Intumescent Firestop Element for Downlight Fire Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Downlights in buildings pose a fire hazard as they can spread fire and create openings for it to spread through ceilings, necessitating a solution to contain and mitigate fire risks associated with these fixtures.

Innovation Solution

A firestop element made of a polymer intumescent composition is integrated into the downlight fixture, which drops to a deployed position in response to a fire, expanding to block flames and heat transfer, using a combination of intumescent materials and structural supports that melt or burn away to allow the element to fall and seal openings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a downlight fixture is installed in a ceiling, then lighting functionality is provided, but fire spread risk increases due to openings in the ceiling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting functionalityVSAvoidfire spread risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A firestop element is introduced as an intermediary component between the downlight fixture and the ceiling opening. This element remains hidden during normal operation but deploys to seal the opening when fire is detected, thus mediating between the need for lighting access and fire containment requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The firestop element is pre-positioned within the downlight fixture housing, ready to deploy before any fire incident occurs. The support structure is pre-configured to automatically release the firestop element when exposed to fire conditions, eliminating the need for active detection or human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a firestop element is added to the downlight fixture, then fire containment capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire containment capabilityVSAvoidfixture structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The firestop element is integrated into the existing downlight fixture housing structure. The support structure for the firestop element utilizes the same housing components that already exist for mounting the light source, thereby combining fire protection functionality with the structural framework without adding separate complex systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The firestop element transitions from a compact stored state to an expanded deployed state through thermal activation. The support structure undergoes parameter changes (melting, deformation, or decomposition) when exposed to fire temperatures, automatically triggering the deployment of the firestop element without requiring additional actuators or controls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the firestop element is held in position by support structures, then stability is maintained during normal operation, but fire response speed is reduced due to the need for support failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelement position stabilityVSAvoidfire response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure utilizes phase transitions (melting, softening, or decomposition) of fire-sensitive materials when exposed to fire temperatures. This phase change causes the support to automatically fail and release the firestop element, providing rapid response while maintaining stable support during normal operating temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is designed as a disposable, fire-sensitive component that is intended to fail under fire conditions. Using inexpensive, readily degradable materials for the support allows rapid deployment of the firestop element without requiring durable, complex retention mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 firestop element effectively blocks flames and reduces heat transfer, minimizing the spread of fire and the risk of combustion above and around the downlight, providing a thermal insulation barrier and reducing the likelihood of further ignition.

Implementation Method 1

A firestop element is provided which is fabricated from a polymer intumescent composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIntumescent expansion: Intumescent Materials

Implementation Method 2

The firestop element effectively blocks flames and reduces heat transfer, minimizing the spread of fire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

using a combination of intumescent materials and structural supports that melt or burn away to allow the element to fall and seal openings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 4

structural supports that melt or burn away

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS11408570B2Downlight firestop

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 URSATECH LTD

AI summary

An intumescent firestop element is supported within a light can by fire sensitive supports each having a base fabricated of a meltable or flammable material and a supporting element fabricated of metal and supported by the base, with the base joined to the light can. In response to a fire, the fire sensitive supports cease to support the firestop element which drops to a deployed position in the light can until arrested by a limiter.