Cavity wall barrier

Abstract

A cavity wall barrier for a building comprising a first layer of mesh material of a first lattice size, a second layer of mesh material of a second lattice superimposed on the first layer. The first lattice size is different to the second lattice size. The superimposed mesh layers form a shaped barrier having a floor and at least one side wall. The side wall has on one side, a layer of intumescent material attached thereto, and on the other side, means to secure the mesh wall to a wall of a building.

Description

CAVITY WALL BARRIERFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cavity wall barrier for buildings, especially timber framed buildings. More particularly, the invention concerns cavity wall barriers which, when installed, not only prevent access of a wide range of insects and vermin to the spacing defined between the cavity walls of a building, particularly a timber framed building, but also intumesce in the presence of excessive heat caused, for example, by a fire to prevent it’s spread to other areas of the building.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Cavity barriers are well-established in building construction and fulfil several important functions. Primarily, they serve to inhibit the spread of fire, heat, and smoke through concealed voids within a building’s structure. This is a critical safety measure, as it helps to preserve the integrity of fire compartments, limits fire propagation and provides additional time for safe evacuation and emergency intervention. Cavity barriers are often a requirement of building regulations and fire safety codes, ensuring a minimum standard of fire protection in buildings.

[0003] Secondly, cavity barriers can function to prevent ingress of vermin into the voids defined between the cavity walls of a building. Rodents, such as rats and mice, are known for their destructive gnawing behaviour, which can compromise electrical wiring, plumbing systems, insulation materials and even the structural integrity of walls. Moreover, rodent infestations are frequently associated with unpleasant odours and present a health risk due to the potential transmission of diseases.

[0004] Insect infestations have become more prevalent in recent years due to factors such as global warming and ecosystem shift patterns. Insects such as flies, wasps, ants and other arthropods can excavate timber and insulation to construct nests and tunnel systems within cavity walls, leading to progressive structural damage over time; particularly in timber framed buildings.

[0005] Conventional cavity barrier designs often fall short in preventing the entry of smaller insect pests. These designs often have ventilation-like features and inefficient fixing means, which can inadvertently create pathways for small pests to penetrate the cavity.

[0006] One known system, disclosed in the Applicants previous patent GB2533356B, comprises a strip or sheet of intumescent material encased within a sheet of polyurethane cloth material, a plurality of ventilation holes extending through the intumescent and polyurethane materials and two layers of flexible metallic mesh. There may also be brackets to secure the barrier to the walls of the cavity. While this design supports ventilation and provides fire protection, the presence of ventilation openings and mounting brackets may result in unintended gaps large enough to permit the entry of small vermin and insects into the cavity.

[0007] Furthermore, existing cavity barrier designs are primarily focused on limiting the lateral spread of pests within the cavity wall once entry has occurred. They are not designed to stop vertical ingress, particularly from below the building structure, where vermin and insects enter from the ground and migrate upward into the cavity spaces. This is a particular issue in buildings that are raised off the ground, such as timber framed houses with suspended floors, where space between the ground and the floor provides a concealed route for upward entry into the building.

[0008] The present invention provides a cavity wall barrier that effectively acts both as a pest-proof and fire- resistant barrier. More especially, the present invention achieves a sealed installation that prevents entry of both larger vermin and smaller insects, including those entering from the ground upwards. The cavity wall barrier of the present invention also maintains robust fire protection performance in accordance with fire safety standards and is straightforward to install and compatible with existing wall cavity constructions.

[0009] By combining pest control and fire protection into a single integrated barrier system, the invention delivers a comprehensive solution that enhances building safety, supports hygienic conditions and contributes to the structural integrity and resilience of the building.STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided, a cavity wall barrier for a building, the barrier comprising a first layer of mesh material of a first lattice size, a second layer of mesh material of a second lattice superimposed on the first layer, the first lattice size being different to the second lattice size, the superimposed mesh layers forming a shaped barrier having a floor and at least one side wall, the side wall having, on one side, a layer of intumescent material attached thereto, and on the other side, means to secure the side wall to a wall of a building.

