AU2017203197B2

AU2017203197B2 - Deterring insects from accessing a building

Info

Publication number: AU2017203197B2
Application number: AU2017203197A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Fergus Bermingham; Kim Irvine
Original assignee: Clever Design Solutions Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Clever Design Solutions Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-12
Filing date: 2017-05-12
Publication date: 2020-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-12
Also published as: AU2017203197A1; AU2021101489A4

Abstract

The present invention relates to an article for deterring access by insects and a method of assembling the article. The article and method of assembling the article comprises a prefabricated frame to be used to form part of a building, the prefabricated frame having 5 an underside for facilitating positioning on a supporting surface; and an insect barrier pre-attached to the underside of the prefabricated frame to facilitate joint attachment of the prefabricated frame and insect barrier to the supporting surface to create a deterrence against access into the building. 10 1/10 100 12 2 108 124 114 106 112 102 120 120 110 104 11 . 118 122 106 104 102

Description

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Deterring insects from accessing a building

Field of the invention

This application relates to an article for deterring insects from accessing a building and a method for its assembly and installation.

Background of the invention

The construction of a building can involve installing measures to deter access by crawling insects. For example, termite barriers can extend underneath or around the permitter of a building, around any penetrations extending through the slab or in the external walls of the building.

Termite barriers are installed after the slab has been poured and before the building's framework has been installed, which can often result in the barrier becoming damaged from subsequent construction or from being exposed to the weather. While this barrier is usually checked by an accredited person prior to the installation of the framework and after the brickwork has been completed, any damage that occurs to the barrier during the installation of the framework could go undetected, potentially impacting the effectiveness of the barrier in deterring termites. The checking of this barrier at these separate phases of the construction process can result in the checks being missed completely and/or significant delays in the construction and occupancy of the building.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an article for deterring access by insects, the article comprising:

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a prefabricated wall frame to be used to form part of a building, the prefabricated wall frame having: an underside for facilitating positioning on a supporting surface; an exterior facing surface; and an insect barrier having an underside portion pre-attached to the underside and an exterior portion pre-attached to the exterior facing surface of the prefabricated wall frame to facilitate joint attachment of the prefabricated wall frame and insect barrier to the supporting surface to create a deterrence against access into the building.

The pre-attached insect barrier may be secured to the prefabricated frame to reduce lateral movement between the insect barrier and the prefabricated frame during the joint attachment of the prefabricated frame and barrier to the supporting surface.

The pre-attached insect barrier may be secured to the prefabricated frame by one or more staples.

The pre-attached insect barrier may be secured to the prefabricated frame by one or more adhesives or adhesive strips.

The pre-attached insect barrier may comprise an exterior portion extending beyond a width of the underside of the prefabricated frame. The exterior portion of the pre-attached insect barrier may also be removably attached to an exterior facing surface of the prefabricated frame.

The pre-attached insect barrier may comprise one or more overlap portions extending beyond a length of the underside of the prefabricated frame. The one or more overlap portions may also be removably attached to respective one or more sides of the prefabricated frame.

The pre-attached insect barrier may comprise a physical barrier to deter the passage of insects into the building. The physical barrier may further comprise a metal shield, a stainless steel webbing, or a concrete slab.

The pre-attached insect barrier may comprise a chemical barrier to repel insects. This chemical may also be a termiticide.

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The pre-attached insect barrier may be a combination barrier comprising a physical barrier and a chemical barrier. The chemical barrier may further contain a chemical that is impregnated into the fibrous webbing of the physical barrier.

The prefabricated frame may be formed from any one or more of timber, steel, aluminium or concrete.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling an article for deterring access by insects, the method comprising the steps of: providing a prefabricated wall frame to be used to form part of a building, the prefabricated wall frame having: an underside for facilitating positioning on a supporting surface; and an exterior facing surface; and pre-attaching an underside portion of an insect barrier to the underside of the prefabricated frame and pre-attaching an exterior portion of the insect barrier to the exterior facing surface of the prefabricated wall frame to facilitate joint attachment of the prefabricated wall frame and barrier to the supporting surface to create a deterrence against access into the building.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of deterring access by insects, the method comprising the step of: attaching the article of the first aspect to the supporting surface to form part of a building and to create a deterrence against access into the building.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of deterring access by insects, the method comprising the steps of: attaching the article of the first aspect to the supporting surface to create a deterrence against access into the building; and attaching an external facade of the building to the prefabricated wall frame to reinforce the deterrence against access into the building.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of the third aspect, further comprising the steps of:

