Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BOTTOM MOUNT FIRE BARRIER SYSTEMS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to fire barriers and more particularly
to fire barriers that are installed into floor to floor spaces created by
mandated
expansion joints where the installation is required to be from the undersides
of the
floor sections, retainers that act to support and secure the barrier to the
floor so
that the barrier maintains its predetermined shape, and tools for installing
said
bottom mounted fire barriers.
The background information discussed below is presented to better
illustrate the novelty and usefulness of the present invention. This
background
information is not admitted prior art.
Modern building codes require that the stresses experienced by buildings
from, for example extreme and/or repetitive changes in temperature, the force
of
high winds impinging on the building, multi-directional forces due to seismic
events, settling of subsoil, building remodels, and excavation on or near the
site,
must be taken into account in the building design. To accommodate these
stresses, buildings must now be constructed with code mandated spaces between
wall, floor, and ceiling structural sections. These spaces, referred to as
"expansion
joints" or "expansion joint spaces" provide for differential building movement
without risking damage to the whole structure.
While expansion joints improve the life-time integrity of structures, they
also
present major risks to the structure. In the event of fire, expansion joint
spaces act
as chimney flues providing pathways for gases, flame, and smoke to spread
rapidly throughout the structure. To counter the flue effect, building codes
for
commercial structures generally require fire barriers, sometimes referred to
as fire
stops, to be installed in the expansion joints, as the barriers act to prevent
or to
reduce the rate of flames and smoke passing through the joints into adjoining
areas. Fire barriers offer protection from the effects of fire to both the
building and
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the inhabitants of the building by extending the time available for
inhabitants to
leave the building and for fire fighters to get to the fire.
During their lifetime, fire barriers, like buildings, undergo stress when a
building is subjected to movement, whether from earthquake activity, ground
settling, wind, or temperature contraction or expansion. During a fire,
building
joints and their associated fire barriers are likely to be subject to even
greater
stress than usual, making it essential that the fire barriers retain their
integrity to
prevent the migration of gases, flame, and smoke. Accordingly, fire barriers
are
legally mandated to be tested, rated, and certified. There are two currently
mandated tests. One measures the ability of a fire barrier to maintain its
structural
integrity under compressional and tensional motion. This test is referred to
as the
"cycle" test and its parameters are specified by ASTM 1399. The other test is
referred to as the "fire" or "burn" test and its parameters are specified by
UL 2079.
The two tests are conducted in sequence. A fire barrier is first cycled
between
forces of compression and tension 500 times and then, if the barrier passes
that
test, it is placed into a furnace where it is tested for its ability to resist
and prevents
flame, heat, and gases from passing through the barrier.
Because all buildings have walls, floors, and ceilings that create corner
joints where they meet, two kinds of fire barriers are needed in order to have
fire-
stop protection in a building: straight-line fire barriers and multi-
directional barriers.
Until recently, the only fire barriers commercially available and tested were
the
straight-line, Le., one dimensional fire barriers. These barriers are made to
be
installed between the straight segments of walls, ceilings, or floor units
that are
separated by the mandated expansion joint space. It is expected that straight-
line
fire barriers are tested and certified.
The importance of correctly installed, tested, and listed fire barrier systems
in buildings is increasingly recognized by building officials, owners,
insurance
companies, contractors, and the public. Moreover, in order to maintain their
integrity over their lifetime in a structure, the installation procedures used
are also
of great importance. As mentioned above, fire barriers are designed to fit
into the
space created by the expansion joint where the expansion joint is the space
between building units, such as between two wall sections, ceiling and wall
units,
wall and floor units, and floor to floor units. Today, such building units are
often
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constructed from pre-cast concrete, or the like. Pre-cast concrete typically
comes
in 41/2 inches thickness. Thus, for example, two adjacent floor sections of
pre-cast
concrete provide a depth of 41A in which to install a fire barrier. This would
be
difficult under any circumstances as the thickness of the barrier alone is
often
greater than 41A inches. Recently, however, fire regulations require a
moisture
impermeable cover to be placed over the wire barrier, to protect the barrier
from
damage due to water or other liquids getting to the barrier, such when floors
are
being washed.
