FIRE RESISTANT MEMBRANE FOR FLOORING SYSTEM

Abstract

A flooring system has a pedestal having a support surface, a membrane comprising a fibre mat and an elastomeric material coating, and/or impregnated into, the fibre mat. The membrane is applied to the support surface to act as a layer between the pedestal and a supported member forming part of a floor structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to GB Application No. 2302582.8, filed Feb. 23, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is concerned with a non-combustible membrane for a flooring system. More specifically, the present invention is related to a membrane or pad for positioning between a flooring pedestal and floor member supported on the pedestal.

BACKGROUND ART

Raised flooring systems typically comprise one or more supports in the form of pedestals, and flooring members supported thereon. The flooring members may be supported directly on the pedestals, or may be supported via an intermediate structure such as a plurality of parallel joists. Flooring members are made from a variety of materials—for example ceramics (in the case of paving slabs), composites, concrete, wood and metals. The present invention is particularly concerned with non-combustible systems in which the materials from which the components are constructed are non-combustible such as metals.

Non-combustability is defined by standard BS EN 13501-1:2018. The test identifies products that will not, or not significantly, contribute to a fire, regardless of their end use. The test also provides classes s1 to s3 for smoke protection and d0 to d2 for flaming droplets/particles. In order to meet the requirements of the relevant class, the product needs to pass several tests as defined in the standard. These tests are designed to be repeatable by the person skilled in the art, and do not involve undue experimentation.

In most raised flooring systems, it is desirable to reduce vibration and rattling, particularly if stiff materials such as metals are used. In the prior art, gaskets have been placed on the top (supporting) surface of pedestals to damp vibration and reduce noise. These gaskets have typically been constructed from material which has a lower fire resistance than the other materials from which the system is constructed (needing to be of a low stiffness). Although acceptable if classified as a “gasket”, it is generally undesirable.

An additional problem which gaskets seek to address is that of galvanic corrosion. When two dissimilar metals are placed in contact, with an electrolyte, for an extended period, problematic corrosion can occur. This may occur from example between steel pedestals and extruded aluminium joists or members supported thereon.

It is an aim of the present invention to mitigate the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a flooring system comprising:

• • a pedestal having a support surface;
  • a membrane comprising a fibre mat and an elastomeric material coating, and/or impregnated into, the fibre mat;
  • wherein the membrane is applied to the support surface to act as a layer between the pedestal and a supported member forming part of a floor structure.

Advantageously, the membrane fulfils several functions in this position:

• • a. Shock absorption and damping of vibration, due to the elastomeric nature of the silicone rubber;
  • b. Electrical isolation of the material of the pedestal from the supported member to mitigate galvanic corrosion in the presence of an electrolyte (such as water); and,
  • c. Non-combustible. Both the silicone rubber, and the fibre material are highly fire resistant, the membrane offering A1 protection (non-combustible per EN 13501-1).

The fibre mat should be constructed exclusively from a non-combustible material. Non-combustability is defined as meeting the requirements of classes A1 or A2-s1,d0 per EN 13501-1. Preferably the fibre mat meets the requirements of class A1.

Preferably the membrane meets the requirements of classes A1 or A2-s1,d0 per EN 13501-1. Preferably the membrane meets the requirements of class A1.

Preferably the fibre mat comprises glass fibres.

Preferably the fibre mat comprises exclusively glass fibres.

Preferably the fibre mat is woven.

Preferably the elastomeric material is a silicone rubber.

Preferably the membrane is shaped to be the same size and shape as the support surface.

Preferably the pedestal has at least one engagement feature projecting from the support surface, and wherein the membrane has at least one opening to receive the engagement feature.

Preferably the support surface is formed from a first metal, and the system comprising a supported member formed from a second, different metal.

According to a second aspect there is provided a method of installing a flooring system comprising the steps of:

• • providing a pedestal having a support surface;
  • providing a membrane comprising a fibre mat and an elastomeric material coating, and/or impregnated into, the fibre mat;
  • placing the fibre mat on the support surface;
  • placing a supported member forming part of a floor structure on the fibre mat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figure in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a raised flooring system comprising a membrane according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of region II of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a part of the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a raised flooring system 100 comprising a pedestal 102, a membrane layer 104 and a supported member 106.

The pedestal 102 is known in the art and is constructed from steel. The pedestal has two parts-a first, lower part or base 108 and a second, upper part 110. The lower part has a lower surface 112 which rests on an underlying surface 10 (such as the ground). A threaded sleeve 114 projects upwardly in use defining a female threaded bore. The upper part 110 comprises a support portion 116 having a support surface 118, and a male threaded shaft 120 opposite thereto. The support surface 118 has projecting engagement features 122 that are provided to engage with the supported components as is known in the art.

The first and second parts 108, 110 are connected via engagement of the threaded parts, and relative rotation can adjust the height between the lower surface 112 and the support surface 118 to thereby change the height of the pedestal 102.

The membrane 104 is a generally flat, planar, flexible component. Referring to FIG. 3, the membrane 104 is shown in plan view. It covers substantially the entire area of the support surface 118, having openings 124 for the projecting engagement features 122.

A close-up view of the construction of the membrane 104 is shown in FIG. 2, in the assembled state. The membrane 104 is a silicon coated glass fibre material, comprising a glass fibre mat 126 and a coating of silicone rubber 128a, 128b on either side. The silicone rubber at least partially impregnates the glass fibre 126 during manufacture such that a composite material results.

It will be noted that the use of a silicone coated/impregnated glass fibre is one example, and other composites comprising an elastomer which is (i) laminated to, and/or (ii) impregnated into, a heat resistant fibrous matrix are envisaged. One example would be a silicone coated metal fibre sheet.

The supported member 106 may be a flooring member or an intermediate member such as a flooring joist. The supported member 106 is supported on a plurality of pedestals 102 thus forming a raised floor structure.

In use, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the membrane 104 is placed on the pedestal support surface 118 with the projecting engagement features 122 passing through the openings 124. The membrane 104 may be fixed in place with an adhesive. The supported member 106 is then placed onto the membrane 104, such that there is no contact between the supported member 106 and the support surface 118.

The membrane fulfils several functions in this position:

• • a. Shock absorption and damping of vibration, due to the elastomeric nature of the silicone rubber;
  • b. Electrical isolation of the material of the pedestal from the supported member to mitigate galvanic corrosion in the presence of an electrolyte (such as water); and,
  • c. Non-combustible. Both the silicone rubber, and the glass fibre material are highly fire resistant, the membrane offering A1 protection (non-combustible per EN 13501-1).

Claims

1. A flooring system comprising: a pedestal having a support surface; anda membrane comprising a fibre mat and an elastomeric material coating that coats and/or impregnates the fibre mat;wherein the membrane is applied to the support surface to act as a layer between the pedestal and a supported member forming part of a floor structure.

2. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the fibre mat comprises fibres exclusively constructed from a non-combustible material.

3. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the fibre mat comprises glass fibres.

4. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the fibre mat is woven.

5. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material coating is exclusively constructed from a non-combustible material.

6. The flooring system according to claim 5, wherein the elastomeric material coating is a silicone rubber.

7. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is shaped to be the same size and shape as the support surface.

8. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the pedestal has at least one engagement feature projecting from the support surface, and wherein the membrane has at least one opening to receive the at least one engagement feature.

9. The flooring system according to claim 1, wherein the support surface is formed from a first metal, and the supported member is formed from a second metal that is different from the first metal.

10. A method of installing a flooring system comprising the steps of: providing a pedestal having a support surface;providing a membrane comprising a fibre mat and an elastomeric material coating that coats and/or impregnates the fibre mat;placing the fibre mat on the support surface; andplacing a supported member forming part of a floor structure on the fibre mat.