and second mattresses, for which said free space is of a thickness adapted to allow the expansion of the alveolar carbonaceous residue called char produced by said intumescent material of the first mattress during exposure to fire of the device arranged around said equipment.

[0010] The device is applicable to elongated equipment, for example a cable tray or box-shaped equipment, such as an electrical cabinet, an electrical box, or equipment such as a valve or an element that is potentially combustible or liable to be damaged in a fire. This device has the advantage of providing good protection while maintaining limited weight.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the second mattress is arranged with its first face facing the first mattress and the free space is of a thickness adapted to allow the expansion of the alveolar carbonaceous residue called char produced by said intumescent material of each of said first and second mattresses during exposure to fire of the device arranged around said equipment or on said equipment.

[0012] This embodiment improves fire resistance and prevents the intumescent material of the second mattress from being degraded by thermal convection and flames outside the device.

[0013] This device is easy to implement, of reasonable weight and size while offering significant fire protection.

[0014] Preferably, the free space is a space of fixed thickness between the two mattresses, around the perimeter of the equipment to be protected or opposite the wall to be protected, and the separating elements are produced by means of spacers of a height defining the thickness of the free space and mechanically fixed to a frame forming part of an envelope of said equipment or attached to said equipment or said wall.

[0015] The free space between the mattresses constitutes a volume that the intumescent material will fill when the device is exposed to the heat of a fire, this material thus forming an effective barrier for a duration determined by a fire protection standard.

[0016] According to alternative or complementary embodiments: the equipment to be protected being a cable tray covered by the device or a parallelepiped box on which the device is positioned, the spacers can be fixed on first studs fixed on said frame at the level of lateral parts of first opposite faces of said equipment and extend beyond said first faces to produce a cantilevered part defining the thickness of the free space between said mattresses parallel to second faces of said equipment perpendicular to said first faces.the equipment to be protected being a cable tray covered by the device or a parallelepiped housing on which the device is positioned, the frame may comprise crosspieces carrying the first studs arranged on the equipment, said studs passing through a first layer of mattress and producing, with complementary fixing means such as nut / washer assemblies or self-locking washers, means for fixing said spacers. the equipment to be protected being a cable tray covered by the device or a parallelepiped housing on which the device is positioned, the frame may comprise a grid on which are fixed plates carrying said first studs, said first studs passing through a first layer of mattress and producing, with complementary fixing means such as nut / washer assemblies or self-locking washers, means for fixing said spacers.

[0017] Said spacers may comprise a first plate resting on the first mattress, pierced with at least one hole for receiving a first stud, said first fixing plate comprising at least a first end provided with an upright extending perpendicular to said first plate and itself ending in a second plate extending parallel to said first plate and on which the second mattress rests.

[0018] The device may be adapted to protect a wall and comprise third studs fixed to the wall, passing through the first mattress and receiving spacers adapted to keep the second mattress spaced from the first mattress by a distance forming said free space.

[0019] Said mattresses may comprise a second face provided with a textile support for fixing said layer of intumescent material. The textile support may use glass fibers, synthetic fibers, ceramic fibers, carbon fibers or even a metal mesh. The fixing of the intumescent material on the textile support may be carried out by coating, gluing or calendering.

[0020] Said textile material may be covered on its face opposite its face receiving the intumescent material with a finishing coating made using a heat-ceramic and / or decontaminable material.

[0021] The device may comprise a third mattress comprising an endothermic material disposed between the first mattress and the device or between the first mattress and the second mattress.

[0022] A layer of fire-resistant material may be placed between the first mattress and the device.

[0023] The present disclosure further relates to a method of protecting equipment or a wall by means of a device as described above and which comprises: a. - a step of laying a first mattress covering said equipment or said wall and provided with a layer of intumescent material on a first face of the mattress opposite a second face of the mattress in contact with the equipment or the wall; b. - a step of laying separating elements defining a free space; c. - a step of laying a second mattress on the separating elements, said second mattress having its first face provided with a layer of intumescent material facing the first face of the first mattress.

[0024] The method may comprise, prior to the installation of the first mattress, the installation on the wall or the fitting of a supporting frame with studs, for which during the installation of the first mattress the studs pass through said first mattress, for which the separating elements in the form of spacers are fixed on the studs and for which the second mattress is fixed on the spacers by means of holding plates and fixing means passing through the second mattress.