Moisture impermeable covers (referred to in the industry as "boots") are
about 4 inches thick. The boots cannot protrude above the floor surface as
they
would create tripping hazards and would expose themselves to damage. The
moisture impermeable covers fill, or nearly fill, the space between the pre-
cast
floor units, leaving little or no room for a fire barrier or for installation
of the fire
barrier. Top or outer surface mount installation cannot be used because of the
presence of the boot and because mounting devices and associated hardware
cannot be protrude above the floor surface. The presence of the boot and the
minimal thickness of the pre-cast floor sections eliminate side-mounting of
the fire
barrier. Thus, what is desperately needed in the art are tested and certified
fire
barriers that can be bottom-mounted into expansion joint spaces that are about
41/2 inch thick, such is found in pre-cast building floor or other units.
To install a barrier so that it is installed tight up against the building
structure means that the barrier must be kept tight to the structure until it
is
securely and fixedly secured. This is a challenge for workers, as barriers are
often
feet long. What is desperately needed is a way to maintain the barrier
positioned against the building structure until the barrier is securely
installed.
Another recognized problem in the fire barrier industry is the danger posed
to workers while installing fire barriers in expansion joint spaces in high
rise
buildings. The longer and/or wider a fire barrier, the greater is its weight.
It is very
hazardous for one, two, or even three workers to have to lift and hold in
place until
attached heavy fire barriers. Thus, what is also desperately needed is a way
to
support a barrier in an extension joint space until it is firmly attached.
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SUMMARY
The bottom mount (anchored) fire barrier systems of the present invention
provide for inserting the fire barrier/retainer units from above or below the
floor, for
example, through the expansion joint space and anchoring the barrier from
beneath the floor and in some cases, where the joint space is wide enough,
from
inside the joint. The drawings provide examples of retainers designed for use
with
the straight-line barriers to form fire barrier/retainer structures, as
illustrated,
although the retainers may also be fitted for use with multi-dimensional fire
barriers (the kind that are required for joint junctures involving more than
one
direction, such as corner joints). It should be understood that the fire
barriers of
the present invention include floor to floor extension joint spaces as well as
floor to
wall extension joint spaces. Furthermore, the drawings illustrate and the text
teaches fire barriers in the commonly used length of 10 foot straight line
barriers.
It is to be understood, however, that the retainers and other accessories to
be
described are intended for use with fire barriers of any length, width, and
shape.
Each fire barrier includes in its structure two metal retainers, one affixed
to
one of the two long sides of the barrier and one affixed to the opposing long
side
of the barrier. As illustrated in the drawings, each of the retainer parts has
a four
arm cross-sectional profile. It will be shown that the retainers provide for
correctly
holding the barrier to the surfaces of the building structure to which they
will be
affixed to ensure that the barriers are installed and remain tightly
positioned
against the surfaces. Moreover, after installation, the retainers provide for
a barrier
to maintain its desired shape and to remain tight to the building units to
prevent
leakage of gas, flame, smoke, and heat during a fire. Providing for ease of
installation of the barrier/retainer into an extension joint space, the
invention
includes a unique installation tool structured for use only with the fire
barriers of
the present invention providing first for the barrier/retainer structure to be
correctly
positioned in relationship to the building units and then maintained in its
correct
position until the barrier/retainer is securely and fixedly attached to the
building
structure. Once a fire barrier/retainer structure is fixedly installed into
the
expansion joint space, the tool is easily and quickly removed and ready for
reuse.
The invention also includes an optional insulated guard unit designed
specifically
for the fire barrier system of the present invention that may be installed to
provide
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a protective boundary about the installed fire barrier. Additionally, because
whenever a length of straight-line fire barrier is required that exceeds the
length of
the supplied fire barriers, which is this illustrated is10 feet, two or more
sections of
the barrier must be used which at the point of connection the splice point
should
be strengthened using a splice connector of the present invention, unless the
ends are designed to be joined in a male/female fashion, then the use of caulk
and intumescent seals the join.
