Abstract:
The present invention provides a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus for buildings, including: a pipe casing for a pipe or a pipeline system of the building to pass there through; at least one thermal-expandable foam detachably accommodated within the pipe casing; an inspection annulus detachably joined with the pipe casing; and a slide cover installed onto the pipe casing and secured to the building structure. The at least one thermal-expandable foam in the hole creating apparatus embedded in the building structure can be removed via the detachable structure for inspection and replacement so as to maintain the flame-retardant function of the hole creating apparatus. Said apparatus further includes an annular shielding plate providing functions of airtight and smoke blocking for the through pipes as well as includes an identifying device providing information, tracking and service associated with the apparatus in order to guarantee long term safety.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus for buildings, and more particularly, to a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus with a flame retardant function for long term building safety. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    The construction of a building generally includes floor and wall construction. The floor is constructed on a moldboard base or a steel supporting panel (the so-called deck board) base, and the thickness and structure of the wall depends on, e.g. thickness of a moldboard or a light partition. In consideration of the interior piping arrangement of a building, the locations where the pipes are to be arranged at either the floor or the wall should be pre-determined so that the directions of the pipes will not be restricted by the floor or wall. Generally, the method for pre-embedding a pipe sleeve is adopted to create a reserved pipe hole. Specifically, a pipe sleeve penetrates a moldboard or a deck board and is secured thereto before concrete has been poured to the base so as to form a reserved pipe hole, thereby allowing a pipe to pass there through in the subsequent piping arrangement configuration and implementation. 
         [0005]    In further consideration of fire safety for a building, as flames and smoke can spread from one room to another via pipeline or through their interspaces, the pre-embedded pipe sleeve has been equipped with many additional functions. For example, a pipe sleeve may be combined with a thermal-expandable material to form a flame-retardant pipe sleeve. Specifically, a thermal-expandable (fire-cutting) material is arranged inside a pre-embedded pipe sleeve so that when sufficiently high temperature flames or gases spread to the pre-embedded pipe sleeve along the pipeline in the event of a fire, the thermal-expandable material will react and expand drastically to fully occupy the space in the pipe sleeve, thereby preventing flames and smoke from spreading even further. 
         [0006]    In order to equip the flame-retardant pipe sleeve with different functions, pipe sleeves of a variety of designs and types have been developed. TW Utility Model No. M443260 discloses a flame-retardant device. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the device mainly includes a pipe casing  10 , a thermal-expandable foam  11  and a securing member  12 . The thermal-expandable foam  11  and the securing member  12  are joined to form an annular body installed onto the pipe casing  10  and securing the pipe casing  10  via the adjustment mechanism of the securing member  12 . One end of the pipe casing  10  has an annular projecting rim  101  configured to lay snugly upon the base (e.g. a moldboard) to allow the pipe casing  10  to be vertically placed. After being embedded, the pipe casing  10  becomes a reserved pipe hole while the thermal-expandable foam  11  and the securing member  12  are integrated into the building structure. 
         [0007]    Moreover, TW Utility Model No. M450591 also discloses a flame-retardant device. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the device mainly includes a pipe casing  20 , a thermal-expandable body  21  and a securing member  22 . The pipe casing  20  consists of pipe bodies of different radial dimensions so that a sufficient annular space is defined inside the pipe casing  20  to accommodate the thermal-expandable body  21 , which will be sealed within the pipe casing  20  by the securing member  22 . Similarly, one end of the pipe casing  20  has an annular projecting rim  201  to ensure that the pipe casing  20  is vertically placed at the base of the construction. After being embedded, the pipe casing  20 , the thermal-expandable body  21  and the securing member  22  are integrated into the building structure. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, TW Patent No. 1357961 discloses a seal with fire protection.  FIG. 3  is a section view of the seal with fire protection. The seal is in the form of a tube and mainly includes a front base part  30 , a rear base part  31 , an intumescent material  32 , a front fitting  33  and peelable layers  34 . The intumescent material  32  is sandwiched between the front base part  30  and the rear base part  31 . One or more of the peelable layers are peeled off according to the size of the pipe to be inserted so as to form a passageway of proper size. The front fitting  33 , like the aforementioned annular projecting rim, is a horizontal member configured to facilitate the installation process. After being embedded, the front base part  30 , the rear base part  31  and the intumescent material  32  are all integrated into the building structure. 
         [0009]    The aforementioned prior art techniques are indeed capable of providing the flame-retardant function. Specifically, when heat is transmitted to these pipe casings, the thermal-expandable foams will react and expend drastically to stop flames and smoke from spreading along the pipes. However, all of the aforementioned designs did not take into consideration the convenience in installing pipe casings and the effectiveness of the thermal-expandable foam. 
         [0010]    Regarding the convenience in installation, when a pipe casing with an annular projecting rim is disposed at a steel supporting panel, seams would be formed between the installation hole defined on the steel supporting panel and the pipe due to the size of the annular projecting rim, thus an extra shielding member (such as a mud retaining box) is usually required to prevent the poured concrete from leaking from the seams. This method is time consuming and labor consuming. 
         [0011]    Regarding the effectiveness of the thermal-expandable foam, the thermal-expandable foam may be spontaneously aging or subject to environment influence become ineffective or exhibit less satisfactory flame-retardant performance due to deterioration caused by, for example, dampness or temperature change. Therefore, inspection and replacement operations are required to ensure the effectiveness of the thermal-expandable foam. The technical solutions provided by the foregoing patented techniques, however, cannot allow the embedded thermal-expandable foam to be inspected, let alone being removed and replaced. It is difficult to guarantee that the initially embedded thermal-expandable foam will be applicable after long-term installation. 
         [0012]    In order to improve the convenience in installing pipes and enable the thermal-expandable foam to be inspected and replaced, the configuration of the pipe casing should be improved. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0013]    An object of the present invention is to provide a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus having a detachable structure, which is favorable for inspecting and replacing the fireproof material in the hole creating apparatus. 
         [0014]    To solve problems caused by the aforementioned prior art techniques, the present invention provides a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus, including: a pipe casing having two ends defining there between a passage to allow a pipe to be inserted there through; a thermal-expandable foam detachably accommodated within the passage of the pipe casing; an inspection annulus detachably joined with the pipe casing and partially abutting against the thermal-expandable foam so as to retain the thermal-expandable foam in the passage. 
         [0015]    With the detachable mechanism of the present invention, an operator can optionally detach the inspection annulus from the pipe casing to remove the thermal-expandable foam inside the apparatus for further inspection or replacement so as to ensure its effectiveness, thereby maintaining the flame-retardant/fire-blocking function of the apparatus. The present invention features convenience and maintainability because the embedded apparatus can be removed without damaging the original building structure. 
         [0016]    The foregoing aspects and other aspects of the present invention will be fully described with exemplary embodiments below by reference to the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIGS. 1-3  show the prior art techniques related to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective partial sectional view of a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective partial sectional view of a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing one end of the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention shown in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view showing an insertion annulus and a sleeve pipe into which the insertion annulus is to be inserted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view showing the slide cover of  FIG. 4  A and a sleeve pipe onto which the slide cover is to be installed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a side view showing the joining of a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention, a moldboard and a steel supporting panel. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a section view of an embedded hole creating apparatus. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view showing the application of a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention to a pipe bank box. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are schematic views showing the application of a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention to a light partition. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    The present invention will be fully described by way of preferred embodiments and appended drawings to facilitate the understanding of the technical features, contents and advantages of the present invention and the effect to be achieved by the present invention. It will be understood that the appended drawings are merely schematic representations and may not be illustrated according to actual scale and precise arrangement of the implemented invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall not be construed based on the scale and arrangement illustrated on the appended drawings and limited thereto. The terms “pipe sleeve” and “sleeve pipe” as used herein both refer to a tubular structure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, a person having ordinary knowledge in the art understands that the forms of the components denoted by the foregoing two terms are identical regardless of the phrasing. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective partial sectional view of a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus mainly includes a pipe casing  40 , a thermal-expandable foam  41  and an inspection annulus  42 . The features of each component will be detailed more fully below. 
         [0029]    The pipe casing  40  has an exterior surface  401  and an interior surface  402 . The exterior surface  401  of the pipe casing  40  is a substantially uniform cylindrical surface extending along a Z axis. The pipe casing  40  has a height in the Z-axis direction. The height of the pipe casing  40  is adjustable according to the thickness of the floor or wall in which the pipe casing  40  is to be embedded. The interior surface  402  of the pipe casing  40  is a substantially smooth curved surface defining a passage to allow at least one pipe (not shown) to pass through the pipe casing  40  and to connect with an extended sleeve pipe  45 . The pipe casing  40  can be made of a metallic material, a plastic material, a fireproof material or some other composite material, and its shape is not limited to the shapes disclosed in the appended drawings. 
         [0030]    The pipe casing  40  has two opposite ends in the Z-axis direction, and the passage is defined between the two ends. A slide cover  44  is installed onto the exterior surface  401  of the pipe casing  40  and capable of sliding between the two ends of the pipe casing  40 . A securing ear  403  and an annular shielding plate  404  are respectively positioned in proximity to the two ends of the pipe casing  40 . The securing ear  403  is formed at one end of the slide cover  44  close to the pipe casing  40  and extends outwardly from the slide cover  44  in a direction perpendicular the Z axis. The securing ear  403  can be arranged at substantially the same level as, or at a different level from, one end of the pipe casing  40 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the slide cover  44  can have a plurality of securing ears  403 . The securing ear  403  will be further described in detail in connection with a discussion of  FIG. 8 . There is actually a gap (not shown) between the slide cover  44  and the pipe casing  40 . The slide cover  44  defines a plurality of securing holes  441  for bolts  442  to be inserted there through and tightened. The tightened bolts  442  will abut against the exterior surface  401  of the pipe casing  40  so as to secure the slide cover  44 . The arrangement of the securing holes  441  and bolts  442  enables the slide cover  44  to be adjusted according to needs (as shown in  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0031]    The annular shielding plate  404  is a flexible plate body having a substantially annular shape. The annular shielding plate  404  is positioned in proximity to the other end of the pipe casing  40  with its surface partially attached to the interior surface  402  of the pipe casing  40 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the annular shielding plate  404  can be joined with the pipe casing  40  by way of insertion, which is common knowledge for a person having ordinary knowledge in the art and thus no further description will be provided. As shown in  FIG. 4 , another portion of the annular shielding plate  404  is inclined toward the interior of the pipe casing  40 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the annular shielding plate  404  can be inclined toward the exterior (not shown) of the pipe casing  40 . The annular shielding plate  404  is configured such that the pipe snugly fits the pipe casing  40  through which it passes, as a result, the minimized gap prevents gases from passing through the pipe casing  40 . Such an arrangement can prevent a large amount of smoke generated in a fire accident from spreading uncontrollably. The prior art techniques disclosed in the above-mentioned patents, however, do not produce such an effect. 
         [0032]    The thermal-expandable foam  41  can have a substantially annular shape. The thermal-expandable foam  41  has a height in the Z-axis direction. The thermal-expandable foam  41  has an outer surface (not shown) and an inner surface (not shown). The thermal-expandable foam  41  is placed inside the pipe casing  40  with the outer surface thereof corresponding to the interior surface  402  of the pipe casing  40 . After a pipe has been inserted into the pipe casing  40 , the inner surface of the thermal-expandable foam  41  faces the pipe. The thermal-expandable foam  41  has a height that is less than the height of the pipe casing  40 . In other embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of thermal-expandable foams can be arranged inside the pipe casing  40 . The thermal-expandable foam  41  can be a block-shaped object formed by vacuum packaging. Alternatively, the thermal-expandable foam  41  can be coated on the interior surface  402  of the pipe casing  40 . The coated thermal-expandable foam  41  will expand toward the pipe under high temperature until it fully occupies the space between the pipe and the pipe casing  40 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 5 , the inspection annulus  42  is detachably joined inside the pipe casing  40  and abuts against one side of the thermal-expandable foam  41 . The inspection annulus  42  mainly consists of an abutting portion  421  and an extended portion  422 . The abutting portion  421  is a substantially annular body in parallel with an XY plane, and a radial dimension thereof can be substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the pipe casing  40 . The extended portion  422  extends from the abutting portion  421  toward the two ends of the pipe casing  40  to proper distances along the Z axis so that the inspection annulus  42  can hold the thermal-expandable foam  41  inside the pipe casing  40 . The extended portion  422  can also extend to the outside of the pipe casing  40 . The inspection annulus  42  and the pipe casing  40  can be joined together through their respective contact structures. For example, in  FIG. 5 , the interior surface  402  of the pipe casing  40  is provided with at least one protruding block  4021  and at least one corresponding notch (not shown) can be defined at an edge of the abutting portion  421  of the inspection annulus  42 . Accordingly, when the inspection annulus  42  is placed into the pipe casing  40 , the at least one protruding block  4021  can slide over the at least one notch to allow the inspection annulus  42  to pass there through. Next, the inspection annulus  42  is slightly turned so that the at least one protruding block  4021  is not aligned with the at least one notch but in contact with the abutting portion  421  (as shown in  FIG. 9 ), thereby preventing the inspection annulus  42  from separating from the pipe casing  40 . In other embodiments of the present invention, a mechanical joining means can be adopted. For example, the inspection annulus  42  can be mounted inside the pipe casing  40  by threading or some other suitable means (not shown) so that a pipe passes through the inspection annulus  42  when being inserted into the pipe casing  40 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the inspection annulus  42  can be equipped with an additional structure (not shown) similar to the annular shielding plate  404  so that the two ends of the pipe casing  40  can snugly enclose the inserted pipe and thereby to more effectively prevent smoke from spreading. The use of the inspection annulus  42  will be more fully described below. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Said securing holes  441  and bolts  442  illustrated in  FIG. 4A  can be replaced with a plug  443  having an end inserted into the space between the slide cover  44  and the exterior surface  401  to secure the slide cover  44  on the exterior surface  401 . The plug  443  is substantially formed with an L-shape body. The space defined between the exterior surface  401  and the slide cover  44  is omitted in the drawing for brevity, however, said plug  443  has a thickness substantially corresponding to the space. When the plug  443  is applied with its end inserted into the space between the exterior surface  401  and the slide cover  44 , the provided friction in between is able to ensure the secure of the slide cover  44  on the exterior surface  401 . That is, when the position of slide cover  44  relative to the exterior surface  401  is determined, the use of the plug  443  allows an easy fixing of the slide cover  44  to the exterior surface  401  and also an easy releasing of the slide cover  44  from the exterior surface  401 . Although not presented in the drawing, the slide cover  44  may be shaped and sized, e.g. having different heights defined along the z-axis, depending on the specific application. Generally, the height of the slide cover  44  is less than that of the exterior surface  401  along the z-axis direction. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention showing an insertion annulus  43  and a sleeve pipe  47  into which the insertion annulus is to be inserted in accordance. In this embodiment, the insertion annulus  43  can be a substantially annular container whose bottom surface has a hole for a pipe to be inserted there through after the removal of the mold. Similarly, the insertion annulus  43  detachably joined inside a sleeve pipe of a proper size, such as the sleeve pipe  47  of the present invention. The insertion annulus  43  can also accommodate a thermal-expandable foam (not shown) and thereby to put the thermal-expandable foam inside the sleeve pipe  47 .  FIG. 7  is an exploded view showing the slide cover  44  of  FIG. 4A  and the sleeve pipe  47  onto which the slide cover  44  is to be installed. The sleeve pipe  47  is different from the pipe casing  40 . The sleeve pipe  47  can be an outer pipe or an inner pipe in a multi-layered pipeline as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 4A , in some embodiments of the present invention, the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus can further include an identifying device  7  attached thereto at a proper location and communicatingly coupled with a remote management system (not shown) so as to provide product information of the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus. For example, the identifying device  7  can be an radio frequency identification (RFID) device mainly consisting of a chip with reading and writing functions and an antenna, such as an RFID tag. The device  7  can be attached to the interior of the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus, such as a surface of the inspection annulus  42 . The RFID device can carry product information of the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus, including information about the serial number and size of the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus, the corresponding pipe or the expiration date of the material used to make the thermal-expandable foam  41  accommodated therein. Accordingly, relevant information of the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus is accessible through an access device (not shown) of the remote management system in communication with the identifying device  7  so as to effectively manage the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus and the pipe therein in a building. The combination of the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus, the indentifying device  7  and the remote access technology can constitute a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating system. 
         [0037]    In another feasible embodiment of the present invention, the identifying device  7  is a barcode label carrying the above-mentioned product information corresponding to the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus (the barcode is relevant to the access of product information) so that an operator can perform inspection and maintenance of the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus with a barcode reader and determine whether or not the flame-retardant material (i.e. the thermal-expandable foam) should be replaced based on the acquired information. 
         [0038]    During the process of constructing a building, in order to create a reserved pipe hole on a floor or a wall, the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention should be secured to a base structure to determine the location of the reserved hole. For example, a steel supporting panel  5  and a moldboard  8  shown in  FIG. 8  are common base structures used to construct a floor.  FIG. 8  is a side view showing the joining of a pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention, the moldboard  8  and the steel supporting panel  5 . An installation hole should be defined on the steel supporting panel  5  prior to the installation. The installation hole has a radial dimension D substantially the same as that of the pipe casing  40  of the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus so as to receive the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus. The slide cover  44  is installed onto the pipe casing  40  and secured thereto by welding. The slide cover  44  can be adjusted to a suitable position according to the height of the steel supporting panel  5  so that the pipe casing  40  and the slide cover  44  can be in multipoint contact with/welded to the steel supporting panel  5 . The securing ear  403  on the slide cover  44  or the slide cover  44  per se can rest on a horizontal surface of the steel supporting panel  5  to ensure that the pipe casing  40  is placed vertically on the steel supporting panel  5 . The securing ear  403  or the slide cover  44  can be secured to the supporting panel by welding, or secured to the moldboard  8  via bolts. It is to be noted that the conventional annular projecting rim is simplified to a securing ear  403  in the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention. If an annular projecting rim is adopted, the installation hole&#39;s size must be greater than the pipe casing&#39;s. Therefore, the reason the present invention employs the securing ear  403  is because only the pipe casing&#39;s size needs to be taken into consideration in configuring the radial dimension D of the installation hole to allow the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention to be directly received in the installation hole without creating any gaps there between. In other words, since no gaps exist, no additional shelter (e.g. a mud retaining box) is required to prevent concrete poured onto the steel supporting panel from leaking from gaps. The present invention significantly improves the convenience in installation. 
         [0039]    The embedded hole creating apparatus forms a reserved hole on the floor or wall so that a pipe can be inserted there through. Preferably, the pipe has a size that enables it to snugly fit the annular shielding plate  404 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , after the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus has been embedded, the thermal-expandable foam  41  is concealed in the building structure as well. As the inspection annulus  42  is not embedded, it can be detached from the pipe casing  40  by slightly turning it along the Z axis, thereby removing the thermal-expandable foam  41  placed inside the pipe casing  40 . By contrast, the thermal-expandable foams embedded using the prior art techniques could not be removed for inspection, thus there is no way to ascertain the effectiveness of the material. The pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention has a detachable structure, thus the embedded thermal-expandable foam can be removed for inspection and replaced without damaging the surrounding structure. The present invention is distinct from the prior art techniques in terms of the feasibility of inspecting and replacing the thermal-expandable foam. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention and a pipe bank box  6  can be conjugated and then inlaid into the wall (or floor). A plurality of pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatuses of the present invention, which may have various sizes for different types of pipes to be inserted there through, are inlaid into one surface of the pipe bank box  6  (the opposite surface is not shown). The pipe bank box  6  has a chamber in which the plurality of pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatuses are partially accommodated while the remaining space can be filled with fireproof material to improve the flame-retardant performance of the area where the pipe bank box  6  is inlaid. Alternatively, the pipe bank box  6  is completely embedded in the concrete structure with only the plurality of pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatuses partially exposed. If the exposed ends of the plurality of pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatuses are provided with inspection annuluses, it will be convenient for an operator to remove the thermal-expandable foam in each of the plurality of pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatuses for inspection and replacement. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show a building partition wall, such as a light partition wall  50 , through which the aforementioned pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus ( FIG. 11  merely illustrates a sleeve pipe  47 ) is inserted. One side of the light partition wall  50  is provided with a securing annulus  46  having a projecting rim. The securing annulus  46  can be secured to one surface of the light partition wall  50  via screws with the projecting rim thereof extending into the sleeve pipe  47  to prevent the sleeve pipe  47  from separating from one surface of the light partition wall  50 . A flame-retardant plate  48  whose structure is similar to the structure of the annular shielding plate  404  can be disposed between the securing annulus  46  and the sleeve pipe  47 . The flame-retardant plate  48  can be made of a flameproof material. When a penetrating member  49  inserted into the sleeve pipe  47  catches fire, the flame-retardant plate  48  placed inside the sleeve pipe  47  can block fire. The arrangement of the flame-retardant plate  48  can effectively block flames and smoke. The RFID device  7  can also be disposed on the securing annulus  46  to provide access. 
         [0042]    Compared with the prior art techniques, the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention has a detachable structure so that the flame-retardant material placed therein can be inspected and replaced to ensure a satisfactory flame-retardant effect for each pipeline system. Moreover, the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention adopts a securing ear rather than a conventional annular projecting rim so that the installation process is simpler. Furthermore, the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention is provided with an annular shielding plate to prevent smoke from passing through the pipe casing and spreading from one room to another in the event of a fire. In general, said annular shielding plate can provide a certain airtight ability for the apparatus. Therefore, the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention exhibits a distinct improvement in maintenance of satisfactory flame and smoke retardant performance and convenience of installation. 
         [0043]    The preferred embodiments of the pre-embedded/pre-built-in hole creating apparatus of the present invention have been described by reference to the appended drawings. All the features disclosed herein can be combined with other methods, and every feature disclosed herein can be optionally replaced with a feature with the same, equivalent or similar effect. Therefore, except for particularly distinct features, any feature disclosed herein is an example of identical or similar features. With the preferred embodiments described above, a person skilled in the art understands that the present invention possesses novelty, inventive step and practical applicability. Any modification to the present invention (e.g. a modification to the securing method or securing location) without departing from the scope of the claims can be made by a person skilled in the art.