GB2539081A - Construction equipment and methods (seal) - Google Patents

Abstract

A floor seal comprises a sheet of resilient elastomeric material 50 and at least two sheets of rigid material. At least one aperture 56 is provided in the elastomeric material in a region separate from the rigid material for the passage of a building services duct or pipe 18. The rigid material and a portion of the elastomeric material sealingly fit into a cavity. The seal may comprise a pair of elongate rigid material strips 52 separated by a gap 54. A method of installing a seal comprises shaping the seal to have a profile less than that of a cavity until the rigid material is close to or within the boundary of the cavity. A lateral action is then applied to form a sealing fit. The ducts or pipes may be attached to seal before or after positioning the seal in the cavity.

Description

TITLE: CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND METHODS (seal)

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to equipment for building construction, and methods of building construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

International patent publication WO 2012/076858 describes a vertical duct arrangement for a building services module arranged to provide a plurality of building services such as heating and/or cooling for the building, ventilation, energy recovery, hot water or thermal storage.

The distinctiveness of their proposal is that the module is accessible from outside the building so that maintenance and inspection of the module can be conducted without requiring access to the building.

However such an approach has the major flaw in that such a design is susceptible to tampering and malevolent intrusion, such that there is a serious lack of security inherent in that arrangement. Thus an intruder could cause substantial damage to the building facilities and/or disable the building facilities and particularly the alarm system, making unauthorised entry to the building easy and undetected.

It also does not allow rationalisation of the services distribution within the building, thereby involving inherent costs in the installation due to inefficient use of lengths of ducts.

Also, the module's need to have access to the exterior complicates, and so further adds cost to, the provision of effective insulating of the duct, causing substantial use of building fabric insulation and/or difficulty in installation.

Moreover, WO 2012/076858 does not disclose or discuss any details about, or implementation of, the building services module.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a floor seal for a building, the seal comprising a sheet of resilient elastomeric material and at least two sheets of rigid material attached to the elastomeric sheet which has, in a region separate from the rigid material, at least one aperture for the passage of a building services duct/pipe, the floor seal adapted for the at least two sheets of rigid material and the elastomeric sheet to sealingly fit into a floor cavity.

The present invention also provides a seal at a surface in a building, said surface to interface with a pipe, the seal comprising a sheet of resilient elastomeric material and at least two sheets of rigid material attached to the elastomeric sheet which has, in a region separate from the rigid material, at least one aperture for the passage of a duct/pipe, the seal adapted for the at least two sheets of rigid material and the elastomeric sheet to sealingly fit into a cavity at the surface interface.

In the present specification, the term "duct" has the normal meaning as used in the building construction industry, for example being an elongate conduit for the passage of materials, liquids, fluids, gases, and a duct may contain electric cabling and/or pipes which themselves may contain any of the aforementioned.

In the present specification, the term "riser unit" is used as the collective name for the "pathway" of ducts, pipes and cabling throughout the building being/to-be-constructed, formed by combination of the individual elements of locator unit and utilities modul e(s).

Advantageously: * the seal comprises two elongate rigid material strips located on the elastomeric sheet with an elongate gap between the two strips; * the two rigid material strips together with a portion of the elastomeric adapters are sized to sealingly fit in a cavity; * the elongate gap between the rigid material strips extends substantially the length of one (preferably the major) of the dimensions of the elastomeric sheet. 5 The present invention also provides a method of installing a floor seal for a building, the seal comprising a sheet of resilient elastomeric material and at least one sheet of rigid material attached to the elastomeric sheet which has, in a region separate from the rigid material, at least one aperture for the passage of a building services duct/pipe, the floor seal adapted for the at least two sheets of rigid material and a portion of the elastomeric sheet to sealingly fit into a floor cavity, the method comprising: moving the seal towards the floor cavity with the seal in a shape such that its profile in the major plane of the cavity is less than the opening defined by the cavity in that plane, until a periphery of the at least one sheet of rigid material is close to or within the boundary of the cavity; then applying a lateral, relative to the major plane of the cavity, action on the at least one sheet of rigid material to urge it and a portion of the elastomeric sheet into a sealing fit within the cavity.

The present invention also provides a method of installing a seal at a surface in a building, said surface to interface with a duct/pipe, the seal comprising a sheet of resilient elastomeric material and at least one sheet of rigid material attached to the elastomeric sheet which has, in a region separate from the rigid material, at least one aperture for the passage of a duct/pipe, the floor seal adapted for the at least one sheet of rigid material and a portion of the elastomeric sheet to sealingly fit into a cavity, the method comprising: moving the seal towards the cavity with the seal in a shape such that its profile in the major plane of the cavity is less than the opening defined by the cavity in that plane, until a periphery of the at least one sheet of rigid material is close to or within the boundary of the cavity; then applying a lateral, relative to the major plane of the cavity, action on the at least one sheet of rigid material to urge it and a portion of the elastomeric sheet into a sealing fit within the cavity.

In the methods of the present invention, the duct(s) and pipe(s) may be attached to the seal either before or after positioning the seal in the cavity.

This aspect of the present invention allows, when a building services locator unit has been fixed, the seal of the present invention to be positioned on to the locator unit, and optionally allows the additional building elements -including for example building services, walls and so on -to be constructed around the fixed locator unit and seal. Typical conventional sealing arrangements are shown for example in International patent application number W02013/054206 and W02008/008263, Japanese patent application 2004/028220, Swiss patent application number CH688012 and European Patent application 1503471, in which services ( e.g. ducts, pipes) are pushed through openings to form a seal. The present invention allows services to be passed through the respective interface and therefor the seal operation is effective retrospectively. The present invention facilitates allows from on site of the floor only to install (from inside the house), allowing access to bring the services into the house through the ducts and pipes served by the locator unit before the seal is made and completed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a building services locator duct unit for use in building construction, the unit comprising: a body having at least one connector adapted for attachment to a surface of a building to provide secure fixing of the unit in the building; a plurality of positon reference points spaced on the body; means to hold three or more elongate building services ducts/pipes in spaced relationship within the unit.

