GB2418932A

GB2418932A - Building vent flood defence structure

Info

Publication number: GB2418932A
Application number: GB0415700A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Wainwright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-14
Filing date: 2004-07-14
Publication date: 2006-04-12
Also published as: GB0415700D0

Abstract

A ventilation apparatus 1 for installation in a wall structure includes a flood defence mechanism which blocks the ventilation pathway in response to flood water. Preferably, the ventilation pathway is blocked by floatable sealing members 60 closing off air passages 20.

Description

241 8932

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO VENTILATION APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to ventilation apparatus, to buildings having a ventilation apparatus installed therein, to methods of installing ventilation apparatus and to methods of manufacturing ventilation apparatus.

lo Background to the Invention

It is known to install ventilation apparatus such as air bricks into the walls of structures and in particular buildings in order to provide adequate ventilation thereto. Known air bricks comprise passages for conveying air between the outside and inside of a building. Such air bricks are generally installed near the floor level of the ground floor of a building. The air bricks may thus be installed less than half a meter above the outside ground level.

The presence of such ventilation apparatus in a building is generally beneficial providing a healthy internal environment, for example by providing a fresh air supply to ensure the safe operation of gas appliances. However, in areas prone to flooding such ventilation apparatus may have the drawback that it provides an entry point for water. To prevent the ingress of water via the ventilation apparatus a flood barrier, such as sandbags, must be positioned to prevent water passing through the ventilation apparatus. Assembling such flood barriers can be a burdensome task. Additionally, such ventilation apparatus is often located below the level of doorways and other openings into a building. It may thus disadvantageously be necessary to protect the ventilation apparatus against flooding even in minor floods which may not otherwise pose a risk to a building.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to address at least one disadvantage associated with known ventilation apparatus whether discussed herein or otherwise.

lo Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a ventilation apparatus for installation in the wall of a structure, said apparatus being operable between a flood defence configuration and a ventilation configuration wherein the apparatus comprises a body having a ventilation pathway for providing ventilation through the body and sealing means arranged to restrict the movement of water through said ventilation pathway when the apparatus is in the flood defence configuration and to allow air to flow through said ventilation pathway when the apparatus is in the ventilation configuration and wherein the ventilation apparatus is arranged to be caused to switch from the ventilation configuration to the flood defence configuration by flood water.

By "caused to switch by flood water" it is meant that as a flood water level rises it reaches a point at which it causes the apparatus to switch configuration. The apparatus can thus switch configuration "automatically" without a user having to cause the switch. Although the term "water" has been used throughout, it is clear that any liquid can cause the switch and the term "water" is to be interpreted with this in mind.

Suitably, the apparatus is further arranged to be caused to switch from the flood defence configuration to the ventilation configuration by the flood water residing.

Suitably, said structure comprises a building. The apparatus may also be suitable for use in other lo applications where ventilation is required, for example it may be suitable for installation in containers.

Suitably, the ventilation pathway comprises one or more passages. Suitably the ventilation pathway further comprises a flow channel in communication with the or each passage.

Suitably, the flow channel and the or each passage provide ventilation through the body from a first side to a second side thereof. Suitably, the flow channel has an opening in the first side of the body and the or each passage has an opening in the second side of the body. Suitably, in use, said first side forms an outer side of the body and said second side forms an inner side of the body.

Suitably, the sealing means comprises one or more movable sealing members suitably arranged to restrict the ingress of water via said passage or passages when the apparatus is in the flood defense configuration.

Suitably, the or each movable sealing member comprises a floatable sealing member. The or each floatable sealing member is suitably arranged to float in a sealing position, in which said passage or passages are substantially sealed to restrict the movement of water therethrough, when the apparatus is in the flood defence configuration, and to sit in a non- sealing position, in which the floatable sealing member or members allow air to flow through said passage or passages, when the apparatus is in the ventilation configuration.

Suitably, the ventilation apparatus is arranged such that lo flood water can enter into the ventilation pathway in conditions of flood and can exit therefrom on a return to non-flood conditions. Suitably, the ventilation pathway thus has an opening on the first side of the body providing substantially the lowermost point of said ventilation pathway.

