FIRE-PROOF ELEMENT FOR SEALING THROUGH OPENINGS IN BUILDING ELEMENTS.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the sealing of openings in building components, such as structural elements, through which pipes and cables pass. Furthermore, the present invention relates to fire protection elements made of intumescent material. Technical background

[0002] When laying cables, such as pipes, electrical cables, and the like, these are routed through openings in building components, particularly structural elements like walls and ceilings. To prevent the passage of fire and smoke in the event of a fire, sealing materials are inserted between the inner walls of the openings and the cables passing through them. These sealing materials are generally made of or contain intumescent material, so that when exposed to heat, such as that generated in a fire, the material expands, thereby compressing the cable and sealing the opening in the building component.

[0003] Documents US 2012 / 251762 A1 and EP 2 570 708 A2 disclose fire protection elements for pipelines.

[0004] One problem with fire protection elements inserted into the spaces between the pipes and the penetrations is that the expansion of the intumescent materials is so undirected that a large portion of the expanded material is forced laterally out of the penetration, thus exerting only minimal pressure on the pipe. Furthermore, the material forced out of the penetration is unprotected and therefore exposed to mechanical stresses, such as a water jet or similar, meaning that the extruded portion of the expanded intumescent material is not resistant in the event of a fire.

[0005] Furthermore, the lateral pushing of the material out of the through-opening reduces the speed of compression of the inserted pipe, so that a required closure time in case of fire may not be achieved.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a fire protection element with which a gap between an inner surface of a through-opening and a conduit passing through it can be sealed, and which ensures that intumescent material of the fire protection element is squeezed out of the gap to a lesser extent when expanding and consequently compresses the conduit passing through it to a greater extent. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] This problem is solved by the fire protection element according to claim 1 and by the arrangement of the fire protection element in an intermediate space between a building element and a conduit according to claim 12.

[0008] Further details are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect, a strip-shaped fire protection element is provided for a conduit passing through a building element, comprising: a planar inner layer with an intumescent material; a reinforcing layer made of a fiber composite material, which is applied to at least one first flat side of the inner layer and extends in the longitudinal direction of the fire protection element, wherein the reinforcing layer at least partially covers the inner layer in a width direction, wherein the reinforcing layer is folded over around at least one of the lateral edges of the inner layer onto a second flat side, wherein the fire protection element is folded over along its longitudinal direction to form a folded-over edge which is reinforced on the outside by the reinforcing layer, and wherein the reinforcing layer on the first side is provided with material weakening areas extending in the width direction at least in the first sealing section, and wherein in the first sealing section the reinforcing layer is applied on both sides.

[0010] One idea of ​​the above fire protection element is to provide an inner layer of intumescent material with a reinforcing layer of a reinforcing material, at least over part of its width, so that by bending in the area of ​​the reinforcing layer a folding edge of the fire protection element is formed, which surrounds the reinforcing layer on the outside.

[0011] When the fire protection element is inserted into a gap between a building component and a conduit, the folded edge of the fire protection element points outwards from the gap. In the event of a fire, if the intumescent material of the inner layer expands, the areas of the reinforcement layer surrounding the folded edge are pressed against a surface of the conduit and an inner surface of the opening, thus frictionally locking the folded edge of the fire protection element against axial movement of the conduit. This prevents the intumescent material from escaping the gap between the building component and the conduit as it continues to expand, thanks to the reinforcement layer secured by clamps, and thereby exerts increased pressure towards the conduit.

[0012] Furthermore, the reinforcement layer is folded over at least one of the lateral edges of the inner layer onto a second flat side.

[0013] In particular, the reinforcement layer can partially cover the second flat side of the inner layer.

[0014] It may be provided that the fiber composite material of the reinforcement layer comprises a technical fiber from the group consisting of glass fiber, ceramic fiber, carbon fiber, polyamide fiber, metal fiber, aramid fiber, boron fiber, natural fiber, stone fiber and mixtures thereof.

[0015] Furthermore, the fiber composite material of the reinforcement layer can be a glass fiber material, in particular a glass fiber fleece, glass fiber fabric, glass fiber knitted fabric or a glass fiber woven fabric.

[0016] According to the invention, the reinforcement layer has material weakening areas on at least the first flat side of one side, which extend in the width direction.

[0017] In particular, the material weakening zones can be formed by incisions, embossed lines, or perforations. These weakening zones can be located in areas of the reinforcement layer that are not folded over the folded edges of the inner layer. This ensures that, in the event of a fire, the expanding intumescent material can escape through these weakening zones, thus preventing it from expanding laterally across the axial direction of the opening through the building element.

[0018] Furthermore, the intumescent material can be an intumescent foam, an intumescent coating, or an intumescent strip.

