Wall cladding system comprising a heat-actuable mechanism for hindering spread of fire

Abstract

In the field of wall cladding, measures are taken to improve fire safety At least one of the wall panels arrangements (10) of a wall cladding system (100) is under the influence of a heat-actuable mechanism (20) which is actuated in a case of fire. In particular, the heat-actuable mechanism (20) is configured to be put from a default condition to a fire condition under the influence of high temperatures associated with a fire and to thereby cause a combined effect of i) at least partially blocking a ventilation space (6) between the background support (5, 5a) and the wall panel arrangements (10) and / or extending a way up of flames (7) to the ventilation space (6), and ii) directing flames (7) reaching upward outwardly relative to the wall panel arrangements (10). In this way, flames (7) can be hindered in upward displacement in and along the wall cladding system (100).

Description

[0001] Wall cladding system comprising a heat-actuable mechanism for hindering spread of fire

[0002] The invention relates to a wall cladding system comprising wall panel arrangements arranged on a background support and coupled to the background support at a distance from the background support whereby a ventilation space is defined between the background support and the wall panel arrangements, and a heat-actuable mechanism configured to be put from a default condition to a fire condition under the influence of high temperatures associated with a fire.

[0003] The invention is applicable to the field of wall cladding and wall cladding systems. Generally speaking, a wall cladding system is useful to cover a wall such as the exterior wall of a building and normally comprises a plurality of wall panels arranged on the wall in a closely adjoining fashion so as to form a fagade. An important function of the wall cladding system is a decorative function. The wall cladding system can also be functional to achieve further beneficial effects such as insulation and waterproofing.

[0004] A specific type of wall panel is a fiber cement panel. Fiber cement is a mineral composite with outstanding physical and aesthetic properties. Fiber cement panels are commonly used to create a ventilated fagade, which is a kind of two stage construction, namely, an inner structure with a protective outer skin, wherein said outer skin is constituted by the wall panels. The skin protects the inner structure against the elements. The key features of a ventilated fagade are an outer skin of wall panels, an air gap or cavity, and an insulated backing wall which controls air leakage. The wall panels shield the backing wall from the weather. The air gap and airtight backing wall combine to limit the effects of possible water penetration between the wall panels. The fact is that at the position of the air gap, the moisture can be evaporated and / or drained away safely. Hence, the air gap and airtight backing wall provide a secondary line of defense against the elements. Drained and ventilated facades are provided with openings at the top and bottom of the wall. Said openings provide both ventilation and an effective drainage route. This combination allows air to circulate and to dry the cavity between the inner and outer skins. A well-known method of arranging wall panels such as fiber cement panels on a wall comprises steps of applying a layer of insulation material to the wall, creating a rail frame on the assembly of the wall and the insulation material by attaching rail elements to said assembly, at appropriate positions on said assembly, and attaching the wall panels to the rail frame. The latter may involve driving fasteners such as rivets through the wall panels and into the rail frame, from the front of the wall panels, in which case visible fixing of the wall panels is obtained. Invisible fixing of wall panels is another existing possibility, and various ways of realizing such fixing are known in the art, such as putting screws or hooks or the like into the wall panels at the back side of the wall panels, or using clips with hooks which are configured to engage on the wall panels at an edge position on the wall panels.

[0005] As explained in the foregoing, providing a structure such as a building with a wall cladding system has notable advantages. However, there are also technical challenges involved in the presence of a fagade comprising wall panels on a structure. An important issue in this respect is the issue of fire safety. It appears in practice that when a fire breaks out in a building, especially a high building such as an apartment building, the presence of a fagade can be a contributing factor in the spreading of the fire. In the first place, there is the so-called leap frog effect, which means that the fire easily moves from one wall panel to the next in an upward direction. Also, a phenomenon known as spalling can occur, which means that wall panels explode due to direct flame impact, as a result of internal pressure build-up caused by an inability to evacuate steam that originates from physically and chemically bound water in the material of the wall panels. Needless to say that exploding wall panels and material falling down cause great danger for people who are close to a building which is on fire, such as people running from the building and fire fighters.

[0006] As the inventors observed in investigations leading to the present invention, fiber cement seems particularly sensitive to spalling, as for instance compared to concrete. Fiber cement is a mineral composite and further comprises fibers. These are typically organic fibers, although inorganic fibers may be used alternatively or in addition. The organic fibers are generally hydrophilic, such as cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol with a tendency to adhere to water. Furthermore, fiber cement is typically produced by means of the Hatschek process from an aqueous slurry, comprising fine grains of cement and further ingredients, typically with an average particle size of 20- 30 micrometers. After dewatering, the green product is cured, typically either by means of air-curing or by means of autoclave curing. A high-density fiber cement product has a density of at least 1 .5 kg / dm3The high density, combined with the layered structure inherent to the Hatschek process increases the tendency to spall.

