Segmented Fire Barrier with Intumescent and Foam Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art fire barriers fail to properly orient intumescent sheets within joints and are susceptible to joint expansion and contraction, leading to ineffective fire resistance.
Innovation Solution
A fire barrier comprising a plurality of intumescent sections and foam sections, securely positioned within a gap between surfaces, with the intumescent sections expanding when exposed to heat and the foam sections providing flexibility to maintain proper positioning despite joint expansion and contraction, and optionally encapsulated in high-temperature material for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art fire barriers use intumescent sheets within joints, then fire resistance is provided, but the intumescent sheets fail to properly orient within joints and are susceptible to joint expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The fire barrier is divided into multiple intumescent sections (first intumescent section, second intumescent section, etc.) separated by foam sections. This segmentation allows each intumescent section to be independently positioned and secured within the joint, preventing misorientation while maintaining fire resistance across the entire barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
Foam sections are positioned between the intumescent sections to provide flexibility and accommodate joint expansion and contraction. The foam material allows the barrier to adapt to dimensional changes in the joint while keeping the intumescent sections properly oriented and secured.
2Reliability
If fire barriers are positioned within gaps between surfaces, then fire resistance is achieved, but the barriers are susceptible to joint expansion and contraction which compromises effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The fire barrier incorporates foam sections that can dynamically expand and contract to accommodate joint movement. This dynamic property allows the barrier to maintain its fire-resistant function while adapting to the changing dimensions of the joint due to thermal expansion, contraction, or structural movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire barrier uses a composite structure combining intumescent sections (for fire resistance) with foam sections (for flexibility and movement accommodation). This composite design integrates materials with complementary properties to simultaneously achieve fire resistance and adaptability to joint movement.
3Reliability
If multiple intumescent sections are used to ensure proper positioning, then fire resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While segmentation into multiple intumescent sections does increase structural complexity, it is necessary to ensure proper positioning and fire resistance. The segmented design with alternating intumescent and foam sections creates a modular structure that can be systematically installed and secured within the joint.
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 solution ensures secure and effective positioning of intumescent sections within gaps, maintaining fire resistance even with joint expansion and contraction, and allows for easy installation and retention within varying gap sizes.
Implementation Method 1
the intumescent sections expanding when exposed to heat
Data Source
AI summary
A fire barrier operable to be placed within a gap formed between two surfaces. The fire barrier may generally include a first intumescent section, a first foam section coupled with the first intumescent section, and a second intumescent section coupled with the first foam section generally opposite the first intumescent section. In some embodiments, the fire barrier may include a plurality of intumescent sections and a plurality of foam sections with each foam section being positioned between at least two of the intumescent sections.