GB2425827A - Building ventilation system - Google Patents

Abstract

A building ventilation system comprising a ducted building element defining a flow path 20 and a fan unit 60 70 arranged to move air along the flow path 20. The system includes one or more inlets 30 40 arranged to receive air from the interior and/or exterior of a building and one or more outlets 50 arranged to provide air into the building. Preferably the system receives and mixes air from inside and outside the building and expels the air through the outlet into the building. The system may be situated in an eaves beam, sill for a window, window frame, part of the support structure for the building or as part of a vented ridge assembly. The vented ridge assembly may include a baffle assembly which creates a vortex preventing the ingress of rain water into the building.

Description

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IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO VENTILATION FOR BUILDINGS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ventilation apparatus for buildings and to building structures incorporating such ventilation apparatus.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is desirable to ventilate buildings to control their internal temperature and to provide an adequate supply of fresh air. One known solution is to provide a building with openable windows. However these provide only localised ventilation and also create security problems.

As an alternative to windows, or as an addition to windows, problems with excessive interior heat may be addressed by the use of a fan extraction system.

Extraction fans are however generally fitted into the glazing of a building and remove the internal air in a manner that pays little attention to the temperature profiles of the building. Also, due to the suction profiles of such devices, which extract laminarly, the fans generally are of such a capacity and design as to also cause excessive noise levels.

The adequate ventilation of some building structures may be problematic owing to their construction which may cause temperature gradients to exist within the structure. For example appreciable temperature gradients may exist in conservatories. With such building structures whether windows and/or fans are employed to ventilate the building

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structure temperature gradients over the whole of the building interior may be observed.

An alternative means of evacuation currently in use is that of a dedicated fan, typically of a torizoidal format, located in the apex of the roof of a building structure.

This may draw air from the interior of the building structure such that some temperature gradient problems may be alleviated. However, a difficulty with this type of evacuation system is that local dead spots occur when passive air prevails, particularly local to the eaves beams, principally due to static air at the suction side of the fan. Thus, this system may not adequately ventilate areas within such dead spots and may not provide adequate mixing of air within the body of the building.

Accordingly, preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to address at least one disadvantage associated with known building ventilation whether discussed herein or otherwise.

SUTIMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a ventilation apparatus for a building, said appartus comprising a ducted building element defining an air flow path and a fan unit arranged to cause air to flow through said air flow path, and wherein the apparatus includes one or more inlets arranged to receive air from the interior and/or exterior of a building and one or more outlets arranged to provide air into a building and wherein the apparatus is arranged such that air flows from said inlets to said outlets via said air flow path.

Suitably, the apparatus includes one or more inlets arranged to receive air from the interior of a building.

Suitably, the apparatus includes one or more inlets arranged to receive air from the exterior of a building.

The apparatus may be arranged to receive air from only one of the interior and exterior of a building. For example, the apparatus may comprise inlets arranged to receive air from the exterior of a building but not from the interior thereof.

Alternatively, the apparatus may be arranged to receive air from both the interior and exterior of a building.

Suitably, the apparatus is arranged and combine internal and external air.

Suitably, the apparatus comprises one or more first inlets arranged to receive air from the interior of a building and one or more second inlets arranged to receive air from the exterior of a building.

Suitably, the ducted building element comprises a beam, preferably an eaves beam.

The ducted building element may be arranged, in use, to form part of a supporting structure of a building.

The ducted building element may comprise one or more outlets arranged to release air directly into a building.

The ducted building element may comprise graduated outlets arranged to allow air to be discharged progressively from the apparatus. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise means for conveying air to one or more outlets located in a part of the apparatus removed from the ducted building element.

The ducted building element may comprise one or more inlets arranged to receive air from the interior of a building. The ducted building element may comprise one or more inlets arranged to receive air from the exterior of a building.