[0007] There is a need for measures aimed at improving safety of use of wall cladding systems, especially in view of the possible event of a fire. It is an object of the invention to fulfill this need for wall cladding systems in which the wall panel arrangements form a ventilated fagade. In view thereof, the invention provides a wall cladding system comprising wall panel arrangements arranged on a background support and coupled to the background support at a distance from the background support whereby a ventilation space is defined between the background support and the wall panel arrangements. The wall cladding system according to the invention further comprises a heat-actuable mechanism configured to be put from a default condition to a fire condition under the influence of high temperatures associated with a fire and to thereby cause a combined fire-hindering effect of i) at least partially blocking the ventilation space and / or extending of a way up of flames to the ventilation space, and ii) directing flames reaching upward outwardly relative to the wall panel arrangements.

[0008] It follows from the above definition that the wall cladding system according to the invention is provided with a heat-actuable mechanism configured to switch to another condition than a default condition in a case of fire, and to do so in such a way that spreading of the fire is hindered. The fact is that after the condition of the heat- actuable mechanism has changed from the default condition to a fire condition, flames are hindered in reaching a ventilation space between the background support and the wall panel arrangements in an upward direction, and flames are also disabled from moving along a front side of the wall panel arrangements in the upward direction. In general, this is a way of preventing fire from traveling in and along the wall cladding system in the upward direction. Thus, when the invention is applied, it is achieved that in a case of fire, easy spreading of the fire through the ventilation space is prevented, while at the same time a hindering effect on flames reaching upward at a front side of the wall panel arrangements is achieved as well. It is a notable advantage of the invention that hindrance of flames at both a back side and a front side of the wall panel arrangements, i.e. a combined fire-hindering effect, is obtained with one and the same heat-actuable mechanism. In this way, known problems such as the leap frog effect and spalling as mentioned earlier can be avoided without a need for complex measures. Further, the presence of the heat- actuable mechanism in the wall cladding system does not need to have any aesthetic consequences, so that the wall cladding system according to the invention can have the same outside appearance as conventional wall cladding systems.

[0009] The background support can be a wall covered with insulation material. The invention covers numerous other types of background support. In general, the background support can be a wall of a building with or without add-ons such as insulation material, support bars or a pre-wall. If insulation material is present on the wall, indeed, this may be in any suitable form, such as in the form of an element, a panel or a foam layer.

[0010] In the context of the invention, each of the wall panel arrangements of the wall cladding system can be of any suitable design. In a practical example of the wall panel arrangement, the wall panel arrangement includes a wall panel. Such a wall panel can be of any appropriate type, shape and size. A practical example of the type of the wall panel is a fiber cement panel. A practical example of the shape of the wall panel is a planar shape with a rectangular periphery. A practical example of the size of the wall panel is a size in the order of one or two meters. A practical example of a thickness of the wall panel is a thickness in a range of 8 to 16 mm, such as a thickness of 10 mm. Additionally or alternatively to having a wall panel in the wall panel arrangement, it is possible that the wall panel arrangement includes a fireproof sheet. The fireproof sheet may be a metal sheet, for example. In case the wall panel arrangement also includes a wall panel, it is advantageous if the fireproof sheet is located at a back side of the wall panel.

[0011] In a practical set-up, the heat-actuable mechanism is configured to enable displacement of a fire-hindering component from a first position to another, second position in which the fire-hindering component extends at one side inwardly relative to the wall panel arrangements, towards the background support, and at another side outwardly relative to the wall panel arrangements. In that way, when a fire breaks out, the flames are hindered due to the presence, positioning and orientation of the fire-hindering component. For example, notable fire-hindering effects can be obtained if in the second position, at least a portion of the fire-hindering component extends at an angle to the background support, which angle is in a range of 45° to 135°, preferably a range of 60° to 120°, more preferably a range of 75° and 105°. It is possible that displacement to the second position is based on a hinged motion. Hence, it is possible that the heat-actuable mechanism is configured to enable hinged motion of at least a portion of the fire-hindering component. Generally speaking, the heat-actuable mechanism may comprise an actuator acting on at least one area of the fire-hindering component to actively bring about displacement of the fire-hindering component as envisaged in a case of fire.

