Support Element for Supporting a Window Frame

Abstract

A strip-shaped support element for supporting a window frame comprises an intumescent material such as expandable graphite or sodium and/or potassium silicate. In particular, the support element comprises intumescent material on at least one surface, optionally on all surfaces, in a thickness of at least 0.25 mm.

1 . A strip-shaped support element for supporting a window frame,
 the strip-shaped support element having a first side surface extending in a longitudinal direction and configured to rest against a wall, and a second side surface extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the second side surface is substantially perpendicular to the first side surface and is configured to support the window frame,   wherein the support element is made of a load-bearing material,   wherein the support element comprises intumescent material on at least a surface thereof in a thickness of at least 0.25 mm, which material is selected from the group consisting of:   (a) expandable graphite in an amount of 5-70%, and   (b) sodium and/or potassium silicate in an amount of 10-30%.   
     
     
         2 . The strip-shaped support element according to  claim 1 , wherein the support element also comprises rigid foam, selected from the group comprising rigid polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         3 . The strip-shaped support element according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one layer parallel to the second side surface of the support element comprises intumescent material. 
     
     
         4 . The strip-shaped support element according to  claim 1 , wherein the support element comprises intumescent material on at least one surface which is a third side surface extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the third side surface is adjacent to the second side surface on a side opposite the first side surface. 
     
     
         5 . The strip-shaped support element according to  claim 1 , wherein the support element comprises a layered structure with at least one outer layer with intumescent material and at least one layer without intumescent material. 
     
     
         6 . The strip-shaped support element according to  claim 5 , wherein the outer layer with intumescent material is fastened to the layer without intumescent material by adhesion or by screws. 
     
     
         7 . The strip-shaped support element according to  claim 5 , wherein the support element comprises intumescent material in a thickness of between 0.25 mm and 10 mm, and wherein the intumescent material is expandable graphite in an amount of 20-70%. 
     
     
         8 . The strip-shaped support element according to  claim 1 , wherein the support element comprises intumescent material in a thickness of at least 10 mm, and wherein the intumescent material is expandable graphite in an amount of 5-20%. 
     
     
         9 . The strip-shaped support element according to  claim 1 , wherein the support element comprises intumescent material throughout, and wherein the intumescent material is expandable graphite in an amount of 5-20%. 
     
     
         10 . The strip-shaped support element according to  claim 9 , wherein the support element comprises rigid polyurethane foam with 5-10% expandable graphite, obtainable by pressing a starting material, in that expandable graphite flakes in a polyurethane and/or polyisocyanate matrix are pressed in a pressing direction P, wherein the pressing direction P is perpendicular to the second surface of the support element. 
     
     
         11 . The strip-shaped support element according to  claim 1 , wherein the support element comprises intumescent material in a thickness of at least 10 mm, and wherein the intumescent material is sodium and/or potassium silicate in an amount of 10-30%. 
     
     
         12 . A building section comprising:
 a wall;   at least one strip-shaped support element having a first side surface extending in a longitudinal direction and configured to rest against a wall, and a second side surface extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the second side surface is substantially perpendicular to the first side surface and is configured to support the window frame,   wherein the support element is made of a load-bearing material,   wherein the support element comprises intumescent material on at least a surface thereof in a thickness of at least 0.25 mm, which material is selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) expandable graphite in an amount of 5-70%, and 
 (b) sodium and/or potassium silicate in an amount of 10-30%; 
   wherein the support element is arranged laterally from the wall, and wherein the support element is fastened to the wall by means of at least one fastening element, wherein the first side surface of the support element rests against the wall; and   a window frame, which is supported at least partially on the second surface of the support element.   
     
     
         13 . The building section according to  claim 12 , wherein the building section comprises a plurality of the support elements, wherein:
 (a) support elements butt directly against each other horizontally, so that the at least one surface comprising intumescent material forms a horizontal fire control barrier without interruption; and/or   (b) a fire-retardant layer is introduced horizontally between the support elements, wherein the fire-retardant layer is selected from the group comprising mineral wool.