Abstract: An arrangement for a laboratory room that is confined by a floor, a ceiling and walls connecting the floor with the ceiling, the arrangement comprises: a main base suspended on the floor; a tool base arranged on the main base; a platform arranged around the tool base, wherein the platform is permeable for air, and the platform is suspended at the walls; an air inlet arranged below the platform; an air outlet arranged above the tool base; and air guides for directing an air flow upwards at least partially parallel to the main base and/or the tool base.

Abstract: A deck drainage system includes a plurality of hanger clips. Each hanger clip may have a plurality of mounting holes configured to fasten the hanger clip to a support at selected elevations. A soffit may be mounted to the hanger clips without fasteners and located completely below the deck, such that not every hanger clip directly contacts the soffit. A slope of the soffit may be selected by mounting at least two of the hanger clips to the support at different vertical elevations. The soffit may be configured to slope beneath the deck and drain water therefrom in a selected direction.

Abstract: A ventilated flooring system may generally include a base, a substructure, a top surface, a control box, an air mover, and a sensor. The base, the substructure, and the top surface may form a floor within which the sensor is disposed. The sensor may measure properties of air within the floor, sending measurements to the control box. The control box may activate and deactivate the air mover based on measurements from the sensor and control logic. In some examples, the air mover is connected to an HVAC system and routes air output from the HVAC system into the floor. Further, the ventilated flooring system may also include a second sensor for measuring ambient air, an alarm for providing notice of malfunctions, and/or networking capability that allows for remote monitoring of the system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a roofing, cladding or siding product which is light weight, easy to install, durable and resistant to environmental wear. One embodiment relates to a module that can be used to form a weatherproof covering over top of a building surface. Another embodiment is a module which can, in additional to forming a weatherproof covering, be used as part of a thermal energy recovery or removal system. Yet another embodiment is a module which can, in addition to forming a weatherproof covering, and optionally in addition to being useful as part of a thermal energy recovery system, bears an array of solar cells to generate electrical energy. Assemblies, systems, uses, and methods of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insulation panel used to form part of an exterior element of a buildings envelope for thermal insulation, ventilation, heating and cooling purpose having an internal duct that provides heat exchange between counter flowing waste and fresh air streams, oriented through the panel to minimise undesirable heat transfer. Ventilation air enters beneath the eaves, waste air exits beneath the ridge passing the coil of a reversible heat pump. The paired coil inside the building in the upper roof space within the fresh air stream is used for heating or cooling the building. Ducted waste air, leaving the building at this same position, can be supplied with a water mist before entering the heat exchanger to provide further indirect evaporative cooling of the incoming air stream. The waste air is also used to cool solar panels when fitted to the roof.

Abstract: A building for a data center (or server farm) includes a stack structure that interfaces with an environment and one or more housings coupled to a floor and the stack structure. Each of the housings includes one or more racks with a plurality of servers and each of the servers includes a computer fan capable of varying speed or reversing direction. The building also includes one or more filters between the one or more housings and the environment and one or more walls operable to be between the one or more filters and the environment.

Abstract: A foam ornament surface enhancing method includes the steps of: providing a pigment, a PU protective material, a PU supportive material and a mold; spraying the pigment into the mold; spraying the PU protective material onto a side of the pigment; casting the PU supportive material into the mold within a first predetermined time; and letting the materials sit still for a second predetermined time to dry the PU protective material and the PU supportive material sufficiently to manufacture the foam ornament. The PU protective material can protect the foam ornament from UV exposure and enhance the surface strength and flame retardation effect, so as to enhance the service life, aesthetic appearance and surface texture.

Abstract: A vented soffit panel is provided. The soffit panel includes a first panel section, a second panel section and a vent channel. The vent channel is positioned between the first and second panel sections and extends along a width of the soffit panel. The vent channel has a generally dove-tailed shape defined by a first sidewall extending from the first panel section at an acute angle relative thereto, a second sidewall extending from the second panel section at an acute angle relative thereto and a top wall extending between the first and second sidewalls. The top wall has at least one row of openings extending substantially along the width. The row of openings in the top wall being positioned such that when the panel is installed the row of openings are obscured from a view of an ordinary observer by at least one of the first and second panel sections.