The present invention makes all of these benefits and more possible by
providing for a fire barrier system, comprising:
a fire barrier system comprising a fire barrier/retainer structure for bottom
mount installation between and onto spaced opposing building units forming an
architectural expansion joint space, comprising:
a fire barrier having a length, the length having a width along the
length, the width having a first side edge and edge area, an
opposing second side edge and edge area, and a mid-section
between the first and second side edge areas, the mid-
section having a width greater than the width of the joint
space, and
a two piece fire resistant retainer each piece for attachment to one of
the opposing side edge areas of the fire barrier, each retainer comprising:
at least an elongate shank having a length, the length having a width, where
the
length of the shank is the length of the fire barrier, and the width of the
shank is
defined as comprising one width part that is the width of the first side edge
area of
the fire barrier providing for the first width part of the retainer to be
attached to the
first side area of the barrier and a second width part that is an opposing
extension
of the first width part and is of sufficient width dimension to extend into
the
extension joint space to provide a support for an installation tool,
creating a fire barrier/retainer structure with opposing rigid side edge areas
each for mounting to an underside of the opposing building units forming an
expansion joint space.
The present invention further teaches wherein the fire barrier further
comprises multi-layers of various fire resistant materials, various fire
resistant
cloths and/or metallic or other fire resistant materials, wherein the mid-
section of a
CA 02631207 2008-05-14
bottom mounted fire barrier is made wide enough to extend beneath the
expansion joint space. To provide support and strength to the fire barrier
system
the invention also teaches wherein the retainer further comprises a stainless
steel
retainer. Importantly, the fire barrier/retainer structure is designed so that
the fire
barrier/retainer structure passes UL 20 79 fire and ASTME 1399 cycle tests. To
the best of Applicant's knowledge there are no other bottom mount fire
barrier/retainer structures that have passed these tests. The present
invention
further comprises an optional fire-resistant fire barrier protection cover
affixed to
the undersides of the opposing building units forming the expansion joint
space to
be positioned about the mid-section of the fire barrier that extends into the
space
beneath the expansion space.
The present invention further teaches wherein the fire barrier/retainer
structure further comprises a fire resistant fire barrier splice line
protector cover
connector to connect and protect a splice area of abutting fire barrier
sections
comprising a U-shaped piece of fire resistant material that is shaped to
snugly fit
over the splice line about the outer surface of the splice. Alternatively, the
invention provides for fire barrier/retainer structure that comprises fire
barrier end
sections comprising male and female splice connecting ends that do not require
the splice cover.
Also taught are a choice of fire barrier materials to be used in the
construction of the fire barrier, so that, if desired the fire barrier further
comprises
an outermost fire resistant protective cloth overlain by a sheet of stainless
steel
foil, a layer of insulation blanket overlaying the stainless steel foil,
optionally
overlain by a sheet of stainless steel mesh with an optional uppermost layer
of
intumescent material.
Furthermore each of the retainers may comprise a single elongate shank
having a length, the length having a width, where the length is the length of
the
fire barrier and the width is defined as consisting of a first width part that
is the
width of the first side edge area of the fire barrier providing for the first
width part
of the retainer to be attached to the first side area of the barrier and a
second
width part that is an opposing extension of the first width part and is of
sufficient
dimension to extend into the extension joint space to provide a lifting
support for
an installation tool.
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The invention contemplates a retainer having a more complex, cross-like
structure with a first retainer arm having a length, the length having a
width, where
the length is the length of the fire barrier and the width is defined as
comprising
the width of the first side edge area of the fire barrier to be attachable to
the length
of one side edge area of the barrier,
a second retainer arm being an opposing extension of the first arm having
a dimension sufficient for the second arm to extend into the extension joint
space
to provide a lifting support for an installation tool,
a third retainer arm of the same length as the first and second retainer arm
extending away from and roughly perpendicular to an area defining the junction
of
the first and second arm to fit snugly against the building unit defining the
expansion joint space to keep the fire barrier in a correct position against
the
building unit, and
a fourth retainer arm being an opposing extension of the third arm
extending to be in intimate contact to the barrier to provide support to the
barrier
and to the other arms.
An important part of the system of the present invention is an installation
tool for installing the fire barrier/retainer structure into the expansion
joint space,
the tool comprising:
a handle that may be of the squeeze pistol grip type, comprising:
a stationary handle part and
moveable handle part,
a connecting rod having a first end and a second end,
a stationary upper plate and
a rotable lower plate,
the handle connected to the first end of the rod,
the lower plate connected to the second end of the rod
the upper plate connected to the rod spaced from the handle and the second
plate,
the moveable handle part is squeeze-able toward the stationary handle part to
draw the lower plate toward the upper plate or to spread the plates apart from
each other, as required.
