Fire-Resistant Concrete Hole Plug with Adhesive Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for plugging penetrations in concrete building floors are labor-intensive, costly, and fail to provide adequate protection against water penetration and fire hazards, as they require manual fabrication of wooden covers and subsequent sealing with mineral wool and caulking, which is time-consuming and prone to leakage.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a concrete hole plug with a lower plug and a top cover, featuring an adhesive for bonding to the concrete and a securing mechanism, including a deformable elastomeric material and threaded attachment, to create a watertight and fire-retardant seal, facilitating easy installation and removal while accommodating pipe diameters and providing a molded ring of fire-resistant sealant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual fabrication of wooden covers and sealing with mineral wool and caulking is performed, then hole plugging is achieved, but the process is labor-intensive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The hole plugs are pre-manufactured with the correct shape, size, and waterproof coating before arrival at the construction site. This preliminary action eliminates on-site fabrication of wooden covers and manual application of sealants, significantly reducing labor intensity and installation time while maintaining effective hole plugging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs disposable pre-fabricated hole plugs made from relatively inexpensive rigid foam materials that can be quickly installed and later removed without damage to the pipe or surrounding structure. This approach reduces overall project costs despite the temporary nature of the plugs during construction.
2Reliability
If conventional sealing methods with mineral wool and hand-applied caulking are used, then fire-retardant sealing is provided, but the process is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The fire-retardant waterproof membrane is pre-applied to the rigid foam plug during manufacturing, ensuring proper fire protection before installation. This eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site application of fire-retardant materials and manual caulking work, reducing sealing installation time while maintaining reliable fire-retardant properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of rigid foam core material with fire-retardant properties and a fire-resistant waterproof membrane coating creates a composite structure that provides both fire protection and water tightness in a single installed component, eliminating the need for separate fire-retardant sealing steps and reducing overall installation time.
3Ease of operation
If temporary hole covers are removed and discarded after pipe installation, then pipe installation is facilitated, but the process requires additional labor for removal and disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid foam hole plugs are designed to be easily removed after pipe installation by simply cutting or breaking them away from the pipe perimeter. The plugs can be discarded without complex removal procedures, and their simple geometric shape allows for easy recovery of the pipe opening area. This approach maintains ease of operation for pipe installation while minimizing additional labor requirements compared to traditional wooden covers that require unscrewing or prying removal.
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 significantly reduces labor and costs by providing a quick, watertight, and fire-resistant seal, preventing water leakage and ensuring safety during construction, while allowing for efficient pipe installation and easy removal of the plug without compromising the seal.
Implementation Method 1
The lower hole plug may include an adhesive on the outside surface for adhering to the concrete wall of the hole
Implementation Method 2
A system comprising a concrete hole plug with a lower plug and a top cover, featuring an adhesive for bonding to the concrete and a securing mechanism, including a deformable elastomeric material and threaded attachment, to create a watertight and fire-retardant seal
Implementation Method 3
The lower hole plug may include an adhesive on the outside surface for adhering to the concrete wall of the hole and a well for holding fire-resistant sealant to form a perimeter seal on installed pipe
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for plugging a hole are described. A plug may comprise a substantially tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end interconnected by a side wall, the side wall having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface, at least the outward facing surface being substantially conformable, an adhesive disposed on the outward facing surface, a fire-resistant ring disposed substantially at one of the ends of the tubular member, and a thread disposed along the inward facing surface, the thread adapted to receive a cover.