Abstract: Multi-layered cellular metallic glass structures and methods of preparing the same are provided. In one embodiment, the cellular metallic glass structure includes at least one patterned metallic glass sheet and at least one additional sheet. The at least one patterned metallic glass sheet may include multiple sheets connected together to form a group of sheets, and the structure may include a group of sheets sandwiched between two outer sheets. The patterned metallic glass sheets may be patterned by thermoplastically forming two- and/or three-dimensional patterns in the metallic glass sheets.

Abstract: A modular food storage apparatus for storing dry goods and/or perishable goods. The food storage apparatus may be fixed or mobile. The apparatus includes a scalable frame. A plurality of scalable side panels are securely affixed to the frame. A plurality of scalable roofing panels are securely affixed to the frame and to the side panels. The food storage apparatus may be stationary and affixed to a concrete foundation. The apparatus may be modified with monitoring devices and venting devices for storage of dry goods. The apparatus may be modified for storage of perishable goods using refrigeration or a controlled atmosphere environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exterior finish system for building structures that includes a water pervious adhesive for securing an insulation layer to a water resistive barrier applied to a building wall substrate. Also disclosed is a building structure such as a building column or wall that includes the finish system and a method of using the finish system to assemble a building structure such as column or wall.

Abstract: A drain system, in an elevator system, is an open system wherein extinguishing water penetrating through a shaft door sill having bores meets a catch plate arranged underneath the shaft door sill and can be substantially discharged along at least one shaft wall.

Abstract: An insulating construction panel having a top end, a bottom end, a first end, a second end, a front side and a rear side, the panel for constructing a single or multi-cavity concrete form. The panel includes regularly spaced coplanar passages extending through the panel from the top end toward the bottom end and at least one angular passage perpendicularly intersecting each coplanar passage at the top end and bottom end of the panel and extending toward and through at least a portion of the back end of the panel.

Abstract: The wood deck is made of deck boards and deck board connectors. Each deck board has a lip extending along each side thereof. A pair of wings, a riser and the sole plate of a board connector define a pair of oppositely facing board receiving slots for receiving the lips of a pair of adjacent deck boards. Each deck board is preferably made of torrefied wood. The deck board connectors have bosses on their riser for maintaining a desired spacing between deck boards. Each deck board connector has drainage channels in its sole plate, on each side of the riser for draining any moisture that may seep between deck boards. Each deck board connector also has aeration gaps under its sole plate for drying any moisture that may seep beneath the boards. The wood deck is thereby less susceptible of retaining moisture under or between the deck boards.

Abstract: Exterior building siding for aesthetic and protection of the building against wind, rain and solar energy by attaching each horizontal plank from the top of the wall downwardly that includes a starting strip where each plank is interlocked to the plank above it. Each of the horizontal planks includes a top wall portion that fits snuggly into an “L-shaped” groove above it so that the panels can be firmly locked together vertically in a downwardly fashion to prevent any wind uplift against the siding or moisture intrusion. In the preferred embodiment, an adaptor strip is bonded to a conventional siding plank for trap lock engagement. Each adaptor strip has a longitudinal recess to reduce mass and volume and a mid panel support for strength.

Abstract: An anchoring clip system that includes an anchoring clip that has a top flange portion and a base flange that can be connect to a substructure, and a cap member designed to be inserted over a portion of the roof panels so as to secure the roof panels to the anchoring clip. The anchoring clip system can optionally be designed to allow for fluid flow through or on one or more components of the anchoring clip system. The anchoring clip system can optionally include a locking crown that improves the wind uplift resistance of the panels.

Abstract: A channel screed comprises a first member having an internal channel defined by opposed walls extending from a base. The first member includes ribs within the internal channel that accommodate placement of a second member thereon. The first member having surface features that cooperate with surface features of the second member to provide an attachment therebetween. The first member includes fins projecting outwardly from the opposed walls to provide both an indication of building material thickness, and a mechanical attachment therewith. The second member covers the first member internal channel to provide a desired aesthetic appearance to the installed channel screed. The second member comprises a base with opposed walls, and includes flanges projecting from top edges of the opposed wall surfaces. When attached to the first member, the flanges cover up the internal channel, and the interface between the first member and the building material.

Abstract: A roof structure and a vented eave riser are described. A vented eave riser can include a barrier wall with one or more air flow openings, and an ember impedance structure positioned proximate to the barrier wall. A roof structure may comprise a roof deck and a layer of roof cover elements spaced above the roof deck to form an air layer between the roof deck and the roof cover elements. The roof structure may also comprise one or more vent members each replacing and mimicking an appearance of one or more roof cover elements of the layer of roof cover elements, and/or at least one vented eave riser positioned at an eave between the roof deck and the layer of roof cover elements. The vent members and/or the vented eave riser may further include an ember impedance structure, such as a fire-resistant mesh material or a baffle structure.

