Fire-Protected Duct Cladding With Air Gap for Hot Smoke Tightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passive fire protection systems for air intake and flue extraction ducts face challenges such as weight, bulk, and installation complexity, while also failing to ensure insulation and hot smoke tightness, especially at critical points like fire-rated walls, posing a risk of fire propagation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a covering layer of non-combustible material with spacing elements and a perforated surface, creating an air gap for thermal exchange, using materials like stone wool and galvanized steel, to provide insulation and hot smoke tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid calcium silicate or plasterboard panels are used to cover the duct, then fire protection is improved, but weight and bulk increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a composite structure combining a non-combustible covering layer (mineral wool or stone wool) with a metal mesh layer and spacing elements to create a lightweight yet effective fire protection system. This composite approach replaces heavy rigid panels with materials that provide equivalent or superior fire protection at reduced weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs flexible mineral wool or stone wool covering layers that can conform to duct surfaces, replacing rigid heavy panels. These flexible layers provide fire protection while being significantly lighter and easier to install, addressing both the fire protection requirement and the weight reduction goal.
2Reliability
If thicker insulation panels are used, then fire protection is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fire protection system is divided into modular components: a covering layer, spacing elements, and a metal mesh layer. This segmentation allows each component to be independently installed and positioned, simplifying the overall installation process compared to handling single thick panels, while maintaining effective fire protection through the layered structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing thickness in one dimension, the invention distributes fire protection functionality across multiple thin layers in different dimensions. The covering layer provides insulation, spacing elements create air gaps for thermal break, and the mesh provides structural support, achieving fire protection without requiring excessive thickness.
3Reliability
If fire dampers are installed in the duct, then fire propagation is prevented, but air passage is blocked during fire
Solution Approach 1:
The metal mesh layer acts as an intermediary that allows air to pass through while providing fire protection. The mesh structure permits airflow continuity needed for pressurization and smoke extraction systems, yet prevents flame and hot smoke propagation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining air passage and preventing fire spread.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal mesh layer functions as a porous structure that allows gas (air) to pass through while blocking the propagation of flames and hot smoke. This porous approach maintains the air passage functionality required for fire safety systems while achieving fire propagation prevention, unlike solid fire dampers that completely block airflow.
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 system ensures effective insulation and hot smoke tightness, preventing fire propagation through ducts, simplifying installation and reducing logistical and cost issues.
Implementation Method 1
An air gap 5 is thus formed between the covering layer 2 and the wire mesh 4, thanks to the presence of the spacing elements, which allows thermal exchange and consequently the maintenance of the correct temperature in the environment external to the duct
Implementation Method 2
a covering layer of at least non-combustible material 2, spacing elements 3, and an external perforated surface 4
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
System for passive fire protection for an air intake/flue extraction duct, characterized in that it provides spacing elements between a covering layer of at least non-combustible material of said duct and a perforated surface covering said duct.