AU2008261622A1

AU2008261622A1 - Fire collar for floor waste drain

Info

Publication number: AU2008261622A1
Application number: AU2008261622A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ray Porter
Original assignee: Promat Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Promat Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-13
Filing date: 2008-06-13
Publication date: 2008-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-13
Also published as: WO2008151382A1; AU2008261622B2; NZ580863A

Description

WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 "FIRE COLLAR FOR FLOOR WASTE DRAIN" FIELD OF INVENTION 5 This invention relates to a fire safety device and more particular to a device to prevent fire moving between floors in a multi-storey building. BACKGROUND Fire collars, which can be placed around plastics materials pipes underneath a floor 10 or set into a floor, are known. Such fire collars normally include an intumescent material which, when a fire engages the plastic pipe from below, causes the plastic to melt and an intumescent material to expand and prevent fire and smoke passing through the slab. 15 In the case of a floor drain in a bathroom for instance fire and consequent smoke could pass through and enter a room from below for some time before the intumescent material closes off the pipe through the floor slab. In these situations, however, a quicker close off than that provided by expanding intumescent material is required and it is to solving this problem that the present invention is directed. 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION In one form the invention is said to reside in a floor waste fire collar to prevent transmission of smoke and fire between floors in a multi-story building, the fire collar comprising; 25 a tubular body defining a flow path therethrough; a valve seat in the tubular body; a valve assembly mounted in the tubular body, the valve assembly including a valve member, the valve member being mounted whereby in a first position it allows flow through the flow path and a second position in which it is engaged against the valve 30 seat to prevent flow through the tubular body, the valve assembly including an intumescent material; a fusible link maintaining the valve member in the first position; WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -2 a resilient means associated with the valve assembly to force the valve member against the valve seat with the fusible link maintaining the valve member in the first position against the resilient means; whereby when the fusible link has been heated above a selected temperature by a fire 5 resilient means moves the valve member to the second position to prevent smoke and fire passing through the fire collar. It will be seen that by this invention there is provided a quicker close-off of a floor drain because once the restraining means is thermally activated the valve quickly 10 closes off the flow path through the floor drain. The intumescent material can then expand to permanently close of the floor drain. Preferably the fusible link comprises a plastics material pin arranged to melt and thereby release the valve member at the selected temperature. Alternatively the 15 fusible link may be a low melting point solder. Preferably the resilient means comprises a spring arrangement. The spring can be for instance a tension spring drawing the valve member down onto the valve seat or a compression spring forcing the valve seat on to the valve seat. 20 The intumescent material can be associated with the valve member and/or the valve assembly. For instance when the valve member is metal and the intumescent material associated with the valve member comprises a coating on at least part of the valve member. 25 The tubular body can include pipe sockets at each end thereof to enable the floor waste fire collar to act as a pipe fitting. The floor waste fire collar can further comprise an outer housing, the tubular body 30 being received in the outer housing and being movable longitudinally within the outer housing from a position in which it is received within the outer housing to a WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -3 position in which an upper end extends beyond the outer housing and the outer housing comprising a upper puddle flange and a removable sealing cap in the upper flange. The tubular body can also have a removable upper sealing cap. 5 The outer housing can be supported in a flange box so as to move longitudinally therein, the flange box including a lower peripheral flange to engage against formwork. In an alternative form the invention comprises a floor waste fire collar to prevent 10 egress of smoke and fire between floors in a multi-story building, the fire collar comprising; an outer housing, the outer housing comprising a upper puddle flange and a removable sealing cap in the upper flange. a tubular body defining a flow path therethrough and being received in the outer 15 housing, the tubular body being movable longitudinally within the outer housing from a position in which it is received within the outer housing to a position in which an upper end of the tubular body extends beyond the outer housing; a valve seat in the tubular body; a valve assembly mounted in the tubular body, the valve assembly including a valve 20 member, the valve member being mounted whereby in a first position it allows flow through the flow path and a second position in which it is engaged against the valve seat to prevent flow through the tubular body, valve assembly including an intumescent material; a fusible link maintaining the valve member in the first position 25 a resilient means associated with the valve assembly to force the valve member against the valve seat with the fusible link maintaining the valve member in the first position against the resilient means; whereby when the fusible link has been heated above a selected temperature by a fire resilient means moves the valve member to the second position to prevent smoke 30 and fire passing through the fire collar.

WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -4 The outer housing can be formed from a plastics material so that a lower end thereof comprises a pipe socket for at least two sizes of pipe and an upper end of the tubular body can comprises a socket for a floor waste drain. 5 The outer housing can comprise a upper flange and a removable sealing cap in the upper flange and the tubular body can comprises a removable upper sealing cap. The removable sealing cap in the puddle flange prevents concrete and building rubbish for entering the fire collar during the construction phase. After a concrete 10 slab has been poured the removable sealing cap in the upper flange can be removed. The inner tube assembly can then be raised above the level of the upper flange and set at a height suitable for tiling up to it for instance. Once tiling has finished the removable upper sealing cap in the tubular body can be removed and be replaced with a floor drain. 15 It will be seen that by this invention there is provided a floor waste fire collar which can act as a pipe fitting to be installed into a floor slab during building construction and into which a floor drain for instance can be directly connected by normal pipe fitting techniques and into which a waste pipe can be installed from underneath. 20 The restraining arrangement such a fusible link or thermal memory metal releasing the valve member in the event of a fire acts as an rapid smoke and fire transmission prevention arrangement and the intumescent material can act as a more long term smoke and fire egress barrier. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This then generally describes the invention but to assist with understanding reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments of the invention. 30 WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -5 In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a floor waste fire collar according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the floor waste fire collar of Figure 1 5 showing the various components; Figure 3 shows a floor waste collar of the type depicted in Figures 1 and 2 mounted into a slab to be used as a floor waste fire collar; Figure 4 shows the embodiment of Figure 3 after a fire has caused the valve member to close; 10 Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of floor waste fire collar according to the present invention; Figure 6 shows the fire collar of Figure 5 after a fire has released the fusible link; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of floor 15 waste fire collar according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 shows a cross sectional view of the floor waste fire collar of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a cross sectional view of the floor waste fire collar of Figure 7 in a first stage of installation on formwork; Figure 10 shows a cross sectional view of the floor waste fire collar of Figure 7 20 in a second stage of installation with concrete poured; Figure 11 shows a cross sectional view of the floor waste fire collar of Figure 7 in a third stage of installation with the inner tubular body raised to tile height; Figure 12 shows a cross sectional view of the floor waste fire collar of Figure 7 in a fourth stage of installation as tiles are being laid; 25 Figure 13 shows a cross sectional view of the floor waste fire collar of Figure 7 in a completed stage of installation; Figure 14 shows an alternative embodiment of floor waste fire collar according to the present invention in side view; Figure 15 shows the floor waste fire collar of Figure 14 in cross sectional view; 30 Figure 16 shows the floor waste fire collar of Figure 14 as partially installed; WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -6 Figure 17 shows an alternative installation of a fire collar according to the present invention; Figure 18 shows an alternative embodiment of floor waste fire collar according to the present invention in side view; 5 Figure 19 shows the floor waste fire collar of Figure 18 in cross sectional view; Figure 20 shows the floor waste fire collar of Figure 18 as installed; Figure 21 shows a further embodiment of floor waste fire collar assembly of the present invention; Figure 22 shows a further embodiment of floor waste fire collar assembly of the 10 present invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Looking at the detailed embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3 it can be seen that the floor waste fire collar 2 comprises an upper body component 4 and a lower body 15 component 6. The upper body component 4 has a socket 8 for a pipe 8a from above to connect into the fire collar. The lower body component 6 has a socket or plug arrangement 9 for a pipe from below to connect into the fire collar and a peripheral flange 10 which can engage with formwork during construction. The use of the flange can be seen in more detail in Figure 3. A recess 7 in the lower body component 20 allows concrete enter during pouring to assist in retaining the fire collar in the concrete. Within the lower body component 6 is a metal spider 12 supporting a valve assembly 14. The valve assembly 14 comprises a spring retaining post 16 and a valve member 25 18 which is supported on a support 20. Mounted on to the top of the valve member is a section of intumescent material 22. Spring 24 is received in the body 16 and engages against the spider so that when released it pushes the valve member 18 upwards. 30 Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the floor waste fire collar of Figures 1 and 2 in an assembled condition. The floor waste fire collar 2 is mounted in a concrete slab WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -7 30. Into the upper socket 8 a length of pipe 8a and a floor waste drain 32 is mounted and onto the lower socket 9 a lower pipe 34 is joined. In Figure 3 the valve member 18 is held back from a valve seat 36 by shape memory 5 metal spring 24. The intumescent material 22 is supported above the valve member 18 by bolt 26. The peripheral flange 10 is at the bottom of the slab 30 such that when concrete would have been poured for the slab 30 the flange 10 would engage against 10 formwork. As can be seen in Figure 4 fire from below as indicated by the arrow 40 has melted the lower pipe 34 so that fire can engage against the spring 24 and this spring has exceeded its thermal memory limit and expanded to push the valve member 18 15 against the valve seat 36 thereby preventing smoke and fire from passing through the floor waste fire collar. In a preferred embodiment the valve member is made of metal so that thermal conduction from the fire below will assist the intumescent material 22 to expand to 20 further close off the floor waste pipe. Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of a floor waste fire collar according to the present invention. In this embodiment many of the components are similar to those of Figures 1 to 4 and the same reference numerals will be used for 25 corresponding items. In this embodiment the resilient means associated with the valve assembly is a spring 50 which is held under tension by a shaft 52 passing through it and a fusible link 54 passing through the shaft 52 below the spider 12. When fire occurs the fusible link 30 which can be for instance a wax or plastic material melts sufficiently so that the shaft 52 can move up under the action of the spring 50 so that the valve member 18 WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -8 engages against the valve seat 36 to prevent fire egress through the fire collar. Continued fire engagement against the valve member 18 has caused the intumescent material 22a to expand to further block off the floor waste pipe 56. 5 Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of floor waste fire collar according to an alternative embodiment of the invention and Figure 8 shows a cross sectional view of the floor waste fire collar shown in Figure 7. In this embodiment the floor waste fire collar 58 comprises a flange box 60 which in 10 use engages against a formwork for a floor between floors of a multi storey building. The flange box has a lowermost flange 62 to engage against the formwork and breakout fastening holes 64. Retaining lugs 66 engage into poured concrete when is has set and assist in retaining the flange box when the formwork is removed. The flange box 60 has a central aperture defined by a cylindrical support 68. The central 15 aperture 68 is offset in the flange box 70. The offset cylindrical support is provided to give working space within the flange box such as for when using connections for thermal joining of HDPE. For PVC pipes or similar where solvent joining of pipes is used a flange box without the extra working space can be used. 20 The flange box 60 has within it an outer housing 70 which is received with a friction fit into the cylindrical support 68 of the flange box. The outer housing 70 has a lower end in the form of a set of concentric sockets 72 for at least two sizes of plumbing pipe and a flared out upper end 73 which terminates in a puddle flange 76. The puddle flange is closed off by a cap 78. The outer housing can move vertically within 25 the cylindrical support 68 so that the distance between the lowermost flange 62 and the puddle flange 76 can be varied to set to the desired depth of concrete in the floor as will be discussed below. Within the outer housing 70 is a tubular body 80. The tubular body is a friction fit 30 within the outer housing and can move vertically or longitudinally within the outer housing. The tubular body has a series of vertical grooves around its periphery and WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -9 the outer housing has a series of ridges to give a spacing 81 between the tubular body and the outer housing to allow for seepage as is discussed below. The tubular body 80 has a upper socket 82 into which is received an upper cap 84. The upper socket is dimensioned to receive a floor waste drain as is discussed below. 5 Within the tubular body 80 is a valve arrangement. The valve arrangement includes a valve seat 86 and a valve member 88. The valve member 88 is mounted on a shaft 90 so that it can move vertically whereby in a first position it allows flow in a flow path through tubular body and a second position in which it is engaged against the 10 valve seat 86 to prevent flow through the tubular body. The valve assembly includes an intumescent material 91 on the upper surface of the valve member 88. The valve member 86 is, in one embodiment constructed from metal such as stainless steel so that it conducts heat of a fire below the fire collar to the intumescent material 90 thereby causing it to expand. Alternatively the valve member can be constructed 15 from a plastics material such as a glass filled nylon or similar material. The intumescent material 91 has a cap 92 which protects the intumescent material and also causes the intumescent material to expand out sideways when activated to quickly close of the flow path through the tubular body. A tongue 93 of the valve member extends out of the side of the valve member and folds over the intumescent 20 material to assist with holding it in place. The shaft 90 upon which the valve member 88 is mounted in a bearing 94 so that it can move vertically on a support frame 96 at the lower end of the tubular body 80. At the lower end of the bearing 94 is a slot 98 into which is received a fusible link 100. 25 the fusible link 100 supports the lower end of the shaft 90 so that the valve member is supported in the first position. The fusible link 100 is either a low melting point solder or a plastics material. At a temperature of approximately 100*C the fusible link melts and the shaft can pass through the bearing so that the valve member moves to the second position. To assist with the movement of the valve member a pair of 30 tension springs 102 fixed at one end to the valve member 88 and at the other end to WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -10 the bearing 94 tend to pull the valve member towards the second position but this action is restrained by the fusible link 100. It is desirable that the valve assembly can be removed from the floor drain fire collar 5 for cleaning an maintenance if necessary and hence the bearing is removable received in the support frame 96 using for instance a bayonet type fitting (not shown). The valve assembly is of a size to enable it to be removed and replaced through the tubular body once a floor grate has been removed from its upper end. 10 The materials of construction can be selected as desired. In one embodiment the flange box can be constructed from polypropylene, the outer housing from ABS, HDPE or PVC and the inner housing and valve components from glass reinforced nylon 66. The caps can be constructed from polypropylene. The valve body can be stainless steel. 15 Figures 9 to 13 show a cross sectional view of the floor waste fire collar as shown in Figure 7 in various stages of installation of the fire collar into a floor of a multistorey building. 20 As shown in Figure 9 the floor waste fire collar 58 has been fastened onto formwork 110 using fasteners 112 which extend through apertures 64 in the flange 66 at the base of the flange box 60. The apertures 64 are break-out apertures which include lines of weakness around the aperture so that after the floor has been cast and it is desired to remove the formwork the lines of weakness allow the fastenings to be 25 broken away from the flange. The formwork is illustrated as timber but can also be metal such as bond deck or king floor cast-in or lost formwork decking or the like or any other suitable material. The height of the puddle flange 76 can then be set for the desired thickness of 30 concrete by moving the outer housing with respect to the cylindrical 68 support of the flange box 60. If the lower end sockets 72 of the outer housing 70 are raised off WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 - 11 the formwork 110 to give the desired thickness of concrete then a short length of pipe (not shown on this embodiment) can be fitted onto the lower end sockets 72 to provide support for the outer housing. The puddle flange at this stage has the cap 78 still on it to prevent concrete entering the floor drain during pouring. 5 As shown in Figure 10 concrete 114 has been poured up to the height of the puddle flange 76 and allowed to set. In Figure 11 the cap 78 has been removed and the tubular body 80 has been raised 10 with respect to the outer housing 70 to the desired final depth of the floor. The friction fit between the tubular body and the internal surface of the outer housing holds the tubular body at a desired height. At this stage the inner cap 74 is still on the tubular body to prevent building materials entering the tubular body during tiling. 15 In Figure 12 the tiles 116 and grout 118 have been laid up to the level 120 of the top of the tubular body 80. As shown in Figure 13 the formwork has been removed from underneath the fire collar and floor slab 114 and a pipe 122 fitted to the outer socket 72. The lower socket 20 has sockets for two different size pipes so alternatively a smaller diameter pipe 122a can be fitted onto the inner socket 72a. In this embodiment the sockets are for nominal 100 mm diameter and 80 mm diameter pipes but other sizes can be provided. 25 At the upper end of the fire collar the cap 74 has been removed and a floor waste grate 124 has been fitted. The floor waste drain is now ready for use. Any seepage which occurs between the tubular body 80 and the outer housing 70 can pass down the spacing 81 and be received within the pipe 122. 30 Figure 14 shows an alternative embodiment of floor waste fire collar according to the present invention in side view, Figure 15 shows it in cross sectional view and Figure WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -12 16 shows it as partially installed. In these three drawings the same reference numerals are used for corresponding items to those shown in Figures 7 and 8. In effect, the floor waste fire collar of this embodiment is the outer housing and 5 tubular body of the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8. The outer housing 70 has a puddle flange 76 at its upper end and is closed of by a cap 78. Within the outer housing as can be seen in Figures 15 and 16 is received a tubular body 80. The tubular body is a friction fit within the outer housing and can move vertically or 10 longitudinally within the outer housing. The tubular body has a series of vertical grooves around its periphery and the outer housing has a series of ridges to give a spacing between the tubular body and the outer housing to allow for seepage. The tubular body 80 has a upper socket 82 into which is received an upper cap 84. The upper socket is dimensioned to receive a floor waste drain. 15 Within the tubular body 80 is a valve arrangement. The valve arrangement includes a valve seat 86 and a valve member 88. The valve member 88 is mounted on a shaft 90 so that it can move vertically whereby in a first position it allows flow in a flow path through tubular body and a second position in which it is engaged against the 20 valve seat 86 to prevent flow through the tubular body. The valve assembly includes an intumescent material 91 on the upper surface of the valve member 88. The valve member 86 is, in one embodiment constructed from metal such as stainless steel so that it conducts heat of a fire below the fire collar to the intumescent material 91 thereby assisting the intumescent material to expand. Alternatively the valve 25 member can be constructed from a plastics material such as a glass filled nylon or similar material. The intumescent material 91 has a cap 92 which protects the intumescent material and also causes the intumescent material to expand out sideways when activated to quickly close of the flow path through the tubular body. A tongue 93 of the valve member extends out of the side of the valve member and 30 folds over the intumescent material to assist with holding it in place.

WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 - 13 The shaft 90 upon which the valve member 88 is mounted in a bearing 94 so that it can move vertically on a support frame 96 at the lower end of the tubular body 80. At the lower end of the bearing 94 is a slot 98 into which is received a fusible link 100. the fusible link 100 supports the lower end of the shaft 90 so that the valve member is 5 supported in the first position. The fusible link 100 is either a low melting point solder or a plastics material. At a temperature of approximately 1000 the fusible link melts and the shaft can pass through the bearing so that the valve member moves to the second position. To assist with the movement of the valve member a pair of tension springs 102 fixed at one end to the valve member 88 and at the other end to 10 the bearing 94 tend to pull the valve member towards the second position but this action is restrained by the fusible link 100. As shown in Figure 15 the floor waste fire collar is being used on a wet area floor constructed from fibre reinforced cement or some other waterproof material sheet 15 132. An aperture 134 has been made in the sheet 132 and the fire collar placed into to be supported by the puddle flange 76. Fasteners 136 hold the fire collar in place. At this stage the caps 74 and 78 are in place. The floor is then ready for tiling. The cap 78 is removed and the tubular body 80 has 20 been raised to the desired final depth of the floor as shown in Figure 16. The friction fit between the tubular body and the internal surface of the outer housing holds the tubular body at a desired height. At this stage the inner cap 74 is still on the tubular body to prevent building materials entering the tubular body during tiling. In Figure 16 the tiles 116 and grout 118 have been laid up to the level 120 of the top of the 25 tubular body 80. A pipe 122 has been fitted to the outer socket 72. At the upper end of the fire collar the cap 74 has been removed and a floor waste grate 124 has been fitted. The floor waste drain is now ready for use. Figure 17 shows an alternative installation of a fire collar according to the present 30 invention. In this drawing the same reference numerals are used for corresponding items to those shown in Figures 7 and 8.

WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -14 In this embodiment the desired depth of concrete for the floor is greater than that allowed for by the friction fit between the cylindrical support 68 of the flange box 60 and the outer housing 70. A length of pipe, in this case 100 mm pipe 140 has been joined onto the lower socket 72 (see Figure 8) and the pipe received with a friction fit 5 into the cylindrical support 68 of the flange box 60. After the floor has been poured and the formwork removed a pipe fitting 142, in this case a right angle connection, can be joined onto the pipe 140. Figure 18 shows an alternative embodiment of floor waste fire collar according to the 10 present invention in side view, Figure 19 shows it in cross sectional view, and Figure 20 shows it as installed. In these three drawings the same reference numerals are used for corresponding items to those shown in Figures 7 and 8. In effect the floor waste fire collar of this embodiment is the tubular body portion of 15 the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8. The tubular body 80 has a upper socket 82 into which is received an upper cap 84. The upper socket is dimensioned to receive a floor waste drain. 20 Within the tubular body 80 is a valve arrangement. The valve arrangement includes a valve seat 86 and a valve member 88. The valve member 88 is mounted on a shaft 90 so that it can move vertically whereby in a first position it allows flow in a flow path through tubular body and a second position in which it is engaged against the valve seat 86 to prevent flow through the tubular body. The valve assembly includes 25 an intumescent material 91 on the upper surface of the valve member 88. The valve member 86 is, in one embodiment constructed from metal such as stainless steel so that it conducts heat of a fire below the fire collar to the intumescent material 91 thereby causing it to expand. Alternatively the valve member can be constructed from a plastics material such as a glass filled nylon or similar material. The 30 intumescent material 91 has a cap 92 which protects the intumescent material and also causes the intumescent material to expand out sideways when activated to WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -15 quickly close of the flow path through the tubular body. A tongue 93 of the valve member extends out of the side of the valve member and folds over the intumescent material to assist with holding it in place. 5 The shaft 90 upon which the valve member 88 is mounted in a bearing 94 so that it can move vertically on a support frame 96 at the lower end of the tubular body 80. At the lower end of the bearing 94 is a slot 98 into which is received a fusible link 100. the fusible link 100 supports the lower end of the shaft 90 so that the valve member is supported in the first position. The fusible link 100 is either a low melting point 10 solder or a plastics material. At a temperature of approximately 1000 the fusible link melts and the shaft can pass through the bearing so that the valve member moves to the second position. To assist with the movement of the valve member a pair of tension springs 102 fixed at one end to the valve member 88 and at the other end to the bearing 94 tend to pull the valve member towards the second position but this 15 action is restrained by the fusible link 100. In Figure 20 the tubular body has been mounted onto a pipe 150 and supported in a formwork (by means not shown) and a floor 152 cast around the tubular body and pipe. Tiles 116 and grout 118 have been placed on the floor and the cap replaced by a 20 grate 124. Figure 21 shows a further embodiment of floor waste fire collar assembly of the present invention. In this drawing the same reference numerals are used for corresponding items to those shown in Figures 7 and 8. 25 In Figure 21 the floor waste fire collar 160 has a cylindrical flange box 162. The flange box 162 has a lowermost flange 164 and an upper cylindrical support 166 which receives the outer housing 80. The spacing between the puddle flange 76 and the flange 164 can be varied to set the depth of the concrete floor. 30 WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -16 Figure 22 shows a further embodiment of floor waste fire collar assembly of the present invention. In this drawing the same reference numerals are used for corresponding items to those shown in Figures 7 and 8. 5 In Figure 22 the floor waste fire collar 170 has a simple flange arrangement 172 supporting the fire collar. The simple flange arrangement 172 has a lowermost flange 174 and a cylindrical support 176 which supports a length of pipe which in turn receives the outer housing 80. The spacing between the puddle flange 76 and the flange 174 can be varied to set the depth of the concrete floor. The pipe passes 10 directly through the simple flange arrangement 172. It will be seen that by the various embodiments of the invention there is provided a fire collar which acts as a pipe fitting in that it is merely joined to pipes or fittings above or below it and which has a two stage fire barrier. A first stage provides a 15 quick fire stop and a second stage provides a more permanent fire stop with intumescent material. Alternatively it provides a puddle flange and floor waste height setting system in conjunction with a fire collar. Still further it provides a puddle flange height setting system for a wide range of floor depths and floor waste height setting system in conjunction with a fire collar. Further it provides a floor 20 waste system for wet area where fibre reinforced cement sheet floors and the like are used in conjunction with a fire collar. Throughout this specification various indications have been given as to the scope of the invention but the invention is not limited to any one of these but may reside in 25 two or more of these combined together. Examples are given for illustration only and not for limitation.