The ventilation apparatus may be arranged such that the air drawn into the apparatus comprises a ratio (mass flow) of internal air to external air of between 0:1 and 20:1, preferably of between 5:1 and 20:1, for example of between 7:3 and 9:1. Suitably, air which enters the apparatus may be taken mainly from within the building structure (a level of 80% of the mass flow may be typical) and the balance may be obtained from atmosphere, suitably via inlets in an outer face of the building element. This may ensure economic viability, thermal efficiency and the supply of fresh oxygen laden air to the inside of the building structure.

The ventilation apparatus may be arranged such that the air stream leaving the apparatus creates minor turbulent conditions to thoroughly mix the air within the building.

The ventilation apparatus may be arranged such that the air stream leaving the apparatus has a velocity and a profile arranged so as to allow expanding gases to impinge, or flow nominally parallel to glazing of the building.

The ventilation apparatus may comprise first and/or second fan units. Suitably, the ventilation apparatus comprises first and second fan units.

The first fan unit may be arranged to cause internal air to enter the ducted building element air flow path. The second fan unit may be arranged to cause external air to enter the ducted building element air flow path. The apparatus may be arranged such that air within the air flow path is primarily caused to travel to the outlets by the second fan unit. The second fan unit may thus operate at a higher pressure than the first.

Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise a fan unit arranged to cause both internal and external air to enter the ducted building element air flow path. In this case the inlets for internal and external air sources may be in the form of openings located on each side of the fan suction point.

Suitably, the apparatus comprises a mixing region in which internal and external air can be mixed. Suitably, the mixing region comprises baffles. The mixing region may be located within the ducted building element.

Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise a mixer device providing the mixing region and which is in fluid communication with the ducted building element.

Suitably, the apparatus comprises first and second fan units and air drawn in by the first fan unit is entrained in the air stream from the second fan unit in a manner which allows for sufficient motive pressure for the combined air stream to travel to the outlet or outlets of the apparatus.

The ventilation apparatus may comprise temperature control means. The temperature control means may comprise an air conditioning unit for cooling air. Alternatively, or in addition, the temperature control means may comprise a heater for warming air.

The temperature control means may comprise a fan unit which serves as a fan unit for causing air to flow through the ducted building element air flow path. The temperature control means may comprise said first fan unit for causing internal air to enter the ducted building element air flow path.

The heater may be an electrical heater which may be low wattage heater. The heater may comprise a diffusion structure arranged to heat air as it passes through.

Suitably the heater uses positive temperature coefficient characteristics.

The temperature may be controlled to ensure exit air which is both safe when contacting local components and which gives air within the building which is at a suitable comfort level. The apparatus may for example incorporate a thermostat. Suitably, the apparatus comprises a selflimiting heater such as a positive temperature coefficient heater.

The or each fan unit may be located external of the building element. The building element may comprise an eaves beam. Suitably, the or each fan unit is located external of the eaves beam.

The first fan unit may be mounted to an inner face of the ducted building element which may allow direct access of air from the fan unit into the air flow path of the ducted building element. Alternatively, the first fan unit may be mounted to the ducted building element by a bracket assembly and/or a mixer device which may comprise diverter baffles to deflect the air flow produced by the fan unit into the air flow path of the ducted building element.

The second fan unit may be mounted to the ducted building element by a bracket assembly arranged, in use, to provide an air flow pathway between the exterior of the building and the suction side of the fan unit.

Alternatively, either or both the first and second fan unit may be located within the ducted building element.

Suitably, the first fan unit comprises the or each first inlet. Suitably, the second fan unit comprises the or each second inlet. Suitably, the ducted building element comprises the or each outlet.

Suitably, the apparatus comprises filter means to filter external air drawn into the apparatus.

The building element may comprise a sill for a window.

Suitably, a fan unit is located within the sill. The building element may comprise a profile of a glazing unit, for example a glazing bar. Suitably, a fan unit is located within the profile.

A fan unit may be provided in a housing arranged to form part of a building element and to be mounted to a duct portion of the building element to form a complete building element having an internal fan unit.