[0012] In the scope of the invention, at least two principal ways in which the heat- actuable mechanism is designed to realize the combined fire-hindering effect in the fire condition exist. In the first place, it is possible that the heat-actuable mechanism is configured to hold a wall panel arrangement in a first position relative to the background support in the default condition and to release the wall panel arrangement in a process of being put from the default condition to the fire condition, for enabling the wall panel arrangement to move to another, second position relative to the background support. In that case, the above-mentioned fire-hindering component comprises the respective wall panel arrangement. In the second place, it is possible that the heat-actuable mechanism comprises a fire-hindering body, wherein the heat-actuable mechanism is configured to hold the fire-hindering body in a first position relative to a wall panel arrangement in the default condition and to release the fire-hindering body in a process of being put from the default condition to the fire condition, for enabling the fire-hindering body to move to another, second position relative to the wall panel arrangement. In that case, the above-mentioned fire-hindering component comprises the fire-hindering body, which is a different entity than the wall panel arrangement. An advantage of the first possibility is that clever use is made of a wall panel arrangement for achieving the combined fire-hindering effect, so that the number of components of the heat-actuable mechanism can be kept to a minimum. An advantage of the second possibility is that the wall panel arrangement with which the fire-hindering body is associated can be coupled to the background support in the same way as the other wall panel arrangements of the wall cladding system, and another advantage is that there is freedom of design of the fire-hindering body so that the size and shape of the fire-hindering body can be adapted to the available space and the intended functionality thereof in an optimal fashion.

[0013] The design of the heat-actuable mechanism comprising the fire-hindering body can be such that the fire-hindering body is hidden from sight in the default condition of the heat-actuable mechanism, particularly cannot be seen from the front of the wall cladding system under normal circumstances. Further, the design of the heat-actuable mechanism comprising the fire-hindering body can be such that when the fire-hindering body is released, the fire-hindering body moves in a downward direction, substantially parallel to the wall panel arrangement. Hence, in such a case, the second position of the fire-hindering body relative to the wall panel arrangement is lower than the first position of the fire-hindering body relative to the wall panel arrangement. It may be practical to have a separate element arranged on the background support as a stop of the downward movement of the fire-hindering body at a predefined position, to prevent the fire-hindering body from falling away from the wall panel arrangement. The fire-hindering body can be of any suitable design, and may comprise an arrangement of a number of parts.

[0014] When use is made of displacement of a wall panel arrangement of one position to another, it is advantageous if the first position of the wall panel arrangement relative to the background support is a position in which the wall panel arrangement is substantially parallel to the background support, and if the second position of the wall panel arrangement relative to the background support is a position in which the wall panel arrangement is substantially perpendicular to the background support. In the practical case that the background support includes an upright wall, this means that the wall panel arrangement is normally held in a substantially vertical orientation, and that the wall panel arrangement is released to move to a substantially horizontal orientation under the influence of fire and flames. Especially when the wall panel arrangement includes a fireproof sheet, as suggested earlier, putting the wall panel arrangement to a substantially horizontal orientation may help to a significant extent to hinder fire from spreading in an upward direction.

[0015] According to a practical possibility, the heat-actuable mechanism comprises a coupling arrangement configured to allow a range of positions of the wall panel arrangement relative to the background support including the first position and the second position in the fire condition of the heat-actuable mechanism. Hence, in the event that the wall panel arrangement is released by the heat-actuable mechanism, the wall panel arrangement is enabled to move from the first position relative to the background support to the second position relative to the background support. It is possible that the coupling arrangement comprises a hinging arrangement configured to allow the wall panel arrangement to hinge about a hinge axis. In that case, it is a practical option that the coupling arrangement is configured to allow the first position relative to the background support, and also one or more positions of the wall panel arrangement tilted from the first position relative to the background support.

[0016] In the context of having a hinging arrangement in the coupling arrangement, an option is feasible according to which the hinging arrangement is attached to the wall panel arrangement at an area of the wall panel arrangement which is on a portion of the wall panel arrangement which in view of a functional position and orientation of the wall panel arrangement in the wall cladding system is a lower half, and which is at a distance from an edge of the wall panel arrangement which in view of a functional position and orientation of the wall panel arrangement in the wall cladding system is a bottom edge. In such a configuration, when the wall panel arrangement is released, the wall panel arrangement can easily hinge from the first position relative to the background support to a tilted position under the influence of gravity and air flow, assuming that the orientation of the wall panel arrangement in the first position relative to the background support is a substantially vertical orientation. That does not alter the fact that the use of a biasing mechanism for biasing the wall panel arrangement away from the first position relative to the background support is also covered by the invention. Possible alternatives to the hinging arrangement include an extendable arrangement such as a telescopic arrangement. In view of the fact that the area of the wall panel arrangement at which the hinging arrangement is attached to the wall panel arrangement is at a distance from the bottom edge of the wall panel arrangement, it is achieved that when the wall panel arrangement tilts away from a parallel position relative to the background support, a portion of the wall panel arrangement including the bottom edge moves between the hinge axis and the background support. In this way, a way up of flames to the ventilation space behind further wall panel arrangements is at least partially blocked and / or extended, i.e. made longer. At the same time, the other portion of the wall panel arrangement directs flames reaching upward outwardly relative to the further wall panel arrangements.

