U.S. patent application number 10/050297 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-22 for hub seal firestop device.
Invention is credited to Cornwall, Kenneth R..
Application Number | 20040010980 10/050297 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27609068 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040010980 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cornwall, Kenneth R. |
January 22, 2004 |
HUB SEAL FIRESTOP DEVICE
Abstract
A firestop device (10) and firestop assembly for use in a
plumbing system (100) installed in a structure to prevent the
transmission of smoke and fire through the plumbing system. The
firestop device includes a housing (12) with a connector (14) and
intumescent material (16) mounted in the inner passageway (12C) of
the housing. The firestop device is intended to be mounted over the
hub portion (50B) of a plumbing fitting (50). When the housing is
heated, the heat is transferred to the intumescent material which
expands. As the intumescent material expands, the material crushes
the conduit (102) extending through the firestop device and
completely blocks the inner passageway (10C) of the firestop device
which prevents smoke and fire from moving through the firestop
device.
Inventors: |
Cornwall, Kenneth R.;
(Duluth, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCLEOD & MOYNE, P.C.
2190 COMMONS PARKWAY
OKEMOS
MI
48864
US
|
Family ID: |
27609068 |
Appl. No.: |
10/050297 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/1 ;
52/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 55/1026 20130101;
F16L 5/04 20130101; E03C 1/1222 20130101; A62C 3/16 20130101; A62C
2/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/1 ;
52/232 |
International
Class: |
B32B 009/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A firestop device for mounting on a hub portion of a plumbing
fitting of a plumbing system installed in a structure to prevent
the transmission of smoke and fire through the plumbing fitting,
which comprises: (a) a housing constructed of a heat resistant
material having a first end and a second end with an inner
passageway extending between the ends wherein a shape and size of
the inner passageway at the first end is configured to extend over
the hub portion of the plumbing fitting; and (b) intumescent
material held in the inner passageway of the housing at the second
end wherein an inner diameter of the housing with the intumescent
material at the second end of the housing is configured such as to
prevent the inner passageway having the intumescent material from
extending over the hub portion of the plumbing fitting wherein the
intumescent material when heated is configured to crush a conduit
of the plumbing system which extends through the firestop device
and to completely fill the inner passageway of the housing at the
second end.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein a connector is positioned in the
inner passageway of the housing spaced between the intumescent
material and the first end of the housing.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the connector has a first end and
a second end with an inner passageway extending therebetween, the
inner passageway of the connector having a first portion with a
first diameter adjacent the first end and a second portion with a
second diameter adjacent the second end and wherein the first
diameter is of a size to allow the first end of the connector to
extend over the hub portion of the plumbing fitting.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the second diameter of the second
portion is of a size as to prevent the second portion from
extending over the hub portion of the plumbing fitting.
5. The device of claim 2 wherein the connector has a first end and
the second end with an inner passageway extending therebetween and
wherein the firestop device is mounted on the hub portion so that a
longitudinal axis of the connector is aligned with a longitudinal
axis of the hub portion.
6. The firestop device of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the inner
passageway with the intumescent material at the second end of the
housing is configured to be essentially equal to an inner diameter
of the hub portion of the plumbing fitting.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein a fastener is inserted through the
housing and is configured to extend into the hub portion of the
plumbing fitting to securely mount the device on the plumbing
fitting.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing is constructed of
metal.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein a thickness of the intumescent
material is such that when the intumescent material is heated to a
preset temperature, the intumescent material expands to completely
fill the inner passageway at the second end of the housing.
10. A firestop device for mounting on a hub portion of a plumbing
fitting to prevent transmission of smoke and fire through the
plumbing fitting, which comprises: (a) a housing having a first end
and a second end with an inner passageway having a cylindrical
shape extending between the ends wherein a diameter of the inner
passageway at the first end is configured to extend over the hub
portion of the plumbing fitting; (b) intumescent material held in
the inner passageway of the housing adjacent the second end; and
(c) a connector having a first end and a second end with an inner
passageway extending between the ends and positioned in the inner
passageway of the housing spaced between the intumescent material
and the first end of the housing wherein an inner diameter of the
inner passageway of the connector at the first end of the connector
is configured to allow the first end of the connector to extend
over the hub portion of the plumbing fitting.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein a diameter of the inner
passageway of the connector at the second end is less than the
diameter of the inner passageway of the connector at the first end
to prevent the second end of the connector from extending over the
hub portion.
