Fire barriers for multi-dimensional architectural expansion joints

Abstract

Multi-layered, multi-directional, multi-dimensional and planar fire barriers for use in flue-like spaces formed by angled intersections of architectural expansion joints comprise a plurality of fire resistant material layers. The fire barriers are shaped for use in 2-way planar L-shaped expansion joint spaces, T-shaped, cross-shaped, V-shaped, and vertical/horizontal L-shaped corner expansion joint spaces, for example. A fire barrier may comprise at least one mechanically supporting layer; at least one insulating layer, and at least one layer of intumescent material, wherein the insulating layer is disposed between the mechanical support layer and the intumescent layer and the layered barrier is protected by an underlying protective cloth. The barrier, which prohibits the travel of fire, heat, or smoke through the flue-like channels created by the expansion joints of a structure, is provided ready to install in a one-step, drop-in process using a ready to assemble, width-adjustable, installation tool provided in a kit.

1 . Fire resistant barriers for installation into fire, heat, and smoke funneling flue-like spaces formed by the angled intersection of at least two architectural expansion joints, comprising: 
 fire barriers comprising a plurality of fire resistant material layers including: 
 a first layer comprising: 
 a fire resistant protective cloth sheet having a first and second surface, and  
 a first fire resistant insulation blanket sheet having a first and second surface, said second surface of said protective cloth sheet positioned under and contiguous to said first surface of said first insulation blanket sheet providing protection and mechanical support for the fire barrier;  
 at least one layer of a first fire resistant intumescent material sheet arranged on said second surface of said first insulation blanket sheet;  
 a first fire resistant resilient mechanical support sheet having a first and second surface, said first surface of said first resilient mechanical support sheet positioned over said second surface of said first insulation blanket having a layer of said intumescent sheet, and  
 
 a second layer comprising: 
 a second fire resistant insulation blanket sheet having a first and second surface, and  
 a second fire resistant resilient mechanical support sheet having a first and second surface, said first surface of said second resilient mechanical support sheet positioned over said second surface of said second insulation blanket;  
 
 said second layer positioned over said first layer so that said first surface of said second insulation blanket is positioned over said second surface of said first resilient mechanical support sheet,  
 said layers locally bonded together forming a unitary layered fire barrier ready for installation within said expansion joints spaces, and  
 mounting means for fixedly mounting said barrier to building structural units defining said expansion joints providing for a barrier against the travel of fire, heat, or smoke through flue-like channels created by the expansion joints of a structure.  
   
     
     
         2 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said protective cloth further includes mounting means for affixing said layered fire barrier to said building structural units.  
     
     
         3 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said mounting means further comprise mounting flanges comprising the side edge portions of the protective cloth.  
     
     
         4 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said mounting means further comprise a plurality of fasteners used in conjunction with said flanges providing for said fire barrier to be affixed to said building structural units.  
     
     
         5 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising wherein said plurality of fasteners further comprises a plurality of pins and washers used in conjunction with said flanges providing for said fire barrier to be affixed to said building structural units.  
     
     
         6 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said mounting means further comprises at least one reusable mounting tool for depositing said fire barrier within said expansion joints for affixation to said building structural units; 
 said at least one reusable mounting tool comprising: 
 a sturdy frame reversibly attachable to said fire barrier using reversible attachment means, and  
 at least one grasping means on said frame, said grasping means providing for easy lifting and positioning of the frame and the reversibly attached fire barrier into said expansion joints.  
   
     
     
         7 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising wherein said frame of said mounting tool is width adjustable to accommodate the varying widths of the fire barriers.  
     
     
         8 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising wherein said at least one reusable mounting tool further comprises a kit of mounting tools for installation of said fire barriers into the spaces formed by the angled intersection of architectural expansion joints.  
     
     
         9 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising wherein said fire resistant barrier is contoured in the form of a cross for fitting into a planar intersection of four architectural expansion joints.  
     
     
         10 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising wherein said fire resistant barrier is contoured to form a T-shape for fitting into a planar approximately right-angled intersection of three architectural expansion joints architectural expansion joints.  
     
