U.S. patent application number 11/928713 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for structure having a confined space with improved thermal, fire and sound resistance properties.
Invention is credited to David J. Bowman, Frank C. Burroughs.
Application Number | 20090107079 11/928713 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40581057 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090107079 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bowman; David J. ; et
al. |
April 30, 2009 |
STRUCTURE HAVING A CONFINED SPACE WITH IMPROVED THERMAL, FIRE AND
SOUND RESISTANCE PROPERTIES
Abstract
A structure including a first building unit; a second building
unit; and a confined space between the building units. The units
may be oriented horizontally or vertically. In an embodiment, the
confined space is substantially filled with an organic containing
material having a verified minimum installed density of greater
than about 1/2 pound per cubic foot. In an embodiment, the confined
space is substantially filled with an organic containing material
comprising greater than about 20 percent organic material. Also in
an embodiment, the structure comprises a structure connecting the
confined space to the first unit and the second unit. The confined
space provides improved fire, thermal and acoustic resistance
properties.
Inventors: |
Bowman; David J.;
(Charlotte, NC) ; Burroughs; Frank C.; (Waxhaw,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MACCORD MASON PLLC
300 N. GREENE STREET, SUITE 1600, P. O. BOX 2974
GREENSBORO
NC
27402
US
|
Family ID: |
40581057 |
Appl. No.: |
11/928713 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/656.3 ;
52/787.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/656.3 ;
52/787.11 |
International
Class: |
E04B 2/28 20060101
E04B002/28; E04B 2/92 20060101 E04B002/92; E04C 2/00 20060101
E04C002/00 |
Claims
1. A structure comprising: (a) a first building unit; (b) a second
building unit; and (c) a confined space between the building units,
the space substantially filled with an organic containing material
having a minimum installed density of greater than about 1/2 pound
per cubic foot, whereby said confined space provides improved fire,
sound, or thermal resistance and combinations thereof.
2. The structure according to claim 1, further including a
structure connecting the confined space to the first unit and the
second unit.
3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the confined space
is a fire resistance rated, confined space.
4. A confined space for a structure, the structure comprising an
interior support structure and an outer membrane on each side of
the interior support structure, the confined space filled with an
organic containing material comprising greater than about 20
percent organic material, whereby the confined space provides
improved fire, sound, or thermal resistance and combinations
thereof.
5. The confined space according to claim 4, wherein the organic
containing material is selected from the group consisting of
fibrous material, granular material, pellet material, agglomerated
material, aggregated material, closed cell foam, open cell foam,
fire retardants, binders and mixtures thereof.
6. The organic containing material according to claim 4, wherein
the organic containing material may include an inorganic
material.
7. The confined space according to claim 6, wherein the inorganic
material is selected from the group consisting of fiberglass, rock
wool, pearlite, mineral wool, asbestos, cementitious materials,
fire retardants, binders and mixtures thereof.
8. The confined space according to claim 4, wherein the organic
containing material is a low-conductivity material.
9. The confined space according to claim 8, wherein the
low-conductivity material is a thermally resistant material.
10. The confined space according to claim 8, wherein the
low-conductivity material is an acoustically transmission resistive
material.
11. The confined space according to claim 8, wherein the
low-conductivity material is an electrically non-conductive
material.
12. A structure comprising: (a) a first building unit; (b) a second
building unit; (c) a confined space between the building units, the
confined space substantially filled with an organic containing
material comprising greater than about 20 percent organic material;
and (d) a structure connecting the confined space to the first unit
and the second unit, whereby the confined space provides improved
fire, sound, or thermal resistance and combinations thereof.
13. The structure according to claim 12, wherein the structure
includes an upper structure attached to the top edge of the
confined space and a lower structure attached to the bottom edge of
the confined space.
14. The structure according to claim 13, wherein the upper
structure is a floor assembly, roof truss, or gable assembly.
15. The structure according to claim 13, wherein the lower
structure is a foundation, base, or floor.
16. The structure according to claim 12, wherein the first building
unit is an occupiable space.
17. The structure according to claim 16, wherein the occupiable
space is residential.
18. The structure according to claim 17, wherein the residential
occupiable space is a town home.
19. The structure according to claim 17, wherein the residential
space is a first floor.
20. The structure according to claim 12, wherein the second
building unit is an occupiable space.
21. The structure according to claim 20, wherein the occupiable
space is residential.
22. The structure according to claim 21, wherein the residential
occupiable space is a town home.
23. The structure according to claim 21, wherein the residential
occupiable space is a second floor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a structure
having building units and a confined space between the building
units, and, more particularly, to a fire resistance rated, confined
space located between the building units.
[0003] (2) Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Multi-family residential constructions typically include
separation walls and floors constructed of wood members and having
an insulating material between the units. These wood members may
include dual two-by-four framing with a drywall surface on both
sides of the framing. In most cases, this type of construction
requires that the drywall be attached to the interior surface of
the framing before the framing is placed upright to serve as a
wall. After the framing is placed upright, material may be
positioned in the framing, and later an additional drywall membrane
is fastened to the outside of the framing to complete an interior
wall. This process is expensive, labor-intensive and time
consuming. Likewise, large single-family homes include a similar
structure between floors of the home especially where cathedral
ceilings are incorporated into the structure.
[0005] One purpose of such a construction of a confined space is to
provide a fire resistance separation between adjacent building
units to meet federal, state and local regulations concerning the
fire resistance of such a construction. Underwriters Laboratories
Inc. (UL), an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing
and certification organization, has been testing products for
public safety for more than a century. Because UL has an undisputed
reputation as the leader in U.S. product safety and certification,
it is advantageous to obtain classification of a building product
by UL. One UL test, ANSI/UL 263 (ASTM E119 and NFPA 251), involves
rating such separation walls and floors for fire resistance. A
construction meeting this test that requires only outer membranes
would be more cost effective.
[0006] Other purposes for such a construction include sound
proofing and thermal insulation.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for a confined space for a structure,
the structure comprising an interior support structure and an outer
membrane on each side of the interior support structure, the
confined space filled with an organic containing material. There
also remains a need for a fire resistance rated, confined space, a
thermal resistant confined space, and a sound resistant confined
space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to a structure comprising:
a first building unit; a second building unit; and a confined space
between the building units. The confined space provides improved
fire, sound, or thermal resistance, and combinations thereof. In an
embodiment, the confined space is substantially filled with an
organic containing material having a verified minimum density of
greater than about 1/2 pound per cubic foot. In an embodiment, the
confined space is substantially filled with an organic containing
material comprising greater than about 20 percent organic material.
Also in an embodiment, the structure comprises a structure
connecting the confined space to the first unit and the second
unit. The confined space may be fire resistance rated.
[0009] The organic containing material may be selected from the
group consisting of fibrous material, granular material, pellet
material, agglomerated material, aggregated material closed cell
foam, open cell foam, fire retardants, binders and mixtures
thereof. The organic containing material may also include inorganic
material. The inorganic material may be selected from the group
consisting of fiberglass, rock wool, pearlite, mineral wool,
asbestos, cementitious materials, associated binders, fire
retardants, and mixtures thereof. The organic containing material
may be a low-conductivity material. The low-conductivity material
may be a thermally resistant material. The low-conductivity
material may be an acoustically transmission resistive material.
The low-conductivity material may be an electrically non-conductive
material.
[0010] The structure may include an upper structure attached to the
top edge of the fire resistance rated, confined space and a lower
structure attached to the bottom edge of the fire resistance rated,
confined space. The upper structure may be a floor assembly, a roof
truss, or a gable assembly. The lower structure may be a
foundation, a base, or a floor. The first building unit may be an
occupiable space. The occupiable space may be residential. The
residential occupiable space may be a town home. The residential
space may be a second floor. The second building unit may be an
occupiable space. The occupiable space of the second building unit
may be residential. The residential occupiable space of the second
building unit may be a town home. The occupiable space of the
second building unit may be a first floor.
[0011] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to
provide a structure including: a first building unit; a second
building unit; and a confined space between the building units. The
confined space is substantially filled with an organic containing
material having a verified minimum density of greater than about
1/2 pound per cubic foot. The confined space may also provide
improved fire, sound, or thermal resistance or combinations
thereof. As used herein "improved" fire, sound or thermal
resistance refers to a measurable increase in fire resistance,
sound resistance or thermal resistance when comparing the confined
space without the material versus the confined space with the
material.