The housing may be arranged to be mounted to a duct portion of the building element from the interior of the building.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a building structure comprising one or more articles of ventilation apparatus each said article of ventilation apparatus comprising a ducted building element defining an air flow path and a fan unit arranged to cause air to flow through said air flow path, and wherein the apparatus includes one or more inlets arranged to receive air from the interior and/or exterior of a building and one or more outlets arranged to provide air into a building and wherein the apparatus is arranged such that air flows from the inlets to the outlets via said air flow path.

Suitably, the building structure comprises a plurality of such articles of ventilation apparatus.

Suitably, each said article of ventilation apparatus comprises a ventilation apparatus according to the first aspect.

Suitably, the building structure comprises a conservatory.

The apparatus may comprise one or more first inlets arrange to receive air from the interior of a building and one or more second inlets arranged to receive air from the exterior of a building.

Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise only first or only second inlets.

The building structure may comprise one or more articles of ventilation apparatus comprising a building element comprising an eaves beam.

The building structure may comprise one or more articles of ventilation apparatus comprising a building element comprising a sill.

The building structure may comprise one or more articles of ventilation apparatus comprising a building element comprising a profile of a glazing unit, for example a glazing bar.

The building structure may comprise a plurality of articles of ventilation apparatus comprising building elements comprising an eaves beam, building elements comprising a sill and building elements comprising a profile of a glazing unit.

The building structure suitably comprises air outlet means which may comprise a vented ridge assembly.

To better accommodate the increased mass flow brought about by the introduction of fresh (external) air by said article or articles of ventilation apparatus a novel means of extracting gases from the buildings interior utilising system of forward and reverse baffles may be used in the ridge section of a building.

This may allow evacuation of air from the inside of the structure at a rate equal to that introduced as fresh air by said article or articles of ventilation apparatus.

This situation may exist even when air together with rain and particulates strike the outer face of the glazing and ridge of a building structure.

Said vented ridge assembly may comprise a baffle assembly, said baffle assembly defining an air flow path for providing ventilation between the interior and exterior of a building, the air flow path having a first opening for communicating with the interior of a building and a second opening for communicating with the exterior of a building, and wherein said baffle assembly is arranged to create a vortex within the air flow path when air travels through the air flow path from said second opening, the vortex being arranged to restrict the ingress of rain water into a building via the air flow path.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a building structure comprising ventilation means to create movement of air in an area local to a building element comprising an eaves beam, sill or profile of a glazing unit.

The ventilation means may thus minimise "dead spots" of a building structure in which there would be little or no air movement without said ventilation means.

Suitably, said ventilation means comprises a ventilation apparatus comprising a fan unit. Suitably, the ventilation means comprises a ventilation apparatus which comprises said building element.

Suitably, the ventilation apparatus is arranged to supply external air into the building structure in an area local to said building element.

Suitably, the ventilation apparatus comprises a ventilation apparatus according to the first aspect.

Suitably, the building structure comprises a number of articles of ventilation apparatus.

Suitably, the building structure comprises a building structure according to the second aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DPAWINGS

The present invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a crosssection of a ventilation apparatus comprising a ducted building element; Figure 2 is a side elevation, showing hidden detail, of the ventilation apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partially exploded view of the ventilation apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates air flow in a building employing ventilation apparatus; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of an alternative embodiment of a ventilation apparatus; Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of an alternative embodiment of a ventilation apparatus; and Figure 7 is a cross-section of an alternative embodiment of a ventilation apparatus comprising a ducted building element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of a ventilation apparatus 1 which comprises a ducted building element, which is an eaves beam 10. The beam 10 is hollow and comprises a duct providing an air flow path 20 for air from first, internal, inlet 30 and second, external, inlet to outlets 50. The ventilation apparatus further comprises a first fan unit 60 for drawing air from the interior of the building and supplying it to the air flow path 20. The ventilation apparatus also comprises a second fan unit 70 for drawing air from the exterior of the building and supplying it to the air flow path 20.