Abstract: A wall structure, which may be in the form of a prefabricated unit, provides privacy for an enclosure while also enabling good ventilation. It comprises a planar array of angularly oriented, parallel slats that overlap one another as viewed in a direction generally normal to the plane. The slats are attached to support structure by brackets that are identical to one another.

Abstract: A construction material for climate envelopes including floor, walls, roof, windows and case moldings with outer layer made of wood with a surface layer with endothermic effect, insulating material with a surface layer of metal, an air gap for air circulation inside the material and out towards adjacent rooms through intake air from floor space, spaces enclosing a PCM material with a surface layer of metal to heat and cool the house, heat water, heat and refrigerate food. The climate envelope contains solar collectors when glass is substituted for the exterior layer of wood and has the shape of a cuboid or prism for transport and storage of energy. The climate envelope may be produced by that people not skilled in the art assembles a construction kit having an area of 15 square meters and which consitutes a home module, and wherein several modules can make up larger building.

Abstract: A roofing element for mounting on a sloped roof includes a formed panel. In one embodiment the length is at least as great as the width, the width being cross-wise relative, the length running down the slope. The formed panel has a relief pattern that has a grain direction aligned with the length. The width may be less than one arm's length. The relief element simulates a wooden shake or a slate tile. The sheet metal panel has top, bottom, and first and second side edge margins. The top edge margin has a bulge at one end, and a matingly sized double cuff at the other end. The next adjacent side has a relieved upper end flange that has a transition from a flat flange to a narrower upstanding curved wall defining the lower edge of an accommodation permitting the double cuff of one panel to seat in the mating accommodation of the next adjacent panel. When installed, the accommodation and the double cuff are overlain by the bottom edge margin flange of the next up-slope tile.

Abstract: An underlayment panel includes a top surface and a bottom surface. A plurality of projections define drainage channels. A plurality of drain holes arranged through the panel provide fluid communication between the top surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an insulation and ventilation system for a building envelope (e.g. a building wall and/or a building roof). The system includes: one or more interior building envelope layers; an insulation panel having an interior side abutting against at least one of the one or more interior building envelope layers and an exterior side having a plurality of transversely spaced and continuously longitudinally extending grooves interspaced between a plurality of transversely spaced and continuously longitudinally extending protrusions; and one or more exterior building envelope layers located exterior to the insulation panel to provide a plurality of transversely localized venting channels defined at least in part by an interior surface of the one or more exterior building envelope layers and the grooves of the exterior side of the insulation panel.

Abstract: Visible and concealed cladding systems used for attaching laminate panels to building structures are provided. The visible cladding systems comprise tracks and sliding clips to slide the laminate panel into the desired location on the building wall. The concealed cladding systems comprise hanger elements to attach a laminate panel to the building wall.

Abstract: A modular siding panel for mortarless application to a building structure is disclosed, which includes a structure for capturing and draining infiltrated water within the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the siding panel includes a rigid facing panel made of weather resistant material and having a front face exposed in an installed condition of the panel and top, bottom and side edges for engagement with like panels positioned adjacent thereto; and a supporting spacer fastened to the rear surface of the facing panel, the spacer including a mounting portion for attachment of the siding panel to the building structure and a water management portion for capturing infiltrated water which has seeped past the front face along one or more of the edges and draining the captured infiltrated water while sealed within the modular siding panel and away from the building structure.

Abstract: Insulation spacer devices, methods and related construction techniques are provided. An exemplary device may include a body having a plurality of openings defining an openwork, to allow the passage of air therethrough when placed in contact with insulation material. The device may further include a plurality of spacer struts and/or spacing depressions fixedly attached to the body. The struts may be configured to maintain a predetermined distance between a first side of the insulation material and a building surface. The body and struts act together to define and maintain a space between the first side of the insulation material and the building surface, for example, for ventilation. The building surface can be the bottom face of a roof, an insulated attic floor, wall sheathing or a soundproofed demising wall, for example. The spacer device can be capable of being transported and stored together with, or as a separate item from, the insulation material, and can also be stored in nested layers.

