Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ ~ 3 ~ ~ 5 ~ ii
_ 1 --
CCO 2 182
PASSTHROUGH DEVICE WITH FIRESTOP
Backqround of the Invention
This application is related to copending Canadian
application Serial No. 2,118,898, filed March 11, 1994 for
"Passthrough Device With Firestop".
The subject invention is directed toward the art
of piping and conduit systems and devices and, more
particularly, to a coupling device for forming pipe and
conduit passthrough openings in building partitions.
During construction of buildings, it is
necessary to provide openings through the building floors
and walls to permit running of piping, conduit, and cable
systems. Many different types of fitting and coupling
devices have been used for this purpose. These devices
have varied from simple, removable forms to permanently
installed boxes and housings of complex design.
Generally, however, whether of simple or complex
design, the currently available devices are often very
labor intensive. Their labor intensive nature is
particularly evident during the installation of the code
required firestop materials after the piping and conduit
systems have been installed. Typically, it has been
necessary to caulk or trowel intumescent materials about
the pipes and conduits where they pass through the
partition fitting and coupling devices.
Brief Statement of the Invention
The subject invention provides a coupling device
which overcomes the noted problems by having the firestop
material incorporated into the device prior to the time
the device is installed in the building. Thus, merely
installing the coupling device in the original
construction
~1 30~59
._~
-- 2
provides a passthrough opening with the necQssary firestop
material already in place. Subsequent caulking or
troweling of such materials about the pipe and conduits
which are installed therein is not required. Likewise, the
installation of separate firestop collars or a similar
device is not required.
In accordance with the invention, a coupling
device is provided for installation in a building partition
to provide a passthrough opening for conduits, pipes, and
the like. The device comprises an axially elongated,
tubular outer housing having first and second ends with the
first end open and the second end preferably closed by a
transverse end wall. A laterally extending flange is
provided about the exterior of the housing for mounting the
housing in an opening extending through the partition. A
ring of intumescent firestop material is positioned in the
first open end, and a filler material of annular shape
extends from the ring of intumescent material to the
transverse end wall.
Preferably, the tubular outer housing is formed
of plastics material, and the ring of intumescent firestop
material has a central opening which is sized to receive a
tube to extend through the partition with an interference
fit.
In one embodiment, the space between the
intumescent firestop material and the transverse end wall
is filled with a foam plastic filler material.
In use, the device can be inserted into a
preformed opening and mounted therein through the use of
the laterally extending flange. Alternatively, the flange
can be used to mount the coupling device directly to
partition forms or deck panels and the wall or floor poured
in place about the device. Thereafter, the closed end of
the device can be cut off at the surface level of the floor
or wall to allow installation of the tube member which
extends through the housing. The interior of the device
is, however, enclosed and protected during the construction
3 Q 0 5 9
operations, such as floor pouring, and is not exposed
until it is time to install the piping or conduits
through the coupling device.
As can be seen from the foregoing, a
primary object of an aspect of the invention is the
provision of a self-contained device which can be used to
provide passthroughs for any types of pipes, tubular
conduits, and cable systems while providing a firestop
installation.
o Yet another object of an aspect of the invention
is the provision of a device of the type described wherein
the firestop material is installed and in place at the
same time that the device is installed in the building
project.
A further object of an aspect of the invention
is the provision of a device of the type described wherein
it is not necessary to have workmen return to the
construction site after the piping has been installed for
the purpose of installing firestop material.
Yet another object of an aspect of the invention
is the provision of a device of the type described which
can be formed from plastics materials and readily and
simply installed to provide any desired type of conduit
and pipe passthrough.
A still further object of an aspect of the
invention is the provision of a coupling device of the
type described wherein the internal components are
protected during much of the building construction period.
According to one aspect of the invention there
is provided a method of installing a plastic pipe of
diameter d to extend through a building partition
comprising providing a tubular sleeve member having a
first section of internal diameter dl which is greater
than d, one end of the first section being closed and the
other end having a radially outwardly extending
cylindrical open ended flanged collar of a diameter d2
5 ~
- 3a -
substantially greater than d joined axially thereto;
filling the collar with a solid intumescent material to
form a solid ring of intumescent material axially aligned
with the tubular sleeve, the center of the ring having a
circular opening therethrough of a diameter only slightly
less than d; mounting the tubular sleeve member to extend
through the building partition; and cutting off the closed
end of the tubular sleeve and installing a plastic pipe of
diameter d through the tubular sleeve by forcing the pipe
o axially through the center circular opening of the ring of
intumescent material in interference fit relationship
therewith.
According to another aspect of the invention
there is provided a method of forming a firestop
passthrough opening for a pipe of diameter d through a
building partition comprising providing a tubular sleeve
member having a first section of internal diameter dl
which is greater than d, one end of the sleeve being
closed and the other end having a radially outwardly
extending cylindrical open ended flanged collar of a
diameter d2 substantially than d joined axially thereto;
filling the collar with a solid intumescent material
bonded therein to form a solid ring of intumescent
material axially aligned with the tubular sleeve, the
center of the ring having a circular opening therethrough
of a diameter slightly less than d; mounting the tubular
sleeve to extend through the building partition with the
closed end of the sleeve spaced outwardly from the
partition and the collar located within the partition and
30 closely enclosed about its outer surface; and cutting off
the closed end of the tubular sleeve and inserting a
plastic pipe of diameter d through the center circular
opening of the ring of intumescent material in
interference fit therewith.
B
Brief DescriPtion of the Drawinqs
The above and other objects and advantages will
become apparent from the following description when read
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through
a coupling device formed in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the device of
10 FIGURE 1;
a~l3~9
-- 4
FIGURE 3 is a greatly enlarged view of the
circled area of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 4 shows the device of FIGURE 1 in place on
a building deck form with the concrete floor structure
poured in place about the coupling device;
FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 but
showing the device after the closed end has been removed to
provide access to the ends of the interior coupling
elements;
FIGURE 6 is a plan view of a metal disk member
used in conjunction with the device of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line
7-7 of FIGURE 6;
FIGURE ~ is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but
showing the metal disk member of FIGURES 6 and 7 in
position on the entrance end of the coupling device;
FIGURE 9 shows a passthrough device incorporating
an intumescent firestop material arranged to engage the
through tube with an interference fit;
FIGURE 10 shows the FIGURE 9 type of passthrough
device in an installed condition; and,
~IGURE ll shows another form of passthrough
device.
Detailed DescriDtion of the Prefe~red
an~ Alternate Embodiments
Referring more particularly to the drawings
wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating
preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention only,
and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIGURES 1 through
3 best show the overall arrangement of a preferred coupling
device 10 comprising an outer housing 12 of generally
tubular shape and having an open lower or first end 14 and
a closed upper or second end 16. The housing 12 is
preferably formed from a suitable plastics material, such
as PVC or any suitable ABS plastic or the like. The side
~13~5~
-- 5
wall 18 of the tubular housing is relatively thin and, in
the subject embodiment, has a circular cross section.
However, as can be readily understood, the actual cross-
sectional shape of the housing is not important and could
vary significantly. Positioned about the open first end 14
of the housing 12 is a laterally extending, integral flange
20 which is circumferentially continuous and provides means
for mounting the device in a manner subsequently to be
described. As best seen in FIGURE 2, the mounting flange
20 preferably includes circumferentially-spaced openings 22
which can be provided to facilitate mounting of the
assembly through the use of conventional nails, screws, or
the like. It should be noted that the openings 22 are
shown as having somewhat of a key-hole shape so as to
permit selective removal of the device from standard headed
fasteners by a slight rotation to align the openings with
the head of the fastener.
Upper end wall 16 extends transverse to the
longitudinal axis of the coupling device 10 and generally
perpendicular to the side wall 18. Additionally, in this
embodiment, the end wall 16 is integral with the side wall
18 and is preferably completely closed and imperforate.
Under certain conditions, the end wall 16 could be integral
or a separate applied element.
Extending axially within housing 12 are a pair of
tubular coupling elements 2~. Although two couplings are
shown, it is clear that any number of such couplings of any
particular size or combination of sizes could be provided
as desired. In the subject embodiment, each of the
couplings 24 are a tubular slip coupling design having an
entrance end 26 and an exit end 27. The couplings 24 are
positioned with their entrance ends opening to the first,
open end 14 of the housing. In the embodiment under
consideration, a circumferential seal element in the form
of an O-ring 28 is positioned in a suitable groove formed
about the entrance end of the coupling 2~. The upper or
exit end 27 of each coupling 24 is ~oined with a tube
o ~ ~ 9
-- 6
member 29 which extends from the respective coupling
element 24 to a position closely adjacent the second end of
the housing 12. As can be appreciated, the tubular element
29 can be an integral part of the associated coupling 2~ or
it can be joined thereto in the manner shown by a slip fit
to a locating flange portion 30. The juncture between the
coupling 24 and the associated tube 28 can be bonded or
sealed in any convenient manner, if desired.
