EP1131505A1

EP1131505A1 - Building comprising a water-filled steel frame and an integrated sprinkler installation

Info

Publication number: EP1131505A1
Application number: EP99956347A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eduard Theodoor Franciscus Maria BRÜNING; Robertus Johannes Maria Hartgerink; Joseph Hubertus Nicolaas Deusings
Original assignee: Brining Eduard Theodoor Franciscus Maria; Deusings Constructions BV; Deusings Joseph Hubertus Nicolaas
Current assignee: Brining Eduard Theodoor Franciscus Maria; Deusings Constructions BV; Deusings Joseph Hubertus Nicolaas
Priority date: 1998-11-13
Filing date: 1999-11-15
Publication date: 2001-09-12
Also published as: NL1010548C2; WO2000029687A1; AU1297200A

Abstract

A building comprising a steel frame which forms the supporting structure of the building, and which is built up from a plurality of frame parts, such as columns, girders and/or rafters, at least a number of the frame parts comprising water-filled channels integrated into the frame part construction, which channels are in mutual fluid communication with each other to form a pipe system, the building being provided with a plurality of extinguishing heads which are in fluid communication with the channels, a pump and a water source being provided to supply water to the pipe system, the frame parts comprising a channel being designed as a pipe closed at the ends and having a circular cross-section and at least one strengthening section having at least one leg and a body.

Description

Title: Building comprising a water-filled steel frame and an integrated sprinkler installation.

The invention relates to a building comprising a steel frame which forms the supporting structure of the building, and which is built up from a plurality of frame parts, such as columns, girders and/or rafters, at least a number of the frame parts comprising water- filled channels integrated into the frame part construction, the building being provided with a plurality of extinguishing heads which are in fluid communication with the channels, a pump and a water source being provided to supply water to the channels. Such an installation is known from British patent

GB-B-1, 597 , 252. In the installation known from the British publication the extinguishing heads are designed as sprinkler heads. Often are such sprinkler heads of the detecting type and will a plurality of sprinkler heads open after detection of fire. After detection the pump will maintain the water supply from the water source via the pipe system to the sprinkler heads.

A drawback of the known installation is that the connections between the frame parts are both for transmitting the forces exerted on the construction, such as for instance the roof load and such forces, and for conducting water from the channel of a first frame part to the channel of a second frame part. Such a connection must therefore be able not only to transmit forces but also to resist the internal water pressure. Since in a sprinkler installation a substantial internal water pressure is necessary to provide the required flow rate when putting the sprinkler installation into operation, it has been found in practice that only a welded joint between the different frame parts can meet the requirements. A drawback of interconnecting the different frame parts by welding is that this is very expensive. Moreover, all the welds must be checked for watertightness at a pressure of at least 14 bar. A frame of a building thus constructed is very expensive. It has therefore been found that the proposal known from the above British patent is economically impracticable.

U.S. patent US-A-4 , 019 , 581 , too, discloses a building comprising a frame with internal channels. In the proposal known from the U.S. patent the columns and rafters are interconnected by means of bolt connections. To guarantee an effective sealing at the connections, there are provided flanges between which a packing is clamped. This solution has the drawback that when the building is subject to movement, for instance under the influence of the temperature or as a result of the settlement of the ground on which the construction is erected, the sealing effect of the different packings can no longer be guaranteed. Both in the British proposal and in the U.S. proposal the internal channels of the frame parts are formed by pipes having a square or rectangular cross-section. At the pressures of sometimes 10 bar required for a sprinkler installation, pipes having a rectangular cross-section are essentially not suitable. The wall thickness of rectangular pipes must be so large to prevent deformation under the influence of the water pressure that the weight of the frame parts appreciably increases, which limits the possibilities of making large spans.

The invention has for its object is to provide a building of the type described in the opening paragraph which does not have the above drawbacks. To this end, the building is characterized according to the invention in that the frame parts comprising a channel are designed as a pipe closed at the ends and having a circular cross-section and at least one strengthening section having at least one leg and a body.