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detaching the exterior portion from the exterior facing surface of the prefabricated wall frame; and incorporating the exterior portion with an external facade of the building located adjacent to the prefabricated wall frame to reinforce the deterrence against access into the building.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of deterring access by insects, the method comprising the step of: attaching a first article of the first aspect to the supporting surface to form part of a building and to create a deterrence against access into the building, wherein the first article comprising one or more first overlap portions extending beyond a length of the underside of its prefabricated wall frame.

The method of deterring access by insects according to the sixth aspect may further comprise the step of attaching to the supporting surface a second article adjacent to the first article, the second article having an overlapping relationship with

3a one of the one or more first overlap portions of the insect barrier of the first article. The second article may further comprise one or more second overlap portions extending beyond a length of the underside of its prefabricated frame, the one or more second overlap portions having an overlapping relationship with the one of the one or more first overlap portions.

As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps.

Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1A illustrates a front view of an article for deterring insects in accordance with a first embodiment;

Figure 1B is an insert showing a zoomed in portion of the article of Figure 1A;

Figure 2A illustrates a bottom view of the article of Figure 1A;

Figure 28 illustrates a bottom view of an article in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

Figure 2C illustrates a side view of the article of Figure 1A positioned on a supporting surface in accordance with an arrangement;

Figure 3A is a flowchart of a method for assembling the article of Figure 1A in accordance with an embodiment;

Figure 3B is a flowchart of a method for installing the article of Figure 1A in accordance with an embodiment;

Figure 4A illustrates a side view of the article of Figure 2C during a step of installing the article in accordance with Figure 3B;

Figure 4B illustrates a side view of the article of Figure 2C during another step of installing the article in accordance with Figure 3B;

Figure 4C illustrates a bottom view of multiple articles of Figure 2A during yet another step of installing the article in accordance with Figure 3B;

Figure 4D illustrates the installation of multiple articles of Figure 2B during yet another step of installing the article in accordance with Figure 3B;

Figure 5 illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of an article;

Figures 6A-6C each illustrate a side view of the article of Figure 2C installed with various types of cladding; and

Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method for installing the article with the various types of cladding shown in Figures 6A-6C.

Figure 8 is a flowchart of a method for installing the article of Figure 1A in accordance with another embodiment.

Detailed description of the embodiments

In this specification, "insects" generally refer to crawling pests, such as termites (e.g. subterranean), ants, cockroaches, and lower order insects, capable of gaining internal access to a building due to their small size, ability to eat, masticate or otherwise consume building materials.

An article for deterring insects

Disclosed herein is an article for deterring insects from accessing (such as entering, eating, masticating or otherwise consuming) a building. Also disclosed is a method of its assembly and a method of its installation.

Figures 1A and 1B show an embodiment of an article 100. The article 100 comprises a prefabricated frame 106 and an insect barrier 102. The prefabricated frame 106 is a frame constructed prior to its installation on a building site. It can be manufactured from one or more materials such as timber, steel, aluminium, and concrete. The prefabricated frame 106 is to be used to form a part of the building. For example, the prefabricated frame 106 is to form part of a wall (such as an exterior wall or an inner leaf of an exterior wall). In the embodiment shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the prefabricated frame 106 comprises an upper load bearing member 108, such as to support roof trusses, and a lower load bearing member 110, such as for placement of the prefabricated frame 106 on a supporting surface 200. Between the upper 108 and lower 110 load bearing members are a plurality of vertical load bearing members 112 that are separated by horizontal members commonly known in the art as noggins 114. In one embodiment the supporting surface is a surface of a concrete slab. In another embodiment the supporting surface is a flooring surface, which may in turn be supported by structural members such as one or more of piers, bearers and joists.

