A partition having pre-assembled wall and services transition modules

Abstract

A partition 1 comprising a wall pre-assembled module 25 having an aperture 29 and a services transition pre-assembled module 27 fixed within the aperture 29. The wall pre-assembled module 25 comprises first and second continuous wall surfaces 33,35 and the services transition pre-assembled module 27 comprises first and second continuous wall surfaces 47,49. The services transition pre-assembled module 27 has a plurality of conveying component connectors 57,61,65,67 that pass through it. In use, the conveying component connectors 57,61,65,67 are coupleable to conveying components on either side of the services transition pre-assembled module 27.

Description

[0001] A Partition having Pre-assembled Wall and Services Transition Modules

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a partition, for example a partition for use in a building, into which a services transition module can be fitted. According to one embodiment of the present invention the partition may comprise a wall pre-assembled module into which is fitted a services transition module. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the partition may comprise a conventionally constructed wall, such as a stud wall built on site into which a services transition module according to the present invention can be fitted. The partition can, for example, provide fire protection for a building, or improve its acoustic performance by reducing the transmission of noise and / or its thermal performance.

[0004] Background

[0005] Traditionally, once a building has been constructed, it is costly to install service networks of conveying components, such as ventilation systems, piping networks and electrical networks, in the building because it is very time consuming. This is the case if those conveying components need to pass through a partition, and it is particularly time consuming if the partition is a fire-resistant wall, because of the need to provide fire protection around any apertures made in the wall. In addition, any delays associated with having to wait for tradesmen to complete the sealing procedures will delay the following tasks and therefore potentially lead to a delay to the project which may result in the builder incurring financial penalties.

[0006] Consequently, there is a need to provide a system that reduces the time taken to install conveying components through partitions. The present invention utilises modular construction techniques to provide a partition that has a pre-assembled wall module and a pre-assembled services transition module in order to minimise the amount of on-site fabrication and installation work that is required.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a partition comprising a wall pre-assembled module having an aperture, a services transition pre- assembled module, a means to fix the services transition pre-assembled module within the aperture of the wall pre-assembled module and a means to seal between the services transition pre-assembled module and the wall pre-assembled module, the wall pre-assembled module comprising a first continuous wall surface on a first side and a second continuous wall surface on a second side, and the services transition pre-assembled module comprising a first continuous wall surface on a first side of the services transition pre-assembled module and a second continuous wall surface on a second side of the services transition pre-assembled module, and a plurality of conveying component connectors that pass through the services transition preassembled module from the first continuous wall surface to the second continuous wall surface wherein, in use, the conveying component connectors are coupleable to conveying components on the first side of the services transition pre-assembled module and are coupleable to conveying components on the second side of the services transition pre-assembled module.

[0009] Preferably, the wall pre-assembled module further comprises a frame which forms, at least in part, the aperture and the services transition pre-assembled module further comprising an external frame, wherein the services transition pre-assembled module is fixed into the aperture by attaching the frame of the wall pre-assembled module to the frame of the services transition pre-assembled module, wherein the attachment between the frame of the wall pre-assembled module and the frame of the services transition pre-assembled module is made between the first continuous wall surface and the second continuous wall surface of the wall pre-assembled module. This arrangement is advantageous because it facilitates fixing and, where required, sealing of the services transition module within the wall pre-assembled module. Furthermore, the fixing is made within the partition, such that they are no mechanical fasteners on the externally facing surfaces of the partition.

[0010] Preferably, the part of the frame forming the aperture provides the aperture (29) with a substantially internally facing continuous surface around its perimeter and wherein the frame of the services transition module provides the services transition module with a substantially externally facing continuous surface around its perimeter, wherein the internally facing continuous surface of the aperture is located opposite to and in alignment with the externally facing continuous surface of the services transition pre- assembled module. This arrangement is advantageous because it provides a relatively large surface area for installing mechanical fixings and applying sealants (where that is required).

