Fire-Suppressing Gasket Structure for Modular Unit Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular construction techniques face challenges in effectively inhibiting the progression of smoke and fire between vertically and laterally adjacent modular units, particularly due to gaps created by steel support plates, which can act as pathways for fire spread, and existing solutions like gypsum wallboard are difficult to install and maintain as uninterrupted fire breaks.
Innovation Solution
A gasket composed of structural cement panels and mineral wool, with plate recesses to accommodate support plates, is used to fill gaps between modular units, providing a compressible seal that prevents smoke and fire propagation by compressing under the weight of stacked modules and maintaining a fire-resistant barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gypsum wallboard is used to cover gaps between modular units, then fire retarding properties are provided, but it is difficult to durably attach and maintain uninterrupted fire breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The fire barrier system is segmented into modular components: the gasket is divided into a fire-resistant board portion and a compressible insulation portion, allowing independent attachment and compression to achieve continuous fire protection without requiring complex spanning installations
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible insulation material acts as an intermediary between the fire-resistant board and the modular unit surfaces, filling gaps and irregularities to enable durable attachment and maintain fire barrier continuity across joints and intersections
2Strength
If steel support plates are placed at corners of modular units, then structural support is provided, but gaps are created that can form smoke or fire passageways
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket applies different material properties at different locations: the fire-resistant board provides structural fire protection at critical attachment points, while the compressible insulation fills surrounding gaps to block smoke and fire pathways, with each material optimized for its specific function at that location
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket combines fire-resistant board material and compressible insulation material into a single composite component, where the board provides fire protection and structural attachment capability, while the insulation provides gap-filling and sealing to prevent fire and smoke passage around steel support plates
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 gasket enhances the fire resistance and durability of modular constructions, effectively blocking both vertical and lateral smoke and fire migration between units, surpassing the limitations of conventional gypsum wallboard installations by providing a robust and continuous fire barrier.
Implementation Method 1
The gasket includes a fire-resistant board layer and a compressible insulation layer, with the compressible insulation layer positioned between the fire-resistant board layer and the lower modular unit. The compressible insulation layer is compressed between the fire-resistant board layer and the lower modular unit to seal the gap.
Implementation Method 2
The gasket includes a fire-resistant board layer and a compressible insulation layer. The fire-resistant board layer can be made of structural cement panel, and the compressible insulation layer can be made of mineral wool.
Data Source
AI summary
A gasket for installation in a gap defined by adjacent modular construction units, each having a support frame. The gasket includes at least one layer of structural cement panel; and at least one layer of mineral wool, and the at least one layer of said panel and mineral wool has at least one plate recess configured for accommodating a support plate. A modular building construction is provided, including a plurality of modular units, each unit having a steel frame. Four adjacent units of the plurality form an intersection, and support plates are fastened at upper surfaces of corners formed by each frame. The gasket is disposed in a gap defined at the intersection, the gasket having four plate recesses for accommodating the support plates. In still another embodiment, a method of constructing a building made of modular units including the gasket.