Intumescent Sheet Fire Joint Cover for Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire resistive joint cover systems fail to effectively prevent fire spread through gaps between building members, as they lack a reliable and expandable barrier that can adapt to thermal expansion and contraction.
Innovation Solution
A fire resistive joint cover system comprising an intumescent sheet positioned between two building members, secured by base members and fasteners, which expands when exposed to heat, providing a robust barrier against fire spread while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional joint cover system is used to cover the gap between building members, then the gap is covered and provides a barrier, but it fails to effectively prevent fire spread and cannot adapt to thermal expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The joint cover system incorporates a slidable cover plate within slots of base members, allowing the cover plate to move horizontally. This dynamic mechanism enables the system to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of building members while maintaining the fire barrier function through the intumescent sheet that expands when exposed to heat
Solution Approach 2:
The intumescent sheet changes its physical parameters (volume and density) in response to temperature changes. When exposed to fire heat, the intumescent sheet undergoes chemical transformation, expanding significantly to form an insulating char layer that maintains the fire barrier function even as the building members undergo thermal expansion
2Reliability
If a rigid barrier is used to prevent fire spread, then fire resistance is improved, but the system cannot accommodate structural movements and thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines a rigid fire barrier function with a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The cover plate can slide within the slots to accommodate structural movements, while the intumescent sheet provides a rigid fire barrier when expanded, thus maintaining both fire protection effectiveness and structural flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The joint cover system uses composite construction combining metal base members and cover plate with an intumescent sheet material. The metal components provide structural flexibility and durability, while the intumescent sheet provides fire resistance, creating a composite system that achieves both rigidity for fire barrier and flexibility for movement accommodation
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 system effectively prevents fire spread by using an intumescent sheet that expands upon heat exposure, ensuring a reliable barrier and accommodating structural movements, thus enhancing fire resistance in building joints.
Implementation Method 1
an intumescent sheet positioned within a gap between two building members
Implementation Method 2
which expands when exposed to heat, providing a robust barrier against fire spread while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction
Implementation Method 3
The first fastener may penetrate a portion of the first base member, the first edge of the intumescent sheet, and the first side surface of the first building member
Data Source
AI summary
A joint cover system is operable to span a gap between two building members, wherein each building member including a first side surface and an end surface. The joint cover system comprises a first base member, a second base member, an intumescent sheet, a first fastener, and a second fastener. The first base member may be positioned on the first side surface of the first building member, and the second base member may be positioned on the first side surface of the second building member. The intumescent sheet may include a first edge positioned between the first base member and the first side surface of the first building member and a second edge positioned between the second base member and the first side surface of the second building member. The first fastener may penetrate the first base member and the first edge of the intumescent sheet. The second fastener may penetrate the second base member and the second edge of the intumescent sheet.