In the illustrated embodiment the first fan unit 60 forms part of a temperature control means comprising an air conditioning unit 80. In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated) the apparatus may not comprise such temperature control means, and the air conditioning unit may be replaced by a fan unit.

The first inlet 30 is provided by the air conditioning unit 80 and the second inlet 40 by a bracket assembly 90 mounting the second fan unit 70 to the rest of the apparatus 1. The outlets 50 are provided in the ducted building element 10.

The air conditioning unit 80 and second fan unit 70 are mounted to a mixer device 100 which in turn mounts to the ducted building element 10. The mixer device 100 provides a mixer region 110 comprising curved baffles 120 for directing the air flow from the first fan unit 60 to mix with that from the second fan unit 70.

External air is introduced into the mixer region 110 by the second fan unit 70 at a pressure of P1. Internal air is introduced into the mixer region 110 by the first fan unit 60 at a pressure of P2. The combined air streams exit the mixer region 110 into the air flow passage 20 at a pressure of P3. P1 is greater than both P2 and P3 and P3 is greater than P2. Thus, it is predominantly the pressure created by the second fan unit 70 which causes air to flow through the ducted building element. The first fan unit 60 may thus be operated at a pressure substantially below that of the second fan unit 70 which has the benefit of avoiding undue noise and can allow the use of a conventional air conditioning fan.

Air passed through the ducted building element is progressively discharged into the building interior through outlets 50 provided along the elements longitudinal extent. The pressure P3 progressively diminishes along the duct length as air is discharged.

The length of the baffles 120 diminishes progressively to allow the higher pressure air form the second fan unit 70 to pass over the baffles 120 in a manner whereby a molecular drag effect takes place and the internal and external air flows become mixed and pass forward under the motivation pressure generated by the second fan unit to form a resultant flow having pressure P3. The mixing may thus involve a venturi action.

Figure 3 best illustrates the mounting of the fan units of the ventilation apparatus 1. A bracket assembly 90 locates a second fan unit 70 so as to pass through the beam 10 in a manner which allows external air (shown by arrow B) to enter the suction side of the fan unit 70.

The first fan unit 60 is positioned local to the second fan unit 70 and arranged to draw in internal air from a building and supply it into the eaves beam 10. A decorative cover 85 is located in front of the first fan unit 60.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, a heater is also mounted to the bracket assembly to warm air entering the apparatus. In a further alternative embodiment, not shown, a filter is located by the external inlets 40.

Figure 4 illustrates the air flow around a building structure 2 when ventilation assemblies 1 comprising eaves beams 10 are employed together with a ridge vent 3. Air from regions 4 which would normally be "dead spots" within the building, where there is little air movement, is drawn into the eave beams 10 together with some external air as illustrated by arrows A and B. The air is combined within the eave beams and expelled as illustrated by arrow C. The air then circulates through the building and towards the ridge vent as illustrated by arrows D and E. Finally, some of the air is vented to atmosphere through vent 3 as illustrated by arrow F while the remainder of the air continues to circulate around the building.

The intake of external air may create an over pressure condition within the building which assists the travel of air through vent 3. This arrangement may cause air to circulate throughout a building generally eliminating dead spots with warm stale air exiting via ridge vents.

Figure 5 is a schematic plan view showing an alternative embodiment of a ventilation apparatus 1 which is substantially the same as that of Figures 1 to 4. This figure illustrates the flow of air into and from a beam 10 under the influence of fan units (not shown) External air is drawn in through second inlet 40 as illustrated by arrow B and internal air is drawn in through a first inlet 30 as illustrated by arrow A. The air is mixed and travels through air flow path 20 as illustrated by arrow Z and is then expelled through outlets 50 into a building as illustrated by arrow C. The apparatus 1 is used in combination with means for venting air from a building (not shown) to allow air to exit from the building and be replaced by air supplied via the apparatus 1.

