Ventilated Facade Fire Barrier with Intumescent Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilated facade systems in buildings face challenges in preventing fire propagation, particularly in structures over 18m in height, where conventional fire barriers are inadequate in maintaining fire resistance and ventilation functionality.
Innovation Solution
A fire propagation barrier system comprising open-state and closed-state compartmenting barriers, integrated with intumescent materials, secures fire propagation barriers within a ventilated cavity using fire barrier fixings to maintain ventilation under normal conditions and block it during fires, ensuring fire resistance for at least 15 minutes, preferably up to 90 minutes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fire barriers are installed in ventilated facade systems, then fire propagation is blocked, but ventilation functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The fire barrier system transitions from a static blocked state to a dynamic state where the intumescent material expands in response to heat, closing the barrier only when fire is detected. This allows the system to maintain ventilation during normal operation while providing fire protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its physical parameters based on temperature conditions. The intumescent material undergoes a parameter change by expanding when exposed to fire temperatures, transforming the barrier from an open ventilated state to a closed fire-blocking state.
2Reliability
If fire barriers are installed to prevent fire propagation, then fire resistance is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire barrier system is self-activating through the intumescent material that automatically expands when exposed to fire conditions. No external control system, sensors, or power supply are needed, reducing system complexity while maintaining fire resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The intumescent material acts as an intermediary between the fire heat and the barrier structure. It mediates the transition from open to closed state through its expansion property, simplifying the overall system design by eliminating the need for mechanical actuators or control systems.
3Reliability
If fixed fire barriers are used to block fire propagation, then fire resistance is achieved, but adaptability to different conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fire barrier adapts its state dynamically based on environmental conditions. During normal conditions, the barrier remains open to allow ventilation. When fire conditions are detected through heat exposure, the intumescent material expands to close the barrier, providing fire resistance. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between maintaining fire resistance and adapting to different operational conditions.
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 system effectively prevents fire propagation and temperature increase between compartments and openings, maintaining ventilation functionality under normal conditions while enhancing fire resistance, meeting local building regulations for extended durations.
Implementation Method 1
an intumescent material supported by the fire barrier panel, the intumescent material being arranged to expand when subjected to fire conditions so as to cause the fire propagation barrier to close the ventilation gap
Implementation Method 2
a fire barrier panel, notably a mineral wool fire barrier panel
Implementation Method 3
so that in summer cooling is facilitated by warm air in the ventilated cavity being replaced by cooler air thanks to natural convention
Data Source
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Figure 5~7
AI summary
An open state fire propagation barrier in a ventilated facade structure comprises a fire barrier panel and an intumescent material supported by the fire barrier panel, the intumescent material being arranged to expand when subjected to fire conditions so as to cause the fire propagation barrier to block ventilation of the ventilated cavity. The open-state fire propagation barrier is secured in place by one or more fire barrier fixings, each fire barrier fixing having a portion which engages with the open-state fire propagation barrier, a portion which passes through the thermal insulation layer and a portion which engages with a load bearing wall.