Concrete Deck Sleeve Assembly for Fire-Stopping Mixed Penetrants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sleeve assemblies for poured concrete decks require separate designs and increased intumescent material for metal and plastic penetrants, leading to higher manufacturing costs and intumescent material usage, especially for larger diameters, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective solution for both types of penetrants.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve assembly design featuring a tubular sleeve with a lateral ledge, base flange, and optional base wall, where a ring of intumescent material is connected to a fire ring plate, allowing concrete to entrain the intumescent material and reduce the need for multiple designs and material usage, with configurations accommodating both metal and plastic penetrants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate sleeve assemblies are provided for metal and plastic penetrants, then fire blocking capability is maintained for both penetrant types, but manufacturing cost and intumescent material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single sleeve assembly configuration that can accommodate both metal and plastic penetrants. The sleeve includes a tubular portion, base flange, and stiffeners that work together to support different penetrant types, while the intumescent material ring provides fire blocking for both cases. This eliminates the need for separate sleeve designs for metal and plastic penetrants, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining fire safety for both penetrant types.
2Reliability
If larger intumescent material rings are used to accommodate plastic penetrants in large diameter passages, then fire blocking capability is improved, but intumescent material cost and volume increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the intumescent material ring specifically in the annular space between the penetrant and the stiffeners, rather than filling the entire sleeve cross-section. This localized placement ensures fire blocking where it is most needed (around the penetrant) while avoiding excessive material usage. The ring configuration allows the intumescent material to expand effectively block fire and smoke pathways without requiring large volumes, especially important for large diameter passages with plastic penetrants.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single sleeve assembly design is used for both metal and plastic penetrants, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but fire blocking effectiveness may be compromised for plastic penetrants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the intumescent material ring parameters (such as radial thickness and axial height) to be adjusted based on the penetrant type and sleeve diameter. For plastic penetrants in large diameter passages, the ring can be configured with greater thickness to provide adequate fire blocking. The stiffener configuration and spacing can also be modified to accommodate different penetrant materials while maintaining the same basic sleeve structure, thus balancing manufacturing simplicity with fire safety effectiveness.
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 solution enables the use of a single sleeve assembly for both metal and plastic penetrants, reducing manufacturing costs and intumescent material requirements while maintaining effective fire and smoke blocking capabilities, particularly in larger diameter passages.
Implementation Method 1
The passages are encircled by an intumescent material that expands with temperature, so the intumescent material blocks the passage during a fire to retard or prevent fire and/or smoke from passing through the passage.
Data Source
AI summary
A sleeve assembly for poured concrete decks has a tubular sleeve connected to a base flange by stiffeners or an optional base wall. An intumescent ring and fire ring plate are fastened to the base flange. The stiffeners and optional base wall are configured so concrete passes between the stiffeners to entrain a fire ring plate and ring of intumescent material in the concrete by passing through a gap between the base wall and the sleeve or through open windows in the base wall to entrain the base wall when it is present.