In this way, this aspect of the present invention may provide a design of building services locator unit allowing for ready, easy and quick construction in a factory assembly-line environment at low cost and to a high degree of precision and accuracy by expert and experienced engineering staff, and then may be transported in the completed form to the actual building-location at the building site.

Advantageously: * the body comprises a frame to support a plurality of holding means for building services ducts.

* the frame comprises means to adjust positioning of the holding means selectively for each of the building services ducts/pipes in the spaced relationship within the frame.

* the adjustment means comprise a part-cylindrical guide for abutment and attachment to one of the building services ducts/pipes.

* the body comprise a block structure having recesses to accommodate elongate building services ducts/pipes in the spaced relationship with the unit.

The present invention also provides a method of constructing a building services locator unit, the method comprising: fixing a building services locator unit comprising a body adapted for attachment to a location in a building, the body having means to hold three or more elongate building services ducts/pipes in spaced relationship within the units; attaching ducts/pipes to three or more means for holding elongate building services ducts/pipes in spaced relationship within the unit.

The method may include any one or more of the following features: securing the body to one or more wall plates of a building.

fixing the body having a frame to support a plurality of holding means for building services ducts/pipes.

fixing a frame comprising means to adjust positioning of the holding means selectively for each of the building services ducts/pipes in the spaced relationship within the frame.

the adjustment means comprise a part-cylindrical guide for abutment and attachment to one of the building services ducts/pipes.

the body comprises a block structure having recesses to accommodate elongate building services ducts/pipes in the spaced relationship with the unit.

the body comprises a clamp to hold an elongate building services duct/pipe in a recess of the block structure.

This aspect of the present invention allows the building services locator unit to be first positioned and secured at the building site, and then for additional building elements -including for example building services, walls and so on -to be constructed around the fixed locator unit.

The present invention provides an utilities module for use in the construction of a building, the module having a plurality of elongate building services ducts/pipes extending the length of a dimension of the module for vertical positioning of ducts/pipes when installed, the module comprising one or more of the following: one or more building services ducts/pipes extending orthogonal to said building services ducts/pipes for provision of building services to other parts of the building; (ii) one or more utilities components located within the module for the provision (iii) of facilities within the building; (iv) one or more utilities components located at the periphery of the module for the provision of facilities within the building.

According to this aspect, the present invention also provides an utilities module for use in the construction of a building, the module having three or more elongate building services ducts/pipes extending the length of a dimension of the module for vertical positioning of ducts/pipes when installed, the interior of the module only being accessible from within the completed building, the module comprising one or more of the following: one or more building services ducts/pipes extending orthogonal to said building services ducts/pipes for provision of building services to other parts of the building; (ii) one or more utilities components located within the module for the provision (iii) of facilities within the building; (iv) one or more utilities components located at the periphery of the module for the provision of facilities within the building.

This aspect of the present invention also provides a method of providing a plurality of building services in a building at a construction site, the method comprising; positioning an utilities module at a location for constructing a building, the module having a plurality of elongate building services ducts/pipes extending the length of a dimension of the module for vertical positioning of ducts/pipes when installed, the module comprising one or more of the following: (i) one or more building services ducts/pipes extending orthogonal to said building services ducts/pipes for provision of building services to other parts of the building, (ii) one or more utilities components located within the module for the provision of facilities within the building, (iii) one or more utilities components located at the periphery of the module for the provision of facilities within the building; and sealing an interface of the ducts/pipes and a surface of the building exterior to the module. (i)

This aspect of the present invention also provides a method of providing a plurality of building services in a building at a construction site, the method comprising; positioning an utilities module at a location for constructing a building, the module having three or more elongate building services ducts/pipes extending the length of a dimension of the module for vertical positioning of ducts/pipes when installed, the interior of the module only being accessible from within the completed building, the module comprising one or more of the following: (0 one or more building services ducts/pipes extending orthogonal to said building services ducts/pipes for provision of building services to other parts of the building, (ii) one or more utilities components located within the module for the provision 25 of facilities within the building, (iii) one or more utilities components located at the periphery of the module for the provision of facilities within the building; and sealing an interface of the ducts/pipes and a surface of the building exterior to the module.

In the method, the utilities module unit may be constructed in a factory environment for example in a manufacturing assembly line.

The present invention provides a method of providing a plurality of building services in a building at a construction site, the method comprising; fixing a building services locator unit on a surface of the construction site; (ii) attaching a plurality of elongate building services ducts/pipes to means for holding the duct/pipe in spaced relationship of the ducts/pipes within the unit; (iii) sealing an interface of the ducts/pipes and a surface of the building which is exterior of the unit.

The present invention also provides a method of providing a plurality of building services in a building at a construction site, the method comprising; positioning an utilities module at a location for constructing a building, the module having a plurality of elongate building services ducts/pipes extending the length of a dimension of the module for vertical positioning of ducts/pipes when installed, the module comprising one or more of the following: (v) one or more building services ducts/pipes extending orthogonal to said building services ducts/pipes for provision of building services to other parts of the building, (vi) one or more utilities components located within the module for the provision of facilities within the building, (vii) one or more utilities components located at the periphery of the module for the provision of facilities within the building; and sealing an interface of the ducts/pipes and a surface of the building exterior to the module.

According to this aspect, the invention also provides a method of providing a plurality of building services in a building at a construction site, the method comprising; positioning an utilities module at a location for constructing a building, the module having three or more elongate building services ducts/pipes extending the length of a dimension of the module for vertical positioning of ducts/pipes when installed, the interior of the module only being accessible from within the completed building, the module comprising one or more of the following: (iv) one or more building services ducts/pipes extending orthogonal to said building services ducts/pipes for provision of building services to other parts of the building, (v) one or more utilities components located within the module for the provision of facilities within the building, (vi) one or more utilities components located at the periphery of the module for the provision of facilities within the building; and sealing an interface of the ducts/pipes and a surface of the building exterior to the module.

In the method, the building services locator unit may be constructed in a factory environment for example in a manufacturing assembly line.

