Intumescent firestopping apparatus

• US RE43,997 E1
• Filed: 11/02/2005
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Specified Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Specified Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Stahl, James P. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): KATCHEVES, BASIL S
• Application Number:
  US11/265,743
• Time in Patent Office: 2,666 Days
• Field of Search: 522/32, 527/413, 527/414, 527/421.2, 52/1, 522/208, 174/483
• US Class Current: 52/406.1
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 2/065 having as the main closure device materials, whose characteristics undergo an irreversible change under high temperatures, e.g. intumescent
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 5/04 to form a firebreak device
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0412 Heat or fire protective means for fire in electric circuits A62C3/16

Abstract

An intumescent firestopping apparatus used in poke-through applications for selectively sealing an opening through a construction barrier such as a wall, floor or ceiling having cables or other penetrating members extending therethrough. The apparatus effectively seals this barrier responsive to a fire to prevent unwanted transmission of fire through conventional construction barrier areas. The apparatus includes a sleeve with two intumescent pads positioned therein. At least one of the pads has an arcuate curved central section to be biased against the other intumescent pad to define therebetween a confinement area for holding of cables centrally located therein in a dynamically adjustable sealing throat defined therebetween. These pads can be variously mounted with respect to the adjacent wall structures and one or both of the pads can be arched toward the other pad to facilitate defining of the dynamic throat for receiving cables extending therethrough.

Claims

1. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough comprising:

A. a sleeve means securable to the construction barrier at a position extending through the opening defined therein for defining an access corridor means extending completely through the barrier, said sleeve means including;

(1) an upper wall member capable of extending completely through the barrier;

(2) a lower wall member capable of extending completely through the barrier spatially disposed below said upper wall member to facilitate defining of said access corridor means therebetween;

(3) a first side wall member capable of extending completely through the barrier and extending from said upper wall member downwardly to said lower wall member;

(4) a second side wall member capable of extending completely through the barrier and extending from said upper wall member downwardly to said lower wall member at a position spatially disposed from said first side wall member to facilitate defining of said access corridor means therebetween;

B. a lower intumescent pad means positioned within said access corridor means extending at least partially along said lower wall member; and

C. an upper intumescent pad means extending at least partially along said upper wall member, said upper intumescent pad means including an upper central pad section being flexibly resilient and extending downwardly from said upper wall means toward said lower intumescent pad means therebelow to define a confinement area therebetween capable for holding of penetrating members extending therethrough by exerting force thereon.

2. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower intumescent pad means extends along said lower wall member in abutment therewith along the complete length thereof.

3. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower intumescent pad means including a lower central pad section, which is flexibly resilient, extending upwardly from said lower wall means toward said upper intumescent pad means thereabove to define a confinement area therebetween for holding of penetrating members extending therethrough by exerting force thereon.

4. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 3 wherein said lower central pad section defines a lower slot means extending longitudinally therein to facilitate flexible resilience of said lower central pad section.

5. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper central pad section defines upper slot means extending longitudinally therein to facilitate flexible resilience of said upper central pad section.

6. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 further comprising an upper biasing means positioned between said upper wall member and said upper intumescent pad means to exert downwardly directed bias against said upper intumescent pad means to facilitate engagement thereof with respect to penetrating members extending through the opening for enhancing retaining thereof.

7. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 further comprising a lower biasing means positioned between said lower wall member and said lower intumescent pad means to exert upwardly directed bias against said lower intumescent pad means to facilitate engagement thereof with respect to penetrating members extending through the opening for enhancing retaining thereof.

8. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeve means further includes upper tab means extending downwardly from said upper wall member to facilitate holding of said upper intumescent pad means in position adjacent said upper wall member.

9. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeve means further includes lower tab means extending upwardly from said lower wall member to facilitate holding of said lower intumescent pad means in position adjacent said lower wall member.

10. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 further including a first upper restraining support means positioned extending laterally from said first side wall member and said second side wall member and a second upper restraining support means positioned extending laterally from said first side wall member and said second side wall member at a position spatially disposed from said first upper restraining support means, said first upper restraining support means and said second upper restraining support means being both spaced away from said upper wall member thereadjacent to define an upper restraining space therebetween to retain said upper intumescent pad means therewithin.

11. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 10 wherein said upper central pad section of said upper intumescent pad means is positioned between said first upper restraining support means and said second upper restraining support means to facilitate extending downwardly therebetween toward said lower intumescent pad means positioned therebelow.

12. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 3 further including a first lower restraining support means positioned extending laterally from said first side wall member and said second side wall member and a second lower restraining support means positioned extending laterally from said first side wall member and said second side wall member at a position spatially disposed from said first lower restraining support means, said first lower restraining support means and said second lower restraining support means being both spaced away from said lower wall member thereadjacent to define a lower restraining space therebetween to retain said lower intumescent pad means therewithin.

13. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 12 wherein said lower central pad section of said lower intumescent pad means is positioned between said first lower restraining support means and said second lower restraining support means to facilitate extending upwardly therebetween toward said upper intumescent pad means positioned thereabove.

14. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeve means includes flat outer sections to facilitate placing of a plurality of sleeve means adjacent one another to facilitate usage with openings in construction barriers which are larger than a single of said sleeve means.

15. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeve means is rectangular with said upper wall member and said lower wall member being oriented parallel with respect to one another and with said first side wall member and said second side wall member being oriented parallel with respect to one another and perpendicularly with respect to said upper wall member and said lower wall member.

16. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeve means is square.

17. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper intumescent pad means and said lower intumescent pad means have sufficient intumescent expansion capability to seal said access corridor means completely.

18. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower intumescent pad means and said upper intumescent pad means comprises compressible foam material to conform to the opening for sealing thereof.

19. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper intumescent pad means and said lower intumescent pad means include foam components.

20. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 19 wherein said foam components are chosen from various foams including polyurethane, silicone and other polymers.

21. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough as defined in claim 1 wherein said upper intumescent pad means and said lower intumescent pad means includes intumescent components chosen from expandable graphite and sodium silicate.

22. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough comprising:

A. a sleeve means securable to the construction barrier at a position extending through the opening defined therein for defining an access corridor means extending completely through the barrier, said sleeve means including flat outer sections to facilitate placing of a plurality of sleeve means adjacent one another to facilitate usage with openings in construction barriers which are larger than a single of said sleeve means, said sleeve means including;

(1) an upper wall member capable of extending completely through the barrier;

(2) a lower wall member capable of extending completely through the barrier spatially disposed below said upper wall member to facilitate defining of said access corridor means therebetween;

(3) a first side wall member capable of extending completely through the barrier and extending from said upper wall member downwardly to said lower wall member;

(4) a second side wall member capable of extending completely through the barrier and extending from said upper wall member downwardly to said lower wall member at a position spatially disposed from said first side wall member to facilitate defining of said access corridor means therebetween, said sleeve means being rectangular with said upper wall member and said lower wall member being oriented parallel with respect to one another and with said first side wall member and said second side wall member being oriented parallel with respect to one another and perpendicularly with respect to said upper wall member and said lower wall member;

(5) an upper tab means extending downwardly from said upper wall member;

(6) an lower tab means extending upwardly from said lower wall member;

B. a lower intumescent pad means positioned within said access corridor means extending at least partially along said lower wall member, said lower intumescent pad means being in abutment with respect to said lower tab means to facilitate attachment thereof with respect to said sleeve means;

C. an upper intumescent pad means extending at least partially along said upper wall member, said upper intumescent pad means including an upper central pad section being flexibly resilient and extending downwardly from said upper wall means toward said lower intumescent pad means therebelow to define a confinement area therebetween capable for holding of penetrating members extending therethrough by exerting force thereon, said upper intumescent pad means being in abutment with respect to said upper tab means to facilitate attachment thereof with respect to said sleeve means, said upper intumescent pad means and said lower intumescent pad means having sufficient intumescent expansion capability to seal said access corridor means completely;

D. a first upper restraining support means positioned extending laterally from said first side wall member and said second side wall member; and

E. a second upper restraining support means positioned extending laterally from said first side wall member and said second side wall member at a position spatially disposed from said first upper restraining support means, said first upper restraining support means and said second upper restraining support means being both spaced away from said upper wall member to define an upper restraining space therebetween to retain said upper intumescent pad means therewithin, said upper central pad section of said upper intumescent pad means being positioned between said first upper restraining support means and said second upper restraining support means to facilitate extending downwardly therebetween toward said lower intumescent pad means positioned therebelow.