As used herein the term "conditions of flood" means situations in which flood water is at such a level that, were it not for the sealing means, flood water could enter into a building via the ventilation apparatus. It will be appreciated that whether or not this situation is reached for a particular ventilation apparatus will depend upon its position in a building.

Suitably, the or each floatable sealing member floats to a sealing position when flood water is present in the ventilation apparatus, preferably when flood water is present in the ventilation pathway.

Suitably, the or each floatable sealing member is substantially spherical. The or each, floatable sealing member may comprise a plastics member, preferably a plastics ball which may be hollow.

Suitably, the ventilation apparatus comprises a plurality of floatable sealing members.

Suitably, the ventilation apparatus comprises a plurality of passages.

Suitably, the ventilation apparatus comprises a plurality of passages each having a floatable sealing member lo associated therewith.

Suitably, the or each passage comprises an abutment arranged to engage a floatable sealing member and define the sealing position thereof. Said abutment may comprise a constriction of the passage. Alternatively, said abutment may be provided by an opening of the passage.

Suitably, the or each passage comprises a passage seal member arranged to engage a floatable sealing member when said floatable sealing member is in its sealing position.

Suitably, the or each floatable sealing member may comprise a resiliently deformable material at at least an outer surface potion thereof.

Suitably, said passage abutment comprises the passage seal member. Suitably, said passage seal member comprises a ring of resiliently deformable material, for example rubber. Preferably, said passage seal member comprises an "O" ring. Suitably, said passage seal member may be an integral part of the abutment.

The or each passage may comprise an enlarged portion arranged to allow air to flow between a wall of the passage and a floatable sealing member when said floatable sealing member sits in the non-sealing position.

Alternatively, the or each passage may be arranged such that the or each floatable sealing member sits clear thereof when in the non-sealing position to allow air to flow into the passage.

Suitably, the ventilation apparatus comprises guide means arranged to guide the or each floatable sealing member lo into a sealing position when it floats.

The or each passage may comprise guide means. The guide means may comprise a neck portion of the passage whose diameter narrows towards a constriction of the passage.

Suitably, the neck portion comprises said enlarged portion of the or each passage.

Alternatively, the guide means may lie externally of the or each passage. The guide means may comprise guide posts. The guide posts may extend into the flow channel.

Suitably the guide posts extend downwardly from adjacent to an opening to the or each passage. Said guide posts may form a "cage" around the or each floatable sealing member.

Suitably, the apparatus is arranged such that the or each passage is arranged to extend upwardly of an abutment which abutment lies above a guide means. Preferably, the or each passage comprises a tube which extends upwardly, preferably substantially vertically. Alternatively, the or each passage may comprise an aperture in a wall, the passage may thus have a greater width than height.

Preferably, a plurality of passages are arranged adjacent one another.

Suitably the apparatus comprises seat means arranged to substantially hold the or each floatable sealing member in position when in a non- sealing position.

Suitably, the seat means is arranged to lie below the or each passage.

Suitably, the seat means comprises a tray upon which the or each floatable sealing member may sit. The tray may have one or more indentations each for receiving a floatable sealing member when said member is in a non sealing position. Alternatively, the seat means may comprise one or more seat posts for holding the or each floatable sealing member. The seat posts may extend upwardly from the tray. The seat posts and guide posts may be one and the same. Said posts may serve as both guide means and seat means.

Suitably the apparatus comprises retaining means to retain the or each floatable sealing member within the apparatus.

Suitably, the retaining means retains each floatable sealing member in association with a passage for which it is arranged to provide a seal.

Suitably, the retaining means is provided by a combination of the seat means and the guide means. The retaining means may thus comprise said guide posts and seat posts which may be one and the same.

Suitably, the or each passage provides ventilation between a first side of the body and a second side of the body in combination with a flow channel.

Suitably, said flow channel is defined between the passages and the tray of the seat means. Accordingly, said flow channel may be partially obstructed by the floatable sealing members sitting upon the tray when in the non-sealing position.

