Fire-Resistant Electrical Enclosure for Panel Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of holes in construction panels for electrical devices compromises the fire resistance of structures, creating local weak points that need to be restored.
Innovation Solution
A fire protection box made from fire-resistant materials such as vermiculite, gypsum, rock wool, or intumescent products, with a peripheral wall and bottom designed to house electrical devices and feature openings for wire passage, and optional reinforcement means like U-shaped or L-shaped plates to enhance structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If holes are formed in construction panels for electrical devices, then electrical devices can be installed and accessed, but the fire resistance of the structure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The construction panel is segmented by creating a localized opening structure (fire protection box) rather than a simple hole. This segmentation allows the electrical device to be accessed while the surrounding fire-resistant material maintains the overall fire resistance of the panel. The fire protection box acts as a separate functional unit that bridges the gap between accessibility and fire safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire protection box serves as an intermediary element between the electrical device and the construction panel. It provides a controlled interface that allows wire passage and device installation while maintaining fire resistance. The box with its fire-resistant material acts as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of device accessibility and structural fire safety.
2Reliability
If fire-resistant material is used to restore fire resistance, then fire protection is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire protection box is designed as a universal component that can be applied to various construction panels and electrical devices. By creating a standardized box structure that can accommodate different electrical devices and fit various panel types, the solution reduces overall complexity despite using fire-resistant materials. The multi-functional design allows a single component to provide fire protection, electrical safety, and structural integration.
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 protection box effectively restores fire resistance to the structure while allowing for the installation and accessibility of electrical devices, providing protection against fire and impact while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
The peripheral wall and the bottom being made from a fire-resistant material comprising at least one from the list of: vermiculite, gypsum, and rock wool, glass wool, so-called 'high temperature' wool, an intumescent product, cement, calcium silicate, and magnesium oxide
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fire protection enclosure (1) comprising a peripheral wall (10) closed by a base (12) to form a housing (14) configured to receive at least one electrical device (20), characterized in that at least one of the peripheral wall and the base comprises at least one opening for the passage of at least one electrical wire and in that the peripheral wall and the base comprise at least one fire-resistant material selected from the list including: vermiculite, gypsum, and rock wool, cement, calcium silicate, and magnesium oxide.