WIJNVELD, Hendrik, Jan (Molenweg 42, SE Zeist, NL-3708, NL)
CLAIMS
1. Door (8, 12) which is provided along at least one peripheral side with a fire-retardant edge beam (2, 19; 3, 13, 14), for instance a fire-retardant stile (2, 19) or beam (3, 13, 14), characterized in that the fire-retardant edge beam (2, 19; 3, 13, 14) is manufactured from a solid elongate body, in which at least one longitudinal groove is formed extending in the position of use in a direction parallel to the main plane of the door (12), in which longitudinal groove is received a fire-resistant material (4) introduced in liquid state and subsequently cured.
2. Door (8, 12) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least two longitudinal grooves are formed in the elongate body (2, 19; 3, 13, 14) which extend in the position of use in a direction parallel to the main plane of the door (12), in which longitudinal grooves is received a fire- resistant material (4) introduced in liquid state and subsequently cured.
3. Door as claimed in either of the claims 1-2, provided with a stabilizing strip (24) and a reinforcement strip (25) therefor, characterized in that the reinforcement strip (25) is manufactured from a solid elongate body in which at least one longitudinal groove is formed extending in the position of use in a direction parallel to the main plane of the door (8), in which longitudinal groove is received a fire- resistant material (4) introduced in liquid state and subsequently cured.
4. Door (8) as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, provided with glazing beams (6) for receiving a glass panel
(9), characterized in that the glazing beams (6) are each manufactured from a solid elongate body, in which at least one longitudinal groove is formed extending in the position of use in a direction parallel to the main plane of the door
(8), in which longitudinal groove is received a fire- resistant material (4) introduced in liquid state and subsequently cured.
5. Door (8, 12) as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the solid body (2, 19; 3, 13, 14) is formed substantially from a composite material containing wood. β. Door (8, 12) as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the solid body (2, 19; 3, 13, 14) is formed substantially from fir or pinewood. 7. Door (8, 12) as claimed in any of the claims 1-6, characterized in that the fire-resistant material (4) is an epoxy resin.
8. Door (8, 12) as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the epoxy resin is a two-component epoxy on the basis of a polyethyleneamine .
9. Method for manufacturing as desired an edge beam (2, 19; 3, 13, 14) for a door (8, 12) as claimed in any of the claims 1-8, a reinforcement strip (25) for a door as claimed in claim 3 or a glazing beam (6) for a door (8) as claimed in claim 4, comprising the steps of
(i) providing and processing an elongate solid body to form a semi-product (11) for respectively an edge beam (2, 19; 3, 13, 14), a reinforcement strip (25) or a glazing beam (6), provided with at least one longitudinal groove (21), (ii) filling the longitudinal groove (21) with a curable, liquid fire-resistant material,
(iii) curing the liquid material, and (iv) removing excess material in a manner such that respectively an edge beam (2, 19; 3, 13, 14), a reinforcement strip (25) or a glazing beam (6) is obtained. |
FIRE-RESISTANT DOOR AND METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF AN EDGE BEAM, A REINFORCEMENT STRIP AND GLAZING BEAMS FOR THAT DOOR
The invention relates to a door which is provided along at least one peripheral side with a fire-retardant edge beam, for instance a fire-retardant stile or beam.
Fire-resistant doors are known which are assembled from a framework of edge beams (vertical stiles and horizontal beams) and two flat panels of wood or a plastic material, wherein the space between the panels and the framework is for instance filled with mineral fibreboard.
It is a problem in a fire-resistant door that in practical situations the fire-resistant properties thereof are determined substantially by the fire-resistant properties of the edge zone of this door along the door-.frame connecting thereto. Fire doors applied in the past have had a pinewood framework and a thickness of 40 mm. Such a door does not satisfy the current fire safety requirements.
Fire-resistant doors now widely used are usually thicker than 40 mm, for instance 55 mm, and are embodied with a framework of tropical hardwood, for instance merbau or meranti. These doors are heavy, and therefore result in more difficult working conditions during fitting thereof, and are also relatively expensive due to the use of more, and more expensive, materials. An inherent drawback of the use of a solid framework is the risk of warping of the framework in the case of heating, and as a consequence a greater chance that a fire which occurs will break through.
