Constructional members such as glazing members and systems incorporating same

Abstract

 The invention relates to a glazing member 1 which is a unitary non-inflammable moulded resin member which with an identical one 1a is used to hold a pane of glass 2 in an aperture in a door 3, the members 1 and 1a being held in position by nails 6. There is a flexible resin edge member 5 which is formed from an identical resin to that of the members 1, 1a but with the addition of an additive such as a flexiliser to render the resin flexible. The members 1, 1a, pane 2 and door 3 form a fire containing system.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to constructional members such as glazing members, and systems incorporating same.

[0002] It is often necessary to comply with building and/or fire regulations to provide that buildings have fire resistance or retention in order to help protect personnel in the event of fire. This is often accomplished by dividing buildings internally into smaller compartments or sections which are formed by partitions which are usually fire retardent. However, for convenience it is often necessary to provide doors through the partitions to provide access between compartments, and these doors themselves can be a fire risk or point of weakness as far as fire prevention or retention is concerned.

[0003] It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage.

[0004] According to the invention there is provided a constructional member, comprising a unitary non-inflammable moulded member.

[0005] The constructional member may be moulded from a non-inflammable flowable resin.

[0006] The member may be moulded by a casting process.

[0007] The constructional member may have a ring-like configuration.

[0008] The constructional member may have a circular ring-like configuration.

[0009] The member may comprise a body with a substantially triangular cross-section.

[0010] The body may have an extension adapted to locate the member at a boundary surface of a further member.

[0011] The extension may comprise a lip projecting in the plane of the ring.

[0012] The constructional member may comprise a flexible surface layer.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a fire containing system, comprising a building member, a glazing panel, and a constructional member as herein before defined for holding the glazing panel in position adjacent the periphery thereof.

[0014] The system may comprise two constructional members arranged spaced apart with the glazing panel therebetween.

[0015] The building member may comprise a door having an aperture therein, the glazing member may be held in the aperture by the two constructional members which may be secured by securing means to a boundary surface of the aperture.

[0016] The securing means may comprise nails.

[0017] Each constructional member may be moulded from a non-inflammable flowable resin.

[0018] The members may be moulded by a casting process.

[0019] The members may have a ring-like configuration.

[0020] The members may have a ring-like circular configuration.

[0021] The members may each comprise a body with a substantially triangular cross-section.

[0022] The body may have an extension which locates the member at the boundary surface of the aperture.

[0023] The extension may comprise a lip projecting in the plane of the ring.

[0024] There may be a flexible layer between the members and/or the glazing panel and/or the building member.

[0025] The flexible layer may comprise a resin including a flexiliser.

[0026] The building member may comprise a unitary non-inflammable moulded member.

[0027] The constructional members or glazing rings may be moulded from a suitable resin such a epoxy, polyurethane, polyester, Novalak or Furane.

[0028] A constructional member, utilised as a glazing member in a fire retaining system is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show respectively three different embodiments of glazing members according to the invention.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows some, but not all, configurations of openings in which the glazing members of Figs. 1-3 can be utilised.

[0031] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a constructional member such as a glazing member 1 comprising a unitary non-inflammable moulded member. In Figs. 1-3, the member 1 is a glazing ring or annulus, in other words a one-piece circular member, which with an identical one 1a, is used to hold a panel 2, in this case a round pane of glass or like transparent, opaque or translucent material in an aperture or opening in a building member 3 such as a wooden door. The members 1, 1a have the essentially triangular cross-section shown, with locating means in the form of an overhanging lip 4 which projects in the plane of the ring and locates on the edge of the door 3 so that the rings are each positioned at a boundary surface of the aperture. The face 5 of each ring which in use contacts the pane 2 has, in the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 3, a flexible layer 5 formed from an identical resin, such as epoxy or polyurethane resin, but with the addition of a flexiliser to render the resin flexible. The pane 2 may be reinforced with wire mesh as shown.

[0032] In use, the members 1, 1a are mounted on the edge of the door defining the aperture with their surfaces 5 contacting the panel. The members are secured by securing means such as nails 6. The pane 2 is firmly supported by the members 1, 1a and properly mounted in the aperture. In the event of fire, the members 1, 1a do not burn, nor do they lose their structural integrity. Moreover, in the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 3, when the panel or pane 2 expands laterally on being subjected to heat, the surface layer 5 is compressed, owing to its flexibility, and maintains the pane supported without the imposition of stresses arising from an unyielding clamping action.

[0033] There may be utilized glazing blocks 7 or the like which also compress under expansion of the panel, and ceramic paper 8 or the like which acts in a similar manner.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows a variety of configurations of window which can be constructed using the invention.

[0035] The members 1, 1a may be of any desired configuration, and are formed in one piece as by a suitable moulding method such as casting. Moreover the door itself may be formed in a similar manner, of a similar material, so that that door is non-inflammable too. It will be understood that the door could be made of any suitable material, and a system utilising constructional members 1, 1a would include suitable securing means therefor.

[0036] The door 3, pane 2 and constructional members 1, 1a form a fire containing system.

Claims

1. A constructional member, characterised by a unitary non-inflammable moulded member (1, 1a).

2. A constructional member according to Claim 1, characterised by being moulded from a non-inflammable flowable resin, preferably by a casting process.

3. A constructional member according to either preceding claim, characterised by a ring-like, preferably circular, configuration.

4. A constructional member according to any preceding claim, characterised by the member (1, 1a) comprising a body with a substantially triangular cross-section.

5. A constructional member according to Claim 4, characterised by the member (1, 1a) having an extension (4) adapted to locate the member (1, 1a) at a boundary surface of a further member (3).

6. A constructional member according to Claim 5, characterised by the extension (4) comprising a lip projecting in the plane of the ring (1, 1a).

7. A constructional member according to any preceding claim, characterised by a flexible surface layer (5).

8. A fire containing system, comprising a building member, a glazing panel, characterised by a constructional member (1, 1a) according to Claim 1 for holding the glazing panel (2) in position adjacent the periphery thereof.

9. A system according to Claim 8, characterised by two constructional members (1) and (1a) spaced apart with the glazing panel (2) therebetween.

10. A system according to Claim 9, characterised by the building member (3) comprising a door having an aperture therein, by the glazing member (2) being held in the aperture by the two constructional members (1), (1a) and by securing means such as nails (6) which hold the constructional members (1, 1a) at a boundary surface of the aperture.

11. A system according to Claim 10, characterised by each constructional member (1), (1a) being moulded from a non-inflammable flowable resin, preferably by a casting process.

12. A system according to Claim 11, characterised by the members (1), (1a) having a ring-like, preferably circular configuration.

13. A system according to Claim 12, characterised by the members (1), (1a) each comprising a body with a substantially triangular cross-section.

14. A system as defined in Claim 13, characterised by an extension or lip (4) which locates the member (1) or (1a) at the boundary surface of the aperture.

15. A system as defined in any of Claims 8 to 14, characterised by a flexible layer (5,7,8) between the members (1, 1a) and/or the glazing panel (2) and/or the building member (3).

16. A system according to Claim 15, characterised by the flexible layer (5,8) comprising a resin including a flexiliser.

17. A system according to Claim 16, characterised by the building member (3) comprising a unitary non-inflammable moulded member.

Drawing