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(11) | EP 4 477 833 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | SMOKE DOOR CONSTRUCTION |
| (57) The present invention is directed to a smoke door construction comprising an outer
frame adapted to be mounted in an opening in a building, where hinged to said outer
frame an inner frame is provided, said inner frame comprising a door opening and locking
mechanism, such that the inner frame may pivot on hinges relative to the outer frame,
from a position where the inner frame is in contact with the outer frame and a position
where the inner frame is pivoted away from said outer frame and only contacts the
outer frame by the hinges, and where a smoke screen is openable relative to the inner
frame creating an opening corresponding to 75 to 90 % of an area delimited by the
inner frame, such that said smoke screen may be opened allowing gas smoke and/or air
through the smoke door construction.
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Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a smoke door construction. At least in the context of the present invention the term smoke door construction shall be understood to be a relatively large openable construction suitable to be arranged in a building's facade. In case of fire inside the building it is in many countries a requirement that some type of smoke venting is provided, in order to effectively provide an escape route for the smoke developed by the fire. Typically, smoke is very dangerous and often the main cause of casualties in fires. It is therefore important to ensure that the smoke may be vented away.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Therefore, buildings may be provided with hatches in the roof structure or windows which may be operated by actuators in the case of smoke development. Often these smoke venting devices are automatically triggered by alarms and operated by actuator devices.
[0003] In many instances it is undesirable for example from an architectural point of view to have these required smoke openings/hatches, and particularly if such smoke openings or hatches are required to have certain openable areas/sizes. If a door or window is used as a smoke evacuation opening, certain equipment is required to be mounted on the frame and sash structure in order to allow the door or window to open automatically in case of fire. When a door or window is opened it may be exposed to relatively large forces from the wind. Under normal circumstances the opening/closing mechanism of windows especially are constructed such that they will only be openable with a limited opening.
Object of the Invention
[0004] Consequently, there is a need for a construction which addresses the drawbacks and still provides large openings for smoke ventilation.
Description of the Invention
[0005] The present invention addresses this object by providing a smoke door construction comprising an outer frame adapted to be mounted in an opening in a building, where hinged to said outer frame an inner frame is provided, said inner frame comprising a door opening mechanism, such that the inner frame may be opened and pivot on hinges relative to the outer frame, from a position where the inner frame is in contact with the outer frame and the door opening mechanism may engage the outer frame, to a position where the inner frame is released from the engagement with the outer frame and pivots away from said outer frame and only contacts the outer frame by the hinges, and where a smoke screen is provided in the inner frame which smoke screen is openable relative to the inner frame creating an opening corresponding to 75 to 90 % of an area delimited by the inner frame, such that said smoke screen may be opened allowing gas smoke and/or air through the smoke door construction.
[0006] By providing an openable screen in an openable frame - creating a kind of double door - it is provided that in case of fire a large opening is available, and at the same time the normal door (the outer and inner frames) may be operated as a normal door, with only the normal "hardware" (hinges, locking and opening mechanisms etc.). The openable smoke screen on the other hand may be provided with smaller hinges, and smaller actuators for opening and closing the smoke screen only. All requirements to the openable part normally directed to doors and windows may be dispensed with as the only function of the smoke screen is to open in case of fire in order to allow smoke to be ventilated away. Consequently, a normal door opening is used for a dual purpose.
[0007] Furthermore, in some embodiments the smoke screen is automatically operated. In a fire system, sensors may detect a fire and/or the development of fire and smoke. In such a situation the system will automatically activate countermeasures, for example fire extinguishers but also allow for smoke ventilation. Therefore, with a smoke door construction as the present the smoke screen may be activated automatically providing a smoke evacuation opening, without it being necessary to open the door. The door may be locked or otherwise secured in normal ways, whereas the smoke screen is controlled for example by remotely operated actuators.
[0008] The present invention thereby utilizes the fact that most buildings are provided with door opening allowing access to the building. Instead of providing dedicated openings for smoke ventilation the already (or some of the already) existing door openings may serve a dual purpose.
[0009] In this construction the smoke screen has its own frame connected to the openable part of the smoke screen by hinges. The smoke screen frame may be designed such that it may be fitted in already existing door frames. In the industry there are a number of profiles used for constructing doors comprising a glass pane or the like. By designing the cross-section of the smoke screens frame in a manner suitable for a particular profile used in the industry, the smoke screen may easily be fitted into already existing door constructions, either at the factory or in-situ in the building.
