Abstract:
A modular fire barrier and method for use. The fire barrier includes numerous modules that are oriented horizontally, made up of a frame and numerous fire-resistant panels. By making the frame from tubular-shaped members, the barrier enjoys increased load-bearing ability under high temperature conditions that may compromise less robust frames. By arranging the modules to be substantially in a horizontal orientation, the frames provide sufficient support to the panels, thereby avoiding the need for additional support, such as from girts.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/922,276, filed Apr. 6, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to fire barrier systems, and more particularly to such systems with modular framing features and horizontal frame orientation for improved installation and maintenance. 
         [0003]    Fire rated barriers are designed to provide containment of blast over-pressure, projectiles and the spread of fire resulting from mechanical or electrical equipment failure. One typical application involves providing a fire barrier adjacent large industrial electrical transformers. In order to dissipate the transformer&#39;s extensive buildup of heat, a liquid cooling medium (for example, fluorinated hydrocarbon oils, silicone-based oils or the like) is used. Despite their ability to convey away excess heat, such fluids are susceptible to ignition if exposed to high temperatures that may occur through a rupture or related breach in the cooling containment and related passages. Such fires can become especially violent in the case of transformer explosions. As large industrial transformers, many of which may be part of an aging electrical infrastructure, are being used to service increasingly large electrical demands, the likelihood of a failure resulting in a fire, as well as the consequences associated with damage to collateral equipment or facilities will increase. 
         [0004]    Fire barrier systems can be used to act as a wall between the source of the fire (for example, the aforementioned transformer) and people, structures, other equipment or the like. In one form, such barriers employ large concrete slabs, while in another form, non-combustible panels (for example, concrete-cored centers sandwiched between metal skins) can be mounted onto channeled brackets (for example, L-shaped or J-shaped brackets) to form a framed panel, where the frames are sized, cut and affixed to the panels at the installation site. In a variation on this concept, the present inventors have developed a modular barrier system, where a series of non-combustible panels are mounted to a frame made from tubular members. The inventors discovered that such tubular frames give the barriers additional structural rigidity, and additionally were more compatible with modular construction, as on-site measurements and adjustments were avoided. Regardless of whether the panels and frames were configured as modular or on site-constructed assemblies, their arrangement upon fabrication included a series on upright (i.e., vertically) oriented assemblies placed side-by-side and secured to one another to define a barrier wall that in turn was mounted to numerous generally vertical columns and one or more horizontal girts. The barrier wall was typically supported underneath by either a grade beam, continuous foundation or a lower horizontal girt. 
         [0005]    The present inventors have discovered that further improvements can be made. For example, the concrete barriers, while generally effective at limiting the damage due to a fire, are heavy (for example, between forty five and fifty pounds per square foot for a four inch thick slab), requiring significant installation activity as well as robust footers and related support structure. In addition to installation difficulties, concrete barriers are harder to move if the equipment placed between them needs servicing. The site-manufactured frames for the non-combustible panels involve significant field modifications to ensure proper fitting of the assembly; in addition, the ability of such an assembly to maintain its structural integrity can be limited in cases of severe fires, where torsional properties are especially susceptible to compromise. The vertically-oriented barrier systems that use a panel and tubular frame modular assembly, while an improvement on the other of the aforementioned fire barriers, requires one or more horizontal girts for increased overpressure and wind loading. Such girts add weight and complexity to the fire barrier system. Accordingly, there is a need for a fire barrier that retains the aforementioned modular features while being less costly and easier to install. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This need is met by the present invention, where according to an aspect of the invention, a modular fire barrier assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes numerous fire barrier modules each of which include a frame and fire-resistant panels secured to the frame. The frame is made up of generally elongate tubular members spaced substantially parallel to one another along their elongate dimension. In the present context, the panels are considered to be secured to the tubular members when coupled in such a fashion as to not be readily separable therefrom. In such configuration, the panels and tubular members may be joined by any conventional fashion, such as through bonding, welding, bolts and related fasteners, as well as sized grooves formed in the tubular members to allow insertion of a panel edge therein. The modular construction is advantageous in that by being made from a series of bolted-up panels, it can be pre-engineered for a particular installation, requires no on-site welding, formwork or scaffolding. This reduces or eliminates the shutdown time of the equipment being serviced by the barrier. Moreover, the bolted-up nature promotes ease of temporary removal of the barrier. 