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The rotable lower plate further comprises a series of variously sized plates
so that by replacing the lower plate of one size for an analogous plate of
another
size, the tool may be used to install fire barriers into extension joint
spaces of
various widths and lengths.
The invention also introduces a method for installing a fire barrier/retainer
structure with an installation tool manufactured to be used only with the fire
barrier/retainer structure for bottom mount installation between and onto
spaced
opposing building units forming an architectural expansion joint space herein
described, comprising the following steps:
providing a fire barrier/retainer structure, comprising:
a fire barrier having a length, the length having a width along the
length, the width having a first side edge and edge area, an opposing second
side
edge and edge area, and a mid-section between the first and second side edge
areas, the mid-section having a width greater than the width of the joint
space,
and
a two piece fire resistant retainer each piece for attachment to one of
the opposing side edge areas of the fire barrier, each retainer comprising:
at least an elongate shank having a length, the length having
a width, where the length of the shank is the length of the fire barrier,
and the width of the shank is defined as comprising one width part that
is the width of the first side edge area of the fire barrier providing for the
first width part of the retainer to be attached to the first side area of the
barrier and a second width part that is an opposing extension of the first
width part and is of sufficient width dimension to extend into the
extension joint space to provide a support for an installation tool,
attaching one of the retainer parts to the first side edge area,
attaching the other of the retainer parts to the second side edge area, thus
creating a fire barrier/retainer structure with opposing rigid side edge areas
each for mounting to an underside of the opposing building units forming an
expansion joint space.
and further
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providing an installation tool as an integral and unique part of the system
for installing the fire barrier/retainer structure into the expansion joint
space, the
tool comprising:
a handle that may be of the squeeze pistol grip type, comprising:
a stationary handle part and
moveable handle part,
a connecting rod having a first end and a second end,
a stationary upper plate and
a rotable lower plate,
the handle connected to the first end of the rod,
the lower plate connected to the second end of the rod,
the upper plate connected to the rod spaced from the handle and the second
plate,
the moveable handle part squeeze-able toward the stationary handle part to
draw
the lower plate toward the upper plate or to spread the plates apart from each
other, as required;
attaching the retainer to the fire barrier creating the fire barrier/retainer
structure,
positioning the fire barrier/retainer structure into the expansion joint
space,
positioning the lower plate of the tool so as to support the fire
barrier/retainer structure in the expansion joint space,
attaching each of the opposing rigid side edge areas to one of the
undersides of the opposing building units forming an expansion joint space,
and
further comprising the step of:
removing the tool from the fire barrier/retainer structure so that it may be
reused for the next installation of another fire barrier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that these and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention may be more fully comprehended, the invention will now be
described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several
figures, and in which:
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FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-section view of a straight-line fire barrier of
the present invention being installed in an exemplary 41/2 inch deep expansion
joint using size adjustable tool specific for barriers of present invention.
FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagrammatic cross-section view of a straight-line
fire barrier of the present invention installed in a 41/2 inch deep expansion
joint.
FIG. 2a is a perspective diagrammatic cross-section view of a straight-line
fire barrier of the present invention installed in a 4% inch deep expansion
joint, as
shown in FIG.2.
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cross-section view of a straight-line fire barrier of
the present invention installed in a 4% inch deep expansion joint illustrating
optional fire barrier guard protection devices.
FIG. 4 is a perspectives view of an optional fire barrier guard protection
devices according to the principles this invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a splice connector used to connect two
abutting straight-line fire barrier sections, according to the principles of
the present
invention.
DEFINITIONS
Building units, as used herein, refers to structures such as walls, floors,
ceilings,
and the like, and may be referred to as structural units.
Fire barrier, as used herein, refers to a structure comprising one or more
layers of
a fire rated insulation material that is attached to and between opposing,
spaced,
adjacent building units to span a mandated expansion joint space between the
building units, such as an expansion joint space between floor units, wall
units,
ceiling units, and a combination of units, such as a space created by spaced
adjacent floor and wall units.
