A Guide and Fire Curtain Assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a guide and fire curtain assembly 100 comprising a pair of substantially hollow guide rails 10. Each guide rail has a channel 40 for receiving parallel edges of the fi

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a guide and a fire curtain assembly, in particular and guide and fire curtain assembly with a seal for helping to compartmentalise fire when force is applied to the fire curtain. Background It is common for fire curtains to be provided across large openings such as doors, lift doors, corridors and in particular in areas of a building where it is important to maintain a safe exit route should a fire break out. A fire curtain is intended to prevent or significantly limit spread of smoke ad hit gasses and minimise the spread of fire from one area to another. A fire curtain typically runs a long a rail and the curtain and / or rail includes a seal to help reduce passage of smoke and hot gases past the curtain, in particular when a curtain receives an impact such as from objections or force from an explosion. The fire curtains are only deployed on the occasion of a fire and therefore it can be difficult to include a reliable seal that is effective when the curtain is deployed from a stowed location. The present invention integrates a reliable seal with the curtain that engages with a guide rail to form an effective seal. Prior Art GB2610823 (MACKIE) discloses a smoke barrier apparatus. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a guide and a fire curtain assembly comprising: a pair of substantially hollow guide rails, each guide rail has a channel for receiving parallel edges of the fire curtain when deployed; wherein the parallel edges of the fire curtain each have a flap seal extending from at least one face of the fire curtain through an opening within the hollow region of each guide rail, so that when deployed, the flap seal engages with and closes the opening and the fire curtain includes at least one stopper for retaining the fire curtain within the guide rail under impact. In this way the flap seals act to prevent passage of smoke and / or hot gasses into the hollow guide rails and thereby prevent passage of smoke and / or hot gasses through the opening / passageway that the fire curtain closes in a fire situation. In particular, the orientation of the flap seals ensures that upon receipt of an impact against the fire curtain the flap seal engage tightly with the internal opening to create an effective seal. The guide and fire curtain assembly are usually part of a fire prevention system to close a passageway and limit air leakage and thereby spread of smoke and hot gases, in particular when force is applied to the fire curtain. The inclusion of a seal on the face of the fire curtain, rather than extending from an edge of a curtain, enables the seal to be easily fitted to a fire curtain, the curtain to be suitable for being stowed on and deployed from a reel and to still form a reliable seal. Preferably the flap seal has two arms that enable the flap seal to be substantially parallel to the fire curtain with the arms able to lift away from the fire curtain, preferably to a slightly raised position from the fire curtain to a V-shape configuration. In this way the flap seal can lie near parallel to the fire curtain to form an effective seal against the opening under impact and to be easily stored, for example when the curtain is not deployed for use and may be held rolled on a reel. Preferably the flap seal is formed from a fire retardant flexible material so that the seal can flex upon impact to create a seal. In a preferred embodiment the seal is formed from the same material as the fire curtain. Ideally the flap seal is stitched to the fire curtain using fire retardant thread to provide an effective connection. Typically the flap seal is stitched to the face of the curtain by at least one line of stitching along a line at which the arms can fold / pivot with respect to fire curtain. In this way each arm is able to pivot at a proximal end so that a distal end displaces from the fire curtain to form a V-shape. Stitching along this line may also help to form the arms into the V-shape as the fire curtain and flap seal are pinched together along the stitch line(s) which may encourage the arms of the flap seal to lift away from the fire curtain slightly. It is appreciated that the flap seal may be pre-shaped, for example to have a fold line along which the stitching is provided so that the arms are biased to slightly raised from the fire curtain when deployed. The configuration of the flap seal having displaceable arms helps to ensure that the arms of the seal can be easily located through the opening and are easily guided to engage with the opening when force is applied against a face of the fire curtain. The arms of the flap seal are dimensioned to close the opening, so each arm must extend beyond the width of the opening to achieve this. It is appreciated that for a flap seal with two arms, each arm may be of a different length or of the same length to achieve this. Furthermore the orientation of the flap seal (being on a face of the fire curtain) means that one arm of the seal will always catch on the opening and act to prevent lateral displacement of the edge of the fire curtain from the channel. Keeping the fire curtain within the guides improves the fire integrity of the assembly by stopping the spread of fire to ensure fire