Method of fire protection by assembling firestop pads
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- SI · SI
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SOLETANCHE FREYSSINET SAS
- Filing Date
- 2020-08-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing fire protection methods for devices such as electrical cable trays and ventilation ducts are cumbersome, expensive, and difficult to install and remove, with limited adaptability to different sizes and complex junction zones that compromise insulation.
The method involves assembling fire protection cushions with thermal insulating linings and hook-and-loop strips around elements, allowing for staggered arrangements to minimize thermal bridges and adapt to various sizes, with optional rigid ties for secure positioning, and using cushions with self-gripping strips to form angles and secure corners.
This approach simplifies the installation and adaptability of fire protection, effectively reducing thermal bridges and maintaining insulation integrity across different sizes and configurations, while being environmentally friendly and easily maintainable.
Abstract
Description
Description Title: FIRE PROTECTION METHOD BY ASSEMBLING FIRE-RESISTANT CUSHIONS AND FIRE-RESISTANT CUSHIONS ADAPTED TO THIS METHOD
[0001] The present invention relates to a method of fire protection of devices by assembling fire-resistant protective cushions around said structures and fire-resistant protective cushions adapted to this method. technical field
[0002] The invention is in the field of fire protection and in particular fire protection by sealing of devices passing through premises, such as electrical cable trays, ventilation ducts, pipes, suspended or not, by sealing of structures such as steel beams and girders, boxes or mechanical equipment such as valves or others or by sealing of penetrations through partitions. Previous technique
[0003] Suspended or run-through equipment, particularly in industrial buildings, such as electrical cable trays, consists of assemblies of elongated cradles supporting the electrical cables. Their fire protection requires encasing them in a fire-resistant material. The same applies to ventilation ducts or pipes bundled together for routing within industrial premises.
[0004] With regard to the sealing devices for wall penetrations, cable passages, and pipes between two rooms in a building, the need to isolate the rooms from each other in the event of a fire leads to the provision of fire-resistant means at the level of these wall penetrations, which is generally done by stuffing the penetration holes with heat-insulating fibrous materials.
[0005] In particular, there are protective devices consisting of two rigid half-shells molded from intumescent silicone. These devices constitute However, the parts are heavy, expensive and bulky to handle and have the disadvantage of only offering one size per cable tray dimension.
[0006] Installing these devices is not easy and the protective measures put in place are difficult to remove in order to work on the protected devices or at the level of the wall penetrations.
[0007] There are also rigid or flexible protective plates made of mineral fibers with aqueous gel, the implementation of which remains delicate and maintenance difficult. Summary
[0008] In view of this prior art, the invention aims to propose a simple method for making fire protections for elements such as suspended or moving elements in premises or fire protections for penetrations of partitions by means of an assembly of protective means such as cushions.
[0009] More specifically, the application relates primarily to a method for providing fire protection for an element or segment of an element, in particular an elongated element such as a cable tray, piping or ventilation duct running through premises or passing through partitions, which includes an assembly, around said element, of protective means consisting of cushions of generally rectangular or square shape, fitted with a cover having two opposite faces connected by edges and fitted with an internal thermal insulating lining for which the cushions, comprising cushions of basic width and cushions of double the basic width, are arranged around said element by mixing cushions of basic width and cushions of double the basic width.
[0010] Advantageously, since said cushions are equipped with hook and loop fasteners, at least some of said cushions are hooked together by means of said fasteners.
[0011] The method of the invention allows for an arrangement of the cushions adapted to reduce the number of thermal bridges around the element and to apply the cushions as close as possible to said element while limiting the number of types of cushions used.
[0012] According to a first embodiment, two layers of cushions are arranged in a staggered pattern in a peripheral direction around the element.
[0013] According to a second alternative or complementary embodiment, in the case where the element to be protected is longer than the cushions, two layers of cushions are arranged in a staggered pattern in a longitudinal direction parallel to the element.
[0014] These two alternative or complementary methods of implementation allow thermal bridges of a first layer to be covered by cushions of the second layer.