Abstract: A roofing system, especially suited for use with metal roofing panels includes a V-shaped vent cover located above an air circulation vent at the crest or apex of a sloping roof. A vent closure strip in the form of a composite member is located in the gap between the vent cover and the roofing panels, which contain a series of ribs or protrusions forming an uneven surface. An air impermeable backing strip, which can be a closed cell foam, includes fastening blocks through which fasteners extend to fasten the vent cover to the roofing panels. Air permeable members are adhered to the backing strip. These air permeable members can be a reticulated foam with a convoluted lower surface for compressively conforming to the uneven upper surface of the roofing panels. The air permeable members are more porous and more dense than the air impermeable members.

Abstract: An airflow reduction system includes an insulating panel assembly for sealing a window within a jamb. The insulating panel assembly has a frame configured to fit within the jamb and a glazing panel in the frame coated with a low-emissivity or solar control coating or film. The frame may include one or more cavities extending along its length. The assembly may also include a blind stop and/or a trim stop installed on either side of the frame within the jamb. A compressible seal around the external perimeter of the frame bears against the jamb to form a first barrier impeding the flow of air, and the blind stop or the trim stop forms a second barrier impeding the flow of air. Also disclosed is a mounting assembly including an insulating panel assembly and at least one bracket and a method of installing the same.

Abstract: A roofing apparatus including an enclosure for containing roofing materials is provided. The enclosure is defined by a front panel, a rear panel assembly positioned at a predetermined distance from the front panel, side panels positioned at opposing ends of the front panel, and a base panel having a tail area. The front panel, the rear panel assembly, and the side panels extend upwardly from the base panel. The tail area extends beyond the rear panel assembly for receiving runoff. The rear panel assembly directs the runoff from the tail area of the base panel into the enclosure. The front panel includes orifices for releasing the runoff to a downslope roofing apparatus or for draining the runoff from the roof. The roofing apparatus precludes slippage of the roofing materials contained within the enclosure, and uplift of the roofing materials from the enclosure due to environmental conditions.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a roof comprising at least an inclined surface and a rim marking a transition to another surface extending horizontally or at a different inclination, the inclined surface and the rim being covered by roof elements. The roof further comprising at least one anchor for attaching an anchor rope to. The anchor is secured to the roof beneath the roof element or elements covering the rim and the roof elements covering the rim are spaced apart from the roof elements covering the inclined surface so as to allow access to the anchor from outside the roof.

Abstract: A baffle for use in an attic is installed between adjacent roof rafters to substantially block the flow of ventilating air through an opening located between the top surface of the wall plate and the underside of the roof deck. The baffle is formed from extruded cellular plastics material which is cut to define two parallel grooves by cutting through the first wall to define first and second side flaps hingedly connected to the rectangular panel by bending said sheet at said grooves for attaching the side flaps to the inner face of said roof rafters. The first and second grooves are formed in the sheet at right angles to the webs so that the grooves cut through the first sheet also cut at least partly through the webs.

Abstract: A modular fire prevention flooring system includes a plurality of fire prevention flooring planks. Each plank is generally tubular and forms a drain channel. Fluids spilled onto the upper surface of the flooring system may drain through a plurality of drain holes formed in the upper surface of the planks. The planks may further include a metal filler positioned within the drain channels to stop combustion of burning fluids spilled into the drain channels. The metal filler may break up burning liquids and remove heat therefrom. In some embodiments, a purging fluid may be flowed through the planks to purge any spilled fluids therefrom.

Abstract: A multi-floor data center, comprising in one implementation, a plurality of floors; a first set of server racks disposed about a first vertical center axis on each floor, the first set of server racks formed in a substantially closed shape, with a substantially vertical open center comprising a first airflow plenum at least for air flow; a first opening in each of the floors, with the first opening aligned with the substantially vertical first airflow plenum on it respective floor, wherein the substantially vertical first airflow plenums on the floors are aligned for communication through the first openings in the floors; outer wall; a roof with a roof opening therein.

Abstract: A constructed enclosure, adjacent to an interior habitable space, uses a microprocessor-based control unit to operate enclosure openings to provide a multi-layer insulation barrier containing or creating heat, or providing a radiant barrier, isolating by open air, a thermal insulating layer from warm exterior surfaces, maximizing insulation values. The enclosed space, through the use of openings, which in one embodiment are windows, skylights and dampers connected to louvers, is heated by radiant exposure or cooled by natural air flow or exhaust fan. Return air is heated upstream from a forced air heating unit by traversing ductwork heated by the enclosure and by direct solar exposure from enclosure windows. Enclosure openings to the habitable interior spaces create air displacement drawing warm air out of the interior and fresh air in through exterior windows. The energy efficient system is tailored for immediate climate specific conditions.