     
         11 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising wherein said fire resistant barrier is contoured to form an L-shape for fitting into a planar approximately right-angled intersection of two architectural expansion joints.  
     
     
         12 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising wherein said fire resistant barrier is contoured to form an L-shape for fitting into a non-planar approximately right-angled intersection of two architectural expansion joints.  
     
     
         13 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said non-planar approximately right-angled intersection of two architectural expansion joints further comprises an intersection of a vertically oriented expansion joint with a horizontally oriented expansion joint.  
     
     
         14 . A method for installing fire resistant barriers into fire, heat, and smoke funneling flue-like spaces formed by the angled intersections of at least two architectural expansion joints, comprising the steps of: 
 providing for fire barriers comprising a plurality of fire resistant material layers including: 
 a first layer comprising: 
 a fire resistant protective cloth sheet having a first and second surface, and  
 a first fire resistant insulation blanket sheet having a first and second surface, said second surface of said protective cloth sheet positioned under and contiguous to said first surface of said first insulation blanket sheet providing protection and mechanical support for the fire barrier;  
 at least one layer of a first fire resistant intumescent material sheet arranged on said second surface of said first insulation blanket sheet;  
 a first fire resistant resilient mechanical support sheet having a first and second surface, said first surface of said first resilient mechanical support sheet positioned over said second surface of said first insulation blanket having a layer of said intumescent sheet, and  
 
 a second layer comprising: 
 a second fire resistant insulation blanket sheet having a first and second surface, and  
 a second fire resistant resilient mechanical support sheet having a first and second surface, said first surface of said second resilient mechanical support sheet positioned over said second surface of said second insulation blanket;  
 
   positioning said second layer over said first layer so that said first surface of said second insulation blanket is positioned over said second surface of said first resilient mechanical support sheet,    bonding said layers locally together forming a unitary layered fire barrier ready for installation within said expansion joints spaces, and    fixedly mounting said barrier using mounting means to building structural units defining said expansion joints providing a barrier against the travel of fire, heat, or smoke through flue-like channels created by the expansion joints of a structure.    
     
     
         15 . The method, as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising wherein said fire resistant barrier is contoured in the form of a cross for fitting into a planar intersection of four architectural expansion joints.  
     
     
         16 . The method, as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising wherein said fire resistant barrier is contoured to form a T-shape for fitting into a planar approximately right-angled intersection of three architectural expansion joints architectural expansion joints.  
     
     
         17 . The method, as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising wherein said fire resistant barrier is contoured to form an L-shape for fitting into a planar approximately right-angled intersection of two architectural expansion joints.  
     
     
         18 . The method, as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising wherein said fire resistant barrier is contoured to form an L-shape for fitting into a non-planar approximately right-angled intersection of two architectural expansion joints.  
     
     
         19 . The fire barriers, as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said non-planar approximately right-angled intersection of two architectural expansion joints further comprises an intersection of a vertically oriented expansion joint with a horizontally oriented expansion joint.  
     
     
         20 . Fire barriers for installation into fire, heat, and smoke funneling spaces formed by the approximately right-angled intersections of at least two architectural expansion joints, comprising: 
 fire resistant barriers comprising a plurality of fire resistant material layers including: 
 at least one fire resistant insulation blanket sheet having a first and a second surface;  
 at least one layer of fire resistant intumescent material sheet;  
 at least one fire resistant resilient mechanical support sheet having a first and a second surface;  
   said at least one layer of said intumescent material is disposed between said second surface of said at least one insulation blanket sheet and said first surface of at least one resilient mechanical support sheet,    at least one fire resistant protective cloth sheet positioned beneath and contiguous to said first surface of said at least one insulation blanket sheet, said protective cloth providing protection and mechanical support,    said at least one protective cloth sheet, said at least one insulation blanket sheet, said at least one layer of intumescent material sheet, and said at least one resilient mechanical support sheet are locally bonded together forming a layered fire barrier ready for installation within said spaces formed by said expansion joints intersecting at angles therein providing a barrier against the travel of fire, heat, or smoke through the flue-like channels created by the expansion joints of a structure.