12. The device of claim 10 wherein the intumescent material is
spaced apart from the hub portion.
13. The device of claim 10 wherein a fastener is inserted through
the housing and the connector and is configured to extend into the
hub portion of the plumbing fitting to securely mount the device on
the plumbing fitting.
14. The device of claim 10 wherein the housing is constructed of
metal.
15. The device of claim 10 wherein a thickness of the intumescent
material is such that when the intumescent material is heated to a
preset temperature, the intumescent material expands to completely
fill the inner passageway at the second end of the housing.
16. A firestop coupling assembly for preventing the transmission of
smoke and fire through a partition in a structure, including a
plumbing fitting having a hub portion, the improvement which
comprises: a firestop device secured on the hub portion of the
plumbing fitting, the firestop device including: a housing
constructed of a heat resistant material with a first end and a
second end with an inner passageway having a cylindrical shape
extending between the ends, a diameter of the inner passageway at
the first end configured to allow the first end of the housing to
extend over the hub portion; intumescent material positioned in the
inner passageway at the second end; and a connector having a first
end and a second end and with an inner passageway extending between
the ends and positioned in the inner passageway of the housing
spaced between the intumescent material and the first end of the
housing wherein an inner diameter of the inner passageway of the
connector at the first end of the connector is configured to allow
the first end of the connector to extend over the hub portion of
the plumbing fitting.
17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein a diameter of the inner
passageway of the connector at the second end is less than the
diameter of the inner passageway of the connector at the first end
to prevent the second end of the connector from extending over the
hub portion.
18. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the hub portion with the
firestop device is configured to extend through an opening in the
partition of the structure.
19. The assembly of claim 16 wherein a fastener is inserted through
the housing and the connector and extends into the hub portion of
the plumbing fitting to securely mount the firestop device on the
plumbing fitting.
20. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the housing is constructed of
metal.
21. The assembly of claim 16 wherein a thickness of the intumescent
material is such that when the intumescent material is heated to a
preset temperature, the intumescent material expands to completely
fill the inner passageway at the second end of the housing.
22. A method for preventing the transmission of smoke and fire
through a plumbing system in a structure, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a plumbing fitting having at least one hub portion;
(b) providing a firestop device including a housing constructed of
a heat resistant material having a first end and a second end with
an inner passageway extending therebetween wherein the first end of
the housing is configured to extend over the hub portion of the
plumbing fitting; intumescent material positioned in the inner
passageway at the second end; and a connector having a first end
and a second end and with an inner passageway extending between the
ends and positioned in the inner passageway of the housing spaced
between the intumescent material and the first end of the housing
wherein an inner diameter of the inner passageway of the connector
at the first end of the connector is configured to allow the first
end of the connector to extend over the hub portion of the plumbing
fitting; (c) mounting the firestop device over the hub portion of
the plumbing fitting; (d) installing the plumbing fitting in the
plumbing system in the structure; and (e) heating the intumescent
material to a first predetermined temperature such that the
intumescent material expands to fill the inner passageway at the
second end of the housing which prevents smoke and fire from
entering the plumbing fitting through the hub portion having the
firestop device and from being transmitted through the plumbing
system in the structure.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the plumbing fitting is for use
through a partition of the structure and wherein in step (d), the
plumbing fitting is installed such that the hub portion having the
firestop device is inserted through an opening in the partition
such that the second end of the housing of the firestop device
having the intumescent material is on a side of the partition
opposite a body of the plumbing fitting.
24. The method of claim 22 wherein in step (e), the housing is
heated to a second predetermined temperature and wherein the
housing conducts heat to the intumescent material to heat the
intumescent material to the first predetermined temperature.
25. A plumbing system for preventing transmission of smoke and fire
through a partition in a structure, the system including a plumbing
fitting having a hub portion and a conduit for mounting in the
plumbing fitting, the improvement which comprises: a firestop
device secured on the hub portion of the plumbing fitting, the
firestop device including: a housing constructed of a heat
resistant material with a first end and a second end with an inner
passageway wherein a diameter of the inner passageway at the first
end is such as to extend over the hub portion; and intumescent
material held in the inner passageway at the second end of the
housing and a connector having a first end and a second end and
with an inner passageway extending between the ends and positioned
in the inner passageway of the housing spaced between the
intumescent material and the first end of the housing wherein an
inner diameter of the inner passageway of the connector at the
first end of the connector is configured to allow the first end of
the connector to extend over the hub portion of the plumbing
fitting.
