Foamed Polymer Firestop Board with Expandable Graphite

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire stop solutions require precise pre-design and additional steps for installation, making them time-consuming and costly, as they need to be tailored to specific pipe or cable routes, which is inefficient for providing fireproofed through holes in fire separating elements.

Innovation Solution

A firestop board made of foamed closed-cell polymer material blended with expandable graphite, which can be easily installed and shaped to create through holes as needed, expanding to seal openings when heated, eliminating the need for separate sealing materials and allowing for flexible installation without prior design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fire stop solutions are used, then fire resistance performance is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase due to pre-design requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistance performanceVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The firestop board is pre-manufactured with fire-resistant properties and can be directly installed without requiring pre-design or pre-preparation of sealing materials. The board comes ready-to-use with through-holes already positioned according to technical systems, eliminating the need for on-site mixing or preparation of fire stop mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fire stop solution is divided into separate functional components: the firestop board provides structural support and fire resistance, while the expandable graphite provides automatic sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional fire stop solutions are used, then fire resistance performance is achieved, but installation cost increases due to multiple materials and steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistance performanceVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The firestop board combines multiple functions into a single product: it provides fire resistance, structural support, and automatic sealing capability through integrated expandable graphite. This eliminates the need for separate sealing materials and reduces the number of installation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The firestop board serves multiple purposes: it acts as a fire-resistant barrier, provides structural support for fire separating elements, and automatically seals around pipes and cables of various sizes. The board can be used in different applications without requiring different products.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If fire stop mass is used to seal through holes, then sealing performance is achieved, but additional materials and installation steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidnumber of materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is merged into the firestop board itself through the integration of expandable graphite. The graphite is embedded within the board structure, eliminating the need for separate sealing materials. When heated, the graphite expands to automatically seal around pipes and cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If fire stop solutions are designed in advance, then fire resistance performance is ensured, but flexibility in installation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistance performanceVSAvoidinstallation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 provides a lightweight, easy-to-install firestop solution that meets fire resistance standards, allowing for flexible installation and reduced costs by integrating fireproofing directly into the building structure, eliminating the need for additional sealing materials and pre-designed holes.

Implementation Method 1

the firestop board expands in a fire situation sealing the through hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

an insulating board made of foam material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4006248B1Firestop board, firestop element and fire separating element

Publication Date: 2023.06.07 FF FUTURE OY

Figure 1~2B

AI summary

A firestop board (1) or a firestop element comprising a firestop board, in which one or more through holes (2) is/are arrangeable. The firestop board comprises foamed polymer material and expandable graphite, and the board has a material density of 50 to 400 kg/m3. A fire separating wall structure comprises a firestop board and/or a firestop element according to the invention.