[0011] Preferably, the side edge of the floor, distal to the side mesh wall, includes an intumescent strip extending along its periphery.

[0012] Preferably, the securement means comprises an adhesive layer, which is preferably covered by a removable release liner.

[0013] Preferably, the mesh side wall may include one or more apertures for receiving mechanical fasteners, such as screws or bolts, and may be provided with a support plate to facilitate such mechanical fixation.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the barrier includes a second side wall formed at the opposite edge of the floor, thereby providing a U-shaped configuration. The second side wall may similarly be fitted with an intumescent strip and securement means, such as fasteners and / or brackets, to enable attachment to a second building surface.

[0015] The invention as described provides a cavity barrier that is capable of physically preventing the ingress of vermin and insects while also functioning as an effective fire preventing component.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-

[0017] Figures 1 and 2 are respectively plan and perspectiveviews of a cavity wall barrier in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

[0018] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cavity wall barrier of Figures 1 and 2 with the release liner of the adhesive layer partially removed;

[0019] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cavity wall barrier of the preceding Figures 1 to 3 secured to a vertical building panelled wall; and

[0020] Figures 5 and 6 are respectively plan and perspective views of a cavity wall barrier constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The cavity wall barrier 2 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is designed for installation at the lower edge of the wall cavity in timber framed buildings, particularly beneath the outer cladding sections. The cavity barrier 2 serves both to prevent the ingress and movement of vermin and insects, and to inhibit the penetration of fire through the walls of the building.

[0022] The barrier 2 comprises a first mesh layer 4, preferably made from metal. This first mesh layer is constructed as a square lattice with apertures having sides of around 7 mm. The specific size of the lattice’s apertures may vary but are chosen to be small enough to prevent entry by common vermin, such as mice and rats.

[0023] Superimposed on the first layer mesh 4 is a second mesh layer 6, also preferably made of metal. Preferably, the first mesh layer 4 and second mesh layer 6 are in direct contact with each other and provide a dual-function physical barrier.

[0024] The second mesh layer 6 is also formed as a square lattice, but with significantly smaller apertures, typically having sides between 1 mm to 2 mm. This smaller aperture size is selected to exclude smaller pests and vermin, including insects such as flies, wasps and ants.

[0025] The combined mesh layers 4, 6 are bent or otherwise formed into an L-shaped configuration, comprising a horizontal floor 8 and a vertical mesh side wall 10. In use, the floor 8 is arranged horizontally and extends outwardly and perpendicularly from the vertical panelled wall 12 along its length (see Figure 4).

[0026] Affixed to the internal surface of the mesh side wall 10 is an intumescent material strip 14. The intumescent material strip 14 is adhered or otherwise secured to the mesh side wall 10 to provide a fire- responsive sealing function.

[0027] The intumescent material 14 is preferably graphite based, such as a 440 g / m2 nylon cloth impregnated with graphite powder. Alternatively, it could be a cloth based material with an intumescent coating.

[0028] The external surface of the mesh side wall 10 of the barrier 2, opposite to the side with the intumescent strip 14, has an adhesive layer 16 adhered or coated on it, which is protected by a removable release liner 18. As shown in Figure 3, the release liner 18 can be removed to expose the adhesive layer 16, allowing the barrier 2 to be affixed to the building wall surface 12.

[0029] As can be seen in Figure 4, the mesh side wall 10 includes an aperture through which a fastener 20 may be passed for mechanical fixation of the barrier 2 to the panelled wall surface 12. Suitable fasteners 20 include screws, bolts, brackets or other mechanical fixings.

[0030] The adhesive layer 16 assists retention of the mesh side wall 10 to the panelled wall surface 12, forming a continuous and sealing interface that prevents the formation of small gaps. This eliminates potential entry points for insects and enhances pest-proofing performance.

[0031] To assist with fastener 20 retention, a support plate 22 may be provided to receive and distribute the load applied by the fastener 20 on the barrier 2, as seen in Figure 3.

