Fire Plate for Bored Lock Assembly Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire doors with bored in lock assemblies made of materials with low fire resistance or that do not completely fill the lock opening can allow fire, smoke, or air to pass through, failing to meet fire certification requirements due to gaps around the lock mechanism, especially when the materials melt or warp during a fire.
Innovation Solution
A fire plate constructed from fire-resistant sheet material with curved perimetrical edges and a connector that fits around the lock assembly, providing a spring action to grip and seal the lock assembly, preventing fire passage through the lock opening, even if the lock assembly is made of materials that may melt or warp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an integrated latch/lock assembly is used to simplify the lock mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but gaps are formed around the assembly in the lock opening allowing fire passage
Solution Approach 1:
A fire seal plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the integrated latch/lock assembly and the lock opening. The fire seal plate completely fills the lock opening and includes a recess that receives the latch/lock assembly, thereby preventing fire passage through gaps while maintaining the simplified integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The fire seal plate is segmented into multiple functional portions: a main body that fills the lock opening, a recess portion that receives the latch/lock assembly, and a lip that engages with the door. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill specific functions while working together to prevent fire passage
2Ease of manufacture
If lock assembly materials with low fire resistance are used to reduce cost or improve ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the materials may melt or warp during fire exposure creating fire passages
Solution Approach 1:
The fire seal plate made of fire-resistant material acts as a protective intermediary that surrounds and protects the low fire-resistance lock assembly materials. This allows the use of easier-to-manufacture, lower-cost materials for the lock mechanism while the fire seal plate prevents fire passage even when the lock materials melt or warp
Solution Approach 2:
The fire seal plate provides beforehand protection by creating a fire-resistant barrier around the lock assembly before fire exposure occurs. This pre-established protective structure prevents fire passage regardless of the thermal properties of the lock assembly materials
3Ease of operation
If the lock assembly is made smaller to fit through the latch opening, then the ease of installation is improved, but the lock assembly cannot completely fill the lock opening creating fire passages
Solution Approach 1:
The fire seal plate is divided into a main body portion that fills the lock opening and a recess portion that accommodates the compact lock assembly. This segmentation allows the lock assembly to remain small for easy installation while the fire seal plate's main body ensures complete filling of the lock opening to prevent fire passage
Solution Approach 2:
The compact lock assembly is nested within the recess portion of the fire seal plate, which itself is nested within the lock opening. This nested arrangement allows the small lock assembly to be installed through the latch opening while the fire seal plate provides the outer barrier that prevents fire passage
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 fire plate effectively seals gaps around the lock assembly, preventing fire, smoke, and air from passing through the lock opening, ensuring the fire door maintains its integrity and meets fire certification standards, even when the lock assembly is made of materials with low fire resistance.
Implementation Method 1
A fire plate constructed from fire-resistant sheet material... preventing fire passage through the lock opening
Implementation Method 2
providing a spring action to grip and seal the lock assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A fire plate for receiving a bored in lock assembly and preventing passage of fire through a lock opening bored perpendicularly through a fire door. The fire plate is particularly adapted for use with integrated lock and latch assemblies that are designed for installation through a latch opening bored from an edge of the door into the lock opening. The latch opening has a diameter less than the lock opening and the fire plate blocks the space above and below the lock assembly in the lock opening to prevent the passage of smoke and fire through the lock opening. The fire plate includes two fire stop barriers that may be formed by bending from a sheet of spring steel and which preferably snap into engagement with the lock assembly as it is inserted from the latch opening into the lock opening.