[0019] The reinforcing layer can be bonded to the inner layer by clamping, gluing, doctor blade application, riveting, rolling, welding, extrusion, or form-fitting. In particular, the reinforcing layer can be doctor bladed onto a flat side of the inner layer. Furthermore, the reinforcing layer can consist of at least one layer.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the fiber composite material can have a temperature resistance of at least 500°C. Furthermore, a metal strip can be provided in the inner layer.

[0021] The fire protection element is folded over along its length to form a folded edge, which is reinforced on the outside by the reinforcing layer. The folded edge thus runs lengthwise along the fire protection element and can therefore be cut to any desired length.

[0022] According to another aspect, the above fire protection element is provided for in a through-opening of a building element through which a conduit is routed, wherein the fire protection element closes an end face of the through-opening in such a way that the folding edge points outwards and areas of the reinforcement layer are in contact with the outer surface of the through-opening and the outer surface of the conduit. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1: A perspective view of a fire protection element for use in a space between a building element and a conduit; Figure 2: A cross-sectional view of the fire protection element. Figure 1 in an unfolded state; and Figure 3 shows an arrangement of fire protection elements in a space between a building element and a conduit passing through it. Description of embodiments

[0024] In Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective representation of a section of a strip-shaped fire protection element 1, which extends in a longitudinal direction L and can be supplied as roll material that can be cut to the required length.

[0025] The fire protection element 1 is provided with a folding edge 2, which can be permanently formed or created shortly before installation by folding the fire protection element 1 along its longitudinal direction. The fire protection element 1 has an expandable inner layer 3, which is made entirely or partially of an intumescent material. The intumescent material has the property of expanding when exposed to heat, particularly from a fire, and filling any free volume. The inner layer 3 can be made of intumescent foam, an intumescent coating, or an intumescent material layer.

[0026] Furthermore, a metal strip 11 can be provided in the inner layer 3, extending longitudinally L and partially or completely across the width B of the inner layer 3, in order to achieve good heat conduction in the event of a fire to areas of the fire protection element 1 not directly exposed to the heat input of combustion gases or flames. In this way, a change in volume of the intumescent material can also be achieved in areas of the fire protection element 1 far removed from the heat input when exposed to local heat.

[0027] The inner layer 3 is covered on at least one side by a reinforcing layer 4, which is made of a reinforcing material. The reinforcing layer 4 is attached to a flat side of the inner layer 3 and is attached in particular by clamping, gluing, riveting, rolling, welding, extrusion, or form-fitting. In particular, the reinforcing layer 4 can be applied to the flat side of the inner layer 3 using a rubber spatula.

[0028] The reinforcing material of reinforcement layer 4 may be or comprise a fiber composite material and may contain one or more of the following technical fibers: glass fiber, ceramic fiber, carbon fiber, polyamide fiber, metal fiber, aramid fiber, boron fiber, natural fiber, stone fiber, and the like. The fiber composite material may furthermore be a glass fiber material, in particular a glass fiber fleece, glass fiber nonwoven, glass fiber knitted, or glass fiber woven.

[0029] Preferably, the fiber composite material exhibits temperature resistance such that it retains high tensile strength at the temperature at which maximum volume change of the intumescent material is reached, or does not exhibit reduced tensile strength compared to normal temperature (e.g., 20°C). The reinforcing material can, for example, have a temperature resistance of at least 500°C.

[0030] The inner layer 3 can be folded over to form the folding edge 2, which extends along the longitudinal direction L of the fire protection element 1. The folding edge 2 thus forms an edge of the fire protection element 1 that is covered on the outside by the reinforcement layer 4.

[0031] In the present embodiment, it is covered, as in Figure 2 As shown, the reinforcement layer 4 completely covers the inner layer 3 on a first side 6 over its entire width B, and furthermore, an adjoining lateral edge 5 of the inner layer 3 and a section of a second side 7 of the inner layer 3 opposite the first side 6, which adjoins the lateral edge 5. This forms a fire protection element 1 which, with respect to its width, has a first sealing section 8 and a second sealing section 9, which, when folded into a service state, as shown in Figure 1shown, essentially forming two legs of a U-shaped cross-section.

[0032] The reinforcement layer 4 is provided on the first side 6, at least in the first sealing section 8, with material weakening areas 10 extending in the width direction B, which may be in the form of incisions, embossed lines, or perforations. The material weakening areas 10 may be elongated or have other geometric shapes.

[0033] In the event of a fire, if the intumescent material expands, these material weakening areas 10 allow the expanding intumescent material of the inner layer 3 to tear open and escape, so that the fire protection element 1 widens transversely to the longitudinal direction L in the service state and exerts pressure on a surface against which the outside of the leg of the U-shaped fire protection element 1 formed by the first sealing section 8 rests.

[0034] By applying the reinforcement layer 4 on both sides in the first sealing section 8, this effect is further enhanced, as the expanding intumescent material, which along the material weakening areas 10 releases the reinforcement layer 4, expands and exerts pressure in the direction of the surface against which the leg in question rests.

