GB2189024A - Ventilator for ventilating the roof space of an extension building - Google Patents

Abstract

A ventilator (1) for ventilating a roof space (21a) of an extension building disposed adjacent to the wall 7 of a main building, comprises a portion 2b to which portions 2a, 4 are hinged. The portion 2a is secured to the wall 7 and the portion 4 is secured to a batten 23 in the roof space of the extension building. An air flow A from the roof space of the extension building passes into the ventilator and then to the outside via slots 8 in the portion 4. A weather shield 10 extends from the portion 4. The ventilator is made of vacuum formed plastics and the extension roof may be flat or sloping. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ventilator for ventilating the roof space of an extension building This invention relates to a ventilator for ventilating the roof space of an extension building.

It is common for buildings to include a main building and an extension building which is adjacent the main building. The extension building may be built at the same time as the main building or may be added on subsequently.

The roof structure of the extension building is often separate from, and disposed lower than, the roof structure of the main building, adjacent a wall thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a ventilator which can provide an air flow between the roof space of the extension building and the external environment.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a ventilator for ventilating a roof space of'an extension building disposed adjacent to a main building, comprising ventilating means adapted to engage Ithe main building and the extension building, and adapted to permit an air flow between the roof space of the extension building and the external environment.

In one preferred embodiment t e ventilating means comprises a panel member having a plurality of apertures through which air can flow, said panel member having a first part adapted to engage the main building, and a second part adapted to engage the extension building.

Advantageously the first part is pivotally movable relative to the second part to facilitate attachment of the ventilator to different roof configurations.

It is preferable that the first part of the panel member is adapted to be secured to a wall of the main building and the second part of the panel member is adapted to be secured to a part of the roof structure of the extension building.

Desirably the second part, in use, extends substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to an outer wall of the main building.

Preferably a weather shield extends from the second part at an angle thereto, which, in use, serves to shield the apertures from the effects of the weather.

Each aperture may comprise an elongate slot having a width of about 4 mm; this is sufficient to prevent the ingress of all vermin, and most of the larger insects. The size and spacing of the apertures can be arranged such that the ventilator provides sufficient ventilation to meet the requirements of the Public Health Act (i.e. 10,000 mm2 per metre).

In another preferred embodiment the ventilating means comprises first and second air flow channels, the first air flow channel communicating at one end with the external environment and at the other end with the second air flow channel, and the second air flow channel communicating at one end with the roof space of the extension building and at the other end with the first air flow channel.

Preferably the first air flow channel is disposed adjacent to the second air flow channel and extends parallel thereto. This enables a slim device to be provided, the total thickness of the device being determined by the thickness of a single channel. When in a ventilating position, the ventilator can advantageously be arranged so that each channel is substantially equidistant from a wall of the main building.

The channels preferably are configured to increase the turbulence of air flow therethrough in order to assist in the removal of water droplets from the air. To this end, the channels can be provided with surface formations, and the cross sectional area of the channels can be varied along their length.

An apertured plate or mesh may be disposed in one of the air flow channels so that air cannot flow through the channel without flowing through the apertures of the plate or through the mesh. Preferably the apertured plate or mesh is disposed in the first channel.

Preferably the ventilating means comprises a corrugated sheet having one corrugation defining the first air flow channel and another corrugation defining the second air flow channel.

Desirably the ventilating means is provided with a cover arranged so that the first air flow channel extends between the sheet and the cover.

The cover may be adapted to be secured to a wall of the main building.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a ventilating unit for ventilating a roof space of an extension building disposed adjacent a main building comprising a plurality of ventilators as described above, said ventilators being juxtaposed and being integrally formed.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a building structure comprising a main building, an extension building disposed adjacent the main building, a ventilator for ventilating a roof space of the extension building, said ventilator including ventilating means which engages the main building and the extension building and which is adapted to permit an air flow between the roof space of the extension building on the external environment.

In one preferred embodiment the ventilating means comprises a panel member having a plurality of apertures through which air can flow, said panel member having a first part secured to a wall of the main building, and a second part secured to a part of the roof structure of the extension building.

In an alternative preferred embodiment the ventilating means comprises first and second air flow channels, the first air flow channel communicating at one end with the external environment and at the other end with the second air flow channel, and the second air flow channel communicating at one end with the roof space of the extension building and at the other end with the first air flow channel.

Desirably the ventilating means comprises a corrugated sheet having one corrugation defining the first air flow channel and another corrugation defining the second air flow channel, said sheet being arranged so that the second air flow channel extends between the sheet and the wall of the main building.

Preferably the ventilating means includes a cover secured to the wall of the main building arranged so that the first air flow channel extends between the sheet and the cover.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a ventilator according to the invention; Figure 2 is a view along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the ventilator of Figs. 1 and 2 located in one embodiment of roof structure of an extension building; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the ventilator of Figs. 1 and 2 located in the embodiment of roof structure shown in Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilator of Figs. 1 and 2 located in an alternative embodiment of roof structure of an extension building; Figure 6 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of ventilator according to the invention; Figure 7 is a section along lines 7-7 of Fig.