26. The system of claim 25 wherein the conduit is inserted into the
second end of the housing of the firestop device and into the hub
portion and is secured in the hub portion.
27. The system of claim 26 wherein an inner diameter of the
intumescent material is slightly greater than an outer diameter of
the conduit.
28. The system of claim 25 wherein a diameter of the inner
passageway of the connector at the second end is less than the
diameter of the inner passageway of the connector at the first end
to prevent the second end of the connector from extending over the
hub portion.
29. The system of claim 25 wherein the plumbing fitting has two or
more hub portions, wherein there are two or more firestop devices
and wherein at least two of the hub portions have firestop devices.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] (1) Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a firestop device for use
with a plumbing fitting to prevent the transmission of smoke and
fire through a plumbing system of a structure. In particular, the
present invention relates to a firestop device which mounts over a
hub portion of a plastic plumbing fitting and which has an inner
passageway having intumescent material. The intumescent material
expands when heated to close the inner passageway of the firestop
device to prevent smoke and fire from entering the conduit through
the wall and the hub portion having the firestop device.
[0005] (2) Description of the Related Art
[0006] In the past, firestop devices for use with plumbing fittings
were in the form of collars which were attached to the wall or
other partition adjacent the hub portion of the plumbing fitting.
However since, this form of firestop device was mounted on the wall
or partition adjacent the plumbing fitting. The firestop device was
installed after the partition was finished. Thus, the plumbing
installer would need to come back to install the firestop device
after the partition was complete. Further, since the firestop
device was mounted on the partition, the conduit and/or the
plumbing fitting would need to be square with the partition in
order for the device to fit correctly around the plumbing fitting
or conduit when fastened to the partition. The related art has
shown various different devices for preventing the passage of smoke
and fire through a hollow element or pipe in a structure and
particularly, through a partition.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,423 to Perrain describes a fireproof
device for mounting around a tube which extends through a wall. The
device includes a case having slidable elements both constructed of
a material which is non-deformable under heat. The case is filled
with a material which swells under the effect of heat. In
operation, when the device is heated, the material expands and
slides the elements into the operative position to close off the
orifice in the casing through which the tube extends. The reference
also describes a flap inside the hollow element which allows for
closure of the passageway when a fire breaks out. Closing of the
door can occur automatically such as by being controlled by a fire
sensor.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,389 to Heinen relates to a fire-break
having a flange constructed of substantially incombustible material
mounted against the outer surface of the hollow element and
connected to the wall. The flange is comprised of two (2) discrete
portions which are assembled around the hollow element. The flange
can include at least one (1) baffle from a substantially gas-tight
material, which conducts heat. The baffle extends about the hollow
element between two (2) layers of fireproof compound. The
fire-break reduces the increase in the temperature in the hollow
element during a fire. Thus, the fire-break does not close the
opening but prevents the hollow element from rising in temperature.
The fire-break is intended to replace heat-expanding products which
exert radial pressure on a hollow element to crush the element.
[0009] There remains a need for a firestop device which can be
quickly and easily mounted over a hub portion of a plumbing
fitting, which does not interfere with the connection of conduit to
the plumbing fitting using the hub portion and which can be
installed during installation of the remainder of the plumbing
system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A firestop device and firestop assembly for use in a
plumbing system installed in a structure to prevent the
transmission of smoke and fire through the plumbing system. The
firestop assembly includes the firestop device and a plumbing
fitting. The plumbing fitting includes hub portions which allow for
connecting conduits to the plumbing fitting to form the plumbing
system. The firestop device is mounted over the hub portion. The
firestop device includes a housing constructed of a heat resistant
material. A connector is mounted in the inner passageway of the
housing. The connector has a first portion having an inner diameter
which enables the housing to be mounted on the hub portion. The
inner diameter is essentially equal to the outer diameter of the
hub portion. The second portion of the connector has a smaller
inner diameter. The inner diameter of the second portion of the
connector is essentially equal to the outer diameter of the
conduit. The second portion of the connector assists in centering
the conduit in the hub of the plumbing fitting and also enables the
firestop device to be secured to the conduit. Intumescent material
is positioned in the inner passageway of the housing between the
connector and the second end of the housing. The second end of the
housing can be provided with a flange to further assist in holding
the intumescent material in the housing. The inner diameter of the
housing with the intumescent material is greater than the outer
diameter of the conduit to enable the conduit to be extended
through the firestop device. When the housing of the firestop
device is heated such as during a fire, the heat is transferred to
the intumescent material which expands. As the intumescent material
expands, the material exerts pressure on the conduit extending
through the firestop device. Usually, the conduit is constructed of
a material which weakens or melts when exposed to heat. The
pressure exerted by the expanding intumescent material is strong
enough to crush or collapse the conduit. The intumescent material
is then able to completely block and seal the inner passageway of
the firestop device which prevents smoke and fire from entering or
exiting the plumbing fitting through the hub portion and the
firestop device.