[0035] In Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an arrangement of the fire protection element 1 in a space 18 between a passage opening 16 of a building element 15 and a conduit 17, such as a pipeline or electrical cable, passing through the passage opening. Two fire protection elements 1 are shown in cross-section, each intended to close one end face of the passage opening 16 and arranged around the conduit 17 within the passage opening 16.

[0036] To close one end face of the passage opening 16, the fire protection element 1 is inserted with its folding edge 2 outwards around the conduit 17 into the space between the conduit and the conduit, so that the legs of the U-shaped cross-section of the fire protection element 1 abut a section of the outer surface of the conduit 17 and a section of the inner surface of the passage opening 16.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the first sealing section 8 is arranged on the inner side of the U-shaped cross-section, such that the material weakening areas 10 are essentially in contact with or facing the outer surface of the pipe 17. When exposed to heat from a fire, the volume of the intumescent material in the inner layer 3 of the first sealing section 8 increases. This increased volume of intumescent material only finds room to expand through the material weakening areas 10 and thus presses against the outer surface of the pipe 17 inside the passage opening 16. This ensures that, in the event of a fire, the pressure on the outer surface of the pipe 17 is increased as soon as the intumescent material begins to expand, and the pipe 17 is compressed early on after the outbreak of a fire in order to completely close the passage opening 16.This is particularly effective in conjunction with the embedded metal strip 11, as this transports the heat from the fire into the area of ​​the first sealing section 8. At the same time, the reinforcing layer 4 in the area of ​​the folded edge 2, which seals the front face of the passage opening 16 to the outside, prevents any intumescent material from escaping the passage opening 16, thus keeping the pressure from the volume expansion of the intumescent material directed inwards into the passage opening 16, thereby supporting the compression of the pipe 17. Reference symbol list

[0038] 1 Fire protection element 2 Fold-over edge 3 Inner layer 4 Reinforcement layer 5 Side edge 6 First side 7 Second side 8 First sealing section 9 Second sealing section 10 Material weakening areas 11 Metal strip 15 Component 16 Passage opening 17 Pipe 18 Gap

Claims

1. Strip-shaped fire protection element (1), in particular for a line (17) passing through a through-opening (16) of a building element (15), comprising: - a planar inner layer (3) which extends in a longitudinal direction (L) and consists of an intumescent material; - a reinforcement layer (4) which is made of a fiber composite material, is applied to at least a first flat side (6) of the inner layer (3) and extends in the longitudinal direction (L) of the fire protection element (1), wherein the reinforcement layer (4) at least partially covers the inner layer (3) in a width direction, wherein the reinforcement layer (4) is folded around at least one of the lateral edges of the inner layer (3) onto a second flat side (7), wherein the fire protection element (1) is folded over in its longitudinal direction (L) to form a folding edge (2) which is reinforced on the outside by the reinforcement layer (4), and wherein the reinforcement layer (4), on the first side (6), is provided, at least in the first sealing portion (8), with material weakening regions (10) which extend in the width direction B, and wherein the reinforcement layer (4) is applied on both sides in the first sealing portion (8).

2. Fire protection element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement layer (4) partially covers the second flat side of the inner layer (3).

3. Fire protection element (1) according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the fiber composite material of the reinforcement layer (4) comprises a technical fiber from the group consisting of glass fiber, ceramic fiber, carbon fiber, polyamide fiber, metal fiber, aramid fiber, boron fiber, natural fiber, rock fiber and mixtures thereof.

4. Fire protection element (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fiber composite material of the reinforcement layer (4) is a glass fiber material, in particular a glass fiber non-woven fabric, glass fiber laid scrim, glass fiber knitted fabric or a glass fiber woven fabric.

5. Fire protection element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material weakening regions (10) are formed by incisions, embossing lines or perforations.

6. Fire protection element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intumescent material is an intumescent foam, an intumescent coating or an intumescent strip.

7. Fire protection element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcement layer (4) is connected to the inner layer (3) by clamping, gluing, squeegeeing, riveting, rolling, welding, extruding or form-fitting.

8. Fire protection element (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the reinforcement layer (4) is squeegeed onto the at least one flat side of the inner layer (3).

9. Fire protection element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcement layer (4) is at least one layer.

10. Fire protection element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fiber composite material has a temperature resistance of at least 500°C.

11. Fire protection element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a metal strip (11) is provided in the inner layer (3).

12. Arrangement of a fire protection element (1) according to any of the preceding claims in a through-opening (16) of a building element (15), through which through-opening a line (17) is guided, wherein the fire protection element (1) closes an end face of the through-opening (16) such that the folding edge (2) points outward and regions of the reinforcement layer (4) are in contact with the lateral surface of the through-opening (16) and the lateral surface of the line (17).