Flush Transom Elevator Door Frame Fire Barrier Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire-rated elevator door frames with flush transoms face challenges in meeting rigorous safety standards, particularly in forming a continuous fire-rated barrier that withstands fires without compromising aesthetics or structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A transom assembly comprising a transom with a heat-shielding panel, a support rail, and a retainer bar, which secures a fire-rated rear partition offset from the top, forming a continuous fire-rated barrier with a perpendicular shaft wall assembly and shaft wall construction, ensuring the elevator doors are surrounded by a fire-resistant enclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional fire-rated elevator door frame with head jamb is used, then fire rating is achieved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible head jamb protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional head jamb component from the elevator door frame assembly. Instead of having a protruding head jamb, the transom is positioned flush with the door face, extracting the problematic element while maintaining fire rating through alternative construction methods using fire-rated partitions and assemblies.
2Shape
If a flush transom configuration is used, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but forming a continuous fire-rated barrier becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fire-rated barrier is segmented into multiple components: fire-rated partitions, perpendicular shaft wall assemblies, and fire-rated door assemblies. This segmentation allows each component to be independently installed and positioned to work together in achieving the continuous fire barrier, simplifying the overall construction process while maintaining the flush transom aesthetic.
Solution Approach 2:
Fire-rated partitions serve as intermediary elements between the flush transom and the shaft wall assembly. These partitions extend from the rear of the transom to connect with the shaft wall assembly, creating the necessary continuous fire barrier while allowing the transom face to remain flush with the door.
3Reliability
If fire-rated partitions are offset from the top of transom, then continuous fire barrier is formed, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure for the offset fire-rated partition is merged with the existing transom assembly and shaft wall assembly. The partition integrates with these structures rather than requiring separate support elements, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining the offset configuration necessary for the continuous fire barrier.
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 solution effectively creates a continuous fire-rated barrier around the elevator door frame, enhancing fire resistance while maintaining a seamless aesthetic appearance by eliminating the need for a head jamb and ensuring compliance with stringent safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-shielding panel attached to the rear face of the transom rear panel
Data Source
AI summary
Some examples provide a fire-rated elevator door frame assembly with a flush transom. The transom includes a transom assembly. A fire-rated partition sits behind the transom on the hoistway side of the elevator doors. Architectural cladding can be applied to the front of the transom and to the front of the elevator doors giving the appearance that the flush transom extends high above the elevator doors.