compartmentation. In yet a further embodiment the fire curtain may have a flap seal on both faces of the fire curtain so to enhance the seal that is created, with each flap seal positioned to engage with part of the guide rail to prevent or limit passage of smoke or fire related gasses. For example a length of material could be attached to each face of the fire curtain, using the same stitching, so as to form a X-configuration of a flap seal. Alternatively the flap seal on each face of the fire curtain may be provided at different locations so correspond to different parts of the guide rails such as the channel and / or opening. In some embodiments an upper end of the guide rail includes a guide means to feed the curtain and specifically the arms of the flap seal through the opening(s). For example an upper end of the guide rail may have guide legs that pass between the fire curtain and the arms of the flap seal to ensure that the arms are received through the opening within the hollow cavity of the guide rail. In a preferred embodiment, each guide rail is formed from two elongate separate parts that are joined together to form the hollow guide rail. This allows the guide rail to be easily fitted by fixing a first part to a surface such as a wall and then fitting the second part which encloses the fixing used to fix the first part. In a preferred embodiment, one part is substantially J-shaped in section and a second part defines a substantially L-shaped hollow profile in section. In use the parts are joined together to have a substantially rectangular outer profile and to provide a channel through which the edge of the fire curtain is received in to the hollow cavity of the guide rail. Preferable the second part is fixed to a surface using an attachment means such as a screw fitting and the first part is then connected to the second part so that together the parts define a channel through which the fire curtain is received, and at least one internal opening through which the at least one flap seal is received. The internal opening can only be accessed by means of the channel once the guide rail is assembled, or through an open upper or lower end of the guide rail. To engage the flap seal with the opening the curtain side edges must be received in the channel in order for the flap seal to be engaged with the opening. Advantageously this configuration also means that when the two parts are assembled and fitted to a surface the only opening to within the cavity of the guide rails is through the channel which further improves fire safety. It is appreciated that in some embodiments a sealing layer may be provided between the first and second parts to prevent access of smoke or hot gasses. For example a layer of fire retardant fabric may be sandwiched between the two parts. The parallel edges of the fire curtain include a stopper such a as a nut and bolt or studs passing through the fire curtain, that act to stop the fire curtain from being completely pulled from the channels when an object impacts the fire curtain during a fire or due to an explosion. It is appreciated that a series of stoppers may be spread along an edge of the fire curtain to help maintain fire curtain placement during impact and during deployment and retraction. The presence of the stoppers may also help guide the fire curtain through the channels and to keep the fire curtain taut. In preferred embodiments the assembly includes a head box that houses a reel from which a fire curtain is deployed through an elongate slot so that the parallel edges of the fire curtain are received in the channels of the guide rails. In this way a complete frame about an opening (such as a doorway or a corridor) is formed by the head box and guide rails which enables the fire curtain to be stowed in the head box and deployed to close the opening / passageway when required. In preferred embodiments with a head box, the elongate slot has two opposed longitudinal sides and an angled lip extends along each of the sides. In preferred embodiments with a head box a distal end of the fire curtain has a weighted bar to assist with deploying the curtain in the case of a fire. Preferably the weighted bar is shaped to correspond to the angled lips along the elongate slot so that the weighted bar closes the housing when in the retracted configuration. Typically the weighted bar is triangular so as to have faces that correspond to the angled lips to close the head box when the fire curtain and weighted bar is retracted, and a flat base to lie parallel to the ground to locate the curtain so that it sits straight with respect to the slot on the head box and between the channels of the guide rails and closes the passageway / opening by engaging with the ground. Preferably the head box has at least one seal to prevent the passage of smoke through the elongate slot of the head box to within the housing. Typically the seal extends from part of the head box and engages with the fire curtain to prevent smoke or hot gases entering the head box. For example the head box may include fabric seals made from a fire retardant material such as from the same material as the fire curtain that lie against the fire curtain to create a seal. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a guide and a fire curtain wherein the fire curtain has a first flap seal (described above) and a second integrated seal. The second integrated seal has at least one bifurcated portions for engaging with one or more surface to prevent passage of smoke and / or hot gasses into a guide rail through which edges of the fire curtain are arranged when deployed. Preferably the second integrated seal has at least two bifurcated portions. In this way the at least two bifurcated portions provide a substantially X-shaped configuration that acts with the fire curtain to prevent passage of smoke and / or hot gasses into a guide rail through which edges of the fire curtain are arranged when deployed. Advantageously the orientation of the arms in combination with the flap seal ensures that even upon receipt of an impact against the fire curtain the arms of the seals engage with one or more surface to create an effective seal. A preferred embodiment of the second integrated seal has at least two bifurcated portions and thereby has at least four individual arms that are each intended to engage with a surface to create a seal. The arms of each bifurcated portion preferably extend at an acute angle relative to the plane of the fire curtain, so that the seal can be readily rolled in a flat configuration in which the arms are substantially parallel to the fire curtain, when in a stowed configuration such as when rolled on a reel. Preferably the arms of the second integrated seal are biased so that a distal end of each arm is spaced apart from the fire curtain when deployed. In this way the arms of the seal can lie parallel to the fire curtain when stowed, such as when rolled on a reel, and when deployed the distal ends of the arms displace away from the fire curtain where the arms are attached at a proximal end to create the X-shaped formation. In a preferred embodiment the second integrated seal is provided along each of a pair of parallel edges of the fire curtain that are received in a guide rail in use. The second integrated seal extends along the length of each edge so that a continuous seal with the guide rail is created along each side of a passageway. The distal ends of the arms of the bifurcated portions of the seal provide an effective seal with the guide rail to prevent spread of smoke and hot gasses beyond the fire curtain. Preferably the second integrated seal is formed from a fire retardant, flexible material so that the seal can flex upon movement and in particular impact to create a seal. Preferably the second integrated seal is formed from the same material as the fire curtain. Ideally the arms of that form the bifurcated portions of the seal are stitched to the fire curtain using fire retardant thread to provide an effective connection. The position and type of stitching used may help to displace the arms from the fire curtain when deployed. For example a line of straight stitching may be used to attach arms of the seal. Typically the arms of the second integrated seal are stitched to the face of the curtain by at least one line of stitching along a line at which the arm(s) can fold / pivot with respect to fire curtain. In this way each arm is able to pivot at a proximal end so that a distal end displaces from the fire curtain to be lifted from the fire curtain and thereby in the optimal position to form a seal. Stitching along this line may also help to form the arms into the substantially X-shaped configuration as the fire curtain and arms are pinched together along the stitch line(s) which may encourage the arms of the seal to lift away from the fire curtain slightly. It is appreciated that the second integrated seal may be formed in various different configurations. For example two pieces of material may be attached, one on either face of the fire curtain with a stitch line down a mid-region of each piece of material to provide two arms that define a bifurcated portion on each face of the curtain to form a substantially X-shaped seal. Alternatively four separate pieces of material (arms) may be arranged on the fire curtain and stitched to the fire curtain to form two bifurcated portions, each having two arms. In some embodiments the arms on each opposed face of the fire curtain are aligned so that the same line of stitching can be used to connect the arms to the fire curtain, thereby making manufacture quicker and keeping weight and costs to a minimum. It is appreciated that the second integrated seal, and in particular the arms of the second integrated seal, may be pre-shaped, for example to have a fold line along which the stitching is provided so that the arms are biased to slightly raised from the fire curtain when deployed. In some embodiments the arms may be of different lengths in order to effectively engage with a surface to prevent passage of smoke and hot gasses. In other embodiments the arms may be of the same length or of different lengths depending on how the fire curtain is stored and deployed. It is appreciated that the lengths of the arms may depend on the guide rails in which the fire curtain is deployed along. It is appreciated that in some embodiments the second integrated seal may have bifurcated portions with more than two arms forming each. This may help to provide improved sealing capability of enable contact with a great range of surfaces. It is also appreciated that the arms may be provided in different shapes. For example an arm may be straight, curved, concertina or undulating. In embodiments of a fire curtain including at least one stopper the second integrated seal may either: 1) run along an outer perimeter edge of the fire curtain to be laterally spaced to an outer edge of the curtain that is outside of the stopper(s) 2) In another embodiment that includes a stopper, or row of stoppers, on the fire curtain, the second integrated seal may be arranged to be laterally spaced inside of the stopper(s) (as opposed to the beforementioned alterative). 