Apparatus for leak-testing building facades

Abstract

A building facade leak-testing spray bar comprises a main rod having at least one liquid inlet and a plurality of liquid spray nozzles. The bar has two wheels attached to the main rod such that the main rod acts as an axle for the wheels.

Description

[0001] Apparatus For Leak-Testing Building Facades

[0002] The present invention relates to apparatus for leak testing building facades. In particular the application relates to a movable spray bar.

[0003] Leak testing the facade of a building involves positioning testing apparatus adjacent to the facade, using the apparatus to spray the facade with water, and testing for water infiltration to the interior side of the building.

[0004] In order for test to be conducted consistently defined conditions must be met, including control of the intensity of water delivery to the building facade.

[0005] Stationary leak testing apparatus, such as that disclosed in US7156323 can be employed, or alternatively a single spray bar may be moved over the surface of the building in a predefined manner.

[0006] It may be easier to achieve consistent testing conditions using stationary apparatus, but such apparatus is more cumbersome to transport and deploy.

[0007] A movable spray bar has the benefit of being easier to transport and deploy, but obtaining consistent testing conditions requires the spray bar to be moved at a particular rate over the surface of the building whilst maintaining the spray bar at a particular distance from the building's facade.

[0008] Prior art spray bars have sought to maintain consistency of distance between the spray bar and the facade by provision of a plurality of rods having caster wheels at the free end thereof. The rods extend in a rectangular configuration around the centre of the spray bar.

[0009] The present invention seeks to improve upon the prior art.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a building facade leaktesting spray bar comprising: a main rod having at least one liquid inlet and a plurality of liquid spray nozzles; two wheels attached to the main rod such that the main rod acts as an axle for the wheels.

[0011] Providing two wheels attached to the main rod such that the main rod acts as an axle for the wheels has a variety of benefits. Firstly, the diameter of the wheels defines the distance from a building facade that the main rod is retained during use.

[0012] With only two wheels and thus two points of contact, and with the centre of gravity of the spray bar within the main rod the wheels are maintained in contact with the building facade thereby leading to consistent testing conditions.

[0013] Furthermore, in comparison to prior art arrangements the wheels of the present invention are of relatively large diameter to maintain the main rod at an appropriate distance from the building facade. Wheels of larger diameter are less prone to snagging on features of the building facade resulting in smoother movement of the spray bar when in use.

[0014] In some embodiments the wheels are attached at the ends of the main rod.

[0015] In some embodiments the wheels are releasably attached to the main rod.

[0016] By providing releasably attached wheels it is possible for user to change the wheels to wheels of differing diameter to thereby alter the distance from the building facade at which the main rod is retained during use and provide different testing conditions for a building.

[0017] In some embodiments the main rod is substantially linear or is substantially L-shaped.

[0018] In some embodiments the main rod is detachable into a plurality of sections.

[0019] In some embodiments the main rod is detachable into two sections.

[0020] In some embodiments the main rod is detachable into a plurality of sections and is alterable between a first configuration where the sections are attached substantially linearly and an L- shaped configuration where the sections are attached substantially perpendicularly. In some embodiments the sections are attached substantially perpendicularly by means of an elbow joint.

[0021] Allowing a user to reconfigure the main rod means that the spray bar may be used either on a flat section of building facade or at a corner of a building.

[0022] In some embodiments the spray bar comprises at least one attachment point configured to attach the spray bar to one or more cords to enable a user to move the spray bar over a building facade using the cords.

[0023] In some embodiments the spray bar comprises a plurality of attachment points configured to attach the spray bar to one or more cords to enable a user to move the spray bar over a building facade using the cords.

[0024] In some embodiments the spray bar comprises two attachment points.

[0025] In some embodiments the attachment points are located on the main rod.

[0026] In some embodiments the attachment points are located adjacent to the wheels.

[0027] In some embodiment the attachment points are located no more than 30% of the length of the spray bar away from the wheels, or no more than 25% of the length of the spray bar away from the wheels, or no more than 20% of the length of the spray bar away from the wheels, or no more than 15% of the length of the spray bar away from the wheels, or no more than 10% of the length of the spray bar away from the wheels.

[0028] In some embodiments the spray bar is at least 2m in length, or is at least 2.25m in length, or is at least 2.5m in length, or is at least 2.75m in length, or is at least 3m in length, or is at least 3.25m in length, or is at least 3.5m in length.

[0029] In some embodiments the diameter of the wheels is between 30cm and 90cm, or is between 40cm and 80cm, or is between 50cm and 70cm, or is between 55cm and 65cm, or is around In some embodiments the spray bar comprises at least 6 spray nozzles, or at least 8 spray nozzles, or at least 10 spray nozzles, or at least 12 spray nozzles.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a building facade leak-testing spray bar made in accordance with any preceding statement of invention attached to at least one cord to enable a user to move the spray bar over a building facade.

