Ventilation Duct Insulation With Integrated Fire and Smoke Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation duct insulation methods fail to effectively prevent the spread of fire and smoke between rooms while meeting fire protection standards, often requiring costly and complex additional measures.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation duct insulation system using mineral wool with a temperature-resistant adhesive on the end face, combined with a foaming agent in the stuffing material, ensures a secure seal and delay in smoke gas penetration by creating a dense, uninterrupted insulation shell around the duct.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a collar made of insulation material is provided outside the insulation to seal the wall opening, then the seal against smoke and fire spread is improved, but elevated temperatures occur at the transition from the collar to the duct insulation and additional work steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal against smoke and fire spreadVSAvoidadditional collar structure and attachment work
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing function and insulation function into a single integrated insulation material structure. The insulation material is applied directly to the duct surface and extends to fill the gap between the duct and wall opening, eliminating the need for a separate collar structure. This merging of functions maintains reliable sealing while reducing structural complexity and installation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal insulation, seals the gap between duct and wall, and prevents smoke and fire spread. By making the insulation material multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for additional specialized components like collars, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If the duct is covered with a continuous layer of insulating material, then the temperature increase on the duct surface is delayed, but the wall opening must still be sealed separately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature increase delay on duct surfaceVSAvoidseparate sealing measures
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the insulation layer and sealing function into a single integrated structure. The insulation material is applied to the duct and extends to fill the gap between the duct and wall opening, providing both thermal protection and sealing in one continuous application. This eliminates the need for separate sealing measures like collars or stuffing material while maintaining temperature delay effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If conventional insulation methods are used, then the duct is insulated, but fire protection standards are not met and costly additional measures are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduct insulationVSAvoidfire resistance compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation material is designed to serve multiple functions: thermal insulation, gap sealing, and fire protection. By making the insulation system multi-functional and ensuring it meets fire protection standards through proper material selection and application method, the patent eliminates the need for costly additional fire protection measures while maintaining effective duct insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution provides a structurally simple, cost-effective, and reliable means to achieve high fire resistance and smoke containment, meeting standards like DIN 4102-6 and EN 1366 T1, by delaying and reducing smoke penetration through the duct and its gaps.

Implementation Method 1

on which a temperature-resistant adhesive material is provided at least in regions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

an insulating material is provided circumferentially on the outside of the duct, which has an end face pointing at least partially in the direction of the opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

combined with a foaming agent in the stuffing material, ensures a secure seal and delay in smoke gas penetration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoaming: Foam

Data Source

PatentEP2176600B1Insulation of a venting duct against a wall or ceiling opening
Publication Date: 2015.03.04 SAINT GOBAIN ISOVER
  • EP2176600B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2176600B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an insulation of a duct (2), particularly of a climate control or ventilation duct, that is guided through an opening in a wall (1) or a ceiling or the like, wherein an insulating material (3) running along the outside of the duct (2) is provided. The insulating material (3) comprises a front surface facing at least partially in the direction of the opening. A temperature-resistant adhesive material (11) is provided at least in areas on the front surface.