Access Floor Panel
An access floor panel (180) comprises a central core (2), a lower tray (20), and an upper flooring lid (10) which form an envelope for the core (2). The panels have a fire resistant seal or barrier (25) for sealing between the tray and lid (20, 10). The ends of the tray and lid (20, 10) are kept apart and the barrier (25) seals against the core (2) and each of the ends (181, 182) of the tray and lid (20, 10) to complete the enclosure. The seal (25) acts as a fire stop.
The invention relates to access flooring systems of the type comprising a plurality of floor panels and a plurality of support pedestals for supporting the floor panels. Such flooring systems are used to define an underfloor chamber through which various conduits and wiring can be led, for example for various electrical or computer services and/or for conduits of an air conditioning system. The pedestals are distributed over a subfloor, such as a floor of a multi-story building and they are arranged to support the floor panels such that floor panels can be individually removable to gain access to the chamber below the panels. When assembled, the panels provide a relatively flat and strong floor to support office personnel and furniture.
There is a need for an improved floor panel which will provide improved fire resistance.
STATEMENTS OF INVENTIONAccording to the invention there is provided an access floor panel comprising:—
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- a core enclosed within a shell comprising a bottom tray and a top lid;
- the bottom tray comprising a tray bottom and tray side walls extending upwardly from the tray bottom;
- the top lid comprising a lid top and lid side walls depending downwardly from the lid top;
- the ends of the tray and lid side walls being separated and a barrier being provided between the ends.
In one embodiment the barrier is a fire resistant barrier. The barrier may form a seal.
In one embodiment there is engagement means between the barrier and the tray and lid ends. The tray and/or lid ends may define a channel for reception of the barrier. The barrier may have a slot or recess for interengagement with the lid and/or tray ends.
In one embodiment the barrier extends proud of the side edge of the panel.
The lid end portion may be wrapped around the tray end portion.
The tray end portion may be wrapped around the lid end portion.
In one case the barrier extends to an upper face of the panel to provide a panel side edge.
In another embodiment the panel comprises retaining means for retaining the barrier in place. The retaining means may comprise portion of the barrier. The retaining means may be integral with the barrier. In one case the retaining means comprises at least one formation in the barrier. The formation may comprise a barb formation
In another embodiment the retaining means comprises a separate component. The separate component may comprise a fixing means. The fixing means may be a staple or pin.
In all cases the barrier may be bonded to the core.
In one embodiment the lid side and tray sides are substantially co-planar. Alternatively the lid side and tray side are offset.
In one embodiment the barrier extends substantially fully around the periphery of the panel.
The panel may comprise an intumescent element or material. The barrier may comprise an intumescent element or material.
In one case the barrier comprises a substrate or backing and an intumescent element.
The invention also provides an access floor system comprising a plurality of panels of the invention.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:—
Referring to the drawings floor panels according to the invention comprises a central core or substrate 2 which may be of chipboard or the like, and an envelope for the core 2. The envelope comprises a lower tray part 20 and an upper flooring lid part 10. The parts 10, 20 are separately formed, for example from metal sheets such as galvanised steel. The core 2 may be adhesively bonded to the upper and/or lower parts 10, 20.
The panels have a fire resistant seal 25 for sealing between the tray and lid 20, 10. We have found that by keeping the tray and lid parts 20, 10 apart and avoiding direct contact at the joint therebetween a significant improvement in fire performance is achieved. The seal 25 is positioned and configured to seal against the core 2 and the ends of each of the tray and lid parts to complete the enclosure. The seal 25 is in the form of a strip that extends around the peripheral edge of the panel. It acts as a fire stop for the floors, sealing the gap between adjacent panels. The seal 25 also acts as an air seal to prevent air transport across between adjacent panels. It also protects the upper steel skin or lid 10 against below floor convection currents. The seal 25 also provides a mechanical linkage between the steel skins 10, 20. In some cases, by selection of an appropriate material it can also provide an aesthetic finish for the perimeter of the upper surface of the floor panel, if this is the finished wear facing.
Separation of the top and bottom parts 10, 20 also stops direct conduction of heat around from the underside of the panel to the top surface.