[0015] In a particular embodiment, the base width is defined as greater than or equal to the width of a standard minimum size cable tray module.
[0016] Since the cushions are equipped with hook and loop fasteners on their edges, they are attached edge to edge to cover the surface of the item. This holds the cushions together when they are applied to the item to be covered.
[0017] Advantageously, the process allows for the joining of cushions forming an angle of less than 180° using self-gripping floating strips with two segments forming this angle. This makes it possible to secure cushions that are not aligned, such as cushions positioned at 90° to each other when the protective covering is installed. The segments are made, for example, from two sections of the same strip forming an angle with each other.
[0018] Self-gripping floating strips can also be made in two parts connected by a joint to allow the inclination of the cushions to vary relative to each other, giving greater latitude to position the cushions at the corners of the element, for example.
[0019] According to a particular embodiment in which the cushions are equipped with hook and loop fasteners on the edges of opposite faces, cushions are hung together edge to face to conform the protection around the element.
[0020] Once positioned, the cushions of a first layer can be held onto the element by means of rigid ties such as wires, cables or strapping bands such as metal collars.
[0021] The cushions of a second layer can be held onto the first layer by means of rigid ties such as wires, strapping bands or metal collars.
[0022] The self-gripping strips thus allow pre-positioning of the cushions while the wire or cable ties are not yet in place.
[0023] According to a particular embodiment, the process allows for the creation of fire-resistant sections. To do this, a first assembly is made on a first section of said element, a second assembly is made on a second section of said element located away from the first, the first and second assemblies constituting fire-propagation barriers against a fire starting between said sections.
[0024] The application also relates to a cushion for the implementation of the process described above which comprises a cover and a filling, the cushion cover having two large opposite fabric faces joined together on three sides by an edge made with one or more strips of fabric and having an opening on a fourth edge and a closing flap extending one of the large faces to close the opening and form a fourth edge, the opening allowing the cushion to be filled with a thermal insulating material such as a fire protection filling.
[0025] According to alternative or complementary embodiments, the fire protection lining may include a piece of thermal insulation material of dimensions adapted to fill the interior of the cushion, the fire protection lining may include an active material with endothermic action and / or the fire protection lining includes mineral fibers.
[0026] Advantageously, the cover can be made of fiberglass fabric coated with an elastomeric or polymer material.
[0027] The cushion may have hook and loop fasteners on its edges and more specifically may have on two contiguous edges a velvet hook and loop fastener strip and on two contiguous edges a hook and loop fastener strip, which simplifies attaching the cushions together.
[0028] The cushion may have around the perimeter of said face self-gripping velvet fastening strips and / or self-gripping hook fastening strips.
[0029] This variant makes it possible to do without floating bands if necessary.
[0030] The application further provides for an assortment of cushions which includes at least cushions of width 150 mm ±10%, of thickness from 10 mm to 50 mm ±10% and of length from 300 mm ±10% to 600 mm ±10% as well as cushions of width 300mm ±10%, of thickness from 10 mm to 50 mm ±10% and of length from 300 mm ±10% to 600 mm ±10%.
[0031] The cushions of the invention can also be used to seal partition penetrations, for example by filling these penetrations with these cushions, or even use these cushions as insulating sleeves wrapping a penetrating object (for example cables or pipes) at the level of the penetration section (surface where the penetrating object begins to enter the penetration). Brief description of the drawings
[0032] Other features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and analyzing the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0033] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a cushion cover of the open application;
[0034] [Fig. 2] is a side view of the cover of figure 1 and of a trim;
[0035] [Fig. 3] is a perspective view of a closed application cushion cover;
[0036] [Fig. 4] is a front view of a first arrangement of cushions on a first type of cable tray;
[0037] [Fig. 5] is a front view of a second cushion arrangement on a second type of cable tray;
[0038] [Fig. 6] is a front view of a third cushion arrangement on a third type of cable tray;
[0039] [Fig. 7] is a front view of a fourth cushion arrangement on a fourth type of cable tray;
[0040] [Fig. 8] is a perspective view of an arrangement of cushions on an elongated element;
[0041] [Fig. 9] is a perspective view of an early example of cushion assembly;
[0042] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of a second example of cushion assembly;
[0043] [Fig. 11] is a schematic view of a particular application of cushions of the invention. Description of the implementation methods
[0044] The drawings and description below relate to non-limiting examples of embodiments of the invention which is the subject of this application.