[0032] At the distal edge of the floor 8, opposite to the mesh side wall 10, a second intumescent material strip 24 extends along the periphery of the barrier 2. This further enhances the fire-resistant capability of the barrier 2.

[0033] Figures 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the side edges of the floor 8 of the barrier 2 extend to respective upstanding mesh side walls 10A, 10B. These mesh side walls 10A, 10B extend vertically and parallel to one another, and perpendicularly from the respective floor 8 edges, forming a U-shaped profile.

[0034] Intumescent material strips 14A, 14B are affixed or otherwise secured to the internalsurfaces of both mesh side walls 10A, 10B.

[0035] Fastening means 20 are also provided on each mesh side wall 10A, 10B allowing the barrier 2 to be secured at either side to an adjacent building structure 12. This allows the barrier 2 to be secured against a single wall or between two opposing wall structures or vertical surfaces if the barrier 2 is to extend across a gap between them.

[0036] Fixing brackets 26 may also be provided which include apertures for receiving a securement means to affix the barrier 2 to the building structure 12 in a selected fixing position. Suitable securement means would include screws, bolts, brackets or other mechanical fixings.

[0037] In use, the barrier 2 not only acts as a physical barrier to prevent vermin and insects’ ingress through the wall cavity but also acts as a reactive fire-resistant barrier. The intumescent strips (14, 14A, 14B, 24) expand in the event of a fire, sealing the wall cavity to prevent the spread of the fire along or through the cavity and protect walls and interior materials from fire penetration.

[0038] The described barrier 2 is intended to be positioned at or near the loweredgeof a cavity wall, typically close to the ground where pest ingress is most prevalent. The placement is particularly effective in buildings elevated above ground level, where upward migration of pests, insects and vermin from the under-floor space is a known risk.

[0039] Typically, the barrier 2 is supplied in 1 metre (m) lengths. For single sided versions in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention as described previously, the floor width ranges from 45 millimetre (mm) to 85 mm, with preferred widths of 50 mm and 80 mm. For double sided versions in accordancewith the second embodiment of the invention as described previously, the floor width ranges from 95 mm to 125 mm, with preferred widths of 100 mm and 120 mm.

[0040] The height of the intumescent strips 14, 14A, 14B is typically 30 mm.

[0041] In an alternative configuration, the vertical mesh wall(s) 10, 10A, 10B, may comprise only the first mesh layer 4, providing structural support while maintaining barrier 2 functionality.

[0042] Furthermore, the vertical mesh wall(s) 10, 10A, 10B may alternatively be turned downwardly, or one side may be turned downwardly and the other side upwardly.

[0043] It will be appreciated that the foregoing embodiments are merely exemplary of cavity wall barriers in accordance with the invention. Variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A cavity wall barrier for a building, the barrier comprising: a first layer of mesh material of a first lattice size; a second layer of mesh material of a second lattice superimposed on the first layer; the first lattice size being different to the second lattice size; the superimposed mesh layers forming a shaped barrier having a floor and at least one side wall; the side wall having, on one side, a layer of intumescent material attached thereto, and; on the other side, means to secure the mesh wall to a wall of a building.

2. A cavity wall barrier according to claim 1 , wherein the side edge of the floor, distal to the mesh wall, includes an intumescent strip extending along its periphery.

3. A cavity wall barrier according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the securement means comprises an adhesive layer.

4. A cavity wall barrier according to claim 3, wherein the adhesive layer is covered by a release liner.

5. A cavity wall barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mesh wall includes at least one aperture, and the securement means includes a fastener to extend, in use, through the aperture to secure the mesh wall to the wall.

6. A cavity wall barrier according to claim 5, further including a support plate to receive the fastener.

7. A cavity wall barrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the side of the floor distal to the mesh wall is formed with a second side wall, opposite the first side wall.

8. A cavity wall barrier according to claim 7, wherein the second side wall has an intumescent strip secured to a surface thereof.

9. A cavity wall barrier according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the second side wall has fastening means to selectively secure the second side wall to a wall of a building.

10. A cavity wall barrier according to anyone of claim 9, further including fixing brackets for securement to selected fixing position.

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