Casement window or framework for a fire resistant window or a fire resistant door

Abstract

 A casement window or framework for a fire resistant window or a fire resistant door, comprising:
• at least four hollow-chamber profiles connected to each other and based on PVC-U, each having a reinforcing chamber containing a metal reinforcement,
• a fire resistant insert, more particularly a fire resistant glazing, retained in the chamber profiles; and
• a plurality of metal mounting brackets retaining the fire resistant insert on all four sides on the outside and/or the inside in the area of the edge, which fastening brackets are screwed to the metal reinforcements in the reinforcement chambers of the hollow-chamber profiles.
On at least the upper side the fire-resistant insert is held by at least two relatively short mounting brackets being at a relatively large distance from each other, and on each of the other three sides the fire-resistant insert is held by at least one mounting bracket.
The fire-resistant insert has at least a EW/EI-value of 30 minutes.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a casement window or framework for a fire resistant window or a fire resistant door, comprising:

• at least four hollow-chamber profiles connected to each other and based on PVC-U, each having a reinforcing chamber containing a metal reinforcement,
• a fire resistant insert, more particularly a fire resistant glazing, retained in the chamber profiles; and
• a plurality of metal mounting brackets retaining the fire resistant insert on all four sides on the outside and/or the inside in the area of the edge, which fastening brackets are screwed to the metal reinforcements in the reinforcement chambers of the hollow-chamber profiles.

[0002] In the context of this description framework is understood to mean a frame with a fire resistant insert; a casement window is understood to mean a casement window with a fire resistant insert.

State of the art

[0003] Such a casement window or framework is known from EP 2177701 A1. Here, at each side of the fire-resistant insert in the area of the edge on the outer side and/or on the inner side there is one continuous metal mounting bracket on the relevant side extending in order to prevent the fire-resistant insert from sagging and combustion gases at the side of the fire from penetrating to the other side in case of fire. The metal bracket extends at least until almost in the corner regions and has - if necessary - only short interruptions.

Summary of the invention.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a casement window or framework respectively for a fire resistant window or a fire resistant door respectively that is easier to manufacture than the known window or the known door.

[0005] For the purpose of achieving this object the casement window or framework respectively for a fire resistant window according to the invention is characterised in that:

• on at least the upper side the fire-resistant insert is held by at least two relatively short mounting brackets being at a relatively large distance from each other,
• on each of the other three sides the fire-resistant insert is held by at least one mounting bracket, and
• the fire-resistant insert has at least a EW/EI-value of 30 minutes.

[0006] Thus the fire-resistant insert should have a EW or EI value of at least 30 minutes: EW30 or EI30 according to NEN 6069:2011 (Dutch standard for testing and classification of fire resistance of building components and products), where:

• EW stands for a stability and radiation restriction fire-resistant class, whereby the construction provides - even more than stability - such a protection that heat radiation to the non fire side remains below the value of 15 kW/m² for the indicated time; and
• EI stands for a stability and temperature insulation fireproofing class with increased fire safety, whereby in addition to stability, the construction ensures that the temperature of the non-fire side over a certain period of time does not rise above a certain value (140 °C average over the total area, and 180 °C at a given point).

[0007] Instead of mounting brackets which extend over the whole or almost the whole side in order to achieve the required fire resistance, it has been found that relatively short mounting brackets in combination with a fire resistant filling with an EW/EI-value of 30 minutes or higher is also sufficient. By the use of the short fastening brackets, it is easier to assemble the casement window or framework. Despite the fact that the required fire-resistant insert is relatively expensive, the casement window or framework can still be offered at a competitive price because of the cost savings that can be obtained with the manufacturing.

[0008] Preferably, the fire-resistant filling is also fixed to each of the other three sides by at least two relatively short mounting brackets which are at a relatively large distance from each other. Preferably, the mounting brackets are evenly distributed along the length of the corresponding side.

[0009] The mounting brackets preferably have a length of up to one quarter of the length of the corresponding side. Furthermore, at one side the distance between the mounting brackets is at least a quarter of the length of the corresponding side.