The seal may also have sufficient mechanical strength to be included in the wrapping of the steel joint whilst still acting as a deflector for heat.
Alternatively the insulating separator may be a polymer, or ceramic, or mineral, or vegetable based product that has limited fire properties and a separate intumescent element is applied near to the base of the panel.
A further advantage of the design is that the sides can be made vertical and a gap provided between the panels by a secondary separator. This permits a further option, for some of the designs such that either surface of the panel may be used as a wear surface and thus the panel is reversible.
In the panel of
Referring to
In the panel 40 of
Referring to the panel 50 of
The panel 60 of
In the arrangements described above the side faces of the lid 10 and tray 20 of the panels are generally co-planner. Various configuration with different arrangements are illustrated in
Referring to
In the panel 80 of
The panel 90 of
In the arrangement of
The panel 110 of
In both
Referring to
In the arrangement of
Referring to the panel 140 of
In the panel 150 of
Referring to
Referring in particular to
Referring to
A fire test was carried out on the panel of
In some respects
In principle the last of these is the most simple but most rely on the same response to heat: The lower steel tray, exposed to heat, expands and contacts the adjacent trays, also expanding, this protects the side of the panels from direct heat. The plastic, which may be ABS, simply melts away and gasses off.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in detail.
Claims
1-28. (canceled)
29. An access floor panel comprising:—
- a core within a shell comprising a bottom tray and a top lid;
- the bottom tray comprising a tray bottom and tray side walls extending upwardly from the tray bottom;
- the top lid comprising a lid top and lid side walls depending downwardly from the lid top;
- the ends of the tray and lid side walls being separated and a barrier being provided between the ends.
30. The panel as claimed in claim 29 wherein the barrier is a fire resistant barrier.
31. The panel as claimed in claim 29 wherein the barrier forms a seal.
32. The panel as claimed in claim 29 wherein there is engagement means between the barrier and the tray and lid ends.
33. The panel as claimed in claim 32 wherein the tray and/or lid ends define a channel for reception of the barrier.
34. The panel as claimed in claim 32 wherein the barrier has a slot or recess for interengagement with the lid and/or tray ends.
35. The panel as claimed in claim 29 wherein the barrier extends proud of the side edge of the panel.
36. The panel as claimed in claim 29 wherein the lid end portion is wrapped around the tray end portion.
37. The panel as claimed in claim 29 wherein the tray end portion is wrapped around the lid end portion.
38. The panel as claimed in claim 29 wherein the barrier extends to an upper face of the panel to provide a panel side edge.
39. The panel as claimed in claim 29 comprising retaining means for retaining the barrier in place.
40. The panel as claimed in claim 39 wherein the retaining means comprises portion of the barrier.
41. The panel as claimed in claim 40 wherein the retaining means is integral with the barrier.
42. The panel as claimed in claim 41 wherein the retaining means comprises at least one formation on the barrier.
43. The panel as claimed in claim 42 wherein the formulation comprises a barb formation.
44. The panel as claimed in claim 39 wherein the retaining means comprises a separate component.
45. The panel as claimed in claim 44 wherein the separate component comprises a fixing means.
46. The panel as claimed in claim 45 wherein the fixing means comprises a staple or pin.
47. The panel as claimed in claim 29 wherein the barrier is bonded to the core.
48. The panel as claimed in claim 29 wherein the lid side and tray sides are substantially co-planar.
49. The panel as claimed in claim 29 wherein the lid side and tray side are offset.
50. The panel is claimed in claim 29 wherein the barrier extends substantially fully around the periphery of the panel.
51. The panel as claimed in claim 29 comprising an intumescent element or material.
52. The panel as claimed in claim 29 wherein the barrier comprises an intumescent element or material.
53. The panel is claimed in claim 29 wherein the barrier comprises a substrate or backing and an intumescent element.
54. The access floor system comprising a plurality of panels as claimed in claim 29.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 20, 2007
Publication Date: Nov 19, 2009
Inventors: David Sampson (West Yorkshire), Terence Newman (East Yorkshire)
Application Number: 12/308,125
International Classification: E04B 1/94 (20060101); E04C 2/34 (20060101); E04C 2/00 (20060101);