Live fire burn room and insulating system for a live fire burn room

• US 20040221518A1
• Filed: 05/09/2003
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fire Facilities, Inc. (Trachte Building Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fire Facilities, Inc. (Trachte Building Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Westra, Steven P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,823,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/79.1
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0081 Training methods or equipment for fire-fighting
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/94 against fire fire protection of partitions E04B2/7403, E04B2/7409; supporting constructions for ceilings having the capability of expansion in case of fire E04B9/08; fire-fighting A62C, e.g. fire prevention or containment A62C2/00; impregnation of wood or similar materials B27K; fireproof paints C09D5/18; fireproofing materials C09K21/00; flame-resistant papers D21H5/0002; coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings, in general E04F13/00; fireproof doors E06B5/16; firebreak devices for pipes or the like passing through walls F16L5/04; protection of pipes by means of non-inflammable material F16L57/04

Abstract

A live fire burn room and an insulating system for a live fire burn room are disclosed. The burn room includes a structural framework. The insulating system includes a face panel, at least one face panel mounting bracket for attaching the face panel to the structural framework of the burn room, and an insulating layer disposed between the face panel and the structural framework of the burn room.

Claims

1. An apparatus for training firefighters comprising:

a burn room including a ceiling, a floor, and a first wall, wherein the first wall is disposed between the ceiling and the floor;

a first wall face panel attached to the first wall, wherein the first wall face panel is exposed to the inside of the burn room; and

a first layer of insulation disposed between the first wall face panel and the first wall.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wall face panel is a stainless steel panel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wall face panel covers substantially the entire wall and is a floating wall face panel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wall face panel is attached to the first wall in a manner that allows the first wall face panel to move in response to temperature changes inside of the burn room.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wall includes a plurality of wall studs.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wall is a concrete wall.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a plurality of face panel mounting fasteners attaching the first wall face panel to the first wall, wherein the first layer of insulation is disposed between each face panel mounting fastener and the first wall.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a ceiling face panel attached to the ceiling, wherein the ceiling face panel is exposed to the inside of the burn room; and

a ceiling layer of insulation disposed between the ceiling face panel and the ceiling.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first wall face panel and the ceiling face panel are configured inside of the burn room to move independently of each other as the temperature inside of the burn room rises and falls.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first wall face panel is not physically attached to the ceiling face panel other than indirectly through the wall and the ceiling.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first wall face panel is attached to the ceiling face panel in a manner that allows the first wall face panel and the ceiling face panel to each move as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 further including a corner trim member attached to the first wall face panel and the ceiling face panel, wherein the corner trim member flexes to allow the first wall face panel and the ceiling face panel to move in response to temperature changes inside of the burn room.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 further including a corner trim member attached between the first wall face panel and the ceiling face panel, wherein the corner trim member includes at least one flex joint that allows the first wall face panel and the ceiling face panel to move as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first wall face panel and the ceiling face panel are corrugated face panels.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further including at least one face panel mounting member disposed between the first wall face panel and the first wall.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a plurality of spaced apart face panel mounting members disposed between the first wall face panel and the first wall.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further including an insulating strip disposed between each face panel mounting member and the first wall face panel.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each of the face panel mounting members is a z-shaped mounting member.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first layer of insulation includes at least one insulating blanket disposed between adjacent spaced apart z-shaped mounting members.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each of the face panel mounting members is a u-shaped mounting member.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each of the face panel mounting members displaces the first wall face panel away from the first wall.

22. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each of the face panel mounting members includes a flex member that allows the first wall face panel to move as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the flex member is also a displacement member.

24. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each of the face panel mounting members includes a displacement member disposed between the first wall face panel and the first wall, wherein the angle of orientation of the displacement member changes as the first wall face panel moves in response to changes in temperature inside of the burn room.

25. The apparatus of claim 16 further including a plurality of face panel mounting fasteners attaching the first wall face panel to the plurality of face panel mounting members, wherein the first layer of insulation is disposed between each face panel mounting fastener and the first wall.

26. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the first layer of insulation is comprised of at least one insulating blanket disposed between adjacent spaced apart face panel mounting members.

27. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein a portion of the first layer of insulation is disposed between adjacent spaced apart face panel mounting members.

28. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wall face panel is a corrugated face panel.

29. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a second wall, wherein the second wall adjoins the first wall and is disposed between the ceiling and the floor;

a second wall face panel attached to the second wall, wherein the second wall face panel is exposed to the inside of the live fire burn room; and

a second layer of insulation disposed between the second wall face panel and the second wall.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the second wall face panel is not physically attached to the first wall face panel other than indirectly through the first and second walls.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising:

a ceiling face panel attached to the ceiling, wherein the ceiling face panel is exposed to the inside of the burn room; and

a ceiling layer of insulation disposed between the ceiling face panel and the ceiling.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the second wall face panel and the first wall face panel are configured inside of the burn room to move independently of each other as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the second wall face panel and the ceiling face panel are configured inside of the burn room to move independently of each other as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the first wall face panel is attached to the ceiling face panel in a manner that allows the first wall face panel and the ceiling face panel to each move as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

35. The apparatus of claim 33 further including a corner trim member attached to the first wall face panel and the ceiling face panel, wherein the corner trim member flexes to allow the first wall face panel and the ceiling face panel to move as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

36. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the first wall face panel, the second wall face panel and the ceiling face panel are all corrugated face panels.

37. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the second wall face panel is not physically attached to the first wall face panel other than indirectly through the first and second walls.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the second wall face panel is not physically attached to the ceiling face panel other than indirectly through the second wall and the ceiling.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the first wall face panel is attached to the ceiling face panel in a manner that allows the first wall face panel and the ceiling face panel to each move as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

40. An insulating system for a burn room having a ceiling and a wall, the insulating system comprising:

a first face panel having a front side and a back side;

a first plurality of spaced apart face panel mounting members attached to the back side of the first face panel, wherein each of the first plurality of face panel mounting members is configured for attachment to the burn room; and

a first layer of insulation disposed adjacent to the back side of the first face panel.

41. The insulating system of claim 40 wherein the first face panel is a stainless steel panel.

42. The insulating system of claim 40 wherein the first face panel is configured for attachment to the burn room in a manner that allows the first face panel to move in response to temperature changes inside of the burn room.

43. The insulating system of claim 40 wherein the wall includes a plurality of wall studs and each of the first plurality of face panel mounting members is configured for attachment to the wall studs.

44. The insulating system of claim 40 wherein the wall is a concrete wall and each of the first plurality of face panel mounting members is configured for attachment to the concrete wall.

45. The insulating system of claim 40 further comprising:

a second face panel having a front side and a back side;

a second plurality of spaced apart face panel mounting members attached to the back side of the second face panel, wherein each of the second plurality of face panel mounting members is configured for attachment to the burn room; and

a second layer of insulation disposed adjacent to the back side of the second face panel.

46. The insulating system of claim 45 wherein the first face panel and the second face panel are configured to move independently of each other as the temperature inside of the burn room increases and decreases.

47. The insulating system of claim 45 wherein the insulating system is configured such that the first face panel is disposed for attachment to the wall of the burn room and the second face panel is disposed for attachment to the ceiling of the burn room.

48. The insulating system of claim 45 wherein the insulating system is configured such that the first face panel is not physically attached to the second face panel other than indirectly through the burn room when the insulating system is installed in the burn room.

49. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the first face panel is attached to the second face panel in a manner that allows the first face panel and the second face panel to each move as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

50. The insulating system of claim 45 further including a corner trim member attached to the first face panel and to the second face panel, wherein the corner trim member includes a flex member that allows the first face panel and the second face panel to move in response to temperature changes inside of the burn room.

51. The insulating system of claim 45 further including a corner trim member attached between the first face panel and the second face panel, wherein the corner trim member includes a flex joint that allows the first face panel and the second face panel to move as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

52. The insulating system of claim 45 wherein the first face panel and the second face panel are corrugated face panels.

53. The insulating system of claim 45 further comprising:

a third face panel having a front side and a back side;

a third plurality of spaced apart face panel mounting members attached to the back side of the third face panel, wherein each of the third plurality of face panel mounting members is configured for attachment to the burn room; and

a third layer of insulation disposed adjacent to the back side of the third face panel.

