Fireproof modular building

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a building in accordance with the invention is indicated generally at B and comprises a frame F having substantially vertically extending wall columns 10 and inclined roof beams 11 connected to and supported on the upper ends of the columns 10.
A plurality of substantially identical wall panels W are secured to the columns 10 to form the walls of the building, and a plurality of substantially identical roof panels R are supported on the roof beams 11 to form the roof of the building.
Further, a plurality of solar panels P are supported on the roof panels for absorbing solar energy to heat a fluid heat exchange medium for use as desired.
A first fluid circulating system 12 is connected with the frame F of the building for circulating a heat exchange fluid therethrough to either heat or cool the building as desired, and a second fluid circulating system 13 is connected with the solar panels P to collect and circulate a heated fluid medium to a means for conversion of the heat energy into a desired form, as for example, to heat or cool the fluid circulated through the frame F.
In order to simplify construction of the building, and in order to reduce the cost thereof, the wall columns 10 and roof beams 11 are substantially identical in construction, with the columns and beams being made in standard, predetermined lengths, as desired, for construction of buildings or portions of buildings of different size.
The columns and beams both comprise an elongate, substantially U-shaped channel 14 of aluminum or other suitable material, and which may be formed on a roll mill.
The elongate, open side edge of the channels 14 are closed by an elongate, flat plate 15 suitably secured to the channel, as by means of welding or the like.
For example, if the channel comprises aluminum, the plate is heliarc or plasma welded thereto.
Similarly, opposite open ends of the channels 14 of the roof beams 11 are closed by flat, substantially rectangularly shaped plates 16 having a plurality of bolt receptive openings or holes 17 along opposite edges thereof, and a plurality of fluid passages or ports 18 therethrough in communication with the open chamber or cavity defined by the U-shaped channel member 14