         [0007]    Upon securing the modules to one another along such dimension, the assembly takes on a generally planar form across the surfaces of the joined panels. Subsequent attachment of the assembly to a load-bearing structure is done in such a way that the elongate dimension of the frames are in a generally horizontal orientation. In this way, the entirety of the joined modules form a deep planar member that is self-supporting such that a lower horizontal member, grade beam or other undergirding of the assembly is not required. Furthermore, the horizontal orientation of the rigid tubular frame that defines each barrier, when coupled to a rigid, generally upright column structure, can provide sufficient resistance to wind load and overpressure, seismic activity or the like without relying on horizontal girt members. The inventors have discovered that the tubular shape of the frame members provides superior performance relative to conventional L-shaped or J-shaped frames, as the tubular members have increased torsional resistance, especially under high temperature conditions such as those encountered in a fire, explosion, of other significant heat-liberating event associated with electrical or mechanical equipment failure. In this way, the module frames may self-span horizontally, allowing them to support their own weight as well as the weight of the panels while keeping stresses to within acceptable limits under fire and related extreme heat conditions. 
         [0008]    Optionally, each of the fire-resistant panels is a fire-rated panel. By being fire-rated, the panels have been determined by an appropriate regulatory or oversight agency to meet certain criteria (for insurance purposes, for example) for performance, safety and quality useful to the purpose for which the fire-rated component has been installed or otherwise employed. The fire-rated panel may come in various generally planar configurations, including substantially planar first and second surfaces coextensive with and spaced from one another such that a volume is defined between them. A core of fire-resistant material, such as a fiber cement, is disposed in the volume between the first and second surfaces and secured to them such that a laminate structure is formed. The substantially planar first and second surfaces may be made up of a metallic material, which may receive additional treatment, such as being galvanized. 
         [0009]    In addition to the generally parallel tubular members, the frame may additionally include reinforcing members that extend between the tubular members. This provides torsional stiffness to the frame, as well as horizontal support to the edges of adjacently situated panels that are coupled to the frame. The reinforcing members, much like the frame members, may be generally tubular in shape. In one particular form, fasteners are used to secure the modules to one another, where the fasteners may be a threaded bolt or any other configuration known to those skilled in the art. In one particular configuration, the generally tubular members define a box-like, rectangular profile. Likewise, the reinforcing members may define a similar rectangular profile. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a horizontally-oriented modular fire barrier system is disclosed. The system includes a fire barrier assembly as previously discussed and mounting structure. The mounting structure preferably includes two or more columns configured to engage a support surface (for example, the ground), as well as fastening members to secure the fire barrier assembly to the columns. The fire barrier system includes numerous substantially horizontally-oriented fire barrier modules, each of which include a frame made up of numerous generally tubular members spaced substantially parallel to one another along their elongate dimension, and numerous fire-resistant panels secured to the tubular members such that upon securing the modules to one another along the elongate dimension of the generally tubular members, the plurality of substantially horizontally-oriented fire barrier modules define a generally planar fire barrier wall structure. In addition, numerous columns are laterally spaced from one another and secured in a generally vertical orientation along their elongate dimension so that the fire barrier wall structure can be secured to the columns so that the elongate dimension of the frame is in a generally horizontal orientation relative to the ground or related surface to which the plurality of columns are secured. In the present context, it will be appreciated that where the surface upon which the columns are supported is the ground, it may be that a small slope or minor undulations to the ground prevent the columns from being precisely perpendicular or normal to the surface; such minor variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, and are not destructive of the generally vertical relationship between the columns and the ground. 