54. The insulating system of claim 53 wherein the second face panel and the first face panel are configured to move independently of each other as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

55. The insulating system of claim 54 wherein the second face panel and the third face panel are configured to move independently of each other as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

56. The insulating system of claim 55 wherein the first face panel is attached to the third face panel in a manner that allows the first face panel and the third face panel to each move as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

57. The insulating system of claim 55 further including a corner trim member attached to the first face panel and to the third face panel, wherein the corner trim member flexes to allow the first face panel and the third face panel to move as the temperature inside of the burn room changes.

58. The insulating system of claim 53 wherein the first face panel, the second face panel and the third face panel are all corrugated face panels.

59. The insulating system of claim 40 further including an insulating strip disposed between each of the first plurality of face panel mounting members and the first face panel.

60. The insulating system of claim 40 wherein each of the face panel mounting members is a z-shaped mounting member.

61. The insulating system of claim 60 wherein the first layer of insulation includes at least one insulating blanket disposed between adjacent spaced apart z-shaped mounting members.

62. The insulating system of claim 40 wherein each of the face panel mounting members is a u-shaped mounting member.

63. The insulating system of claim 40 wherein each of the face panel mounting members displaces the first face panel away from the burn room.

64. The insulating system of claim 40 wherein each of the face panel mounting members includes a flex member that allows the first face panel to move in response to temperature changes inside of the burn room.

65. The insulating system of claim 40 wherein each of the face panel mounting members includes a displacement member, wherein the angle of orientation of the displacement member changes as the first face panel moves in response to changes in temperature inside of the burn room.

66. The insulating system of claim 40 further including a plurality of face panel mounting fasteners attaching the first face panel to the first plurality of face panel mounting members, wherein the insulating system is configured such that the first layer of insulation is disposed between each face panel mounting fastener and the burn room when the insulating system is installed in the burn room.

67. The insulating system of claim 40 wherein the first layer of insulation is comprised of at least one insulating blanket disposed between adjacent spaced apart face panel mounting members.

68. The insulating system of claim 40 wherein a portion of the first layer of insulation is disposed between adjacent spaced apart face panel mounting members.

69. The insulating system of claim 40 wherein the first face panel is a corrugated face panel.

70. An apparatus for training firefighters comprising:

a burn room including a ceiling, a floor, and a wall, wherein the wall is disposed between the ceiling and the floor;

a wall face panel attached to the wall and disposed on the inside of the burn room, wherein the wall face panel is a corrugated face panel; and

a ceiling face panel attached to the ceiling and disposed on the inside of the burn room, wherein the ceiling face panel is a corrugated face panel.

71. The apparatus of claim 70 further including a first insulating layer disposed between the wall face panel and the wall and a second insulating layer disposed between the ceiling face panel and the ceiling.

72. The apparatus of claim 71 further including a plurality of wall face panel mounting brackets connecting the wall face panel to the wall and a plurality of ceiling face panel mounting brackets connecting the ceiling face panel to the ceiling.

73. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein each of the wall and ceiling face panel mounting brackets are z-shaped mounting brackets.

74. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein a portion of the first insulating layer is disposed between adjacent wall face panel mounting brackets and a portion of the second insulating layer is disposed between adjacent ceiling face panel mounting brackets.

75. The insulating system of claim 74 further including an insulating strip disposed between each of the wall face panel mounting brackets and the wall face panel and between each of the ceiling face panel mounting brackets and the ceiling face panel.

76. The insulating system of claim 74 further including a plurality of wall face panel mounting fasteners attaching the wall face panel to the plurality of wall face panel mounting members, wherein the first insulating layer is disposed between each wall face panel mounting fastener and the wall and further including a plurality of ceiling face panel mounting fasteners attaching the ceiling face panel to the plurality of ceiling face panel mounting members, wherein the second insulating layer is disposed between each ceiling face panel mounting fastener and the ceiling.

77. An insulating system for insulating a burn room having a structural framework, the insulating system comprising:

a plurality of face panel mounting members configured for attachment to the structural framework;

a plurality of insulating strips, wherein each one of the plurality of insulating strips is attached to a corresponding one of the face panel mounting members;

a face panel attached to the plurality of insulating strips; and

at least one insulating blanket disposed adjacent to the face panel between adjacent face panel mounting members.

78. The insulating system of claim 77 wherein the face panel is a corrugated face panel.

79. The insulating system of claim 77 wherein each of the face panel mounting members is a z-shaped mounting member.