[0045] The protection consists of one or more layers of an assembly of 10 cushions held on an element such as a cable tray but also any other element to be protected such as beams, pipes, boxes, partition passages, mechanical equipment (for example valves),... particularly in an industrial space.
[0046] The cushions consist of a cover 20 as shown in figure 1 in plastic or composite fabric that is decontaminable and washable, covered with an elastomer or polymer type coating, and in particular a fiberglass fabric coated with a silicone elastomer.
[0047] The cover has two large faces 12 and edges 13 on three sides. One of the large faces has a flap 11 closing an opening on a fourth side. Fastening devices 16, 17, such as snap fasteners or hooks on the flap and the second large face, secure the flap to the second large face.
[0048] When the flap is open it is possible to insert or remove a trim 30 as shown in figure 2.
[0049] The lining consists of a fire-resistant material such as fire-resistant mineral wool. A piece of mineral wool 38 mm thick with a density of 100 kg / m³ 2 and 150 kg / m2 and for example 128 kg / m 2 inserted inside the cover is particularly usable.
[0050] The lining may also include an encapsulated aqueous gel layer. Under fire conditions, the aqueous gel undergoes an endothermic transformation, enhancing the fire-resistant properties of the protection. The aqueous gel may contain one or more additives, particularly endothermic decomposition flame retardants such as, for example, aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide. Instead of, or in addition to, the lining may contain a powdered endothermic solid material such as a silicate salt.
[0051] According to figure 3, the edges are covered with a self-gripping type fastening system with a velvet strip 15 and a hook strip 14 such as for example the self-gripping strips known under the brand VELCRO.
[0052] The 30 mm wide hook and loop fastener strips are sewn onto the sides or edges of the cushion and arranged in a specific sequence – hook / loop on the first two consecutive sides, then velvet / velvet on the second two consecutive sides – to ensure optimal cushion assembly. The edge of the flap is covered with a hook and loop strip.
[0053] To aid assembly, a color is assigned to each type of fastener, for example black for hook bands and white for velvet bands as shown in figures 4 to 7.
[0054] The difficulty associated with a fire protection system using assembled insulated components lies in managing the junction areas, which constitute thermal bridges that can compromise the insulating properties of the protection. To address the lack of insulation in these areas, the method involves arranging the cushions in two staggered layers, covering the junction areas of the first layer of cushions with cushions from the second layer.
[0055] Figures 4 to 7 represent various arrangements according to different dimensions of cable trays.
[0056] To achieve effective protection, the application specifies two cushion widths. This is necessary to reduce the number of junctions between cushions and to adapt to different cable tray sizes, as cable tray protection is one of the main applications, while maintaining a reduced number of cushions to avoid complicating assembly.
[0057] A first cushion width is defined to fit the smallest standard cable tray. To achieve this, the small cushions have a width greater than or equal to the width of the smallest standard cable tray.
[0058] It is also possible to provide a small cushion with a width equal to the width of the smallest path plus two thicknesses of cushions so that this smallest cushion placed under the cable path has edges that extend beyond both sides of the cable path by a sufficient width to place two vertical cushions on these edges as in figure 5 or to receive the ends of a cushion straddling the cable path as in figure 4.
[0059] These cushions are defined as base width cushions.
[0060] A second cushion width is double the basic width and the assembly is done by mixing cushions of basic width and cushions of double the basic width which allows to cover the elements as best as possible without multiplying the dimensions of cushions.
[0061] Figure 4 illustrates an arrangement with a minimum-sized cable tray 1a. At the level of the inner layer of cushions, a cushion of basic width, hereafter referred to as small cushion 10a, is placed under the cable tray and extends beyond on each side of the cable tray of a cushion width. A cushion with a width twice the base width, hereafter large cushion 10b, is positioned above the cable tray and forms an inverted U whose lateral branches join the sides of the small cushion.
[0062] At the outer layer level, a small 10'a cushion is placed above the cable tray and two large 10'b cushions are placed on the sides of the cable tray and meet below the cable tray.
[0063] Thus, the cushions of the upper layer are offset by half an element relative to the cushions of the lower layer in a perimeter direction and the cushions are arranged in a staggered pattern around the periphery of the element to be protected, which is the cable tray.
[0064] Figure 5 represents an assembly on a larger cable tray and, in this case for the lower or inner layer, a large cushion 10b is arranged under the cable tray with its ends protruding on both sides while three small cushions 10a are arranged on the sides and above the cable tray.
[0065] The outer layer is then reversed and features a large 10'b cushion on top, two large 10'b cushions on the sides and a small 10'a cushion underneath.
[0066] Here again the layers are arranged in a staggered pattern in a peripheral direction around the element to cover the junctions of the inner layer cushions with cushions from the outer layer.
[0067] Figures 6 and 7 correspond to cable trays of increasing larger sizes and the cushions of the inner layer have two small cushions 10a on the sides of the cable tray and one or two large cushions 10b on the upper and lower faces of the cable tray while the outer layer has only large cushions 10'b including cushions straddling edges between faces to again achieve a staggered arrangement of cushions between the two layers.
[0068] Figure 6 further illustrates the presence of self-gripping hook strips 14, all of which are found on the same side of the assembly, while the on figure 7 seen from the other side all the strips have 15 self-gripping velvet fasteners.
[0069] Figure 8 represents a multi-section assembly in progress in which the lower layer sections 101, 102 are fixed together by hook and loop fasteners and the upper layer sections 103 are offset by half an element relative to the lower layer in a longitudinal direction parallel to the element to be covered so that, in addition to a peripheral staggered arrangement, two layers of cushions are arranged in a staggered longitudinal direction parallel to the element.
[0070] With further reference to Figure 8, the cushions of the first layer are assembled using rigid links such as metal wires and in particular iron wires 22, while the cushions of the second layer are assembled using rigid links such as iron wires or more robust metal collars 21 to preserve the integrity of the assembly in fire conditions, since the wide collars or thicker wires which are positioned on the fire side can better withstand high temperatures.
[0071] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the making of floating strips that can be used to hold cushions together before the installation of the metal wires surrounding the cushions.
[0072] In the case of figure 9, the floating band is in two parts 18 connected by a joint which allows them to be oriented angularly relative to each other and to hold together two cushions at a variable inclination.
[0073] In the case of Figure 10, the hook and loop fastener has two segments 18' at 90° to each other.
[0074] The evaluation and optimization of the different cushion designs was made possible by conducting fire tests in a 1 m³ oven. 3 containing a replica of a cable tray.
[0075] In one example, fabric covers that fasten with snap buttons are provided, with one cover being rectangular (300 x 150 mm) and the other square (300 x 300 mm). Rectangular cushions can be used, in particular, in high-traffic areas. curvature like the wings of tablets, to fill spaces or protect small cable trays.
[0076] The defined protection solution complies with criteria for good environmental practice: - low energy consumption, - not made of chemicals toxic to the environment, - recyclable (cover + mineral wool).
[0077] The opening under the flap of the cushions allows the insulating material to be replaced if needed (degradation, replacement with a more efficient material) and the system is removable and can be assembled / disassembled indefinitely.
[0078] Securing the protection after assembly with a system of fire-resistant clamps allows the protection to remain in place and perform its function.
[0079] The covers, equipped with fastening strips on all four sides, ensure that other covers stay in place. The opposite sides are made of the same material, thus ensuring that other covers can be attached.
[0080] As part of the request, additional sized cushions can be provided, and by way of example, basic cushions with a width of 150 mm ±10%, a thickness of 10 mm to 50 mm ±10%, and a length of 300 mm ±10% can be provided; cushions with a double width of 300 mm ±10%, a thickness of 10 mm to 50 mm ±10%, and a length of 300 mm ±10%, as well as cushions
[0081] Elongated cushions with a length of 600 mm ±10% can be made for cable trays or other long lengths.
