Flooring panel, system and method for constructing a fire-rated suspended floor

Abstract

A fire-rated flooring panel for use in forming a suspended floor, comprising: a bottom metal sheet layer; an upper re-enforced concrete layer overlaying the bottom layer; and a structural steel frame enclosing circumferential walls of the upper and lower layers.

1 . A fire-rated flooring panel for use in forming a suspended floor, comprising:
 a bottom metal sheet layer;   an upper re-enforced concrete layer; and   a circumferential structural steel frame comprising three or more side walls that at least partially surround the bottom and upper layers and wherein at least one of the three or more side walls comprises inwardly extending upper and lower flanges connected by a web thereby forming a parallel flange channel and wherein a portion of the web connected to the inwardly extending lower flange extends beyond the bottom metal sheet layer thereby creating a panel joining portion configured to bear against, and secure to, a corresponding joining portion of an adjacent fire-rated flooring panel, and wherein the panel is pre-formed prior to installation of the suspended floor.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A fire-rated flooring panel in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate inwardly extending flange disposed between the inwardly extending upper and lower flanges and wherein the intermediate inwardly extending flange is configured to support an edge of the bottom metal sheet layer. 
     
     
         6 . A fire-rated flooring panel in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the fire-rated flooring panel is rectangular in shape and wherein opposite sides of the circumferential steel frame comprise inwardly extending upper and lower flanges thereby forming facing parallel flange channels. 
     
     
         7 . A fire-rated flooring panel in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the upper re-enforced concrete layer extends above each of the three or more side walls thereby forming a stepped circumferential upper edge for receiving a fire-rated material. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A fire-rated flooring panel in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising one or more threaded bolt ends extending upwardly from the upper re-enforced concrete layer for use in securing a column to the fire-rated flooring panel. 
     
     
         11 . A modular system for forming a suspended floor, the modular system comprising:
 a plurality of fire-rated flooring panels as defined in  claim 1 ; and   wherein, in use, a side wall of a first of the fire-rated flooring panels is positioned adjacent a side wall of a second of the fire-rated flooring panels such that respective panel joining portions bear against and secure to each other for securing the fire-rated flooring panels together and such that an upper surface of the respective upper re-enforced concrete layers lie generally flush.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A modular system in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the upper re-enforced concrete layer for each fire-rated flooring panel extends above each of the three or more side walls thereby forming a stepped circumferential upper edge and wherein the modular system further comprises a fire rated material that sits within a channel defined between adjacent stepped edges of adjoining side walls and such that an upper surface of the fire rated material sits generally flush with adjacent upper surfaces. 
     
     
         14 . A modular system in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the fire rated material comprises one or more of Promat board, Vermiculite spray, Fyrecheck and Vermiculate paint. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled)