A prefabricated room divider

Abstract

A prefabricated room divider 10 comprising a base 12 which may include a substantially planar upper member 13 and a single panel 14 connected to the base and extending vertically from a lateral side o

Description

The present invention relates to a prefabricated utility room divider, and particularly but not exclusively to a prefabricated utility room divider for partitioning a utility room in a building. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION In residential construction projects, installation of utility units is required for providing heating, ventilation and electrical power. Examples of the utility units are water heating units, consumer units / distribution boards for electricity supply, mechanical ventilation units, and appliances such as washing machines or tumble dryers. The utility units are required to be connected to utilities conduits such as electrical power cables, ventilation ducts, gas supply, water supply and water flow and return pipes. In larger projects such as flat or apartment buildings, identical installations of the utility units may be required to be repeated multiple times. Providing the facilities or utility units in prefabricated utility rooms or packaged utility surfaces allows for significant cost and time savings because significant amount of standardised work can be performed off-site. This therefore simplifies the overall construction process. Prefabricated utility rooms or packaged utility surfaces are generally designed to fit relatively tightly into a defined space. Therefore, some of the facilities or utility units are not very easily accessible to a user due to the confined nature of the prefabricated utility rooms or packaged utility surfaces. Furthermore, some mechanical pipework and mechanical testing is still required to be undertaken on-site to connect the utility units to the prefabricated utility rooms or packaged utility surfaces. Much of this responsibility falls on the customer on-site, and therefore some of the benefit of off-site manufacturing is lost. It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems. STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a prefabricated utility room divider for partitioning a utility room in a building, the divider comprising: a base; and a single panel disposed to the base and extending vertically from a lateral side of the base, a first side of the panel having at least one first utility conduit mounted to it for connection with a first utility unit placed on the base, and a second side of the panel having at least one second utility conduit mounted to it for connection with a second utility unit disposable next to the second side of the panel. Advantageously, the present invention provides a reduced frame which uses fewer number of panels compared to traditional prefabricated utility rooms or units, thereby saving material and manufacturing costs and consequently providing environmental benefits. More dividers can be transported in a lorry which also saves transportation costs and also provides environmental benefits. The utility room divider is also lighter and can be positioned in substantially any room increasing its adaptability or use. The present invention allows utility units to be provided on either side of the divider creating a partition between the utility units in the utility room. The divider can be inserted into a void or alcove in the room providing a finished utility area. The base of the divider allows the first utility unit to be supported during transportation to a site in which the divider is to be installed. This means that the divider can be provided with and connected to the first utility unit before installation on-site. This reduces the amount of mechanical pipework required to be done on-site to join the utility unit to the panel of the divider, compared to when the utility unit and the divider are provided separately. This also allows the first utility unit and the utility conduits of the first utility unit to be fully mechanically tested together prior to delivery. Due to the lack of other ‘walls’ there is greater accessibility around the divider for connecting services or other utility units to it. The prefabricated utility room divider may be considered a prefabricated utility cupboard divider. The divider may include mechanical, electrical, and / or mechanical and electrical components. The panel may be connected to the base. The first utility unit may be a heat pump or cylinder. The second utility unit may be a washing machine or a tumble dryer. The first and / or utility conduits may be valves, connectors, pipes and / or cables for connection to the first and / or second utility units. An upper end of the panel may be adapted to be fixed to a ceiling or a wall of the room. At least one adjustable bracket support may be provided for fixing the panel to the ceiling. This allows the divider to be secured in position upon installation. At least one brace may be provided. This provides stability to the panel, for example, during transport to the site in which the divider is to be installed. The at least one brace may be fixed to the panel and the base. The at least one brace may be a removable brace. This allows the diagonal brace(s) to be removed from the divider after installation of the divider if desired. The at least one brace may be a diagonal brace. The base may include a substantially planar upper member. In use, the first utility unit is placed on the substantially planar upper member allowing the unit to be supported by the base. Height adjustable feet may be provided. The height adjustable feet may be provided underneath the substantially planar upper member for supporting the substantially planar upper member in a raised position above a surface on which the feet are placed. This allows the divider or the base of the divider to be levelled during and / or after installation. Means for adjusting the adjustable feet may be disposed on the upper side of the substantially planar upper member. A space may be formed underneath the substantially planar upper member for providing unimpeded access for forks of a forklift or pallet truck to slide underneath the substantially planar upper member. At least two forklift receiving means may be provided to the base for receiving