According to this aspect, the present invention also provides a method of providing a plurality of building services in a building at a construction site, the method comprising: prefabricating a building services locator unit at a first location, the unit having a body adapted for attachment to a surface of a building and having means to hold a plurality of elongate building services ducts/pipes in spaced relationships within the frame; (ii) transporting the unit to a second location remote from the first location; (iii) fixing the unit on a surface of a building at the second location; (iv) attaching a plurality of elongate building services ducts/pipes to holding means of the unit for spaced relationship of the ducts/pipes within the unit; and (vii) sealing an interface of the ducts/pipes and a surface of the building which is exterior of the unit. 25 According to this aspect, the present invention also provides a method of providing a plurality of building services in a building at a construction site, the method comprising: (i) prefabricating an utilities module at a first location, the module having a plurality of elongate building services ducts/pipes extending the length of a dimension of the module, for vertical positioning of ducts/pipes when installed, the module comprising one or more of the following: (a) one or more building services ducts/pipes extending orthogonal to said building services ducts/pipes for provision of building services to other parts of the building; (b) one or more utilities components located within the module for the provision of facilities within the building; (c) one or more utilities components located at the periphery of the module for the provision of facilities within the building; (ii) transporting the module to a second location remote from the first location; (iii) positioning the module on a surface of a building at the second location; (viii) sealing an interface of the ducts/pipes and a surface of the building which is exterior of the module.

According to this aspect, the present invention also provides a method of providing a plurality of building services in a building at a construction site, the method comprising: prefabricating a building services locator unit at a first location, the unit having a body adapted for attachment to a surface of a building and having means to hold a plurality of elongate building services ducts/pipes in spaced relationships within the frame; (ii) prefabricating an utilities module at a second location, the module having a plurality of elongate building services ducts/pipes extending the length of a dimension of the module, for vertical positioning of ducts/pipes when installed, the module comprising one or more of the following: (a) one or more building services ducts/pipes extending orthogonal to said building services ducts/pipes for provision of building services to other parts of the building; (b) one or more utilities components located within the module for the provision of facilities within the building; (c) one or more utilities components located at the periphery of the module for the provision of facilities within the building; (iii) transporting the unit and the module to a third location remote from the first and second locations; (viii) fixing the unit on an anchor point for a building at the third location; (ix) attaching a plurality of elongate building services ducts/pipes to holding means of the unit for spaced relationship of the ducts/pipes within the unit; and: (ix) connecting the module to the unit as appropriate.

The method may include any of the following: - step (iv) comprises attaching the unit to a wall-plate on the building; step (ii) comprises fitting the utilities module with facilities; -step (ii) comprises connecting two or more utilities modules together as appropriate.

- step (ii) comprises connecting a roof unit to an utilities module - the third location is an intermediate location and not the building construction site location for the building -one or more seals are connected to a locator unit and one or more utilities modules at the third station; - the third location is an intermediate location and not the building construction site location for the building.

Preferably, each of a building services locator unit and a seal are manufactured off-site.

Preferably, a building services locator unit is installed on site. A seal may be installed into the house fabric in a factory, or it may be installed on-site when on site house fabrication is used.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a control module with a single unit based on an app and connection units operable to:- 1. Controls all functions of all services outlets, equipment and kit associated with power, lighting, heating, ventilation, communications and security and safety in the house.

2. Has a simple and easily understood Graphic User Interface (GUI) which facilitates simple user commands of In/Out/Holiday mode for the house over riding established and pre programmed daily settings.

3. Allows control programming and adjustment of all services outlets, equipment and kit associated with power, lighting, heating, ventilation, communications and security and safety in the house, available through other programme layers of the APP.

4. Operates over advanced wireless communication protocols.

5. Links to, reads and reproduces outputs from smart dual metering for water and power.

Also, the control module is operable to: 1. Be linked to (and display itself) simple Visual Display Unit (VDU) which shows resource consumption and cost against pre set budgets.

2. Facilitate remote monitoring and resetting. (Subject to Data Protection Acts) 3. Generates warnings for maintenance requirements remotely and in house.

4. Able to accommodate options for additional equipment functions and monitoring e.g. Water recycling pumps and remote water quality monitoring.

5. Able to integrate with intelligent house monitoring equipment such as Google 6. Nest and Bosch Wave.

The control module provides maximum energy efficiency with simple intuitive and comprehensive energy controls.

* It has a very low heating load requirement (tKw for a 2 bed home) and so not very much heat/energy input is required to bring the home to temperature. By vastly reducing the heat input to the home, the proportional energy costs are less than 60%.

* Dealing with issues like stand by power, and actual occupancy as opposed to time switched anticipated occupancy becomes significant.

* The controls are easy to use and them passive such that, when an occupant leaves the house one switch / one action turns off the heating and power except essential stand by requirements (fridge freezer IT).

* Also when in the house or away from the house, then the house controls and appliances are easy to use.

Therefore the present invention approach is to establish a blend of App based and customer direct interfaces.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Advantages of the present invention are that it provides ready, easy and quick construction of * a floor seal at an interface with a building services duct/pipe in a building; * a wall seal (or other surface) at an interface with a duct or pipe in a building or other construction/structure.

APPLICATIONS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is particularly suited to the construction of residential houses, flats and apartments, but is also applicable to the construction of industrial, commercial, office, retail and manufacturing buildings and warehouses and storage facilities.

The present invention is particularly suited to "volumetric" housing construction in which major sections of a building are pre-fabricated in a factory with each section fully kitted-out with all required internal and external facilities and services including ducts, pipes and cabling, internal plumbing and water facilities, and electrical and electronic equipment. Then, these sections are transported to the building site where they are installed and fitted together.

Thus, in one example a volumetric house, when it leaves the factory for transport to the building site, is in three parts: ground-floor section, first-floor section and roof-section.

