Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fire protected lining or membrane to be used in association with building structures, such as for example tunnel walls, wherein a surface of the building structure is provided with a lining or membrane fixed to the surface by means of bolts, and where the membrane or lining is exposed to the possibilities of open flams or fire on both sides during fabrication, transportation and storage prior to installation and during installation, until possibly the side facing the tunnel is coated with shotcrete. In such latter case only the side facing the rock wall will be exposed to fire.
The invention relates also to a method for improving fire resistance of a lining or membrane of a plastic material having a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm to be used in association with building structures, such as for example tunnel walls, wherein a surface of the building structure is provided with the lining or membrane fixed to the surface by means of bolts, and where an end surface of the membrane or lining is exposed to the possibilities of open flams or fire.
Background for the Invention
When building tunnels, it is of importance to make the tunnel safe. Water and loose rock must be prevented from dropping down into the tunnel, casing hazards for the road-users. Moreover it is also of importance to build tunnels that are heat insulated or at least have a lining or membrane preventing ice, water or rock to drop into the tunnel cavity. Such lining or membrane, possibly also the insulating material used, is made of a plastic material and care must be taken to design a solution that is not prone to fire. Hence, governmental rules and regulations specifies requirements that the lining or membrane used as lining in tunnels must i) withstand flames directed perpendicular on the plane lining surface over a certain period of time, and ii) also withstand flames directed more or less perpendicular on the edge cross sectional surface.
CN 104405409 A describes a protective lining to be used in structures, such as tunnels. Surfaces of the structures are aligned with the lining that can be located on the side of the lining. At least one edge of the lining is provided with a protection applied to the lining.
CN102797482 A shows an example of a lining/membrane to be produced through extrusion.
JP5527087 B describes covering concrete elements where the edges are protected by steel sections.
US 4046951 A describes a laminated product containing a stripe located on the edge.
CN 103967136 A describes a membrane where protecting edge stripes are located around edges.
JP H091672 A describes a membrane where the edges are bent.
EP 0346126 A2 describes a fire membrane with corrugated side edges.
GB 2328644 A describes an improved fire retardant insulation material. A fire protective film is applied at at least one edge of the insulating material. The fire protective film is made of plastic material. Both edges and parts of the side surfaces of the insulation material are applied with the fire protective film. Those parts of the side surfaces are having an uneven surface. The edges are also applied with strips or bands bent or stretched over the edges applied with protective film.
It should be appreciated that such lining or membrane, subsequent to installation in cross-wise arranged sections in the tunnel is provided with reinforcement on the side facing the tunnel and then coated or covered with concrete. It is therefore a requirement that the lining or membrane to be used in tunnels must meet both these requirements. It should be appreciated that most prior art membranes used meet the requirement i), i.e. they are able to withstand flames directed perpendicular on the plane surface. Few if any of the prior art linings or membrane do, however meet the second requirement, requirement ii), i.e. being able to resist fire when exposed to flames acting perpendicular on the end surface of any of the four edges/overlapping ends.
Summary of the Invention
In this specification a term “tape” is used. It should be appreciated that the term “tape” shall not be construed in a limiting manner to a tape with or without a adhesive on a surface, but should encompass a profile, for example made of aluminum clipped on to the membrane edges and possibly fixed either by a roller system or a clamping device; a band; a layer of a flame resistant material painted on the ends or extruded onto the ends during extrusion of the lining or membrane, such material for example being a flame resistant or retardant PVC; or a folded end, all preventing the end surface of the membrane or lining to be exposed directly to fire during periods where such ends may be exposed to open flames or fire.
An object of the present invention is to provide a membrane or lining that enhances safety for road-users when travelling through a tunnel.
Another object of the invention is to reduce the risks of fire propagation in tunnels in case of a burning vehicle or its goods.
An object of the present invention is to provide a membrane or lining intended to be supported by a building structure that meet all fire protecting requirements listed in governmental rules and regulations.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for establishing enhanced fire protective membranes or linings to be used in fire exposer areas.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an expedient and effect method for establishing enhanced fire protection when using membranes or lining made of plastic materials.
The objects and advantages are achieved by a method and a membrane and lining as further defined in the independent claims. Variants, options and embodyments of the method and the membrane or lining are defined by the dependent claims.