[0011] Preferably, the wall pre-assembled module comprises a frame located between its first continuous wall surface and its second continuous wall surface and a cavity located within the frame and the services transition pre-assembled module comprises a frame located between its first continuous wall surface and its second continuous wall surface and a cavity located within the frame. This arrangement facilitates construction of the partition to meet different specifications, e.g. for fire-resistant or acoustic performance.

[0012] Preferably, the first continuous wall surface and the second continuous wall surface of the services transition pre-assembled module are located within the aperture of the wall pre-assembled module. This is advantageous because it enables location of the services transition pre-assembled module into the wall pre-assembled module in either direction, i.e. from the first side to the second side, or vice versa.

[0013] Preferably, the frame and the frame are made from a structural steel framing system, wherein the first continuous wall surface and the second continuous wall surface of the wall pre-assembled module and the first continuous wall surface and the second continuous wall surface of the services transition pre-assembled module are made from a fire-resistant board, wherein the cavity of the wall pre-assembled module and the cavity of the services transition pre-assembled module contain a fire-resistant material and wherein the frame of the services transition pre-assembled module is sealed to the aperture, which is formed, at least in part, by the frame of the wall preassembled module, with a fire-resistant sealant.

[0014] Preferably, the services transition pre-assembled module comprises a ventilation supply connector, a ventilation extract connector, a water pipe connector and an electrical cable tray connector.

[0015] In one variant, the wall pre-assembled module and the services transition preassembled module are orientated substantially vertically. This facilitates the transition of horizontally running conveying components through a vertical partition. In another variant, the wall pre-assembled module and the services transition preassembled module are orientated substantially horizontally. This facilitates the transition of vertically running conveying components through a horizontal partition.

[0016] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a wall preassembled module comprising a frame made from a structural steel framing system, two layers of fire-resistant plasterboard fixed to either side of the frame to form a first continuous wall surface on a first side and a second continuous wall surface on a second side, a cavity between the layers of fire-resistant plasterboard and within the frame, the cavity containing a fire-resistant material and an aperture formed, at least in part, by the frame, the aperture having a substantially internally facing continuous surface around its perimeter

[0017] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a services transition pre-assembled module comprising a frame made from a structural steel framing system, two layers of fire-resistant plasterboard fixed to either side of the frame to form a first continuous wall surface on a first side and a second continuous wall surface on a second side, a cavity between the layers of fire-resistant plasterboard and within the frame, the cavity containing a fire-resistant material and an aperture formed, at least in part, by the frame, and a plurality of conveying component connectors that pass through the services transition pre-assembled module from the first continuous wall surface to the second continuous wall surface wherein, in use, the conveying component connectors are coupleable to conveying components on the first side of the services transition pre-assembled module and are coupleable to conveying components on the second side of the services transition pre-assembled module.

[0018] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a partition comprising a wall having an aperture, a services transition pre-assembled module according to the third aspect of the present invention and a means to fix the services transition pre-assembled module within the aperture.

[0019] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a building having a lower floor and an upper floor and a partition located between and fixed to the lower floor and the upper floor. Preferably, the building further comprises a ceiling, a room below the ceiling, wherein at least one wall of the room is formed by the partition, a services void above the ceiling and below the upper floor and a service pre-assembled module located within the services void.

[0020] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing a partition into a building having a lower floor and an upper floor comprising the steps of locating the wall pre-assembled module into the building and fixing it to the lower floor and the upper floor, locating the services transition pre-assembled module into the aperture in the wall pre-assembled module and attaching the frame of the wall pre-assembled module to the frame of the services transition preassembled module.

[0021] Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of filling any apertures in the first wall surface and the second wall surface of the wall pre-assembled module and in the first wall surface and the second wall surface of the services transition preassembled module.

[0022] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic end view of a partition comprising a wall pre-assembled module (PAM) and a services transition PAM according to the present invention, in situ in a building;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a partition of Figure 1 in situ in a building with some of the services not shown, to improve clarity of the illustration;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the services transition PAM of Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic end view of the services transition PAM of Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the services transition PAM of Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the framework of the services transition PAM of Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is a close-up view of the interface between the wall PAM and the services transition PAM; and

[0030] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a partition in situ in a building, with the services transition pre-assembled module abutting part of the building and with some of the services not shown, to improve clarity of the illustration.