[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment the smoke screen is made from a plurality of slats pivotably arranged inside said inner frame, where the slats may be pivoted between a closed position where the smoke screen is closed and an open position where the smoke screen is open allowing gas, smoke and/or air through the smoke screen.
[0011] With this construction only very limited installations relating to operating the slats from the open to the closed position are required.
[0013] The smoke screen is/may be a rigid plate member, and where said rigid plate member is hingely attached to said inner frame. The plate may be selected from any suitable material, glass included.
[0014] In a still further embodiment of the invention one or more chain actuators are provided, each chain actuator comprising a housing from which housing a chain may be extended or withdrawn into, where said housing is mounted on the inner frame and a distal end of the chain is mounted (in operational engagement with) to the smoke screen.
[0015] The chain actuators may be operated from remote or integrated in a fire alarm system, and as such activated in response to an alarm in the fire alarm system. In this manner the reliable actuators will ensure that the smoke openings are opened enabling the smoke to be vented away.
[0016] In a still further advantageous embodiment of the smoke door construction a smoke screen frame is provided, where said smokescreen frame is adapted to be fastened to the inner frame, and where one or more hinges are provided between the smoke screen frame and the smoke screen, allowing the smoke screen to be pivoted relative to the smoke screen frame.
[0017] In yet another embodiment all slats are pivotably mounted in the smoke screen and each slat is connected to a rod, said rod being connected to an actuator, such that by operating the actuator, the rod is moved thereby pivoting the slats.
[0018] In this embodiment a single actuator may push/pull a rod which rod in turn is connected to each slat. By the action of the actuator all slats can be opened by manipulating the rod. Furthermore, the actuator and/or the rod may be locked thereby effectively also locking the slats in place.
[0019] A further embodiment sees the smoke screen door as part of a larger smoke or fire detection system wherein a mechanism operating the smoke screen is connected to a control unit, where the control unit may operate the smoke screen to open or close according to input received from sensors, where said sensors may be any or a combination of smoke detectors, fire detectors, manual actuation devices, and/or temperature sensors.
Description of the Drawing
[0020] The invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein
Fig. 1 illustrates a cross-section through a smoke door construction according to the present invention, with the door and smoke screen closed;
Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-section through a smoke door construction according to the present invention, with the door open and smoke screen closed;
Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-section through a smoke door construction according to the present invention, with the door closed and smoke screen open;
Fig. 4 illustrates a cross-section through a smoke door construction according to the present invention, with the door open and smoke screen open;
Fig. 5 illustrates a smoke screen construction in the shape of horizontal slats which slats may be opened (as illustrated) or closed.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0021] In fig. 1 is illustrated a cross-section through a smoke door construction 1 according to the present invention. In fig. 1 the smoke door construction is in a closed configuration, corresponding to a closed door. The smoke door construction has an outer frame 2 which is traditional for door constructions. The outer frame 2 is suitable to be fastened to a building component such as a wall or facade element or the like. An inner frame 3 is arranged inside the outer frame 2. The inner frame 3 is pivotable with respect to the outer frame 2 by hinges 4. Between the inner and outer frames 2, 3 weather seals and the like may be arranged as per tradition. Furthermore, the profiles of the inner and outer frames 2, 3 may be machined such that flanges on one part are brought into close relationship with corresponding contours on the other part. These features are all well-known and may differ slightly from door manufacturer to door manufacturer, also depending on the material selected for manufacturing the door structure.
[0023] With the present invention smoke screen shall be understood as a construction having an independent structure arranged inside for example a traditional door or window construction. The object of the smoke screen is to provide an opening which in case of fire may be opened and allow gas, air and smoke to escape from an interior volume to the ambient environment.
[0024] The smoke screen 5 in the illustrated embodiment comprises an outer smoke screen frame 6 fastened to the inner frame 3 of the door frame construction. The fastening of the smoke screen frame 6 to the inner frame 3 may be in any suitable manner. Inside the outer smoke screen frame 6 is arranged an inner smoke screen frame 7. The inner smoke frame 7 may be opened relative to the outer smoke screen frame 6, for example by means of being pivotably arranged inside the outer smoke screen frame 6, connected with hinges in one side, and by an opening/closing mechanism in the shape of a chain actuator 8, as will be explained in more detail below.
[0025] Turning to fig. 2, a smoke door construction as disclosed above with reference to fig. 1 is illustrated in an open door situation. Same reference numbers indicate same features. The inner door frame has been pivoted on the hinges 4 in a normal manner in order to provide a normal door opening 10. The entire smoke screen construction has due to its arrangement inside the inner door frame pivoted with the inner door frame.