From British patent no. GB 1377059 is known a fire- retardant door which is provided with an edge frame comprising a laminated structure of fire-resistant plywood alternated with strips of a known material which are usually referred to as "foaming strips". Such a material has the property that at high temperatures it forms a ceramic foam which serves to seal the edges of the door and its surrounding structure, and thus provide a barrier against the passage of smoke and flames.
It is a drawback of the known edge frame that the fire- resistant plywood required therefor is relatively expensive and heavy, and that making a laminate, in which strips of plywood are alternated with strips of a foaming material, is time-consuming and expensive.
It is an object of the invention to provide a door which can be applied as a fire door, which is relatively thin and light in weight, wherein in the case a fire occurs a good sealing is present and remains present for a sufficiently long time in the edge zone of this door along the door-frame connecting thereto. The use of tropical hardwood must be avoided here.
It is a further object to be able to manufacture this door according to a simple and effective method. These objects are achieved, and other advantages gained, with a door of the type stated in the preamble, the fire- retardant edge beam of which is manufactured according to the invention from a solid elongate body, in which at least one longitudinal groove is formed extending in the position of use in a direction parallel to the main plane of the door, in which longitudinal groove is received a fire-resistant material introduced in liquid state and subsequently cured.
Always present in a door with such an edge beam is at least one layer of a fire-resistant material which, at least within the range of the longitudinal groove in this edge beam, forms a partition between the spaces separated by the door.
In an embodiment of a door according to the invention at least two longitudinal grooves are formed in the elongate body which extend in the position of use in a direction parallel to the main plane of the door, in which longitudinal grooves is received a fire-resistant material introduced in liquid state and subsequently cured.
In an embodiment of a door according to the invention, which is provided with a stabilizing strip and a reinforcement strip, the reinforcement strip is manufactured from a solid elongate body in which at least one longitudinal
groove is formed extending in the position of use in a direction parallel to the main plane of the door, in which longitudinal groove is received a fire-resistant material introduced in liquid state and subsequently cured. In yet another embodiment of a door according to the invention, which is provided with glazing beams for receiving a glass panel, the glazing beams are each manufactured from a solid elongate body, in which at least one longitudinal groove is formed extending in the position of use in a direction parallel to the main plane of the door, in which longitudinal groove is received a fire-resistant material introduced in liquid state and subsequently cured.
Such a door is for instance provided with glass openings or mirror parts and can be applied as a fire door, wherein, other than in a prior art door, the transition between glass opening and door has a high degree of fire resistance.
The solid body for an edge beam, a reinforcement strip or a glazing beam in a door according to the invention is for instance formed substantially from a composite material containing wood, or from fir or pinewood.
Compared to tropical hardwood, fir or pinewood has a low density, can be readily processed, is readily available at reasonable cost price, and has the additional advantage that it can be planted and felled in environmentally-friendly manner.
In an embodiment of a door according to the invention the fire-resistant material is an epoxy resin, for instance a two-component epoxy on the basis of a polyethyleneamine . The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing as desired an edge beam, a reinforcement strip or a glazing beam for a door as described above, comprising the steps of
(i) providing and processing an elongate wooden body to form a semi-product for respectively an edge beam, a reinforcement strip or a glazing beam, provided with at least one longitudinal groove,
(ii) filling the longitudinal groove with a curable, liquid fire-resistant material,
(iii) curing the liquid material, and
(iv) removing excess material in a manner such that respectively an edge beam, a reinforcement strip or a glazing beam is obtained.
The invention will be elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the drawings . In the drawings :
Fig. 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of a framework of a door according to the invention,
Fig. 2 shows a cross-section along line II-II in fig. 1 of a stile of the shown framework, Fig. 3 shows a cross-section along line III-III in fig. 1 of a reinforcement strip with stabilizing strip of the shown framework,
Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a glazing beam for a door according to the invention, Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a semiproduct for an edge beam for a door according to the invention,
Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of a part of a second embodiment of a door according to the invention, with an upper beam and lower beam, and a part of a connecting doorframe,
Fig. 7 shows a cross-section of a stile and a part of the door as shown in fig. 5 and a connecting door-frame.
