Smoke Seal

Abstract

A side guide for a smoke or fire curtain comprises: a pair of sides defining a channel and having in-turning lips at one end defining an opening; and at least one strip of a fire-proof material extending from at least one side and directed towards a centre of the channel, extending the length of the side and of a width to contact a curtain deployed between the sides,
wherein when the curtain is deployed in the side guide the strip contacts the curtain and forms a barrier to passage of smoke through the side guide, and
wherein the strip is arranged such that on contact with the curtain at least a portion of the strip is directed away from the opening and the strip does not pass through the lips.

Claims

1. A smoke seal for a smoke or fire curtain comprising: a pair of sides defining a channel and having in-turning lips at one end defining an opening; and at least one strip of fire-proof material extending from at least one side and directed towards a centre of the channel, the strip extending the length of the side and of a width to contact a curtain deployed between the sides, wherein when the curtain is deployed in the side guide the strip contacts the curtain and forms a barrier to passage of smoke through the side guide, and wherein the strip is arranged such that on contact with the curtain at least a portion of the strip is directed away from the opening and the strip does not pass through the lips.

2. A smoke seal according to claim 1, wherein the strip extends the whole length of the side guides.

3. A smoke seal according to claim 1, wherein the strip can flex to maintain contact with the curtain when the curtain moves sideways within the guide.

4. A smoke seal according to claim 1, wherein the strip is resilient and angled towards the curtain so that it engages the deployed curtain and is urged into contact with curtain material, forming a seal.

5. A smoke seal according to claim 1, wherein the width of each strip is approximately 70-150% of a distance between the sides.

6. A smoke seal according to claim 1, wherein the strip is rolled back on itself to form a loop, which in use contacts a deployed curtain.

7. A smoke seal according to claim 5, wherein the width of each strip is approximately 140-300% of the distance between the sides.

8. A smoke seal according to claim 1, further comprising a carrier for holding the strip.

9. A smoke seal according to claim 1, including two strips, one attached and extending from each side.

10. A smoke seal according to claim 9, wherein the pair of strips are in contact with each other when the curtain is not deployed.

11. A smoke, smoke and fire or fire curtain assembly comprising: a smoke, smoke and fire, or fire curtain; a roller supporting the curtain and for deployment and withdrawal of the smoke or fire curtain; and a pair of side guides for engaging and retaining edges of the curtain, each side guide comprising a smoke seal according to any one of claims 1-10, the sides being joined at the other end by a back.

12. An assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a headbox holding the roller and curtain, the headbox having a front, back, two ends, a top, and a bottom having an opening though which the curtain can be deployed and returned, the headbox further comprising a smoke seal according to any one of claims 1-9 positioned above the opening in the bottom.

13. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the strip(s) is made of the same fabric from which the curtain is made.

14. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the sides of the smoke seals of the side guides and headbox are continuous or joined.

15. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the strips of the smoke seals of the side guides and headbox are continuous or joined.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0056] FIG. 1 is a front view of a fire curtain arrangement having side guides along each vertical side;

[0057] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the left-hand side guide of the arrangement of FIG. 1 including a smoke seal in accordance with the invention; and

[0058] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of an alternative side guide according to FIG. 1, including an alternative smoke seal in accordance with the invention;

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a smoke seal in accordance with the invention in the headbox of FIG. 1.

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a smoke or fire barrier 1, comprising a head box 2 containing a roller 4 holding a curtain 6.

[0061] Extending down from the head box 2 are a pair of side guides 8 which each provide a vertical channel to guide edges 10 of the curtain 6 down from the roller 4 when deployed to or towards the floor. The side guides 8 extend the length of the deployment of the curtain 6, as shown to the floor 12.

[0062] The bottom 14 of the curtain 6 is provided with a bottom bar 16 for weighting the curtain 6 easing deployment and resisting movement of the curtain when deployed. The bottom bar 16 also provides a closure to the headbox 2.

[0063] The curtain 6 is provided with formations 18 along its edges 20 for retention in the side guides 8. The formations may be studs, but other elements can be used.

[0064] Details of the side guides are shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, in which two embodiments of the smoke guide according to the invention are set out.

[0065] Turning initially to FIG. 2, the side guide 8 thereshown is of general C-shaped cross section, with in-turned lips 22 forming entrance or opening 32. The sides guide 8 each have a back 24 and sides 26 and are generally contained within a wall 28. The in-turned lips 22 are angled into the side guide 8 and toward each other, and have extensions 30, turned back towards the respective side wall 26. This creates a narrow entrance 32 to the side guide, with the entrance 32 sized to prevent the edges 20 of the curtain 6, and in particular the formations 18, from exiting the side guides 8, while providing sufficient opening for unimpeded passage of the curtain 6. The arrangement of the curtain, guide, roller etc as so far described is conventional in this field.

[0066] To prevent smoke from passing around the edges of the curtain through the side guides 8, a sealing strip 38 of resilient, fire-proof material is attached to each side 26 of the side guides 8, the strips being angled towards each other, and on meeting are directed away from the opening 36 towards the back 24. The strips meet at a central point, and thus along a central line where the curtain is anticipated to hang down when deployed. The strips press against each other when there is no curtain and onto respective sides of the curtain when the curtain is deployed. The length of the strip is essentially that of the side guide, and the width of the strip as show is approximately the distance between the sides 26 of the side guides 8. However, the width of the strip may be between approximately 70 and 150% of the distance between the sides.