[0026] In fig. 3 is illustrated a situation where the door is closed but the smoke screen is opened. The two door frames, inner and outer 2, 3 are in closed relationship. The smoke screen's 5 inner frame 7 has been pivoted away from the smoke screen's outer frame 6, around a hinge construction 11.
[0027] The pivoting action is controlled by the chain actuator 8, by manipulating the chain actuator to extend its chain 12. Chain actuators are well known constructions. Typically, they comprise a motor arranged in a housing or a frame component. The motor is by a gear mechanism connected to a chain, which chain may be extended or withdrawn depending on the rotation direction of the gears. The chain is constructed to be substantially ridged except in one direction, allowing the chain to be spooled up inside the housing. As indicated in fig. 3 the extended chain 12 opens the smoke screen providing a large opening in the door construction. As the smoke evacuation opening is not intended as an escape route, but only for allowing smoke to be evacuated, the chains of the chain actuator are not interfering.
[0028] In fig. 4 is illustrated a situation where the smoke screen 5 is opened by the chain actuator 8 and the door is opened in a normal way.
[0029] The outer door frame 2 remains stationary in the building structure (not illustrated). In this configuration the smoke evacuation opening may have been activated first and thereafter the door may have been opened in order to function as an escape route.
[0030] The smoke screen 5 may be made from any suitable material, either transparent (glass for example) or non-transparent. In fig. 5 is illustrated a preferred embodiment where the smoke screen is in the shape of horizontal slats 14, arranged pivotably inside the smoke screen's inner frame 7. The slats 14 are arranged on individual axles 15 allowing them to pivot around a (in use) horizontal axis. Naturally vertical slats (not illustrated) may also be used and arranged in a similar manner for pivoting around a vertical axis.
[0031] In this embodiment the chain actuators and the means for activating the pivotal action of the slats 14 are not illustrated. Likewise, in all illustrations any electrical or hydraulic installations necessary for providing the correct functioning of the smoke screen and the smoke door construction are not illustrated.
1. Smoke door construction comprising an outer frame adapted to be mounted in an opening
in a building, where hinged to said outer frame an inner frame is provided, said inner
frame comprising a door opening mechanism, such that the inner frame may be opened
and pivot on hinges relative to the outer frame, from a position where the inner frame
is in contact with the outer frame and the door opening mechanism may engage the outer
frame, to a position where the inner frame is released from the engagement with the
outer frame and pivots away from said outer frame and only contacts the outer frame
by the hinges, and where a smoke screen is provided in the inner frame which smoke
screen is openable relative to the inner frame creating an opening corresponding to
75 to 90 % of an area delimited by the inner frame, such that said smoke screen may
be opened allowing gas smoke and/or air through the smoke door construction.
2. Smoke door construction according to claim 1 where the smoke screen is made from a
plurality of slats pivotably arranged inside said inner frame, where the slats may
be pivoted between a closed position where the smoke screen is closed and an open
position where the smoke screen is open allowing gas, smoke and/or air through the
smoke screen.
3. Smoke door construction according to claim 2 where the slats in use are arranged either
horizontally or vertically.
4. Smoke door construction where the smoke screen is a rigid plate member, and where
said rigid plate member is attached to said inner frame by one or more hinges.
5. Smoke door construction according to claim 1 where one or more chain actuators are
provided, each chain actuator comprising a housing from which housing a chain may
be extended or withdrawn into, where said housing is mounted on the inner frame and
a distal end of the chain is mounted (in operational engagement with) to the smoke
screen.
6. Smoke door construction according to claim 2 or 4 wherein along the periphery of the
smoke screen a smoke screen frame is provided, where said smoke screen frame is adapted
to be fastened to the inner frame, and where one or more hinges are provided between
the smoke screen frame and the smoke screen, allowing the smoke screen to be pivoted
relative to the smoke screen frame.
7. Smoke door construction according to claim 2 where all slats are pivotably mounted
in the smoke screen and where each slat is connected to a rod, said rod being connected
to an actuator, such that by operating the actuator, the rod is moved thereby pivoting
the slats.
8. Smoke door construction according to claim 1 wherein a mechanism operating the smoke
screen is connected to a control unit, where the control unit may operate the smoke
screen to open or close according to input received from sensors, where said sensors
may be any or a combination of smoke detectors, fire detectors, manual actuation devices,
and/or temperature sensors.