An Improved Construction of Fire-proof Flooring, and the like .Structural Arrangements.
Year: 1897

page_text: An Improved Construction of Fire-proof Flooring, and the like
.Structural Arrangements.
I, EDWARD LLOYD PEASE, of the Parkfield Works, Stockton-on-Tees, in the County
of Durham, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to he as
follows:-
My invention relates to fire proof flooring and the like structural arrangements in
which a sysem of troughing adapted to hold water can be incorporated with structural
elements affording the requisite strength and rigidity as hereinafter described.
The object of this invention is to construct floors, flat roofs and the like structures
on a practically fire proof principle by making provision for troughing or pooling
water within the structural elements of the floor and in such a way that the water
is readily affected by heat generated into steam which issues through holes, and
perforations as from a sprinkler under pressure. But whilst I arrange for the
retention in the troughs of a certain supply of water to ensure, the undestructability
of the floor I can if desired arrange that the water level of the supply shall be above
that of the perforations so that the water may be discharged therefrom.
My present invention is more especially adapted to flooring, of the kind described
in the Specification of the Letters Patent granted to me as of the 31st May 1895 and
numbered 10783 as shown in Figs. 15 to 21 inclusive of the accompanying drawings
but is also adapted to other constructions of flooring as will be hereinafter explained.
In carrying out my invention I provide in connection with my system of trough
flooring, provision for charging the troughs with water preferably through an inlet
valve the lever of which is held in the shut off position by a cord or lead line of
material which would be easily consumed in case of fire so that a continuous supply
of water is automatically charged into the flooring when required. The troughs are
provided along their sides with holes or perforations below the level of which the said
troughs are water tight so that a limited supply of water is permanently troughed or
pooled in the flooring and when heated. is driven out into the space, below in, the
form of vapour. But instead of a series of separate troughs arranged, and utilized as
described in my Specification No. 10783 of 1895. My invention can be similarly
applied to the recognised form of concrete, floorings in which case corrugated plating
is provided extending across from abutment to abutment. of each division or in, the
flooring 'in the concavities of which the.water is troughed or, pooled, whilst the con-
vexities are perforated for the expulsion of water or steam. Other forms of troughing
may be used such as the truncated form of an inverted triangle and where thick
planking or rolled joists intervene, water communications adapted for the purpose of
my invention are bored through them. Other forms of flooring, adapted to my
invention are the various arrangements of sheet iron flooring arranged on the ridge
and valley system supported on the main joists or wall as the case may be and
carrying the boards on cross girders or joists.
'It will be observed from the above description that the construction of the flooring
in respect 'to the requisite strength and rigidity is not material to my invention so
long as the structural arrangement thereof admits of water being troughed or pooled

page_text: therein whether from an automatic supply or permanently so long as the water so
troughed or pooled below an overflow level which if exceeded forms an outlet for
water is exposed to heat in case of fire and is driven forth as an effectual fire
extinguisher in the form of vapour,
An Improved Construction of Fire-proof Flooring, and the like
Structural Arrangements.
I, EDWARD LLOYD PEASE, of the Parkfield Works, Stockton-on-Tees, in the County
of Durban, Engineer, 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 :-
My invention, relates to fire proof flooring and the like structural arrangements in
which a system of troughing adapted to hold water is incorporated with other
structural elements the combination affording the requisite strength and rigidity as
hereinafter described.
The object of this invention is to construct floors, flat roofs and the like structures
on a practically fire proof principle by making provision for troughing or pooling
water within the structural elements of the floor and in such a way that the water is
readily affected by heat and generated into steam which issues through holes and
perforations as from a sprinkler under pressure. But whilst Farrange for the retention
in the troughs of a certain supply of water to ensure the indestructability of the floor
I can if desired arrange that the water level of the supply shall be above that of the
perforations so that water may be discharged' therefrom:
My present invention is more especially adapted to flooring of the kind described in
the Specification of the Letters Patent granted to me as of the 31st May 1895 and
numbered 10783 as shown in Figs. 15 to 21 inclusive of the accompanying. drawings
but is also adapted to other constructions of flooring as will be hereinafter explained!
In carrying out my invention I provide in connection with my system of trough
flooring provision for charging the troughs with water preferably through an inlet
valve the lever of which is held in the shut off position by a cord or lead line of
material which would be easily consumed in case of fire so that a continuous supply
of water is automatically charged into the flooring when required. The troughs are
provided along their sides with holes or perforations below the level of which the said
troughs are water tight so that a limited supply of water is troughed or pooled in the
flooring and when heated is driven out into the space below in the form of vapour.
To this end I adopt the constructions represented in the accompanying drawings
which show the embodiment of my invention in a variety of forms to which might
be added others those selected being intended to illustrate represensative modifica-
tions for the various conditions which have to be complied with in floor and flat roof
construction of the ordinary or more usual kind. In the drawings, like letters of
reference indicate like or corresponding parts in all the figures. Figs. 1 and 2 are
corresponding sectional views taken transversely and longitudinally respectively to
the floor planking with the construction adapted to floors of a narrow span, the beams
or joists a a forming shallow troughs capable of holding water. These beams are
preferably stiffened by any number of partitions 6 made of wood with a hole bored
through each to maintain a continuous communication from one compartment to
another along the trough. Figs. 3 and 4 are similar illustrations of the construction