[0031] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of buildingfacade leak-testing comprising the steps of: i) providing the spray bar of any preceding statement of invention; and ii) moving the spray bar with its wheels in contact with the building facade.

[0032] In order that the present invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, of which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention wherein the spray bar is substantially linear;

[0034] Figure 2 is a side view of the spray bar of Figure 1;

[0035] Figure 3 is a plan view of the spray bar of Figure 1;

[0036] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the spray bar of Figure 1

[0037] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention wherein the spray bar is substantially linear;

[0038] Figure 6 is a plan view of the spray bar of Figure 5;

[0039] Figure 7 is a side view of a prior art spray bar;

[0040] Figure 8 is a plan view of the spray bar of Figure 7.

[0041] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 a substantially linear spray bar has a linear main rod 2 that is hollow and comprises twelve spaced apart liquid spray nozzles 3, a pressure gauge 4 and two water inlets 5, 5' each having a hose end coupling.

[0042] Nozzles 3 are all positioned in the same orientation along one side of main rod 2, and are in fluid connection with water inlets 5, 5' by means of the hollow interior of main rod 2. At a first end of main rod 2 is positioned first wheel 6 and at second end of main rod 2 is positioned second wheel 6'.

[0043] Wheels 6, 6' are releasably attached to main rod 2 at their respective centres by means of wing nuts 7, 7'. Wheels 6, 6' are thus attached to main rod 2 such that main rod 2 acts as a linear axle connecting wheel 6 to wheel 6'.

[0044] Main rod 2 further comprises first and second attachment points in the form of eyebolts 8, 8' that extend in a perpendicular direction to the direction of nozzles 3.

[0045] Eyebolts 8, 8' are located near to respective wheels 6, 6', with each eyebolt being approximately 42.5cm from the nearest end of spray bar 1, which has an overall length of around 3.25m.

[0046] As illustrated in Figure 4, in the present embodiment main rod 2 is detachable into two separate sections, 2', 2". Section 2' is slightly longer than section 2". Section 2' comprises seven nozzles whereas section 2" comprises 5 nozzles.

[0047] In other embodiments, sections of rod 2 may be of equal length; rod 2 may be divided into other proportions; rod 2 may be divided into a different plurality of sections.

[0048] Turning to a second embodiment of the present invention and Figures 5 and 6, a substantially L-shaped spray bar 14 has an L-shaped main rod 9 that is hollow and comprises twelve spaced apart liquid spray nozzles 10, a pressure gauge 11 and two water inlets 12, 12' each having a hose end coupling.

[0049] In the present embodiment main rod 9 is formed of two separate sections, 9', 9" that are perpendicular to each other and are connected together by means of elbow joint 13. Sections 9', 9" are detachable from elbow joint 13.

[0050] Along each of main rod sections 9', 9" nozzles 10 are all positioned in the same orientation and are in fluid connection with water inlets 12, 12' by means of the hollow interior of main rod 9. At a first end of main rod 9 is positioned first wheel 15 and at second end of main rod 9 is positioned second wheel 15'.

[0051] Wheels 15, 15' are releasably attached to main rod 9 at their respective centres by means of wing nuts 16, 16'. Wheels 15, 15' are thus attached to main rod 9 such that main rod 9 acts as an L-shaped axle connecting wheel 15 to wheel 15'.

[0052] Main rod 9 further comprises first and second attachment points in the form of eyebolts 17, 17' that extend in a perpendicular direction to the direction of nozzles 10.

[0053] Eyebolts 17,17' are located near to respective wheels 15,15', with each eyebolt being approximately 60cm from the nearest end of spray bar 14, which has an overall length of around 3.25m.

[0054] Beneficially a user may convert L-shaped spray bar 14 into a linear spray bar by detaching rod sections 9, 9' from elbow joint 13 and reconnecting rod sections 9, 9' using a linear connector.

[0055] Turning to spray bars 1 and 14 in use, spray bar 1 is intended to be used with a flat section of a building facade, whereas spray bar 14 is intended to be used at a corner of a building.

[0056] In order to deploy either spray bar 1 or 14 a winch is positioned at a base of a substantially vertical building facade to be leak-tested, and a pulley is positioned on the building vertically above the winch.

[0057] A cord, typically in the form of a steel or nylon rope (although any suitable elongate member may be used), extends from the winch through the pulley and down to the spray bar 1, 14, where it is attached thereto by means of eyebolts 8, 8', 17, 17'.

[0058] Spray bar 1, 14 sits with its wheels 6, 6', 15, 15' in contact with the building facade and is able to travel up and down the facade by means of being winched. As spray bar 1, 14 moves over the building fagade it is pushed against the building facade by the section of cord that extends from the winch to the pulley exerting a horizontal force against spray bar 1, 14. As spray bar 1, 14 moves up (or down) the building an appropriate stream of water is pumped via a hose into the spray bar such that the water is expelled from the liquid spray nozzles 3, 10.