The prefabricated frame 106 has an underside 104 for facilitating positioning on a supporting surface 200. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the underside 104 is a bottom surface of the lower load bearing member 110. Referring briefly to Figures 2A and 2B, the underside 104 is generally elongate in shape, having a length defined by its longitudinal limits 111a and 111b and a width defined by its transverse limits 111c and 111d. In practice, the underside 104 is relatively flat for close contact with the surface on which the prefabricated frame 106 is positioned. The relative flatness of the underside 104 assists with stability of the prefabricated frame 106 when erected to be formed as part of the building. Figures 2A and 2B are described further ?0 below.

The insect barrier 102 is generally flexible. It has relative strength so that it may be bent or folded, as shown in Figure 1B, without being damaged. Sliding across or rubbing against a rough surface, such as an uneven concrete slab surface or an uneven prefabricated frame surface, may however damage the insect barrier 102. The insect barrier 102 may be a physical barrier, a chemical barrier, or a combination barrier. A physical barrier is a barrier that deters physical passage by an insect, such as, a metal shield, a stainless steel webbing, or a concrete slab (for example, a concrete slab poured in accordance with Australian Standard 2870). A chemical barrier is a barrier that contains a chemical adhered to a surface. The chemical can be a single chemical or a combination of chemicals that deter an insect's access into a building. In one embodiment, the chemical barrier can comprise a chemical that has been applied to a mesh or a fabric, wherein the applied chemical acts to repel insects to deter their access into a building. A combination barrier comprises a combination of physical and chemical barriers that both act to deter an insect's access into a building. In one example, the combination barrier comprises a plastic sheet impregnated with a chemical. In another example, the combination barrier comprises a chemical impregnated into a fibrous webbing that is laminated between an upper and a lower piece of plastic. In a further embodiment, the chemical in the combination barrier or the chemical barrier is a termiticide, such as deltamethrin, which acts to kill or repel termites from entering a building. However, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the chemical or a combination of chemicals used in the chemical barrier or the combination barrier will depend on the insect that is intended to be deterred.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the insect barrier 102 is pre-attached to the underside 104 of the prefabricated frame 106 (for example pre-attached prior to the article installation on a building site). In one embodiment, the barrier 102 can be pre attached using an attachment means appropriate to the material used to manufacture the prefabricated frame 106, using for example, one or more of nails, nail plates, bolts, screws, staples, adhesive and adhesive strips, metal stripping or similar. In one example, where the prefabricated frame is made of timber, the barrier 102 may be attached using staples. In another example, where the frame is made of steel, the barrier 102 may be attached to a prefabricated steel frame using an adhesive.

?0 The pre-attachment of the insect barrier 102 to the prefabricated frame 106 facilitates their joint attachment (i.e. the prefabricated frame 106 and the insect barrier 102) to the supporting surface 200. In other words, the pre-attachment of the insect barrier 102 to the prefabricated frame 106 results in the article 100 which during installation discourages or otherwise prevents the separate attachment of the prefabricated frame 106 and the insect barrier 102. This joint attachment reduces the chances that the insect barrier 102 will be damaged or torn arising from sliding across or rubbing against uneven surfaces, such as the surface of the prefabricated frame 106 during frame installation to the supporting surface 200 or other surfaces during transport.

Alternatively or additionally, the joint attachment of the prefabricated frame 106 and insect barrier 102 to the supporting surface 200 minimises alignment errors therebetween or remove altogether the need for a builder to otherwise align the two during frame installation. Additionally, a secure pre-attachment of the barrier 102 to the frame 106 reduces, and preferably prevents, lateral movement between the two so as to maintain their alignment during, for example, transport or installation.

As shown in Figure 2A, which illustrates a bottom view of the article 100, the pre attached barrier 102 includes a frame portion 116, an exterior portion 118 and two overlap portions 120a, 120b. The frame portion 116 extends at least partially across the width (defined by traverse limits 111a and 111b) and/or the length (defined by longitudinal limits 111c and 111d) of the underside 104 of the prefabricated frame 106. The frame portion 116 may (not shown) or may not (as shown) extend the full width of the underside 104. The exterior portion 118 extends beyond the one or more transverse limits (e.g. 111d) of the underside 104 of the prefabricated frame 106. As described further below, the exterior portion 118 allows for its incorporation with an external facade (e.g. brickwork or cladding) of the building. The two overlap portions 120a, 120b each extend beyond their respective longitudinal limits (111a and 111b) of the underside 104 of the prefabricated frame 106. As described further below, the overlap portions 120a, 120b allow for overlapping the insect barrier 102 with adjacent articles. In an alternative embodiment of an article 100a, as shown in Figure 2B, the pre-attached insect barrier 102 includes only one overlap portion 120a, beyond one longitudinal limit ?0 111a of the underside 104. As in the previous embodiment, and as described further below, the overlap portion 120a allows for overlapping the barrier 102 with an adjacent article. In this alternative embodiment, the frame portion 116 may (not shown) or may not (as shown) extend the full length and/or full width of the underside 104 of the prefabricated frame 106. For illustration purposes, the barrier 102 is shown fully flattened in Figures 2A and 2B. In some embodiments, as described below, the insect barrier 102 may be bent or folded.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2C, the exterior portion 118 of the barrier 102 can be bent or folded, allowing it to be removably attached to the exterior facing surface 122 of the prefabricated frame 106. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more overlap portions 120 can be bent or folded, allowing it to be removably attached to one or more respective side surfaces of the prefabricated frame 106. This removable attachment of the exterior portion 118 and/or the overlap portion(s) 120 assists to minimise damage to the exterior portion 118 and/or the overlap portion(s) 120 during transport. Further, this removable attachment assists to minimise damage during and after installation of the article 100 at the building site, for example by other trades people who may accidentally step on an otherwise unattached exterior or overlap portion(s). Damage to the barrier 102 during transport can also be minimised by applying protective coverings to the barrier 102 that can be subsequently removed during installation of the article 100 at the building site. Examples of protective coverings for use during transport can include plastic caps that are placed on the corners joining the underside and side members of the prefabricated frame 106 and/or a protective sheet that can cover the barrier 102.

A method of assembling and installing the article

Figure 3A shows an embodiment of a method of assembling the article 100. Initially, at step 302, the prefabricated frame 106 is provided (e.g. manufactured and/or assembled) independently of the provision (e.g. manufacture and/or assembly) of the insect barrier 102 (such as a combination barrier) at step 304. At step 306, the insect barrier 102 is pre-attached to the underside 104 of the prefabricated frame 106, for example, before installation of the insect barrier 102 and/or the prefabricated frame 106 on to the supporting surface, to form the article 100. As mentioned, the resulting article 100 discourages or otherwise prevents separate attachment of the insect barrier 102 or ?0 the prefabricated frame 106 to the supporting surface.

Figure 3B shows an embodiment of a method of installing the article 100 where the exterior covering material of the building is brickwork. At step 308, the article 100 is attached to the supporting surface 200 to form part of a building and to create deterrence against access by insects into the ultimately formed building. In one embodiment, the access includes concealed access. The attachment of the article 100 involves jointly attaching the prefabricated frame 106 and the barrier 102 to the supporting surface 200. During installation of the article 100 at the building site, the article 100 is positioned and attached to the supporting surface 200 through an attachment means, whereby the frame portion 116 of the barrier 102 is located between the underside 104 of the prefabricated frame 106 and the supporting surface 200, as shown in Figure 2C. In one arrangement, the attachment means extends through the lower load bearing member 110 of the frame, the barrier 102 and into the supporting surface. The attachment means can be any means appropriate for use with the material of the prefabricated frame 106 and the supporting surface 200, such as chemset nail fixings, anchor bolts, concrete nails or similar. In the example shown in Figure 5, a steel frame 502 is attached to the supporting surface 200 using an anchor bolt 504.

At optional step 310, where the exterior portion 118 is removably attached to the prefabricated frame 106 (e.g. to an exterior facing surface), the exterior portion is de attached from the prefabricated frame 106 before or after the attachment of the article 100. Figure 4A shows an example where the exterior portion 118 is being de-attached from the prefabricated frame 106.

