Fire wall

• US 6,421,968 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2001
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brandschutz Systeme GmbH (Peneder Brandschutztore GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Company KG (dormakaba Holding AG)
• Inventors: Degelsegger, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McDermott, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US09/813,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20010017019A1
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 525/821, 522/046.2, 522/35, 522/32, 527/841.1, 527/861, 527/861.1
• US Class Current: 52/204.62
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/3093 Brush with abrasive properties, e.g. wire bristles
• CPC Class Codes: A46D 1/00 Bristles; Selection of materials for bristles making artificial bristles D01D, D01F
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/069 of intumescent material B32B17/10311 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7411 Details for fire protection
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/745 Glazing details
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7474 using releasable connectors actuable with a key or a tool
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 1/6007 between similar contiguous frames bay windows E06B1/363
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/5427 the panes mounted flush with the surrounding frame or with the surrounding panes E06B3/5436 takes precedence; supporting structures for curtain walls E04B2/885
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6621 with special provisions for fitting in window frames or to adjacent units; Separate edge protecting strips E06B3/66347 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 5/164 Sealing arrangements between the door or window and its frame, e.g. intumescent seals specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 5/165 Fireproof windows layered glass panes with expansion layers for fire protection B32B17/10311

Abstract

Firewall that is used in an area of a fire compartment to prevent fire from skipping to other areas, whereby the fire wall is comprised of modularly constructed sub-elements which are essentially composed of profiles assembled to form a surrounding frame that simultaneously separate two glass panes, whereby the glass panes extend to the outer edge of the profiles, and the frame is covered by a partial enameling of the glass panes, and the sub-elements can be connected to each other by connecting elements with the interposition of fireproof laminates.

Claims

1. A fire rated wall for blocking the spread of fire in a building from one space to another space, said wall comprising:

at least two wall elements;

each wall element comprising a material with the capability to withstand fire for a predetermined time with a predetermined fire temperature on a fire exposed side of said wall element;

each wall element comprising;

a peripheral portion and a central portion;

said peripheral portion comprising an edge portion;

a frame;

a pair of glass panes supported by said frame;

said pair of glass panes comprising a first glass pane with an outer surface and an inner surface, and a second glass pane with an outer surface and an inner surface;

said inner surfaces of said first and second glass panes facing towards one another;

said outer surfaces of said first and second glass panes facing away from one another;

said first and second glass panes forming a space between them;

said first and second glass panes each comprising a peripheral portion;

each peripheral portion of said first and second glass panes comprising an edge portion;

said first and second glass panes being disposed to extend substantially fully to the edge portion of each wall element;

said frame comprising a profile structure to hold and retain said first and second glass panes;

said profile structure comprising first and second securing portions;

said first and second securing portions each being configured to secure said first and second glass panes at the respective edge portion of each glass pane;

said first and second securing portions each comprising an outer portion disposed in the same plane as each outer surface of said first and second glass panes;

said profile structure further comprising an inner portion extending between said first and second glass panes a predetermined distance towards said central portion of said wall element;

an enamel layer being disposed on each glass pane;

each enamel layer being disposed substantially solely over each peripheral portion of each glass pane to provide an enamel covered portion on each glass pane and a portion not covered by enamel on each glass pane;

the portion not covered by enamel of each glass pane extending over a substantial portion of each glass pane;

each other portion of said first and second securing portions being substantially smaller than each enamel covered portion of each glass pane;

each enamel layer being disposed on the inner surface of each glass pane;

each enamel layer being configured and disposed to conceal just said inner portion of said profile structure from sight;

each enamel layer being configured to provide each wall element on both sides thereof with an appearance that each wall element comprises solely glass from said central portion to said peripheral portion of each wall element;

a laminate structure;

said laminate structure comprising an intumescent material configured to intumesce at a predetermined temperature;

said laminate structure being operably connected to said profile structure; and

at least one connector structure;

said at least one connector structure being configured and disposed to connect said at least two wall elements to one another at adjacent peripheral portions thereof to thus provide a fire rated wall for blocking the spread of a fire in a building from one space to another space.

2. The fire rated wall according to claim 1, comprising:

a transparent fireproofing substance being disposed in said space between said first and second glass panes.

3. The fire rated wall according to claim 2, wherein:

said profile structure comprises a hollow structure;

said hollow structure comprising at least a first cavity and a second cavity;

said first cavity having a wall;

said wall comprising a portion configured to connect at least one of;

an additional profile element, and said at least one connector structure.