[0017] It is possible that the coupling arrangement comprises a first arrangement for allowing the range of positions of the wall panel arrangement relative to the background support and a separate, second arrangement for keeping the wall panel arrangement fixed in place in the default condition of the heat-actuable mechanism, wherein the second arrangement is configured to couple the wall panel arrangement to the background support so that the background support serves as a basis on which the wall panel arrangement is fixed under normal circumstances. Depending on the design of the second arrangement, the coupling between the wall panel arrangement and the background support through the second arrangement is of a direct or an indirect character. For example, a design of the second arrangement is feasible in which the second arrangement engages on a stationary wall panel device or another stationary component in the wall cladding system. Further, it is feasible that the second arrangement is configured to engage on the tiltable wall panel arrangement, and to do so at a suitable position, such as at the position of an edge of the wall panel arrangement. For example, it may be practical if the second arrangement is configured to engage on the wall panel arrangement at the position of an edge of the wall panel arrangement on the basis of a tongue-groove configuration in which one of the second arrangement and the edge of the wall panel arrangement is provided with a tongue and the other of the second arrangement and the edge of the wall panel arrangement is provided with a groove.

[0018] When use is made of the fire-hindering body mentioned here before, it is advantageous if the fire-hindering body is deployable, and if the second position of the fire-hindering body relative to the wall panel arrangement with which the firehindering body is associated is a position at which the fire-hindering body is free to deploy. The design of the fire-hindering body can be chosen such that in the deployed condition, the fire-hindering body acts to hinder fire in traveling along the wall panel arrangement at the other side, i.e. the front. A practical embodiment of the heat-actuable mechanism is feasible in which the fire-hindering body includes a basic support component and a sheet-like component hingably arranged on the basic support component, wherein the first position of the fire-hindering body relative to the wall panel arrangement is a position in which the sheet-like component is substantially parallel to the background support, and wherein the second position of the fire-hindering body relative to the wall panel arrangement is a position in which the sheet-like component is substantially perpendicular to the background support, extending outwardly relative to the wall panel arrangement. In such an embodiment, it is possible that the fire-hindering body further includes a strip-like component hingably arranged on the basic support component, wherein the first position of the fire-hindering body relative to the wall panel arrangement is a position in which the strip-like component partially leaves open a passage between the background support and the wall panel arrangement, and wherein the second position of the firehindering body relative to the wall panel arrangement is a position in which the striplike component blocks the passage between the background support and the wall panel arrangement.

[0019] In general, the heat-actuable mechanism can comprise one or more elements which are configured to change their constitution, probably to partially or totally disappear, under the influence of high temperatures associated with a fire. Practical examples are a fire-meltable element, an element of material which evaporates under the influence of high temperatures, a bimetallic element, and double-sided adhesive tape.

[0020] As suggested earlier, the background support may be the wall of a building. Assuming that a window is present in the background support, it is advantageous if the heat-actuable mechanism is located to function directly above the window and to cover an entire width of the window. In the case of a fire, windows are known to break so that flames reach up at the position of windows. If a wall panel arrangement or a fire-hindering body of the heat-actuable mechanism is put to a position which is suitable for achieving a hindering effect on the flames, as suggested earlier, this may help in retarding spread of the fire, in which case a position of the heat-actuable mechanism for acting right above a window is a strategic position.

[0021] It is possible to have a wall cladding system in which each wall panel arrangement is intended to tilt in a case of fire, or in which as many fire-hindering bodies as wall panel arrangements are present, but in many situations it may be far more practical to have one or more tiltable wall panel arrangements or fire-hindering bodies at a strategic position, possibly arranged in one or more rows on the background support, such as directly above windows as may be present in the background support.

[0022] The present invention will be further explained on the basis of the following description, wherein reference will be made to the figures, in which equal reference signs indicate equal or similar components, and in which: figure 1 diagrammatically shows a front view of a wall cladding system according to the invention, which is arranged on an exterior wall of a building and which comprises wall panel arrangements and a heat-actuable mechanism; figure 2 diagrammatically illustrates how a wall panel arrangement is coupled to the wall through a hinging arrangement; figure 3 illustrates an option of a metal sheet being included in the wall panel arrangement; figure 4 illustrates an option of keeping the wall panel arrangement in a first position relative to the wall; figures 5 and 6 illustrate how the wall panel arrangement moves from the first position relative to the wall to another position relative to the wall in case of a fire; figure 7 diagrammatically shows a side view of a background support, a wall panel arrangement, and a heat-actuable mechanism which is equipped with a deployable fire-hindering body, for a default condition of the heat-actuable mechanism in which the deployable fire-hindering body is in a nondeployed configuration; figure 8 diagrammatically shows a top view of the background support, the wall panel arrangement, and the heat-actuable mechanism comprising the deployable firehindering body, for the default condition of the heat-actuable mechanism; figure 9 shows a bottom portion of figure 7 in enlarged fashion; figure 10 diagrammatically shows a side view of the background support, the wall panel arrangement, and the heat-actuable mechanism comprising the deployable fire-hindering body, for a fire condition of the heat-actuable mechanism in which the deployable fire-hindering body is in a deployed configuration; and figure 11 diagrammatically shows a top view of the background support, the wall panel arrangement, and the heat-actuable mechanism comprising the deployable fire-hindering body, for the fire condition of the heat-actuable mechanism.

