GB2397035A

GB2397035A - An air vent filter

Info

Publication number: GB2397035A
Application number: GB0300458A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bruce Richard Shaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-09
Filing date: 2003-01-09
Publication date: 2004-07-14
Also published as: GB0300458D0

Abstract

A device for preventing the ingress of biological and/or chemical gas comprises a base member 101 attached to a vent 113 and vent tube 107, 108, 109 having at least one charcoal filter 114 therein. Preferably the base member is a base plate 101 with a rubber seal 111 at the edge and a hole 105 in the middle region and is mounted by screws or bolts 104 to the vent which is an air brick 113. Advantageously the vent tube is releasably attached to the base plate wherein at least one charcoal filter capable of removing contaminants such as sulphur, ammonia and mercury is fitted. Advantageously the device is used in buildings and vehicles.

Description

GAS ATTACK FILTER

The present invention relates to a device for reducing the likelihood of damage from big-chemical gas attack and is designed specifically for the US and NATO countries.

The risk of damage to domestic and commercial property by gas attack appears to be increasing steadily and leads to speculation that a terrorist big-chemical attack is imminent. A number of designs have been proposed, but an alternative point of ingress for gas attacks is the air bricks, particularly in premises which have cellars or traditional suspended wooden floors at ground level. Other forms of vents, which constitute a gas attack risk, are tumble dryer vents or boiler exhaust vents.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for preventing the ingress of big-chemical gases into a structure via air bricks, or other vents incorporated into the structure, or indeed to be able to attach such a device to a structure to filter out hazardous gases should the risk be there.

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for preventing the ingress of hazardous gases into a structure via a vent incorporated in the structur,omprising a base member adapted to be sealably attached to, or form an integral part of, a structure including a vent and a vent tube extending from the base member.

Preferably the base member and the vent tube are detachable so that, for cosmetic reasons, they can be removed when no risk of gas attack is perceived.

Also, preferably the vent tube filters are detachable from the base member so that different vent tube filters can be used to guard against different anticipated gas attack threats.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a vent cover embodying the invention, and Figure 2 is a side view and part section of the embodiment of the invention shown in figure 1 attached to a structure.

Referring to the drawings, a gas attack filter cover 100 for a vent such as an air brick consists of a rectangular base plate 101 at the corners 102 of which are holes 103 for mounting screws or bolts 104. In the centre of the base plate 101 is a hole 105, the area of which is approximately the same as the hole area of a standard air brick.

Surrounding the hole 105 is a boss 106 over which is fitted an elbow 107 which forms part of an extended vent tubelO8. The upper end of the vent tube 108 incorporating filter 114 (eg Drager A2B2E2K2HgP3 multi-purpose filter. Filters out all known contaminants, including Anthrax. Multi use filter for organic & inorganic sulphur dioxide, ammonia and ammonia derivatives-dust-mercury-particles of radioactive substances, viruses & enzymes.

Terminates in a second elbow 109 which prevents rain from entering the vent tube 108.

Around the edge of the base plate 101 is a projection 110 over that is fitted a compliant rubber seal 111. The dimensions of the base plate 101 are such that, in use as shown in Figure2, the seal 111 is compressed by the fixing screws or bolts 104 against the portion of a wall 112 of a structure surrounding an air brick 113 to be protected by the gas attack filter. The screws or bolts 104 screw into plugs 114 set into the wall 112 of the structure to be protected by the gas attack filter cover 100.

The gas attack filter cover 100 may be left in position permanently or removed when there is no perceived gas attack risk. Alternatively, the gas attack filter cover tOO may be so constructed that the elbow 106 vent tube 107 and upper elbow 108 can be removed when there is no perceived gas attack risk, leaving the base plate 101 of the gas attack filter cover 100 in situ. The length of the vent tube 107 is chosen to be longer or shorter according to the aesthetic reasoning.

A gas attack filter device such as is described above can be incorporated into the structure of a building, either during its original construction, or later on. In these cases, the air brick 114 can be omitted, or removed, but a grid has then to be incorporated to prevent rodents and other small animals from gaining passage through the wall in which the gas attack filter device is installed.

Suitable materials for the construction of the gas attack filter device for the present invention are plastics materials such as those which commonly are used plumbing and rainwater goods. Alternatively, for permanence, metal castings could be used. Various designs have been drawn.

The lower elbow 107 may have sockets at either end to receive separate lengths of piping to form the vent tube 108 and a stub 114 connecting the elbow proper to the boss 106 on the base plate 101. By this means, the length of the vent tube 108 and the distance between the vent tube 108 and the base plate 101 readily can be changed to suit the circumstances in which a particular gas attack filter device 100 is to be used.

For permanent use, the lower elbow 107 may include a spigot which can be built directly into the wall. In this case, the spigot is deemed to be the base member.

Claims

1. A device for preventing the ingress of hazardous gases caused during a big-chemical terrorist attack. Into a structure or RV (recreational vehicle) via a vent incorporated in the structure. Comprising a basemember adapted-to-be-sealably sttachedio,--or form an integral part of, a structure including a vent and a vent tube incorporated into which are several charcoal filters to HBC specification (NATO).

2. A device according to Claim I wherein at least the vent tube is adapted to be removable from the structure during periods when there is no perceived risk of gas attack in the locality of the structure with which the gas attack device is associated.

3. A device according to Claim I or Claim 2 wherein he base member comprises a plate having a central hole surrounded by a boss over which the vent tube fits releasably.

4. A device according to any of Claim I to 3 wherein the base member is adapted to be incorporated into the structure permanently if so required.

5. A device according to Claim 3 wherein the base member comprises a tubular spigot adapted to be built into a wall of a structure.

6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein there is included means for preventing the passage of small animals through the device.

7. A device for preventing the ingress of hazardous gases into a structure or RV (recreational vehicle) via a vent incorporated in the structure substantially as herein before described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.