[0011] The firestop assembly can be used adjacent a partition of a
structure such that a hub portion with the firestop device extends
through an opening in the partition. The firestop assembly is
positioned such that the firestop assembly extends through the
opening with the section of the housing having the intumescent
material spaced on the side of the partition opposite the body of
the plumbing fitting. The firestop assembly can be installed when
the plumbing system is installed. Further, the plumbing fitting can
be installed such that the hub portion and the conduit are angled
with respect to the partition.
[0012] The present invention relates to a firestop device for
mounting on a hub portion of a plumbing fitting of a plumbing
system installed in a structure to prevent the transmission of
smoke and fire through the plumbing fitting, which comprises: a
housing constructed of a heat resistant material having a first end
and a second end with an inner passageway extending between the
ends wherein a shape and size of the inner passageway at the first
end is configured to extend over the hub portion of the plumbing
fitting; and intumescent material held in the inner passageway of
the housing at the second end wherein an inner diameter of the
housing with the intumescent material at the second end of the
housing is configured such as to prevent the inner passageway
having the intumescent material from extending over the hub portion
of the plumbing fitting wherein the intumescent material when
heated is configured to crush a conduit of the plumbing system
which extends through the firestop device and to completely fill
the inner passageway of the housing at the second end.
[0013] Further, the present invention relates to a firestop device
for mounting on a hub portion of a plumbing fitting to prevent
transmission of smoke and fire through the plumbing fitting, which
comprises: a housing having a first end and a second end with an
inner passageway having a cylindrical shape extending between the
ends wherein a diameter of the inner passageway at the first end is
configured to extend over the hub portion of the plumbing fitting;
intumescent material held in the inner passageway of the housing
adjacent the second end; and a connector having a first end and a
second end with an inner passageway extending between the ends and
positioned in the inner passageway of the housing spaced between
the intumescent material and the first end of the housing wherein
an inner diameter of the inner passageway of the connector at the
first end of the connector is configured to allow the first end of
the connector to extend over the hub portion of the plumbing
fitting.
[0014] Still further, the present invention relates to a firestop
coupling assembly for preventing the transmission of smoke and fire
through a partition in a structure, including a plumbing fitting
having a hub portion, the improvement which comprises: a firestop
device secured on the hub portion of the plumbing fitting, the
firestop device including: a housing constructed of a heat
resistant material with a first end and a second end with an inner
passageway having a cylindrical shape extending between the ends, a
diameter of the inner passageway at the first end configured to
allow the first end of the housing to extend over the hub portion;
intumescent material positioned in the inner passageway at the
second end; and a connector having a first end and a second end and
with an inner passageway extending between the ends and positioned
in the inner passageway of the housing spaced between the
intumescent material and the first end of the housing wherein an
inner diameter of the inner passageway of the connector at the
first end of the connector is configured to allow the first end of
the connector to extend over the hub portion of the plumbing
fitting.
[0015] Further still, the present invention relates to a method for
preventing the transmission of smoke and fire through a plumbing
system in a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a
plumbing fitting having at least one hub portion; providing a
firestop device including a housing constructed of a heat resistant
material having a first end and a second end with an inner
passageway extending therebetween wherein the first end of the
housing is configured to extend over the hub portion of the
plumbing fitting; intumescent material positioned in the inner
passageway at the second end; and a connector having a first end
and a second end and with an inner passageway extending between the
ends and positioned in the inner passageway of the housing spaced
between the intumescent material and the first end of the housing
wherein an inner diameter of the inner passageway of the connector
at the first end of the connector is configured to allow the first
end of the connector to extend over the hub portion of the plumbing
fitting; mounting the firestop device over the hub portion of the
plumbing fitting; installing the plumbing fitting in the plumbing
system in the structure; and heating the intumescent material to a
first predetermined temperature such that the intumescent material
expands to fill the inner passageway at the second end of the
housing which prevents smoke and fire from entering the plumbing
fitting through the hub portion having the firestop device and from
being transmitted through the plumbing system in the structure.