Corresponding components are designated in the figures with the same reference numerals.
Fig. 1 shows a framework 1 for a fire-resistant door which is assembled from stiles 2 and beams 3, which are mutually connected in per se known manner. Door panels are fixed to both sides of framework 1, wherein the space enclosed by framework and door panels can be filled with a fire-resistant material.
Fig. 2 shows the right-hand stile 2 of framework 1 of fig. 1 according to cross-section II-II. In the direction transversely of the main plane of the door and framework 2 (indicated by arrow d) , this stile 2 has the form of a capital letter E, wherein a layer of a fire-resistant material 4 is received in each case between the horizontal legs 5.
Fig. 3 shows the metal stabilizing strip 24 of framework 1 and the wooden reinforcement strip 25 of fig. 1 as according to cross-section III-III. Stabilizing strip 24 is fixed on reinforcement strip 25 using screws 26, wherein a layer of a fire-resistant material 4 is received between respective layers of wood 5 in the direction transversely of the main plane of the door and framework 2 (indicated by arrow d) .
Fig. 4 shows two glazing beams 6 which are fixed to a door 8, an edge 10 of which bounds a glass opening. In the direction transversely of the main plane of door 8 (indicated by arrow d) these glazing beams 6 accommodate a layer of a fire-resistant material 4 which is received between respective layers of wood 7. The figure also shows a part of a glass plate 9 clamped between door 8 and glazing beams 6. Fig. 5 shows a semi-product 11 for an edge beam, which consists of an elongate wooden body in which have been cut two longitudinal grooves 21 which extend into the excess wood material 23, which, if desired, can be removed along the broken line 22 after grooves 21 have been filled with a curable, liquid fire-resistant material and curing thereof. The removal of the excess wood material 14, and thereby the bottom part of the fire-resistant material in grooves 21, can result in an edge beam with a structure such that the edge beam has no solid part at all in a direction transversely of the main plane of the associated door, without it being a laminate according to the prior art however, and thus being free of the drawbacks associated with such a laminate.
Fig. 6 shows a door 12 with an upper beam 13 and lower beam 14, to which door panels 15 are fixed, wherein the space
between beams 13, 14 and panels 15 is filled with a so-called mineral board 16 of a non-flammable material. In beams 13, 14 a fire-resistant material 4 is received in longitudinal grooves which extend over practically the whole thickness of beams 13, 14, wherein two layers of fire-resistant material 4 are arranged in each case between layers of wood in a direction transversely of the main plane of door 12. The figure further shows a part o,f a connecting door frame 17, in which a strip 18 of a foaming, fire-resistant material is received.
Fig. 7 shows door 12 of fig. 6 with stile 19, in which a fire-resistant material 4 is received in longitudinal grooves which extend over practically the whole thickness of stile 19, wherein two layers of fire-resistant material 4 are arranged in each case between layers of wood in a direction transversely of the main plane of door 12. The figure further shows a part of a connecting doorpost 20 in which a strip 18 of a foaming, fire-resistant material is received.
The following test demonstrates the fire-resistant effect of a door according to the invention. Example
A butt door 12 according to figures 5 and 6 with dimensions of 940 x 1800 x 39 mm is assembled from pinewood beams 13, 14 and stiles 19 with a depth of 4.5 cm, and cover panels 15 with a thickness of 3 mm, between which mineral boards 16 with a thickness of 33 mm are enclosed. The fire- resistant material 4 in beams 13, 14 and stiles 19 is a two- component epoxy on the basis of a polyethyleneamine . Doorframe 17, 20 is made of red wood in which a foaming strip 18 of 2 x 10 mm is received.
In a test to check whether door 12 complies with the current fire safety standards, this door was exposed on one side to a standard source of fire, wherein the temperature on the side of the door remote from the source of fire and the bending of the door at different points on the surface thereof were measured as a function of time.
It was found that after 0, 10, 30, 45, 53, 55 and 73 minutes the temperature along the side and the underside of the door amounted to respectively 19, 49, 71, 107, 139, 147 and 176°C. The bending of the door after 44 minutes amounted to 2 mm at each of the four corners, and to 44 mm in the centre of the door surface.