Suitably, the body comprises an aperture defined in the first, outer, side thereof for providing an entrance to the flow channel. Suitably the body comprises a deflector to direct air flow into the flow channel. Suitably, said deflector comprises a downwardly extending wall.

Suitably, a part of said wall extends at an angle to the vertical with the upper part lying horizontally further from the flow channel than does the lower part thereof.

Suitably, the deflector forms part of said aperture with the aperture thus converging towards the flow channel.

Suitably, the ventilation apparatus is arranged to communicate with the external environment of a structure via an air brick. In use, said aperture may thus be aligned with one or more vent channels of an air brick.

An air brick may thus form a grill for the aperture of the apparatus.

Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise a cover portion forming a grill over said aperture. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise posts forming the guide and/or seat and/or retaining means which form a grill behind said aperture. The apparatus may thus be suitable for use without an additional air brick.

Suitably, the body is formed in two parts. Suitably the body comprises a first part comprising a tray of a seat means and a second part defining the passages. Thus, the floatable seal members may be located between the body parts and then enclosed in the body by securing the two parts of the body together.

Suitably, the body comprises a plastics material which may be injection moulded.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a building comprising a ventilation apparatus according to the first aspect installed therein to provide a ventilation pathway between the inside and outside of the building and which ventilation pathway can be caused to close by flood water to restrict flood water from entering the building via the ventilation apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a ventilation apparatus according to the first aspect into a structure.

Suitably the method comprises replacing an existing ventilation apparatus of said structure.

Suitably, the method comprises removing an air brick having a permanently open ventilation pathway and replacing it with a ventilation apparatus according to the first aspect.

The method may comprise removing an air brick from a wall and replacing it with a ventilation apparatus according to the first aspect together with a narrow air brick located on the outer side of the wall. The narrow air brick may comprise a new air brick. Alternatively, the narrow air brick may be produced by cutting it from the removed air brick.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention lo there is provided a method of manufacturing a ventilation apparatus according to the first aspect and having one or more floatable sealing members wherein the body is formed in two parts and the or each floatable sealing member is located between said body parts and the body parts are then secured together thus encapsulating the or each floatable sealing member.

Brief Description of Drawings

The present invention will now be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a ventilation apparatus; Figure 2 is a cross section of the ventilation apparatus of Figure 1 taken along line A-A and showing the apparatus installed in a building with the apparatus in a ventilation configuration; Figure 3 is a cross section of the ventilation apparatus of Figure 1 taken along line B-B and showing the apparatus installed in a building; Figure 4 is a cross section of the ventilation apparatus of Figure 1 taken along line A-A and showing the apparatus installed in a building with the apparatus in a flood defence configuration; Figure 5 is a detailed cross section along line A-A showing part of the apparatus with the apparatus in a ventilation configuration; Figure 6 is a detailed cross section along line B-B showing part of the apparatus with the apparatus in a flood defence configuration; and Figure 7 is a front elevation of an alternative embodiment of a ventilation apparatus; Figure 8 is a plan view of the ventilation apparatus of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a cross section along line C-C of Figure 7; and Figure 10 is a cross section along line D-D of Figure 8.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

As best illustrated by Figures 1 to 4 a ventilation apparatus 1 for installation in a building comprises a body 10 having an outer side 11 and an inner side 12. The body 10 defines passages 20 forming part of a ventilation pathway to allow air to be conveyed between the outer side 11 and the inner side 12.

The body 10 further defines an aperture 30 arranged to communicate with vent channels (not shown) in an air brick 2 which abuts the first, outer, side 11 of the body 10.

The body 10 comprises deflector means 40 in the form of an angled wall which directs air towards a flow channel 50 connecting the aperture 30 and passages 20. Air can flow into and through flow channel 50 and then passages 20 when the apparatus is in a ventilation configuration (Figure 2) as illustrated by arrows F. Air can also flow in the reverse direction to that illustrated by arrows F through the direction illustrated by arrow F may be more typical.