[0016] Finally, the present invention relates to a plumbing system
for preventing transmission of smoke and fire through a partition
in a structure, the system including a plumbing fitting having a
hub portion and a conduit for mounting in the plumbing fitting, the
improvement which comprises: a firestop device secured on the hub
portion of the plumbing fitting, the firestop device including: a
housing constructed of a heat resistant material with a first end
and a second end with an inner passageway wherein a diameter of the
inner passageway at the first end is such as to extend over the hub
portion; and intumescent material held in the inner passageway at
the second end of the housing and a connector having a first end
and a second end and with an inner passageway extending between the
ends and positioned in the inner passageway of the housing spaced
between the intumescent material and the first end of the housing
wherein an inner diameter of the inner passageway of the connector
at the first end of the connector is configured to allow the first
end of the connector to extend over the hub portion of the plumbing
fitting.
[0017] The substance and advantages of the present invention will
become increasingly apparent by reference to the following drawings
and the description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the firestop device 10.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a firestop assembly showing
the plumbing fitting 50 having the firestop device 10 mounted on
one of the hub portions 50B.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the plumbing fitting 50
with the firestop device 10 showing the intumescent material 16 in
the inner passageway 12C of the housing 12.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 of FIG.
2 showing the housing 12, the intumescent material 16 and the inner
conduit 102.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The firestop device 10 of the present invention is intended
to be secured on the hub portion 50B of a plumbing fitting 50 to
prevent the transmission of smoke and fire through the plumbing
fitting 50 (FIG. 1). The firestop device 10 includes a housing 12
having a first end 12A and a second end 12B with an inner
passageway 12C extending therebetween. In one (1) embodiment, the
housing 12 has a cylindrical shape. The inner passageway 12C has
the same shape as the outer surface of the hub portion 50B. In one
(1) embodiment, the inner passageway 12C has a cylindrical shape.
The housing 12 is constructed of a heat resistant, non-deformable
material. Thus, the housing 12 does not melt or deform under normal
heating conditions found in a building fire. The housing 12 can
also be constructed of a heat conductive material. In one (1)
embodiment, the housing 12 is constructed of metal. The second end
12B of the housing 12 extends around the edge to create a rim or
flange 12D around the second end 12B. The flange 12D can be formed
by a series of separate tabs which are folded over after the
intumescent material 16 is positioned in the inner passageway 12C
(FIG. 2).
[0023] A connector 14 is positioned in the inner passageway 12C of
the housing 12 spaced between the first and second ends 12A and 12B
of the housing 12 and extends around the entire circumference of
the inner passageway 12C of the housing 12. The connector 14 is
spaced apart from the second end 12B of the housing 12. The
connector 14 can be adjacent to or spaced apart from the first end
12A of the housing 12. The connector 14 has a first end 14A and a
second end 14B with an inner passageway 14C extending therebetween.
The inner passageway 14C has a first portion 14D adjacent the first
end 14A with a first inner diameter and a second portion 14E
adjacent the second end 14B with a second inner diameter (FIGS. 1
and 3). The first inner diameter is larger than the second inner
diameter. A shoulder 14F is formed in the inner passageway 14C
between the first and second portions 14D and 14E of the inner
passageway 14C. The first inner diameter is preferably slightly
greater than the outer diameter of the hub portion 50B such that
the first portion 14D of the inner passageway 14C of the connector
14 can extend over the end 50D of the hub portion 50B opposite the
body 50A of the plumbing fitting 50. The inner diameter of the
second portion 14E of the inner passageway 14C of the connector 14
is preferably essentially equal to the inner diameter of the hub
portion 50B or essentially equal to the outer diameter of the
conduit or pipe 102 to be connected to the plumbing fitting 50.
Thus, the thickness of the shoulder 14F formed between the first
and second portions 14D and 14E is essentially equal to the
thickness of the hub portion 50B at the end 50D. In one (1)
embodiment, the connector 14 extends along only a portion of the
inner passageway 12C of the housing 12. The connector 14 can be
constructed of any material. In one (1) embodiment, the connector
14 is constructed of PVC. The connector 14 can be secured to the
housing 12 by any means such as by an adhesive.