Once on site, the three sections just need to be positioned and structurally assembled together; the pipes, ducts, cables and cabling are connected to respective ones of the other sections as appropriate; external cladding at the interfaces of the sections is made complete; and the stairs construction is completed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may more readily understood, a description is now given, by way of example only, reference being made to various embodiments of the present invention, in which:-FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a building services locator unit; FIGURE 2 is side view of the unit along the lines A-A of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is an end view of the unit along the lines B-B of Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a view of the unit along the lines C-C of Figure 1; FIGURE 5 is an exploded parts view of a portion of the unit of Figure 1; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the floor seal unit in an orientation for sliding over the services pipes; FIGURES 7 A to 7 L are the construction method steps for installing the building services locator unit of Figure 1 within a house; FIGURES 8A to 8D show an alternative embodiment of building services locator unit; FIGURES 9A to 9F show details of a floor seal; FIGURE 10 shows utilities modules over three floors of a house; FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view of the house of Figure 10 showing relevant positions and horizontal connectivity; FIGURES 12A and 12B are floor layouts of a two-storey, two-bedroom house and a three-storey, three-bedroom house respectively, having utilities modules; FIGURE 13 shows floor layouts of a three-storey, four-bedroom house having utilities modules; FIGURE 14 shows floor layouts of a three-storey, five-bedroom house having utilities modules; FIGURE 15 is a diagram illustrating the controls and services facilities associated with a building having utilities modules; and FIGURE 16 shows some examples of utilities modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There is illustrated in Figure 1 a plan view of a building services locator unit 2 which is manufactured in an assembly-line in a factory under stringent and precise conditions, the unit having a frame 4 comprising main arms 6 of length 600 to 1200 mm, struts 8 of length 400 to 600 mm and vertical legs 12 of length 400 to 1200 mm. All these elements of frame 4 are made from hollow cylindrical tubing made of galvanised steel or other metal, or it may be of plastics material of thickness up to 3mm with outer diameter up to 75 mm welded together. Alternatively, the tubing is of hollow square cross-section.

In the next stage of the assembly-line, a bracket 14 with a semi-cylindrical guide 16 at one end is securely attached to a main arm 6 such that bracket 14 extends horizontally from arm 6 inwardly of frame 4. This is repeated with three further brackets 14 on one arm 6 such that all four are equi-spaced along that arm, and likewise four brackets 14 are then similarly attached along the other main arm 6. Bracket 14 and semi-cylindrical guide 16" (of larger radius than guide 16) is attached to one end strut 8.

The profile of the guides 16 may be such as to be only part cylindrical (i.e. less than semi-, or half, cylindrical) such that the vertical edges of opposing guides do not physically abut which might possibly reduce the degree of support for the ducts when in use.

Positioning pegs 212 sit atop main arm 6 or end strut 8 to provide reference points on the unit to facilitate accurate setting out and positioning on the building site.

In a further variant which may be incorporated with any other arrangements, brackets 14 may be attached to the arms by a flexible fixture allowing a degree of horizontal and/or vertical adjustment and then fixed securing in an appropriate position for the ducts in use.

Figure 2 is a side view of a detail of frame 4 of Figure 1. The legs provide the necessary base to achieve a horizontal level alignment adjusting each corner in turn using nuts 306 until the frame 4 is level in both horizontal axes. This will be an iterative process.

Figure 3 is an end view of frame 4 along lines B-B, showing drainage pipe 36 in position but in broken lines, also alignment pin 67 for positioning the seal 48 and Figure 4 is a view along the lines of arrows C-C of Figure 3 when in use in a house with a service duct 18 positioned in unit 2 such that the duct is enclosed within guide 16 and secured there by an elasticated strap 20.

Frame 4 has a number of connectors 21 for attachment to wall plates 22 fixed to side walls at the building construction site in order to secure the unit 2 in the build location, each wall plate 22 acting as an anchoring and positioning point for unit 2. The two respective connector 21 pair have elongate slots 322 and can be suitably secured together by a nut 324 and bolt 32 with appropriate lateral adjustment, or other fastening arrangement as appropriate, once the unit 2 is suitably positioned relative to each respective pair.

The corners of frame 4 have hexagonal apertures 308 to accept only alignment pins 67 with appropriate hexagonal circumference shape 310 to connect with floor seal unit 48 as described in detail hereafter.

Figure 5 is an exploded-parts perspective view of the unit 2 as seen in Figure 4 The assembly method for the units 4 of the present invention is as follows: A unit 2 for the ground floor of a house is constructed in the factory assembly line with the requisite frame 4, brackets 14 and guides 16 suitably securely and accurately positioned; the unit 2 is transported to the construction site, where the unit 2 for the ground floor is bolted or otherwise appropriately secured in the respective position on the ground floor 23 with the top of frame 4 appropriately positioned relative to the ground floor level; then a plurality of ducts including power service duct 30, communications service duct 32, input-water services duct 34 and drainage pipe 36 are attached to guides 16 of unit 2 by straps 20, see Figure 7A.

In the next stage, a ground floor base 24 is constructed with a floor cavity 25 to allow passage of the pipework (ducts 30, 32, 34, 36) of unit 2, and a ground floor seal surround 26 is placed in cavity 25 (see Figure 7B).

Then, a floor seal 48 is applied to cavity 25, the seal 48 having a sheet of neoprene 50 to which is attached two rectangular strips of wood 52 with a gap 54 to allow hinging of the strips 52 on the neoprene sheet 50 in a V-shape as shown in Figure 6. Each wood strip 52 has four semi-circular recesses 56 to accommodate ducts 30, 32, 34 and pipe 36 as appropriate when in position. With floor seal 48 in the V-shape, it is slid down the ducts 30, 32, 34 and pipe 36 as shown in Figure 6 until floor seal 48 enters the cavity in the floor section above the insulation blocks 44, whereupon further downward force on seal 48 causes it to increase the angle of the V-shape configuration until it approaches and reaches a planar form, filling the remaining part of cavity 25 Mastic 57 is then applied to the interfaces of ducts 30, 32, 34 and pipe 38 with the free edges of neoprene sheets 50 and relevant edges of rigid material (e.g. wood) strip 52, see Figure 9B.

Two sections of insulation material 44, each with elongate recesses 46 to accommodate ducts 30, 32 and 34 and pipe 36, are placed in apertures. Then another layer of neoprene 50 and rigid material (e.g. wood strips) 52 is applied in similar fashion (see Figure 7C and D).

