Improvements in Fire-proof Ceilings.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Oct., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 1st July, 1896-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1896
Improvements in Fire-proof Ceilings.
1, GUSTAV DE BRUYN, of 48, Hirschgraben, Hamburg, in the German
Empire, Architect, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in fire-proof ceilings.
Many attempts have already been made to construct ceilings which are proof
against fire. These attempts have, however, hitherto been without success as those
ceilags which were really fire-proof were heavy and consequently costly in addition
ich they were not sound proof.
to
eiling forming the subject of the present application is not only fire but
ad proof and is of comparatively small cost.
improved ceiling, which is preferably carried by double T-iron girders,
onsists of a thick layer of plaster in which iron bars or strips are embedded
lengthwise and crosswise.
The plaster is composed preferably of a mixture of gypsum and sand or ashes or
cinders. The transverse bars or rods rest with their under surfaces on the lower
flanges of the iron girders and are bent downwards below the said girders so that
the surface of the ceiling is at some distance below the girders whereby the latter
are provided with a sufficiently thick insulating layer on their underside, the layer
of plaster being also curved to correspond with the curving of the bars or rods so
that the flanges of the girders serve also as a support for the ceiling.
The
longitudinal rods rest on the transverse rods.
arrange above the ceiling a separate curved ceiling adapted to support heavy
loads which ceiling is supported on the lower flanges of the girders. This second
ceiling can be made of slabs or of cement, or of slag concrete or of ordinary bricks.
There remains between the two ceilings a space which prevents the transmission
of sound through the ceiling. On the upper ceiling I then spread sand, ashes or
the like in which are embedded joists adapted to carry the flooring. The space
between the two ceilings is left in communication with the atmosphere or with the
air of the room until the ceiling is finished so that the latter may dry quickly and
completely.
The said space can also be used for the reception of tubes, telephone wires and
heating arrangements. The thick layer of plaster withstands the highest
temperature so that the ceiling is absolutely fire-proof, and the absence of
draughts from the lower to the upper room and vice versa improves the fire-proof
qualities of the ceiling.
My improved ceiling is also unfavourable to the spread of vermin and impurities
and also prevents the growth of fungus besides being very light and easily and
cheaply manufactured, at the same time satisfying all architectural and sanitary.
demands.
Dated the 1st day of October 1895.

page_text: I, GUSTAV DE BRUYN, of 48, Hirschgraben, Hamburg, in the German Empire,
Architect, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in fire-proof ceilings.
Many attempts have already been made to construct ceilings which are proof
against fire. These attempts have, however, hitherto been without success as those
ceilings which were really fire-proof were heavy and consequently costly, in
addition to which they were not sound-proof.
The ceiling forming the subject of the present application is not only fire but
also sound-proof and is of comparatively small cost.
To enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe it by reference to
the accompanying drawing, in which:-
Figure 1 is a transverse section of a ceiling constructed according to my
invention:
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same; and,
Figure 3 is a sectional plan shewing the arrangement of bars and girders of my
improved ceiling.
My improved ceiling, which is preferably carried by double T-iron girders a, a
consists of a thick layer of plaster in which iron bars or strips c, c and d, d are
embedded lengthwise and crosswise.
The plaster layer is composed preferably of a mixture of gypsum and sand or
ashes or cinders. The transverse bars or rods d, d rest with their under surfaces
on the lower flanges of the iron girders a, a and are bent downwards below the
said girders so that the surface of the ceiling is at some distance below the girders,
shown clearly in Figure 1, whereby the latter are provided with a sufficiently
thick insulating layer on their underside, the layer of plaster being also curved to
correspond with the curving of the bars or rods so that the flanges of the
girders a serve also as a support for the ceiling. The longitudinal rods c, c rest
on the transverse rods d, d.
as
I arrange above the ceiling a separate curved ceiling e adapted to support heavy
loads, which ceiling rests on the lower ceiling so as to be supported on the lower
flanges of the girders a. This second ceiling e can be made of slabs or of cement,
or of slag concrete or of ordinary bricks. There remains between the two ceilings
a space which prevents the transmission of sound through the ceiling. On the
upper ceiling then spread sand, ashes or the like in which are embedded
joists 9 adapted to carry the flooring h. The space between the two
ceilings 6 and e is left in communication with the atmosphere or with the air of
the room until the ceiling is finished so that the latter may dry quickly and
completely.
e
The said space can also be used for the reception of tubes, telephone wires
and heating arrangements. The thick layer of plaster withstands the highest
temperature so that the ceiling is absolutely fire-proof, and the absence of draughts
from the lower to the upper room and vice versa improves the fire-proof qualities
of the ceiling.
My improved ceiling is also unfavourable to the spread of vermin and impurities
and also prevents the growth of fungus besides being very light and easily and
cheaply manufactured, at the same time satisfying all architectural and sanitary
demands.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A fire and sound-proof double ceiling consisting of a curved upper ceiling
adapted to support the weight of the floor above it and of a lower ceiling of plaster
which is supported by bars or rods embedded in it and rests on the lower flanges
of the girders so that it serves as an abutment for, and is held by, the curved
ceiling substantially as described.
2. The improved fire and sound-proof ceiling herein before described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated the 1st day of July 1896.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.