[0023] Figure 1 diagrammatically show a front view of a wall cladding system 100 according to the invention, which is arranged on an exterior wall of a building. In the exterior wall, a door 1 and three windows 2 are present. The wall cladding system 100 covers the entire area of the exterior wall outside of the door 1 and the windows 2 by means of wall panel arrangements 10. Wall panel arrangements 10 positioned directly above each of the door 1 and the windows 2 are under the influence of a heat-actuable mechanism 20 which is actuated in a case of fire. Interesting aspects and options of the heat-actuable mechanism 20 are described in detail below. Generally speaking, the heat-actuable mechanism 20 is configured to change from a default condition to another condition in a case of fire, in such a way that a fireretarding effect is obtained.

[0024] In the present example, the wall panel arrangement 10 comprises a wall panel 11 such as a fiber cement panel. Further, as illustrated in figures 3 and 4, it is possible that the wall panel arrangement 10 comprises a fireproof sheet such as a metal sheet 12, wherein the metal sheet 12 is located at a back side of the wall panel 11 , i.e. at a side of the wall panel 11 facing the wall 5 of the building, the wall 5 constituting the background support of the wall panel arrangement 10, wherein the wall panel arrangement 10 is coupled to the wall 5 through a coupling arrangement 30.

[0025] In respect of the coupling arrangement 30, a practical option is illustrated in figures 2 and 3, namely, the option of the coupling arrangement 30 comprising a hinging arrangement 31 configured to allow the wall panel arrangement 10 to hinge about a hinge axis A. In particular, in the present example, the hinging arrangement

[0026] 31 comprises a hinging element 32 including two arms 33, 34 which are rotatable relative to each other about the hinge axis A. Another element of the coupling element 30 is an elongated coupling element 35. One arm 33 of the hinging element

[0027] 32 is connected to a free end of the coupling element 35 and another arm 34 of the hinging element 32 is connected to the wall panel arrangement 10, as can best be seen in figure 2. Figure 2 also serves to illustrate that in the present example, the hinging arrangement 31 is attached to the wall panel arrangement 10 at an area of the wall panel arrangement 10 which is both in a lower half of the wall panel arrangement 10 and at a distance from a bottom edge 13 of the wall panel arrangement 10. The elongated coupling element 35 has a function in defining a distance between the back side of the wall panel arrangement 10 and the wall 5, so that a space 6 is present between the wall panel arrangement 10 and the wall 5, which space 6 is suitable to enable ventilation behind the wall panel arrangement 10. It is noted that it is practical if the coupling arrangement 30 comprises at least two combinations of a hinging element 32 and a coupling element 35, and if those at least two combinations are located at a distance from each other as seen in a width direction of the wall panel arrangement 10, i.e. a horizontal direction in the present example.

[0028] In the present example, the coupling arrangement 30 further comprises a holding arrangement 36 which has a function in holding the wall panel arrangement 10 in a first position relative to the wall 5, which in the present example is a position in which the wall panel arrangement 10 is substantially parallel to the wall 5, i.e. a position in which the wall panel arrangement 10 has a substantially vertical orientation, and which is referred to as normal cladding position. In the context of the invention, the holding arrangement 36 can come in many forms, including the form as shown, which is a form in which the holding arrangement 36 comprises a block-like element 37 made of a type of material which melts when subjected to high temperatures. As can be seen in figure 4, the block-like element 37 is designed so as to engage on a substructure batten 5a arranged on the wall 5 on the one hand, and to engage on the wall panel arrangement 10 on the other hand. In the present example, the block-like element 37 is provided with a tongue 38, and a top edge 14 of the wall panel arrangement 10 is provided with a groove 15 in which the tongue 38 fits. A practical alternative of the block-like element 37 is a combination of a bracket arranged on the wall 5 and fire-meltable pins coupling the wall panel arrangement 10 to the bracket.