3) In yet a further embodiment the integrated seal has at least one bifurcated portion on an outer perimeter edge of the fire curtain and at least one bifurcated portion laterally spaced inwards relative to a stopper or row of stoppers so that there is at least one bifurcated portion either lateral side of the stopper(s). The configuration of the fire curtain having a first flap seal and a second integrated seal, both having displaceable arms helps to ensure that the arms of the seals can engage with one or more surface of the guide rail when force is applied against a face of the fire curtain in order to form seals and prevent dislodgement of the fire curtain from the guide rails. In yet further embodiments a distal tip of any arm of the first flap seal or second integrated seal may be adapted to form an improved seal with a surface. For example a distal tip may be coated in a layer of material to enhance grip or distal tips may be shaped and sized to provide a greater surface contact area, for example having a frayed end. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows a top view of a guide and fire curtain assembly; Figure 2 shows a perspective top view of a guide and fire curtain assembly; Figure 3 shows an example of a head box with a fabric seal pop riveted to the angled lips of the to prevent smoke leakage; Figure 4 shows a cross section of the head box; and Figure 5 shows an example of a top view of a guide and fire curtain with a first flap seal and a second integrated seal on a perimeter edge of the fire curtain. Detailed Description of Figures Figures 1 and 2 show examples of a pair of guide rails 10 that have received a fie curtain 20. Each guide rail 10 is formed from two parts 10A, 10B. The first part 10A has a J-shaped cross section. One end 12 of the first part 10A forms one edge of the opening 11 and defines the channel 40. The other end 13 of the first part has an aperture (not shown) that receives a nut and bolt 14. The second part 10B has a substantially L-shaped profile, thereby defining a substantially L-shaped cavity. A first end 15 of the second part 10B is a returned end that defines the channel 40. A second end 16 of the second part 10B forms one edge of the opening 11. The curtain 20 passes through the channels 40. The fire curtain 20 is secured in the channel 40 by means of the seal 21 and the stopper 30. The seal 21 has two arms 21 A, 21B. The second arm 21B is arranged in use to be inserted through the opening 11, so that if an object hits the fire curtain the second arm 21B will engage with and be caught by the opening 11, thereby holding the curtain 20 in place within the channel 40. The curtain 20 is further secured by the stopper 30 that is longer than the width of the channel 40 so that it is prevent from being pulled out of the channel even when force is applied to the curtain 20. Figures 3 and 4 show a head box 200 and reel 50 that receives the curtain 20. The head box 200 has a housing 210 that encloses the reel 50 that holds the fire curtain 20. An end of the curtain 20 has a weighted end bar 22 that helps to guide the curtain 20 up and down. The weighted end bar 22 is has a triangular cross section that corresponds to the angled lips 220 so that when the weighted end bar 22 is retracted it forms a closed seal. The triangular shape of the weighted bar also enables a flat surface to be presented to the ground so that the curtain hangs and sits straight when deployed from the head box. The angled lips 220 each have a fabric seal 240 connected by two rivets 230. For example, the fabric seal may be pop rivetted to the angled lips. The fabric seal 240 engages with the fire curtain when the curtain is deployed and the weighted bar is removed from its stowage. When the weighted bar is removed from the stowage the fabric seals can flap down to engage with the fire curtain to create a seal that prevents smoke or other fire related gasses entering into the head box and thereby limiting spread of the fire. Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a guide rail and fire curtain assembly 200 that has a first flap seal 21 and a second integrated seal 60 indicated by a dashed line. The pictured second seal 60 has two bifurcated portions each having two arms 60A or 60B. Two arms 60A form the first bifurcated portion and these extend towards the passageway that is closed by the fire curtain 20 that create a seal against the guide rail 10 to act as a first seal to prevent passage of smoke and / or hot gasses. Two further arms 60B that form the second bifurcated portion extend in an opposed direction into the guide rail 10 engaging with inner faces of the guide rail to provide a second seal to prevent passage of smoke and / or hot gasses. In Figure 5 both bifurcated portions 60A, 60B are arranged on a perimeter edge of the fire curtain 20. The seal 60 is therefore laterally outside of the stopper 30. This configuration fully protects the curtain from coming out of the guide rail during impact and pressure created from the fire. It is appreciated that the second integrated seal may be arranged inside of the stopper in some embodiments or have one bifurcated portion on a perimeter edge of the curtain and a second bifurcated portion inside of the stopper. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims. 09 01 24