[0031] Detailed Description

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates a partition 1 in situ in a building 3. The partition 1 creates a barrier between two parts of the building, for example between two rooms. The building 3 comprises a concrete lower floor slab 5 and a concrete upper floor slab 7. The partition 1 extends from the lower floor slab 5 to the upper floor slab 7 and is sealed to the lower and upper floor slabs at each of its ends. A ceiling 9 is suspended located beneath the upper floor slab 7 and creates a room 11 below the ceiling 9, between the ceiling 9 and the lower floor slab 5, and a services void 13 above the ceiling 9, between the ceiling 9 and the upper floor slab 7. Service pre-assembled modules (PAMs) 15a, 15b are located within the services void 13 and are suspended beneath the upper floor slab 7, as shown in Figure 2. The service PAMs 15a, 15b carry the services, or conveying components, required by the building 3, for example, supply and extract ventilation ducts 17a, 17b, water pipes 19 and electrical cables carried in an electrical cable tray 21 , the services passing through the partition 1. The service PAMs 15a, 15b comprise open metal frameworks 23 to support the services that run within them.

[0033] The partition 1 comprises a wall pre-assembled module (PAM) 25 and a services transition pre-assembled module (PAM) 27 which facilitates passing of the services through the partition 1 . The services transition PAM 27 is located within an aperture 29 of the wall PAM 15. The services transition PAM 27 has an external size and shape that is complementary to the size and shape of the aperture 29, so that the services transition PAM 27 can be fitted into the aperture 29 with only a relatively small gap between it and the aperture 29. The gap can be closed with a suitable building material, such as a sealant. The wall PAM 25 has a light gauge steel structural frame 31 made from U-profile sections with a width of 100mm. The wall PAM 25 has on a first side a continuous first wall surface 33 and on an opposite, second side, a continuous second wall surface 35. The first and second wall surfaces 33,35 are each formed from two 12.5mm thick layers of fire-resistant plasterboard 37 which are fixed, back-to-back, to the frame 31 . The central cavity 39 of the wall PAM 25 that is located between the first and second wall surfaces 33,35 contains a wall insulation material41 , that is selected according to the performance required for the wall, for example its acoustic, thermal and / or fire-resistance performance. The wall PAM 25 can comprise features such as a doorway 43, as shown in Figure 1 .

[0034] Figures 3, 4 and 5 are close-up views of the services transition PAM 27 illustrating its construction and its features which facilitate the passing of services through the partition 1 . The services transition PAM 27 has a light gauge steel structural frame 45 made from U-profile sections with a width of 70mm. The services transition PAM 27 has on a first side a continuous first wall surface 47 and on an opposite, second side, a continuous second wall surface 49. The first and second wall surfaces 47,49 are each formed from two 12.5mm thick layers of fire-resistant plasterboard 51 which are fixed, back-to-back, to the frame 45. The central cavity 53 of the wall PAM 25 that is located between the first and second wall surfaces 47,49 contains a fire barrier slab, or fire batt, 55 for example the FZ100 barrier slab sold by Nullifire. This is necessary if the wall PAM 25 is fire-rated. If the wall PAM 25 does not need to be fire-rated then its central cavity 53 can contain a different in-fill material, such as a material that will provide a desired acoustic and / or thermal performance.

[0035] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement, adjacent to the first wall surface 47 of the services transition PAM 27, of the various service connections for connection to the various services of the service PAMs 15a, 15b. An elevation view of the arrangement to the first wall surface 47 is shown in Figure 4. A ventilation supply connector 57 is provided for connection to the supply ventilation duct 17a on either side of the partition 1 . The ventilation supply connector 57 is also provided with a fire and smoke damper 59. A ventilation extract connector 61 is provided for connection to the extract ventilation duct 17b on either side of the partition 1 . The ventilation extract connector 61 is also provided with a fire and smoke damper 63. Water pipe connectors 65 are also provided, along with an electrical cable tray connector 67. A ventilation supply connector 57, ventilation extract connector 59, water pipe connectors 65 and a cable tray connector 67 are provided on either side of the services transition PAM and extend generally perpendicularly outwardly from the first wall surface 47 and the second wall surface 49 respectively. The services transition PAM 27 is also provided on its first wall surface with two electrical switches 69 and two electrical control boxes 71 .