[0082] An additional application of the protections of the invention shown in Figure 11 consists of creating fire-resistant sections comprising a first assembly 111 on a first section of an element such as a cable tray 1, and a second assembly 112 on a second section of said element, located away from the first. The first and second assemblies constitute firebreaks to prevent the propagation of a fire 120 that may break out between said sections. In the example, the cable tray 1 is suspended by means of uprights 113 attached, for example, to the ceiling of a room.
[0083] The invention is not limited to the examples shown and in particular in the case where elements of particular standardized dimensions are to be covered, the widths of the basic width cushions and the double width cushions can be revised.
Claims
Demands
1. A method for providing fire protection for an element (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) or a section of an element, in particular an elongated element such as a cable tray, piping or a ventilation duct running through rooms or passing through partitions, characterized in that it comprises an assembly, around said element, of protective means consisting of cushions (10, 10a, 10b, 10'a, 10'b) of generally rectangular or square shape, provided with a cover (20) having two opposite faces (12) connected by edges (13) and provided with an internal thermal insulating lining (30) for which the cushions, comprising cushions (10a) of base width and cushions (10b) of double the base width, are arranged around said element by mixing cushions of base width and cushions of said double width.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the cushions being equipped with self-gripping strips (14, 15) on their edges, cushions are hung together edge to edge to cover the surface of the element.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein cushion assemblies are made forming an angle of less than 180° between them by means of self-gripping floating strips (18, 18') with two segments forming said angle of less than 180° between them or by means of self-gripping floating strips (18, 18') in two parts connected by a joint (19) between them to allow variation of the inclination of the cushions relative to each other.
4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cushions being equipped with hook and loop fasteners on the edges of opposite faces, cushions are hung together edge to face to conform the protection around the element.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two layers of cushions are arranged in a staggered pattern in a peripheral direction around the element.
6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two layers of cushions are arranged in a staggered pattern in a longitudinal direction parallel to the element.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic width is defined as greater than or equal to the width of a standard minimum size cable tray module (1a).
8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cushions of a first layer are held on the element by means of rigid links such as wires or cables (22) or strapping bands and the cushions of a second layer on the first layer by means of rigid links such as wires, strapping bands or metal collars (21).
9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first assembly is made on a first section of said element, a second assembly is made on a second section of said element, distant from the first, the first and second assemblies constituting anti-propagation screens for a fire starting between said sections.
10. Cushion for implementing the method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cover (20) and a filling (30), the cushion cover being provided with two large opposite faces (12) of fabric connected together on three sides by an edge (13) made with one or more strips of fabric and provided with an opening on a fourth edge and a closing flap (11) extending one of the large faces to close the opening and form a fourth edge, the opening allowing the cushion to be filled with the filling which comprises a thermal insulating material (30) for fire protection.
11. Cushion according to claim 10, comprising on two first contiguous edges a velvet self-gripping fastening strip (15) and on two second contiguous edges a self-gripping hook-and-loop fastening strip (14).
12. Cushion according to claim 10 or 11, comprising on the periphery of said face self-gripping velvet fastening strips and / or self-gripping hook fastening strips.
13. Cushion according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the fire protection filling (30) comprises a piece of thermal insulation material of dimensions suitable for filling the interior of the cushion.
14. Cushion according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the fire protection filling (30) comprises an endothermic active material.
15. Cushion according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the fire protection filling (30) comprises mineral fibers.
16. Cushion according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the cover (20) is made of glass fabric coated with an elastomeric or polymer material.
17. An assortment of cushions according to any one of claims 10 to 16, comprising at least cushions with a width of 150 mm ±10%, a thickness of 10 mm to 50 mm ±10% and a length of 300 mm ±10% to 600 mm ±10% and cushions with a width of 300 mm ±10%, a thickness of 10 mm to 50 mm ±10% and length from 300 mm ±10% to 600 mm ±10%.