[0025] The method may include the installation of connecting rods to secure two by two the spacers arranged on two opposite faces of the equipment.

[0026] In the case where the spacers on the same face are separated, the process may include the installation of ties to secure two by two the spacers arranged on the same face of the equipment.

[0027] Features of the device are set forth in the appended claims. Brief description of the drawings

[0028] This disclosure will be better understood upon reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments accompanied by the drawings which represent: In figure 1 : An exploded perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure; In figure 2 : An exploded perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure; In figure 3 : A front sectional view of the example of the figure 2 ; In figure 4 : A cutaway perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure; In Figure 5 : A cutaway perspective view of an example mattress according to the present disclosure; In figure 6 : a perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure; Figures 7A and 7B: front views of additional exemplary embodiments of a device of the present disclosure. Detailed description of embodiments

[0029] The present disclosure relates to a fire protection device comprising, as shown in particular in figure 1 , a first mattress 1 and a second mattress 2 each provided with a first face 1a, 2a provided with a layer of intumescent material 21. Such an intumescent material is a material which swells to at least five to ten times its thickness when exposed to fire and which produces a carbonaceous alveolar carbonization residue (called char in English). Such a material is made for example from a silicone elastomer, in particular crosslinkable by polycondensation or polyaddition, or another type of elastomer, such as polyurethane, acrylic, flexible PVC or other, formulated so as to make it intumescent.

[0030] The intumescent material may include fillers such as expandable graphite, hydrated silicates traditionally used for this purpose, or ammonium polyphosphates, melamine and pentaerythritol.

[0031] According to the Figure 5 the mattresses comprise at least two layers, the layer of intumescent material 21 and a layer of textile support 20 with high thermal resistance.

[0032] The textile support layer 20 of the intumescent material is for example a textile such as a glass textile for fixing said layer of intumescent material. The intumescent material can be fixed on the support by coating, gluing or calendering.

[0033] The textile support can also be made with synthetic fibers, ceramic fibers, carbon fibers or even a metal mesh.

[0034] The first intumescent mattress 1 or internal mattress in direct contact with the equipment to be protected, presents its intumescent face towards the outside in order to allow free expansion of the tank. The intumescent mattress of the second mattress or external mattress can be arranged with the intumescent face either towards the inside or towards the outside. However, a preferred configuration will be that described in the figure 1 where the intumescent layers 1a, 2a of the first and second mattresses are opposite each other so that the textile face of the second mattress or external mattress 2 is facing outwards. This configuration has three advantages: avoid direct exposure of the char to furnace erosion, particularly if the mineral textile support is covered with a ceramifiable finishing coating, i.e. a material that creates a ceramic layer when exposed to fire; better control the expansion of the char thanks to the barrier properties of the textile support; increase the mechanical resistance of the char thanks to the compaction effect induced by the convergent expansion of the intumescent material of each mattress.

[0035] In the single-coated configuration, one of the faces of the textile is coated with the intumescent layer. This can be of variable thickness. In the double-coated configuration, the face of the textile layer opposite its face receiving the intumescent material is covered by a second layer 22 which can be an intumescent layer or a finishing coating, preferably decontaminable and / or ceramifiable.

[0036] The finishing layer of the second mattress facing outwards can be made with a decontaminable silicone elastomer material for example, or a ceramifiable material which can be decontaminated, such as a material containing mineral fillers for example silicate salts, carbonates, metal oxides in a silicone binder or an endothermic material in particular metal hydrates in a silicone elastomer binder. The ceramifiable layer is advantageous because at high temperatures it leads to the formation of a more compact ceramic barrier and is therefore capable of better protecting the tank against thermal erosion.

[0037] The finishing layer of the first mattress facing the equipment can, however, be covered with a different material, for example a fire-resistant material or an endothermic material.

[0038] The device may also include an additional mattress comprising an endothermic or thermally insulating material which may be laid in the form of plates 50, as in Figure 7A , arranged either between the device and the first mattress or as shown in Figure 7B an additional mattress, here in the form of plates 51, comprising an endothermic material between the first and second mattresses. In this example, the plates 51 are held by the spacers and the studs 4 for the upper and lower plates and by links such as metal links for the side plates. Arranging a layer of plates of endothermic material between the two mattresses has the advantage of allowing, during the release of water vapor during the degradation of this endothermic material exposed to heat, to delay the carbonization of the layers of intumescent material and thus to extend the duration of effectiveness of the protection.

