Transformer Firewall with Cooling Vent

Abstract

A highly protective vented firewall ( 28 ) is supported between upstanding columns or beams ( 15 ). The firewall is made of an inorganic cementitious material which is preferably inorganic phosphate cement. Vent openings ( 35 ) are provided to enable flow of cooling air through the firewall during normal operating conditions. A heat-activatable means ( 35 ) automatically closes the vents should a fire occur.

1 . A firewall system comprising an upright firewall supported between spaced-apart vertical beams, the firewall being made of an inorganic cementitious material, and having a vented portion which is normally open to enable a flow of cooling air, and a movable solid panel normally positioned above the vented portion and supported by a heat-activatable means which yields in the event of a fire—to enable the movable panel to move downwardly over the vented portion to close the vented portion. 
   
   
       2 . The system defined in  claim 1  in which the cementitious material is inorganic phosphate cement. 
   
   
       3 . The system defined in  claim 1  wherein the firewall comprises a vertically stacked series of panels. 
   
   
       4 . The system defined in  claim 3  wherein one of the panels adjacent a lower end of the firewall is a vented panel defining an opening which is open during normal conditions. 
   
   
       5 . The system defined in  claim 1  wherein the heat-activatable means is a pair of spaced-apart wax bars positioned beneath and supporting the movable panel so that the vented panel is normally open, the wax being selected to melt and collapse in the event of a fire to allow the panel to automatically slide downwardly to close the vented-panel opening. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled)