Internal Pipe Firestop Retrofitting Without Pipe Deconstruction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firestop solutions for pipes, particularly in plumbing renovations, face challenges such as the need to avoid unnecessary deconstruction, reliable attachment, and protection from flowing fluids, especially in cast iron and air conditioning pipes, where prior methods like firestop sleeves and dampers are inadequate in preventing fire spread and hinder maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A method for retrofitting a firestop inside a pipe using a heat-expanding firestop material, conveyed and attached using specialized tools like preliners, calibration hoses, and lining hoses saturated with epoxy, to prevent fire spread between compartments without disrupting existing piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If firestop material is installed inside the pipe using traditional methods, then fire protection is improved, but pipe deconstruction and maintenance access are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The firestop material is nested inside a delivery catheter that is inserted into the pipe. The catheter acts as a container that protects the firestop material during transport and allows it to be delivered to the target location without pipe deconstruction. After deployment, the catheter is removed, leaving the firestop material in place while maintaining future access for pipe maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The firestop material is extracted from its packaging and delivered through the pipe using the catheter system. The material is separated from its container at the target location, allowing it to expand and seal the pipe interior without requiring the pipe itself to be deconstructed or opened for maintenance purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If firestop material is conveyed long distances through the pipe, then installation flexibility is improved, but material delivery reliability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery catheter is made of flexible material that can be inserted into and navigated through pipes of various lengths and configurations. The flexibility of the catheter allows it to be conveyed long distances through the pipe to reach remote installation locations while maintaining structural integrity and protecting the firestop material during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter acts as an intermediary between the firestop material and the pipe interior. It protects the material during long-distance conveyance, ensures accurate delivery to the target location, and facilitates controlled deployment without direct handling of the firestop material itself, thereby maintaining delivery reliability over long distances.
3Reliability
If the pipe inner surface is revealed at the installation spot, then firestop attachment is improved, but construction disruption is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The firestop material is extracted and delivered through the existing pipe using the catheter system, eliminating the need to access the pipe interior through deconstruction. The pipe inner surface is revealed only at the delivery point, not at the installation spot, minimizing construction disruption while ensuring proper attachment of the firestop material.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter serves as an intermediary delivery mechanism that transports the firestop material to the installation location without requiring the pipe to be opened or deconstructed. This allows the firestop to be attached to the pipe inner surface while minimizing construction disruption to the surrounding structure.
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 fire from spreading through pipes by expanding and attaching firestop material at critical points, ensuring reliable fire containment while minimizing construction disruption and facilitating pipe maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the firestop comprising a piece of firestop material to be expanded due to heat
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Spreading of fire from one fire compartment to another can be hindered or prevented by a firestop. The method concerns a method (300) for retrofitting a firestop to a pipe that is intended for conveying fluid, the firestop comprising a piece of firestop material to be expanded due to heat. The method comprises revealing (104) a pipe inner surface at an installation spot of a lining hose for the retrofitting the firestop, conveying (106) by a conveying tool the piece of firestop material to a border spot of fire compartments, directing (112) a fastener by a directing tool or by the conveying tool towards the pipe inner surface, and at least one the following tools is the lining hose: the directing tool, the conveying tool. The method comprises attaching (114) the piece of firestop material by the fastener inside the pipe, at the border spot of the fire compartments.