The ventilation apparatus 1 further comprises sealing means comprising floatable sealing members 60 arranged to seal the passages 20 when the apparatus is in a flood defence configuration (Figure 4). One floatable sealing member 60 being associated with each passage 20.

The body 10 further comprises seat means comprising a tray which provides a seat for the floatable sealing members 60. The body is formed in two pieces, one comprising the tray 70 and the other defining the passages 20. The pieces are assembled together to encapsulate the floatable sealing members 60.

Each passage 20 comprises an abutment comprising a constriction 21 arranged to define a sealing position for the floatable seal member 60. The constriction 21 is provided by a passage seal member comprising a rubber O- ring seal 80.

Each passage 20 further comprises an enlarged portion 22 arranged such that when the floatable seal member 60 is in a non-sealing position and seated on the tray 70 air can flow between the floatable seal member 60 and the wall 23 of the passage 20.

The enlarged portion 22 narrows towards the constriction 21 of the passage 20 such that it provides a guide means to guide the floatable seal member to a sealing position lo as it floats.

The enlarged portion 22 which also serves as the guide means forms a neck 24 of the passage 20.

The tray 70 comprises indentations (or recesses) 71 which provide a seat for the floatable sealing members to hold them substantially in position when in a non-sealing position. The indentations 71 may also serve to ensure the floatable sealing members do not block the entrance to the passages when in the non-sealing position.

The tray 70 serving as seat means and the neck 24 of the passages 20 serving as guide means also cooperate to provide retaining means to keep each floatable sealing member in association with a specific passage 20.

In use the ventilation apparatus is actuable between a first ventilation configuration as best illustrated by Figure 2 and a second flood prevention configuration as best illustrated by Figure 4.

Under non-flood conditions the force of gravity acting upon the floatable sealing members 60 causes them to sit upon the tray 70 with each being located below a passage 20. This is the non-sealing position of the floatable sealing members 60 and the ventilation configuration of the apparatus. Air can enter the apparatus via aperture 30 and flows through flow channel 50 around the floatable sealing members 60 and into the passages 20 then into a building as illustrated by arrows F. Under flood conditions water enters the flow channel 50 and as the buoyancy of the floatable members 60 is greater than their weight they float on the water and travel upwardly in the passages 20. When the floatable sealing members 60 reach the constriction 21 provided by the seal they are in their sealing position. The higher the level W of flood water external of the apparatus the greater the water pressure exerted on the floatable sealing members 60 and thus the more securely they engage the seal 80. In this manner flood water is prevented from passing into a building via the passages 20 when the apparatus is in the flood defence configuration.

Once the flood resides the flood water flows back out of aperture 30 and the floatable seal members return to their non-sealing position. The apparatus thus adopts its ventilation configuration allowing air to travel through the passages 20 once again.

An alternative embodiment of the ventilation apparatus 100 is illustrated by Figures 7 to 10. The apparatus is substantially the same as that of Figures 1 to 6 and like parts are labelled accordingly.

As with the first embodiment the apparatus 100 comprises a body 10 having an outer side 11 and an inner side 12. The body 10 defines passages 20, a flow path 50 and an aperture 30. The body 10 further comprises a deflector 40 in the form of an angled wall arranged to guide air into the flow channel 50. Held within the body are floatable sealing members 60.

In this embodiment there is only one row of floatable lo sealing members 60 and passages 20. The passages 20 are in communication with an aperture 30 in a first side 11 of the body 10 via a short flow channel 50.

Rather than comprising a constriction 21 part way along the passage 20 the abutment 105 of each passage 20 lies at the opening 110 of the passage 20 into the flow channel 50. This abutment includes the seal member 80. Extending downwardly adjacent to the opening 110 of each passage are posts 120 which form a "cage" around each floatable sealing member 60. The posts 120 thus serve as guide means to guide the floatable sealing members 60 towards the opening 110 and their sealing position as they float.

The posts 120 also extend to the tray 70 at the base of the body. Thus, when the floatable sealing members 60 are in a non-sealing position sitting upon the tray 70 the posts 120 still "cage" them and thus hold them substantially in position. The posts 120 thus also serve as seat means. Consequently, the posts 120 also act as retaining means to keep the floatable sealing members 60 within the body 10.

