Storage Rack Flue Spacer for Unobstructed Vertical Fire Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flue space systems in storage racks are often obstructed by tightly packed boxes, reducing the effectiveness of fire safety and containment systems, as they fail to maintain adequate vertical passages for smoke and water flow, and are difficult to retrofit into existing filled racks.
Innovation Solution
A flue spacer system with a transversely extending spacer surface and legs that attach to storage rack uprights, creating a vertical flue space without obstructing the storage area, allowing for easy retrofitting and maintenance, using various shapes and attachment methods such as slotted holes and remotely-installable tabs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pallets or boxes are placed close to each other to maximize storage space, then storage capacity is improved, but fire safety effectiveness deteriorates due to blocked smoke flow and water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the storage rack structure by introducing flue spacers that create vertical channels within the rack assembly. These spacers divide the storage space into sections while maintaining vertical passages that allow smoke and water to flow freely, thus preserving fire safety effectiveness while maximizing storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flue spacers act as intermediary elements between the stored goods and the fire safety system. These spacers create and maintain the necessary vertical flue spaces that mediate the flow of smoke and water, ensuring that the close-proximity storage arrangement does not compromise fire safety.
2Reliability
If flue space is created by stacking boxes towards one upright, then vertical passages are formed, but the flue space is easily obstructed and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The flue spacers are pre-installed on the rack uprights before goods are stored. This preliminary action ensures that the vertical flue passages are established and protected from the beginning, preventing obstruction by stored items and eliminating the need to rely on improper stacking practices to maintain flue spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The flue spacers are designed to be self-supporting structures that automatically maintain the required flue space width without requiring active management or monitoring. Once installed, they continuously provide the vertical passages needed for fire safety, making the system self-regulating and maintenance-free.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flue spacers are installed on filled storage racks, then retrofitting is enabled, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flue spacer system is segmented into modular components that can be independently installed on each rack upright. This segmentation allows for incremental retrofitting of filled storage racks without requiring complete system shutdown or complex coordinated installation across the entire facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The flue spacers are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured and installed. Their straightforward design with attachment elements for uprights allows for rapid installation on existing racks without requiring complex tools or specialized installation procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A flue spacer for providing a flue space in a storage rack having a transversely extending spacer surface and first and second legs. The first and second legs extend from the spacer surface and are adapted to attach the spacer surface to at least two uprights of the storage rack so that the spacer surface is offset from the uprights to form a vertical flue space within the storage rack. At least one of the legs may be adapted to attach to a lateral surface of an upright. The flue spacer also may be adapted to extend across multiple storage racks. A shelving system using the flue spacer is also provided.