[0010] Preferably, the fire-resistant filling has EW/EI-value of at least 45 minutes.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the metal reinforcements in the hollow-chamber profiles in the corner areas are connected directly or indirectly to each other so as to form a fixed framework. To this end the corner brackets can be mounted in the rebate area between casement window and frame, which corner brackets are tightened particularly to the metal reinforcements. In another preferred embodiment of the invention metal corner brackets are mounted in the corner areas of the glass rebate area, which corner brackets are connected to the metal reinforcements in the hollow chamber profiles by means of bolts. This is in particular necessary with a fixed glazing because there is no rebate area present between frame and casement window.

[0012] All window furniture, reinforcement profiles, metal mounting brackets and metal corner brackets are preferably made of steel because injection mouldings usually do not possess sufficient thermal resistance. The window furniture is preferably equipped with mushroom-shaped interlocking so as to achieve sufficient anchorage in the square washers. The square washers are preferably secured to the metal reinforcements in the reinforcement chambers in order to transmit the necessary forces in case of fire.

[0013] In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention fire resistant materials are inserted into the steel reinforcements in the reinforcement chambers of the hollow-chamber profiles, which materials are effective in that they have a cooling effect under the influence of heat - more specifically under the influence of the evaporation of crystalline-bound water - and furthermore possess good thermal resistant and antinoise properties. For this purpose for example Promaxon® or Promatect® plates may be used.

[0014] Furthermore, strips or bands respectively of intumescent materials, which are foaming under thermal load and also heat insulating, are applied in areas which are specifically at risk under thermal load. These intumescent materials are known for example under the trade name of Promaseal®.

Brief description of the drawings

[0015] The following description relating to the appended drawings, the whole given by way of non-limiting example according to the invention, will provide better understanding of how the invention can be realised, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an inside view of a fire resistant window according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a vertical section AA through the window frame;

Fig. 3 shows a vertical section BB through the window jamb; and

Fig. 4 shows a vertical section DD or horizontal section CC respectively through the casement window and the window frame.

Detailed description of the drawings

[0016] The inside view of the fire resistant window 1 shown in Fig. 1 has on the left-hand side a frame 2 with a fixed glazing 4 or closed panel and on the right-hand side a tilt and turn window 3 with a fire resistant glazing 5. The window frame is formed by the three window frame profiles and the middle jamb profile. The vertical section A-A is shown in enlarged form in Fig. 2. The frame 2 is available both as a recessed and as a flat design. The steel reinforcement 8 is mounted in customary fashion in the middle, large, elongated hollow chamber. With a high thermal load in case of fire the steel reinforcement 8 is cooled from within by the fitted fire resistant plate 15. Additional intumescent bands 16 in the reinforcement chamber, in the rebate area as well as the area of the wall connection, enhance protection against the penetration of fuel gases in case of fire.

[0017] In the rebate area in the window frame 2 a fire resistant glazing or panel having a minimum EW/EI-value of 30 minutes as a fixed glazing 4 or closed panel is used, which fixed glazing 4 is retained on the outside by the steel mounting bracket (corner bracket) 20 and on the inside by the steel mounting bracket (corner bracket) 19. The steel mounting brackets 19 and 20 have a length of about one-eighth of the length of the relevant side and are evenly distributed over the side. The mounting brackets are connected at regular distances apart to the steel reinforcement 8 by means of the screwed joints 22 and 21 respectively - only referred to in the drawing figures. A stable supporting construction of steel mounting brackets 20, 21 and steel reinforcements 8 is thus realised in case of fire. Additional steel corner brackets 30 are mounted in the corner areas of the window frame 2. These additional steel corner brackets 30 are also tightened to the steel reinforcements 8. On the outside the fixed glazing 4 is sealed with a sealant 10 to the frame profile. On the inside the fixed glazing 4 is retained by means of the glazing bead 7'.

[0018] In Fig. 3 is shown the cross section B-B through the window frame 6 and the tilt and turn window 3. The frame 6 accommodates - as does the frame 2 - the fixed glazing 4, while this fixed glazing 4 is retained both on the inside and on the outside by a number of steel mounting brackets. On the outside the fixed glazing 4 is sealed with a sealant 10' to the frame profile. On the inside the fixed glazing 4 is retained by the glazing bead 7'. On the outside the tilt and turn window 3 is sealed to the window frame 6 with the bead sealant 11 and on the inside with the bead sealant 11'.

