Fire retardant strip

Abstract

A flame-retardant sealing strip or tape is disclosed. It has a main body 2 made from vulcanised rubber, which has a vinyl layer 10 adhered to one side, and a layer of adhesive 4 overlaid with peelable

Description

FIRE RETARDANT STRIP Field of the Invention This invention relates to surface mounted fire-rated strips for sealing surfaces between a door and door frame. Background to the Invention Surface mounted fire-rated strips are used for protecting the edges of glazing in timber or metal doors and partitioning. The strips are fitted to beads each side of the fire rated glazing. The Applicant is a leading supplier of surface mounted intumescent glazing strips. The strips are made from a mineral wool made from vitreous silicate fibre impregnated an intumescent material such as exfoliating graphite which causes the strip to expand rapidly in the presence of fire to entirely seal the gap. Although the seal is 2mm thick, it will compress to 0.5mm while not affecting its performance. The strips include an adhesive layer to attach the strip to the face of the bead and have a peel- off paper layer to expose the adhesive layer for us. One disadvantage with using mineral wool as the strip material is that the silica fibres exhibit humectant properties, allowing the ingress of moisture. Over time such ingress can cause the strips to deform or come away from the beading. Furthermore, the use of silicon with an intumescent layer provides a limitation in minimum the depth of the thickness of the strip required to provide sufficient expansion in a fire, and whilst the strip can be compressed, its applicability and efficiency can be reduced when it is required to be used in less conventional gap sizes. The present invention seeks to provide an improved glazing strip that does not suffer from the material limitations of known strips. Statements of the Invention A surface mounted fire-rated strip comprising a main body formed from vulcanised rubber, the strip having adhered to one side a vinyl layer and on the other side a layer of adhesive with a peelable protective layer. Preferably, the adhesive layer comprises a double-sided adhesive tape. Preferably the tape surface is provided with a scrim to improve adhesiveness and tensile strength of the strip. Preferably, the rubber layer has a depth of around 1mm. Preferably the vinyl layer can receive a varnish. Brief Description of the Drawings One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fire-rated strip constructed in accordance with the invention with the protective paper layer partially removed; and Figure 2 is a cross section of the strip. Detailed Description of the Invention Figures 1 and 2 show a surface-mounted fire-rated strip, typically used for protecting the edges of glazing in timber or metal doors and partitioning. The strips are fitted to beads each side of the fire rated glazing and are provided in reel form to be cut to length. The main body 2 of strip is made from vulcanised rubber that has been compressed into a flattened strip of 1mm thick. This allows for a single strip to be produced that, when cut to the desired width, would be compatible with all conventional door and window types. The strip can be provided in various widths, typically 34mm, 44mm or 54mm to fit the majority if not all of conventional door or window frames and partitioning. Through extensive fire testing, the applicant has found that a 1mm flat strip of vulcanised rubber will expand to between 10mm to 20mm when exposed to intense heat or fire. Such rapid expansion of up to twenty times volume, forms an effective seal to fire and smoke along the length of the strip. One side of the strip has an adhesive layer in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape 4. The tape 4 is initially overlaid with a protective paper layer 6 which is peelable from the tape 4 to expose the adhesive before application. The strip is then secured in place on the door or partitioning. The surface of one or both sides of the tape 4 is provided with scrim 8 to increase the tensile strength of the strip and to provide a rough surface to increase the adhesive properties. The other side of the rubber strip 2 has a vinyl layer 10 adhered thereto. The vinyl layer is exposed when the strip is applied and can be decorated, coloured and / or varnished to suit the appearance of the door or partition to which the strip is applied. The strip is provided in a roll which can be unwound to allow strips to be cut to length.

Claims

Claims 1. A flame-retardant strip comprising a main body made from vulcanised rubber, the strip having adhered to one side a vinyl layer and on the other side a layer of adhesive overlaid with peelable protective layer.

2. A strip according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a double-sided adhesive tape.

3. A strip according to claim 2, wherein one or both surfaces of the tape is provided with a scrim.

4. A strip according to claim 3, wherein the vulcanised rubber layer has a depth of around 1mm. AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:- Claims 1. A flame-retardant strip comprising a main body made from vulcanised rubber, the strip having adhered to one side a vinyl layer and on the other side a layer of adhesive overlaid with peelable protective layer wherein; one or both surfaces of the adhesive layer is provided with scrim.

2. A strip according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a double-sided adhesive tape.

3. A strip according to claim 3, wherein the vulcanised rubber layer has a depth of substantially 1mm.

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