Suspended Ceiling Fire Protection Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire protection housings for electrotechnical installations in hollow ceilings are difficult to install through openings in the ceiling planking due to size mismatch, and previous solutions are not suitable for fire protection as they allow air or fire gases to pass through.

Innovation Solution

A dimensionally stable, heat-resistant fire protection housing made of sheet metal, designed as a cuboid with dimensions that allow it to be inserted through a rectangular opening in the ceiling planking, covering the opening completely and featuring an intumescent material coating to prevent fire gas passage, with a plate attached for enhanced fire insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fire protection housing is made dimensionally stable and heat-resistant for fire protection purposes, then it can withstand fire-related temperature effects, but it becomes too large to be mounted through the opening in the ceiling from the front side

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection capabilityVSAvoidinstallability through opening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fire protection housing is divided into multiple separate components: side walls, end walls, and a base. These segmented parts can be individually inserted through the ceiling opening and assembled behind the planking to form the complete housing structure, making installation feasible while maintaining the required fire protection dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The individual housing components are prepared in advance with attachment means (such as tabs or fastening elements) that enable sequential assembly behind the ceiling planking. This preliminary preparation of components allows the housing to be constructed in the restricted space behind the ceiling without requiring the entire housing to pass through the opening at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If a housing is divided into several components to enable mounting through the opening, then it can be installed from the front side, but it forms large free spaces in the rear area that allow air or fire gases to pass through

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallability through openingVSAvoidfire gas passage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented housing components (side walls, end walls, base) are designed to join together to form a complete, enclosed fire protection housing. The attachment means ensure that the joints between components are sealed or tightly fitted, eliminating gaps and free spaces that would otherwise allow fire gases to pass through, thus achieving both installability and fire protection integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the fire protection housing is made as a one-piece structure, then it provides complete fire protection, but it cannot be inserted through the opening in the ceiling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection integrityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into manageable components that can be individually inserted through the ceiling opening and assembled behind the planking. This segmentation reduces the complexity of installation while maintaining the integrity of the fire protection enclosure through proper joining of the components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The components are pre-equipped with attachment means that simplify the assembly process behind the ceiling. This preliminary preparation of fastening elements and connection interfaces reduces the complexity of on-site assembly while ensuring the housing forms a complete fire protection barrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the housing components are joined together behind the opening, then the housing can be assembled in place, but the assembly process becomes complex and requires access to the space behind the planking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveon-site assembly capabilityVSAvoidassembly procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into components with standardized attachment means that simplify on-site assembly. Each component can be independently positioned and connected, reducing the complexity of the assembly procedure while enabling complete assembly behind the ceiling opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment means (tabs, fastening elements, or connection interfaces) are pre-installed on the housing components during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation enables straightforward assembly behind the ceiling without requiring complex joining procedures or specialized tools, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining on-site assembly capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables easy installation of the fire protection housing from the front side of the ceiling, providing a sealed fire protection compartment that prevents the passage of fire gases and smoke, while allowing for the installation of various electrotechnical components and ensuring thermal insulation in case of a fire.

Implementation Method 1

the fire protection housing is provided with an intumescent material coating in order to prevent the passage of fire gases through the fire protection housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescent material expansion: Intumescent Materials

Implementation Method 2

ensuring thermal insulation in case of a fire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3029212B1Suspended ceiling with fire-resistant housing
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 KAISER AKTIENGES
  • EP3029212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3029212B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3029212B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hollow ceiling with a sheathing (1) forming the underside of the hollow ceiling and with a fire protection housing (2) for electrical installations positioned behind the sheathing (1), wherein the sheathing (1) has an opening (3) in the area of ​​the arrangement of the fire protection housing (2), the opening (3) being rectangular with a length L and a width B, the fire protection housing (2) being dimensionally stable and forming a cuboid shape with a length LB, a width BB and a height HB, one base surface (4) of which, in its installed position, rests against the rear side of the sheathing (1) and has an installation opening (5), and the width BB of the fire protection housing (2) being equal to or shorter than the length L of the opening (3), and the height HB of the fire protection housing (2) being equal to or shorter than the width B of the opening (3).and the length LB of the fire protection enclosure (2) is greater than the length L of the opening (3) and the width BB of the fire protection enclosure (2) is greater than the width B of the opening (3).