Fire resistant construction members

Abstract

Exemplary fire resistant construction members disclosed herein can comprise an engineered wood product I-joist and at least two panels comprising gypsum board secured to the I-joist. The member can comprise a first gypsum board panel secured to a first side of the member and a second gypsum board panel secured to a second, opposite side of the member. In some embodiments, gypsum board panels are secured to opposite sides of a web of the I-joist. In some embodiments, gypsum board panels are secured to opposite sides of upper and lower flanges of the I-joist.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A fire resistant construction member comprising an internal portion comprising a wood-based material and an external portion comprising one or more gypsum panels. 
     
     
         2 . The member of  claim 1 , wherein the internal portion comprises an I-joist. 
     
     
         3 . The member of  claim 2 , wherein the external portion comprises one or more gypsum panels secured to a web of the I-joist. 
     
     
         4 . The member of  claim 2 , wherein the external portion comprises one or more gypsum panels secured to flanges of the I-joist. 
     
     
         5 . The member of  claim 1 , wherein the internal portion comprises a web portion comprised of oriented strand board or structural plywood. 
     
     
         6 . The member of  claim 2 , wherein the external portion comprises a first gypsum panel secured to a first side of the I-joist and a second gypsum panel secured to a second, opposite side of the I-joist. 
     
     
         7 . The member of  claim 6 , wherein the first gypsum panel is secured to a first side of a web of the I-joist, and the second gypsum panel is secured to a second, opposite side of the web. 
     
     
         8 . The member of  claim 6 , wherein the first gypsum panel is secured to a first side of an upper flange of the I-joist and to a first side of a lower flange of the I-joist, and the second gypsum panel is secured to a second, opposite side of the upper flange and to a second, opposite side of the lower flange. 
     
     
         9 . The member of  claim 2 , further comprising a web hole passing through the external portion and through a web of the I-joist. 
     
     
         10 . The member of  claim 7 , wherein the gypsum panels have a height about equal to a height of the web. 
     
     
         11 . The member of  claim 8 , wherein the gypsum members have a height about equal to a height of the I-joist. 
     
     
         12 . The member of  claim 1 , wherein the external portion is secured to the internal portion with mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
         13 . A construction member comprising an engineered wood product I-joist and at least one panel comprising gypsum secured to the I-joist. 
     
     
         14 . The member of  claim 13 , wherein the construction member comprises a first gypsum panel secured to a first side of the member and a second gypsum panel secured to a second, opposite side of the member. 
     
     
         15 . The member of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one panel is secured to one side of a web of the I-joist. 
     
     
         16 . The member of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one panel is secured to a lower flange of the I-joist and to an upper flange of the I-joist. 
     
     
         17 . The member of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one panel has a thickness of at least about 0.25″. 
     
     
         18 . A method of making a construction member, comprising:
 providing an I-joist comprising an engineered wood product, and   securing at least one gypsum panel to a side of the I-joist.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein securing at least one gypsum panel to a side of the I-joist comprises;
 securing a first gypsum panel to a first side of a web of the I-joist; and   securing a second gypsum panel to a second, opposite side of the web.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein securing at least one gypsum panel to a side of the I-joist comprises:
 securing a first gypsum panel to a first side of an upper flange of the I-joist and to a first side of a lower flange of the I-joist; and   securing a second gypsum panel to a second, opposite side of the upper flange and to a second, opposite side of the lower flange.