Method of sealing openings in structural components of buildings for controlling the passage of smoke

• US 5,744,199 A
• Filed: 10/31/1996
• Issued: 04/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dow, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dow, Inc.
• Inventors: Tselepis, Arthur James, Wolf, Andreas Thomas Franz, Joffre, Eric Jude, Schroeder, Robert Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): DUDASH, DIANA L
• Application Number:
  US08/740,576
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 427/407.3, 427/387, 427/393.3, 427/389.8, 427/403, 427/393.6, 427/421, 52/232
• US Class Current: 427/387
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/948 Fire-proof sealings or joints for doors or windows E06B5/164

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of sealing openings in structural components of a building to reduce the amount of smoke which may pass through the opening in the event of a fire. The method comprises filling an opening in a structural component of a building with a support material; applying a coating of a silicone composition over the filled opening and allowing the silicone composition to cure into a continuous elastomeric film having certain properties. These silicone compositions exhibit pseudo plastic rheology which facilitates their application by spraying.

Claims

1. A method of sealing openings in structural components of a building to reduce the amount of smoke which may pass through the openings, which method comprises:

(a) substantially filling an opening in a structural component with a support material so that a filled opening is formed;

(b) applying a coating of a water-based silicone emulsion composition having a viscosity from 1000 mPa s to 120,000 mPa s measured at 24°

C. and 2.5 rpm, over the filled opening, the structural component adjacent to the filled opening and any objects passing therethrough; and

(c) allowing the water-based silicone emulsion composition to cure into a continuous elastomeric film having a minimum thickness of 0.25 mm, which adheres to the support material in the filled opening, the adjacent structural components and any objects passing therethrough and having a movement capability of at least ±

3%, the film sealing the filled opening and reducing the amount of smoke which may pass through the filled opening.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the water-based silicone emulsion composition is 3000 mPa s to 100,000 mPa s measured at 24°

C. and 2.5 rpm.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the film has a movement capability of at least ±

10%.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the film has a movement capability of at least ±

25%.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the water-based silicone emulsion composition exhibits pseudo plastic rheology which facilitates the application of the coating by spraying.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the water-based silicone emulsion composition exhibits pseudo plastic rheology which facilitates the application of the coating by spraying.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the support material is a non-liquid, non-combustible material, the film has a flame spread rating of less than 25 and a smoke density rating of less than 50.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the film meets temperature-time fire test requirements described by UL 1479 if the opening the film is sealing has objects passing therethrough, or temperature-time fire test requirements described by UL 2079 if the opening the film is sealing does not have objects passing therethrough, in either case when performed on the film while the film is held in the +25% extended state.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the film meets hose stream test requirements described by UL 1479 if the opening the film is sealing has objects passing therethrough, or hose stream test requirements described by UL 2079 if the opening the film is sealing does not have objects passing therethrough, in either case when performed on the film while the film is held in a +25% extended state.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening occurs where at least two structural components meet.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the viscosity of the water-based silicone emulsion composition is 3000 mPa s to 100,000 mPa s measured at 24°

C. and 2.5 rpm.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the film has a movement capability of at least ±

10%.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the film has a movement capability of at least ±

25%.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the water-based silicone emulsion composition exhibits pseudo plastic rheology which facilitates the application of the coating by spraying.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the water-based silicone emulsion composition exhibits pseudo plastic rheology which facilitates the application of the coating by spraying.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the support material is a non-liquid, non-combustible material, the film has a flame spread rating of less than 25 and a smoke density rating of less than 50.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the film meets temperature-time fire test requirements described by UL 2079 when performed on the film while the film is held in the +25% extended state.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the film meets hose stream test requirements described by UL 2079 when performed on the film while the film is held in a +25% extended state.

19. A method of sealing openings in structural components of a building to reduce the amount of smoke which may pass through the openings, which method comprises:

a. applying a coating of a water-based silicone emulsion composition having a viscosity from 1000 mPa s to 120,000 mPa s measured at 24°

C. and 2.5 rpm in a structural component having an opening of 3 mm or less in width to cover the opening, the structural component adjacent to the opening and any objects passing therethrough; and

b. allowing the water-based silicone emulsion composition to cure into a continuous elastomeric film having a minimum thickness of 0.25 mm, which adheres to the adjacent structural component and any objects passing therethrough and having a movement capability of at least ±

3%, the film sealing the opening and reducing the amount of smoke which may pass through the opening.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the viscosity of the water-based silicone emulsion composition is 3000 mPa s to 100,000 mPa s measured at 24°

C. and 2.5 rpm.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the film has a movement capability of at least ±

25%.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the water-based silicone emulsion composition exhibits pseudo plastic rheology which facilitates the application of the coating by spraying.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the film has a flame spread rating of less than 25 and a smoke generation rating of less than 50.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the film meets temperature-time fire test requirements described by UL 1479 if the opening the film is sealing has objects passing therethrough, or temperature-time fire test requirements described by UL 2079 if the opening the film is sealing does not have objects passing therethrough, in either case when performed on the film while the film is held in the +25% extended state.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the film meets hose stream test requirements described by UL 1479 if the opening the film is sealing has objects passing therethrough, or hose stream test requirements described by UL 2079 if the opening the film is sealing does not have objects passing therethrough, in either case when performed on the film while the film is held in a +25% extended state.