[0039] As seen above, the textile support can include a metal mesh, particularly steel, which improves the mechanical and dimensional stability at high temperature of the carbon protection as well as that of the protected element - in particular cable trays which tend to flex with increasing temperature.

[0040] As part of the figure 1, the mattresses are arranged in two thicknesses around a piece of equipment 100 to be protected, such as a cable tray. The first faces 1a, 2a of the mattresses 1 and 2 are arranged opposite each other and are separated by a free space e by means of separating elements 61. The free space is of a thickness adapted to allow the expansion of the alveolar carbonaceous residue or char produced by said intumescent material of each of the mattresses during exposure to fire of the device arranged around said equipment. This space can be defined to limit the expansion of the material so as to make the char denser.

[0041] A configuration in which the intumescent material of the second mattress is facing outwards from the device may be envisaged and in this case the height of the free space is reduced to accommodate the expansion of the intumescent material of the first mattress only.

[0042] The free space is a space of fixed thickness between the two layers, on the periphery of the equipment to be protected or opposite the wall to be protected and the separating elements 61 are here produced by means of spacers comprising tabs 61a resting on the first mattress at the level of first opposite faces of the cable tray, uprights 61b, of height defining the thickness of the free space, in a direction perpendicular to said first faces, and a plate 61c parallel to said first faces, extending transversely relative to a longitudinal direction of the cable tray and of length such that the spacers protrude transversely to this longitudinal direction on each side of the cable tray to transversely separate the second mattress from the first mattress along two second opposite faces of the cable tray perpendicular to said first faces.

[0043] According to this embodiment, the separating elements are mechanically fixed to a frame 3 made by crosspieces attached to the cable tray.

[0044] The crosspieces support first studs 4 fixed to the crosspieces near the longitudinal edges of the first opposite faces 101a, 101b. To fix the spacers, the first studs pass through the first mattress 1 and are received in holes 61d in the spacers, additional fixing means 5 such as washers and nuts or self-locking washers ensuring the connection between the studs and the spacers.

[0045] The spacers 61 arranged on an upper face of the cable tray are secured two by two to the spacers 61' arranged under a lower face of the cable tray by means of rods 11, for example threaded rods held by nuts 12 tightening the spacers together around the cable tray.

[0046] Once the first mattress and the spacers are installed, the second mattress 2 is positioned on the spacers which maintain the spacing between the mattresses all around the cable tray. To fix the second mattress, second studs 7 secured to the spacers pass through the second mattress which is held by plates 9 and additional fixing means such as self-locking washers 8 or nuts screwed onto the studs which can in particular be threaded.

[0047] In the example of the figure 2 , the sleepers 3 of the figure 1 are replaced by a lattice 31 on which the first studs 4 are fixed, the latter can comprise for this purpose a base 41 in the form of a plate shown in figure 3 coming to block under the trellis or a foot welded on the trellis or any other means of securing with the trellis.

[0048] Furthermore, the spacers 6 are here separate spacers arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cable tray, at the four corners of the cable tray. Here again, said first studs 4 pass through a first layer of mattress and, with complementary fixing means 5 such as nut / washer assemblies or self-locking washers, provide means for fixing said spacers.

[0049] The spacers 6 comprise a first plate 6a resting on the first mattress, pierced with at least one hole 601 for receiving a first stud, said first fixing plate comprising at least a first end provided with an upright 6b extending perpendicular to said first plate and itself ending in a second plate 6c extending parallel to said first plate and on which the second mattress rests.

[0050] To hold the spacers together, rods 11 such as threaded rods and nuts 12 secure the spacers arranged on an upper face and under a lower face in pairs.

[0051] Likewise, the spacers facing each other on the same face are connected by a link 10 such as a rigid metal wire which provides support for the second mattress 2 which will surround the cable tray over the spacers, leaving between the two mattresses the space e allowing the expansion of the carbon residue.

[0052] In the case of the figure 4, said mattresses are arranged in two thicknesses on a wall 110 to be protected. Here too the faces 1a, 2a of intumescent material of the mattresses are arranged opposite each other and are separated by a free space e by means of separating elements in the form of cylindrical spacers 62 arranged on studs 5 passing through the first mattress 1 held on the studs by fixing means 5 such as self-locking washers or nut / washer assemblies or any other locking means suitable for holding the mattress in position on the studs.