Claims

1. A floor waste fire collar to prevent transmission of smoke and fire between floors in a multi-story building, the fire collar comprising; 6 a tubular body defining a flow path therethrough; a valve seat in the tubular body; a valve assembly mounted in the tubular body, the valve assembly including a valve member, the valve member being mounted whereby in a first position it allows flow through the flow path and a second position in which it is engaged against the valve seat to prevent flow through the tubular body, valve assembly including an 12 intumescent material; a fusible link maintaining the valve member in the first position a resilient means associated with the valve assembly to force the valve member against the valve seat with the fusible link maintaining the valve member in the first position against the resilient means; whereby when the fusible link has been heated above a selected temperature 18 by a fire resilient means moves the valve member to the second position to prevent smoke and fire passing through the fire collar.

2. A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 2 wherein the fusible link comprises a plastics material pin arranged to melt and thereby release the valve member at the selected temperature. 24

3. A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 1 wherein the resilient means comprises a spring arrangement.

4. A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 1 wherein the intumescent material is associated with the valve member and/or the valve assembly. 30 WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -18

5 A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 4 wherein the valve member is metal and the intumescent material associated with the valve member comprises a coating on at least part of the valve member.

6 A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 1 wherein the tubular body includes 6 pipe sockets at each end thereof to enable the floor waste fire collar to act as a pipe fitting.

7. A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 1 further comprising an outer housing, the tubular body being received in the outer housing and being movable longitudinally within the outer housing from a position in which it is received within 12 the outer housing to a position in which an upper end extends beyond the outer housing and the outer housing comprising a upper puddle flange and a removable sealing cap in the upper flange.

8. A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 7 wherein the outer housing is supported in a flange box so as to move longitudinally therein, the flange box 18 including a lower peripheral flange to engage against formwork.

9. A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 1 wherein the tubular body comprises a removable upper sealing cap.

10. A floor waste fire collar to prevent egress of smoke and fire between floors 24 in a multi-story building, the fire collar comprising; an outer housing, the outer housing comprising a upper puddle flange and a removable sealing cap in the upper flange. a tubular body defining a flow path therethrough and being received in the outer housing, the tubular body being movable longitudinally within the outer housing from a position in which it is received within the outer housing to a position 30 in which an upper end of the tubular body extends beyond the outer housing; a valve seat in the tubular body; WO 2008/151382 PCT/AU2008/000854 -19 a valve assembly mounted in the tubtlar body, the valve assembly including a valve member, the valve member being mounted whereby in a first position it allows flow through the flow path and a second position in which it is engaged against the valve seat to prevent flow through the tubular body, valve assembly including an intumescent material; 6 a fusible link maintaining the valve member in the first position a resilient means associated with the valve assembly to force the valve member against the valve seat with the fusible link maintaining the valve member in the first position against the resilient means; whereby when the fusible link has been heated above a selected temperature by a fire resilient means moves the valve member to the second position to prevent 12 smoke and fire passing through the fire collar.

11. A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 10 wherein the outer housing is supported in a flange box so as to move longitudinally therein, the flange box including a lower peripheral flange to engage against formwork. 18

12. A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 10 wherein the tubular body comprises a removable upper sealing cap.

13. A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 10 wherein the intumescent material is associated with the valve member and/or the valve assembly. 24

14. A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 13 wherein the valve member is metal and the intumescent material associated with the valve member comprises a coating on at least part of the valve member.

15. A floor waste fire collar as in Claim 10 wherein the outer housing includes a plastics material and a lower end thereof comprises a pipe socket for at 30 least two sizes of pipe and an upper end of the tubular body comprises a socket for a floor waste drain.