[0024] Intumescent material 16 is positioned in the inner
passageway 12C of the housing 12 adjacent the second end 12B of the
housing 12. The intumescent material 16 is spaced between the
second end 12B of the housing 12 and the connector 14. In one (1)
embodiment, the intumescent material 16 extends the entire length
of the inner passageway 12C from the second end 12B of the housing
12 to the second end 14B of the connector 14. The intumescent
material 16 may contact the connector 14. In one (1) embodiment,
the length of the connector 14 and the length of the intumescent
material 16 together essentially equal the entire length of the
inner passageway 12C of the housing 12. The intumescent material 16
extends the entire circumference of the inner passageway 12C. In
one (1) embodiment, the inner diameter of the intumescent material
16 is essentially equal to the diameter of the second portion 14E
of the inner passageway 14C of the connector 14. The inner diameter
of the intumescent material 16 is less than the outer diameter of
the conduit 102 (FIG. 4). The intumescent material 16 may be
secured to the inner passageway 12C of the housing 12. An adhesive
(not shown) may be used to secure the intumescent material 16 to
the housing 12. The intumescent material 16 may also be held in
place in the inner passageway 12C of the housing 12 by the
connector 14 and the flange 12D of the housing 12. The length of
the tabs forming the flange 12D at the second end 12B of the
housing 12 is preferably slightly greater than the thickness of the
intumescent material 16. In one (1) embodiment, the intumescent
material 16 is an intumescent single thickness wrap strip.
[0025] The firestop device 10 is intended to be mounted on a
plumbing fitting 50 which is part of a plumbing system 100
installed in a structure. The plumbing fitting 50 has a body 50A
with at least one (1) hub portion 50B extending therefrom. The hub
portions 50B allow for connecting conduits or pipes 102 to the
plumbing fitting 50. The hub portion 50B has an enlarged outer
diameter with an inner passageway 50C which allows for inserting a
conduit 102. In the preferred embodiment, the plumbing fitting 50
and the conduit 102 are constructed of plastic. The firestop device
10 mounts over the hub portion 50B of the plumbing fitting 50 (FIG.
1). A plumbing fitting 50 may have several hub portions 50B and may
have a firestop device 10 mounted on each hub portion 50B. The
firestop device 10 is configured to extend over the outer surface
of the hub portion 50B. The firestop device 10 is positioned on the
hub portion 50B such that the longitudinal axis of the inner
passageway 14C of the connector 14 is co-axial with the
longitudinal axis of the inner passageway 50C of the hub portion
50B. In one (1) embodiment, the firestop device 10 is moved over
the hub portion 50B until the end 50D of the hub portion 50B
opposite the body 50A contacts the shoulder 14F of the connector 14
in the inner passageway 12C of the housing 12 (FIG. 3). In an
alternative embodiment, the first end 12A of the housing 12 is
extended over the outer surface of a hub portion 50B of the
plumbing fitting 50 until the first end 12A of the housing 12
contacts the body 50A of the plumbing fitting 50. In one (1)
embodiment, the first end 12A of the housing 12 extends beyond the
hub portion 50B and covers a portion of the body 50A of the
plumbing fitting 50. In one (1) embodiment, the first portion 14D
of the inner passageway 14C of the connector 14 extends the entire
length of the hub portion 50B covered by the firestop device 10.
The device 10 can be secured to the hub portion 50B by any well
known method. Fasteners 18 can be extended through the housing 12
and through the connector 14 and into the hub portion 50B of the
plumbing fitting 50 to secure the firestop device 10 on the
plumbing fitting 50 (FIG. 2). The fasteners 18 do not extend into
the inner passageway 50C of the hub portion 50B. In another
embodiment, the connector 14 is adhesively welded to the outer
surface of the hub portion 50B to secure the firestop device 10
onto the hub portion 50B. The firestop device 10 could also be
friction fit over the hub portion 50B of the plumbing fitting
50.
[0026] The portion of the housing 12 having the intumescent
material 16 extends beyond the end 50D of the hub portion 50B
opposite the body 50A of the plumbing fitting 50. The length and
thickness of the intumescent material 16 depends on the inner
diameter of the hub portion 50B or the outer diameter of the
conduit 102 and the expansion ratio of the intumescent material 16.
