Clam-Shell Fire Stop Assembly for Preexisting Tube Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire stop devices are ineffective in providing a seal around preexisting tubes passing through concrete floors and complicate the sealing process due to their design, which often requires axially spaced intumescent rings that expand in opposing directions.
Innovation Solution
A drop-in fire stop assembly with a clam-shell configuration featuring a fire ring, split intumescent ring, and split smoke rings that rotate about a hinge to open and close, allowing easy installation around existing tubes and providing a seal through a cylindrical passage in concrete slabs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional poke-through assemblies are used, then fire stop sealing is provided, but the device cannot adapt to preexisting tubes and requires complex axially spaced intumescent rings
Solution Approach 1:
The fire stop assembly employs a dynamic clam-shell mechanism where the cage can rotate between open and closed positions. This dynamic structure allows the assembly to adapt to preexisting tubes by opening the cage, positioning it around the tube, and then closing it to secure the tube within the passage, eliminating the need for axially spaced intumescent rings
Solution Approach 2:
The fire stop assembly is divided into segmented components including a split cage with first and second portions that can rotate independently about a hinge axis. This segmentation enables the cage to open and close around tubes, providing adaptability while simplifying the overall structure by eliminating the need for multiple axially spaced intumescent rings
2Reliability
If axially spaced intumescent rings are used to block bye passages, then fire sealing is provided, but the sealing process becomes complicated and effectiveness is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex axially spaced intumescent ring system from the fire stop assembly. Instead, it uses a simplified single intumescent ring positioned within the cage that expands radially when exposed to fire, providing effective fire sealing without the complexity of multiple axially spaced rings
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the expansion parameter of the intumescent ring from axial expansion in multiple directions (as in traditional devices) to radial expansion in a single direction. This parameter change simplifies the sealing process while maintaining or improving fire sealing effectiveness, as the single intumescent ring expands radially to seal the passage around the tube
3Ease of operation
If split rings with multiple free ends are used, then the cage can open and close, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection serves multiple functions: it connects the first and second cage portions, enables rotation between open and closed positions, and provides a simple manufacturing interface. This universal hinge design simplifies manufacturing compared to multiple separate connections while maintaining ease of operation for opening and closing the cage
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 effectively seals preexisting tubes in concrete floors, enhancing fire resistance and ease of installation by using a clam-shell mechanism that adapts to existing tubes, ensuring robust and efficient fire protection.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable intumescent ring can block electrical conduits
Implementation Method 2
the intumescent material expand inward at one location and expand outward at another location
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.