A pipe having a circular cross-section has the largest possible intrinsic strength against internal pressures. As a result thereof, the pipe can be of a relatively thin-walled and therefore light design. The strengthening sections serve the purposes of increasing the maximum supporting power of the frame parts and attaching and coupling structural parts. The at least one leg is thereby connected with a first longitudinal edge with the pipe and with a second longitudinal edge with the body. Such a connection is preferably formed by a welded joint. According to a further elaboration of the invention the at least one strengthening section may be a U-section comprising a body and two legs, the free longitudinal edges of the legs being connected with the pipe by welding. Such a section has a large quadratic moment of area, so that it is highly resistant to bending. Preferably, the body is of relatively thick design as compared with the legs, so that the construction is light and yet have optimum rigidity. The U-shaped strengthening section may also serve the purposes of leading through and attaching installation facilities. According to an alternative further elaboration of the invention the at least one strengthening section is a T-section comprising a body and a leg, the free longitudinal edge of the leg being connected with the pipe by welding. Such a T-section, too, has a high rigidity at a relatively low weight.

Since the maximum effect of forces in the frame parts varies over the length, it may be very favorable according to a further elaboration of the invention, to effect further weight saving, if the height of at least one of the strengthening sections of the frame parts varies over the length of the frame part. The resistance to bending load can thus be varied over the length of the frame parts, so that the resistance to bending can be adjusted to the occurring bending load. Preferably, the frame parts comprising a channel are provided with two strengthening sections which are diametrically opposite each other with respect to the pipe, the legs of the strengthening sections extending in a vertical plane. Such a double strengthening leads to a very rigid frame part having a relatively low weight which can resist very high internal fluid pressures. According to yet another elaboration of the invention the frame parts are interconnected by bolt connections, fluid connections between the channels of the different frame parts being formed by separate flexible hoses or tubes which are connected with the channels of the relevant frame parts by means of fittings and/or couplings.

As a result of the fact that the fluid connections are designed as flexible hoses or tubes, movement can occur in the building without this leading to leakage in the pipe system. Moreover, the connections between the different frame parts can be fully determined by the constructional requirements dictated by the loads exerted on the connections. This has the result that the connections can be of relatively simple design and need not be extra heavy or complex in combination with water to be led through.

Further elaborations of the invention are described in the subclaims and will hereinafter be explained in more detail on the basis of an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the drawing. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the frame construction of a building according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a detail of the frame construction of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of the frame construction of Figs. 1 and 2 ;

Fig. 4 shows a detail of the connection between a column and a rafter;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line V-V in Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line VI -VI in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line VII -VII in Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a frame construction of a building; and

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Fig. 5, but of another type of girder.

The exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1 relates to a hall comprising a steel frame 1. For clarity's sake, the roof and wall plating of the hall shown in Fig. 1 has been omitted. The frame 1 forming the supporting structure of the building is built up from a plurality of frame parts, such as columns 2, rafters 3 and girders 12. A number of longitudinal girders 12, which longitudinal girders interconnect the rafters 3, has been omitted, for clarity's sake. In the present exemplary embodiment the columns 2 and the rafters 3 comprise channels 4 filled with water. The channels 4 are in mutual fluid communication with each other to form a pipe system. Furthermore, the building comprises a plurality of extinguishing heads 5, which are in fluid communication with the internal channels 4. A pump 6 and a water source 7 are provided to supply water to the pipe system. The frame parts, in particular the columns 2 and the rafters 3, are interconnected by bolt connections. The fluid connections between the internal channels 4 of the different frame parts, in particular the columns 2 and the rafters 3, are formed by separate flexible hoses or tubes 8, which are clearly visible in Figs. 3 and 4. The separate flexible hoses or tubes 8 are connected with the internal channels 4 of the relevant frame parts 2, 3 by means of known per se fittings and/or couplings. In the present exemplary embodiment the extinguishing heads 5 are designed as sprinkler heads connected to the free end of a line 11, which is connected at the other end to the channel 4 forming part of the rafters 3. This is clearly shown in Fig. 7, which figure shows a cross- section taken on the line VII-VII in Fig. 3. Both the columns 2 and the rafters 3 are designed as a pipe 9 closed at the ends and having a circular cross- section and at least one U-section 10. In the present exemplary embodiment the columns 2 and the rafters 3 all comprise two U-sections 10, 10'. Each U-section 10 comprises a body 10a and two legs 10b, which is clearly visible in Figs. 5-7. The free longitudinal edges of the legs 10b are connected with the pipe 9 by welding.

