Fireproof Floors, Staircases, and Roofs.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 20th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 24th Dec.; 1891
ALFRED JOHN BEWICK WARD, Architect, 148, Palace Chambers, West-
minster S. W.
I do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in roofs floors & staircases fire proof
construction. The object being to lessen cost. A self supporting iron mesh of
wire netting, split steel, or iron plates, covered with plaster or quick setting
material to form centreing on this, small rods or other layers of above material
put on & the floor filled up with plaster or cement to required thickness &
strength.
I use
All centreing & iron joists done away with in other than large spans.
steel or iron joists or tee pieces in case of large spans.
The material that gets through the interstices will form a key for the plastering
or finishing to ceilings. I may put in rods & case same round with quick setting
material to take the place of girders or small brick arches may be used at
intervals.
Dad 0741 Ta 1001
A. J. BEWICK WARD.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Fireproof Floors, Staircases, and Roofs.
ALFRED JOHN BEWICK WARD, 148 Palace Chambers, S.W., 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 consists of improvements in the methods of combining iron and
steel with concrete for the purpose of constructing fireproof floors, roofs, stair-
cases, bridges, beams platforms, landings roadways and the like. The object of
this invention is to lessen cost of construction, execute the work more rapidly,
reduce quantity of iron or steel and all boarded centering is done away with. I
take ordinary girders or joists and fix them at a convenient distance apart. I then
fix steel or iron webbing expanded metal grooved or corrugated plates or the like
which is supported to keep it in its place, upon this I put a layer of plaster cement
or the like mixed with hair or the like this quickly sets and so strengthens the
webbing and forms it into a strong centering or platform upon which I lay my
other materials to the required strength and thickness, I may put any number of
layers of the webbing or other iron into the concrete the upper layers need not
necessarily go the full span but simply in the middle as shewn B. Figure 11. I
may use brick arches at intervals in place of the joists and put a layer of deafening
materials to prevent sound. I may use silicate cotton asbestos or any fireproof
cements or plasters as a layer on the netting. Wood laths may be used in place
of or in addition to the iron. The concrete may be composed of coke breeze
broken bricks and cement fibrous plaster or the like. I may fix the webbing to
the supports first and put same in between the girders or walls in slabs and then
proceed to put in the plaster or the like as described.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 shews a cross section and Fig. 2 a longitudinal section through a floor
formed in my system, girders A of suitable size are fixed, 'between which I place
supports B to which the webbing C is attached a layer of haired concrete is put on
and the floor filled up to the required thickness with other layers of webbing D or
rods if required.
Fig. 3 shews a cross section and Fig. 4 a longitudinal section through a floor
formed as before but with rods instead of girders provision is made for using
ordinary joists and boarding-or boards only.
Fig. 5 & 6 shew sections of my system applied to floors and roofs using wood
joists the fillets A may be of wood or concrete the floor by this means may be
finished with concrete asphalte or the like by leaving holes B the wood joists get
ventilation. I may use iron instead of wood joists.
Fig. 7 shews a section through a bressimer or lintel and Fig. 8.a section 'through
a step with layers of webbing through same A the webbing may be either vertical
or horizontal or both, cills mullions columns coping and the like may be made in a
similar way.
Fig. 9 shews a section and Fig. 10 an elevation of how my system can be applied
to a staircase formed in situ, I cut chases in the walls for the girders and steps
and fill in between with the webbing B. plaster C and supports D as before
described.
Fig. 11 shews my method of construction where the soffit is required to be
arched in this case, I use rough wood ribs A and put on the webbing B and
finish as before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same has to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. The improvements in the construction of fireproof floors and other constructions
on webbed centering substantially as described.
2. The improvements in the construction of fireproof staircases substantially as
described.
3. The improvements in the construction of the finishing of wooden floors with
fireproof and waterproof!materials as substantially described.
4. The improvements in the construction of centering for fireproof floors stair-
cases and the like.
Dated this 20th day of November 1891.
ITY A
A. J. BEWICK WARD