Fire Stop and Method of Use Thereof

Abstract

A fire stop dimensioned to fit a selected size opening. The fire stop comprises end plates, a central shaft member retaining the end plates apart from one another, and a core between the end plates that comprises fire putty and mineral wool. The thickness and density of the mineral wool layer and/or the fire putty layer are chosen to achieve a particular fire rating within the constraints of the overall dimensional thickness of the slab. The fire stop has a low profile rendering it non-obstructing, can be inserted by a single installer from above a floor slab or into a wall, and further can be removed for inspection and/or replacement as needed. The fire putty layer swells under heat filling remaining gaps between the fire stop and the opening.

1 . A fire stop comprising:
 a shaft;   a top plate;   a bottom plate, wherein said top plate and said bottom plate are secured on said shaft;   fire putty; and   fire retardant wool, wherein said fire putty and said fire retardant wool are disposed around said shaft between said top plate and said bottom plate.   
     
     
         2 . The fire stop of  claim 1 , further comprising a dimensioning plate. 
     
     
         3 . The fire stop of  claim 2 , wherein said dimensioning plate is disposed proximate to and in contact with said top plate. 
     
     
         4 . The fire stop of  claim 2 , wherein said shaft is threaded. 
     
     
         5 . The fire stop of  claim 4 , wherein said top plate, said dimensioning plate and said bottom plate are secured on said threaded shaft via nuts. 
     
     
         6 . The fire stop of  claim 3 , wherein said fire putty is disposed proximate to said dimensioning plate. 
     
     
         7 . The fire stop of  claim 6 , wherein said fire retardant wool is disposed proximate said bottom plate. 
     
     
         8 . The fire stop of  claim 7 , wherein said fire retardant wool is compressed between said bottom plate and said fire putty. 
     
     
         9 . The fire stop of  claim 3 , wherein said fire putty is disposed proximate to said bottom plate. 
     
     
         10 . The fire stop of  claim 9 , wherein said fire retardant wool is disposed proximate said dimensioning plate. 
     
     
         11 . The fire stop of  claim 1 , wherein said fire retardant wool comprises mineral wool. 
     
     
         12 . The fire stop of  claim 1 , further comprising a printable sheath disposed over said fire putty and said fire retardant wool. 
     
     
         13 . A method of preventing fire migration between floors, said method comprising the steps of:
 removing an existing through-slab conduit from a bore in a slab;   selecting an appropriately-dimensioned fire stop, wherein said fire stop comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, a shaft between said top plate and said bottom plate, said shaft having fire putty and fire retardant wool disposed therearound between said top plate and said bottom plate; and   inserting said fire stop into the bore in the slab.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
 compressing said fire retardant wool.   
     
     
         15 . A fire stop comprising:
 a shaft;   a top plate;   a dimensioning plate:   a bottom plate, wherein said top plate, said dimensioning plate and said bottom plate are secured on said shaft;   fire putty; and   mineral wool, wherein said fire putty and said mineral wool are disposed around said shaft between said dimensioning plate and said bottom plate.   
     
     
         16 . The fire stop of  claim 15 , further comprising a printable sheath around said fire putty and said flame retardant wool.