Air sealing is a standard required to achieve a thermal performance level for the building envelope. Holes in this building envelope, e.g. the floor for incoming services, traditionally are difficult to seal on site and control. The higher levels of air sealing require proportionately more attention to detail. The cost effort graph is exponential as higher levels of air sealing are achieved. By standardising the services configuration locations and spacings, this accurate air sealing arrangement ensure good quality, high-performance can be easily achieved every time.

Figure 7E shows the installation of 52 and the details of the seal around the incoming pipes and or ducts, Figure 7F shows an utilities module 58 which has pipework or ducts for Foul Drainage pipe 36, Water pipe potable 42, Water pipe non potable 150, Power cables ac 152, Lighting cables ac 168, Power cables dc 154, Communications cables 40, Hot water pipe 156, Toilet/Laundry/Cooker extract 184, Ventilation duct work input 178, Ventilation duct work extract 180 extending the height of the ground floor 23 and into the first floor 27.

Additionally, utilities module 58 also has connections from all of the above vertical installations to the perimeter of the services module 226/227 to facilitate connections to adjacent rooms and or equipment and fittings.

Additionally, utilities module 58 also has connections from and to equipment in the services module from the vertical installation including, lift motors and control equipment 88, Toilet cistern 86, Consumer unit 39, Communications hub 84, Space heating generation and connections 164, Twin element smart meter sensor 162.

Additionally, utilities module 58 also has connections to the perimeter to an energy consumption visual display unit 186 and Whole house control unit 90 and fixing and or installation facilities on perimeter for 204, plus Sanitary ware, Kitchen appliances and units, Laundry appliances, Lift 188, and openings and facilities for Maintenance access 224.

Additionally, utilities module 58 also has connections for, and space to, accommodate either a Disabled persons lift 188 or laundry 238.

Utilities module 58 is manufactured in a factory assembly-line environment at low cost and to a high degree of precision and accuracy by expert and experienced engineering staff, and then may be transported in the completed form to the actual building-location at the building site, in similar fashion to the building services locator unit 2.

Thus utilities module 58 is suitably positioned on ground floor 23 and the respective sections of pipe work between locator unit 2 and utilities module 58 are connected.

Then, in Figure 7G, floor seal 48 for first floor base 31 is constructed in first floor cavity 314 of the first floor structure 316, in likewise fashion to that for the ground floor as described above.

In Figure 7H, utilities module 58' is positioned in first floor 27. Unit 58' is generally similar to assembly unit 58 with the addition of solar thermal flow pipe 190, solar thermal return pipe 192, Connections from & to Equipment in the services module including, Toilet cistern 86, Solar thermal hot water cylinder & associated controls 166, Solar thermal pump set 194, MVHR Manifolds and controls 182, Fixing facilities on periphery for Sanitary ware 204.

In Figure 7i, floor seal 48 for the second floor 28 is constructed in similar fashion as before and the pipes are connected 116.

In Figure 7J, utilities module 58"is positioned in second floor 28. Utilities module 58" is generally similar to utilities module 58 and 58' with additionally Solar PV cables 158, Exchange air ducts 178 /180 and PV Inverter] 60, Expansion vessel 202 installed.

In Figure 7K, roof 29 is added to complete the second floor 28 and having built-in roof ventilation ducts 118 in and out of the building., with connections to the ducting and pipe work 116, and terminating the pipe work resulting in the completed construction as shown in figure 7L.

Another embodiment of building services locator unit 60 is shown in Figures 8A and 8B, this unit 60 being a block 61 of solid plastics material (alternatively being a hard plastics shell either hollow, or with internal struts, or honeycomb interior), having a plurality of indents 62 suitably sized to accommodate respective buildings services pipes and ducts e.g. 18, 30, 32, 34, 36 as appropriate, and with clamps 63 to hold them securely onto block 61 by appropriate fasteners 64, which appropriately fit into block 61.

Figures 8A to D show block 61 has a depth of 200 to 300 and a height adjuster 65 having a disc 300 fixed to threaded rod 12 and spring 302 above the disc. Element 304 of block 61 has holes through which rod 12 passes, with disc 300 and spring 302 already in place as the section shows in Figure 8B. Nut 306 is then used to secure element 304 in place and, by tightening or loosening nut 306 on rod 12, the level/height of element 304 can be adjusted, using spring 302 to maintain tension against nut 306.

By having such an arrangement in three locations spaced along the horizontal dimension of block 61, there is provided a levelling mechanism to ensure block 61 is level in the X and Y axis. It also provides the fine tuning to the height of block 61.

Figures 9A and 9 B show floor seal 48 once constructed. Figure 9A is a plan view of the floor seal 48 once constructed, Figure 9B showing floor seal in cross-section indicating alignment pin 67 to suitably position building services locator unit 2 and floor seal 48 together. Alignment pin 67 has a twin buckle rigging screw arrangement (see Figure 9F) with two screw elements 68 and 69 of opposite screw-thread, and a cylindrical sleeve 70 with an internal thread. Thus, when sleeve 70 is rotated in one direction, the two screw elements 68, 69 either both move further into, or further out from, sleeve 65 -thereby extending or shortening, as appropriate, the overall length of alignment pin 67.

Figure 9C shows the seal in cross section line A-A with drainage pipe 36 shown in a dashed line and all other attributes as Fig 9B.

Figure 10 illustrates the floor layout principles over three floors in a residential building of the utilities module 58 on ground floor 24, utilities module 58'on first floor 31, and utilities module 58" on second floor 33. In the modules, all of the services are vertically distributed, connecting to the incoming services above the ground floor base and extending through each unit to the second floor and roof These are scheduled in the description for Figures 7 A-L.

These services are all vertically aligned from the incoming services locator onwards and upwards, providing a consistent and standard arrangement, making assembly swift and efficient and suited to factory assembly processes.

This constant arrangement of vertical services facilitates the use and operation of the floor seals.

Connection from all of the above vertical installations to the periphery of the utilities module facilitates connections to adjacent rooms and or equipment and fittings 226/227 and maintenance access 224.

