Conduit Anchoring for Intumescent Fire Protection Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing line conduits with fire-protection elements made of intumescent materials face instability issues after expansion, as the fire-protection element is not securely anchored within the conduit, leading to reduced resistance against forces like water jets, necessitating larger dimensions to compensate.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an anchoring element on the inner wall of the conduit housing, which is surrounded by intumescent material and pressed radially inward as it expands, creating a stable form-fitting connection with the housing to prevent displacement of the fire-protection element, ensuring reliable sealing even under substantial forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the fire-protection element is arranged in the opening in the wall or floor/ceiling (not on the surface), then a smooth wall finish is achieved, but the fire-protection element is activated at a later point in time and cannot bond to the plastic tube
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring elements are pre-installed on the inner wall of the housing before the fire-protection element is placed. When the fire-protection element expands, these anchoring elements engage with it to provide immediate mechanical interlocking, ensuring the element is securely retained as soon as expansion occurs, rather than relying solely on bonding to melted plastic.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring elements are strategically positioned at specific locations on the inner wall of the housing where they can most effectively engage with the fire-protection element during expansion. This localized placement provides targeted mechanical support and retention at critical points, enhancing overall stability without requiring the entire structure to be oversized.
2Strength
If the fire-protection element is dimensioned larger to provide greater stability, then resistance against water jets is improved, but the line conduit becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is segmented into multiple anchoring elements distributed around the inner wall of the housing. These individual anchoring points work together to provide cumulative mechanical support and retention, distributing the load and enhancing overall stability without requiring a single oversized fire-protection element, thus maintaining a compact conduit design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the intumescent material (fire-protection element) with separate anchoring elements made of different materials (metal or plastic). This composite approach leverages the expansion properties of the intumescent material alongside the mechanical strength and retention capability of the anchoring elements, achieving both compact size and high resistance against water jets through material synergy.
3Reliability
If the fire-protection element is made of intumescent material that expands upon heat exposure, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the element lacks stable retention in the conduit after expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring elements are nested within or on the inner wall of the housing, positioned to engage with the fire-protection element during its expansion process. As the fire-protection element expands outward to seal the opening, the anchoring elements are simultaneously engaged by it, creating a nested configuration where the expanded element interlocks with the anchoring structures, providing stable retention within the conduit.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring elements are strategically positioned at specific locations on the inner wall of the housing where they can most effectively engage with the fire-protection element during expansion. This localized placement provides targeted mechanical support and retention at critical points, enhancing overall stability without requiring the entire structure to be oversized.
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 anchoring element enhances the stability and retention of the fire-protection element within the conduit, allowing for a more compact design while maintaining effective sealing against fire and water forces, without the need for oversized intumescent material.
Implementation Method 1
a fire-protection element made of an intumescent material that is arranged around the inner wall of the housing in the circumferential direction
Implementation Method 2
the fire-protection element made of an intumescent material whose volume expands under exposure to heat
Implementation Method 3
the intumescent material forms a microporous and heat-insulating foam layer that, thanks to its low thermal conductivity and the exclusion of oxygen, protects the lines against the effects of the fire
Data Source
AI summary
A line conduit (10) to be cast into a structural element (12), especially a floor/ceiling and/or wall made of concrete, including an elongated housing (18) that has a holding space (25) for at least one line (16). The space is continuous in the lengthwise direction (L), and includes a fire-protection element (26) made of an intumescent material that is arranged around the inner wall of the housing (18) in the circumferential direction, whereby at least one anchoring element (34) is provided on the inner wall of the housing (18), the element being anchored inside the fire-protection element (26).