High-temperature thread, as used herein, refers to any thread that is fire
resistant
or any thread that will not support combustion, such as a ceramic thread.
Intumescent as used herein, refers to those materials having properties that
cause
them to expand (or intumesce) to several times their original size when
activated
by high temperatures to prevent the spread of flames and smoke to other parts
of
a building, for example passive fire-seals contain intumescent compounds.
CA 02631207 2008-05-14
Insulation blanket, as used herein, refers to any number of insulation
materials,
including fiber blankets made from alumina, zirconia, and silica spun ceramic
fibers, fiberglass, and the like.
Interdigitate, as used herein, refers to the verb interlock, to be interwoven
or to
commingle.
Interdioitation, as used herein, refers to the act of interlocking or the
condition
being interlocked or interpenetrated.
Metallic backing laver, as used herein, refers to fire resistant metal or
metallicized
foil, such as stainless steel, or the like.
Multi-directional and/or multi-dimensional architectural expansion join or
joint, as
used herein refers to any joint that is formed by the convergence of more than
two
structural units, such as the convergence of three wall units or two walls and
a
floor unit. These joints create spaces between building units that act like
chimney
flues carrying gases, hot air, flame, and smoke throughout a structure.
Multi-directional and/or multi-dimensional fire resistant barrier, as used
herein,
refers to any fire barrier that is shaped to functionally fit into a multi-
directional
and/or multi-dimensional architectural expansion joint.
Protective cloth, as used herein, refers to a flexible, strong, protective,
fire-
resistant material that is designed to mechanically support the insulation
material
and to protect the insulation material from mechanical damage, as the
insulation is
mechanically weak and can be easily damaged by tearing or ripping either
accidentally or intentionally during or after installation thus largely
compromising
the integrity of the fire resistant barrier. The fire resistant layers, such
as a layer of
insulation material together with a layer of intumescent material, can freely
move
with respect to the one or more protective layers or they may be attached
together
via threads or other attaching means. Protective cloths may be manufactured
from
continuous filament amorphous silica yarns, polymeric material, fiber
reinforced
polymeric material, high-temperature resistant woven textiles, or a metalized,
fiberglass cloth, among others. Metalized cloth may include fibers of
stainless
steel, aluminum, or copper, for example. Protective materials may also include
metal foils or metal screens. Protective cloths also include cloths that are
woven
to provide for shear, including lateral, motion.
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Seaming, as used herein, refers to connecting one part to another part, for
example where a cloth is folded and the two parts of the cloth that have been
brought together by the folding are subsequently "seamed" together along a
predetermined line. The seaming may utilize stitching, using an adhesive,
stapling, pinning, or any other means that will connect the two parts to each
other.
Spreader, also referred to as press plate, as used herein, refers to any
implement
or apparatus for applying a pushing force directly to a generally stationary
object
upon which pressure or tension is to be exerted. It comprises jacks (including
lifting jacks, floor jacks, and analogous implements), extracting apparatus
(including stump pullers and nail extractors), tensioning apparatus (including
belt,
carpet and wire stretchers), hoist trucks, and cable-type load hauling or
hoisting
apparatus, and pressure plates under spring tension including torsion springs.
Strapping, as used herein, refers to off-the-shelf fire-resistant strapping
used in
construction and fabrication for holding, binding, and/or attaching, such as
commonly available steel strapping.
Structural unit, as used herein, refers to such constructs as a wall, floor,
ceiling,
or the like and may be referred to as building units.
Structure, as used herein, refers to something made up of a number of parts
that
are held or put together in a particular way.
Tr-dimensional, as used herein, refers to either an expansion joint that has
three
member parts, such as a T-shaped expansion joint where the T-joint is made up
of three co-joint-arms or to afire barrier that is functionally shaped to
accommodate a T-shaped joint.
TESTS:
Fire testing per UL 20 79
Cycle test ASTME 1399 (expansion, compression test)
A LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMBERS AND RELATED PARTS OF THE
INVENTION
Installation tool.
12 Handle having a trigger like mechanism.
12a Moveable handle arm.
12b Stationary handle arm.
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14 Upper plate.
16 Lower plate available in a variety of sizes.
18 Connecting rod.
20 Spring.
30 Fire resistant caulk.
50a A first retainer part.