1; Figure 8 is a section along the lines 8-8 of Fig. 1; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of a the ventilator of Figs. 1 to 3 located in an embodiment of a roof structure of an extension building.

In Figs. 1 and 2 a ventilator generally designated 1 comprises ventilating means 1 a including a panel member having a first part 2 which is pivotally secured to a second part 4 by means of a hinge 3.

The first part 2 includes a portion 2a which is pivotally mounted to the first part by means of hinge 5; the portion 2a is provided with a fixing hole 6 to facilitate the fixing of the ventilator 1 to an external wall 7 of a main building (see Figs. 3 to 5).

The second part 4 is provided with a plurality of elongate apertures 8, and has a lower surface 4a which can engage part of the roof structure of an extension building. The second part 4 is provided with a fixing hole 9 which facilitates the connection of the second part to the roof structure of the extension building (see Figs. 3 to 5). The second part 4 also includes a locating flange 4b which assist in the correct positioning of the ventilator 1.

A weather shield 10 extends from the second part 4 at an angle thereto. The first part 2 of the ventilator 1 and the shield 10 are provided with a plurality of strengthening ribs 11.

In Figs. 3 to 5 the ventilator 1 is shown located in the roof structure of the extension building: the portion 2a of the first part 2 is secured to the external wall 7 of the main building by means of screws 40; the second part 3 is connected to a surface 13 of the roof structure of the extension building by means of screws 41.

The external wall 7 forms part of a cavity wall structure of the main building and includes an internal wall 12. A cavity tray 14 is provided in a cavity 15 between the walls 7 and 12 and lead flashing 16 extends over part of an external surface 2b of the first part 2 of the ventilator 1.

In Figs. 3 and 4 the roof structure is of the "flat roof" type. The flat roof construction comprises white spar chippings 17 on asphalt or built-up felt 18 which is disposed upon boarding 19. The boarding 19 is disposed upon firrings 20 which are in turn disposed upon roof joists 21. A roof space 21 a is defined between adjacent roof joists 21. The roof space 21a of the extension building is provided with insulation 22. The surface 13 of the roof structure, to which the second part 3 is secured, comprises the upper surface of a horizontally extending batten 23.

The horizontally extending batten 23 is secured to vertically extending battens 44, and air can flow through an air gap 31, between adjacent battens 44, to the roof space 21 a.

In Fig. 5 the roof structure of the extension building is of the "pitched roof" type and includes a roof space 24. In this structure roof tiles 25 are arranged on battens 22 which are disposed upon sarking felt 27; the sarking felt 27 is disposed upon roof joists 28. The surface 13 of the roof structure, to which the second part 3 is secured, comprises the upper surface of a horizontally extending batten 29 which is supported by the roof joists 28. Lead flashing 30 is pinned over the batten 29 and over a portion of the roof tiles 25.

An air gap 31 a is provided between the batten 29 and the external wall 7.

Air can flow from the roof space 21 a or 24 through air gap 31 or 31 a, then through the apertures 8 of the ventilator 1, to the outside environment.

The provision of the ventilator prevents air from entering or leaving the roof space 21a or 24 through air gap 31 or 31 a without also passing through the apertures 8 at the ventilator 1.

The air flow path through the roof space to the outside environment is shown by arrows A; it will be appreciated that the air flow path could be in the reverse direction to that shown by arrows A.

In Figs. 6 to 9 a plurality of ventilators generally designated 101 each includes ventilating means 101a comprising a sheet formed into a first corrugation 102 and a second corrugation 103. Each corrugation is generally trapezoidal in cross-section; the first corrugation 102 defines a first air flow channel through which air can flow, and the second corrugation 103 defines a second air flow channel through which air can flow.

The first corrugation 102, includes a base 104, the lower half of which is provided with surface formations 105 which extend substantially transverse to the longitdinal axis of the corrugation 102. For convenience only one of the ventilators 101 has been shown with the corrugations 105 in Fig. 6. The second corrugation 103 includes a base 104a, from which a formation 104b extends outwardly.

The surface formations 105 serve the purpose of producing turbulence in the air passing along the surface of the ventilator in this region. This assists in the prevention of the passage of water droplets along the first channei.

The base 104 of the first corrugation 102, projects outwardly in the region of the corrugations 105 substantially midway along the length of the first corrugation, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the first air flow channel in this region.

Each ventilator 101, is also provided with a cover 106 which is shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

The cover 106 is provided with apertures so that it may be secured to a wall 107 of a main building by means of screws 108.

The cover 106, covers all but a lowermost portion 102a of the first corrugation 102. The cover 106 covers the adjacent ends 102b and 103a of the first and second corrugations 102 and 103 respectively in order to prevent these ends communicating directly with the external environment. The wall 107 covers the second corrugation 103 in order to prevent the second air flow channel communicating directly with the external environment. The cover 106 and the wall 107 define a communicating channel between the ends 102b and 103a of the first and second corrugations 102 and 103; air can flow between the first and second corrugations through the communicating channel.