23. An intumescent firestopping apparatus for selectively sealing, responsive to fire, of an opening in a construction barrier having penetrating members extending therethrough comprising:

A. a sleeve means securable to the construction barrier at a position extending through the opening defined therein for defining an access corridor means extending completely through the barrier, said sleeve means including flat outer sections to facilitate placing of a plurality of sleeve means adjacent one another to facilitate usage with openings in construction barriers which are larger than a single of said sleeve means, said sleeve means including;

(1) an upper wall member capable of extending completely through the barrier;

(2) a lower wall member capable of extending completely through the barrier spatially disposed below said upper wall member to facilitate defining of said access corridor means therebetween;

(3) a first side wall member capable of extending completely through the barrier and extending from said upper wall member downwardly to said lower wall member;

(4) a second side wall member capable of extending completely through the barrier and extending from said upper wall member downwardly to said lower wall member at a position spatially disposed from said first side wall member to facilitate defining of said access corridor means therebetween, said sleeve means being rectangular with said upper wall member and said lower wall member being oriented parallel with respect to one another and with said first side wall member and said second side wall member being oriented parallel with respect to one another and perpendicularly with respect to said upper wall member and said lower wall member;

(5) an upper tab means extending downwardly from said upper wall member;

(6) an lower tab means extending upwardly from said lower wall member;

B. a lower intumescent pad means positioned within said access corridor means extending at least partially along said lower wall member, said lower intumescent pad means being in abutment with respect to said lower tab means to facilitate attachment thereof with respect to said sleeve means, said lower intumescent pad means including a lower central pad section, which is flexibly resilient, extending upwardly from said lower wall means, said lower central pad section defining a lower slot means extending longitudinally therein to facilitate flexible resilience thereof;

C. an upper intumescent pad means extending at least partially along said upper wall member, said upper intumescent pad means including an upper central pad section being flexibly resilient and extending downwardly from said upper wall means toward said lower central pad section of said lower intumescent pad means therebelow to define a confinement area therebetween capable for holding of penetrating members extending therethrough by exerting force thereon, said upper central pad section defining an upper slot means extending longitudinally therein to facilitate flexible resilience of said upper central pad section, said upper intumescent pad means being in abutment with respect to said upper tab means to facilitate attachment thereof with respect to said sleeve means, said upper intumescent pad means and said lower intumescent pad means having sufficient intumescent expansion capability to seal said access corridor means completely;

D. a first upper restraining support means positioned extending laterally from said first side wall member and said second side wall member;

E. a second upper restraining support means positioned extending laterally from said first side wall member and said second side wall member at a position spatially disposed from said first upper restraining support means, said first upper restraining support means and said second upper restraining support means being both spaced away from said upper wall member to define an upper restraining space therebetween to retain said upper intumescent pad means therewithin, said upper central pad section of said upper intumescent pad means being positioned between said first upper restraining support means and said second upper restraining support means to facilitate extending downwardly therebetween toward said lower intumescent pad means positioned therebelow;

F. a first lower restraining support means positioned extending laterally from said first side wall member and said second side wall member;

G. a second lower restraining support means positioned extending laterally from said first side wall member and said second side wall member at a position spatially disposed from said first lower restraining support means, said first lower restraining support means and said second lower restraining support means being both spaced away from said lower wall member thereadjacent to define a lower restraining space therebetween to retain said lower intumescent pad means therewithin, said lower central pad section of said lower intumescent pad means being positioned between said first lower restraining support means and said second lower restraining support means to facilitate extending upwardly therebetween toward said upper intumescent pad means positioned thereabove;

H. an upper flat spring means positioned between said first upper restraining support means and said second upper restraining support means and also positioned between said upper wall member and said upper intumescent pad means to exert downwardly directed bias against said upper intumescent pad means to facilitate engagement thereof with respect to penetrating members extending through the opening for enhancing retaining thereof; and

I. a lower flat spring means positioned between said first lower restraining support means and said second lower restraining support means and also positioned between said lower wall member and said lower intumescent pad means to exert upwardly directed bias against said lower intumescent pad means to facilitate engagement thereof with respect to penetrating members extending through the opening for enhancing retaining thereof.

