System and Process for Air Sealing Penetrations in a Building

Abstract

A process for air sealing penetrations in a building which includes locating a group of penetrations and covering the penetrations with an air sealing material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for air sealing penetrations in a building, the process comprising:
 a) locating a group of penetrations which are spaced apart from each other and are separated from each other by surfaces of solid material; and,   b) covering the penetrations and surfaces of the solid material between the penetrations with an air sealing material by spraying the air sealing material onto the penetrations and the surfaces using pressurized air.   
     
     
         2 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the air sealing material adheres to the solid surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the penetrations are defined by sides and the material adheres to the sides of the penetrations and to the solid surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the air sealing material comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         5 . A process according to  claim 4  wherein the air sealing material comprises an elastomeric component and a solid component wherein when applied the elastomeric component is in a fluid condition and thereafter the elastomeric component cures due to contact with the air. 
     
     
         6 . A process according to  claim 5  wherein the elastomeric component comprises water and curing includes release of water to the atmosphere. 
     
     
         7 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the air sealing material comprises solid granules and an elastomer. 
     
     
         8 . A process according to  claim 7  wherein the solid granules have a diameter of less than about ¼ inch. 
     
     
         9 . A process according to  claim 7  wherein the solid granules have a diameter of about ⅛ inch. 
     
     
         10 . A process according to  claim 7  wherein the solid granules comprise polystyrene. 
     
     
         11 . A process according to  claim 7  wherein the ratio by volume of elastomeric component to solid component is about 1:3. 
     
     
         12 . A process according to  claim 7  wherein the solid granules are cork. 
     
     
         13 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the process seals at least two penetrations. 
     
     
         14 . A process according to  claim 13  wherein the at least two penetrations are spaced apart from each other at least 0.25 inch. 
     
     
         15 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the penetrations are located in an HVAC duct. 
     
     
         16 . A process for sealing at least one penetration between conditioned space and unconditioned space in a building comprising:
 a) Locating at least one penetration with adjacent surfaces of solid material; and,   b) Covering the at least one penetration and the surfaces of solid material with an air sealing material using a brush.   
     
     
         17 . A process according to  claim 16  wherein the penetration is at least ¼ inch in one dimension. 
     
     
         18 . A process for sealing penetrations between conditioned space and unconditioned space in a building and thermally insulating the conditioned space from the unconditioned space comprising:
 first sealing the penetrations by spraying material onto the penetrations using pressurized air; and,   thereafter installing thermal insulation.