Fire Stop Conduit with Heat-Expandable Wire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire prevention systems are inadequate in preventing the spread of fires along the entire length of electrical conduits, particularly in large rooms or corridors where through-penetrations are absent, allowing fires to rapidly spread due to the conduction of heat and electricity through wires.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a non-conductive heat-expandable wire made of materials like intumescents within electrical conduits that expand upon reaching a threshold temperature to fill the conduit cross-section, potentially rupturing the conductive wires and sleeve, thereby blocking the spread of heat and fire.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional firestop systems are used only at through-penetrations, then fire spread is prevented at penetration points, but fire can still spread along the entire length of conduits in large rooms or corridors without through-penetrations
Solution Approach 1:
The fire protection system is segmented into multiple heat-expandable material sections positioned at different locations along the conduit (at through-penetrations and within large rooms/corridors). Each segment independently expands to block fire spread in its local zone, providing comprehensive coverage without requiring continuous firestop material along the entire conduit length.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat-expandable material serves as an intermediary substance that transitions from a compact state during normal operation to an expanded state during fire conditions. This intermediary material fills the space within conduits and expands to block fire spread, effectively mediating between the conduit structure and the fire hazard.
2Reliability
If heat-expandable material is used to fill conduit cross-section, then fire spread is blocked through expansion, but the conduit and wires may rupture due to expansion pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-expandable material is pre-positioned within the conduit in a controlled, compact state that maintains conduit integrity during normal operation. The material is designed to remain dormant until fire conditions trigger its expansion, at which point it performs its fire-blocking function even if conduit rupture occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-expandable material undergoes a dramatic parameter change in volume when exposed to fire temperatures, expanding from a compact state to fill the conduit cross-section. This parameter change is controlled by temperature thresholds, ensuring the material remains in its compact state during normal operation and only expands when fire containment is required.
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
Effectively prevents the spread of fire along the length of electrical conduits by expanding to engulf and rupture conductive wires and the conduit sleeve, providing comprehensive fire containment even in areas without through-penetrations.
Implementation Method 1
The non-conductive wire is calibrated to fill a cross-section of said conduit upon reaching a threshold temperature
Implementation Method 2
the non-conductive wire may be formed primarily of heat-expandable material
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and/or apparatuses having a conduit with at least one length of conductive metal wire therein along with a length of non-conductive wire therein. The length of non-conductive wire includes a heat-expandable firestop insulator material. Upon reaching a pre-defined temperature corresponding to that of a fire, the non-conductive wire expands to fill a length of the conduit. Alternatively, the firestop insulator material may be disposed in the void within the conduit that exists outside of the conductors. The expansion of the material prevents the spread of fire along the length of the conduit.