Systems and methods for providing seals between adjacent building panels

Abstract

Example embodiments of the described technology provide an assembly for providing a seal at a gap defined between opposed surfaces of adjacent building panels. In some embodiments the assembly comprises backer rods and foam tapes extending in a longitudinal direction and spaced apart in a transverse direction. Sealants are applied to the backer rods to provide a seal between surfaces of the adjacent building panels.

1 . A sealing assembly for providing a seal within a gap defined between opposed surfaces of a first building panel and a second building panel, the assembly comprising:
 at least one sealing member having a length extending in a longitudinal direction within the gap;   a foam tape spaced apart from the at least one sealing member and having a length extending in the longitudinal direction; and   a sealant applied to the at least one sealing member along a substantial portion of the length thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sealant is applied against an exterior side of the at least one sealing member. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sealing member is made of closed cell polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sealing member is cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one sealing member has a diameter in the range of ½″ to 1½″. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a diameter of the at least one sealing member is greater than the size of the gap between the first and second building panels. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one sealing member is compressed when the assembly is provided between the first and second building panels. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a diameter of the at least one sealing member is approximately the same as the thickness of the foam tape. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the foam tape has the shape of a rectangular prism. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the foam tape is made of closed cell polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane or neoprene. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the foam tape is greater than the distance of the gap between the first and second building panels. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the foam tape is compressed by 25% to 60% along the direction of the thickness of the foam tape when the assembly is provided between the first and second building panels. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the foam tape is attached to the surface of the first building panel via an adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sealant comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: polyurethane blends, acrylic blends, silicone based sealants, urethane based sealants, acrylic based sealants, polysulphide based sealants, polymer based sealants, and silicone. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sealant comprises fireproofing materials such as intumescent fire stop caulking. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sealant comprises adhesive-sealants which help adhere the first and second building panels together. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sealant comprises a weep hole provided to drain out moisture collected inside of the sealing assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising mineral wool extending in the longitudinal direction and spaced from the foam tape and the at least one sealing member in the transverse direction. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the mineral wool is provided at an interior side of the assembly such that the foam tape is positioned between the at least one sealing member and the mineral wool. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the mineral wool is made of a non-combustible material. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the mineral wool has a melting point which is in the range of 1100° C. to 1300° C. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the mineral wool is vapor permeable. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sealing member comprises spaced apart first and second backer rods and wherein the sealant is applied to at least an exterior surface of each of the backer rods. 
     
     
         24 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the first and second building panels are mounted on a building and wherein the foam tape is positioned in the gap between the first and second backer rods and the building. 
     
     
         25 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the sealant is applied to substantially the entire length of the first and second backer rods. 
     
     
         26 . A sealing assembly providing a fire joint within a gap defined between opposed surfaces of a first building panel and a second building panel, the assembly comprising:
 a backer rod having a length extending in a longitudinal direction within the gap;   a mineral wool insulation having fireproofing characteristics and the shape of a rectangular prism, wherein the mineral wool insulation is located within the gap at an interior side of the backer rod, the mineral wool insulation having a length extending in the longitudinal direction and being spaced from the backer rod in a transverse direction, the mineral wool insulation having a width extending in the transverse direction and a thickness, wherein the width of the mineral wool insulation is greater than the thickness of the mineral wool insulation;   a sealant applied against an exterior side of the backer rod along a substantial portion of the length thereof and contacting the first and second building panels; and   a caulking having fireproofing characteristics applied against both exterior and interior sides of the mineral wool insulation.   
     
     
         27 . A method for providing a seal within a gap defined between opposed surfaces of a first building panel and a second building panel, the method comprising:
 providing a foam tape in the gap between the first and second building panels, the foam tape having the shape of a rectangular prism and having a length extending in a longitudinal direction within the gap;   providing a first backer rod in the gap between the first and second building panels at an exterior side of the foam tape and spaced apart therefrom, the first backer rod having a length extending in the longitudinal direction;   applying a first sealant to an exterior side of the first backer rod along a substantial portion of the length thereof and contacting the first and second building panels;   providing a second backer rod in the gap between the first and second building panels at the exterior side of the first backer rod, the second backer rod having a length extending in the longitudinal direction and being spaced from the first backer rod in a transverse direction; and   applying a second sealant to the exterior side of the second backer rod along a substantial portion of the length thereof and contacting the first and second building panels.