[0036] Figure 5 is a cross-section along the plane Y-Y marked on Figure 4 illustrating how the ventilation supply connector 57 and ventilation extract connector 61 are fitted into the services transition PAM 27. A square aperture 73 and a square aperture 75 are provided through the width of the services transition PAM 27 from its first wall surface 47 to its second wall surface 49. The walls of the square apertures 73,75 are lined with a single 12.5mm thick layer of fire-resistant plasterboard 77 and an intumescent fire-resistant sealant 79 is located in the gap between the fire-resistant plasterboard 77 and the fire and smoke dampers 59,63.

[0037] Figure 6 shows the steel structural frame 45 of the services transition PAM 27, with the square aperture 73 and the square aperture 75 for accommodating the ventilation supply and extract connectors 57, 61 and the fire and smoke dampers 59,63.

[0038] The partition 1 of the present invention is manufactured off-site, i.e. in a factory, and then installed into a building 3 in two phases. In a first phase, the wall PAM 25 is fitted into the building between the lower floor slab 5 and the upper floor slab 7 and fixed to the floor slabs. If the partition 1 is to be a fire-resistant partition 1 then the wall PAM 25 can be sealed to the lower and upper floor slabs 5,7 using suitable materials, such as fire-resistant sealants. In the second phase, the services transition PAM 27 is located within the aperture 29 in the wall PAM 25 and fixed to the wall PAM 27 using mechanical fasteners 81 that fix the steel structural frame 31 of the wall PAM 25 to the steel structural frame 45 of the services transition PAM 27, as shown in Figure 7. The mechanical fasteners 81 are installed from the wall PAM 25 side, i.e. they pass first through the frame 31 of the wall PAM 27 and then pass into the frame 45 of the services transition PAM 27. This installation method is facilitated by leaving off a section of the first wall surface 33, and / or the second wall surface 35, during pre-assembly, so that access can be obtained to the cavity 39 of the wall pam 25 to install the mechanical fasteners 81 . The first wall surface 33, and / or the second wall surface 35 can then be made good by adding in, on-site, the part of the fire-resistant plasterboard 37 that was left out during pre-assembly. A fire- resistant sealant 82 is used to form a seal between the wall PAM 25 and the services transition PAM 27. The services transition PAM 27 locates entirely within the aperture 29 and is smaller than the aperture 29, so that the services transition PAM 27 can be fitted into the wall PAM 25 in a direction passing from its first side to its second side, or in the opposite direction. Once the services transition PAM 27 is in place the services (conveying components) carried in a service PAM 15a on one side of the partition 1 can be connected to the services (conveying components) carried in a service PAM 15b on the other side of the partition 1 , utilising suitable connection couplers. The ventilation supply connector 57 is connected to a supply ventilation duct 17a on one side of the partition 1 and a supply ventilation duct 17a on the other side of the partition 1 using a connection coupler 83 (not shown) on either end of the ventilation supply connector 57. The ventilation extract connector 61 is connected to an extract ventilation duct 17b on one side of the partition 1 and an extract ventilation duct 17b on the other side of the partition 1 using a connection coupler 85 on either end of the ventilation extract connector 61 . The water pipe connectors 65 are connected to a water pipe 19 on one side of the partition 1 and a water pipe 19 on the other side of the partition 1 using connection couplers 87 on either end of the water pipe connectors 65. The electrical cable tray connector 67 is connected to an electrical cable tray 21 on one side of the partition 1 and an electrical cable tray 21 on the other side of the partition 1 , using a connection coupler 89 on either end of the electrical cable tray connector 67. Electrical cables (not shown) are passed through the partition 1 along the electrical cable trays 21 and the electrical cable tray connector 67 and any gaps between the electrical cables and the aperture in the services transition PAM 27 can be sealed with an appropriate fire- resistant sealant. Electrical connections are made to the electrical switches 69 and to the electrical control boxes 71 .

