Rotating Firestop Barrier for Smoke Sealing Around Cabling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firestop devices struggle to effectively prevent the spread of smoke through small openings and maintain accessibility for maintenance of infrastructure passing between sealed zones in properties.
Innovation Solution
A firestop device with a displaceable barrier that rotates about an axis to adjust the passage diameter, using a fire-resistant material like Kevlar, allowing closure around elongate objects such as cabling to create a smoke barrier and maintain accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed firestop barrier is installed to seal openings, then smoke spread is prevented, but accessibility for maintenance of cabling is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The firestop barrier is designed with rotatable sections that can dynamically change from a closed smoke-sealing position to an open maintenance position. The barrier includes at least one rotatable part that can rotate relative to a fixed part, allowing the system to transition between sealed and accessible states rather than being fixed in one configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier is divided into multiple segments including a fixed part and at least one rotatable part. This segmentation allows different portions of the barrier to perform different functions - the fixed part maintains the seal while the rotatable part provides access when needed, resolving the contradiction between continuous sealing and periodic accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cabling passes through sealed zones via fixed openings, then infrastructure connectivity is maintained, but smoke can spread through these openings
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier dynamically adjusts its configuration based on operational needs. When cabling installation or maintenance is required, the rotatable parts can be opened to provide access. When not in use, the barrier rotates to a closed position that seals around the cabling, preventing smoke spread while maintaining the passage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier incorporates flexible sealing elements that can conform to the shape of cabling and rotate with it. These flexible components maintain the smoke seal even when the barrier rotates to allow cabling passage or maintenance access, adapting to the presence of elongate objects like cables.
3Ease of operation
If a rotatable barrier is introduced to provide accessibility, then maintenance access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is segmented into a fixed part and rotatable parts that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows the complex function of providing controlled access to be achieved through simpler, modular components rather than a single complex moving mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing continuous access and adding seals for maintenance, the design inverts the approach by providing continuous seal integrity and adding rotation capability for maintenance. The default state is sealed, and access is achieved by rotating the barrier rather than by removing seals or adding complex gating mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A firestop device comprising two opposed faces A, B, and an intermediate passage defining an axis C for passage of elongate objects (100), wherein the passage forms part of a hole through two sides of a structure D, and a displaceable barrier 3, 31 is located between the faces; and wherein the barrier 3, 31 is rotated about the axis C to change the diameter of the passage.