PRE-MANUFACTURED UTILITY WALL
The present invention relates to pre-manufactured utility walls that may be readily adapted for use in multi-story building construction. The present invention efficiently and conveniently consolidates utility components typically found in residential, institutional and/or commercial settings into a pre-manufactured, preassembled and, optionally, pre-bundled component at a site other than the building site.
1 . A pre-manufactured utility wall comprising:
at least one preassembled section;
pre-punched bottom and top plates; and
supply and waste plumbing.
2 . The utility wall of claim 1 further comprising:
a reinforcement plate; and
a lifting rod.
3 . The utility wall of claim 2 further comprising an access panel.
4 . The utility wall of claim 3 further comprising:
an electric panel;
a water heater;
fire protection piping; and
acoustic blanket insulation.
5 . The utility wall of claim 3 wherein the utility wall is pre-bundled.
6 . A plurality of pre-manufactured utility walls adapted for use in multi-story building construction.
7 . The utility walls of claim 6 wherein the utility walls are adapted to be vertically stacked.
8 . The utility walls of claim 7 wherein the utility walls comprise:
at least one preassembled section;
pre-punched bottom and top plates; and
supply and waste plumbing.
9 . The utility walls of claim 8 further comprising:
a reinforcement plate; and
a lifting rod.
10 . The utility walls of claim 9 further comprising an access panel.
11 . The utility walls of claim 10 further comprising:
an electric panel;
a water heater;
fire protection piping; and
acoustic blanket insulation.
12 . The utility walls of claim 7 wherein the utility walls are identical to each other.
13 . The utility walls of claim 7 wherein the utility walls are pre-bundled.
14 . A method of assembling a utility wall comprising:
(a) laying out a bottom plate and a top plate of the utility wall to a predetermined length based on a standard template;
(b) pre-punching the bottom and top plates to correspond with anticipated penetrations;
(c) manufacturing a non-weight bearing double stud wall with metal studs and fasteners to fit within stud runners located within the pre-punched bottom and top plates; and
(d) installing one or more of reinforcement plates, lifting rods and framing pockets within the non-weight bearing double stud wall.
15 . The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:
(a) installing a water heater or other heating system and all supply and waste plumbing;
(b) installing fire protection piping; and
(c) installing an electric panel, wiring and outlets.
16 . The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:
(a) attaching metal or wood blocking at predetermined locations on the interior side of the non-weight bearing double stud wall;
(b) installing acoustic blanket insulation; and
(c) installing thermal batt insulation.
17 . The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:
(a) attaching one layer of exterior sheathing board to an exterior side and one layer of an interior sheathing board to an interior of the double stud wall;
(b) applying a weather resistive barrier to the exterior side of the exterior sheathing board;
(c) attaching a horizontal furring to the exterior side of the exterior sheathing board; and
(d) installing a rigid insulation between a horizontal furring.
18 . The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of:
(a) attaching a vertical furring to the horizontal furring on the exterior side of the exterior sheathing board;
(b) installing exterior finished panels and associated flashing components to vertical furring channels;
(c) installing an access panel on the exterior side of the non-weight bearing double stud wall; and
(d) installing interior finish material on an interior sheathing board.