Clam-Shell Fire Stop Assembly for Retrofit Pipe Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire stop devices for concrete walls and floors are inadequate for retrofitting around preexisting tubes, as they complicate sealing and may impede the effectiveness of the passage seal, and there is a need for an easier-to-install and improve sealing performance solution.
Innovation Solution
A drop-in fire stop assembly with a clam-shell configuration featuring split intumescent and smoke rings, which can be easily inserted into concrete slabs to encircle tubes, using a hinge mechanism that allows the rings to open and close around the tube, ensuring effective sealing without damaging the tube or interfering with its insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fire stop devices are used around preexisting tubes, then fire sealing is achieved, but installation complexity increases and sealing effectiveness may be impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The fire stop assembly is divided into two main segments: a cage portion with hinge mechanism and an intumescent ring portion. This segmentation allows the cage to be opened for easy installation around preexisting tubes and then closed to secure the intumescent ring in place, simplifying installation while maintaining sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism enables the cage to transition between open and closed positions dynamically. This dynamic capability allows installers to open the cage, place it around the tube, and then close it to secure the intumescent ring, making installation straightforward without compromising the fire seal
2Reliability
If intumescent material is placed at axially spaced-apart locations to block bye passages, then fire sealing is improved, but installation complexity and sealing effectiveness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cage and intumescent ring are merged into a single integrated assembly where the intumescent ring is positioned within the cage structure. This combination ensures the intumescent material is held in the correct position and expands uniformly when exposed to fire, improving sealing effectiveness while simplifying installation compared to spaced-apart configurations
3Reliability
If fire stop devices are designed for new installations, then fire sealing is effective, but adaptability to retrofitting preexisting tubes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is pre-assembled with the intumescent ring positioned inside it before installation. This preliminary assembly allows the entire fire stop unit to be dropped into place around preexisting tubes in a single operation, making retrofitting simple while maintaining effective fire sealing
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of inserting tubes through pre-installed fire stop devices, the invention inverts the sequence by placing the cage with intumescent ring around the tube first, then securing it in position. This inversion enables easy retrofitting of existing tubes while achieving effective fire sealing
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
The assembly provides an improved sealing performance by allowing easy installation around preexisting tubes, ensuring effective smoke and heat containment during fires, and can be retrofitted into existing passages, enhancing safety and compliance with building regulations.
Implementation Method 1
an intumescent ring, an inner smoke ring and an outer smoke ring
Implementation Method 2
a cage having a sidewall encircling the assembly axis and having a hinge rotating about a hinge axis generally parallel to the assembly axis to form first and second cage portions
Data Source
AI summary
A concrete floor has a pipe passing through a hole in the floor. A drop-in fire stop assembly has a clam-shell configuration having first and second portions of a fire ring, split cage, split retainer ring, split intumescent ring, split inner smoke ring and split outer smoke ring each fastened together to rotate about a hinge on the split cage to open and close. The first and second portions have free ends that spread apart to fit around the tube in an open position, and close around the tube in a closed position. A latch on the free ends of the cage hold the two portions together in the closed position.