Preferably, the individual tubular pipe coupling
elements 24 and the associated tube members 28 are formed
from suitable, conventional plastics material such as PVC
and have a circular cross section as best seen in FIGURE 2.
The coupling elements 24 are surrounded and
enclosed by intumescent firestop material which fills the
lS space between the coupling elements and the outer housing
12. Any of many commercially available intumescent
firestop compounds could be used at the location shown.
Specifically, as can be best seen in FIGURE 1, the firestop
material 36 extends beyond the inner end of the individual
coupling members to a point well up the length of the tube
members 29. The firestop material thus locates and
positions the coupling members within the outer housing.
The space about the upper ends of the tubular members 28
and between the firestop material 36 and the end wall 16 is
2S preferably filled by a filler material 38, such as a foamed
plastic or other lightweight solid material. The filler
material 38 further locates the tubes 29 and acts to
protect the tubes 29 and strengthen the housing 12.
To use the device shown in FIGURES 1 through 3,
it is, of course, possible to merely form an opening
through a pre-existing wall structure and insert the device
therethrough with the radially extending flange 20 engaging
the edges of the opening and preventing further movement of
the device through the wall opening. The flange can then
be nailed or otherwise secured to the area surrounding the
opening. On the opposite side of the wall or partition,
the closed end of the housing 12 can be cut away to a level
2 130Q59
-
-- 7
corresponding to the surface of the wall with the tubes 28
exposed for connection with associated piping or the like.
Alternatively, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the
device can be used during the actual construction of a
partition, such as a floor or wall panel. In such an
instance, the coupling device 10 is nailed or otherwise
connected in a located position on the form or deck ~0.
Thereafter, the wall or floor concrete 42 is poured into
position as shown in FIGURE 4. Subsequently, as shown in
FIGURE 5, the form member 40 is removed and the upper end
of the casing 12 and the surrounding filler material is
removed leaving the tubes 28 exposed for connection with
the associated building piping system. The intumescent
firestop material is in position such that should a fire
break out, the expansion of the material closes off the
opening and thereby prevents smoke or fire from traveling
through the partition.
FIGURES 6 through 8 illustrate a modified form of
the invention wherein a metal disk member 50 is arranged
- 20 for mounting in conjunction with the device 10 to prevent
it from being expelled through the opening when impacted by
a high pressure water ~et which may be used in fighting
fires in the building. As shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, the
metal disk 50 is of a size such as to have an outer
peripheral extent greater than the open end of the housing
12. A center opening 52 is formed through the disk so that
it allows free access to the entrance ends of the
individual coupling members 2~. Referring to FIGURE 8, the
disk member has a maximum size which is preferably at least
as great as the flange 20 on the coupling device 10.
Additionally, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, the disk 50 is
provided with fastening means which allow it to be
connected to the coupling device 10. These means could
take many forms, but in the subject embodiment, they
comprise arrow-shaped stampings which, as shown in FIGURE
6, are stamped from the body of the disk and bent to extend
upwardly as best seen in FIGURE 7. These stampings
~3~
-- 8
identified with the numeral 5~ have a pointed upper end and
a laterally extending tine 56 such that they can be driven
into the intumescent firestop material to hold the disk 50
in place overlying the flange 20.
As can be appreciated, the disk 50 can be put
into position prior to installation of the device 10 or at
some later time after the forms 40 have been removed.
FIGURES 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of the
invention which can be used to provide a firestop
passthrough opening in a building partition. As shown
therein, the passthrough device 60 includes an axially
elongated, tubular outer housing 62 which comprises a first
axially-elongated plastic sleeve-like member 6~ having a
closed end 66 and an open end 68. The open end 68 has a
radially extending collar 70 which carries a relatively
large diameter flange means 72. Flange means 72 is
preferably formed of plastic and includes an upper annular
wall 7~ which is sized so as to be closely received on the
sleeve 64 and rest on the upper surface of the collar 70.