Figure 6 is a schematic plan view showing an alternative embodiment of a ventilation apparatus 1 which is substantially the same as that of Figure 5 but which is absent internal (first) inlets 30. This embodiment employs a single fan unit (not shown) to convey air through the beam 10.

External air is drawn in through an inlet 40 as illustrated by arrow B. The air travels through air flow path 20 as illustrated by arrow Z and is then expelled through outlets 50 as illustrated by arrow C. Again, the apparatus 1 is used in combination with means for venting air from a building (not shown).

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a ventilation apparatus 1 which comprises a ducted building element, which is an eaves beam 210. The beam 210 is hollow and comprises a duct providing an air flow path 220 for air from first, internal, inlets 230 and second, external, inlets 240 to outlet 250. The beam is also provided with a cut out portion into which a mounting member 280 carrying a fan unit 260 is installed. The fan unit 260 is arranged to draw air though the air flow path 220.

The inlets and outlet are interposed by the fan unit 260 with the inlets provided by the beam 210 and the outlet by the fan unit 260. The fan unit 260 is mounted to the eaves beam 210 by a mounting member 280 so as to allow air to be drawn into the fan from inside the beam 210. In use, a portion of this air is drawn from the exterior of a building via the second inlets 240 whilst the majority of the air, around 80 percent, is supplied from the interior of the building via the first inlets 230.

An electrical heater 270 is located on the suction side of the fan unit 260 in a manner which allows air to be drawn from the beam into the area both through the body of the heater and around the sides of the heater. In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the ventilation apparatus does not comprise an electrical heater.

Figure 7 also illustrates the operation of the apparatus.

In the exterior face of eaves beam 210 are two inlet slots 240 and in the interior face are two further inlet slots 230. To create an airflow through the apparatus a motive pressure is required and this is supplied by the induced suction from the fan unit 260.

The ratio of air flow will be a function of the difference in area of the inlet slots and this will be governed by the required mixture of the air streams as shown in Figure 5. A simple mass and energy balance can be produced to establish the exact detail for a given application of the apparatus.

Assuming some temperature difference between the outside air at temperature Ti (at say 10 C) and that within the building at temperature T2 (at say 30 C) then air having a resultant temperature, T4, will be attained which is somewhere between these two figures when the internal and external air are mixed.

The heater, which has a relatively high surface temperature, T3, (say 165 C), has to be cooled by this mixed air, at temperature T4, in a manner that will give air having a final discharge temperature, T5.

Temperatures of T5 would be chosen to give air having the required temperature to exit into the building and be of such a level as to avoid thermal damage to local plastics component parts and the fan unit 260.

T4 will be of a level that will not cause thermal problems with plastics parts such as the mounting member 280 and (including the decorative cover part 285 and deflector part 290 thereof).

In operation, the heater 270 itself will be at temperatures well above those at which any local plastics parts would be damaged, typically over 200 C when no air passes through it, and 165 C when air, at a predetermined heat content, passes through it. The apparatus is operated to provide the mass of air at temperature T4 required to enter the rear face of the heater to give the required heater surface temperature.

The air gap between the heater 270 and the angled deflector parts (baffles) 290 forming part of the mounting member 280 is set to provide air at a temperature T5 which is required at the fan unit 260 exhaust.

The system is basically wired in series so that in the event of a fan unit 260 failure the heater 270 will also drop out of circuit. In the event of a power failure, or similar, the actual heater 270 fins are of such a size as to dissipate any residual heat and the energy available would not be sufficient to cause damage to the plastics deflector parts (baffles) 290.

The option exists for the heater 270 to be switched out of the circuit when heating is not required and the fan unit is used as a circulation device only.

Since the air flow to the rear face of the heater 270 has to be controlled the use of dual front and rear inlet sources is used and the heater assembly must be regarded as a balanced heat source. This ensures that air from the eaves beam 210 is brought into contact behind the rear face of the heater 270 from two opposite and equal sources.

The gap between the rear face of the heater 270 and the inner face of the eaves beam 210 is arranged so that the air drawn in from inlet slots 240 collide at the approximate centre point to avoid an out of balance flow through the heating zone.

It will be appreciated that preferred embodiments of the present invention may provide for building structures having improved ventilation and consequently improved control of internal temperature and an increase in air quality.

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 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 (28)

1. A ventilation apparatus for a building, said apparatus comprising a ducted building element defining an air s flow path and a fan unit arranged to cause air to flow through said air flow path, and wherein the apparatus includes one or more inlets arranged to receive air from the interior and/or exterior of a building and one or more outlets arranged to provide air into a building and wherein the apparatus is arranged such that air flows from said inlets to said outlets via said air flow path. * *

******

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the S..

apparatus includes one or more inlets arranged to receive air from the interior of a building. S...

S S...

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the *SSS apparatus includes one or more inlets arranged to S...

receive air from the exterior of a building. .. :

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is arranged and combine internal and external air.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ventilation apparatus is arranged such that the air drawn into the apparatus comprises a ratio (mass flow) of internal air to external air of between 0:1 and 20:1.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the ventilation apparatus comprises first and/or second fan units.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the ventilation apparatus comprises first and second fan units.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first fan unit is arranged to cause internal air to enter the ducted building element air flow path.

9. An apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 8, . S.....

wherein the second fan unit is arranged to cause * external air to enter the ducted building element air flow path. S...

S *5*5

10. An apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 9, S...

wherein the apparatus is arranged such that air within * .. S the air flow path is primarily caused to travel to the.* : outlets by the second fan unit and the second fan unit thus operates at a higher pressure than the first.

11. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the apparatus comprises a fan unit arranged to cause both internal and external air to enter the ducted building element air flow path.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the ventilation apparatus comprises temperature control means.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the apparatus comprises a self-limiting heater.

14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises filter means to filter external air drawn into the apparatus.

15. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the ducted building element comprises a beam.

16. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the building element comprises a sill for a window.

S.....

S * S. * * S S..

17. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the building element comprises a profile of a *SS.

glazing unit. ..:. S...

18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein S...

the ducted building element is arranged, in use, to: form part of a supporting structure of a building.

19. A building structure comprising one or more articles of ventilation apparatus each said article of ventilation apparatus comprising a ducted building element defining an air flow path and a fan unit arranged to cause air to flow through said air flow path, and wherein the apparatus includes one or more inlets arranged to receive air from the interior and/or exterior of a building and one or more outlets arranged to provide air into a building and wherein the apparatus is arranged such that air flows from the inlets to the outlets via said air flow path.

20. A building structure according to claim 19, wherein the building structure comprises a plurality of such articles of ventilation apparatus.

21. A building structure according to claim 19 or 20, wherein each said article of ventilation apparatus comprises a ventilation apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18.

22. A building structure according to any of claims 19 to 21, wherein the building structure comprises air outlet means which comprise a vented ridge assembly. * *. * I * I..

23. A building structure according to claim 21, wherein said vented ridge assembly comprises a baffle assembly, said baffle assembly defining an air flow ** path for providing ventilation between the interior and exterior of a building, the air flow path having a I..

first opening for communicating with the interior of a *.

building and a second opening for communicating with the exterior of a building, and wherein said baffle assembly is arranged to create a vortex within the air flow path when air travels through the air flow path from said second opening, the vortex being arranged to restrict the ingress of rain water into a building via the air flow path.

24. A building structure comprising ventilation means to create movement of air in an area local to a building element comprising an eaves beam, sill or profile of a glazing unit.

25. A building structure according to claim 24, wherein the ventilation apparatus comprises a ventilation apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18.

26. A building structure according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the building structure comprises a structure according to any of claims 19 to 23.

27. A ventilation apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

28. A building structure substantially as herein described:...:.

with reference to any of the accompanying drawings. : .. U...

S *S.. S... * . S... S... S * * *5 *