Abstract: The invention consists of an improved heat exchange conduit formed between pre-fabricated building panels and a daylighting section integral within pre-fabricated, structural panels. The daylighting section has the capability to take ceiling air (or air below free-standing arrays) and either return it to the building during heating months, reject the heat, or shunt it for other uses after being warmed through a dual pane glazing assembly with infrared rejection. During summer days, this allows for dramatic reduction in building cooling demand. Heat exchange surfaces within the conduit are thermally tied to the exterior components of the panels to allow heating by solar insolation or cooling to night sky or air. An advanced insulation system adds to thermal performance and sealed insulation cavities prevent moisture degradation of R-Values. Passage through the heat exchange conduit allows for active whole roof solar collection in spring/fall and night cooling capability during summer night operation.

Abstract: A bi-surfaced raised access floor panel is provided. The panel is constructed with a cross-braced framework. A generally square plate is rigidly connected to an upper surface of the framework. The plate has four corner formations and is bisected symmetrically to define first and second halves. The first halve is substantially configured as a solid load hearing surface which is adapted to support a data processing server. The second halve includes a plurality of clear perforations capable of circulating an air flow as an element of a cold aisle forming installation in a data center.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The prefabricated wall assembly includes a frame assembly and an insulating foam layer. The frame assembly includes a top member, a bottom member opposite the top member, and a plurality of vertical members coupled to and extending between the top and bottom members. The frame assembly also has an interior side and an exterior side opposite the interior side. The insulating foam layer is disposed between the plurality of vertical members of the frame assembly and also extends from the exterior side of the frame assembly terminating in a plurality of integral ribs. An exterior surface of the insulating foam layer is presented between the plurality of ribs. The ribs space the exterior covering from the exterior surface of the insulating foam layer for allowing airflow and drainage between the prefabricated wall assembly and the exterior covering.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The prefabricated wall assembly comprises a frame assembly and an outer foam layer. The outer foam layer is coupled to the frame assembly. The outer foam layer extends from the frame assembly to an exterior surface of the outer foam layer. The exterior surface of the outer foam layer is configured to receive the exterior covering of the building. The outer foam layer comprises a plurality of particles and a binder that define a plurality of pathways. The pathways extend vertically through the prefabricated wall assembly from the top member to the bottom member of the frame assembly for allowing airflow and drainage between the frame assembly and the exterior covering.

Abstract: Apparatuses for adding coverings such as, but not limited to, roof lines are generally disclosed.

Abstract: A system for management of a roof having first and second decks covering an unconditioned space in a building and a peak, the system having a first channel extending from proximate a lower end of the first deck towards the peak and a second channel extending from proximate a lower end of the second deck towards the peak. The system further includes a router positioned proximate the peak, the router enabling air flowing to the peak from the first channel to be selectively routed to one of a plurality of directions.

Abstract: A modular backsplash device includes a plurality of tiles that are permanently affixed onto a durable waterproof substrate having a layer of grout and a plurality of spaced openings extending from the front of the substrate to the back of the substrate. A modular backsplash kit includes a plurality of modular devices, mounting hardware, an installation bracket, a plurality of trim tiles, mounting hardware and user instructions.

Abstract: A support plate for a slab-lined wall, ceiling, or floor construction for achieving decoupling between a ground and a surface lining to be affixed to the support plate. The support plate comprises a foil-like plate made of plastic material and provided with a plurality of chambers constituted by recesses with respect to a plane of the foil-like plate, outer end faces which form a first plate side and on an opposite side a second plate side, the recesses being configured for receiving a hardening contact means for providing a contact layer for the surface lining to be applied, a woven or non-woven fabric disposed on the first plate side, and an adhesion-strengthening layer made of a web-like material being applied to at least one of the first or second plate sides for lining at least the recesses of the chambers.

