GB2535777A

GB2535777A - Glazed fire door

Info

Publication number: GB2535777A
Application number: GB1503344.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Watts Allan
Original assignee: RAM EXTRUSION Ltd
Current assignee: RAM EXTRUSION Ltd
Priority date: 2015-02-27
Filing date: 2015-02-27
Publication date: 2016-08-31
Also published as: GB201503344D0

Abstract

A glazed fire door 1 provided with at least one aperture having a glazing panel 4 therein, with a fireproof beading 8 and/or lining is provided between the door and the panel, the beading and/or lining comprising a composite material of a polymer and wood. The composite may be a blend of wood fibre and polyvinylchloride (PVC), and may be foamed and may be extruded. The beading may have an inner profile with two perpendicular abutment surfaces (14a and 14b, Fig. 5) and a lip (14c, Fig. 5) extending perpendicularly from one of them. The profile may have an elongated Z shape with two adjacent longer legs extending perpendicular to each other and a smaller leg, forming a lip, extending perpendicularly from one of the longer legs. The beading may have a rounded or smooth outer profile (15, Fig. 5).

Description

GLAZED FIRE DOOR

This invention relates to a glazed fire door, in particular to beading for fixing a glazing panel within a fire door.

TECHNICAL FIELD.

Builldings are compartmentalized to delay the spread of fire from one area to another. Fire doors link adjacent areas to act as a barrier to the passage of fire and smoke. These doors are constructed in a manner and from materials that restrict the spread of fire and all fire doors must be certified to provide proof of performance in a fire test that meets particular UK or European standards, thereby guaranteeing the performance of the door in a fire situation. Building regulations specify the requirements for fire resisting doors by reference to the minimum period of time the door will provide protection from fire to occupants, such as 20, 30 or 60 minutes (FD20, FD30, FD60 and so on).

Most fire doors have a solid core construction. Generally, the greater their thickness, the higher the fire rating of the door. For example, FD30 doors are generally 45mm thick, with FD60 doors normally being 54mm thick. The door may be made of various materials, such particleboard or solid timber, providing it complies with the required standards. Alternatively, a timber frame may be provided around the core with a veneer on top, or a veneer or medium density fibreboard (MDF) sheet may be adhered to the core. Additionally, fire doors are provided with intumescent strips, either in the door frame or door edge, which expand upon exposure to heat to seal the gap between the door and the frame.

It is often desirable to include glazing within the door, such as a small vision panel to enable one to view through the door, or a larger screen to allow for maximum light transmission. A fire resisting glass is used that can withstand heat exposure for a minimum of 30 minutes. The size of the glass panel and its method of retention within the door are important factors that influence its integrity. Beading is generally used to retain the glass panel within the door. This too must provide the necessary resistance to fire and heat.

Conventionally, the beading has been made of processed wood fibres, such as medium density fibreboard (MDF) or hardwood, since the wood provides the required fire resistance. However, it is difficult to machine these materials into aesthetically pleasing products. It is also necessary to sand the beading prior to use and the type of finish that may be applied to the beading is limited.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved glazed fireproof door that overcomes, or at least alleviates, the abovementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides a glazed fire door comprising a door provided with at least one aperture having a glazing panel therein wherein beading and/or lining is provided between the door and the panel, the beading and/or lining comprising a composite material of a polymer and wood.

The composite material is preferably an extruded product.

Any type of wood fibre and polymer may be used to provide the extruded beading. Preferably, a blend of wood fibre and polyvinylchloride (PVC) is used. The composite may be blown to provide a foamed product.

It has surprisingly been found that a polymer/wood composite provides the necessary fire resistance to enable the beading to be used in a fire door. This enables the beading to be formed by extrusion into more desirable shapes.

The beading preferably extends from all edges of the glazing panel that abut the edges of the door that define the aperture.

Preferably, the beading has an intended inner profile having two substantially perpendicular abutment surfaces and a lip extending substantially perpendicularly from one of said abutment surface. More preferably, the beading is in the shape of an elongated Z, having two adjacent longer legs extending substantially perpendicularly to each other and a smaller leg extending substantially perpendicularly from one of the longer legs forming the lip. More preferably, the intended outer profile of the beading is rounded and/or smooth. However, it is to be appreciated that the material of the present invention enables any desired outer profile to be adopted.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the glazed fire door comprises a door provided with at least one aperture having a glazing panel therein wherein beading is provided between the door and panel, the beading comprising a composite material of a polymer and wood and having an inner profile having two substantially perpendicular abutment surfaces that abut the door and glazing panel respectively and a lip extending substantially perpendicularly from the abutment surface surrounding the door.

A second aspect of the present invention provides beading for use in a glazed fire door, the beading having two substantially perpendicular abutment surfaces and a lip extending substantially perpendicularly from one of said abutment surfaces, the beading comprising a composite material of a polymer and wood.

It is to be appreciated that the door and glazing are of materials having the necessary fire rating. Any conventional type of fire door may be used providing it complies with the required standards, such as particleboard, chipboard, solid timber or a timber frame with a veneer or MDF sheet on top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

Embodiments of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a conventional glazed fire door; Figure 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view through a beaded glazed fire door according to the prior art; Figure 3 is a cross-section through a beaded glazed fire door; Figure 4 is a typical design of beading for a glazed fire door according to the prior art; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of beading for a glazed fire door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a conventional glazed fire door 1. The main body of the door 2 is of a solid core construction which may be made of various components, such as particleboard, chipboard or solid timber. A fire resisting glass panel 4 is provided to one side of the door extending substantially the length of the door. However, it is to be appreciated that any size, shape and number of glazing panels may be provided in the door.