[0053] In this embodiment, the spacers can also be connected by rods or links not shown to improve the support of the second mattress. The second mattress is held on the spacers by means of plates 9 retained by holding means 8 such as self-locking washers.

[0054] According to the figure 6, the mattresses are arranged in two thicknesses around a box-type equipment. In this case, the box is for example placed on the ground and covered with the first and second mattresses on five of its faces., the first faces of the mattresses 1, 2 are here also arranged opposite each other and separated by a free space e by means of separating elements produced by spacers 6 similar to those of the embodiment of the figure 2, said free space e here also being of a thickness adapted to allow the expansion of the alveolar carbonaceous residue called char produced by said intumescent material during exposure to fire of the device arranged around said equipment. The mattresses comprise several flaps cut so as to surround all the accessible faces of the housing and the spacers are arranged on opposite faces of the housing on the first mattress 1 in the number necessary to maintain the spacing of the second mattress 2 relative to the first mattress. In this configuration, plates 9 are also arranged on the second mattress and fixed on second studs to hold the second mattress in position.

[0055] Back to the figure 2 , the device may comprise an additional mattress 30, in particular a mattress comprising an endothermic or thermally insulating material above the second mattress.

[0056] The method of protecting equipment with the device described may include: a step of laying a first mattress 1 covering said equipment 100 or said wall 110 and provided with a layer 1a of intumescent material on a first face of the mattress opposite a second face 1b of the mattress facing the equipment or the wall; a step of laying separating elements defining a free space; a step of laying a second mattress on the separating elements, said second mattress comprising its first face provided with a layer of intumescent material facing the first face of the first mattress.

[0057] Prior to the installation of the first mattress, the method may include the installation on the wall or the equipment of a supporting frame of studs, in particular crosspieces 3 which may be equipped with said studs or a trellis 31 with which the studs are assembled.

[0058] When laying the first mattress, the dowels pass through the first mattress, in which holes or slots for the dowels to pass through are provided.

[0059] The separating elements in the form of elongated spacers 61 as in figure 1 , 6 U-shaped spacers as in figure 2 or cylindrical spacers 62 as in figure 2 , are fixed on the studs and the second mattress is fixed on the spacers by means of holding plates and fixing means passing through the second mattress.

[0060] Before installing the second mattress, the spacers arranged on a first face of the equipment and the spacers arranged on a second face of the equipment opposite the first face can be joined two by two by connecting rods which hold the spacers in place.

[0061] Likewise, the spacers on the same side when they are separated can be connected two by two by a link 7 which will serve to hold them but also serve as support for the second mattress.

[0062] In summary, this disclosure relates to an intumescent fire protection system designed around a mechanical device adaptable and adjustable around the element to be protected for which: The mechanical device consists of a frame, spacers and attachment parts which can be metallic, ceramic, composite or even plastic; This device allows the stacking of at least two thicknesses of intumescent mattresses by generating a separation between them; The separation between two thicknesses is an air gap of a specified and adjustable height allowing the free expansion of the intumescent material; The intumescent mattress is a single or multi-layer consisting of at least one intumescent layer and a textile support; The textile is of high thermal resistance, for example a glass fabric.It can be reinforced by means of a metal frame, in particular steel, to increase the stability of the assembly; The intumescent mattress can also comprise, on the face of the textile support opposite the layer of intumescent material described above, another intumescent layer, an ablative layer or a ceramifiable and / or decontaminable finishing layer which will be found on the outside of the protective device; The basic constituent of the layers of the intumescent mattress (excluding textile) can be a silicone elastomer, in particular crosslinkable by polycondensation or polyaddition.

[0063] The examples described do not limit the protection claimed and in particular, as stated above, at least a third mattress may be arranged above or below the protective device described to increase the fire protection of the equipment.