50b A second retainer part situated opposite first retainer part 50a.
52 Arm of retainer extending above floor unit.
53 Arm of retainer extending horizontally into expansion joint space.
54 Arm of retainer extending under floor.
55 Arm of retainer extending vertically.
90 A floor building unit.
92 Side walls of floor units 90 facing expansion joint space.
94 Bottom surfaces of floor units 90.
95 Fire barrier.
104 Protective cloth.
106 Foil.
108 Insulation Blanket.
110 Intumescent strip material.
150 Attachment means.
160 Attachment means.
200 Optional fire barrier guard protection device.
202a A section of two part angular s-shaped fire resistant guar protection
device.
202b A section of two part angular s-shaped fire resistant guar protection
device.
204a Upper arm of each angular s-shaped section 202a.
204b Upper arm of each angular s-shaped section 202b.
206a Lower arm of angular s-shaped section 202a.
206b Lower arm of angular s-shaped section 202b.
208 Optional blanket.
209 Splice connection line.
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300 Splice connector.
302 Fire barrier section.
304 Fire barrier section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings which illustrate exemplary versions of the
tested and certified fire barriers/retainer structures and the installation
tools that
are contemplated by this invention, it is shown how the above discussed
disadvantages have been overcome. It should be noted that the disclosed
invention is disposed to fire barrier/retainer structures in various sizes,
such as a
variety of lengths, widths, depths, which all depend on the width, depth, and
length of the mandated expansion joint spaces, in addition to variation in
shapes,
contents, layers, materials, and attachment means, as are discussed below.
Therefore, the versions described herein are provided with the understanding
that
the present disclosure is intended as illustrative and is not intended to
limit the
invention to the versions described.
FIG. 1, a diagrammatic cross-sectional view, illustrates exemplary straight-
line fire barrier/retainer structure 75 of the present invention. Fire
barrier/retainer
structure 75 is illustrated in the process of being bottom mounted (anchored)
into
an exemplary 41/2 inch deep floor/floor architectural expansion joint space
created
by adjacent spaced cast-concrete floor units 90. Note that by being mounted
below the floor, there is adequate space in the expansion joint for the
required
rubber boot to be installed. Fire barrier 95 is manufactured with retainer
parts 50a
and 50b as part of its structure and, thus, is provided from the manufacturing
facility as a ready to install unit. The usually elongate fire barrier has two
opposing
long sides, whose side areas provide the attachment areas to attach the fire
barrier/retainer to building units, and a center portion or mid-section
between.
Retainer 50 comprises first retainer part 50a that is affixed to the first
long side of
the fire barrier, and second retainer part 50b affixed to the second long side
of the
fire barrier to form the fire barrier/retainer structure for bottom mounting
into an
expansion joint space. In the illustration, each of the retainer parts is
designed
having a four arm cross-sectional profile. To a first retainer arm one long
side of
the barrier is fixedly attached. Attaching the fairly rigid retainer to the
flexible fire
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barrier provides for the barrier to be held tightly against the bottom surface
of the
floor unit providing for a tight and secure attachment (as illustrated).
Another arm,
which is actually an opposing extension of the first arm, protrudes into the
extension space to provide a lifting support for the installation tool, as
explained
below. A third arm fits closely to the vertical wall of one of the units
forming the
expansion joint and acts in concert with the other arms to keep the fire
barrier is a
correct position tight against the building unit surface 92. The fourth arm,
an
opposing extension of the third arm, provides addition support for the fire
barrier
and supports the function of the other arms. As illustrated (this structure
may be
better appreciated by looking at FIG. 2a), the fire barrier of the fire
barrier/retainer
structure 95 has a first long side with a retainer attached and an opposing
second
long side with a second retainer attached. Additionally, FIG. 1 illustrates in
diagrammatic form the parts and working principles of the installation tool.
