Vapour barrier duct element and method of installing a vapour barrier around a duct

Abstract

A vapour barrier duct element is provided. The vapour barrier duct element comprises a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The flat sheet has at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section. A sleeve protrudes from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening. Each sleeve is adapted for enabling passage of a respective duct therethrough. An area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet is sufficiently large such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The flat sheet and the at least a sleeve are made such that the vapour barrier duct element is semi-rigid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vapour barrier duct element comprising:
 a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface, the flat sheet having at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section; and,   a sleeve protruding from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening;   wherein each sleeve is adapted for enabling passage of a respective duct therethrough, and   wherein an area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet is sufficiently large such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner, and wherein the flat sheet and the at least a sleeve are made such that the vapour barrier duct element is semi-rigid.   
     
     
         2 . The vapour barrier duct element according to  claim 1  wherein the flat sheet is dimensioned such that it can be mounted to at least two successive straps of a ceiling or a floor. 
     
     
         3 . The vapour barrier duct element according to  claim 1  wherein each of the at least a sleeve has a length that is sufficient for adhering adhesive tape thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The vapour barrier duct element according to  claim 1  wherein each of the at least a sleeve is tapered from a first end at the flat sheet to a second opposite end thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The vapour barrier duct element according to  claim 1  wherein the flat sheet has four openings and wherein the four openings and the corresponding sleeves are adapted for enabling the passage of four ducts of an air exchanger therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The vapour barrier duct element according to  claim 1  comprising an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the flat sheet, the adhesive layer being adapted for mounting the vapour barrier membrane to the first surface of the flat sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The vapour barrier duct element according to  claim 6  wherein the adhesive layer forms a strip surrounding the at least an opening. 
     
     
         8 . The vapour barrier duct element according to  claim 7  wherein the adhesive layer strip is disposed substantially parallel to an outside edge of the flat sheet. 
     
     
         9 . A method of installing a vapour barrier around at least a duct comprising:
 providing a semi-rigid vapour barrier duct element, the vapour barrier duct element comprising:
 a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface, the flat sheet having at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section; and, 
 a sleeve protruding from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening; 
   placing the flat sheet of the vapour barrier duct element onto at least a component of a building frame;   mounting the flat sheet of the vapour barrier duct element to the at least a component of the building frame;   passing at least a duct through the respective at least a sleeve of the vapour barrier duct element;   placing a portion of a vapour barrier membrane onto an area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet and mounting the same thereto in a substantially airtight manner; and,   using an adhesive tape, taping each of the at least a sleeve to the respective duct in a substantially airtight manner.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the vapour barrier duct element is mounted to at least two successive straps of a ceiling or a floor of the building frame. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the of the vapour barrier membrane is mounted to first surface of the flat sheet using adhesive tape or caulking. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the vapour barrier duct element comprises an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the flat sheet and wherein wherein the portion of the vapour barrier membrane is pressed onto the first surface of the flat sheet. 
     
     
         13 . The vapour barrier duct element according to  claim 9  wherein the flat sheet has four openings and wherein four ducts of an air exchanger are passed through the four openings and the corresponding sleeves.