24. An apparatus comprising:

a sleeve adapted to be positioned so as to pass through a construction barrier, said sleeve defining an access corridor extending longitudinally through the construction barrier adapted to receive a penetrating member extending therethrough, said sleeve defining a first opening and a second opening spatially disposed from one another with said access corridor extending therebetween to facilitating passing of a penetrating member extending therethrough,

first and second intumescent pads located within said access corridor and extending along the entire length of said access corridor from said first opening to said second opening, said first intumescent pad being held adjacent said sleeve at a position immediately adjacent said first opening and also being held adjacent said sleeve at a positioned immediately adjacent said second opening and extending longitudinally along said access corridor therebetween, said second intumescent pad being held adjacent said sleeve at a position immediately adjacent said first opening spatially disposed from said first intumescent pad and also being held adjacent said sleeve at a position immediately adjacent said second opening spatially disposed from said first intumescent pad and extending longitudinally along said access corridor therebetween,

at least one of said first or second intumescent pads having a flexible pad section that is arched and has an arcuate shape located thereon spatially disposed from said first opening and said second opening of said sleeve which includes a convex shaped surface adapted to abut penetrating members extending through said access corridor and through said first opening and said second opening, said convex shaped surface presenting a linear contour when viewed in a cross-section in a direction extending longitudinally and parallel with respect to said access corridor, said convex shape surface also presenting a convex contour when viewed in a cross-section in a direction oriented laterally and perpendicularly with respect to said access corridor, said flexible pad section being positioned facing in a direction toward another of the intumescent pads to create a confinement area therebetween for creating a seal against a penetrating member passing through the confinement area in response to heat.

25. The apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein the at least one of said first or second intumescent pads has sufficient flexibility to flex toward the other intumescent pad to a point adjacent the other of the intumescent pads.

28. The apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein said sleeve is constructed having oppositely positioned generally flat outer walls.

29. The apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said opposite outer walls each have a restraining means to retain at least one of said first or second intumescent pads in a secure position within said sleeve while allowing a portion thereof to flex toward the other of the intumescent pads.

30. The apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said opposite outer walls each has a securing means that at least partially encloses exterior ends of at least one of said first or second intumescent pads.

32. The apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein at least a portion of one of said walls is removable.

33. The apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein at least one of said walls is entirely removable.

34. The apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein both of said first and second intumescent pads have flexible pad sections.

35. The apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein said flexible pad sections of said first and second intumescent pads are disposed opposite one another.

26. An apparatus comprising:

a sleeve adapted to be positioned so as to pass through a construction barrier, said sleeve defining an access corridor extending longitudinally through the construction barrier adapted to receive a penetrating member extending therethrough, said sleeve defining a first opening and a second opening spatially disposed from one another with said access corridor extending therebetween to facilitating passing of a penetrating member extending therethrough,

first and second intumescent pads located within said access corridor and extending along the entire length of said access corridor from said first opening to said second opening, said first intumescent pad being held adjacent said sleeve at a position immediately adjacent said first opening and also being held adjacent said sleeve at a positioned immediately adjacent said second opening and extending longitudinally along said access corridor therebetween, said second intumescent pad being held adjacent said sleeve at a position immediately adjacent said first opening spatially disposed from said first intumescent pad and also being held adjacent said sleeve at a position immediately adjacent said second opening spatially disposed from said first intumescent pad and extending longitudinally along said access corridor therebetween

at least one of said first or second intumescent pads having external ends fixed with respect to the sleeve and a flexible pad section that is arched and has an arcuate shape located thereon spatially disposed from said first opening and said second opening of said sleeve which includes a convex shaped surface adapted to abut penetrating members extending through said access corridor and through said first opening and said second opening, said convex shaped surface presenting a linear contour when viewed in a cross-section in a direction extending longitudinally and parallel with respect to said access corridor, said convex shape surface also presenting a convex contour when viewed in a cross-section in a direction oriented laterally and perpendicularly with respect to said access corridor, said flexible pad section being positioned facing in the direction of and arching toward the other of the intumescent pads to create a confinement area therebetween for creating a seal against a penetrating member passing through the confinement area in response to heat and wherein the at least one of the first or second intumescent pads has a flexible pad section having at least one longitudinal slot formed therein to facilitate the flexible resilience of the flexible pad section.