At ground floor level 23, access to a disabled lift 218 can be achieved and alternatively if a laundry option 238 is selected, then access 220 is achieved.

At first floor level 31, access to a disabled lift 218 can be achieved and alternatively if the storage option is selected for 240 then access can be achieved 222.

At second floor level, a shower enclosure may be incorporated.

Thus, the riser duct unit 2 is centrally located within the residential building and at the optimum position for easy, efficient and convenient connection and communication with the elements in the building through the utilities modules 58, 58' and 58" incorporating the sir seal 49 and floor seals 48.

There is shown in Figure 11 a cross-sectional view of a house in which the vertical alignment and arrangement of units 2, 49, 58, 48, 58', 48 and 58" can be seen. Also horizontal services connectivity is shown 227 in relation to adjacent functions 74/75 76 102, 104, 236 is shown and the relation with the roof 29 and solar PV components 100 and solar thermal components 196.

The roof is shown with unequal pitches to facilitate the optimisation of the use of solar energy with the longer slope accommodating the solar PV and solar thermal units.

Figures 12A and B show the plan arrangement principles for a 2 bedroom and a 3 bedroom house respectively. The plans show the relationships between the various functions at each plan level and particularly the relationship of the utilities modules 58, 58' and 58" with adjacent functions, particularly 74, 75, 232 and lobby 230.

Also these plan arrangements are designed to be readily suitable for manufacture of the house in a factory environment with a standard width, consistent functional relationships and adjacencies, identical first floor layouts with the larger 3 bedroom house having a slightly longer ground floor plan and a bedroom created in the roof at second floor level. These plan forms are suitable for both terraced and semi detached configurations.

Figure 13 shows the plan arrangement principles for a 4 bedroom house. The plans show the relationships between the various functions at each plan level and particularly the relationship of the utilities modules 58, 58' and 58" with adjacent functions, particularly 74, 75, 232 and lobby 230.

Also these plan arrangements are designed to be readily suitable for manufacture of the house in a factory environment with a standard width, consistent functional relationships and adjacencies, identical first floor layouts. These plan forms are suitable for both terraced and semi detached configurations.

Figure 14 shows the plan arrangement principles for a 5 bedroom house. The plans show the relationships between the various functions at each plan level and particularly the relationship of the utilities modules 58, 58' and 58" with adjacent functions, particularly 74, 75, 232 and lobby 230. Also these plan arrangements are designed to be readily suitable for manufacture of the house in a factory environment with a standard width, consistent functional relationships and adjacencies, identical first floor layouts.

These plan forms are suitable for both terraced and semi detached configurations Figure 15 shows all of the various equipment controls and functions and the associated controls which are brought together under the one application for control purposes with a single smart device phone/tablet etc. Figure 16 shows a 3 dimensional illustration of the assembly of utilities modules 58, 58' and 58" in a particular configuration.

A building services locator unit may be assembled in a factory environment and then transported to the building site for installation at the final building location, for example by use of a wall plate or other anchoring and positioning arrangement. Thereafter, appropriate seal(s), utility module(s) and roof unit(s) are connected as appropriate.

Alternatively, the building services locator unit may be assembled at the final building 20 location.

In the factory environment, advantageously, any one or more of the following elements are manufactured:- (i) The components for seals; (ii) The individual utilities modules incorporating the appropriate facilities within them and appropriate fixtures connections for/to other services and utilities; (iii) Two or more utilities modules (incorporating appropriate facilities, fixtures, connections) connected together as appropriate; (iv) One or more of a utilities module/seal combination, optionally also with a roof unit; (v) A building structure (which may be in separate floors format, e.g. all elements for the ground floor in one package, all for the first floor in another, and so on) with one or more of a utilities module/seal combination, optionally also with a roof unit.

Then the so-manufactured elements are transported to the construction site for assembly with the appropriate locator unit at the building location.

The locator unit, seal and module unit work together, the locator unit positions the ducts and pipes accurately in the ground. The position of these pipes and ducts is identical to their corresponding location in the module unit.

The seal has openings which align with the module unit and facilitates the air sealing and insulation of the point where the pipes and ducts pass into the house, so all the inventions are designed to work together to produce an accurate, repeatable and coordinated approach. All of these inventions are designed to be particularly suited to work with offsite volumetric house construction and production.

The term volumetric" refers to a form of building construction in which the major sections of a building are pre-fabricated in a factory with each section fully kitted-out with all required internal and external facilities and services including ducts, pipes and cabling, internal plumbing and water facilities, and electrical and electronic equipment. Then, these sections are transported to the building site where they are installed and fitted together.Thus, in one example a volumetric house, when it leaves the factory for transport to the building site, is in three parts: ground-floor section, first-floor section and roof-section. Once on site, the three sections just need to be positioned and structurally assembled together; the pipes, ducts, cables and cabling of each section are connected to respective ones of the other sections as appropriate; the staircase is completed and external cladding at the interfaces of the sections is made complete; and the stairs construction is completed.

The locator unit facilitates accurate positioning, each time every time. The locator unit ensures positioning in place relative to other components (e.g. the rest of the volumetric house containing the seal(s) and the module units.

The locator unit is used only in or on the ground, not inside the structure of the building. It positions accurately the foul water pipe and ducts for water power communications media.

The locator unit has two aspects which allow it to be accurately and precisely aligned, these being that it has two methods of positioning relative to the building to be installed over it, one being the locator pins or setting out pins 212 and the second is the connector 21 which attaches to the wall plate 22 or ring beam for the house.

Also, connector 21 fixes the service in a given position before the house is installed, so the locator unit is accurately positioned and in the same place relative to the superstructure (that is essential when working with volumetric off-site construction.) Horizontal stability and levelling is provided by height adjuster 65 and leg 12 before the building arrives so that it is set out relative to foundations and site.

The locator unit is precisely and accurately installed on site relative to the foundations before the other elements of the building arrive or are used.