To
ensure proper installation of the fire barrier/retainer structure,
installation tool 10 is
used. Tool 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1 may be of the squeeze/spreader pistol
grip
type, consists essentially of squeezable handle 12, connecting rod 18 having a
first end and a second end, and two plates, upper plate 14 and lower plate 16,
which can be squeezed toward each other or spread apart from each other, as
required. Handle 12 has two handle parts, stationary handle part 12b and
moveable handle part 12a. Lower plate 16 is shown detachably attached to first
end of connecting rod 18. Plate 16 may be either rotably attached to
connecting
rod 18 or may be connected to rod 18 so that rotating rod 18 provides for the
rotation of plate 16. Plate 16 is available in a variety of sizes so that by
replacing
plate 16 of one size for an analogous plate of another size, the tool may be
used
in the installation of fire barriers that fit into extension joint spaces of
various
widths and lengths. The tool shown in the figure is generally for use with
fire
barriers from 2¨ 10 inches wide. Spaced from lower plate 16, connecting rod 18
passes through an aperture in upper plate 14, so that the second end of
connecting rod 18 extends to handle 12 to be slidably attached through and to
handle 12. Squeezing the handles of the tools, provides for plates 14 and 16
to be
compressed towards each other, which action, when the tool is positioned as
illustrated in FIG. 1 pulls the fire barrier/retainer structure tight to the
building units
to which it will be attached providing for a attachment that is more secure
than
CA 02631207 2008-05-14
could be achieved without the tool. The tool also relieves installers from
physically
supporting the fire barrier/retainer structure at the same time they are
attaching
the structure to the building units. Activating the release of the tool handle
provides for plates 14 and 16 to be extended apart from each other providing
for
removal of the tool when the attachment of the barrier/retainer structure is
complete. The tool is then ready for use in the installation of another
barrier. This
type of controlled compression and extension action is known in the art and
need
not be described further here. It has not been known however to design such a
compression/extension tool so that its principles may be used to support fire
barrier/retainer structures during installation. It is to be understood, that
the type of
spring controlled compression and extension described here is only one way of
providing for the separation and bringing together of plates 14 and 16. Means
to
achieve compression and extension of such as plates 14 and 16 are also well
known in the art. Therefore, it is to be understood that any of the known or
yet to
be known means that will accomplish the task of extending and compressing the
two plates relative to one another, are contemplated for use with the
invention.
Plate 16 has a width and length, where the length is of greater dimension than
the
width. The rotation of plate 16 so that the axial length of the plates is
parallel to
the axial length of the expansion joint space provides for plate 16 to be
easily
inserted into the expansion joint space so that the plate is at an elevation
that is
below the level of flange-type arms 53. Once plate 16 is positioned just below
flange-type arms 53 of retainer 50, plate 16 is rotated so that the length of
the
plate is transverse to the expansion joint space providing for plate 16 to
extend
beneath arms 53, as illustrated, of the retainer providing for the compression
of
plate 16 relative to plate 14 to provide support to the barrier/retainer
structure until
each of the two opposing sides of the barrier/retainer are each fixedly
anchored to
one of the spaced bottom surfaces 94 of floor units 90. Note that when the
barrier/retainer structure is in position in the joint space, the width of the
center
portion or mid-section of the fire barrier extends in a drape-like fashion
into the
space below the expansion space providing for the extra width needed whenever
the expansion joint expands. Without this precaution, the fire barrier could
be in
danger of being torn apart or having one or two of the affixed long sides of
the
barrier pulled away from the building unit surface to which it is attached.
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The barrier/retainer may be fixedly mounted to the bottom of the floor
units by any desired fixation attachment means, such as by use of a nail gun.
A
nail gun or nailer is a type of tool used to drive fasteners into a material
that is
usually driven by electromagnetism, compressed air, or, for powder-actuated
tools, a small explosive charge. One example of such a nail gun is a Hilti gun
that inserts fasteners through the barrier/retainer into the pre-cast concrete
floor
in the present example.
Once the barrier retainer is fixedly mounted to the bottom surface, plate 16
is again rotated so that the long axis of the plate is again parallel to the
long axis
of the expansion joint space providing for removal of the plate from the
expansion space. The expansion space is now ready for the boot to be installed
completing the installation of a bottom mount fire barrier/retainer structure
and
protective boot.
Although some barrier/retainer structures may be inserted into the space
from either above the floor units or from below, the installation will be
described,
herein, as a below-the-floor or bottom-mount installation and anchoring,
because
the barrier will be anchored to the building unit from beneath the floor.