Claims

1. A guide and fire curtain assembly comprising: a pair of substantially hollow guide rails, each guide rail has a channel for receiving parallel edges of the fire curtain when deployed; wherein the parallel edges of the fire curtain each have a flap seal extending from at least one face of the fire curtain through an opening within the hollow region of each guide rail, so that when deployed, the flap seal engages with and closes the opening and the fire curtain includes at least one stopper for retaining the fire curtain within the guide rail under impact.

2. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 1 wherein each guide rail is formed from two elongate parts.

3. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 2 wherein one part is substantially J-shaped in section and a second part defines a substantially L-shaped hollow profile in section, and the parts are joined together to provide a channel through which the edge of the fire curtain is received through.

4. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the flap seal is formed from the same material as the fire curtain.

5. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 4 wherein the flap seal is stitched to the fire curtain.

6. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to any preceding claim wherein a flap seal is provided on each face of the fire curtain to form a X-configuration of a flap seal.

7. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 6 wherein the location of a first flap seal on a first face of the fire curtain corresponds to the location of a second flap seal on a second face of the fire curtain.

8. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 6 wherein the location of a first flap seal on a first face of the fire curtain deviates from the location of a second flap seal on a second face of the fire curtain.

9. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to any preceding claim wherein an upper edge of the guide rails has a guiding means to direct the flap seal.10.A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 9 wherein the guiding means is at least one leg arranged to pass between an arm of the flap seal and the fire curtain.11.A guide and fire curtain assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the fire curtain has a second integrated seal along at least one edge of the fire curtain comprising at least one bifurcated portion for engaging with one or more surface to form a seal.

12. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 11 including at least two bifurcated portions.

13. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein each bifurcated portion has at least two arms.

14. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 11,12 or 13 wherein the second seal with at least one bifurcated portion is provided along each of a pair of parallel edges of the fire curtain that are received in the guide rail.

15. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to any of claims 13 or 14 wherein at least one arm of the bifurcated portion is substantially straight.

16. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to any of claims 13 to 15 wherein at least one arm is, or has a region that is, curved, concertina or undulating.

17. A guide and a fire curtain assembly according to any preceding claim wherein a distal tip of any arm of either seal is adapted to form an improved seal with a surface.18.A guide and fire curtain assembly according to any preceding claim including a head box that houses a reel from which a fire curtain is deployed through an elongate slot so that the parallel edges of the fire curtain are received in the channels of the guide rails.

19. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 18 wherein the elongate slot has two opposed longitudinal sides and an angled lip extends along each of the sides.

20. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 19 wherein the angle lip includes a seal for engaging with the fire curtain when the curtain is deployed from a stowed position.

21. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 18, claim 19 or claim 20 wherein a distal end of the fire curtain has a weighted bar.

22. A guide and fire curtain assembly according to claim 21 when dependant on claim 19 wherein the weighted bar is shaped to correspond to the angled lips along the elongate slot so that the weighted bar closes the housing when in the retracted configuration.

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