4. A fire rated wall for blocking the spread of fire in a building from one space to another space, said wall comprising:

at least two wall elements;

each wall element comprising a material with the capability to withstand fire for a predetermined time with a predetermined fire temperature on a fire exposed side of said wall element;

each wall element comprising;

a peripheral portion and a central portion;

said peripheral portion comprising an edge portion;

a frame;

a pair of glass panes supported by said frame;

said pair of glass panes comprising a first glass pane with an outer surface and an inner surface, and a second glass pane with an outer surface and an inner surface;

said inner surfaces of said first and second glass panes facing towards one another;

said outer surfaces of said first and second glass panes facing away from one another;

said first and second glass panes forming a space between them;

said first and second glass panes each comprising a peripheral portion;

each peripheral portion of said first and second glass panes comprising an edge portion;

said first and second glass panes being disposed to extend substantially fully to the edge portion of each wall element;

said frame comprising a profile structure to hold and retain said first and second glass panes;

said profile structure comprising first and second securing portions;

said first and second securing portions each being configured to secure said first and second glass panes at the respective edge portion of each glass pane;

said first and second securing portions each comprising an outer portion disposed in the same plane as each outer surface of said first and second glass panes;

said profile structure further comprising an inner portion extending between said first and second glass panes a predetermined distance towards said central portion of said wall element;

a layer being disposed on each glass pane;

each layer being disposed over each peripheral portion of each glass pane to provide a portion covered by a layer on each glass pane and a portion not covered on each glass pane;

each layer being configured to conceal said inner portion of said profile structure from sight;

each outer portion of said first and second securing portions being substantially smaller than each portion covered by a layer of each glass pane;

each layer being disposed on the inner surface of each glass pane;

each layer being configured to provide each wall element on both sides thereof with an appearance that each wall element comprises solely glass from said central portion to said peripheral portion of each wall element;

an intumescent material configured to intumesce at a predetermined temperature;

said intumescent material being operably connected to said profile structure; and

at least one connector structure;

said at least one connector structure being configured and disposed to connect said at least two wall elements to one another at adjacent peripheral portions thereof to thus provide a fire rated wall for blocking the spread of a fire in a building from one space to another space.

5. The fire rated wall according to claim 4, comprising:

a transparent fireproofing substance being disposed in said space between said first and second glass panes.

6. The fire rated wall according to claim 5, wherein:

said profile structure comprises a hollow structure;

said hollow structure comprising at least a first cavity and a second cavity;

said first cavity having a wall;

said wall comprising a portion configured to connect at least one of;

an additional profile element, and said at least one connector structure.

7. A fire rated wall for blocking the spread of fire in a building from one space to another space, said wall comprising:

at least two wall elements;

each wall element comprising a material with the capability to withstand fire for a predetermined time with a predetermined fire temperature on a fire exposed side of said wall element;

each wall element comprising;

a peripheral portion and a central portion

said peripheral portion comprising an edge portion;

a frame;

a pair of glass panes supported by said frame;

said pair of glass panes comprising a first glass pane with an outer surface and an inner surface, and a second glass pane with an outer surface and an inner surface;

said inner surfaces of said first and second glass panes facing towards one another;

said outer surfaces of said first and second glass panes facing away from one another;

said first and second glass panes forming a space between them;

said first and second glass panes each comprising a peripheral portion;

each peripheral portion of said first and second glass panes comprising an edge portion;

said first and second glass panes being disposed to extend substantially fully to the edge portion of each wall element;

said frame comprising a profile structure to hold and retain said first and second glass panes;

said profile structure comprising first and second securing portions;

said first and second securing portions each being configured to secure said first and second glass panes at the respective edge portion of each glass pane;

said first and second securing portions each comprising an outer portion disposed in the same plane as each outer surface of said first and second glass panes;

said profile structure further comprising an inner portion extending between said first and second glass panes a predetermined distance towards said central portion of said wall element;

a layer being disposed on each glass pane;

each layer being disposed over each peripheral portion of each glass pane to provide a portion covered by a layer and being configured to conceal said inner portion of said profile structure from sight;

each outer portion of said first and second securing portions being substantially smaller than each portion covered by a layer of each glass pane;

each layer being disposed on the inner surface of each glass pane;

each layer being configured to provide each wall element on both sides thereof with an appearance that each wall element comprises solely glass from said central portion to said peripheral portion of each wall element;

an intumescent material configured to intumesce at a predetermined temperature;

said intumescent material being operably connected to said profile structure; and

at least one connector structure;

said at least one connector structure being configured and disposed to connect said at least two wall elements to one another at adjacent peripheral portions thereof to thus provide a fire rated wall for blocking the spread of a fire in a building from one space to another space.

8. The fire rated wall according to claim 7, comprising:

a transparent fireproofing substance being disposed in said space between said first and second glass panes.

9. The fire rated wall according to claim 8, wherein:

said first and second glass panes each comprise a safety glass;

said fireproofing substance comprising one of;

a fireproofing gel, and a fireproof glass.

10. The fire rated wall according to claim 9, wherein:

said profile structure comprises a hollow structure;

said hollow structure comprising at least a first cavity and a second cavity;

said first cavity having a wall;

said wall comprising a portion configured to connect at least one of;

an additional profile element, and said at least one connector structure.

