Bottom-Mount Fire Barrier Retainers for Expansion Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire barriers installed in expansion joints face challenges in maintaining integrity and ease of installation, particularly in pre-cast concrete structures where space is limited, and pose hazards due to weight and size, necessitating a bottom-mounted solution that can securely anchor and support fire barriers during installation.
Innovation Solution
A bottom-mount fire barrier system with two-piece metal retainers and an installation tool, allowing for secure anchoring from beneath the floor, maintaining barrier shape, and providing support during installation, while passing UL 2079 and ASTM E 1399 tests for fire resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fire barriers are installed in expansion joints of pre-cast concrete structures, then fire protection is provided, but the limited space (4.5 inches depth) makes installation difficult and compromises barrier integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The fire barrier system is divided into multiple components: the fire barrier itself, retainer structures with anchoring elements, and installation tools. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the retainer provides structural support while the barrier focuses on fire protection, enabling reliable installation in limited 4.5-inch spaces
Solution Approach 2:
Retainer structures serve as intermediaries between the fire barrier and the concrete floor units. The retainers with their anchoring elements (welded wires, rebar, hooks) provide a secure mounting mechanism that overcomes the limited space constraint, allowing the barrier to be firmly attached without requiring more installation space
2Reliability
If heavy fire barriers are used to ensure adequate fire protection, then fire resistance is improved, but installer safety is compromised due to weight and size hazards
Solution Approach 1:
Installation tools with engagement features act as intermediaries between installers and heavy fire barriers. These tools provide mechanical advantage and secure grip points, allowing installers to handle and position heavy barriers safely without direct manual lifting, thus maintaining fire resistance while reducing installer hazards
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer structures with protruding anchoring elements and engagement features enable the fire barrier system to be self-supporting during installation. The barriers can be secured to the retainers which are already anchored to the concrete, reducing the physical strain on installers while ensuring proper installation
3Stability of the object's composition
If fire barriers are anchored from beneath the floor to maintain integrity, then fire barrier stability is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring function is segmented into separate retainer components with pre-formed anchoring elements (welded wires, rebar, hooks) that are attached to the fire barrier. This allows the anchoring mechanism to be prepared independently and installed as a integrated unit, maintaining stability while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Anchoring elements are pre-attached to the fire barriers during manufacturing, creating pre-assembled units with integrated retention features. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex field anchoring operations, reducing installation complexity while ensuring stable anchoring from beneath the floor
Data Source
AI summary
Bottom mounted (anchored) fire barrier systems include UL 2079 and ASTM 1399 tested and certified fire barrier/retainer structures, especially useful for floor/floor, wall/floor, and wall/wall expansion joint spaces formed by spaced opposing pre-cast concrete building units of 4½ inches thickness. The use of this system in structures using pre-cast building units provides room for installation of mandated rubber boots into the limited expansion joint space. Each fire barrier has affixed to its outside long edges a metal retainer that is structured for holding the barrier correctly and tightly positioned to the building unit surfaces first for secure and tight anchoring and then for providing support for the barrier to prevent leakage of gas, flame, smoke, and heat during a fire. Providing for ease of installation there is a reusable installation tool, an optional guard unit, male/female connections between barrier sections, and a splice connector butt to connections.