At optional step 312, multiple articles are installed along at least an outside perimeter of a supporting surface to form a building. Where a first article is already installed, a second article adjacent to the first article may be installed to have an overlapping relationship with the first article. In one arrangement, as shown in Figure 4C, using two articles 100 of Figure 2A, an overlap portion 406 of the second article is placed underneath or on top of a corresponding overlap portion 408 of the first installed article. In this arrangement, the insect barriers of the first and the second articles are jointly attached to the supporting surface to extend the access deterrence across the adjacent articles. In an alternative arrangement, as shown in Figure 4D using two ?0 articles 100a of Figure 2B, the second article installed adjacent to the first article is positioned on top of an overlap portion 406a of the insect barrier 102 of the first article. In this arrangement, the installation of the second article includes not only joint attachment of its prefabricated frame and insect barrier to the supporting surface, but also joint attachment of the prefabricated frame of the second article and the insect barrier of the first article to the supporting surface to extend the access deterrence across the adjacent articles. If only one article is to be installed, optional step 312 may be omitted.

With reference to Figure 4B, at step 314, the exterior portion 118 is placed between two layers of brickwork 400 in order to reinforce the deterrence against access to the building. In the arrangement shown in Figure 4B, the barrier 102 extends across a cavity 402 located between the prefabricated frame 106 and the brickwork 404 to deter termites from entering this cavity 402 and subsequently accessing the roof or interior of the building. As shown in Figure 5, a render 500 may be applied to the exterior surface of the brickwork.

Although Figure 3B illustrates that step 312 is followed by step 314, it should be understood that steps 312 and 314 may be undertaken concurrently or partially taken in turn repeatedly. That is, after an article is installed, its exterior portion can be placed into the brickwork (if already laid) before the next article is installed, and so on. In practice, at step 316, a compliance inspection is also allowed to be performed at the same or substantially the same time that the exterior portion 118 is being incorporated into the brickwork 400. This compliance inspection involves an accredited person visiting the building site and viewing the insect barrier 102 to determine whether any damage has occurred to the barrier, for example, during transport and positioning of the article 100 on the supporting surface at the building site and/or whether the installation of the insect barrier 102 is compliant with the legislative and compulsory building code requirements. If the barrier is found compliant, the accredited person may issue a Certificate of Compliance. If a barrier or a portion of the barrier is found to be non-compliant, then these elements can be restored, retrofitted or replaced. Inspecting the compliance of the barrier 318 at the time that it is being incorporated into the brickwork ensures that any damage to the barrier or errors in installation are detected before they are concealed ?0 completely by the brickwork. In the past and where the supporting surface is a concrete slab surface, inspection would have been performed: (1) prior to the slab being poured to treat any slab penetrations; (2) after the slab has been poured and prior to the installation of the prefabricated frames; and (3) after the building and landscaping has been completed. The joint attachment of the barrier and prefabricated frame to the supporting surface replaces the need for multiple inspections by a single inspection at the bricklaying step (see also Figure 8 and corresponding description). The joint attachment may therefore reduce delays in completion of the building.

Where the supporting surface is a concrete slab surface, the same or a different accredited person also performs slab penetration treatments in addition to the compliance inspection during the same visit to the building site. The treatment process involves applying a physical barrier, such as a gel, paste, or paint-like substance, around the exterior perimeter of any of the supporting surface penetrations to prevent concealed access by insects into a building. In a further embodiment, the gel, paste or paint-like substance contains a chemical for deterring insects. In the past, penetration treatments, such as those for a concrete slab, have been performed separately to the compliance inspection and/or prior to the slab being poured.