Abstract: A roof tile installation assembly having a plurality of battens, each having a front end portion and a back end portion, and defining a channel between the front end portion and the back end portion, and at least one roof tile having a front end and a back end, the back end having a downwardly protruding flange. In use, the plurality of battens are preferably arranged parallel to one another on a rooftop so that the front end portion of each batten is toward the eave of the rooftop and the back end portion of each batten is toward the peak of the rooftop, and each roof tile flange is preferably arranged to be received by a batten channel so that the roof tile is substantially constrained from moving forward or backward relative to the batten so that the front end of each roof tile is arranged to be supported by the next adjacent batten.

Abstract: A multi-layer build-up system for floor coverings when using floor heating systems, particularly for laying ceramic floor coverings using the thin-bed method, has, on the underside, an essentially plate-shaped component for planar laying and for the accommodation of pipelines of a floor heating system. Component accommodation spaces for the pipelines are formed in the plate-shaped component and an uncoupling mat is disposed on the surface of the plate-shaped component. The uncoupling mat has an uncoupling layer on top of which an anchoring layer is disposed. The anchoring layer forms a structure element for a filler mass to be introduced in the top of the build-up system. The mass is plastic during processing and hardens afterwards. A reinforcement layer is disposed on top of and rigidly connected with the anchoring layer, at least in sections.

Abstract: A ventilated exterior wall or roof system comprises frame including a plurality of frame members, and a double envelope structure attached to the exterior of the frame. The double envelope structure comprises a water resistant membrane, an exterior sheathing material disposed on the exterior side of and spaced from the water resistant membrane, and one or more air channels between the water resistant membrane and the exterior sheathing.

Abstract: An architectural finish element operable to be placed adjacent similar architectural finish elements to form a finished surface on an architectural structure includes a body formed of a rock-based composite material comprising a low density solid particle additive, a plurality of unitary real stone veneer elements bonded to the body in courses extending in a first direction and in a random non-repetitive pattern, the real stone veneer elements having respective face surfaces generally lying in a plane to form an overall face surface of the architectural finish element. The low density solid particle additive is provided in an amount suitable to cause the architectural finish element to have a density of between about 10 to 15 pounds per square foot. The architectural finishing element may be mounted by mounting a portion of a body of at least one dual architectural finish element support to a surface of an architectural structure.

Abstract: A deck drainage system bracket is disclosed. According to embodiments, the deck drainage system bracket can include a main hanger portion and a hanger swing portion. The main hanger portion and the hanger swing portion can be assembled together to form the deck drainage system bracket. The main hanger portion can have one or more mounting surfaces having a number of mounting holes for mounting the main hanger portion to a deck joist or other support structure. The main hanger portion and the hanger swing portion can cooperate to form an opening for grasping a standing seam or other portion of one or more deck drainage panels.

Abstract: A constructional building material, such as a brick, with at least one base section and a vane extending from the base section. The vane defines, at least in part, a volume of space within an envelope boundary that facilitates fluid flow, such as airflow, through a wall system formed at least in part from one or more constructional building materials. Adjacent vanes, either of the same constructional building material or of different constructional building materials, may operate to provide or define one or more common volumes of space and corresponding fluid flow channels and associated fluid flow paths. A wall system, formed in accordance with the present invention, allows fluid to pass from one side to the other through the wall system while also providing up to complete visual obstruction through the wall depending upon how the wall system is constructed.

Abstract: A building insulation system for roofs and walls supported from the interior side of the building, which eliminates thermal bridges and bottom side ceiling fasteners to support the insulation system materials during the insulation and exterior sheeting process of the building construction. The insulation system creates an air gap space layer in roofs and in walls between the exterior wall and roof sheeting panels and the interior sheet material, which supports the insulation material layer. An air gap space enables active solar energy collection and its use to reduce the overall purchased energy for operation of the building. The insulation system preferably includes a support sheet material, a sheet material tensioning devices, an insulation material layer, insulation hanger retention devices, heat and air collection and distribution ducts, dampers, louvers, pipes, dehumidification and condensate collection devices used in the air gap layers of the building to improve the building energy efficiency.

Abstract: Fire block devices for application to a wall component. The fire-block device can be a wall component that includes a fire-resistant material strip that expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier. In some applications, the fire-block wall component is positioned to extend lengthwise along and across a gap between wallboard members. The fire-block wall component may have a U-shaped central portion and a pair of side portions extending in opposite directions from the central portion. The fire-resistant material may be positioned on the central portion of the fire-block device. The central portion may be positioned within the gap such that the fire-resistant material expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier.