IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE-PROOF BUILDINGS
Year: 1885

page_text: We, JOHN TULLOCH and THOMAS TULLOCH both of No. 27 Academy Street, in
the town and County of Inverness, North Britain, Painters and Decorators do
hereby declare the nature of our said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE-PROOF BUILDINGS and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
In carrying our present Invention into practice we construct blocks of the form
hereinafter described of a mixture of fire clay or common clay with or without a
proportion of clean sharp sand and a small proportion of salt. Although no
definite relative amounts of these ingredients are essential we here state as an
example about the proportions of the several ingredients, when the sand and salt
are used, which we have found to give satisfactory results.
Fire clay or common clay
65 per cent.
OT
100
These ingredients are thoroughly and smoothly mixed together in a pug-mill or
other suitable mixing machine, after which the mixture is fed into a machine by
which it is formed into blocks of the required shape. From the moulding machine
the blocks are taken to suitable kilns or furnaces by which they are burned to the
requisite degree of hardness.
In order that our said Invention may be properly understood and readily carried
into effect, we will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively elevations of the side and end of a block
constructed according to our present Invention.
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively plans of the upper and lower sides of the same.
Figure 5 is a section shewing the joint by which two of the blocks (Figures 1 to 4)
are united together.
Figure 6 is an elevation on a reduced scale of a portion of a wall constructed
according to our Invention.

page_text: Figure 8 is an elevation (also on a reduced scale) of the fire-proof facing of a
wall as constructed according to our present Invention.
Figure 9 is a section of the same taken on the line C D Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a plan (also on a reduced scale) of a portion of the underside of a
fire-proof ceiling constructed in accordance with our present Invention.
Figures 11 and 12 are sections of the same taken respectively on the lines E F
and G H Figure 10.
In carrying out our present Invention, we take of each of the ingredients herein
previously specified, vizt Fire or common clay, clean sharp sand and salt, the
necessary quantities and thoroughly mix the same in a pug or other suitable mill
to a homogeneous mass of the requisite degree of plasticity.
This mixture is fed into a press by which it is moulded into blocks, the shape of
which is hereinafter described, and then dried and burned to the requisite degree of
bardness.
The blocks as represented upon the annexed Drawings are formed hollow, that
is to say, they are provided with the openings a, extending from end to end or
from side to side thereof. These openings a, are formed by the moulding machine,
it being in the direction of the length of these passages a, that the said blocks are
pressed through the die of such machine. At one of the edges of each of the said
blocks and as represented at the upper edge of the block shewn at Figures 1 and 2
of the annexed drawings, there is formed the double "dove-tail" projection b, and at
the opposite edge of the said block a recess c, is formed preferably of the shape
represented, and extending the whole length of the said edge. The two edges d,
and e, perpendicular to the two edges hereinlast described, may be formed plain as
represented upon the annexed drawings or they may be formed with longitudinal
projections extending halfway across the said edges and which, on being placed
together, constitute "check joints" as represented at Figures 10 and 12 hereinafter
described. In a direction perpendicular to the length of the passages a, openings m
are or may be formed through the projections b, and longitudinal recesses c, and
through the intervening webs f.
For some purposes such as are hereinafter explained, we may divide the blocks
Figures 1 to 4 into halves, that is to say, in the direction of their thickness and
thereby provide upon each half so formed one "dove-tail" projection b, and one
"dove-tail" recess c, so as to admit of their being conveniently jointed together.
The blocks may also be formed with the passages a, running in a direction
perpendicular to that represented upon the annexed drawings, but in this case there
is less surface left for forming the "dove-tail" joints upon.
In constructing a fire-proof partition in accordance with our present Invention
and as represented at Figures 6 and 7 of the annexed drawings respectively in
elevation and in vertical section, we arrange the blocks (Figures 1 to 4) in horizontal
tiers with their "projections" and "recess" edges contiguous. These edges as also
the vertical edges, which are arranged in such manner as to break bond, are jointed
together with Portland or equivalent cement, the horizontal joints by their peculiar
configuration which is shewn more particularly on an enlarged scale at Figure 5
being securely locked as soon as the cement has set or hardened.
For the rendering fire-proof of any existing stone, brick or other partitions or
for lining any new structure with a refractory surface, we may face the partitions
with a lining of blocks such as has been hereinlast described with reference to
Figures 6 and 7, but we prefer to employ half blocks as shewn at Figures 8 and 9
respectively in elevation and vertical section. The half-blocks are each cemented
together in the manner hereinbefore described and are supported against the face of
the existing partition g, by means of staples h, or their equivalents arranged at any
required parts of the structure and hidden as shewn, below the outer surface of the
lining.
In constructing a fire-proof ceiling according to our present improvements, we
prefer to employ blocks similar, in general construction, to those which have been

page_text: herein before described but having, in substitution for the projections b, and
recesses c, other recesses shaped out to the contour of one-half of the surface
exposed on iron of an I-shaped section of the required dimensions.
This
construction of block is represented more particularly at Figure 11 of the annexed
Drawings, at which Figure it is seen that the contiguous grooved edges are locked
together by means of the interposed bars i, of I-shaped iron which bars are
cemented in such position. The bars i are supported at their ends upon the iron
joists or girders j, which in. their turn are supported in the main walls of the
building. The edges of the blocks perpendicular to those provided with the
I-shaped iron bars i, are preferably formed with check joints k, such as have been
hereinbefore referred to, these joints k, being similarly formed with Portland or
equivalent cement.
At the parts where the blocks abut against the main girders j, it is preferred
that the lips l, be formed extending below the under surfaces thereof so that these
lips 7, protruding from two blocks at either side of the girders ;, and meeting and
being cemented together, entirely secure the said girders against the direct
influence of fire. In place of employing in the construction of fire-proof ceilings,
the blocks as hereinlast described and shewn at Figures 10, 11 and 12 of the
annexed drawings, we may use, in such construction, half-blocks in a manner
somewhat similar to that shewn at Figures 8 and 9. When employing such half-
blocks for ceilings we prefer to dispense with the projections b, and to form, on
this as on the opposite edge, a recess c.
When two half-blocks so formed are
placed edge to edge as required the two recesses presented to each other constitute
a longitudinal passage in which, for the securing of the two such half-blocks
together, is cemented a square or other conveniently shaped bar of iron; this
construction being however obvious and easily understood, we have not considered
it necessary to illustrate the same by further drawings.
The flooring above the forms of fire-proof ceilings herein before described, may
be composed of concrete filled in between and up to the level of the upper surface
of the girders j, or, by wooden joists laid upon and transversely across the girders j,
the wooden floor-boards being nailed or otherwise secured down upon the top of
the said joists.
The exposed surfaces of the fire-proof structures herein before described, presenting
a rough and unfinished appearance, a facing of plaster or other suitable material
may be applied, after the setting of which, any desired paint, or other finishing
surface may be used for perfecting the appearance.
The construction of the blocks with the passages a, therethrough as herein before
described admits of the ready circulation of air through a wall or partition formed
of such blocks and consequently obstructs the radiation of heat from one side to
the other or from one side thereof to the partition or other structure to which the
hollowed surfaces of such blocks are presented. These passages further facilitate
the carrying to and connecting of bell-wires, electric leads, pipes and other structural
matter with other parts of the building and has also the effect of obstructing the
passage of damp and sound through the walls of such buildings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
First The hollow blocks composed of refractory material and formed with two
dove-tailed edges at opposite sides for the purpose of uniting the said blocks
together by cement substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn upon the
annexed sheet of Drawing.
Second Constructing the partitions and ceilings of fire-proof buildings of the
blocks composed of refractory material claimed in the preceding claiming clause by
uniting the said blocks together substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the annexed sheet of Drawing.

page_text: Third The facing of the main walls or the partitions or ceilings of fire-proof
buildings with the blocks or the half-blocks substantially as hereinbefore set forth
with reference to the annexed sheet of Drawing.
J. H. JOHNSON, DAY & JOHNSON, 5
Applicants' Agents,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.