GB2399929A

GB2399929A - Fluid detection alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2399929A
Application number: GB0307106A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Miller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-27
Filing date: 2003-03-27
Publication date: 2004-09-29
Also published as: GB0307106D0

Abstract

A fluid leakage detection alarm 1 has a base 2, two or more spaced apart electrical points or contacts 6, 7 integral with the base, a power source such as battery 4 and an alarm means such as speaker 5. Battery 4, points 6, 7 form part of electrical circuit 8 which also includes current relay 9. The base 2 is formed of a fluid-absorbent material such as plasterboard. If a sufficient quantity of water contacts and absorbed into the plasterboard base 2, the water will conduct electrical current between points 6, 7. If this occurs current relay 9 will operate, closing the electrical circuit to speaker 5 which will alert a user to a leakage. The alarm 1 is suitable for use in buildings and alerts occupants when water leaks through ceilings, floors or walls of the buildings.

Description

Fluid leakage alarm This Invention relates to an alarm for use in

buildings, particularly, but not exclusively, to alert occupiers of the building when water is leaking through ceilings, floors or walls.

In domestic and commercial buildings considerable damage can occur when water escapes from any source, for example an overflowing bath, a loft tank, pipe work or a washing machine. Water which seeps into floors and walls can damage the fabric, finishes and fittings of the building before it emerges and the alarm can be raised.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of these problems.

According to the present invention a fluid detection alarm comprises a base, two or more spaced apart electrical points integral with the base, a power source and alarm means, in which the alarm means is activated if an electrical current passes between two electrical points.

Preferably the base is a fluid absorbent material, and the two or more electrical points are disposed inside, or on the underside of the material. In an alternative embodiment the base is a platform upon which the electrical points are mounted. The platform can then be mounted inside, under or above a floor or ceiling or against a wall.

The fluid absorbent material can be any material which absorbs fluid. In a preferred construction the material may be a plasterboard, insulation board, or any equivalent material.

The material can be fitted during construction of a building. In one embodiment the material is fitted into, under or above floors and ceilings during construction, and in particular, adjacent potential sources of fluid leakage.

ln an alternative construction the material can be retrospectively fitted to a building, and in particular it can be laid under potential sources of fluid leakage.

The two or more electrical points may operate in substantially the same manner as the points of a surveyors Damp Meter. Such a device is provided with two spaced apart electrical points which can be inserted into a wall to determine by the deteebon of an electrical current if fluid or damp is present.

In a preferred construction the two or more electrical points may comprise an array of connected positive points and an array of connected negative points, In which the arrays are spaced apart from one another. The device can be provided with a current relay, such that when an electrical current crosses from a positive point to a negative point the current relay will operate, and the battery can power the alarm means.

The alarm means can be anything which can attract the attention of the occupants of the building. In a preferred construction the alarm means is an audible alarm. The alarm means can be fitted in the premises below the potential source of fluid leakage, as this is the premises which will suffer the most damage. In an alternative construction the alarm means can be fitted in the premises in which the potential source of fluid leakage is fitted, so the problem can be dealt with quickly. In a further construction alarm means can be fitted to both premises.

In one preferred construction the material can be provided in such a quantity to absorb minor leakages without activating the alarm. Further, the material can be adapted to absorb as much of an alarm-activating leakage as possible to alleviate the scale of the damage caused.

Preferably the fluid in question is water, but it will be appreciated that the above described invention can be used to detect a leakage of any electrically conductive fluid.

The invention also includes a building provided with a fluid detection alarm comprising a base, two or more spaced apart electrical points integral with the base, a power source and alarm means, in which the alarm means is activated if an electrical current passes between two electrical points.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a fluid alarm device according to the present invention; and, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid alarm device as shown in Figure 1.

In Figures 1 and 2 a fluid detection alarm 1 comprises a base in the form of fluid absorbent plasterboard 2, a plurality of spaced apart electrical points 3 disposed inside the plasterboard 2, a power source in the form of battery 4 and alarm means in the form of speaker 5.