[0067] As can be seen, the side guide has a great depth than width, i.e., the sides 26 are longer than the back 24. This provides enables more than the minimum width of curtain 6 to be held therein. This allows for any misalignment of the curtain, for example due to imperfect rolling, to be accommodated, without damage to the curtain. In addition, it allows for greater possible contact between the strip(s) and the curtain, thus provided a better quality of sealing.

[0068] This arrangement ensures that the strips 38 remain in contact with the curtain 6 when deployed, even when there is sideways movement in the curtain, for example as a result of asymmetric fire pressure as well as movement while the curtain is in the process of being deployed. The contact between the strips 38 and the curtain ensures that smoke cannot pass around the edges 20 of the curtain 6 though the side guides.

[0069] While one strip on one side of the side guide will be sufficient to prevent smoke passage, usually strips are provided on each side, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0070] The strip is attached to a carrier 40 held on the side 26 of the side guide 8.

[0071] The curtain 6 may be made from any fireproof material, such as EFP2/1000S material available from Coopers Fires Limited, of Waterlooville, Hampshire, UK. The strips 38 are also made of this same material, although they may be made of an alternative fire-proof material. A double layer of the material may be used to form the strips 38, although the flexibility of a single layer is advantageous in maintaining contact between the strip and the curtain even when there is movement in the curtain due to fire pressure or other air movements in the vicinity.

[0072] FIG. 3 shows and alternative arrangement for the smoke seal to that shown in FIG. 2. Again, the side guide 108 thereshown is of general C-shaped cross section, with in-turned lips 122 forming entrance or opening 132. The sides guide 8 each have a back 124 and sides 126 and are generally contained within a wall 228. The in-turned lips 122 are angled into the side guide 108 and toward each other, and have extensions 130, turned back towards the respective side wall 126. This creates a narrow entrance 132 to the side guide, with the entrance 132 sized to prevent the edges 120 of the curtain 106, and in particular the formations 118, from exiting the side guides 108, while providing sufficient opening for unimpeded passage of the curtain 106. As above, the arrangement of the curtain, guide, roller etc as so far described is conventional in this field.

[0073] To prevent smoke from passing around the edges of the curtain through the side guides 108, a sealing strip 138 of resilient, fire-proof material is attached to each side 126 of the side guides 108, the strips being looped so that both ends 139 of the strips 139 are held together, with the loop 140 thereby created being directed across the width of the guide. The loops 140 meet at a central point within the guide, and thus along a central line where the curtain is anticipated to hang down when deployed. The strips press against each other when there is no curtain and onto respective sides of the curtain when the curtain is deployed. The length of the strip is essentially that of the side guide, and the width of the strip as show is approximately the distance between the sides 126 of the side guides 108. However, the width of the strip may be between approximately 140-300% of the distance between the sides to ensure that there is good contact between the loop and the curtain when deployed.

[0074] This arrangement ensures that the strips 138 and loops 140 remain in contact with the curtain 106 when deployed, even when there is sideways movement in the curtain, for example as a result of asymmetric fire pressure as well as movement while the curtain is in the process of being deployed. The contact between the strips 38 and the curtain ensures that smoke cannot pass around the edges 120 of the curtain 106 though the side guides.

[0075] While one strip on one side of the side guide will be sufficient to prevent smoke passage, usually strips are provided on each side, as shown in the FIG. 3.

[0076] The strip is attached to a carrier 142 held on the side 126 of the side guide 108.

[0077] Turning now to FIG. 4 which shows the sealing arrangement in the headbox 2. The headbox 2 contains the curtain 6 on a roller (not shown) when not deployed and from which the curtain is unrolled for deployment. The headbox includes a bottom 54 having an opening 60 through which the curtain is deployed, and which is closed with the bottom bar 16 when the curtain 6 is rolled for storage.

[0078] Above the opening, is provided a smoke seal 62 of the invention, comprising a pair of sides 64 having in turned lips 66 on their inner ends 68creating a narrowed entrance 70 to the channel 72 between the sides 64. Extending from each lip 66 is a strip of material 78. As shown, the strip 78 has been rolled back on itself to form a loop 80 (as described in reference to FIG. 3). The strips 78 are sized to press against the curtain 6 which hangs therebetween, forming a seal and preventing passage of smooth through the seal.

[0079] Typically, the strip 78 is made of the same material as the fire curtain 6. This material is a fire-resistance or fire-proof material and thus is thick for a fabric and typically contains some woven metal. As a result, it is resistance to forming sharp edges or creases when folded. Consequently, the curtain retains the loop 80 formation even when urged against the curtain.

[0080] The loop 80 formation may provide better contact with the curtain 6 in use and thus a better seal, and may be urged more strongly against the curtain.

[0081] The width of the loop 80 will be approximately twice the width of the strip 38 to approximately twice the distance between the sides 56 of the guide. However, they may be approximately 140-300% of distance between the sides.

[0082] The embodiment as shown provides the strips 78 in the form of loops 80. However, the strips 78 may also be provided not looped, but as a strip as shown in FIG. 2 when used in the headbox.

[0083] The application is not intended to be limited to the details of the above embodiment.

[0084] For example, a strip can be provided on one side of the side guide only. In addition, the side guides can be used with other forms of curtain having other deployment means, for example with folded or concertina curtains.