[0019] The steel mounting brackets are connected to the steel reinforcement 9 on the inside by the screwed joint 21' and on the outside by the screwed joint 22'. In the rebate area 28 as well as the fixed glazing area and in the area of the casement window glazing are applied intumescent bands 16 at various locations, which bands form a foaming layer when a certain thermal load is reached and are sealing these areas so as to thwart the penetration of fuel gases.

[0020] In Fig. 4 is shown in enlarged form the horizontal cross section C-C of Fig. 1 and the vertical cross section D-D turned through 90 degrees respectively. The window frame 2 - as has already been shown with reference to Fig. 2 - here contains the steel reinforcement 8 in the steel chamber as well as various intumescent bands 16 in the rebate area 28. The sealing between the tilt and turn window 3 and the window frame 2 is provided on the outside by the bead sealant 11" all around and on the inside by the bead sealant 11'. In the steel chamber of the tilt and turn window 3 is used reinforcement steel 13 which is protected or cooled respectively on the inside by the fire resistant plate 14. In the glass rebate area 29 - similar to the fixture of the fixed glazing 4 to the window frame - there are steel corner brackets 17 on the outside and steel corner brackets 18 on the inside, the latter being tightened to the steel 13 of the tilt and turn window 3 by means of the respective screwed joints 23 and 24. The steel mounting brackets 17 and 18 extend over the entire length of the four sides of the tilt and turn window and thus reliably retain the fire resistant glazing 5 when there is a fire.

[0021] Also the glass rebate area 29 is protected all around against the penetration of fuel gases by means of various intumescent bands 16. The fire resistant glazing 5 is retained on the outside by the sealing 10" and on the inside by the glazing bead 7 with a fixedly extruded sealant. In the corner areas of the window (tilt and turn window 3) are mounted additional steel corner brackets 31. These steel corner brackets 31 are also tightened to the steel reinforcements 8.

[0022] The fixed glazing 4 and the fire resistant glazing 5 are mounted in the respective rebate area in a manner known per se by means of fire resistant glass blocks 27.

[0023] The fire resistant plate 25 is mounted all around between the window frame and the surrounding wall portion, which plate rests on the outside on the sealing 12 and on the inside is complemented by intumescent bands 16. In the Figs. 2 and 4 an additional fire resistant plate 26 is mounted on the inside in order to render the window frame 2 extra fire resistant.

Claims

1. A casement window or framework for a fire resistant window or a fire resistant door, comprising:

• at least four hollow-chamber profiles connected to each other and based on PVC-U, each having a reinforcing chamber containing a metal reinforcement,

• a fire resistant insert, more particularly a fire resistant glazing, retained in the chamber profiles; and

• a plurality of metal mounting brackets retaining the fire resistant insert on all four sides on the outside and/or the inside in the area of the edge, which fastening brackets are screwed to the metal reinforcements in the reinforcement chambers of the hollow-chamber profiles,

characterised in that:

• on at least the upper side the fire-resistant insert is held by at least two relatively short mounting brackets being at a relatively large distance from each other,

• on each of the other three sides the fire-resistant insert is held by at least one mounting bracket, and

• the fire-resistant insert has at least a EW/EI-value of 30 minutes.

2. A casement window or framework as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the fire-resistant filling is also fixed to each of the other three sides by at least two relatively short mounting brackets which are at a relatively large distance from each other.

3. A casement window or framework as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mounting brackets have a length of up to one quarter of the length of the corresponding side.

4. A casement window or framework as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that at one side the distance between the mounting brackets is at least a quarter of the length of the corresponding side.

5. A casement window or framework as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fire-resistant filling has EW/EI-value of at least 45 minutes.

6. A casement window or framework as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the metal reinforcements of the hollow-chamber profiles in the corner areas are connected directly or indirectly to each other so as to form a fixed framework.

7. A casement window or framework as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the corner brackets are mounted in the rebate area of the framework.

8. A casement window or framework as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of the further hollow chambers contains more particularly strip-like profiles of materials which are foaming and/or heat absorbing under the influence of heat.

Drawing