11. The fire rated wall according to claim 10, wherein:

said profile structure comprises projecting portions;

said projecting portions being configured to cover at least a portion of each edge portion of each glass pane.

12. The fire wall according to claim 11, comprising:

a first edge profile;

said first edge profile comprising a pair of leg portions;

each edge portion of each glass pane comprising a recessed step portion;

each recessed step portion being disposed and configured to be accepted between a corresponding leg portion of said first edge profile and said inner portion of said profile structure.

13. The fire rated wall according to claim 11, wherein:

both said first glass pane and said second glass pane comprise a beveled edge portion adjacent said edge portion of each glass pane; and

a second edge profile;

said second edge profile being configured and disposed to cover said beveled edge portions.

14. The fire rated wall according to claim 12, wherein:

said edge profile comprises a T-shaped groove; and

a seal structure being disposed in said T-shaped groove;

said seal structure being configured to conceal a gap between adjacent wall elements.

15. The fire rated wall according to claim 14, wherein:

said intumescent material comprises at least one fire rated laminate;

said fire rated laminate being attached to said profile structure.

16. The fire rated wall according to claim 15, wherein:

said edge profile is connected to said inner portion of said profile structure.

17. The fire rated wall according to claim 16, wherein:

said at least one connector structure comprises;

a rod-shaped element;

a hook structure at each end of said rod-shaped element; and

a mechanism connected to said rod-shaped element, centrally between said hook structures;

said mechanism being configured to align said hook structure to said inner portion of each wall element.

18. The fire rated wall according to claim 17, wherein:

said mechanism is configured with one of;

a square nut head, and a hexagonal nut head;

said mechanism comprises holes in said rod-shaped element;

said inner portion of each wall element is configured with holes;

each said hook structure being configured to be passed through its corresponding hole;

each said hook structure being further configured to be fixed in position in its corresponding wall element upon rotation of said mechanism to thus connect said wall elements to one another;

said profile structure and said edge profile comprise one of;

plastic, fiberglass-reinforced plastic, steel, wood, and light alloy.

19. The fire rated wall according to claim 18, wherein:

a fire rated door is included in at least one wall element;

said fire rated door comprising one of;

a single-panel side-hung door, a double-panel side-hung door, a single-panel swinging door, and a double-panel swinging door; and

at least one wall element comprising a portion comprising a non-transparent sheet;

said sheet comprising one of;

plastic, wood, steel, and light alloy.

20. The fire rated wall according to claim 17, comprising at least one of:

a transparent fireproofing substance being disposed in said space between said first and second glass panes;

said first and second glass panes each comprise a safety glass;

said fireproofing substance comprising one of;

a fireproofing gel, and a fireproof glass;

said profile structure comprises a hollow structure;

said hollow structure comprising at least a first cavity and a second cavity;

said first cavity having a wall;

said wall comprising a portion configured to connect at least one of;

an additional profile element, and said at least one connector structure;

said profile structure comprises projecting portions;

said projecting portions being configured to cover at least a portion of each edge portion of each glass pane;

a first edge profile;

said first edge profile comprising a pair of leg portions;

each edge portion of each glass pane comprising a recessed step portion;

each recessed step portion being disposed and configured to be accepted between a corresponding leg portion of said first edge profile and said inner portion of said profile structure;

both said first glass pane and said second glass pane comprise a beveled edge portion adjacent said edge portion of each glass pane;

a second edge profile;

said second edge profile being configured and disposed to cover said beveled edge portions;

said edge profile comprises a T-shaped groove; and

a seal structure being disposed in said T-shaped groove;

said seal structure being configured to conceal a gap between adjacent wall elements;

said intumescent material comprises at least one fire rated laminate;

said fire rated laminate being attached to said profile structure;

said edge profile is connected to said inner portion of said profile structures;

said at least one connector structure comprises;

a rod-shaped element;

a hook structure at each end of said rod-shaped element; and

a mechanism connected to said rod-shaped element, centrally between said hook structure;

said mechanism being configured to align said hook structure to said inner portion of each wall element;

said mechanism is configured with one of;

a square nut head, and a hexagonal nut head;

said mechanism comprises holes in said rod-shaped element;

said central portion of each wall element is configured with holes;

each said hook structure being configured being to be passed through a corresponding hole;

each said hook structure being further configured to be fixed in position in its corresponding wall element upon rotation of said mechanism to thus connect said wall elements to one another;

said profile structure and said edge profile comprise one of;

plastic fiberglass-reinforced plastic, steel, wood, and light alloy;

a fire rated door is included in at least one wall element;

said fire rated door comprising one of;

a single-panel side-hung door, a double-panel side-hung door, a single-panel swinging door, and a double-panel swinging door; and

at least one wall element comprises a portion comprising a non-transparent sheet;

said sheet comprising one of;

plastic, wood, steel, and light alloy.