The locator unit ensures, and facilitates, that the services are in the same place every time for every house. The connector positions the locator unit by fixing it to a foundation ring beam (or wall plate.) The ring beam is positioned on site accurately to receive the volumetric house unit. The locator unit allows for minor adjustments on site to finalise the position location and alignment of the pipes and ducts prior to the arrival of the volumetric house. Material for construction of the locator unit may be metal or orthophthalic fibreglass GRP (glass reinforced plastics) so inert and strong and lightweight. The locator unit is fixed to the foundation ring beam which is fixed to the house. In some instances, the ring beam can be located on floats for houses in flood plains. This means the house can float in flood conditions and the locator unit allows the services to remain in position when the house floats to keep service ducts in correct location.

The seal provides a thermal insulation performance level known as the U valve of 0.1 W/m2/deg C. the seal is actually an air seal resistant to a pressure inside the house. The air seal performance is 0.6h--1050Pa The ducts and/or pipes are installed in the house structure, and then the seals are fitted after that. The seal is water/moisture resistant, and facilitates access from one side of the floor only to install (from the inside of the house.) The seal, allows access to bring the services into the house through the ducts and pipes secured by the locator unit before the seal is made and completed. Once installed there can be some minor adjustments in the range +/-4mm before final sealing. This seal also allows services to pass through the internal first and second floors. The version between house floors is split to facilitate volumetric construction and integration of the module unit into the house, and the house onto the site.

The module unit is based on a frame which facilitates the fixing of pipes, ducts and conduits and also shelves to allow the location and fixing of the plant and equipment.

The frame and shelves may be wholly metal or a combination of metal and orthophthalic fibreglass GRP (glass reinforced plastics).

As well as the vertical and horizontal passage of pipe ducts conduits and cables, the module unit, when assembled, includes the connection to all of the devices and equipment located on the shelves. The equipment is typically: hot water cylinder and controls ventilation pumps fans and controls, solar thermal pumps tanks and controls electrical distribution and breakers, PV inverter, computer based (nCube) smart house integrated control plus VDU and manifold connections for all pipework horizontal connections.

A module unit may have three forms, namely ground floor, first floor, and second floor. The frame of a module unit is self-supporting and rigid. It can be handled by hand, fork lift or crane. It is designed to allow each fully assembled component to be transported. It is specifically designed for integration in off-site volumetric house building,

Utilities Modules Summary

Ground Floor Utility Module Form of Distribution Examples Description FIGs 58 Vertical installation Foul Drainage pipe 36 Water pipe potable 42 Water pipe non potable 150 Power cables ac 38 Lighting cables ac 38 Power cables dc154 Communications cables 40 Hot water pipe 156 Toilet/Laundry/Cooker extract 102 All of these services are vertically distributed through the utility module 58, connecting to the incoming services above the ground floor base and extending into the first floor cavity. 7F & 11 Ventilation duct work input 178 Ventilation duct work extract 180 These services are all vertically aligned from the incoming services locator unit 2onwards and upwards providing a consistent and standard arrangement, making assembly swift and efficient and suited to factory assembly processes.

Disabled persons lift or laundry 238 This constant arrangement of vertical services facilitates the use and operation of the floor seals. in addition to the above the utility module 58 also has the facility to accommodate either a disabled person's lift or a laundry. 242 on plan Fig 10 58 Orthogonal Distribution Connection from all of the above vertical installations to the periphery of the utility module 58 to facilitate connections to adjacent rooms and or equipment and fittings 226, 227 Because the utilities module 58 supports the whole house within the module 58 and extending from the vertical services, connection points are made at the periphery of the module 58 for all services to be extended into the house from the periphery. Steps and locations 220 and 221 from Fig 10. These connection locations are consistent in location and design, making assembly swift and efficient and suited to factory assembly processes. 10 58 Inside Module Connections from & to equipment in the services module from the vertical installation including Lift motors and control equipment 88 The utility module 58 also contains other functions and equipment related to the services required for the house. These are all installed and connected into the module 58 in the factory assembly process and connected also to the vertical services. These are always located in the same position making assembly Toilet cistern 86 Consumer unit 39 Conununications hub 84 Space heating generation & connection 164 swift and efficient and suited to factory assembly processes.

Twin clement smart meter sensor 162 58 Module Periphery Connections to the Also some equipment is installed at the factori, on the periphery of the module 58. These are always located in the same relative position making assembly swift and efficient mid suited to factory assembly processes. Also the periphery of the module 58 is constructed to allow the connection of a number of fittings and appliances and with this easy connection as described in orthogonal distribution above. These are always located in the same position, making assembly swift and efficient and suited to factory assembly processes.

periphery to Energy consumption/Control unit 186 Sanitary ware 204 Kitchen appliances Kitchen units Laundry appliances Lift 188 Maintenance access 224 First Floor Utility Module 58' Vertical installation As 58 plus Solar thermal flow pipe 190 Solar thermal return pipe 192 As before 7H & Disabled persons lift or laundry As before 1 I 58' Orthogonal Distribution As before As before 10 & 58' inside Module As before As before plus Solar thermal hot water cylinder & associated controls 166 Solar thermal pump set 194 MVHR Manifolds & controls 182 58' Module Periphery As before plus sensor As before Second Floor Utility Module 58" Vertical As 58' As before 7J&1 installation plus I Solar PV cables 158 Exchange air ducts 178, 180 Adjacencies Shower facility As before 58" Orthogonal Distribution As before As before 10 & 58" Inside Module As before As before plus PV inverter 160 Expansion vessel 202 58" Module Periphery As before As before 58" Adjacencies Shower facility In addition to the above, the module 58 also has the facility to accommodate a shower facility 242 on Fig 10.