[0029] Figures 5 and 6 provide an illustration of what happens in the event of a fire with the wall panel arrangement 10 which is equipped with a heat-actuable mechanism 20 comprising the above-described coupling arrangement 30. When the wall panel arrangement 10 comes under the influence of flames 7 and the temperatures rise rapidly, the block-like element 37 melts, as a result of which the coupling of the wall panel arrangement 10 to the wall 5 at the position of the top edge 14 of the wall panel arrangement 10 is lost at a certain point. The wall panel arrangement 10 will then be in an unstable condition in which the wall panel arrangement 10 is inclined to hinge about the hinge axis A of the hinging element 32 and will actually do so under the influence of gravity and air flow. In the present example, it is envisaged that the wall panel arrangement 10 tilts from the substantially vertical orientation associated with the normal cladding position as shown in figure 5 to a substantially horizontal orientation as shown in figure 6. With the wall panel arrangement 10 in the substantially horizontal orientation, a number of fire-retarding effects are obtained, including an effect of hindering an upward movement of the flames 7 at the outside, an effect of hindering a chimney effect in the ventilation space 6 and an upward movement of the flames 7 at the inside, and an effect of enabling escape of smoke and heat from the ventilation space 6. In figures 5 and 6, it can clearly be seen that the effect of hindering the chimney effect in the ventilation space 6 is based on preventing the flames 7 from reaching a passage P between the wall 5 and wall panel arrangements 10 at a higher position and thereby entering the ventilation space 6 behind those wall panel arrangements 10.

[0030] A feasible alternative to the use of one or more meltable elements involves the use of an element such as double-sided adhesive tape at the position of which adhesion is lost under the influence of high temperatures. Further, it is not essential that the coupling arrangement 30 comprises an arrangement 31 which is of a hinging character. For example, a coupling arrangement which is of the type comprising an arrangement which can be made to significantly extend under the influence of high temperatures associated with a fire is also feasible, in which case the extension of the coupling arrangement can be used to put the wall panel arrangement 10 to another orientation relative to the wall 5 is increased in the event of a fire. The coupling arrangement which can be made to extend may be actually realized on the basis of a bimetallic element which assumes a significantly different shape under the influence of high temperatures. It is to be noted that if the coupling arrangement 30 comprises an arrangement which is of a hinging character, it is not essential that the wall panel arrangement 10 is enabled to hinge over an angle of about 90°. Other angles between the normal cladding position and the heat-actuated position of the wall panel arrangement 10 are possible in the context of the invention.

[0031] An advantageous option in respect of the wall panel arrangement 10 is an option according to which all of the panels and / or sheets included in the wall panel arrangement 10 are of fireproof quality. This may be a factor contributing to prevention of the so-called spalling of wall panels under the influence of high temperatures.

[0032] Figures 7-11 diagrammatically show an embodiment of the heat-actuable mechanism 20 in which the heat-actuable mechanism 20 comprises a fire-hindering body 40. The wall panel arrangement 10 is shown as mounted to a background support including a wall 5 covered with insulation material 8. The coupling between the wall panel arrangement 10 and the wall 5 can be through any suitable means such as through a rail frame 9 arranged on the wall 5. As explained in the foregoing, in the case of the heat-actuable mechanism 20 comprising the above-described coupling arrangement 30, the heat-actuable mechanism 20 enables movement of the wall panel arrangement 10 relative to the background support 5, 5a in a situation in which the heat-actuable mechanism 20 is put from a default condition to a fire condition. In the case of the heat-actuable mechanism 20 comprising a fire-hindering body 40, the heat-actuable mechanism 20 functions in a different way, particularly to enable movement of the fire-hindering body 40 relative to the wall panel arrangement 10 while the wall panel arrangement 10 stays in place on the background support 5, 8, 9 in a situation in which the heat-actuable mechanism 20 is put from a default condition to a fire condition.

[0033] In the default condition of the heat-actuable mechanism 20, which is shown in figures 7, 8 and 9, the fire-hindering body 40 is at a position in the ventilation space 6. Hence, the fire-hindering body 40 is not visible from the front, which is an advantageous yet not essential aspect of using the fire-hindering body 40. A special feature of the fire-hindering body 40 is that the fire-hindering body 40 is deployable, wherein the fire-hindering body 40 remains in a nondeployed configuration under normal circumstances, so that a flow of air through the ventilation space 6 is hindered to a minimal extent only, and wherein the fire-hindering body 40 is allowed to move to a position at which the fire-hindering body 40 assumes the deployed configuration in a case of fire, for the purpose of hindering / blocking flames reaching upward. The deployed configuration of the fire-hindering body 40 can be seen in figures 10 and 11 , in which the fire condition of the heat-actuable mechanism 20 is shown.

[0034] In the present example, the fire-hindering body 40 comprises a basic support component 41 , a sheet-like component 42 hingably arranged on the basic support component 41 , and also a strip-like component 43 hingably arranged on the basic support component 41 . The sheet-like component 42 is coupled to a bottom side of the basic support component 41 , while the strip-like component 43 is coupled to a top side of the basic support component 41 . In the default condition of the heat-actuable mechanism 20, the sheet-like component 42 extends substantially parallel to the basic support component 41 , in a folded, upward orientation, at a position right behind the wall panel arrangement 10, i.e. at a front side of the basic support component 41 , while the strip-like component 43 hangs down from the basic support component 41 at a back side of the basic support component 41 .