Referring
to FIGS. 1 and 2, to install a barrier from the space available below the
floor
units, an installer lifts the barrier/retainer into place so that arms 52 of
retainer
parts 50a and 50b are positioned against side walls 92 of floor units 90 and
arms
54 of retainer parts 50a and 50b are positioned adjacent to bottom surfaces 94
of floor units 90. At this point, installation tool 10 is employed to support
the
barrier/retainer structure tightly and securely in position until fixed
attachment of
the barrier/retainer structure to the floor units is complete.
FIG. 2, a diagrammatic cross-section view, and FIG. 2a, a perspective
diagrammatic cross-section view, illustrate more details of a straight-line
fire barrier
of the present invention installed in a 4% inch deep expansion joint. in this
embodiment, the fire barrier comprises multi-layers of various fire barrier
materials
with each retainer 50a and 50b comprising a four arm cross-sectional profile
having arms 52, 53, 54, and 55 attached to each the opposing long sides of the
barrier. The fire barrier of the barrier/retainer structure, as illustrated,
comprises
from the outer face of the barrier inward, protective cloth 104followed a
sheet of
stainless steel foil 106 followed by a layer of insulation blanket 108
followed by an
17
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optional sheet of stainless steel mesh (not shown). Other versions of the fire
barrier are contemplated, including those with fewer or a greater number of
layers
and of a variety of the kinds of layers. The multi-layer fire barrier as
described is
fixedly attached to the retainer at the time of manufacture. There are many
attachment means that may be used to attach a fire barrier to the retainer and
all
are contemplated for use with the present invention. One example of such
attachment means are tack-weld pins 150.
FIG. 3, a diagrammatic cross-sectional view, illustrates a straight-line fire
barrier of the present invention installed in a 41/2 inch deep expansion joint
with the
addition of optional fire barrier guard protection device 200. Device 200 in
this
embodiment comprises two sections of angular s-shaped fire resistant barriers
202a and 202b. Upper arm 204a and upper arm 204b of each angular s-shaped
section 202a and 202b, respectively, is bottom mounted to a bottom surface of
an
opposing floor unit. In this illustration, section 202a is of slightly greater
lateral
extent than section 202b. This provides for lower arm 206a and lower arm 206b
of
each angular s-shaped section 202a and 202b, respectively, to overlap.
Overlapping sections, slightly spaced provide for easier installation, and
more
importantly, for expansion and contraction of the protection device. If
additional
protection is desired, layer 208 comprising an insulation blanket material may
be
inserted between the outermost layer of the fire barrier of the
barrier/retainer
structure and protection device 200. FIG. 4, a perspective view, provides a
more
detailed view of optional fire barrier guard protection device according to
the
principles this invention.
FIG. 5, a perspective view, illustrates splice connector 300 used to assist in
connecting abutting straight-line fire barrier sections, such as, for example,
sections 302 and 304, according to the principles of the present invention.
For the
sake of clarity, details of the retainer and barrier as shown in FIGS. 1 ¨ 3,
have
been omitted, leaving only retainer arms 54 illustrated. It is to be
understood,
however, that splice connector 300 and sections 302 and 304 are constructed
following the principles of the construction of the fire barrier/retainer of
the present
invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 ¨ 3. To use splice connector 300 to
cover,
strengthen, and protect splice connection line 209 indicating the splice of
sections
302 and 304, the connector has only to be lifted in place and fastened using
any
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means of fastening that will hold the sections together in a tight and secure
fit,
such connections can be pins, screws, staples, and the like. Fire caulk is
then
applied over the seam. It should also be understood that all fire barrier
sections,
such as sections 302 and 304, may be constructed with male and female ends
(refer to FIG. 5a) and in this instance, the use of a splice connector is
optional, but
the use of fire caulk is still employed.
FIG. 5A, a perspective view, illustrates a male to female connection design.
Note intumescent stripping 110 on the outside of the male end and fire
resistant
caulk 30 on the inside of the female end. Again, for the sake of clarity,
details of
the retainer and barrier as shown in FIGS. 1 ¨ 3, have been omitted, the end
connections of the fire barrier/retainer structure illustrated. It is to be
understood,
however, that fire barrier/retainer structures having male/female connecting
ends
are constructed following the principles of the construction of the fire
barrier/retainer of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 ¨ 3.
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