Joist Hanger Bracket Integrating Fire-Resistant Material Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building materials and hardware are inefficient and unsuitable for constructing walls with a two-hour fire rating, particularly in areas like stairwells and elevator shafts, as they require multiple crews and can lead to inefficiencies and potential violations of fire safety regulations due to the complexity of integrating fire-resistant materials with joist connections.
Innovation Solution
A joist hanger design featuring a joist retention member with flanges and a bracket that creates a space to accommodate fire-resistant materials, allowing for direct installation onto framed walls and preventing the joist retention member from contacting the wall frame, thus enabling efficient installation of fire-resistant panels between the joist and wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional joist hangers are used without integrated fire-resistant material accommodation, then the construction process requires multiple crews and sequential installation steps, but this increases construction time and complexity while potentially compromising fire rating compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the joist hanger function with fire-resistant material accommodation into a single integrated component. The bracket includes both the joist retention member and a designated space for fire-resistant construction material, eliminating the need for separate installation steps and multiple crews.
Solution Approach 2:
The joist hanger bracket is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: structural support for the joist, accommodation of fire-resistant materials, and compliance with fire rating requirements. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and streamlines the construction process.
2Reliability
If fire-resistant materials are installed separately after joist installation, then structural support can be provided first, but this sequential approach increases construction time and requires multiple crews
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is pre-configured with a designated space for fire-resistant construction material during manufacturing. This preliminary arrangement allows fire-resistant materials to be installed simultaneously with the joist, rather than requiring sequential installation after the joist is in place.
3Ease of operation
If the joist retention member contacts the wall frame directly, then simple installation is possible, but this prevents proper installation of fire-resistant materials and compromises fire safety regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is segmented into distinct functional zones: a joist retention member for structural support and a dedicated space for fire-resistant construction material. This segmentation ensures that the joist retention member does not contact the wall frame directly, maintaining the necessary space for fire-resistant materials while keeping the installation process straightforward.
Data Source
AI summary
A joist hanger includes a joist retention member, one or more flanges disposed at a top portion of the joist retention member, and a bracket having at least one arm thereof coupled to at least one or more flanges. A system for constructing a structure having a defined fire-rating along a wall that has a top plate and at least one vertical support member can include a joist hanger and fire resistant construction material. The joist hanger can include a joist retention member, a flange coupled to the joist retention member, and a bracket coupled to the flange. The flange is selectively attached to the top plate of the wall. The bracket at least partially defines a space between the vertical support member and the joist retention member, the fire resistant construction material being disposed within the space. The bracket is selectively attached to one or more of the vertical support member or the fire resistant construction material by an attachment mechanism.