There follows a list of features in the Figures duly referenced with numerals as indicated in the Figures:- 2 Building Services Locator Unit 3 Incoming and outgoing building services 4 Frame 6 Main Arm 8 End Strut 12 Leg 14 Bracket 16 Guide 18 Service duct Strap 21 Connector 22 Wall Plate 23 Ground floor 24 Ground floor base Ground floor cavity 26 Seal surround 27 First Floor 28 Second floor 29 Roof Power service duct 31 First floor base 32 Comms service duct 33 Second floor base 34 Input-water service duct 36 Drainage pipe 38 Power line 39 Consumer Unit Comms line 42 Water pipe 43 Potable Water Stop Tap 44 Insulation material 45 Recess 48 Floor seal 49 Floor Air Seal Neoprene sheet 52 Rigid material strip 20 54 Gap 56 Recess 57 Mastic 58 Utilities module (ground floor) 58' Utilities module (1st floor) 58" Utilities module (2" floor) Building Services Locator Unit 61 Block 62 Indents 63 Clamps 64 Fasteners 65 Height Adjuster 66 Connector 67 Alignment Pin 68 Screw Element 69 Hexagonal end 70 Hexagonal sleeve 72 Exterior wall 74 Bathroom cloakroom 76 Kitchen 78 Washer/Dryer 80 Heat pump 82 Radiator 84 Communications Hub 86 Toilet Cistern 88 Lift motors Si control equipment 90 Whole house control unit Solar thermal panels 102 Sitting Room 104 Dining Room 116 Services vertical connections 118 Ventilation ducts in and out built into roof and air sealed Non Potable water pipe 151 Non Potable water stop tap 152 Electrical distribution AC 154 electrical distribution DC 156 Hot water supply pipe 158 Power cable from solar PV Solar PV inverter 162 Twin element meter sensors and associated display & control equipment 164 Space heating generation 166 Solar thermal hot water cylinder coils immersion & controls 168 Lighting cables ac 176 Controls wiring 178 Mechanical Ventilation & heat recovery Ducts input 180 Mechanical Ventilation & heat recovery Ducts extract 182 Mechanical Ventilation & heat recovery kit and manifolds 184 Washer / drier /toilet/cooker ventilation ductwork 186 Energy consumption & performance visual display unit 188 Disabled person lift 190 Solar thermal flow 192 Solar thermal return 194 Solar thermal kit connections pump and controls 196 Solar thermal roof installation (Heat collection) 198 Solar thermal pipe connection to roof flow 200 Solar thermal pipe connection to roof return 202 Expansion Vessel 204 Fixing facilities at the periphery of the unit for sanitary ware, kitchen units and appliances 206 Air seal surround 208 Angle support for fixing 210 Fixing holes and screws 212 Setting out pins 214 Compressible sealing strip 216 Ventilation duct holes 218 Lift access 220 Access laundry room 222 Access storage 224 Access maintenance 226 Connection s for all horizontal services distribution on this face 227 All horizontal services distribution 228 Entrance 230 Lobby 232 Hall 234 Stairs 236 Bedroom 238 Lift or Laundry room 240 Lift or storage 242 Shower enclosure 300 Disc 302 Spring 25 304 306 Nut 308 Hexagonal aperture 310 Hexagonal shape 314 1st floor cavity 316 2"d floor cavity 322 Slot 322 Nut 326 Bolt

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS1. A floor seal for a building, the seal comprising a sheet of resilient elastomeric material and at least two sheets of rigid material attached to the elastomeric sheet which has, in a region separate from the rigid material, at least one aperture for the passage of a building services duct/pipe, the floor seal adapted for the at least two sheets of rigid material and the elastomeric sheet to sealingly fit into a floor cavity.
2. 2. A seal at a surface in a building, said surface to interface with a duct/pipe, the seal comprising a sheet of resilient elastomeric material and at least two sheets of rigid material attached to the elastomeric sheet which has, in a region separate from the rigid material, at least one aperture for the passage of a duct/pipe, the seal adapted for the at least two sheets of rigid material and the elastomeric sheet to sealingly fit into a cavity at the surface interface.
3. 3. A seal according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the seal comprises two elongate rigid material strips located on the elastomeric sheet with an elongate gap between the two strips.
4. 4. A seal according to claim 3 wherein the two rigid material strips together with a portion of the elastomeric are adapted to sealingly fit in a cavity.
5. 5. A seal according to claim 3 wherein the elongate gap between the rigid material strips extends substantially the length of one of the dimensions of the elastomeric sheet.
6. 6. A seal according to claim 3 wherein the elongate gap between the rigid material strips extends substantially the length of the major of the dimensions of the elastomeric sheet,
7. 7. A method of installing a floor seal for a building, the seal comprising a sheet of resilient elastomeric material and at least two sheets of rigid material attached to the elastomeric sheet which has, in a region separate from the rigid material, at least one aperture for the passage of a building services duct/pipe, the floor seal adapted for the at least two sheets of rigid material and the elastomeric sheet to sealingly fit into a floor cavity, the method comprising: moving the seal towards the floor cavity with the seal in a shape such that its profile in the major plane of the cavity is less than the opening defined by the cavity in that plane, until a periphery of the at least two sheets of rigid material is close to or within the boundary of the cavity; then applying a lateral, relative to the major plane of the cavity, action on the at least two sheets of rigid material to urge it and the elastomeric sheet into a sealing fit within the cavity.
8. 8. A method of installing a seal at a surface in a building, said surface to interface with a pipe, the seal comprising a sheet of resilient elastomeric material and at least two sheets of rigid material attached to the elastomeric sheet which has, in a region separate from the rigid material, at least one aperture for the passage of a duct/pipe, the floor seal adapted for the at least two sheets of rigid material and the elastomeric sheet to sealingly fit into a cavity, the method comprising: moving the seal towards the cavity with the seal in a shape such that its profile in the major plane of the cavity is less than the opening defined by the cavity in that plane, until a periphery of the at least two sheets of rigid material is close to or within the boundary of the cavity; then applying a lateral, relative to the major plane of the cavity, action on the at least two sheets of rigid material to urge it and the elastomeric sheet into a sealing fit within the cavity.
9. 9. A method according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the duct(s) and/or pipe(s) (as appropriate) are attached to the seal before positioning the seal in the cavity.
10. 10. A method according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the duct(s) and/or pipe(s) (as appropriate) are attached to the seal after positioning the seal in the cavity.
11. 11. A floor seal substantially as herein before described with reference to, and /or as illustrated in, any one or more of the accompanying figures.
12. 12. A method substantially as herein before described with reference to, and /or as illustrated in, any one or more of the accompanying figures.