FIRE RESISTANT MEMBRANE FOR FLOORING SYSTEM

Abstract

A flooring system has a pedestal having a support surface, a membrane comprising a fibre mat and an elastomeric material coating, and/or impregnated into, the fibre mat. The membrane is applied to the support surface to act as a layer between the pedestal and a supported member forming part of a floor structure.

Claims

1. A flooring system comprising: a pedestal having a support surface; and a membrane comprising a fibre mat and an elastomeric material coating that coats and/or impregnates the fibre mat; wherein the membrane is applied to the support surface to act as a layer between the pedestal and a supported member forming part of a floor structure.

2. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the fibre mat comprises fibres exclusively constructed from a non-combustible material.

3. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the fibre mat comprises glass fibres.

4. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the fibre mat is woven.

5. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material coating is exclusively constructed from a non-combustible material.

6. The flooring system according to claim 5, wherein the elastomeric material coating is a silicone rubber.

7. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is shaped to be the same size and shape as the support surface.

8. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the pedestal has at least one engagement feature projecting from the support surface, and wherein the membrane has at least one opening to receive the at least one engagement feature.

9. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the support surface is formed from a first metal, and the supported member is formed from a second metal that is different from the first metal.

10. A method of installing a flooring system comprising the steps of: providing a pedestal having a support surface; providing a membrane comprising a fibre mat and an elastomeric material coating that coats and/or impregnates the fibre mat; placing the fibre mat on the support surface; and placing a supported member forming part of a floor structure on the fibre mat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figure in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a raised flooring system comprising a membrane according to the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a detail view of region II of FIG. 1; and

[0033] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a part of the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a raised flooring system 100 comprising a pedestal 102, a membrane layer 104 and a supported member 106.

[0035] The pedestal 102 is known in the art and is constructed from steel. The pedestal has two parts-a first, lower part or base 108 and a second, upper part 110. The lower part has a lower surface 112 which rests on an underlying surface 10 (such as the ground). A threaded sleeve 114 projects upwardly in use defining a female threaded bore. The upper part 110 comprises a support portion 116 having a support surface 118, and a male threaded shaft 120 opposite thereto. The support surface 118 has projecting engagement features 122 that are provided to engage with the supported components as is known in the art.

[0036] The first and second parts 108, 110 are connected via engagement of the threaded parts, and relative rotation can adjust the height between the lower surface 112 and the support surface 118 to thereby change the height of the pedestal 102.

[0037] The membrane 104 is a generally flat, planar, flexible component. Referring to FIG. 3, the membrane 104 is shown in plan view. It covers substantially the entire area of the support surface 118, having openings 124 for the projecting engagement features 122.

[0038] A close-up view of the construction of the membrane 104 is shown in FIG. 2, in the assembled state. The membrane 104 is a silicon coated glass fibre material, comprising a glass fibre mat 126 and a coating of silicone rubber 128a, 128b on either side. The silicone rubber at least partially impregnates the glass fibre 126 during manufacture such that a composite material results.

[0039] It will be noted that the use of a silicone coated/impregnated glass fibre is one example, and other composites comprising an elastomer which is (i) laminated to, and/or (ii) impregnated into, a heat resistant fibrous matrix are envisaged. One example would be a silicone coated metal fibre sheet.

[0040] The supported member 106 may be a flooring member or an intermediate member such as a flooring joist. The supported member 106 is supported on a plurality of pedestals 102 thus forming a raised floor structure.

[0041] In use, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the membrane 104 is placed on the pedestal support surface 118 with the projecting engagement features 122 passing through the openings 124. The membrane 104 may be fixed in place with an adhesive. The supported member 106 is then placed onto the membrane 104, such that there is no contact between the supported member 106 and the support surface 118.

[0042] The membrane fulfils several functions in this position: [0043] a. Shock absorption and damping of vibration, due to the elastomeric nature of the silicone rubber; [0044] b. Electrical isolation of the material of the pedestal from the supported member to mitigate galvanic corrosion in the presence of an electrolyte (such as water); and, [0045] c. Non-combustible. Both the silicone rubber, and the glass fibre material are highly fire resistant, the membrane offering A1 protection (non-combustible per EN 13501-1).