Fire barrier

Abstract

A fire barrier operable to be placed within a gap formed between two surfaces. The fire barrier may generally include a first intumescent section, a first foam section coupled with the first intumescent section, and a second intumescent section coupled with the first foam section generally opposite the first intumescent section. In some embodiments, the fire barrier may include a plurality of intumescent sections and a plurality of foam sections with each foam section being positioned between at least two of the intumescent sections.

1 . A fire barrier operable to be placed within a gap formed between two surfaces, the barrier comprising:
 a first intumescent section formed of intumescent material that expands and forms a non-flammable char when exposed to fire;   a first foam section coupled with the first intumescent section, the first foam section being formed of fire-resistant but not fireproof foam material that burns at least partially away when exposed to fire; and   a second intumescent section formed of intumescent material that expands and forms a non-flammable char when exposed to fire, the second intumescent section being coupled with the first foam section generally opposite the first intumescent section.   
     
     
         2 . The fire barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the first foam section is adhered to the intumescent sections. 
     
     
         3 . The fire barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the first foam section and intumescent sections are at least partially encapsulated within a high-temperature material. 
     
     
         4 . The fire barrier of  claim 3 , wherein the high-temperature material is selected from the group consisting of a metallic foil, a fiberglass scrim, a high-temperature textile, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The fire barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the intumescent sections and the first foam section present generally the same length. 
     
     
         6 . The fire barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the first foam section is comprised of flexible polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         7 . The fire barrier of  claim 1 , further including—
 a second foam section coupled with the second intumescent section generally opposite the first foam section, and 
 a third intumescent section coupled with the second foam section generally opposite the second intumescent section. 
 
     
     
         8 . The fire barrier of  claim 7 , further including—
 a third foam section coupled with the third intumescent section generally opposite the second foam section, 
 a fourth intumescent section coupled with the third foam section generally opposite the third intumescent section, 
 a fourth foam section coupled with the fourth intumescent section generally opposite the third foam section, and 
 a fifth intumescent section coupled with the fourth foam section generally opposite the fourth intumescent section. 
 
     
     
         9 . The fire barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the intumescent sections and the first foam section are compressible for placement within the gap. 
     
     
         10 . The fire barrier of  claim 1 , further including a support section operable to be positioned within the gap to support the intumescent sections and the foam section within the gap. 
     
     
         11 . A fire barrier operable to be placed within a gap formed between two surfaces, the barrier comprising:
 a plurality of intumescent sections formed of intumescent material that expands and forms a non-flammable char when exposed to fire; and   a plurality of flexible foam sections formed of fire-resistant but not fireproof material that burns at least partially away when exposed to fire, at least one of the foam sections being positioned between at least two of the intumescent sections.   
     
     
         12 . The fire barrier of  claim 11 , wherein the foam sections and the intumescent sections present generally the same length and at least one of the foam sections abuts two of the intumescent sections substantially along its length. 
     
     
         13 . The fire barrier of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the foam sections is adhered to two of the intumescent sections. 
     
     
         14 . The fire barrier of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the foam sections and two of the intumescent sections are generally rectangular. 
     
     
         15 . The fire barrier of  claim 11 , wherein the foam sections and the intumescent sections are operable to be compressed for placement within the gap. 
     
     
         16 . The fire barrier of  claim 11 , further including a support section operable to be positioned within the gap to support the foam sections and intumescent sections within the gap. 
     
     
         17 . The fire barrier of  claim 11 , wherein the intumescent sections and foam sections are encapsulated within a high-temperature material. 
     
     
         18 . The fire barrier of  claim 11 , wherein the foam sections are comprised of flexible polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         19 . A fire barrier operable to be placed within a gap formed between two surfaces, the barrier comprising:
 a plurality of generally rectangular intumescent sections each presenting a first length; and   a plurality of generally rectangular flexible polyurethane foam sections each presenting a second length generally equal to the first length, each of the foam sections being adhered to at least two of the intumescent sections such that each foam section is positioned between at least two of the intumescent sections,   the foam sections and the intumescent sections being compressible for placement within the gap.   
     
     
         20 . The fire barrier of  claim 19 , further including a support section operable to be positioned within the gap to support the foam sections and intumescent sections within the gap. 
     
     
         21 . The fire barrier of  claim 19 , wherein the intumescent sections and foam sections are encapsulated within a high-temperature material.