Figs . 3 and 4 clearly show that the height of the U- sections 10 of the columns 2 and the rafters 3 varies over the length of the relevant columns 2 and rafters 3. It is thus achieved that the resistance to bending in the rafters 3 is highest in those places where the occurring bending moment is largest, namely at the connection between a column 2 and a rafter 3. The cross-sectional views of Figs. 5 and 6 clearly show the difference in height of the U-sections in different positions over the length of a rafter 3. These figures also show that the two U-sections 10, 10' are diametrically opposite each other and that the legs 10b of the U-sections 10 extend in a vertical plane. To provide a safe system, the fittings and/or couplings, the flexible hoses or tubes 8 and the channels 4 of the frame parts 2, 3 must preferably be resistant to an internal pressure of at least about 14 bar. In the present exemplary embodiment the water source 7 is designed as a storage tank 7 forming part of the pipe system. The storage tank 7 may also serve as a heat buffer, so that outside temperature variations have less influence on the inside temperature in the hall . To obtain an even better heat buffering, the preferably insulated storage tank 7 may be situated at some depth in the ground.

Optionally, a heating device and/or a cooling device may be included in the pipe system. The heating device may, for instance, be designed as a heating boiler provided with a burner and a heat exchanger which comprises a water- conducting channel forming part of the pipe system. Optionally, the heating device may comprise a solar collector. As already observed above, the extinguishing heads 5 are designed in the present exemplary embodiment as sprinkler heads. The sprinkler heads 5 open after detection of the fire by a heat-sensitive element. As soon as the sprinkler heads 5 are opened, the pressure in the pipe system drops and the pump 6 will become operative to bring the pressure up to standard again.

According to an alternative embodiment the extinguishing heads 5 are designed as foam generators, at least one supply being connected to the pipe system, which supply connects the pipe system with a source of foam- forming agent . Extinguishing systems provided with foam generators are known per se under the name of hi -ex foam. Optionally, the building may be provided with a separate detection system for detecting fire. The separate detection system may be connected to control means which, for instance, put the pump into operation and open a valve optionally present in the pipe system to supply water and optionally foaming agents to the extinguishing heads 5. Such a separate detection system can be used both with sprinkler heads and with foam generators. The separate detection system may, for instance, comprise smoke detectors, infrared detectors and/or temperature detectors .

Fig. 8 shows a part of a similar view as in Fig. 1. For clarity's sake, it only shows two columns and one cross girder with the sprinkler lines 111 connected thereto and carrying the sprinkler heads 105. The second exemplary embodiment differs from the first in that only the cross girders 103 are provided with a fluid channel having a circular cross-section. The columns do not have a fluid channel. In practice, this is not necessary if the sprinkler installation is of such design that side walls of the building are sufficiently wetted by the sprinkler installation. Clearly visible is that the fluid supply lines 113 directly interconnect the channels 104 of the rafters 103. These fluid supply lines 113 are therefore situated at the level at which the rafters 103 extend.

Fig. 9 shows another alternative exemplary embodiment of a rafter 103 with a channel 104 which is designed as a pipe 109 closed at the ends and having a circular cross- section. In this embodiment, which comprises two diametrically opposite strengthening sections, the strengthening sections 110, 110' are each designed as a T-section with a leg 110b and a body 110a. With a thus designed frame part, too, a strong and rigid frame part is provided which can resist high internal fluid pressures, and which as a result of the design can yet be light. It is self- evident that the height of the leg 110b can be varied over the length of the frame part 103 to save weight and to adjust the quadratic moment of area of the frame part to the locally prevailing load condition.