         [0011]    Optionally, the columns comprise a generally tubular construction, and one or both of the columns may be substantially filled with a fire-resistant material, such as concrete. The means for securing the generally planar fire barrier wall structure to the columns may include comprises fastening members, such as bolts, that are configured to cooperate with a bracket, flange or related structure. In this way, a bolt, when fastened to the bracket, secures the generally planar fire barrier wall structure to one of the columns. In a particular form, the bolt is a threaded U-bolt. In another feature, apertures formed to allow connection of the bolts or related fasteners can be sized to allow for thermal expansion of the various modules. Specifically, elongated holes of sufficient length to accommodate the total amount of thermal linear expansion are provided. In such case, a threaded fastener nut is tightened only slightly to the bolt to minimize clamping and resulting friction resistance and allow the thermal movement to occur uninhibited. 
         [0012]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of placing a fire barrier is disclosed. The method includes configuring a horizontally-oriented modular fire barrier system to have numerous modules, each of which comprise a frame made up of generally tubular members spaced substantially parallel to one another along their elongate dimension, and fire-resistant panels secured to the tubular members. By such construction, the modules, when coupled to one another along the elongate dimension of the generally tubular members, define a fire barrier wall structure that possesses sufficient structural rigidity that additional support devices, such as girts, are not required. A load-bearing structure provides underlying vertical support for the fire barrier wall structure, and is connected thereto by securing means. The method additionally includes installing the system such that the elongate dimension of the generally tubular members of the fire barrier wall structure is oriented substantially horizontal relative to the ground. 
         [0013]    The method is particularly well-suited to reducing the spread of a fire in the event of malfunction of equipment (for example, an electrical transformer) situated adjacent the barrier. Thus, in one optional form, the method includes installing the system adjacent an electrical transformer; in this way, a fire caused by a malfunction in the transformer is substantially confined along the direction of fire propagation from the transformer to the system to a region bounded by the system. In another option, the load-bearing structure is made up of numerous columns situated in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the ground. While the overall orientation of the tubular members making up the frame of the fire barrier wall structure remains substantially horizontal to the ground or related substrate, it will be appreciated that the general planar surface making up the fire barrier wall structure may be placed in a substantially horizontal plane or a substantially vertical plane. Thus, in one form, the substantially horizontal orientation of the fire barrier wall structure comprises placing the generally planar surface defined by the fire barrier wall structure in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the ground while keeping the frame comprising the plurality of generally tubular members in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to the ground. In such orientation, the fire barrier wall structure acts as a wall. In another form, the substantially horizontal orientation of the fire barrier wall structure comprises placing the generally planar surface defined by the fire barrier wall structure in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to the ground while keeping the frame comprising the plurality of generally tubular members in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to the ground. In such orientation, the fire barrier wall structure acts as a ceiling, floor or related platform-like structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The following detailed description of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following figures: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a rear elevation view of a modular fire barrier, incorporating five modules in a vertical orientation according to the prior art; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  shows a lateral elevation view of a modular fire barrier according to the prior art, highlighting a typical bracket connection between a horizontal girt and a vertical panel assembly; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2B  shows a top view of the modular fire barrier of  FIG. 2A , highlighting how adjacent vertical panel assemblies are attached to the horizontal girt; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2C  shows a top view of a modular fire barrier according to the prior art, highlighting the connection of the tubular girt of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  to a concrete-filled tubular column; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2D  shows a cutaway elevation view of a footing structure used to provide support to a vertical panel assembly