[0035] In the default condition of the heat-actuable mechanism 20, the fire-hindering body 40 is held in place by means of one or more elements coupling the firehindering body 40 to the rail frame 9, which one or more elements melt away or otherwise loose their grip on the fire-hindering body 40 and / or the rail frame 9 in a case of fire, under the influence of the high temperatures prevailing in that situation. The invention covers also heat-releasable couplings of the fire-hindering body 40 to other components, particularly the wall 5 through the insulation material 8 and / or the wall panel arrangement 10. As soon as the fire-hindering body 40 is released, the fire-hindering body 40 slides down under the influence of gravity. In the present embodiment, a stop element 44 is arranged on the wall 5, and the sliding movement of the fire-hindering body 40 is stopped when the strip-like component 43 abuts against the stop element 44. At that point, the strip-like component 43 has flared out relative to the basic support component 41 , while a portion of the fire-hindering body 40 extends beyond the bottom edge 13 of the of the wall panel arrangement 10. The portion of the fire-hindering body 40 is sufficiently large for the sheet-like component 42 to be completely exposed and thereby to be capable of assuming another orientation relative to the basic support component 41 which is still substantially parallel to the wall panel arrangement 10. As a matter of fact, as soon as a free edge of the sheet-like component 42 moves from under the bottom edge 13 of the wall panel arrangement 10, a deploying movement of the sheet-like component 42 takes place, in which the sheet-like component 42 hinges to an orientation which is substantially perpendicular to the basic support component 41 , the wall panel arrangement 10 and the wall 5, wherein the sheet-like component 42 extends outwardly relative to the wall panel arrangement 10. In this respect, it is noted that the nature of the hinged arrangement of the sheet-like component 42 on the basic support component 41 can easily be chosen such that the hinging movement of the sheet-like component 42 cannot go beyond the substantially perpendicular orientation. This does not mean that other final orientations of the sheet-like component 42 are not covered by the invention as well.

[0036] With reference to figures 10 and 11 , it is noted that in the fire condition of the heat-actuable mechanism 20, which involves the lower position of the fire-hindering body 40 at which the strip-like component 43 is flared out and the sheet-like component 42 is in a substantially horizontal orientation, as explained, the firehindering body 40 acts to both block the ventilation space 6, namely by means of the strip-like component 43, and also to hinder flames reaching upward from a position underneath the wall panel arrangement 10, so that the flames cannot simply travel further upward along the wall panel arrangement 10. Thus, having the fire-hindering body 40 in the heat-actuable mechanism 20 is a way of improving fire safety. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims.

[0037] Notable aspects of the invention are summarized as follows. In the field of wall cladding, measures are taken to improve fire safety. At least one of the wall panels arrangements 10 of a wall cladding system 100 is under the influence of a heat- actuable mechanism 20 which is actuated in a case of fire. In particular, the heat- actuable mechanism 20 is configured to be put from a default condition to a fire condition under the influence of high temperatures associated with a fire and to thereby cause a combined fire-hindering effect of i) at least partially blocking a ventilation space 6 between the background support 5, 5a, 8, 9 and the wall panel arrangements 10 and / or extending a way up of flames 7 to the ventilation space 6, and ii) directing flames 7 reaching upward outwardly relative to the wall panel arrangements 10. Hence, the heat-actuable mechanism 20 is capable of achieving that when the heat-actuable mechanism 20 is in the fire condition, flames 7 are hindered in or even prevented from upward displacement in and along the wall cladding system 100, both at a back side and a front side of the wall panel arrangements 10.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A wall cladding system (100) comprising wall panel arrangements (10) arranged on a background support (5, 5a, 8, 9) and coupled to the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9) at a distance from the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9) whereby a ventilation space (6) is defined between the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9) and the wall panel arrangements (10), and a heat-actuable mechanism (20) configured to be put from a default condition to a fire condition under the influence of high temperatures associated with a fire and to thereby cause a combined fire-hindering effect of i) at least partially blocking the ventilation space (6) and / or extending a way up of flames (7) to the ventilation space (6), and ii) directing flames (7) reaching upward outwardly relative to the wall panel arrangements (10).

2. The wall cladding system (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the heat-actuable mechanism (20) is configured to enable displacement of a fire-hindering component (10, 40) from a first position to another, second position in which the fire-hindering component (10, 40) extends at one side inwardly relative to the wall panel arrangements (10), towards the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9), and at another side outwardly relative to the wall panel arrangements (10).

3. The wall cladding system (100) according to claim 2, wherein in the second position, at least a portion of the fire-hindering component (10, 40) extends at an angle to the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9), which angle is in a range of 45° to 135°, preferably a range of 60° to 120°, more preferably a range of 75° and 105°.