The plurality of electrical points 3 are formed from positive 6 and negative 7 points. The positive 6 and negative 7 points are formed into grids, as shown in Figure 2, with the positive points 6 arranged below the negative points 7.

The battery 4, and the points 6 and 7 form part of an electrical circuit 8.

Included in the electrical circuit 8 is a current relay 9, which is connected to the speaker 5. (The positive side of the electrical circuit is shown in bold lines, while the negative side of the circuit is shown in dotted lines for clarity.) In Figures 1 and 2 the battery 4, the current relay 9 and the speaker 5 are contained in a housing 10 which is spaced apart from the plasterboard 2. Wires 11

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connect the plasterboard 2 to the housing 10, so the housing 10 can be mounted in any convenient location.

In use the plasterboard 2 is placed adjacent a potential source of water leakage (not shown).

If a small quantity of water contacts the plasterboard 2 it can be absorbed by the body of the plasterboard 2 without interfering with the terminals 6 and 7.

However, if a sufficient quantity of water contacts the plasterboard 2 and is absorbed into it, the water can conduct electrical current between any positive point 6 and any negative point 7.

If this occurs the current relay 9 will operate, closing the electrical circuit to the speaker 5, which Will then operate, alerting the user to the leakage.

It will be appreciated that the device shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be altered without departing from the spirit of the invention, for example any number of alarms can be provided, which can be disposed in any number of different premises which may be effected by the leak.

In another embodiment (not shown) the plasterboard is placed inside, on or under ceiling, flooring or walling inside a building. With this arrangement the plasterboard can form an integral part of the wall or floor, for example the insulation or sound proofing.

Further, the electrical points can be mounted on the underside of the plasterboard as opposed to inside it.

In one other alternative embodiment the base is a platform, upon which the electrical points are mounted. The platform can be constructed from any suitable ln one other alternative embodiment the base is a plafform, upon whch the electrical points are mounted. The platform can be constructed from any suitable material, for example metal, wood, or sheeting constructed from a plastics material.

The platform can be mounted directly to, or mounted inside a floor, celling or wall, and can function in substantially the same way as the alarm 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Thus a flooding alarm is provided which can alert users to a leak before it causes damage to the building or their premises. Clams

Claims

1. A fluid detection alarm comprising a base, two or more spaced apart

electrical points integral with the base, a power source and alarm means, in which the alarm means is activated if an electrical current passes between two electrical points.

2. A fluid detection alarm as claimed in Claim 1 in which the base is a fluid absorbent material, and the two or more electrical points are disposed inside the material.

3. A fluid detection alarm as claimed in Claims 2 in which the material is adapted to absorb a pre-determined quantity of fluid without activating the alarm.

4. A fluid detection alarm as claimed in Claim 3 in which the fluid absorbent material is constructed from a plasterboard material.

5. A fluid detection alarm as claimed in Claim 1 in which the base is a platform adapted to be mounted to, or inside, a floor, ceiling or wall, and the two or more electrical points are mounted thereon.

6. A fluid detection alarm as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 in which the base is disposed adjacent a potential source of fluid leakage.

7. A fluid detection alarm as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the base is disposed inside a floor, ceiling or wall.

8. A fluid detection alarm as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the two or more spaced apart electrical points comprise an array of connected positive points and an array of connected negative points, in which the arrays are spaced apart from one another.

9. A fluid detection alarm as claimed in Claim 8 in which the alarm is provided with a current relay, which is triggered when an electric current passes from one positive point to one negative point, and in which the current relay is connected to the speaker.

10. A fluid detection alarm as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the alarm means is an audible alarm

11. A fluid detection alarm claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the alarm means is disposed in the premises which contains the potential source of fluid leakage.

12. A fluid detection alarm as claimed in Claim 10 or 11 in which the alarm means Is disposed in an adjacent premises to the premises which contains the potential source of fluid leakage.

13. A fluid detection alarm device substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

14. A building provided with a fluid detection alarm device according to any of the preceding Claims.