Insert for a weep hole opening in a masonry wall

A weep hole opening insert comprising:

• a hollow body defining an air flow conduit and including first and second open ends;
• a screen extending across said air flow conduit near said first open end and adapted to prevent fire brands and sparks from passing through said hollow body;
• a grate received in said first open end of said hollow body for preventing vermin and/or insects from passing through said hollow body, said grate defining a plurality of ventilation apertures to allow air to pass through said air flow conduit, said grate being adapted to insulate said screen from radiant heat;
• and
• a mortar guard releasably engageable with said grate to cover said ventilation apertures during rendering;
• wherein said grate is formed from a material that substantially retains its spatial integrity when exposed to a predetermined heat flux profile and continues thereafter to locate said screen.

A weep hole opening insert comprising:

• a hollow body defining an air flow conduit and including first and second open ends;
• a screen extending across said air flow conduit near said first open end and adapted to prevent fire brands and sparks from passing through said hollow body;
• a grate hingedly connectable to said hollow body adjacent said first open end, said grate being movable between a closed position for preventing vermin and/or insects from passing through said hollow body and an open position for allowing inspection for the interior of said hollow body, said grate defining a plurality of ventilation apertures to allow air to pass through said air flow conduit, said grate being adapted to insulate said screen from radiant heat;
• and
• a mortar guard releasably engageable with said grate to cover said ventilation apertures during rendering;
• wherein said grate is formed from a material that substantially retains its spatial integrity when exposed to a predetermined heat flux profile and continues thereafter to locate said screen;
• wherein said hollow body further comprising an abutment surface engageable by said grate for holding said grate in said open position, said abutment surface further comprising a first section defined into said hollow body and a second section defined into said hollow body a distance greater than said first section, said second section configured to receive an end of said grate when in said open position;
• wherein said grate further comprising a recess for locating said screen and friction between said screen and said grate removable retains said screen in said recess.