and guiding the forks of the forklift or pallet truck. This allows the divider to be lifted by a forklift or pallet truck from its base. This facilitates movement of the divider within a partially constructed building. The fork receiving means also improves safety while lifting and moving the divider. The ability to lift the divider with conventional lifting apparatus on-site is a significant advantage. The at least two forklift receiving means may be disposed to the underside of the substantially planar upper member. The at least two forklift receiving means may be removable from the base. For example, when the fork receiving means cannot be hidden from view after installation. Each forklift receiving means may include at least one wheel. This allows the divider to slide along the surface on which it is placed, allowing it to be easily manoeuvred into the desired position. The at least one wheel may be a roller ball. The at least two forklift means may be disposed to either side of a centre line of the base, the centre line of the base being parallel to the width of the panel. Each of the fork receiving means may comprise a pair of elements. A first element may be located on a front side of the base and a second element may be located on a rear side of the base. This allows the forks of the forklift or pallet truck to evenly support the base during lifting. The front side and rear side of the base may extend perpendicularly to the width of the panel. In use, the front side of the base is disposed towards the interior of the room and the rear side of the base is disposed behind the front side. A third utility unit may be provided. The third utility unit may be mounted to the panel. The third utility unit may be mounted to an upper section of the panel. The third utility unit may be mounted to the second side of the panel. At least one third utility conduit may be mounted to the panel for connection to the third utility unit. The at least one third utility conduit may be mounted to the second side of the panel. The third utility unit may be a mechanical ventilation heat recovery unit (MVHR). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a prefabricated utility room divider according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the prefabricated utility room divider of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of the prefabricated utility room divider of Figures 1 and 2. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a prefabricated utility room divider for partitioning a utility room in a building is indicated generally at 10. The divider 10 includes a base 12, and a single panel 14 rigidly fixed to the base 12. The panel 14 extends upwardly from the base 12 along one side or edge of the base 12. The base 12 and panel 14 are both substantially planar and rectangular in shape. The length of the panel 14 is around at least twice the length of the base 12. The length of the panel 14 is the vertical extent of the panel 14, which may vary depending on the height of the room in which the divider 10 is to be installed. The divider 10 may be inserted into a void or alcove in a utility room. In use, the panel 14 can be disposed substantially centrally (i.e. in a central region) of the void or alcove. The panel 14 acts as a partition to the void or alcove, forming a first (i.e. left) section and a second (i.e. right) section on either side of the panel 14. The base 12 does not extend beyond the panel 14, so depending on the desired orientation of the divider 10, the base 14 can be disposed on either one of the formed sections of the void or alcove. An upper end 14a of the panel 14 may be fixed to a ceiling of the utility room within the void or alcove using adjustable bracket supports (not shown). The base 12 includes a substantially planar upper member 13 and has a front side 12a, a rear side 12b, a left side 12c and a right side 12d. The sides of the base 12 may be also referred to as ends of the base 12. The front side 12a of the base 12 is the side disposed towards the interior of the room and the rear side 12b of the base 12 is disposed towards the void or alcove in the room. The left side 12c and right side 12d of the base 12 extend perpendicularly to the front side 12a and rear side 12b of the base 12. In this embodiment, the panel 14 extends upwardly from the right side 12d of the base 12 such that the base 12 is disposed in the left section of the void or alcove, in use. However, in other embodiments, the divider 10 may be oriented such that the panel 14 extends from the left side 12c of the base 12 and the base 12 is disposed in the right section of the void or alcove, in use. A lower end 14b of the panel 14 rests on an upper surface of the substantially planar upper member 13 of the base 12 and is fixed to the right side 12d of the base 12 using fastening means such as screws, bolts or rivets. In use, the substantially planar upper member 13 extends along a horizontal plane of the divider 10 i.e. the substantially planar upper member 13 is substantially parallel to a surface in which the base 12 is placed or rests on in the utility room. The substantially planar upper member 13 can form part of the floor of the utility room. This means that the upper surface of the planar upper member 13 may form part of the surface of the floor of the utility room when fitted. The width of the panel 14 substantially matches the width of the base 12. This means that the width of the panel 14 extends across the right side 12d of the base 12 from front to rear of the base 12. Two braces 15 i.e. diagonal braces are provided on either side of the panel 14. The diagonal braces provide stability and support to the panel 14. A first end of each diagonal brace 15 is fixed to a corner of the panel 14 at the upper end 14a of the panel 14. A second end of each diagonal brace 15 is fixed to a corner of the base 12 at the left side 12c of the base 12. The diagonal braces 15 are removable and optionally can be left on the divider 10 after installation or can be removed, for example, where the panel 14 is otherwise fastened in position during the installation. In use, a first utility unit 18 is placed on top of the substantially planar upper member 13. The first utility unit 18 may be a heat pump or cylinder. As can be more clearly seen in Figures 2 and 3, utility conduits such as pipes associated with the first utility unit 18 are mounted to a first side 14c of the panel 14 for connection to the first utility unit 18. Portions of the pipes 16 extend substantially along the panel 14 wherein, in use, the pipes 16 extend towards a ceiling space in the room. Note that not all of the utility conduits mounted on the first side 14c of the panel 14 are referenced in the Figures. The first side 14c of the panel 14 is the side that faces the first utility unit 18. The first utility unit 18 can be provided and delivered with the divider 10 on-site. This minimises the amount of mechanical pipework to be done on-site because the first utility unit 18 can already be connected to the divider 10. This also allows the first utility unit 18 and the mechanical pipework provided to the divider 10 to be mechanically tested before delivery on-site. A second utility unit (not shown) is disposable next to a second side 14d of the panel 14. The second side 14d is disposed opposite the first side 14c of the panel 14 and faces the second utility unit. In use, the second utility unit is disposed in the right section of the void or alcove. The second utility unit may be a washing machine or tumble dryer. As can be more clearly seen in Figures 1 and 2, utility conduits such as pipes, electrical elements and valves associated with the second utility unit are mounted to the second side 14d of the panel 14 for connection to the second utility unit. Note that not all of the utility conduits mounted to the second side 14d of the panel 14 are referenced in the Figures. Plug sockets 20 are mounted on a central region of the second side 14d of the panel 14 for plugging in the second utility unit. However, in some embodiments, the plug sockets may be provided on a different section or part of panel. In use, a counter may extend above the second utility unit and fixed to the second side 14d of the panel 14, below the plugs 20. A drain pipe 23 for the second utility unit is mounted on a bottom region of the panel 14 and extends through the panel 14 such that a portion of the pipe 23 extends along the substantially planar upper member 13, adjacent the rear side 12b of the base 12. The first utility unit is also connected to part of the drain pipe 23 extending along the base 12. This allows waste water from the first 18 and second utility units to be directed away from the utility divider 10 and towards a drain. A fuse board or consumer unit 25 is also mounted to the second side 14d of the panel 14, above the plugs 20. This positions the fuse board or consumer unit 25 in an easily accessible location for the user. A further utility unit such as a pressure vessel is mounted on the upper region of the first side 14c of the panel 14. The panel 14 can be constructed from folded metal. The folded edges of the panel 14 extend towards the base 12 such that the planar part of the panel 14 extends from the periphery of the right side 12d of the base 12. The panel may be made from sheet metal. Alternatively, a composite panel can be mounted to a structural frame. In other embodiments, the panel may be made from wood such as one or more natural timbers and / or one or more engineered wood-based sheet materials such as medium density fibreboard (MDF). The bottom region of the panel 14, as can be more clearly seen in Figure 3, is formed as a double skin wall, wherein a further wall extends between the folded edges of the panel 14. The central region and upper region of the panel 14 are formed as a single skin wall, which reduces the weight of the panel 14. Part of the pipes 16 are bent to allow them to extend along the double skin wall and single skin, and allows them to be mounted to the double skin and single skin wall with ease. Part of a further pipe 27 of the first utility unit 18 also extends in line with and parallel to the part of the drain pipe 23 extending along the base 12. The base 12 includes two fork receiving means 22 disposed to either side of a centre line of the base 12. Each fork receiving means 22 comprises a pair of elements, each sized and shaped to receive a fork of a forklift or pallet truck. A first element of the pair of elements is located and fixed to the front side 12a of the base 12 and a second element of the pair of elements is located and fixed to the rear side 12b of the base 12. The base 12 is constructed from a steel box section frame with a sheet metal cover folded over the top. The frame provides rigidity to the base 12 and the sheet metal provides a pleasing aesthetic appearance to the base 12. The fork receiving means 22 are fixed to the edges of the base 12. In some embodiments, the base is constructed from folded metal. The folded edges of the base 12 extend away from the panel 14. The fork receiving means 22 are fixed to the folded edges of the base 12. The fork receiving means are removable from the base 12 if desired. 5 The fork receiving means and the substantially planar upper member 13 form a space underneath the substantially planar upper member 13 in which the forks of the forklift or pallet truck can slide through for lifting the divider 10 into the building and into the void or alcove in the room of the building. The base 12 includes a plurality of adjustable feet 24 spaced around the footprint of 10 the base 12 formed by the planar upper member 12b. The adjustable feet 24 allow the base 12 to be levelled during fitment within the building. In this embodiment, four adjustable feet 26 are provided and disposed proximate or next to each corner of the base 12. Two of the adjustable feet 22 are disposed at the left side 12c of the base 12. The other two of the adjustable feet are disposed at the 15 right side 12d of the base 12. The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A prefabricated utility room divider for partitioning a utility room in a building, the divider comprising:a base; anda single panel disposed to the base and extending vertically from a lateral side of the base, a first side of the panel having at least one first utility conduit mounted to it for connection with a first utility unit placed on the base, a second side of the panel having at least one second utility conduit mounted to it for connection with a second utility unit disposable next to the second side of the panel.

