IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,456,388
Granted Patent B1
US 12,456,388 · App. 17/651,548 · Granted Oct 28, 2025

Modular building fire fighting simulator

Inventors: Joseph Peter Kirchner (Kansas City, MO); Steven William Jahnke (Mission, KS)
Assignee: Jahnke & Sons Construction, Inc.
G09B9/00A62C99/0081E04B1/2403E04B1/34331E04B1/3483E04H1/005E04H1/1205E04B2001/34892E04H2001/1283
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,456,388
App. No.
17/651,548
Granted
Oct 28, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A modular building system, includes a building unit which is formed of a framing system, at least one door module, at least one window module, and wall panels. The framing system includes a floor, a ceiling, and four corner columns secured between the floor and the ceiling. The door module is temporarily secured between the floor and the ceiling along the perimeter of the framing system. Likewise, the window module is temporarily secured between the floor and the ceiling along the perimeter of the framing system. The wall panels are secured between the floor and the ceiling around the perimeter of the framing system to enclose the building. The door module and the window modules are interchangeable.

Claims (79)

1. A method for firefighting training, comprising:

providing a modular building, comprising:

a structural framing system comprising a floor, a ceiling, and four columns extending between the floor and the ceiling; and

walls secured between the floor and the ceiling, at least one opening being defined between the walls, the opening interchangeably receiving a first item selected from the group consisting of a door module, a window module, and a wall panel;

creating a burn room within the modular building;

starting a fire event in the burn room for training purposes;

removing the first item from the opening while maintaining the structural integrity of the modular building; and

placing a second item in the opening, the second item being different from the first item, the second item being selected from the group consisting of a door module, a window module, and a wall panel;

wherein the door module comprises:

a frame assembly comprising a header and two vertical frame members; and

a door panel hingedly connected to one of the vertical frame members;

wherein the window module comprises:

a frame assembly comprising a header and two vertical frame members; and

a window panel disposed within the window frame assembly;

wherein the respective door and window frame assemblies do not form a part of the structural framing system;

wherein the vertical frame members of the door module frame assembly are configured to extend substantially entirely between the floor and the ceiling of the structural framing system; and

wherein the vertical frame members of the window module frame assembly are configured to extend substantially entirely between the floor and the ceiling of the structural framing system.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the floor comprises a plurality of girders arranged to form a border, and a plurality of C-channels disposed between the girders, and wherein floor panels are disposed above the C-channels and secured thereto.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ceiling comprises a plurality of girders arranged to form a border, and a plurality of C-channels disposed between the girders, and wherein ceiling panels are disposed above the C-channels and secured thereto.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the modular building further comprises an enclosed elevated unit above the ceiling of the structural framing system;

an opening is formed in the ceiling of the structural framing system;

a stair assembly provides access to the elevated unit through the opening formed in the ceiling of the structural framing system; and

the ceiling of the structural framing system is a floor of the elevated unit.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the burn room is located in the elevated unit.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the burn room comprises a plurality of insulating panels configured to withstand 1,2000 Fahrenheit.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein an interior wall is removably secured between the floor and the ceiling.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the structural framing system provides full structural support for the modular building.

9. A method for firefighting training, comprising:

providing a modular building, comprising:

a structural framing system consisting essentially of a floor, a ceiling, and fixed columns extending between the floor and the ceiling, the structural framing system providing full structural support for a first level of the modular building; and

walls secured between the floor and the ceiling, at least one opening being defined between the walls, the opening interchangeably receiving a first item selected from the group consisting of a door module, a window module, and a wall panel;

creating a burn room within the modular building;

starting a fire event in the burn room for training purposes;

removing the first item from the opening while maintaining the structural integrity provided by the structural framing system; and

placing a second item in the opening, the second item being different from the first item, the second item being selected from the group consisting of a door module, a window module, and a wall panel;

wherein the door module comprises:

a frame assembly comprising a header and two vertical frame members; and

a door panel hingedly connected to one of the vertical frame members;

wherein the window module comprises:

a frame assembly comprising a header and two vertical frame members; and

a window panel disposed within the window frame assembly;

wherein the respective door and window frame assemblies do not form a part of the structural framing system;

wherein the vertical frame members of the door module frame assembly are configured to extend substantially entirely between the floor and the ceiling of the structural framing system; and

wherein the vertical frame members of the window module frame assembly are configured to extend substantially entirely between the floor and the ceiling of the structural framing system.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the floor comprises a plurality of girders arranged to form a border, and a plurality of C-channels disposed between the girders, and wherein floor panels are disposed above the C-channels and secured thereto.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the ceiling comprises a plurality of girders arranged to form a border, and a plurality of C-channels disposed between the girders, and wherein ceiling panels are disposed above the C-channels and secured thereto.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein:

the modular building further comprises an enclosed elevated unit above the ceiling of the structural framing system;

an opening is formed in the ceiling of the structural framing system;

a stair assembly provides access to the elevated unit through the opening formed in the ceiling of the structural framing system; and

the ceiling of the structural framing system is a floor of the elevated unit.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the burn room is located in the elevated unit.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the burn room comprises a plurality of insulating panels configured to withstand 1,2000 Fahrenheit.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein an interior wall is removably secured between the floor and the ceiling.

16. A modular building, comprising:

a structural framing system consisting essentially of a floor, a ceiling, and fixed columns extending between the floor and the ceiling, the structural framing system providing full structural support for a first level of the modular building;

a burn room inside the modular building, the burn room comprising a plurality of insulating panels configured to withstand 1,2000 Fahrenheit;

a door module temporarily secured between the floor and the ceiling along a perimeter of the structural framing system;

a window module temporarily secured between the floor and the ceiling along the perimeter of the structural framing system; and

a wall panel temporarily secured between the floor and the ceiling along the perimeter of the structural framing system;

wherein the door module, the window module, and the wall panel are interchangeable.

17. The modular building of claim 16 , wherein:

the door module comprises:

a welded tubular door frame having a header and two vertical frame members; and

a door panel hingedly connected to one of the vertical frame members; and

the window module comprises:

a welded tubular window frame having a header and two vertical frame members; and

a window panel disposed within the welded tubular window frame.

18. The modular building of claim 16 , wherein the door module and the window module are temporarily secured to the floor and the ceiling using mechanical fasteners.

19. The modular building of claim 16 , wherein the door module and the window module are pre-manufactured and pre-assembled prior to engagement with the structural framing system.

20. The modular building of claim 16 , wherein the floor comprises a plurality of girders arranged to form a border, and a plurality of C-channels disposed between the girders, and wherein floor panels are disposed above the C-channels and secured thereto.

21. The modular building of claim 16 , wherein the ceiling comprises a plurality of girders arranged to form a border, and a plurality of C-channels disposed between the girders, and wherein ceiling panels are disposed above the C-channels and secured thereto.

22. The modular building of claim 16 , wherein:

the modular building further comprises an enclosed elevated unit above the ceiling of the structural framing system;

an opening is formed in the ceiling of the structural framing system;

a stair assembly provides access to the elevated unit through the opening formed in the ceiling of the structural framing system; and

the ceiling of the structural framing system is a floor of the elevated unit.

23. The modular building of claim 22 , wherein the burn room is located in the elevated unit.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2022
From: KIRCHNER, JOSEPH PETER; JAHNKE, STEVEN WILLIAM
To: JAHNKE & SONS CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Reel/Frame 059053/0948 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15787495 · Oct 18, 2017
Provisional Application 62409476 · Oct 18, 2016
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