Fabric Fire Rated Door Vertical Deployment and Smoke Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire and smoke protection solutions, such as code-rated side-hinged swinging doors, often require additional space and are costly, posing architectural and construction challenges for structures needing higher occupancy protection, and existing designs may not effectively manage smoke layer projection and evacuation pathways.
Innovation Solution
An electrically operated, vertically deployed fabric coiling door system using a fire-resistant fabric curtain with thermal coating, stitched with steel bands, driven by a tubular steel shaft and internal tube motor, which automatically closes via gravity in fire/smoke events, and can be segmented and infinitely widened for easy installation and effective smoke containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple swing doors and frame assemblies are used to meet higher occupancy fire/smoke protection requirements, then fire and smoke protection capability is improved, but architectural complexity and head/side room clearance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple door functions into a single integrated fabric door assembly that can provide fire/smoke protection for multiple openings simultaneously. The door assembly includes a fire door, a smoke door, and a frame assembly that can protect multiple openings, eliminating the need for separate swing doors for each opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal swing door operation to vertical sliding door operation. The door assembly slides vertically within the frame assembly along guides, utilizing the vertical dimension for door movement rather than horizontal swinging, thereby eliminating head room and side stack space requirements.
2Volume of moving object
If accordion folding fire door configuration is used, then space efficiency is improved, but side stack space is still required and construction challenges remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs vertical sliding motion instead of horizontal folding or accordion mechanisms. The door assembly moves vertically within the frame assembly, eliminating the need for side stack space that accordion doors require for their folding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly is divided into multiple panels that can slide relative to each other vertically. The frame assembly includes multiple guides and supports that accommodate the segmented door panels, allowing the door to be divided without requiring side stack space for folding mechanisms.
3Area of stationary object
If vertically deployed fabric coiling door is used, then head and side room clearance is reduced, but new construction challenges for vertical deployment mechanism arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical sliding motion within the frame assembly, moving the door operation from the horizontal plane to the vertical plane. This eliminates the need for head room and side stack space while providing a more straightforward deployment mechanism compared to coiling or folding systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a frame assembly with guides and supports as an intermediary structure that facilitates vertical sliding motion. The frame assembly includes multiple guides that constrain the door panels to vertical movement, simplifying the deployment mechanism while reducing space requirements.
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 provides a cost-effective, space-efficient, and architecturally flexible passive fire protection and smoke barrier that automatically closes during emergencies, reducing the need for additional smoke evacuation systems and enhancing safety by containing smoke and fire effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a fire resistant fabric curtain, for example, a fiberglass based fabric curtain with thermal coating
Implementation Method 2
In a fire/smoke event or loss of power, the door will automatically close via gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A fabric fire rated door is described. The door utilizes a fire resistant fabric curtain with an end lock attachment. A tubular steel shaft is driven by an internal tube motor. The shaft is supported to minimize deflection. Single door shafts can also be joined together with a coupler shaft to create infinitely wide doors. The coupler shaft is spring loaded to act as a take up reel for a coupling curtain which will overlap each adjacent single door shaft. All curtains are attached to the same bottom bar. A hood covers the shaft, curtain, and the supports that run across the width of the door. The curtain travels over these horizontal supports as it drops down through the hood opening. The horizontal supports keep the curtain in position for proper seal during a fire/smoke event.