Universal Firestopping Collar with Frangible Sealing Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firestopping solutions are limited in their ability to universally seal around penetrating members of various sizes and configurations, often requiring specific designs for each size and lacking ease of adjustment and tool-free manual breakability.
Innovation Solution
A universal firestopping collar assembly featuring a longitudinally extending sealing member with frangible zones and a flexible mounting strap, allowing for manual adjustment and securement around different sizes and configurations of panel penetrating members, including intumescent foam for heat expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal firestopping collar assembly with frangible zones is used, then adaptability to various penetrating member sizes is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple engagement apertures and frangible zone configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is divided into multiple frangible zones that can be broken to create openings, allowing the same collar assembly to adapt to different penetrating member sizes without requiring multiple different products
Solution Approach 2:
The collar assembly is designed with multiple engagement apertures and frangible zone configurations that enable a single universal product to serve multiple functions across different applications and sizes, replacing the need for size-specific firestopping solutions
2Ease of operation
If manual breakability of sealing member is enabled through frangible zones, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure clean breaks at designated zones
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible zones are pre-formed during manufacturing with predetermined break points, so that during installation the sealing member can be easily broken by hand without requiring tools or excessive force, while the manufacturing process ensures precise break locations
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal design is implemented to seal around various penetrating members, then adaptability is improved, but the sealing effectiveness for specific configurations may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member features frangible zones with different configurations (first, second, and third zones with varying patterns of openings) that can be selectively activated based on the specific penetrating member size and configuration, allowing the universal design to maintain effective sealing for each local condition
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 assembly effectively seals around panel penetrating members of various sizes and configurations, preventing smoke and fire spread, with manual adjustability and securement capabilities, reducing inventory needs for contractors and enhancing usability across different panel types.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing member of the collar assembly can include an intumescent component such as an intumescent foam material which expands responsive to exposure to such heat to further facilitate this sealing
Data Source
AI summary
A collar positionable about a panel penetrating member for sealing therearound and particularly for firestopping therearound which prevents the flow of smoke and may include an intumescent component for expansion during exposure to heat. A collar assembly is usable with members penetrating various types of panels including walls, ceilings and floors. The sealing member of the assembly includes frangible zones with removable sections which are mated to the construction of the mounting strap. The mounting strap includes engagement prongs and multiple engagement apertures securable with respect to one another in various relative positions for use with respect to panel penetrating members of various standardized sizes. The engagement of the prongs in various apertures is mated with the frangible zones on the sealing member for effective sealing around panel penetrating members of standardized sizes such as 3 inch, 3½ inch, 4 inch and 4½ inch and others.