Claims

1. Fire protection device comprising a first mattress (1) and a second mattress (2) each provided with a first face (1a, 2a) provided with a layer of intumescent material (21), characterised in that said mattresses (1, 2) are disposed on two thicknesses over a wall (110) to be protected or around a piece of equipment (100) to be protected, for example a cable tray or a housing, the first mattress (1) covering said equipment (100) or said wall (110), the second mattress (2) being positioned on separating elements (6, 61, 62) positioned on the first mattress, these separating elements defining a free space (e) between the first and the second mattress, wherein said free space (e) has a thickness adapted to enable the expansion of the alveolar carbonaceous residue known as char produced by said intumescent material of the first mattress when exposed to fire of the device disposed around said equipment, said free space being a space with a fixed thickness between the two mattresses, over the circumference of the equipment to be protected or opposite the wall to be protected, and wherein the separating elements (6, 61) are made by means of height spacers defining the thickness of the free space and mechanically attached to a frame (3, 31) part of a casing of said equipment or attached to said equipment or said wall.

2. Fire protection device according to claim 1, wherein the second mattress is disposed with its first face (2a) facing the first mattress and wherein the free space (e) is of a thickness adapted to allow the expansion of the alveolar carbonaceous residue known as char produced by said intumescent material of the first mattress and of the second mattress when the device disposed around or on said equipment is exposed to fire.

3. Fire protection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the equipment to be protected being a cable tray covered by the device or a parallelepipedic housing on which the device is positioned, the spacers are fastened on first studs (4) fastened on said frame (3, 31) at lateral sides of first opposite faces (101a, 101b) of said equipment and extend beyond edges of said first faces to create a cantilevered portion defining the thickness of the free space between said mattresses parallel to second faces (102a, 102b) of said equipment perpendicular to said first faces (101a, 101b).

4. Fire protection device according to claim 3, wherein, the equipment to be protected being a cable tray covered by the device or a parallelepipedic housing on which the device is positioned, the frame comprises cross members (3) carrying the first studs (4) disposed on the equipment, said first studs passing through a first layer of mattress and creating, together with complementary fastening means (5) such as nut / washer assemblies or self-locking washers, means for fastening said spacers.

5. Fire protection device according to claim 3, wherein, the equipment to be protected being a cable tray covered by the device or a parallelepipedic housing on which the device is positioned, the frame comprises a grid (31) on which pads (41) carrying said first studs (4) are fastened, said first studs (4) passing through a first layer of mattress and creating, together with complementary fastening means (5) such as nut / washer assemblies or self-locking washers, means for fastening said spacers.

6. Protection device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said spacers comprise a first plate (6a) bearing on the first mattress, drilled with at least one hole (601) for receiving a first stud (4), said first fastening plate comprising at least one first end provided with a post (6b) extending perpendicularly to said first plate and terminating in a second plate (6c) extending parallel to said first plate and on which the second mattress bears.

7. Protective device according to claim 6, wherein said second mattress is held by means of second studs (7) derived from said second plate and implementing, with plates (9) and additional fastening means, means for fastening said second mattress.

8. Protective device according to claim 1 or 2 adapted to protect a wall (110), comprising third studs (42) attached to the wall, passing through the first mattress (1) and receiving spacers (62) adapted to keep the second mattress (2) apart from the first mattress (1) by a distance forming said free space.

9. Protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said mattresses comprises a second face provided with a textile support (20) for fastening said layer of intumescent material (21).

10. Protective device according to claim 9, wherein said textile is covered over its face opposite to its face receiving the intumescent material with a finish coating (22) made by means of a heat-ceramisable and / or decontaminable material.

11. Protective device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a third mattress (50) comprising an endothermic material disposed between the first mattress and the device or between the first mattress and the second mattress.

12. Protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a layer of fire-retardant material between the first mattress and the device to be protected.

13. Method for protecting an item of equipment or a wall by means of a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises: - a step of laying a first mattress (1) covering said equipment (100) or said wall (110) and provided with a layer of intumescent material on a first face (1a) of the mattress opposite a second face (1b) of the mattress facing the equipment or the wall; - a step of laying separating elements (6, 61, 62) defining a free space; - a step of laying a second mattress (2) on the separating elements14. Method according to claim 13, wherein said second mattress comprises its first face (2a) provided with a layer of intumescent material facing the first face (1a) of the first mattress.

15. Method for protecting equipment according to claim 14, comprising, prior to laying the first mattress, laying on the wall or equipping a frame (3, 31) carrying first studs (4), wherein, upon laying the first mattress, the first studs (4) pass through said first mattress, wherein the separating elements (6, 61, 62) in the form of spacers are fastened to the first studs (4) and wherein the second mattress is fastened to the separating elements by means of retaining plates and fastening means (7) passing through the second mattress.