according to the prior art; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a rear elevation view of a modular fire barrier, incorporating six modules in a horizontal orientation according to an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4A  shows a lateral elevation view highlighting typical attachment of the modular panel frames of  FIG. 3  to a tubular support column; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4B  shows a top view of the attachment of  FIG. 4A , including how the tubular column can be filled with concrete; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4C  shows a partial elevation view of a modular panel frame and attachment brackets such as used in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4D  shows a top view of a tubular column base with appurtenances; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4E  shows a lateral elevation view of a tubular column base and supported modular fire barrier; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  shows a partial elevation view of the modular fire barrier of  FIG. 3  placed adjacent a transformer; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  shows how the fire barrier modules may be used as ceiling-mounted fire barriers, according to another aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a modular fire barrier system  1  according to the prior art is shown. The system  1  is assembled from numerous fire barrier modules  10 A,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D and  10 E (generally designated as  10 ), arranged in a generally vertical orientation. The modules  10  are considered “vertical” in that the elongate dimension of the modules  10  is perpendicular to the ground or related support or mounting surface. One or more horizontal girts  20  (for example, a ten inch by six inch girt, as shown with particularity in  FIG. 2B , and one or more vertical columns  30  (for example, a fourteen inch by ten inch column, as shown with particularity in  FIG. 2C ) are used to provide lateral structural support for the modules  10  of the system  1 . The girt  20  is connected to columns  30  with brackets  40  and bolts  90 , where the size is configured for the load requirements. For example, with the fourteen inch by ten inch girt  20  and fourteen inch by ten inch column  30  of  FIG. 2C , an L-shaped bracket  40  may assume four inch tall, eight inch wide, five sixteenths thick construction, while bolt  90  may be a three fourths diameter, grade A325 bolt. Modules  10  connect to girt  20  with brackets  50 , indicated individually by  50 A,  50 B,  50 C,  50 D and  50 E. Each of the columns  30  includes a footing  35 , indicated individually by references  35 A and  35 B. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the footings  35  may be replaced by or formed as part of a pier structure or continuous foundation  37  at the foot of each of the columns  30 . 
         [0029]    Each of the fire barrier modules  10  comprises a rectangular frame  60  having a pair of side members  62  and  64 , a top member  66 , and a bottom member  68 . Depending on the height of the fire barrier system  1 , each of the modules  10  may include one or more intermediate members indicated generally by reference  70 . The intermediate members  70  serve to divide the module  10  into a number of panels  80 ,  82 ,  84  and  86 , generally suffixed with A, B, C, D and E respectively, as shown in the figure. Each of the fire barrier panels  80 ,  82 ,  84  and  86  is made up of a square or rectangular section of a fire-rated material, attached to the frame  60  and its respective top member  66 , side members  62  and  64 , bottom member  68  and the intermediate members  70 , where the height of the fire barrier  1  typically determines the number of intermediate members  70  required. In one attachment scheme, self-drilling or self-tapping screws are used. Fastening brackets  75  may be used to secure bottom members  68  to continuous foundation  37 . 
         [0030]    Referring next to  FIGS. 2A through 2D , in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , attachment of the various parts of system  1  are shown. Referring with particularity to  FIG. 2C , girt  20  is coupled to columns  30  at the respective contact or overlap points using brackets  40 . The brackets  40  may be made up of angled metal sections (as shown) and are fastened or joined (for example, welded or bolted) to respective sides of the column  30 . The brackets  40  include holes aligned with matching apertures formed in the girt  20  and are fastened together with a threaded bolt and nut assembly (not shown) in order to couple the girt  20  to the column  30 . Referring with particularity to  FIG. 2D , the lower end of a panel  80  and a frame  60  are directly supported by continuous foundation  37 , including attachment through bracket  75  and bolt, as shown. Referring with particularity to  FIG. 2A , a notional placement of girt  20  relative to the panel  80  and frame  60  is shown, including the use of a bracket  50  and bolt. Referring with particularity to  FIG. 2B , a top view depicting adjacent modules  10 A and  10 B at their lateral edges to one another, highlights how frame side members  62 B and  64 A abut one another. 
         [0031]    In a variation on this configuration, a modular fire barrier structure is disclosed. The structure includes a plurality of fire barrier modules, each of which include an element for adjoining a corresponding element on an adjacent fire barrier module. In this configuration, each of the fire barrier modules include one or more panels, where each of the panels are made from a fire-rated material. In addition, columns can be used to couple to the fire barrier modules. Likewise, one or more girt members (which can either be tubular or I-beam shaped) can be coupled between two of the columns in a substantially horizontal orientation. Moreover, the girt member (or members) may include one or more brackets for coupling to one or more of the fire barrier modules. In addition, a fire-resistant cover for protecting the girt member may be used. In a more particular form, each of the fire barrier modules are made up of a first side member, second side member, top member and bottom member, where the side, top and bottom members are connected together to form a frame. In this way, the panel can be affixed to the frame. In an even more particular form, the panels are made up of a single skin of fire-rated material, where a thickness (for example, between approximately one-half of an inch to six inches) can be tailored to the environment. In one form, the members and the panels are welded together as a pre-assembled unit. Such a fire barrier structure may be designed by inputting length, height and loading parameters for the structure, determining a required number of column elements based on the length parameter, determining a required number of girt elements based on the length and height parameters, determining a column dimension for column elements, where the column dimension is based at least in part on the loading parameter, and determining a girt dimension for the girt elements, based at least in part on the loading parameter. 
         [0032]    Referring next to  FIG. 3 , a horizontally-oriented fire barrier system  100  according to an aspect of the present invention is shown. Its construction provides a lightweight (for example, six to twelve pounds per square foot) alternative to concrete slabs, while its generally horizontal orientation allows further weight reduction relative to a vertically-oriented counterpart, as well as simplicity of construction and installation. System  100  is made up of a fire barrier wall structure  105  that is a large, generally planar surface made up of numerous modules (generally referred to as  110 )  110 A,  110 B,  110 C,  110 D and  110 E, and within each of the modules, a set of respective panels  181 ,  182 ,  183 ,  184 ,  185  and  186  secured to a frame  160  with top side  162  and bottom side  164 . Intermediate members  170  connect top side  162  and bottom side  164  of each frame  160  to provide lateral support, as well as to provide structure where edges of adjacent panels (for example, panels  182 A and  183 A) meet; such reinforcement avoids having the edges act in an unsupported way. As with the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , columns  30  mounted to and supported by concrete foundations  35  may be used to provide a mounting structure for the fire barrier wall structure  105 . An important attribute of the horizontal orientation of the system  100  modules  110  is that the parallel top and bottom members  162  and  164  with attached cross members  170  behave as a rigid structure spanning between columns  30  and are thus self-supporting without the need for a continuous support foundation  37  or other supplemental structure as with the prior art. Further, the parallel top and bottom members  162  and  164  are sized to resist loads perpendicular to the wall plane of wind or earthquake without the need for girt members  20  as with the prior art. 
         [0033]    The panels  180 ,  182 ,  184  and  186  are preferably constructed from a sheet or layer of fire-rated material the thickness of which is determined according to the application. For example, the fire barrier panel  180 ,  182 ,  184  and  186  may have a thickness ranging from one half inch to six inches. In one form, the top, side and bottom members  166 ,  162 ,  164  and  168 , as well as the intermediate member(s)  170  of frame  160  comprise steel sections (for example, tubular frame stock); the various members are attached together (through, for example, welding or fastening) into a rectangular structural frame  160 . According to one embodiment, the fire-rated panels  180 ,  182 ,  184  and  186  are attached to the various top  166 , side  162 ,  164 , bottom  168  and intermediate members  170  (if present) of frame  160  using self-drilling or self-tapping metal screws (not shown) around the peripheral edge of each panel  180 ,  182 ,  184  and  186 . Each module  110  is attached to another module by means of structural bolt and nut assemblies  190  through the tubular frame  160 . The modules  110  are coupled to the columns  30  through brackets  40  at the respective contact points. 