[0039] Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the wall preassembled PAM (25) does not extend to the concrete upper floor slab 7 but instead extends up to an I-beam 201 which itself abuts the upper floor slab 7. The I-beam 201 is encased in fire-resistant plasterboard 203 and an intumescent joint filler 205 is located between the frame 45 of the services transition pre-assembled module 27 and the fire-resistant plasterboard 203. The upper edge of the frame 45 of the services transition pre-assembled module 27 is therefore aligned with the upper edge of the frame 31 of the wall pre-assembled module 25, rather than the services transition pre-assembled module 27 being contained entirely within an aperture 29 formed within the frame 31 of the wall pre-assembled module 25. In this embodiment, mechanical fasteners 81 are only provided around the three edges of the services transition pre-assembled module 27 that are adjacent to the frame 31 of the wall pre-assembled module 25. The embodiments of the present invention described above utilise fire-resistant and intumescent materials in order that the partition 1 can provide enhanced resistance to the spread of fire through a building. However, the present invention could be used to create a partition 1 that does not need to provide enhanced fire resistance. The partition 1 could be an acoustic partition, to reduce the transmission of noise through a building. In that instance, rather than fire-resistant and intumescent materials, sound-deadening materials can be utilised.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A partition (1 ) comprising a wall pre-assembled module (25) having an aperture (29), a services transition pre-assembled module (27), a means to fix the services transition pre-assembled module (27) within the aperture (29) of the wall preassembled module (25) and a means to seal between the services transition preassembled module (27) and the wall pre-assembled module (25), the wall preassembled module (25) comprising a first continuous wall surface (33) on a first side and a second continuous wall surface (35) on a second side, and the services transition pre-assembled module (27) comprising a first continuous wall surface (47) on a first side of the services transition pre-assembled module (27) and a second continuous wall surface (49) on a second side of the services transition pre-assembled module (27), and a plurality of conveying component connectors (57,61 ,65,67) that pass through the services transition pre-assembled module (27) from the first continuous wall surface (47) to the second continuous wall surface (49) wherein, in use, the conveying component connectors (57,61 ,65,67) are coupleable to conveying components on the first side of the services transition pre-assembled module (27) and are coupleable to conveying components on the second side of the services transition pre-assembled module (27).

2. A partition (1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , the wall pre-assembled module (25) further comprising a frame (31 ) which forms, at least in part, the aperture (29) and the services transition pre-assembled module (27) further comprising an external frame (45), wherein the services transition pre-assembled module (27) is fixed into the aperture (29) by attaching the frame (31 ) of the wall pre-assembled module (25) to the frame (45) of the services transition pre-assembled module (27), wherein the attachment between the frame (31 ) of the wall pre-assembled module (25) and the frame (45) of the services transition pre-assembled module (27) is made between the first continuous wall surface (33) and the second continuous wall surface (35) of the wall pre-assembled module (25).

3. A partition (1 ) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the part of the frame (31 ) forming the aperture (29) provides the aperture (29) with a substantially internally facing continuous surface around its perimeter and wherein the frame (45) of the services transition module (27) provides the services transition module (27) with a substantiallyexternally facing continuous surface around its perimeter, wherein the internally facing continuous surface of the aperture (29) is located opposite to and in alignment with the externally facing continuous surface of the services transition pre-assembled module (27).

4. A partition (1 ) as claimed in any preceding claim, the wall pre-assembled module (25) comprising a frame (31 ) located between its first continuous wall surface (33) and its second continuous wall surface (35) and a cavity (39) located within the frame (31 ) and the services transition pre-assembled module (27) comprises a frame (45) located between its first continuous wall surface (47) and its second continuous wall surface (49) and a cavity (53) located within the frame (45).

5. A partition (1 ) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first continuous wall surface (47) and the second continuous wall surface (49) of the services transition pre-assembled module (27) are located within the aperture (29) of the wall preassembled module (25).

