IMPROVED APPARATUS AND USES AND METHODS RELATING THERETO

Abstract

A method of improving at least one property of a partition wall, the method comprising positioning an insert panel inside the partition wall wherein the insert panel comprises a mineral fibre board coated on at least one side with a polymer forming composition comprising a fire retardant compound.

Claims

1. A method of improving at least one property of a partition wall, the method comprising positioning an insert panel inside the partition wall wherein the insert panel comprises a mineral fibre board coated on at least one side with a polymer forming composition comprising a fire retardant compound.

2. A partition wall comprising a support structure and two exterior panels arranged to provide a cavity between said exterior panels wherein an insert panel is position within the cavity and wherein the insert panel comprises a mineral fibre board coated on at least one side with a polymer forming composition comprising a fire retardant compound.

3. (canceled)

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mineral fibre board is coated on both sides with the polymer forming composition.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer forming composition comprises vinyl acetate derived monomers.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the fire retardant compound comprises aluminium trihydroxide.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer forming composition further comprises a filler.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the filler comprises dolomite and titanium dioxide.

9. The method of claim 1, which improves one or more properties selected from acoustic performance, fire resistance and thermal insulation.

10. The partition wall of claim 2, wherein the mineral fibre board is coated on both sides with the polymer forming composition.

11. The partition wall of claim 2, wherein the polymer forming composition comprises vinyl acetate derived monomers.

12. The partition wall of claim 2, wherein the fire retardant compound comprises aluminium trihydroxide.

13. The partition wall of claim 2, wherein the polymer forming composition further comprises a filler.

14. The partition wall of claim 13, wherein the filler comprises dolomite and titanium dioxide.

Description

[0078] The insulation panel of the present invention may be fitted within a partition wall as shown in FIG. 1.

[0079] FIG. 1 shows a partition wall consisting of a frame 1 and two exterior panels 2. The insert panel of the present invention 3 is positioned in the cavity between the exterior panels of the partition wall.

EXAMPLE

[0080] A polymer forming coating composition was prepared comprising the following components: [0081] ethoxylated vinyl acetate—15 wt % [0082] aluminium hydroxide—6 wt % [0083] titanium dioxide—2 wt % [0084] dolomite—32 wt % [0085] Water—balance.

[0086] This composition applies to both sides of a stonewall mineral board of thickness 5 cm.

[0087] The coating was sprayed onto each side of the board and left to dry for 2 to 4 hours at 40° C.

[0088] The coated panel was inserted into a partition wall of standard construction comprising two plasterboard panels of thickness 12.5 mm attached to a timber frame.

[0089] Tests were carried out to compare the acoustic performance, fire resistance and thermal insulation of the partition wall of the invention with an equivalent partition wall which did not contain the insert panel. In each cause inclusion of the insert panel led to improved performance.