         [0034]    In a preferred setup of system  100 , the supporting columns  30  and associated footings  35  or piers are located at or near (for example, within a few feet of) the ends of the modules  110 . The spacing of the columns  30  is based on the particular needs of the installation, but may (in situations where the system  100  is used as a fire barrier for a conventional industrial transformer) be between ten and thirty feet in a typical setup. In one form, the columns  30  are hollow tubular members, and may be filled with a fire-rated or fire-resistant material, such as concrete  133  (shown and described in conjunction with  FIG. 4B  below) to provide additional fire protection. In another form, the columns  30  may be configured as I-beams or the like. In either configuration, it is preferable that the columns  30  be made from a material (for example, a high strength steel) that is capable of withstanding all of the expected environmental loads. The columns  30 , footings  35  and modules of system  100  are designed or specified to resist the local environmental factors or loads associated with the location of the application, including, inter alia, wind loads, seismic loads and any expected overpressure due to a malfunction of the equipment situated adjacent the system  100 . 
         [0035]    The design considerations to which the barrier system  100  is targeted include 100% wind (for stress and total displacement), 56% wind (for individual member deflections), fire at 1100 degrees Fahrenheit (or greater) plus concurrent wind at 20% of maximum, and seismic and other loading conditions where applicable or required by particular governing codes. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that more stringent loading conditions may be designed for where specifically requested by an end user. In one non-limiting example, each of the generally horizontal modules are forty seven and one quarter inches high and twenty eight feet wide, weighing approximately one thousand and ninety pounds. Likewise, in a non-limiting example, barrier system  100 , made up of five modules  110 A,  110 B,  110 C,  110 D and  110 E, would be approximately nineteen feet, eight inches tall from a bottom frame tubular member of the lowermost module  110 E to a top frame tubular member of the uppermost module  110 A. 
         [0036]    Referring next to  FIGS. 4A through 4E , connection of modules  110  to column  30  is depicted in detail. Referring with particularity to  FIG. 4A , a lateral elevation view showing tubular frame sides  164  and  162  each with a bracket (for example, an angle bracket)  15  attached to them. U-bolts  195  wrap around tubular column  30  and insert through elongated apertures in brackets  15  and secure with nut  194  and plate washer  196 . In this case, a spacer bar  198  is provided to match the thickness of column base reinforcing plate  191  that is shown with particularity in  FIG. 4E . Referring with particularity to  FIG. 4B , a top view shows concrete fill  33  in tubular column  30 . Referring with particularity to  FIG. 4C , a partial elevation view of a module  110  with fire rated panel material  187  attached to the opposite side is shown. In this example, brackets  15  are placed on each side of frame cross member  170  at both top member  162  and bottom member  164 , where an enlarged detail of bracket  15  is additionally indicated, along with notional dimensions. Of particular importance is the elongated aperture  15 A the length of which is calculated to allow full thermal expansion of module  110  under fire or related elevated temperature conditions. Nut  194  is not completely tightened so as not to restrict the thermal movement of the attached module  110  by friction resistance. The dimensions and thickness of bracket  15  indicated may vary depending on the particular geographical site loading requirements. Those skilled in the art will recognize that bracket  15  may comprise a plate, channel, tube or other various shapes made from a structurally right material, such as steel. While the present embodiment utilizes a U-bolt  195 , it may be substituted with two standard straight bolts, one each side of the column, and a plate at the back side of column  30  or other similar means. 
         [0037]    Referring with particularity to  FIGS. 4D and 4E , a base for tubular column  30  and support pier  35  are depicted in more detail.  FIG. 4D  shows a top view of column  30  with concrete fill  33  setting on base plate  36  with reinforcing flange plates  39  and module support bracket  32 . Column  30  and flange plates  39  are welded to base plate  36 . In this case, six apertures are provided for anchor rods  38 , although it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the size and thickness of base plate  36  and flange plates  39  as well as the size and number of anchor rods will vary as required to resist wind and other loads particular to the conditions of the installation. Other base configurations may be used in lieu of base plate  36  to anchor the base of column  30 , for example, an elongate I-beam or tube member with various attached plates or angles for connection of anchor rods could be used. Pier  35  is commonly cast-in-place concrete with embedded anchor rods  38  sized for the required loading conditions; however, other means such as special anchoring systems applicable to mounting to existing concrete or welding to existing steel work may be available and suitable for mounting of the columns  30 . Bracket  32  is provided to support the bottom module  110 F which in turns bears the weight of modules  110 A,  110 B,  110 C,  110 D and  110 E above. Bottom module  110 F is connected to column  30  flange plate with a bolt in lieu of the U-bolt connection. 
         [0038]    Referring next to  FIG. 5 , an example of a fire barrier system  100  according to the present invention is used to shield a transformer  1000 . The present design allows for the elimination of the top horizontal structural member (i.e., top girt  20  of  FIG. 1 ), as well as the need for a bottom horizontal structural member or continuous foundation  37  (the latter as depicted in  FIG. 1 ) to support the weight of the barrier modules  110 . In addition to weight benefits, this also eliminates material and labor required to fireproof the bottom horizontal member. The horizontal orientation of the barrier modules may also include a bottom skirt  115  that has fire resistant panels (for example, panels  180 ,  182 ,  184  and  186 ) attached to lighter tubular framing members which are in turn attached to the lowermost module  110 F in such a manner to allow for field adjustment to the existing grade variations. The purpose of this bottom skirt  115  is to reduce the likelihood of fire spreading or fluid leakage in the region between the bottom of the barrier modules  110  and the top of the ground. As can be seen at the near edge of the system  100 , the wall thickness of the frames  160  may be rather thin (for example, one eighth of an inch thick); depending on the load requirements, such wall thickness may be varied. Referring again to  FIG. 4C , in another feature, the system  100  includes an allowance for thermal expansion of the frames  160  by provision of elongated holes  15 A in bracket  15  where the modules  110  are connected to the columns  30 . The connection of the fire barrier assembly (which is made up of the numerous attached modules  110 A,  110 B,  110 C,  110 D,  110 E and  110 F) to column  30  with U-bolts  195  replaces the oversize hole connection currently used to connect modules to structural framework. The need for connector angle piece bracket  50  (such as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B) is thereby eliminated. Furthermore, in addition to the weight benefits relative to a vertical orientation, the configuration of the present invention is expected to have superior fire resistance performance. For example, when a bottom horizontal member is employed to support the other modules in the a vertical barrier configuration, it must be fire proofed. In such case, its performance is at least partially dependent on the quality of workmanship of the fireproofing material installation. By elimination of this member, such an element of uncertainty is removed. 
         [0039]    The inventors have discovered additional uses for the barriers of the present invention. Referring next to  FIG. 6 , system  200  is shown as a ceiling structure. The present ceiling-oriented system  200  includes barrier system  100 , made up of seven modules  210 A,  210 B,  210 C,  210 D,  210 E,  210 F and  210 G. Instead of generally vertical columns (such as those shown in conjunction with  FIG. 3 ), the fire barrier assembly of system  200  is mounted to existing beams  230  that are already in place as part of a building&#39;s internal structure. In a ceiling application, the system  200  is specifically configured to contain a fire from one side only, whereas the wall type barrier system  100  can be configured to contain a fire from both sides. In such an application, the fire resistant panel side of the modules  210 A,  210 B,  210 C,  210 D,  210 E,  210 F and  210 G are oriented toward the fire (heat) side. One exemplary use of a fire barrier assembly being used as a ceiling structure is for a power plant smoke stack scrubber, where less robust equipment (for example, fiber-reinforced plastics) may not have adequate temperature resistance. In such an installation, the use of the fire barrier assembly of the present invention could provide additional resistance to a fire forming in the lower portion of the power plant&#39;s smokestack (where the scrubber and associated equipment is often situated). In another use, the barrier assembly can be used for an egress enclosure (such as surrounding stairs or the like, not shown). In another use, the barrier assembly can be configured as a cable or conduit tray (not shown) to shield such from the effects of fire or other high temperature excursions. In yet another use, the fire barrier assembly may include a coating on the surfaces of the various modules to provide additional protection against rain, fog, salt water or other related environments. 
         [0040]    While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those persons skilled in the art that various changes in the methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.