27. The apparatus as defined in claim 26 wherein the at least one of the first or second intumescent pads has a flexible pad section having a plurality of individual longitudinal slots formed therein to facilitate the flexible resilience of the flexible pad section.

31. An apparatus comprising:

a sleeve adapted to be positioned so as to pass through a construction barrier, said sleeve defining an access corridor through the construction barrier adapted to receive a penetrating member extending therethrough, said sleeve having opposite generally flat outer walls, said sleeve defining a first opening and a second opening spatially disposed from one another with said access corridor extending therebetween to facilitating passing of a penetrating member extending therethrough,

first and second intumescent pads located within said access corridor and extending along the entire length of said access corridor from said first opening to said second opening, said first intumescent pad being held adjacent said sleeve at a position immediately adjacent said first opening and also being held adjacent said sleeve at a positioned immediately adjacent said second opening and extending longitudinally along said access corridor therebetween, said second intumescent pad being held adjacent said sleeve at a position immediately adjacent said first opening spatially disposed from said first intumescent pad and also being held adjacent said sleeve at a position immediately adjacent said second opening spatially disposed from said first intumescent pad and extending longitudinally along said access corridor therebetween,

at least one of said first or second intumescent pads having a flexible pad section that is arched and has an arcuate shape located thereon spatially disposed from said first opening and said second opening of said sleeve which includes a convex shaped surface adapted to abut penetrating members extending through said access corridor, said convex shaped surface presenting a linear contour when viewed in a cross-section in a direction extending longitudinally and parallel with respect to said access corridor, said convex shape surface also presenting a convex contour when viewed in a cross-section in a direction oriented laterally and perpendicularly with respect to said access corridor, said flexible pad section being positioned facing in the direction that extends toward another of the intumescent pads to create a confinement area therebetween for creating a seal against a penetrating member passing through the confinement area in response to heat, each of said opposite outer walls having a securing means that at least partially encloses external ends of at least one of said first or second intumescent pads wherein said securing means comprises a tab extending from said opposite outer walls.

36. An apparatus comprising:

a sleeve adapted to be positioned so as to pass through a construction barrier,

said sleeve providing an access corridor through the construction barrier adapted to receive a penetrating member extending therethrough, said sleeve defining a first opening and a second opening spatially disposed from one another with said access corridor extending therebetween to facilitating passing of a penetrating member extending therethrough,

first and second intumescent pads located within said access corridor and extending along the entire length of said access corridor from said first opening to said second opening, said first intumescent pad being held adjacent said sleeve at a position immediately adjacent said first opening and also being held adjacent said sleeve at a positioned immediately adjacent said second opening and extending longitudinally along said access corridor therebetween, said second intumescent pad being held adjacent said sleeve at a position immediately adjacent said first opening spatially disposed from said first intumescent pad and also being held adjacent said sleeve at a position immediately adjacent said second opening spatially disposed from said first intumescent pad and extending longitudinally along said access corridor therebetween,

at least one of said first or second intumescent pads having a flexible pad section that is arched and has an arcuate shape located thereon spatially disposed from said first opening and said second opening of said sleeve which includes a convex shaped surface adapted to abut penetrating members extending through said access corridor and through said first opening and said second opening, said convex shaped surface presenting a linear contour when viewed in a cross-section in a direction extending longitudinally and parallel with respect to said access corridor, said convex shape surface also presenting a convex contour when viewed in a cross-section in a direction oriented laterally and perpendicularly with respect to said access corridor, said flexible pad section being positioned facing in the direction that extends toward the other of the intumescent pads to create a confinement area therebetween for creating a seal against a penetrating member passing through the confinement area in response to heat wherein a flat spring means is affixed to the at least one of said first or second intumescent pads having a flexible pad section for enhancing flexible resilience thereof toward a penetrating member passing through said access corridor.