In a first aspect of the present invention it is provided a method for improving fire resistance of a lining or membrane of a plastic material having a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm to be used in association with building structures, such as for example tunnel walls, wherein a surface of the building structure is provided with the lining or membrane fixed to the surface by means of bolts, and where an end surface of the membrane or lining is exposed to the possibilities of open flams or fire. A fire protection is added as a layer of a flame resistant material which is extruded onto the end surface during the extrusion of the lining or membrane or is extruded onto the end surface in situ, to cover at least one end surface of the lining or membrane.
The material can be a flame resistant or retardant PVC.
Both the end surface and a part on both side of the end surface may be provided with the fire protection.
Moreover, said part may on both side of the end surface be provided with an uneven surface, for example a number of small height fins, grooves or undulations, either in parallel with the edge or perpendicularly arranged with respect to said edge.
According to an embodiment, the end surface is covered by a coating, for example added during the extrusion process.
According to the present invention it is also provided a fire protected lining or membrane to be used in association with building structures, such as for example tunnel walls, wherein a surface of the building structure is provided with a lining or membrane having a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm and being fixed to the surface of the building structure by means of bolts, and where the membrane or lining may be exposed to the possibilities of open flams or fire. The fire protection with a fire protective surface is arranged at least along one of the end surfaces of the lining or membrane, the fire protective surface being a layer of a flame resistant material which is extruded onto the end surface of the lining or membrane covering at least the end surface of the membrane or lining.
According to an embodiment the material is a flame resistant or retardant PVC.
According to one embodiment, both the end surface and a part on both side of the end surface are covered by the fire protection. Said part on both side of the end surface may have an uneven surface, for example a number of small height fins, grooves or undulations, either in parallel with the edge or perpendicularly arranged with respect to said edge.
According to an alternative embodiment, the end surface may be covered by a coating, for example added during the extrusion process.
Also described is a comparative example of a protection which is in the form of a single tape which is folded around the edge cross sectional surface, covering said edge surface.
Also described is a fire protection that may either be obtained by applying a curing fire protective paint or paste to the at least end surfaces of the membrane or linings; applying a folded tape over the end surface and at least one edge surface portion of the membrane or lining, either by using a tape with glue on one side; obtaining fixing by means of hot air supplied to the tape upstream of a pair of pressure rollers or by means of thermal rollers.
The tape may be folded around the end surface and affixed to the membrane by means of sewing or stitching. In such case the sewing machine may be connected to the production line for extruding and forming the membrane, the sewing occurring simultaneously with the extrusion and forming of the membrane or lining.
Short Description of the Drawings
The above and further features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims and together with advantages thereof will become clearer from consideration of the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention given with reference to the accompanying drawings, as well as alternative solutions and illustrative examples of fire protection where:
Figure 1 shows schematically a first step in adding a fire protection to the end surface of a thin membrane or lining;
Figure 2 shows schematically as a illustrative example a next step where a fire protection tape is added to the lower part and end surface of a membrane or lining;
Figure 3 shows schematically another illustrative example where hot air is applied to the tape in order to obtain softness and binding with the membrane or lining;
Figure 4 shows schematically an alternative example where heat for fixing the tape to the membrane or lining is obtained by means of heated rollers;
Figure 5 shows schematically a vertical section through an end portion of a membrane or lining with fire protection tape;
Figure 6 shows schematically a cross sectional view of a tunnel, showing two membrane sheets assembled and overlapping at the top of the tunnel;
Figure 7 shows schematically a joint between two adjoining membrane or lining ends;
Figure 8a shows schematically an end view of a lining or membrane, where only the upper half of the membrane edge end is rolled to half the thickness of the remaining part of the membrane; and
Figure 8b shows an end view of the end view shown in Figure 8a, where the end is folded back and providing an end where the end surface will not be exposed, the end surface being in the form of a bend.
Detailed Description of Embodiments Disclosed in Drawings
Various aspects of the disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein one skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus or method which is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.
The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. Although reference is made to a membrane or lining for tunnels it should be appreciated that the same principle may be applied to membranes or plates suitable for use in building structures where fire protection of the membrane of lining is required.
Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
Figure 1 shows schematically a first step in adding a fire protection 11 to the end surface 12 of a thin membrane or lining 10, for example with a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 3 mm. According to one embodiment, the thickness of the membrane or lining 10 is reduced along the end or edge surface 12 of the membrane or lining 10. The height h of the edge portion with reduced thickness may for example be in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm, while the part with reduced thickness may have a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. It should be appreciated that a preferred reduction in the thickness may be by twice the thickness of possible fire protection 11 to be applied on one side or folded around the end surface 12, covering both the end 12 surface, the reason being to avoid possible build up when rolling the fabricated membrane or lining 10 on rolls (not shown). As indicated in Figure 1, the portion with reduced thickness extends continuously along the entire edge length of the membrane or lining 10. Moreover, such portion with reduced thickness may be continuously provided along both edge surfaces.
It should be appreciated that the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is suitable for use where the fire protection (not shown) may be in the form of a paste or paint applied to both the end surface 12 and at least one of, but preferably both of the edge surfaces13 with reduced thickness.
The reduction in thickness is obtained by a pair of rollers 14, rotating around parallel axes 14’. The width of the rollers 14 are configured so as to provide required height h of the portion with reduced thickness.
Figure 2 shows schematically another example of a fire protection, where rotating rollers 14 are used for folding a fire protective tape 15 around the end surface 12 and also covering the edge surface 13, at least on one side, preferably on both side of the membrane or lining 10. The reduced thickness portion of the edge surface may be produced in a step by pair of rollers (not shown) upstream of the rollers 14 for folding the tape 15 around the end surface. Alternatively, the portion with reduced thickness may be provided with same pair of rollers 14 that folds the tape 15 around the end surface 12 to form the fire protection 11 of the end surface 12. The tape 15 may be of a type provided with glue on the surface side intended to face and be in contact with the membrane or lining 10.
Figure 3 shows schematically another example of a fire protection where hot air is applied to the tape 15 by means of a nozzle 16, receiving hot air from a hot air source (not shown), in order to obtaining softness and binding with the membrane or lining 10. The hot air is supplied just upstream of the pair of rollers 14. Apart from this detail the features and properties may be as described in conjunction with Figure 1 or 2.
Figure 4 shows schematically another example of a fire protection where heat for fixing the tape 15 to the membrane or lining 10 is delivered by thermal rollers 17. Otherwise the features, functions, etc., correspond to those of described in connection with Figure 1 or 2.
Figure 5 shows schematically a comparative example of a vertical section through a part of an end portion of a membrane or lining 10, where the end surface 12 along the entire edge is provided with a portion 13 with reduce thickness and with a tape 15 folded around the end surface 12 by means of rollers 14. In the space or void between the end surface 12 and the fold of the tape 13 a bead or string 18 of a fire resistant material is arranged. The bead or string 18 may be fixed on the tape or band 15 as a continuous, elongate string, configured in such way as to add fire protecting properties to the end surface of the membrane or lining 10.
In the process of establishing the portion along each longitudinal side of the membrane, such area on one or both side may be provided with grooves or low height ribs or undulations or the like as part of the rolling process, the purpose and effect of these grooves or ribs being to enhance the adhesion effect of the tape. These ribs, grooves, undulations or the like may either extend in longitudinal direction of the membrane or lining, or be arranged normal to the end surface in question. Such unevenness provides increased exposure area and enhanced fixture for paint or material applied to the contact surface between the membrane ends and applied material. During possible thermal adhesion such uneven surfaces secures also a better fixture of the tape or band to be attached along the membrane edges.
Figure 6 shows schematically a cross sectional view of a tunnel 22, showing two membrane sheets 10 assembled and overlapping by means of a joint 19 at the top of the tunnel 22. The joint is shown in more detail in Figure 7, comprising two adjoining membrane or lining ends, each provided with the protective fire protections 11 according to the present invention. The joint includes a lug 23 on each side of the lining 10 and the ends are welded together along two parallel weld seams 20.
Figure 8a shows schematically an end view of a lining or membrane 10, where only the upper half of the membrane edge end 13 is rolled to half the thickness of the remaining part of the membrane 10; while Figure 8b shows an end view of the end view shown in Figure 8a, where the end is folded back and providing an end configuration where the end surface 12 will not be exposed, the exposed end surface being in the form of a bend 21, enhancing the fire resistance of the membrane.
It should be appreciated that the membrane 10 at appropriate places may be provided with closable openings for access to the backside of the membrane, or apertures for air ducts or the like. In case such apertures or openings are established in the fabrication yard, the edges of the aperture or opening may be fire protected as indicated above under appropriate working conditions, establishing an adequate end protection. In such case the circumferential end surface of the openings or apertures may also be protected with a fire protection as outlined above. In case the apertures or openings are made in situ in the tunnel, end protections as indicated above must be applied in situ.