Preformed Wall Panel for Corrugated Ceiling Fire Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for blocking tunnel openings in corrugated ceilings are time-consuming and labor-intensive, posing a risk for fire spread between walls unless effectively sealed.
Innovation Solution
A preformed wall panel with upwardly directed peaks and valleys, cut from sheet metal, wallboard, or a combination of materials, is designed to fit snugly into the channels and ribs of the corrugated ceiling, allowing easy installation and secure blocking of tunnel openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional methods are used to block tunnel openings, then fire spread can be prevented, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The wall panel is preformed with peaks and valleys that match the corrugated ceiling pattern before installation. This preliminary shaping allows the panel to be ready for immediate installation without requiring on-site forming or complex blocking procedures, thus reducing installation time while maintaining fire spread prevention capability
Solution Approach 2:
The wall panel is designed as a separate, self-contained component with integrated peaks and valleys that can be installed as a single unit. This segmentation allows workers to install preformed panels rather than constructing blocking systems component-by-component, significantly reducing labor time while ensuring proper fire blocking
2Reliability
If traditional methods are used to block tunnel openings, then fire spread can be prevented, but the installation process becomes labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The peaks and valleys are formed on the wall panel before installation, matching the corrugated ceiling pattern in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site forming operations and makes the installation process straightforward and easier to perform
Solution Approach 2:
The wall panel replicates the corrugated ceiling pattern through preformed peaks and valleys that copy the rib and channel configuration. This copying approach allows the panel to fit into the ceiling structure without requiring custom fabrication or complex adaptation, greatly simplifying the installation process
3Productivity
If a preformed wall panel with peaks and valleys is used, then installation time and labor are reduced, but the panel complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is designed as a single integrated component with peaks and valleys formed as one unit rather than assembling multiple separate pieces. This segmentation approach maintains productivity benefits while avoiding the complexity of multi-component assembly systems
Solution Approach 2:
The peaks and valleys are localized to specific portions of the wall panel where they are needed to interface with the corrugated ceiling. The rest of the panel maintains a simpler, flat configuration for easy installation and finishing, thus limiting complexity to only where necessary
Data Source
AI summary
A floor/ceiling 10 has downwardly extending ribs (14) separated by downwardly opening channels (16). The floor/ceiling member (10) sits down on a horizontal header (32) that is on top of a building wall that extends perpendicular to the ribs (14) and the channels (16). A preformed wall panel (24) has a lower strip portion (26) that is connected to a side flange (36) on the header (32). Preformed wall panel (24) has upwardly directed peaks (28) and upwardly opening valleys (30). The peaks (28) are sized and shaped to snuggly fit within the ceiling channels (16). The valleys (30) are sized and shaped to snuggly receive the ribs (14) when the peaks (28) are in the channels (16). A continuous lower strip portion of the preformed wall panel (24) is connected to the flange (36) of the header (32), below the ribs (14). The peaks (28) extend into and block or close off the channel openings formed in and by the channel (16) above the web (38).