GB2210075A - Building panel - Google Patents

Abstract

A building panel comprises a load-bearing metal framework 1 with a layer of insulation material 4 on its outer surface, enclosed within a peripheral rectangular frame of plastics members 8 which are attached to metal frame-members and serve to hold the insulation 4 to the metal framework 1, to prevent ingress of moisture and to facilitate location and interfitting of adjacent panels. At the sides of the panels, the plastics members 8 are provided with inter-fitting Z shaped sections. The panels may be made by forming a tray by attaching the plastics frame members 8 to the four sides of the rectangular metal framework 1, inserting a layer of vapour-permeable insulation material 4 into the tray and locking the insulation material 4 to the metal framework 1 by means of the plastics frame members 8. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements in or relating to the Assembly of Metal-Framed Buildings This invention relates to the construction of metal-framed buildings, principally for the domestic housing market.

In our U.K. patent specifications 2,119,828B and 2,155,968B we have described and claimed a wall for a metal-framed building in which a load-bearing framework of steel members is sandwiched between layers of sheet material and the outer layer, of heat-insulating material, is able to pass water vapour outwardly to a cavity between the insulation and an outer-most cladding wall.

There are however a number of residual problems associated with such a metal-framed wall construction, such as location and joining of adjacent panels, drainage of any condensed moisture from within the panel, the fitting of doors and windows into the frame and eaves arrangements.

It is an object of this invention to ameloriate, and as far as possible to overcome, such residual problems.

According to one aspect of this invention we provide a building panel for a metal-framed building comprising a load-bearing structural framework of metal members with a layer of vapour-permeable insulation material on the outer surface of the framework; characterized in that the panel is enclosed within a peripheral rectangular frame made of frame members attached to the metal framework, which frame serves to hold the insulation to the framework, to prevent the ingress of moisture and to facilitate location and inter-fitting of adjacent panels.

Preferably the lower horizontal frame member is shaped to act as a drainage-channel for condensed moisture draining from the frame.

Preferably it has drainage slots or holes formed in it.

Preferably the side vertical frame members are of complementary zig-zag shape so that adjacent panels can be fitted closely together and sealed.

Preferably the insulation material is mineral wool quilting matte or slab. Alternatively it may be a foamed plastic slab with ventilation channels formed in it.

Preferably the outer surface of the insulation material is covered with a vapour-permeable membrane of e.g. polyolefin polymer sheet or building paper.

Preferably the structural metal framework, is made up of galvanised steel members which are welded or joined in other ways e.g.

by tab-and-slot engagement.

In a second aspect this invention consists of a method of making a structural building panel based on a load-bearing metal framework comprising the steps of; (a) attaching frame members to the four sides of a rectangular metal framework to form a tray.

(b) inserting into said tray a layer of vapour-permeable insulation material and optionally breather membrane or mesh.

and (c) locking all the layers together by mechanical fixings to form a composite building panel.

The invention will now be described in more detail by reference to the accompanying figures of diagramatic drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows an isometric section of a panel which is according to the invention and specifically shows the drainage channel formed by the lower horizontal frame member.

FIGURE 2 shows an isometric section through a vertical panel edge according to the invention (as cut by a horizontal plane) with special reference to a zig-zag edge feature which, when adjacent panels are fitted together edge-to-edge, seal the joint.

FIGURE 3 shows how adjacent panels according to the invention are joined together.

With reference first to Figure 1 the panel according to the invention is made up of a steel framework (1), mesh or vapour-permeable membrane (2), outer vapour-permeable membrane (3), a layer of insulation material (4) and a horizontal plastics frame-member (5) which bridges all the layers (1, 2, 3 and 4) and has a downturned lip (6) at its outer edge to act as a drainage feature for any condensed moisture accumulating within the framework/insulation sandwich.

With reference to Figure 2 the vertical panel edge has a steel framework (1) mesh or vapour-permeable membrane (2) layer of insulation material (4) and an outer vapour permeable membrance (3).

The vertical plastics frame member (7) is formed with a Z-shaped or zig-zag section (8) which allows adjacent panels to be located, butted together and then sealed to minimize ingress of moisture to the insulation and steel-framework.

With reference to Figure 3 (in which reference numerals are used as for Figure 2) two adjacent panels are seen butted together and joined by means of nut and bolt arrangement (9) so that Z-shaped sections (8) of the vertical plastics frame-members (7) are butted closely together to provide exact location and minimize ingress of water to the joint.

As will be seen the functions of the plastics frame members are as follows; (1) to protect the metal framework and insulation to which they are attached (2) to hold breather-membranes or meshes which support the insulation material (3) to act as a damp-proof course (4) to act as a drainage channel at the bottom of the frame (5) to minimize moisture ingress to the insulation and steel frame.

It will be understood that the plastics frame-members may be butt-jointed, chamfered or otherwised joined together at their ends to form a rectangular frame.

Claims (9)

1. A building panel for a metal-framed building comprising a load-bearing structural framework of metal members and a layer of insulation material on the outer surface of the framework; characterized in that the panel is enclosed within a peripheral rectangular frame made of frame members attached to the metal framework, which frame serves to hold the insulation to the framework, to prevent the ingress of moisture and to facilitate location and inter-fitting of adjacent panels.

2. A panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lower horizontal frame-member acts as a drainage-channel for condensed moisture within the panel.

3. A panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the side (vertical) frame members are of complementary zig-zag shape.

4. A panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the insulation material is of mineral wool.

5. A panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein a vapour-permeable membrane of polyolefin polymer or building paper sheet material is attached to the outer surface of the insulation material.

6. A panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein an inner supporting mesh of plastics or metal is interposed between frame-work and insulation.

7 A panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the metal framework is made up of galvanized steel members which are welded or otherwise rigidly joined together.

8. A building panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 or 2 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A method of making a structural building panel based on a load-bearing metal framework, compsing the steps of: (a) attaching frame members to the four sides of a rectangular metal framwork to form a tray.

(b) inserting into said tray a layer of vapour-permeable insulation material and optionally breather membrane or mesh and (c) locking the layers together and to the metal frame-work by means of the frame members.