6. A partition (1 ) as claimed in any of claim 2 to claim 5, wherein the frame (31 ) and the frame (45) are made from a structural steel framing system, wherein the first continuous wall surface (33) and the second continuous wall surface (35) of the wall pre-assembled module (25) and the first continuous wall surface (47) and the second continuous wall surface (49) of the services transition pre-assembled module (27) are made from a fire-resistant board, wherein the cavity (39) of the wall pre-assembled module (25) and the cavity (53) of the services transition pre-assembled module (27) contain a fire-resistant material (41 ,55) and wherein the frame (45) of the services transition pre-assembled module (27) is sealed to the aperture (29), which is formed, at least in part, by the frame (31 ) of the wall pre-assembled module (25), with a fire- resistant sealant.

7. A partition (1 ) as claimed in any preceding claim, the services transition preassembled module (27) comprising a ventilation supply connector (57), a ventilation extract connector (61 ), a water pipe connector (65) and an electrical cable tray connector (61 ).

8. A partition (1 ) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the wall preassembled module (25) and the services transition pre-assembled module (27) are orientated substantially vertically.

9. A partition (1 ) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the wall pre-assembled module (25) and the services transition pre-assembled module (27) are orientated substantially horizontally.

10. A wall pre-assembled module (25) comprising a frame (31 ) made from a structural steel framing system, two layers of fire-resistant plasterboard (37) fixed to either side of the frame (31 ) to form a first continuous wall surface (33) on a first side and a second continuous wall surface (35) on a second side, a cavity (39) between the layers of fire-resistant plasterboard (37) and within the frame (31 ), the cavity containing a fire-resistant material (41 ) and an aperture (29) formed, at least in part, by the frame (31 ), the aperture having a substantially internally facing continuous surface around its perimeter11. A services transition pre-assembled module (27) comprising a frame (31 ) made from a structural steel framing system, two layers of fire-resistant plasterboard (37) fixed to either side of the frame (31 ) to form a first continuous wall surface (33) on a first side and a second continuous wall surface (35) on a second side, a cavity (39) between the layers of fire-resistant plasterboard (37) and within the frame (31 ), the cavity containing a fire-resistant material (41 ) and an aperture (29) formed, at least in part, by the frame (31 ), and a plurality of conveying component connectors (57,61 ,65,67) that pass through the services transition pre-assembled module (27) from the first continuous wall surface (47) to the second continuous wall surface (49) wherein, in use, the conveying component connectors (57,61 ,65,67) are coupleable to conveying components on the first side of the services transition pre-assembled module (27) and are coupleable to conveying components on the second side of the services transition pre-assembled module (27).

12. A partition (1 ) comprising a wall having an aperture (29), a services transition preassembled module (27) according to claim 11 and a means to fix the services transition pre-assembled module (27) within the aperture (29).

13. A building (3) having a lower floor (5) and an upper floor (7) and a partition (1 ) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 and 12, the partition (1 ) located between and fixed to the lower floor (5) and the upper floor (7).

14. A building (3) as claimed in claim 13, comprising a ceiling (9), a room (11 ) below the ceiling (9), wherein at least one wall of the room (11 ) is formed by the partition (1 ), a services void (13) above the ceiling (9) and below the upper floor (7) and a service pre-assembled module (15a, 15b) located within the services void (13).

15. A method of installing a partition (1 ) according to any of claims 1 to 8 into a building (3) having a lower floor (5) and an upper floor (7) comprising the steps of locating the wall pre-assembled module (25) into the building and fixing it to the lower floor (5) and the upper floor (7), locating the services transition pre-assembled module (27) into the aperture (29) in the wall pre-assembled module (25) and attaching the frame (31) of the wall pre-assembled module (25) to the frame (45) of the services transition pre-assembled module (27).

16. A method of installing a partition (1 ) into a building (3) according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of filling any apertures in the first wall surface (33) and the second wall surface (35) of the wall pre-assembled module (25) and in the first wall surface (47) and the second wall surface (49) of the services transition preassembled module (27).

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