It is self-evident that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described, but that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. Thus, for instance, the rafters 3 may extend in a horizontal plane and may be dimensioned floor-supporting, so that a building can be provided which has one or more stories and optionally a flat roof, each story having extinguishing heads connected to the pipe system which is, inter alia, formed by the channels 4 in the frame parts 2, 3.

Claims

1. A building comprising a steel frame (1) which forms the supporting structure of the building, and which is built up from a plurality of frame parts (2, 3; 102, 103), such as columns (2; 102), girders and/or rafters (3; 103), at least a number of the frame parts (2, 3; 103) comprising water-filled channels (4; 104) integrated into the frame part construction, the building being provided with a plurality of extinguishing heads (5; 105) which are in fluid communication with the channels (4; 104), a pump (6) and a water source (7) being provided to supply water to the channels, characterized in that the frame parts (2, 3; 103) comprising a channel (4; 104) are designed as a pipe (9; 109) closed at the ends and having a circular cross-section and at least one strengthening section (10, 110) having at least one leg (10b, 110b) and a body (10a, 110a) .

2. A building according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one strengthening section (10) is a U-section comprising a body (10a) and two legs (10b) , the free longitudinal edges of the legs (10b) being connected with the pipe (9) by welding.

3. A building according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one strengthening section (110) is a T-section comprising a body (110a) and a leg (110b) , the free longitudinal edge of the leg (110b) being connected with the pipe (109) by welding.

4. A building according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height of at least one of the strengthening sections (10, 110) of at least one of the frame parts (2, 3; 103) varies over the length of the relevant frame part (2, 3; 103).

5. A building according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the frame parts (2, 3; 103) comprising a channel (4; 104) are provided with two strengthening sections (10, 10'; 110, 110') which are diametrically opposite each other with respect to the pipe, the legs (10b; 110b) of the strengthening sections (10) extending in a vertical plane.

6. A building according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the frame parts (2, 3) are interconnected by bolt connections, fluid connections between the channels (4) of the different frame parts (2, 3; 103) being formed by separate flexible hoses or tubes (8; 113) which are connected with the channels (4) of the relevant frame parts (2, 3) by means of fittings and/or couplings.

7. A building according to claim 6, characterized in that the fittings and/or couplings, the flexible hoses or tubes (8; 113) and the channels (4; 104) of the frame parts (2, 3) are resistant to an internal pressure of at least about 14 bar.

8. A building according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipe system includes a storage tank (7) , which storage tank (7) serves as water source and heat buffer.

9. A building according to claim 8, characterized in that the preferably insulated storage tank (7) is situated at some depth in the ground.

10. A building according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipe system also includes a heating device .

11. A building according to claim 10, characterized in that the heating device comprises a heating boiler provided with a burner and a heat exchanger which comprises a water- conducting channel forming part of the pipe system.

12. A building according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the heating device comprises a solar collector.

13. A building according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipe system also includes a cooling device.

14. A building according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extinguishing heads (5) are sprinkler heads.

15. A building according to claim 14, characterized in that the sprinkler heads (5; 105) are each provided with a heat-sensitive element which opens the relevant sprinkler head (5; 105) after the element detects fire.

16. A building according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extinguishing heads ((5; 105) are foam generators, at least one supply being connected to the pipe system, which supply connects the pipe system with a source of foam- forming agent.

17. A building according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a separate detection system is provided for detecting fire, the detection system being connected to control means for putting the pump (6) into operation to supply water and optionally foaming agent to the extinguishing heads (5) .

18. A building according to claim 17, characterized in that the detection system comprises smoke detectors, infrared detectors and/or temperature detectors .