Figures 6A-6C show the article 100 installed with various types of cladding 600A 600C, while Figure 7 outlines the process for installing the article 100 when cladding 600A-C is used as an exterior covering. Figure 7 outlines a similar process for installing the article 100 as described above in relation to Figure 3B for incorporation of the insect barrier into the brickwork. However, as shown in Figure 7, where cladding is applied as an exterior covering 716, the exterior portion 118 is not de-attached from the pre fabricated frame (i.e. step 310 is absent) and the exterior portion 118 need not be placed into the brickwork (i.e. step 314 is also absent). Instead, after the article 100 is installed, at step 310a, the cladding (e.g. 600A, 600B, or 600C) is attached to the prefabricated frame 106 to reinforce the deterrence against access by insects into the building. The step of attaching the cladding to the prefabricated frame 106 includes incorporating the exterior portion 118 of the insect barrier 102 between the prefabricated frame 106 and the cladding (e.g. 600A, 600B or 600C). In one arrangement, the exterior portion 118 extends vertically upwards between the prefabricated frame 106 and cladding material 600. The barrier extending vertically upwards results in less ?0 alterations being required to the barrier during installation of the article on the building site and also allows for a greater area to be actively protected. For example, an installer does not have de-attach or modify the width of the exterior portion during installation. In another embodiment, the exterior portion 118 can extend vertically downwards between the cladding material and the supporting surface. The cladding material 600 can include blueboard 602 with sandstone 604, propanels 606, and timber 608, as shown in Figures 6A-6C, respectively. It will be appreciated that various types of cladding materials can be used in combination with insulating materials, such as polystyrene foam board, thermal foils, or fiberglass blankets.

In an embodiment, the supporting surface includes a flooring surface which is in turn supported by structural members such as one or more of piers, bearers and joists. Once the piers are installed a physical insect barrier (such as a steel cap) or combination insect barrier is installed over the upper most portion of the pier. The bearers and joists are then installed on top of the piers and insect barrier. The flooring is then installed prior to the installation of multiple articles along at least an outside perimeter of the flooring surface.

Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of a method 800 for receiving compliance of installation of articles 100 at a building site. Figure 8 indicates the parties responsible for the various steps in the method 800. At steps 801-803, the builder organises for the ground at the building site to be cleared 801, the delivery 802 of trades and materials and the installation 803 of the supporting surface, such as pouring of a concrete slab. One material that the builder organises is the assembly of the articles and their delivery from a framing company (also known as a framer). The framing company manufactures 804 the prefabricated frames and organises the delivery 805 of an insect barrier from a manufacturer. The article is then assembled 806 by pre-attaching the insect barrier to the underside of the prefabricated frame and installed 807 at the building site. At step 808, the building is completed and includes the completion of the article's installation by, for example, incorporating the exterior portion of the insect barrier into the brickwork or cladding. After the building has been completed 808, the landscaping is then completed 809. During the same or substantially the same time that the installation of the articles are being completed 808, an accredited person, such as a pest controller, is allowed to perform a compliance inspection 810 and treat (also at 810) any penetrations through ?0 the supporting surface, such as through a concrete slab surface). If the installation of the articles is found to be compliant 811, the pest controller may issue 812 a Certificate of Compliance and may allow occupancy 813 of the building. The pest controller will also organise an annual pest inspection 814. However, if the installation of these articles are found to be non-compliant, then these elements can be restored, retrofitted or replaced. It will be appreciated that variations on the method 800 mentioned above may occur, such that not all steps might be followed or there might be additional steps added.

As described, the joint attachment of the barrier and prefabricated frame to the supporting surface replaces the need for multiple inspections by a single inspection at the bricklaying step. Where the insect barrier is not pre-attached to the underside of the prefabricated frame such that the insect barrier and the prefabricated frame are separately attached (as opposed to jointly attached) to the supporting surface, the builder would also organise multiple inspections to be performed by an accredited person(s) at additional stages of the construction of a building. In one example, where a concrete slab surface is being used as a supporting surface, a builder organises an accredited person(s) to visit the site to: (1) perform slab penetration treatments prior to the concrete slab being poured (e.g. between steps 802 and 803 in Figure 8); (2) perform a perimeter treatment by installing an insect barrier after the concrete slab has been poured and before installation of the pre-fabricated frames; and (3) perform a compliance inspection once the building and the surrounding landscaping has been completed (e.g. after step 809 in Figure 8). In comparison, as exemplified by method 800, where the insect barrier is pre-attached to the underside of the prefabricated frame to facilitate their joint attachment to the supporting surface, fewer inspections would be required.

It will be appreciated that a building could be any structure having a frame for pre-attaching a termite barrier, such as a residential house, office block, factory, child care centre, hotels, mine settlements, schools, jails, army and temporary buildings, particularly if these structures are located in a tropical zone. It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative ?0 aspects of the invention.

Claims

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1. An article for deterring access by insects, the article comprising:

a prefabricated wall frame to be used to form part of a building, the prefabricated wall frame having:

an underside for facilitating positioning on a supporting surface; and

an exterior facing surface; and

an insect barrier having an underside portion pre-attached to the underside and an exterior portion pre-attached to the exterior facing surface of the prefabricated wall frame to facilitate joint attachment of the prefabricated wall frame and insect barrier to the supporting surface to create a deterrence against access into the building.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the exterior portion is removably pre-attached to the exterior facing surface of the prefabricated wall frame.

3. The article of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insect barrier is pre attached to the prefabricated wall frame by any one or more of: staples, adhesives, or adhesive strips.

4. The article of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insect barrier comprises one or more overlap portions extending beyond a length of the underside of the prefabricated wall frame.

5. The article of claim 4, wherein the one or more overlap portions are removably attached to respective one or more sides of the prefabricated wall frame.

6. The article of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insect barrier comprises a physical barrier to deter the passage of insects into the building.

7. The article of claim 6, wherein the physical barrier comprises a metal shield, a stainless steel webbing, or a concrete slab.

8. The article of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the insect barrier is a combination barrier comprising a physical barrier and a chemical barrier.

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9. The article of claim 8, wherein the chemical barrier contains a chemical that is impregnated into the fibrous webbing of the physical barrier.

10. The article of claim 1, wherein the prefabricated wall frame is formed from any one or more of timber, steel, aluminium or concrete.

11. A method of assembling an article for deterring access by insects, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a prefabricated wall frame to be used to form part of a building, the prefabricated wall frame having:

an underside for facilitating positioning on a supporting surface; and

an exterior facing surface; and

pre-attaching an underside portion of an insect barrier to the underside of the prefabricated frame and pre-attaching an exterior portion of the insect barrier to the exterior facing surface of the prefabricated wall frame to facilitate joint attachment of the prefabricated wall frame and barrier to the supporting surface to create a deterrence against access into the building.

12. A method of deterring access by insects, the method comprising the step of: attaching the article as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 3-10 to the supporting surface to form part of a building and to create a deterrence against access into the building.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of: detaching the exterior portion from the exterior facing surface of the prefabricated wall frame; and incorporating the exterior portion with an external facade of the building located adjacent to the prefabricated wall frame to reinforce the deterrence against access into the building.

14. The method of either one of claims 12-13, wherein the exterior portion extends across a cavity located between the prefabricated wall frame and the external facade.

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15. The method of any one of claims 12-14, wherein the external facade of the building includes two layers of brickwork between which the exterior portion is incorporated.

16. A method of deterring access by insects, the method comprising the steps of:

attaching the article as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 3-10 to the supporting surface to create a deterrence against access into the building; and

attaching an external facade of the building to the prefabricated wall frame to reinforce the deterrence against access into the building.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of attaching the external facade to the prefabricated wall frame includes incorporating the exterior portion of the insect barrier between the prefabricated wall frame and the external facade.

18. The method of either one of claims 16-17, wherein the external facade of the building includes cladding.

19. The method of any one of claims 13-18, further comprising, at the step of incorporating the exterior portion with an external facade or attaching an external facade to the prefabricated wall frame, allowing a compliance inspection of the insect barrier to be performed.

20. The method of claim 19, subsequent to the step of incorporating the exterior portion with an external facade or attaching the external facade to the prefabricated wall frame, further comprising the step of treating penetrations through the supporting surface.

21. A method of deterring access by insects, the method comprising the step of: attaching a first article as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 and 6-10 to the supporting surface to form part of a building and to create a deterrence against access into the building, wherein the first article comprises one or more first overlap portions extending beyond a length of the underside of its prefabricated wall frame.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of attaching to the supporting surface a second article adjacent to the first article, the second article having an overlapping relationship with one of the one or more first overlap portions of the insect barrier of the first article.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the second article comprises one or more second overlap portions extending beyond a length of the underside of its prefabricated wall frame, the one or more second overlap portions having an overlapping relationship with the one of the one or more first overlap portions.