Mesh-Cased Fire Stop Assembly for Water-Resistant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire stop assemblies for concrete structures require separate designs and materials for metal and plastic penetrants, leading to increased manufacturing costs and inefficiencies, and existing intumescent materials can be washed away by firefighting water, compromising the seal during severe fires.
Innovation Solution
A tubular fire stop assembly with a mesh casing made of galvanized steel wire that encases an intumescent ring, providing a single assembly for both metal and plastic penetrants, and designed to withstand high temperatures and water pressure, ensuring a strong seal even when exposed to firefighting efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate fire stop assemblies are provided for metal and plastic penetrants, then the fire stop performance is optimized for each penetrant type, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fire stop assembly is designed with a universal base structure and single intumescent ring configuration that can effectively seal passages for both metal and plastic penetrants. The mesh casing and base design accommodate different penetrant types without requiring separate assembly variants, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining fire stop performance for both penetrant types.
2Reliability
If more intumescent material is used to block larger passages and plastic penetrants, then the fire stop performance is improved, but the loss of substance and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the intumescent ring parameters including thickness, diameter, and material composition to achieve effective fire stopping with minimized material usage. The mesh casing design allows precise control of intumescent material placement and expansion characteristics, ensuring adequate sealing performance while reducing excess material consumption compared to traditional solid filler approaches.
3Reliability
If intumescent material is used to seal the passage, then the fire stop performance is achieved, but the seal can be washed away by firefighting water during severe fires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining mesh casing material with intumescent material. The mesh casing provides a water-resistant framework that holds the intumescent material in place while allowing it to expand and seal the passage. This composite approach maintains fire stop performance while preventing the intumescent material from being washed away by firefighting water, as the mesh structure provides mechanical retention.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single fire stop assembly design is used for various penetrants, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to different penetrant types must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The fire stop assembly incorporates a universal base structure, mesh casing design, and intumescent ring configuration that can accommodate both metal and plastic penetrants of various sizes. The design uses standardized components and dimensions that work effectively across different penetrant types, enabling simplified manufacturing processes and reduced tooling requirements while maintaining adaptability to various penetrant configurations.
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 assembly reduces manufacturing costs by using a single design for various penetrants and enhances the durability of the seal, preventing smoke and water leakage during fires, even under severe conditions and firefighting efforts.
Implementation Method 1
The intumescent material is that it expands when exposed to high temperatures, such as during a fire
Implementation Method 2
The mesh casing is made of a material that does not melt or combust or decompose when held at a temperature of 1,100° F. for one hour
Implementation Method 3
does not fracture or tear when the heated mesh casing at the specified temperatures is sprayed with water that is room temperature or colder at a pressure of about 45 psi
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular fire stop assembly for a poured concrete structure defines at least a portion of a passage through the structure during use. The assembly has a base with a tubular sleeve, both encircling and extending along the passage. A fire ring is connected to the base and has a plate with a central opening encircling the passage. An intumescent ring has inner and outer sidewalls and opposing top and bottom walls. The intumescent ring is inside the base, encircles the passage and rests on the fire ring plate. A woven, galvanized wire mesh casing extends along the inner and outer sidewalls and the top wall of the intumescent ring.