Figures 2 and 3 are cross-sections through the door illustrating how the glazing panel 4 is retained within the main panel 2 of the door 1. The glazing panel is placed within a cut-out or aperture provided in the main body of the door, generally being held in place by a setting block 6. Beading 8 is provided along all edges of the panel where it meets the solid body of the door. An intumescent material seal (not shown) is normally provided between the glass and the beading. Optionally, non-combustible covers may be provided over the beading and suitable fixing means may be provided at intervals to secure the beading to the door.

Conventionally, the beading is made of MDF or solid soft or hard wood, preferably hard wood. This provides the necessary fire resistance to comply with fire regulations. However, this means that the beading has a bulky, angular profile, as illustrated in Figure 4. The intended inner profile 12 of the beading 8 is an elongated Z-shape to provide two longer legs 12a, 12b substantially perpendicular to one another for abutment with the glazing panel and door, and a smaller leg 12c in the form of a lip that extends around the outer edge of the door panel (see Figures 2 and 3). The outer profile 13 is angular and bulky.

The present invention provides a new type of beading for a glazed fire door comprising a polymer/wood composite. It has surprisingly been found that such a composite material is able to provide the necessary fire resistance to enable a glazed door to comply with fire regulations. This material has not previously been used for beading for a glazed fire door.

A preferred material is that currently marketed by the Applicant under the trade name Pv-wood. The material is a blend of wood fibre and PVC. A blowing agent is added to the wood fibre/PVC mixture which is then blown to a specific density, preferably less than 1 kg/m3, more preferably 0.8 kg/m3 or less. The product may then be extruded into any desired shape to provide an aesthetically pleasing beading for a glazed fire panel within a door. While PVC is the polymer of choice, alternative polymer/wood composites may be used, being blown or unblown. The composite mimics the appearance of wood whilst having many of the advantageous properties of the polymer. Surprisingly, and unexpectedly, the composite also has the necessary fire resistance.

Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings illustrates beading for a glazed fire door according to one embodiment of the present invention. The intended inner profile 14 of the extruded beading 8 is again in the general shape of an elongated Z, having two longer legs 14a, 14b substantially at right angles to one another and a short leg 14c. The outer profile 15 of the beading is smooth and it is possible to provide a much smaller lip 14c than was previously the case with the wood or MDF beading conventionally used for retaining glazing in fire doors.

The composite material may be provided with a natural finish or provided with a woodgrain or other finish to match the door face, further enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the fire door. The composite also has many other beneficial properties. For example, it is resistant to moisture absorption, will not rot, is maintenance free, and can be cut, drilled, screwed and nailed just like natural wood.

The composite material may also be used elsewhere in the glazed fire door. For example, the material may be provided as a liner in the aperture of the main door panel prior to glazing, replacing the hardwood liner that is currently used in some fire doors.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A glazed fire door comprising a door provided with at least one aperture having a glazing panel therein wherein beading and/or lining is provided between the door and the panel, the beading and/or lining comprising a composite material of a polymer and wood.
2. A glazed fire door as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beading and/or lining is an extruded polymer/wood composite.
3. A glazed fire door as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the composite is a blend of wood fibre and polyvinylchloride (PVC).
4. A glazed fire door as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the composite is blown to provide a foamed product.
5. A glazed fire door as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beading is a composite material of polymer and wood.
6. A glazed fire door as claimed in claim 5, wherein the beading has an intended inner profile having two substantially perpendicular abutment surfaces and a lip extending substantially perpendicularly from one of said abutment surface.
7. A glazed fire door as claimed in claim 6, wherein the intended inner profile is in the shape of an elongated Z, having two adjacent longer legs extending substantially perpendicularly to each other and a smaller leg extending substantially perpendicularly from one of the longer legs forming the lip.
8. A glazed fire door as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein an intended outer profile of the beading is rounded and/or smooth.
9. A glazed fire door comprising a door provided with at least one aperture having a glazing panel therein wherein beading is provided between the door and panel, the beading comprising a composite material of a polymer and wood and having an intended inner profile having two substantially perpendicular abutment surfaces and a lip extending substantially perpendicularly from one of said abutment surfaces.
10. A glazed fire door as claimed in claim 9 wherein the intended inner profile of the beading is in the shape of an elongated Z, having two adjacent longer legs extending substantially perpendicularly to each other that abut the door and glazing panel and a smaller leg extending substantially perpendicularly from the longer leg abutting the door forming the lip around the door.
11. Beading for use in a glazed fire door, the beading having two substantially perpendicular abutment surfaces and a lip extending substantially perpendicularly from one of said abutment surfaces, the beading comprising a composite material of a polymer and wood.
12. Beading as claimed in claim 11 wherein the composite material is a blend of wood fibre and polyvinylchloride (PVC).
13. The use of beading as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 for retaining a glazing panel in an aperture within a fire door.
14. Beading for a glazed fire door substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.