Removable Fire Protection Mattress for Inspectable Cable Trays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passive fire protection systems for cable trays are cumbersome, require destructive inspection, generate hazardous waste, and lose effectiveness over time, posing risks and inefficiencies in installation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A modular, removable fire protection device comprising a flexible mattress with endothermic and insulating materials, secured by removable fastening elements, allowing easy assembly, disassembly, and adaptation to cable tray configurations without permanent gluing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wrapping protection system is glued directly onto the cable tray, then fire protection is achieved, but the cables become invisible and cannot be inspected without destroying the wrapping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protectionVSAvoidcable inspection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system is divided into modular panels that can be independently removed and reinstalled, allowing cable inspection without complete destruction of the wrapping. Each panel can be detached to access cables and reattached to restore fire protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protection system transitions from a static glued wrapping to a dynamic removable and reinstallable structure. The panels can be moved between attached and detached states, enabling flexible access for cable inspection while maintaining fire protection when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of repair

If the wrapping is destroyed to add or inspect cables, then cable maintenance is possible, but hazardous waste is generated and installation risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable maintenanceVSAvoidhazardous waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system is segmented into removable panels that can be taken off and reinstalled, eliminating the need to destroy the wrapping for cable maintenance. This prevents generation of hazardous waste from destroyed fire protection materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding the wrapping when accessing cables, the panels are temporarily removed, used to access cables, then recovered and reinstalled. This recycles the fire protection material rather than generating waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If rigid and heavy protection systems are used, then fire protection performance is improved, but installation becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection performanceVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system is divided into smaller modular panels that can be handled and installed more easily than a single large rigid structure. This maintains fire protection performance while improving installation productivity through manageable sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flexible fire protection panels instead of rigid heavy structures. These flexible panels achieve the required fire protection performance while being lighter and easier to install, directly addressing the productivity issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Adaptability or versatility

If custom manufacturing is required for each cable tray, then fire protection adapts to specific geometries, but manufacturing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometry adaptationVSAvoidcustom manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fire protection panels are designed with universal applicability to accommodate different cable tray geometries through standardized connection systems. This eliminates the need for custom manufacturing for each specific geometry while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The modular panel system allows dynamic adaptation to different geometries through configuration of multiple standardized units rather than requiring custom-manufactured pieces for each specific geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures continuous fire protection, maintains cable tray functionality, reduces installation risks, and minimizes waste generation by enabling quick and safe dismantling and reassembly, suitable for various configurations and fire resistance levels.

Implementation Method 1

comprising an open cover with a flap. A fireproof mattress is inserted into this cover. The mattress comprises an endothermic product and a thermal insulating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEndothermic reaction: Endothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

The mattress comprises an endothermic product and a thermal insulating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4349420B1Modular and removable device for passive fire protection of an element to be protected
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE
  • EP4349420B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4349420B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4349420B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a modular and removable device (1) for passive fire protection of an element to be protected (A). This device is remarkable in that it comprises a flexible mattress (2), comprising a thermal insulating material and an endothermic material, an external fabric strip (3), made of flexible and airtight material, attached to said mattress (2), a first removable fixing element (4), attached to the mattress (2) and allowing the modular device (1) to be fixed to the element to be protected (A), a second removable fixing element (5), attached to said fabric strip (3) and allowing the modular device (1) to be held in a rolled-up position.