In one (1) embodiment, the diameter of the inner passageway 12C of
the housing 12 with the intumescent material 16 is essentially
equal to the inner diameter of the hub portion 50B or the outer
diameter of the conduit 102. Thus, when the conduit 102 is extended
into the inner passageway 12C of the housing 12 and into the hub
portion 50B, the intumescent material 16 is adjacent the outer
surface of the conduit 102. The intumescent material 16 may be in
contact with the outer surface of the conduit 102.
[0027] To use the device 10 in a plumbing system 100, the firestop
device 10 is mounted on one (1) hub portion 50B of the plumbing
fitting 50 to form a firestop assembly. The plumbing fitting 50 may
have several hub portions 50B with one (1) or more of the hub
portions 50B having firestop devices 10. The firestop device 10
could be mounted on all the hub portions 50B of the plumbing
fitting 50 and this would prevent fire or smoke from entering or
exiting the plumbing fitting 50 from any hub portion 50B. However,
it is understood that to prevent transmission through the plumbing
fitting 50, it is sufficient to have firestop devices 10 on all but
one (1) hub portion 50B. In one (1) embodiment, the firestop
assembly is used adjacent a partition 104. The partition 104 can be
a floor, wall or ceiling. The partition 104 can be constructed of
gypsum board, steel or wood or any other material well known for
building partitions 104. The firestop assembly can be mounted in
the partition before the partition is complete for example, before
the gypsum board is installed. The firestop assembly is positioned
such that one (1) of the hub portions 50B having the firestop
device 10 extends through an opening 104A in the partition 104. The
hub portion 50B can be positioned at any angle regardless of the
plane of the partition. The body 50A of the plumbing fitting 50 is
on one (1) side of the partition 104 with the hub portion 50B
having the firestop device 10 extending through the opening 104A in
the partition 104 such that the second end 12B of the firestop
device 10 extends through the opening 104A to the other side of the
partition 104. Thus, the section of the housing 12 having the
intumescent material 16 is not in the opening 104A but extends
beyond the opening 104A. The first end 12A of the housing 12 of the
firestop device 10 may be located on the side of the partition 104
adjacent the body 50A of the plumbing fitting 50 or the housing 12
can be located only on the side of the partition 104 opposite the
body of the plumbing fitting 50 and in the opening 104A. To attach
the firestop assembly to the plumbing system 100, the conduit 102
is inserted into the second end 12B of the housing 12 into the
inner passageway 12C of the housing 12 and through the inner
passageway 14C of the connector 14 and is secured in the inner
passageway 50C of the hub portion 50B. The second portion 14E of
the connector 14 assists in centering the conduit 102 in the hub
portion 50B of the plumbing fitting 50 and allows for easier
connection of the conduit 102 to the plumbing fitting 50. The
conduit 102 may also be secured to the second portion 14E of the
connector 14. The conduit 102 could be secured to the connector 14
by any well known means such as adhesive welding.
[0028] In use, when the firestop device 10 is exposed to heat and
the housing 12 reaches a predetermined temperature, the housing 12
remains undeformed and conducts the heat to the intumescent
material 16. The housing 12 also protects the hub portion 50B and
the adjacent body 50A of the plumbing fitting 50. When the
intumescent material 16 reaches a predetermined temperature, the
intumescent material 16 expands. In one (1) embodiment, the
intumescent material 16 begins to expand, when it reaches a
temperature of 250.degree.. The undeformed housing 12 forces the
intumescent material 16 to expand inward thus, exerting pressure on
the conduit 102. The end flange 12D of the housing 12 also prevents
the intumescent material 16 from expanding outward along the
longitudinal axis of the housing 12. Usually, the conduit 102 is
constructed of a material which deforms or weakens with heat such
as PVC. As the intumescent material 16 expands and exerts pressure
on the conduit 102, the weakened conduit 102 is crushed and
collapses. This allows the intumescent material 16 to completely
fill the inner passageway 12C of the housing 12 and to completely
block the entrance of the hub portion 50B such that smoke and fire
can not move through the plumbing system 100 or the partition 104
by moving through the plumbing fitting 50.
[0029] It is intended that the foregoing description be only
illustrative of the present invention and that the present
invention be limited only by the hereinafter appended claims.
* * * * *