The wall 74 can be bonded or mechanically connected to
collar 70. A downwardly extending, cylindrical sleeve
portion 76 is joined to the annular wall 74 and terminates
in a outwardly extending base collar or flange 78. This
provides a relatively large diameter, shallow chamber 80.
Positioned within chamber 80 is a rigid ring 81
of intumescent firestop material in the form of an annular
body 82 having a central opening 84 extending therethrough.
Opening 84 is sized with a diameter dl that is selected
based on the size of the plastic pipe which is to be passed
through the assembly after it is installed in a building
partition. In particular, the diameter dl is selected so
as to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the
plastic pipe which the assembly is to receive. Preferably,
the diameter dl is selected so that the plastic pipe can be
manually forced through the center opening 84 but such that
the ring engages the outer surface of the associated pipe
with a tight interference fit. Additionally, it is
hl~a~
' -
- 9
preferable that the cylindrical wall 64 be only slightly
larger than the nominal size of the plastic pipe.
Preferably, the ring 82 i8 a~fixed or otherwise bonded into
the chamber 80.
The particular intumescent material used to form
ring 82 can be of any conventional, commercially available
material having the necessary rigidity and characteristics
to engage about tube 90 and form the required interference
fit while permitting the tube to be inserted therethrough.
FIGURE 10 shows the device of FIGURE 9 in an
installed position. As was discussed with the prior
embodiments, the assembly would normally be installed
during the formation of the building partitions or floors
by being attached to the form elements and the floor or
15 wall structure poured in place such as shown at 86 in
FIGURE 10. After the floor is poured, the upper end
section of the tubular body 64 is removed by being cut
flush with the upper surface 88 of the floor. This removed
section is shown in dotted lines in FIGURE lO. When the
20 supporting associated forming materials are removed, the
tube 90 can be installed merely by being forced upwardly
through the center opening 84. At this time, it will be
firmly and positively engaged because of the friction or
interference fit with the ring of intumescent material.
25 Thereafter, a second tube section 90' can be joined to tube
section 90 in the usual manner.
FIGURE ll shows a further embodiment of the
invention which is similar in many ways to the previously-
discussed FIGURES l through 5 embodiment but includes many
30 features from the FIGURES 9 and 10 embodiment.
Specifically, the passthrough device of FIGURE ll generally
comprises a housing 112 which is a molded plastic tubular
member having an open lower or first end 11~ and a closed
upper end 116. The side wall 118 has a generally circular
35 cross section and terminates at its lower end in a
laterally-extending integral flange 120 ~hich provides a
mounting arrangement for putting the device in position on
~.
3~5~
-- 10 --
a form or the like in the manner previously discussed with
reference to the FIGURES 1 through 5 embodiment.
Positioned in the open lower end of the housing
112 is a ri~id ring of intumescent firestop material 122
5 which has a center opening 124. In the embodiment under
consideration, the ring of firestop material 122 extends
upwardly into the housing 112 and has a volume such that it
can perform the firestop function previously discussed.
The central opening 12~ is sized in the manner discussed
with reference to the center opening 8~ of the FIGURES 9
and 10 embodiment. That is, the opening 12~ has a diameter
dl which is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the
plastic pipe or tube which is to be installed through the
passthrough device when it is placed in use. The diameter
is such as to create an interference fit with the installed
pipe or tubing. Located above the ring 122 of firestop
material is a section of filler material which
substantially fills the end of the housing 112 in the area
above the firestop. In the subject embodiment, this filler
material comprises an annular block of foam plastic 126
which has a center opening 128 extending therethrough. The
opening 128 has a diameter d2 which is preferably slightly
larger than the nominal diameter of the pipe which is to be
installed through the assembly. This arrangement allows
the pipe to be readily installed even when the filler 126
remains in place.
To use the device of FIGURE 11, it is positioned
in the desired location on the associated forms in the
manner described with reference to FIGURE 4. After the
floor or wall structure has been formed and the forms
removed, the closed upper end of the assembly can be cut
off as desired relative to the floor structure, and the
necessary tube or pipe installed through the opening ~24,
128.
The invention has been described with reference
to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and
alterations will occur to others upon a reading and
understanding of this specification. It is intended to
include all such modifications and alterations insofar as
they come within the scope of the appended claims or the
equivalents thereof.