[0059] The diameter of wheels 6, 6', 15, 15' determines the distance of the main rod 2, 9 from the building facade. If desired a user may change wheels 6, 6', 15, 15' for wheels with a differing diameter so as to vary the distance of the main rod 2, 9 from the building.

[0060] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a prior art spray bar 18 having a main rod 19 and a rectangular trolley frame 20.

[0061] Main rod 19 comprises water inlets 23, 23' and liquid spray nozzles 24

[0062] Trolley frame comprises four legs 21 at the end of which caster wheels 22 are positioned.

[0063] With prior art spray bar 18 it is caster wheels 22 and legs 21 that are designed to maintain a spacing between main rod 19 and the building facade with which spray bar 18 is used.

[0064] Cords to raise and lower spray bar 18 are attached to trolley frame 20, which is substantially centrally positioned relative to main rod 19.

[0065] However, owing to the arrangement of spray bar 18 it is not uncommon for it to twist or lean away from a fagade, providing an inconsistent delivery of water.

[0066] Furthermore, although a section of cord that extends from a winch to a pulley may exerting a horizontal force against spray bar 18, a user of the apparatus must ensure that the section of cord remains positioned within the area of rectangular trolley frame 20 to avoid spray bar 18 from becoming unbalanced.

[0067] Also, caster wheels 22 have a tendency to snag on minor features of a building fagade leading to erratic progress of spray bar 18 across a building facade and thereby compromising test results.

[0068] The present invention obviates these problems. In most scenarios of use a building fagade with which the apparatus of the present invention will be used will be substantially vertical, although some more unusual buildings such as architecturally notable buildings, towers or skyscrapers may have facades that are angled to the horizontal, typically at more than 45 degrees, more typically at more than 60 degrees, more typically at more than 75 degrees and more typically at more than 90 degrees.

[0069] In this specification an apparatus / method / product "comprising" certain features is intended to be interpreted as meaning that it includes those features, but that it does not exclude the presence of other features.

[0070] Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A building facade leak-testing spray bar comprising: a main rod having at least one liquid inlet and a plurality of liquid spray nozzles; two wheels attached to the main rod such that the main rod acts as an axle for the wheels.

2. The spray bar of claim 1 wherein the wheels are attached at the ends of the main rod.

3. The spray bar of claim 1 or 2 wherein the wheels are releasably attached to the main rod.

4. The spray bar of any preceding claim wherein the main rod is substantially linear or is substantially L-shaped.

5. The spray bar of any preceding claim wherein the main rod is detachable into a plurality of sections.

6. The spray bar of any preceding claim wherein the main rod is detachable into two sections.

7. The spray bar of any preceding claim wherein the main rod is detachable into a plurality of sections and is alterable between a first configuration where the sections are attached substantially linearly and an L-shaped configuration where the sections are attached substantially perpendicularly.

8. The spray bar of any preceding claim wherein the sections are attached substantially perpendicularly by means of an elbow joint.

9. The spray bar of any preceding claim comprising at least one attachment point configured to attach the spray bar to one or more cord to enable a user to move the spray bar over a building fagade using the cords.

10. The spray bar of any preceding claim comprising a plurality of attachment points configured to attach the spray bar to one or more cords to enable a user to move the spray bar over a building facade using the cords.

11. The spray bar of claim 10 comprising two attachment points.

12. The spray bar of claim 10 or 11 wherein the attachment points are located on the main rod.

13. The spray bar of any of claims 10 to 12 wherein the attachment points are located adjacent to the wheels.

14. The spray bar of any of claims 10 to 13 wherein the attachment points are located no more than 30% of the length of the spray bar away from the wheels, or no more than 25% of the length of the spray bar away from the wheels, or no more than 20% of the length of the spray bar away from the wheels, or no more than 15% of the length of the spray bar away from the wheels, or no more than 10% of the length of the spray bar away from the wheels.

15. The spray bar of any preceding claim wherein the spray bar is at least 2m in length, or is at least 2.25m in length, or is at least 2.5m in length, or is at least 2.75m in length, or is at least 3m in length, or is at least 3.25m in length, or is at least 3.5m in length.

16. The spray bar of any preceding claim wherein the diameter of the wheels is between 30cm and 90cm, or is between 40cm and 80cm, or is between 50cm and 70cm, or is between 55cm and 65cm, or is around 63cm.

17. The spray bar of any preceding claim wherein the spray bar comprises at least 6 spray nozzles, or at least 8 spray nozzles, or at least 10 spray nozzles, or at least 12 spray nozzles.

18. The spray bar of any preceding claim attached to at least one cord to enable a user to move the spray bar over a building fagade using the cords.

19. A method of building-facade leak-testing comprising the steps of: i) providing the spray bar of any preceding claim; and ii) moving the spray bar with its wheels in contact with the building facade.

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