page_text: as adapted to floors of greater span the hollow beam or joist a being of a truncated
form of an inverted triangle which is preferable to the circular form as giving greater
depth for the same width of material from which it is made. The strength of the
hollow beams of this form is further increased if required by internal struts such as c
in Fig. 4. In Fig. 5 the beams take the open tubular form and are partially
embedded in cement or concrete the lower part of each beam being kept open to form a
trough for the reception of water as shown in a transverse sectional view to which
end boards d' are employed to support the cement or concrete until it becomes hard
set. In Fig. 6 a recognised form of concrete floor as shown in transverse section in
similarly rendered fire proof by combining therewith corrugated plating e in the
concavities of which water is pooled whilst the convexities are perforated for the
expulsion of water or steain. Fig. 7 illustrates a precisely similar combination of
corrugated plating with a recognised form of timber floor rendered fire proof in the
manner described with reference to Fig. 6. Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate in similar trans-
verse sectional views light and cheap constructions of flooring in which sheets e¹ are
set diagonally or thereabouts to the main beans in a manner which contributes
strength to the floor whilst forming troughs for pooling water. Other nodes of
combining with flooring of ordinary beam and boarding construction, means for
pooling water are illustrated in transverse sectional views in Figs. 10 and 11. In
floors where the steel joists are not used, the troughs have diaphragm stiffeners b
as shown in Fig. 12, in addition to which struts may be used as shown in
Fig. 13.
It must be understood that in all the modifications as above described it is essential
that provision be inade not only for supplying and pooling the water but also for
discharging it into the room, space or compartment below the floor or roof in case of
fire. This is effected in all cases by perforations in the troughs or plating as the case
may be above the normal line of water level so that the water issues therefrom as
water under pressure or as steam or vapour in such quantity and effect as to extinguish
any fire breaking out beneath a floor or ceiling so.constructed.
In combination with this and in order to set up and maintain a continuous supply
of water into the system of troughing as hereinbefore described. I avail myself of
any convenient means such as an inlet valve as shown in Figs. 2 and 14 the lever
of which is overbalanced by a ball the arrangement being set to a constant
tendency to open the valve and admit an inrush of water. This tendency is over-
powered by a weight g suspended from a cord or lead line h which holds up the
lever and keeps the valve closed. This cord consists of material which would be
easily consumed in case of fire so that the lever could then be overpowered by the
ball and the inflow of water would take place.
In order to ensure the proper action of the ball and lever arrangement for turning
on the water I provide a system of cording trained round pulleys in the manner as
shown in Figs. 14 and 15, in which Fig. 14 is a side elevation and Fig. 15 an
incomplete plan of what is suitable in this respect. Figs. 14 and 15 are intended
more especially to show a combination of such cords or lead lines systematically
arranged with a view of securing the inflow of water from the destruction or
severance of any one of them. Taking has the main cord from the ball lever f to
the weight it will be seen that if the cord h snapped altogether this weight g would
fall, and if the cord h was only temporarily relaxed, the weight would immediately
set up the tensile strain as before and close the valve. h¹ are cords taken in a cross-
wise direction to their several points of connection relatively to cord h which is
trained round pulleys forming a series of loops or bights each one of which is relaxed
when the particular cord h¹ attached to it gives way. The cord his then relaxed
and the weight g drops, but in order to prevent this weight from again closing the
valve I provide a check chain ; which takes the weight g when it drops and prevents
all further strain on the rope or cords h which would close the valve.
It will be observed from the above description that the construction of the flooring
in respect to the requisite strength and rigidity is not material to my invention so
long as the structural arrangement thereof adimits of water being troughed or pooled

page_text: therein whether from'a continuous or automatic supply or permanently and ao long
as the water so troughed or pooled below an overflow level which if exceeded forms
an outlet for water is.exposed to heat 'in case of fire and is driven forth as an effectual
fire extinguisher in the form of vapour.
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
The construction of floors, flat roofs and the like structures on the 'hereinbefore
described fire proof principle by making provision for troughing or pooling water
within the structural elements thereof combined with means for automatically setting
up a continuous supply of water in case of fire, and for the discharge of the same
into the room or space below in the manner set forth in the foregoing specification
and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings for working under
the various conditions therein referred to.
Dated in word way or pin
G. J. CLARKSON,
'Chartered Patent Agent, Stockton-on-Tees and 'Hull,
Agent for the Applicant.