Horizontal fire barrier system

Abstract

A modular fire barrier and method for use. The fire barrier includes numerous modules that are oriented horizontally, made up of a frame and numerous fire-resistant panels. By making the frame from tubular-shaped members, the barrier enjoys increased load-bearing ability under high temperature conditions that may compromise less robust frames. By arranging the modules to be substantially in a horizontal orientation, the frames provide sufficient support to the panels, thereby avoiding the need for additional support, such as from girts.

1 . A fire barrier assembly comprising a plurality of substantially horizontally-oriented modules, each of said modules comprising:
 a frame comprising a plurality of generally tubular members spaced substantially parallel to one another along their elongate dimension; and   a plurality of fire-resistant panels secured to said tubular members such that upon securing said modules to one another along said elongate dimension of said generally tubular members and subsequent attachment of said barrier to a load-bearing structure in such a way that said elongate dimension of said frame is in a generally horizontal orientation, a substantial entirety of a lower end of said barrier is self-supporting.   
   
   
       2 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of fire-resistant panels comprise a fire-rated panel. 
   
   
       3 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said fire-rated panel comprises:
 a substantially planar first surface;   a substantially planar second surface substantially coextensive with and spaced from said first surface such that a volume is defined therebetween; and   a core disposed between said first and second surfaces and secured thereto such that a layered structure is formed thereby.   
   
   
       4 . The barrier of  claim 3 , wherein said substantially planar first and second surfaces comprise a metallic material, and said core comprises a cementitious mixture of materials. 
   
   
       5 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said frame further comprises reinforcing members that are secured to each of said spaced generally tubular members and extend therebetween such that said reinforcing members provide additional horizontal support to edges of adjacently situated said panels in said frame. 
   
   
       6 . The barrier of  claim 5 , wherein said reinforcing members are generally tubular in shape. 
   
   
       7 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein fasteners are used in said securing of modules to one another. 
   
   
       8 . The barrier of  claim 7 , wherein said fasteners comprise a threaded bolt. 
   
   
       9 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said generally tubular members define a rectangular profile. 
   
   
       10 . A horizontally-oriented modular fire barrier system comprising:
 a plurality of substantially horizontally-oriented fire barrier modules, each of which comprise:
 a frame comprising a plurality of generally tubular members spaced substantially parallel to one another along their elongate dimension; and 
 a plurality of fire-resistant panels secured to said tubular members such that upon securing said modules to one another along said elongate dimension of said generally tubular members, said plurality of substantially horizontally-oriented fire barrier modules define a generally planar fire barrier wall structure; 
   a plurality of columns laterally spaced from one another and secured in a generally vertical orientation along their elongate dimension; and   means for securing said generally planar fire barrier wall structure to said plurality of columns in such a way that said elongate dimension of said frame is in a generally horizontal orientation relative to a surface to which said plurality of columns are secured.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said columns comprise a generally tubular construction. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said columns is substantially filled with a fire-resistant material. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said means for securing said generally planar fire barrier wall structure to said plurality of columns comprises fastening members. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said fastening members comprise:
 at least one bolt; and   at least one bracket cooperative with at least one of said generally planar fire barrier wall structure and one of said plurality of columns such that said at least one bolt, when fastened to said at least one bracket, secures said generally planar fire barrier wall structure to said one of said plurality of columns.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one bolt comprises a threaded U-bolt. 
   
   
       16 . The barrier of  claim 10 , wherein said means for securing said generally planar fire barrier wall structure to said plurality of columns comprises a thermal expansion means disposed between at least one of said modules and a respective one of said columns. 
   
   
       17 . A method of placing a fire barrier, said method comprising:
 configuring a horizontally-oriented modular fire barrier system, said system comprising:
 a plurality of substantially horizontally-oriented fire barrier modules, each of which comprise:
 a frame comprising a plurality of generally tubular members spaced substantially parallel to one another along their elongate dimension; and 
 a plurality of fire-resistant panels secured to said tubular members such that upon securing said modules to one another along said elongate dimension of said generally tubular members, said secured modules define a fire barrier wall structure; 
 
 a load-bearing structure configured to support said fire barrier wall structure; and 
 means for securing said fire barrier wall structure to said load-bearing structure; and 
   installing said system such that said elongate dimension of said plurality of generally tubular members of said fire barrier wall structure is oriented substantially horizontal relative to the ground.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said installing said system comprises installing said system adjacent an electrical transformer in such proximity that a fire caused by a malfunction in said transformer is substantially confined along a direction of fire propagation from said transformer to said system to a region bounded by said system. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said load-bearing structure comprises a plurality of columns situated in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the ground. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said substantially horizontal orientation of said fire barrier wall structure comprises placing the generally planar surface defined by said fire barrier wall structure in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the ground while keeping said frame comprising said plurality of generally tubular members in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to the ground. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said substantially horizontal orientation of said fire barrier wall structure comprises placing the generally planar surface defined by said fire barrier wall structure in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to the ground while keeping said frame comprising said plurality of generally tubular members in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to the ground.