When in the non-sealing position the floatable sealing members 60 sit upon the tray 70 such that they are clear of the passages 20 and there is a gap 130 between them and the passage openings 110 which allows air to flow to the passages 20.

The apparatus 100 of this embodiment operates in substantially the same manner as that described for the first embodiment.

It will be appreciated that preferred embodiments of the present invention may provide a ventilation apparatus which is effective at restricting the ingress of flood water to a building via said apparatus during conditions of flood whilst also providing for adequate ventilation of a building in non-flood conditions. Such apparatus may also remove the need for a user to build flood defences around a buildings ventilation points.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the lo foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A ventilation apparatus for installation in the wall of a

structure, said apparatus being operable between a flood defence configuration and a ventilation configuration wherein the apparatus comprises a body having a ventilation pathway for providing ventilation through the body and sealing means arranged to restrict the movement of water through said lo ventilation pathway when the apparatus is in the flood defence configuration and to allow air to flow through said ventilation pathway when the apparatus is in the ventilation configuration and wherein the ventilation apparatus is arranged to be caused to switch from the ventilation configuration to the flood defence configuration by flood water.
2. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further arranged to be caused to switch from the flood defence configuration to the ventilation configuration by the flood water residing.
3. A ventilation apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the ventilation pathway comprises one or more passages.
4. A ventilation apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the ventilation pathway further comprises a flow channel in communication with the or each passage.
5. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the sealing means comprises one or more movable sealing members arranged to restrict the e eee :.:: :.:.ë: ä e.

a .e . . . ingress of water via said passage or passages when the apparatus is in the flood defence configuration.
6. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the or each movable sealing member comprises a floatable sealing member.
7. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the or each passages comprises an abutment arranged to lo engage a floatable sealing member and define the sealing position thereof.
8. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the or each passage comprises a passage seal member arranged to engage a floatable sealing member when said floatable sealing member is in a sealing position.
9. A ventilation apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the or each passage comprises an enlarged portion arranged to allow air to flow between a wall of the passage and a floatable sealing member when said floatable sealing member sits in the non sealing position.
10. A ventilation apparatus according to any of claim 6 to 9, wherein the or each passage is arranged such that the or each floatable sealing member sits clear thereof when in a non-sealing position to allow air to flow into the passage.
11. A ventilation apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the ventilation apparatus comprises . . . . . . . . . . . guide means arrange to guide the or each floatable sealing member into a sealing position when it floats.
12. A ventilation apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 11, wherein the apparatus comprises seat means arranged to substantially hold the or each floatable sealing member in position when in a non-sealing position.
13. A ventilation apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 12, wherein the apparatus comprises retaining means to retain the or each floatable sealing member within the apparatus.
14. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the retaining means is provided by a combination of seat means and guide means.
15. A ventilation apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the ventilation apparatus comprises a plurality of passages each having a floatable sealing member associated therewith.
16. A ventilation apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the ventilation apparatus is arranged such that flood water can enter into the ventilation pathway in conditions of flood and can exit therefrom on a return to non-flood conditions.
17. A ventilation apparatus according to claim 4 or any of claims 5 to 16 when dependent thereon, wherein the body comprises a deflector to direct air flow into the flow channel.

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18. A ventilation apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is formed in two parts.
19. A ventilation apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
20. A building comprising a ventilation apparatus lo according to any of claims 1 to 19 installed therein to provide a ventilation pathway between the inside and outside of the building and which ventilation pathway can be caused to close by flood water to restrict flood water from entering the building via the ventilation apparatus.
21. A method of installing a ventilation apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 19 into a structure.
22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the method comprises replacing an existing ventilation apparatus of said structure.
23. A method of manufacturing a ventilation apparatus according to claim 18 when dependent on any of claims 16 to 17 having one or more floatable sealing members and a body formed in two parts, wherein the or each floatable sealing member is located between said body parts and the body parts are then secured together thus encapsulating the or each floatable sealing member.

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