Self-closing vent
OwnerRonald J Loarinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-closing vent has its frame and honeycomb screen coated with an intumescent material. When affixed to an external wall or eave of a building, the vent is normally open, allowing free flow of air into and out of the building, but when exposed to the heat of a fire, such as a wildfire, the intumescent expands to close the vent, thereby preventing an external fire from entering the building.
Claims20
A self-closing venting system for preventing an external fire from entering a building through external vents, said self-closing venting system comprising in combination:
- an external wall of a building, said external wall including a vent opening therethrough;
- a self-closing vent, said self-closing vent comprising:
- a frame, said frame defining a central opening;
- a screen, said screen being contained within said frame and covering said central opening while allowing free flow of air therethrough;
- and
- the walls of said screen being coated with a layer of an intumescent material which closes said screen when subjected to the heat produced by an external fire;
- and
- said self-closing vent being mounted on said external wall to cover said vent opening.
A self-closing vent for preventing an external fire from entering a building through vents through an external wall, said self-closing vent comprising:
- a frame, said frame defining a central opening;
- a screen, said screen being contained within said frame and covering said central opening while allowing free flow of air therethrough;
- and
- the walls of said screen being coated with a layer of an intumescent material which closes said screen when subjected to the heat, produced by an external fire;
- and
- said self-closing vent being mounted on said external wall to provide free air flow between the exterior and interior of said building and to close when subjected to the heat of a fire.
The method of preventing the entrance of an external fire through the vents of external walls of a building, comprising the steps of:
- providing a building with external walls;
- forming at least one vent opening through said external walls;
- and
- covering said vent opening with a self-closing vent, said self-closing vent comprising:
- a frame, said frame being dimensioned to fit said vent opening;
- a screen, said screen being contained by said frame;
- and
- said screen being covered with an intumescent material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.