[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
confined space for a structure. The structure includes an interior
support structure and an outer membrane on each side of the
interior support structure. The confined space is filled with an
organic containing material comprising greater than about 20
percent organic material. The confined space may also provide
improved fire, sound, or thermal resistance or combinations
thereof.
[0013] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
structure including a first building unit, a second building unit,
a confined space between the building units and a structure
connecting the confined space to the first unit and the second
unit. The confined space is substantially filled with an organic
containing material comprising greater than about 20 percent
organic material. The confined space may also provide improved
fire, sound, or thermal resistance or combinations thereof.
[0014] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the
following description of the preferred embodiment when considered
with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a structure having a
vertical confined space constructed according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, side view of the vertical
confined space;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, side view of the vertical
confined space showing the organic material between the outer
membranes in locations where an interior support structure is not
located;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a structure having a
horizontal confined space constructed according to an embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a cross-sectional,
side view of the horizontal confined space.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] In the following description, like reference characters
designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such
terms as "forward," "rearward," "left," "right," "upwardly,"
"downwardly," and the like are words of convenience and are not to
be construed as limiting terms.
[0021] Referring now to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in
particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for
the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention
and are not intended to limit the invention thereto.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a structure having a confined space, generally
designated 10, constructed according to the present invention. In
the preferred embodiment, the confined space 18 is a fire
resistance rated, confined space. The structure 10 having a
confined space includes a first building unit 12 and a second
building unit 14. Additional building units 16 may also be part of
the structure.
[0023] The first building unit 12 and the second building unit 14
may be occupiable spaces, which may be residentially occupiable
spaces such as town homes. A town home is generally defined by the
2000 International Residential Code as a single-family dwelling
unit constructed as a group of three or more attached units in
which each unit extends from foundation to roof with open space on
at least two sides. A confined space 18, constructed according to
the present invention, may be located between each building unit
12, 14, 16. The first building unit may be a first town home and
the second building unit may be a second town home.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side view of the fire resistance rated, confined
space 18 shown in FIG. 1 with a structure 20 connecting the first
building unit 12 and the second building unit 14. More
specifically, FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view where interior
support structures 22 are located. The structure 20 connecting the
first building unit 12 to the second building unit 14 may comprise
a beam attached to the top of the fire resistance rated, confined
space. The structure may further include an interior support
structure 22 and an outer membrane 24 on each side of the interior
support structure 22. The structure may also include an "upper
structure" 32 attached to the top edge of the confined space and a
"lower structure" 30 attached to the bottom edge of the confined
space. The "upper structure" 32 may be a floor assembly, a roof
truss, or a gable assembly. The "lower structure" 30 may be a floor
assembly, a foundation, or a base.
[0025] The confined space may be filled with an organic containing
material. The organic containing material may be an organic
containing material having a verified minimum installed density of
greater than about 1/2 pound per cubic foot. The organic containing
material may comprise greater than about 20 percent organic
material. The organic containing material may be selected from the
group consisting of fibrous material, granular material, pellet
material, agglomerated material, aggregated material, closed cell
foam, open cell foam, fire retardants, binders and mixtures
thereof.
[0026] The inorganic material may be selected from the group
consisting of fiberglass, rock wool, pearlite, mineral wool,
asbestos, cementitious materials, fire retardants, binders and
mixtures thereof.
[0027] The organic containing material may be a low-conductivity
material. The low-conductivity material may be a thermally
resistive material. The low-conductivity material may be an
acoustically transmission resistant material. The non-conductive
material may be an electrically non-conductive material. As used
herein, low-conductivity, thermally resistive, acoustically
transmission resistant and electrically non-conductive is relative
to vacant air space at ambient temperature.
[0028] As best seen in FIG. 3, the confined space 18 is filled with
organic containing material 17. The organic containing material 17
fills the space between the outer membranes 24 and between the
interior support structures 22.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts the structure with a confined space 10 having
upper unit 40 and lower unit 42 separated by horizontally confined
space 44. As seen in FIG. 5, interior support structures 22 and
outer membranes 24 are horizontally oriented thereby providing
improved thermal, fire and sound resistance properties between
units that are vertically oriented. Although not shown, organic
material 17 of horizontal confined space 44 would be found in voids
between outer membranes 24 and interior support structures 22,
similar to FIG. 3.
[0030] It should be understood that all such modifications and
improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness
and readability but are properly within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *