GB2214820A

GB2214820A - Breathing-mask for emergency use during fires

Info

Publication number: GB2214820A
Application number: GB8803494A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis John Hughes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-02-16
Filing date: 1988-02-16
Publication date: 1989-09-13
Also published as: GB8803494D0

Abstract

A breathing-mask 1, which covers the nose and mouth, is connected to a flexible tube 4, which is connected to a tube 5 installed in the wall or window of a building. A person trapped in the building during a fire is thus able to inhale air from outside the building instead of air from within, which may be contaminated with poisonous toxic fumes resulting from the combustion of material within the building. <IMAGE>

Description

BREATHING-MASK FOR EMERGENCY USE DURING FIRES I, Dennis John Hughes, a British Subject, of 41 St Andrew's Drive, Whitestone, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement.

The invention relates to a breathing-mask for emergency use by people who may be trapped inside a building, or other enclosed space, such as a ship, vehicle etc, during a fire, to prevent them inhaling any dangerous toxic fumes resulting from the combustion of materials within the said building etc. The combustion of certain materials, particularly those used for furnishing, such as polyurethane-foam, and also some types of plastic materials used in the construction of the building and for decoration purposes etc, give off toxic fumes, which, if inhaled by anyone could result in them collapsing, cause permanent damage to their health, such as brain-damage, and possibly death due to asphyxiation etc, even though they may not be immediately near to the actual fire and subjected to its heat-intensity.

In the event of a fire, even if the fire is only a minor one, such toxic fumes may permeate throughout the interior of the building etc, through passages, doors, ventilationducts, air-conditioning ducts etc. In the case of large buildings, such as office-blocks, hotels etc many people could be subjected to such toxic fumes and thus a major disaster could result if they are unable. to escape from inhaling the fumes. The rescue of people who may have collapsed due to inhaling toxic fumes is also made more difficult and may, in some cases, be impossible, especially if the fire is spreading.

According to the invention a facial-mask, which covers the nose and mouth, is connected to a tube installed in the windows or walls etc, to communicate with the exterior of the building etc, whereby in the event of a fire, a person who is unable to leave the building can inhale air from outside of the said building etc, instead of air from within it which may be toxic due to the combustion of materials in the building etc. By means of the invention all air which the person using it inhales or exhales is taken from and to, respectively, the outside of the building etc, through the said tube, thus providing they are not subjected to the heatintensity of the fire the user may be able to survive fires for indefinite periods when otherwise they may have been overcome by toxic fumes, which, in some cases, could result in brain-damage or death.

The invention is exemplified by the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 shows the breathing mask, according to the invention, when in use.

Figure 2 shows the breathing-tube fitted in a wall, with the breathing-mask and interconnecting-tube removed.

With reference to figure 1, the facial-mask 1 which covers the nose and mouth and which may be held against the face, or held in position by suitable straps 2, has a connection 3 to which is connected a flexible-tube 4, the outer end of the said tube being connected to the breathing-tube 5 installed in the wall 6, the outer end of this tube being on the outside of the building.

The mask forms an airtight seal to the face and all air which is inhaled is taken by means of the tubes 4 and 5 from the outside of the building, and air which is exhaled is taken by means of the said tubes to the outside of the building, thus no air, which may be toxic, is taken from the interior of the building.

With reference to figure 2, during normal times the mask and flexible interconnecting-tube may be removed from the breathing-tube installed in the wall etc, and an easily removable plug 7 may be fitted to the inner end of the said breathing-tube. When the breathing-mask is required to be used the plug 7 is removed and the flexible interconnectingtube is connected to the breathing-tube as shown in figure 1.

Claims

1. A breathing-mask for emergency use in the event of a fire, comprised of a face-mask, which covers the nose and mouth, and a flexible tube to which it is connected, the other end of the said tube being connected to a tube installed in the wall or window of a building, the outer end of the said installed tube communicating with the outside of the building.

2. A breathing-mask as claim 1 where the flexible tube and face-mask, as described herein, may be disconnected from the tube installed in the wall or window of the building when not required for use and an easily removable plug fitted.