Air from the external environment is unable to reach the second air flow channel defined by the second corrugation 103 without first passing through the lowermost portion 102a of the first corrugation 102 and then passing upwardly through the first corrugation. The first corrugation 102 is provided with an apertured plate 109 arranged so that air cannot pass from the lowermost portion 102a of the first corrugation 102 to the second corrugation, or vice versa, without also passing through the apertures of plate 109.

The cover 106 includes a formation 110 which is adapted to receive the formation 104b. These formations 110 and 104b serve to assist in the correct alignment of the cover 106 with respect to the corrugations 102 and 103.

The ventilators 101 are each supported by a support member 111 which is bolted by means of screws 112 to boarding 113 which forms part of a flat roof structure shown in Fig. 9. Spar chippings 114 are arranged upon asphalt or built-up felt 115 which covers both the boarding 113 and the support member 111. Lead flashing 116 covers the uppermost part of the cover 106 and conceals the screws 108 from view. In Fig. 9 the lead flashing is shown partially cut-away in the order to reveal the arrangement of the screw 108.

The ventilators 101 shown in the Figs. 6 to 9 are juxtaposed and integral to form a ventilating unit extending along the wall 7.

The size of the ventilators 101 and the apertures of the plate 109 can be dimensioned so that an air gap of 10,000 mm2/m is provided, in order to meet the requirements of the Public Health Act.

One air flow path through the ventilators is shown in Fig. 4 and designated by arrows B.

Air from the external environment can enter the ventilators 101 at the lowermost portion 102a of the first corrugation 102 and flows upwardly through the first air flow channel defined by the first corrugation 102 where it loses any entrained water, and larger particles of dust. In this way the ventilator 101 provides protection against the effects of the weather.

The air flow through the apertures of the plate 109, which plate to serves to prevent the ingress of vermin and larger insects. Having passed through the aperture of plate 109 the air flows through the connecting channel then downwardly through the second air flow channel defined by the second corrugation 103. The air then leaves the second air flor channel defined by the second corrugation 103 and enters the roof space of the flat roof structure through an air gap 117 between the wall 107 and the roof structure of the extension building.

It is clear from Fig. 9 that the general direction of air flow, in the course of its passage through the ventilator 101, alters by substantially 1800.

It will be appreciated that the direction of air flow from the external environment to the roof space of the extension building can be reversed.

It will be further appreciated that the ventilators 101 can easily be adapted for use with other roof structures, for example a pitched roof structure.

The ventilators 1 and 101 can be made of a plastics material, or may be vacuum formed.

Claims (15)

1. A ventilator for ventilating a roof space of an extension building disposed adjacent a main building, comprising ventilating means adapted to engage the main building, and adapted to permit an air flow between the roof space of the extension building and the external environment.

2. A ventilator according to Claim 1 in which the ventilating means comprises first and second air flow channels, the first air flow channel communicating at one end with the external environment and at the other end with the second air flow channel, and the second air flow channel communicating at one end with the roof space of the extension building and at the other end with the first air flow channel.

3. A ventilator according to Claim 2 in which the first air flow channel is disposed adjacent to the second air flow channel and extends parallel thereto.

4. A ventilator according to Claim 2 or 3 in which the channels are provided with surface formations in order to increase the turbulence of air flow therethrough.

5. A ventilator according to Claim 2, 3 or 4 in which the cross-sectional area of each channel varies in order to increase the turbulence of air flow therethrough.

6. A ventilator according to Claim 2, 3, 4 or 5 in which the ventilating means comprises a corrugated sheet having one corrugation defining the first air flow channel and another corrugation defining the second channel.

7. A ventilator according to any of Claims 2 to 6 in which the ventilating means including a cover arranged so that the first air flow channel extends between the sheet and the cover.

8. A ventilator according to Claim 7 in which the cover is adapted to be secured to a wall of the main building.

9. A ventilating unit for ventilating a roof space of an extension building disposed adjacent to a main building comprising a plurality of ventilators as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, said ventilators being juxtaposed and being integrally formed.

10. A ventilator for ventilating a roof space of an extension building substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

11. A building structure comprising a main building, an extension building disposed adjacent the main building, a ventilator for ventilating a roof space of the extension building, said ventilator including ventilating means which engages the main building and the extension building and which is adapted to permit an air flow between the roof space of the extension building and the external environment.

12. A building structure according to Claim 11 in which the ventilating means comprises first and second air flow channels, the first air flow channel adapted to communicate at one end with the external environment and communicating at the other end with the second air flow channel, and the second air flow channel communicating at one end with the roof space of the extension building and at the other end with the first air flow channel.

13. A building structure according to Claim 12 in which the ventilating means comprises a corrugated sheet having one corrugation defining the first air flow channel and another corrugation defining the second air flow channel, said sheet being arranged so that the second air flow channel extends between the sheet and a wall of the main building.

14. A building structure according to Claim 12 or 13 in which the ventilating means includes a cover secured to the wall of the main building arranged so that the first air flow channel extends between the sheet and the cover.

15. A building structure substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Fig. 9.