4. The wall cladding system (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the heat- actuable mechanism (20) is configured to enable hinged motion of at least a portion of the fire-hindering component (10, 40).

5. The wall cladding system (100) according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the heat-actuable mechanism (20) is configured to hold a wall panel arrangement (10) in a first position relative to the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9) in the default conditionand to release the wall panel arrangement (10) in a process of being put from the default condition to the fire condition, for enabling the wall panel arrangement (10) to move to another, second position relative to the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9).

6. The wall cladding system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the first position of the wall panel arrangement (10) relative to the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9) is a position in which the wall panel arrangement (10) is substantially parallel to the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9), and wherein the second position of the wall panel arrangement (10) relative to the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9) is a position in which the wall panel arrangement (10) is substantially perpendicular to the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9).

7. The wall cladding system (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the heat- actuable mechanism (20) comprises a coupling arrangement (30) configured to allow a range of positions of the wall panel arrangement (10) relative to the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9) including the first position and the second position in the fire condition of the heat-actuable mechanism (20).

8. The wall cladding system (100) according to claim 7, wherein the coupling arrangement (30) comprises a hinging arrangement (31 ) configured to allow the wall panel arrangement (10) to hinge about a hinge axis (A).

9. The wall cladding system (100) according to claim 8, wherein the hinging arrangement (31 ) is attached to the wall panel arrangement (10) at an area of the wall panel arrangement (10) which is on a portion of the wall panel arrangement (10) which in view of a functional position and orientation of the wall panel arrangement (10) in the wall cladding system (100) is a lower half, and which is at a distance from an edge of the wall panel arrangement (10) which in view of the functional position and orientation of the wall panel arrangement (10) in the wall cladding system (100) is a bottom edge (13).

10. The wall cladding system (100) according to any of claims 7-9, wherein the coupling arrangement (30) comprises a first arrangement (31 ) configured to allow the range of positions of the wall panel arrangement (10) relative to the backgroundsupport (5, 5a, 8, 9), and a separate, second arrangement (36) configured to keep the wall panel arrangement (10) fixed in place in the default condition of the heat- actuable mechanism (20), and wherein the second arrangement (36) is configured to couple the wall panel arrangement (10) to the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9).11 . The wall cladding system (100) according to any of claims 1 -4, wherein the heat-actuable mechanism (20) comprises a fire-hindering body (40), and wherein the heat-actuable mechanism (20) is configured to hold the fire-hindering body (40) in a first position relative to a wall panel arrangement (10) in the default condition and to release the fire-hindering body (40) in a process of being put from the default condition to the fire condition, for enabling the fire-hindering body (40) to move to another, second position relative to the wall panel arrangement (10).

12. The wall cladding system (100) according to claim 11 , wherein the firehindering body (40) is deployable, and wherein the second position of the firehindering body (40) relative to the wall panel arrangement (10) is a position at which the fire-hindering body (40) is free to deploy.

13. The wall cladding system (100) according to claim 12, wherein the firehindering body (40) includes a basic support component (41 ) and a sheet-like component (42) hingably arranged on the basic support component (41 ), wherein the first position of the fire-hindering body (40) relative to the wall panel arrangement (10) is a position in which the sheet-like component (42) is substantially parallel to the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9), and wherein the second position of the firehindering body (40) relative to the wall panel arrangement (10) is a position in which the sheet-like component (42) extends outwardly relative to the wall panel arrangement (10).

14. The wall cladding system (100) according to claim 13, wherein the firehindering body (40) further includes a strip-like component (43) hingably arranged on the basic support component (41 ), wherein the first position of the fire-hindering body (40) relative to the wall panel arrangement (10) is a position in which the strip-like component (43) partially leaves open a passage (P) between the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9) and the wall panel arrangement (10), and wherein the second position ofthe fire-hindering body (40) relative to the wall panel arrangement (10) is a position in which the strip-like component (43) blocks the passage (P) between the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9) and the wall panel arrangement (10).

15. The wall cladding system (100) according to any of claims 1 -14, wherein the heat-actuable mechanism (20) comprises one of a fire-meltable element (37), an element of material which evaporates under the influence of high temperatures, a bimetallic element, and double-sided adhesive tape.

16. The wall cladding system (100) according to any of claims 1 -15, wherein the wall panel arrangement (10) includes a wall panel (11 ), optionally a fiber cement panel.

17. The wall cladding system (100) according to any of claims 1 -16, wherein the wall panel arrangement (10) includes a fireproof sheet (12), optionally a metal sheet (12).

18. The wall cladding system (100) according to any of claims 1 -17, wherein a window (2) is present in the background support (5, 5a, 8, 9), and wherein the heat- actuable mechanism (20) is located to function directly above the window (2) and to cover an entire width of the window (2).

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