2. A divider as claimed in claim 1, in which an upper end of the panel is adapted to be fixed to a ceiling of the room.

3. A divider as claimed in claim 2, in which at least one adjustable bracket support is provided for fixing the panel to the ceiling.

4. A divider as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one brace is provided for providing stability to the panel.

5. A divider as claimed in claim 4, in which the at least one brace is a removable brace.

6. A divider as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the base includes a substantially planar upper member for on which the first utility unit is placed.

7. A divider as claimed in any preceding claim, in which height adjustable feet are provided for levelling the divider or the base of the divider.

8. A divider as claimed in claim 6 and claim 7, in which the height adjustable feet are provided underneath the substantially planar upper member for supporting the substantially planar member in a raised position above a surface on which the feet are placed.

9. A divider as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, in which a space is formed underneath the substantially planar upper member for providing unimpeded access for forks of a forklift or pallet truck to slide underneath the substantially planar member.

10. A divider as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least two forklift receiving means are provided to the base for receiving and guiding the forks of the forklift or pallet truck.

11. A divider as claimed in claim 10, in which the at least two forklift receiving means are removable from the base.

12. A divider as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, in which each forklift receiving means includes at least one wheel.

13. A divider as claimed in claim 12, in which the at least one wheel is a roller ball.

14. A divider as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, when dependent on claim 6, in which the at least two forklift receiving means are disposed to the underside of the planar upper member.

15. A divider as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, in which the at least two forklift means are disposed to either side of a centre line of the base, the centre line of the base being parallel to the width of the panel.

16. A divider as claimed in claim 15, in which each of the fork receiving means comprises a pair of elements, a first element located on a front side of the base and a second element located on a rear side of the base, the front side and rear side extending perpendicularly to the width of the panel.

17. A divider as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a third utility unit is mounted to the second side of the panel.

18. A divider as claimed claim 17, in which at least one third utility conduit is mounted to the second side of the panel for connection to the third utility unit.

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