Fire Protective Fastening System for Connecting Non-Load Bearing Wall to Truss

Abstract

A fire protective fastening system connects a non-load bearing wall to a truss. A fire protective interface is disposed between a top plate structure and a load bearing member. Fasteners connect between the load bearing member and a non-load bearing member to form a floating connection between the non-load bearing member and the load bearing member. The fire protective medium may take a number of forms including a batt of mineral wool, an intumescent tape and an elongated barrier formed of light gauge metal or spring steel.

1 . A floating load bearing/non-load bearing assembly comprising:
 a load bearing member;   a non-load bearing member having a top plate structure;   a fire protective interface mounted to said top plate structure and interposed between said top plate structure and said load bearing member; and   a fastener having a head, a shank with an unthreaded portion and terminating in a threaded distal end;   wherein said fastener is driven through said top plate structure and interface into said load bearing member so that a floating connection is formed between said non-load bearing member and said load bearing member.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said fire protective interface comprises an elongated batt of fire impervious material. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein said batt is composed of mineral wool. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said interface comprises an intumescent tape. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said interface comprises an elongated barrier formed of light gauge metal or spring steel. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein said barrier has a lantern-like cross section comprising a pair of parallel metal strips separated by an elongated tubular channel. 
     
     
         7 . A non-load bearing unit having a top plate structure with a top surface and an underside comprising:
 a fire protective barrier attached to said top surface; and   a fastener having a head, a shank extending from said head and having an unthreaded portion adjacent said head and having a threaded distal end, wherein said fastener is driven through the top plate structure from the underside and said unthreaded portion extends through said top plate structure and said fire protective barrier.   
     
     
         8 . The non-load bearing unit of  claim 7  wherein said barrier is an elongated batt composed of a mineral wool composite. 
     
     
         9 . The non-load bearing unit of  claim 8  wherein said batt is resilient and compressible. 
     
     
         10 . The non-load bearing unit of  claim 7  wherein said barrier is an intumescent tape. 
     
     
         11 . The non-load bearing unit of  claim 7  wherein said barrier is an elongated metallic member comprising a pair of parallel strips separated to form at least one longitudinal channel. 
     
     
         12 . A method for implementing a floating connection between a non-load bearing wall and a load bearing member comprising:
 providing a non-load bearing structure having a top plate structure with an underside and a top side;   mounting a fire protective member to said top side;   providing a fastener having a head, a shank extending from said head having an unthreaded portion and a distal threaded portion;   aligning said non-load bearing member with a truss;   driving said fastener through said top plate structure so that said threaded portion engages into the load bearing member wherein said barrier is interposed between said top plate structure and said load bearing member and a floating connection extends between said wall and said load bearing structure.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein mounting a fire protective member further comprises attaching a batt of mineral wool composite by means of adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein mounting a fire protective member to said top side further comprises attaching an intumescent tape. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein mounting a fire protective member further comprises securing an elongated metal barrier to said side.