TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is generally directed toward a vapor mitigation, and more specifically, toward the mitigation of radon vapor in the construction of buildings.

BACKGROUND

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause lung cancer. Radon gas can move through small spaces in the soil and rock upon which a house is built. It can seep into a home through dirt floors, cracks in concrete walls and floors, sumps, joints, basement drains, under the furnace base, and jack posts if the base is buried in the floor.

FIG. 1illustrates a prior art system10to reduce the amount of radon gas from seeping into a house. As illustrated, the prior art system10utilizes a gas permeable layer12that is created below the building slab14, which is usually made from concrete. The gas permeable layer12allows the radon gas to move laterally beneath the slab14to the location where a vent pipe can collect the gas and transport it away from the building. The gas permeable layer12is usually created with drainage rock, crushed gravel and/or other drainage material. Surrounding the gas permeable layer12are the building's footings16and foundation wall18. The prior art system10places a layer of plastic sheeting20between the gas permeable layer12and the slab14. The joint seams and all openings between the foundation wall18and slab14are sealed with an elastomeric sealant22such as polyurethane caulk.

The prior art, however, has disadvantages. The footings are purposely poured very rough and porous for proper adhesion of the foundation wall, which is poured on top of the footings. The footings can become soiled with dirt, sand, fine gravel, or other contaminants preventing a proper seal between the footing and membrane.

Further, it is difficult to determine if the plastic sheeting20remained in place over the gas permeable layer12after the concrete that forms slab14is poured thereon, or if the plastic sheeting20has moved. If the plastic sheeting20remained in place, an airtight seal may be created. However, if there is movement, an airtight seal may not have been created. Due to the sheeting20being located under the slab14, there is no way to make this determination.

Additionally, during the installation of a Radon gas membrane overtop of a granular fill within the footing area of foundations, crawlspaces or monolithic slabs on grade, objects of penetrations are typically encountered which have to be properly sealed to prevent the seepage of Radon Gas into the building or structure. These penetrations typically are plumbing drain stacks, floor drains, water mains, electrical conduit, sewer back flow preventer boxes otherwise known as clean out boxes, sump pump barrels, post/columns, and other such penetrations.

The prior art practice to seal these penetrations includes cutting the Radon gas membrane as close to the penetration as possible and securing the cut membrane with sealant tape. The disadvantage of the prior art is that penetrating object is comprised of different elements such as: PVC, ABS, poly, composite plastics, steel, wood, etc. As such, the securing tape must be able to adhere and seal to a multitude of materials, which is not always possible. Further, the seal created by the sealing tape depends on the cleanliness of the penetrating object, as well as other objects on the construction site. As construction sites are usually not very clean, the use of sealing tape is challenging at best. Still, another disadvantage that can compromises the seal is due to movement of the Radon membrane or penetrating object during the time when the concrete slab floor is being poured.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method to address the issues set out above.

SUMMARY

The present invention is generally directed toward vapor mitigation, and more specifically, toward the mitigation of vapor in the construction of buildings, including the fastening of tarps, membranes, poly layers, etc.

In one aspect, a vapor mitigation apparatus for use with the construction of a building is disclosed. The building has a gas permeable layer surround by a foundation wall and footing. A sheet of plastic sheeting is placed between the gas permeable layer and the buildings slab. The term plastic sheeting is used to mean any type of plastic sheet, membrane, film or other continuous polymeric material that is used to separate areas or volume to act as a barrier.

The apparatus includes a vertical securing piece configured to be affixed to the foundation wall by adhesion or other known securing fasteners. The securing piece has a first end located proximate to the footing and a second end. A horizontal foot is located at the first end of the securing piece and extends away from the securing piece. The horizontal foot is configured to rest on the footing that is supporting the foundation wall. A mechanical clip is located at the second end of the securing piece and is configured to secure the piece of plastic sheeting. This creates an airtight seal between the ground below the building and the building.

In some aspects, the mechanical clip includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member that is hinged to the first jaw member. In the locked, or closed, position, the first jaw member and second jaw member are configured to secure the piece of plastic sheeting therebetween.

In some aspects, the mechanical clip includes a base member extending substantially horizontally away from securing piece. The base member has a locking portion at its distal end. The mechanical clip further includes a retention member that configured to be depressed against the locking portion. In the locked, or closed, position the retention member and locking portion are configured to secure the piece of plastic sheeting therebetween.

In one aspect, a method for vapor mitigation in the construction of a building is disclosed. The method includes utilizing a vapor mitigation apparatus having a vertical securing piece having a first end located and a second end, a horizontal foot located at the first end of the securing piece and extending away from the securing piece, and a mechanical clip located at the second end and configured to secure a piece of plastic sheeting. The method includes affixing the vertical securing piece to the circumference of the foundation wall such that the horizontal foot rest on the footing, placing a piece of plastic sheeting over the gas permeable layer, securing the ends of piece of plastic sheeting to mechanical clip thereby creating a vapor barrier over the gas permeable layer, and creating a slab of concrete by pouring a sufficient amount of concrete over the vapor mitigation apparatus and plastic sheeting.

In another aspect, the vapor mitigation apparatus may include a vertical securing piece configured to be affixed to a foundation wall. The vertical securing piece having a first end located proximate to a footing and a second end. A horizontal foot may be located at the first end of the securing piece and extending away from the securing piece. A mechanical clip may be located at the second end. A securing bar may be configured to engage the mechanical clips such that the securing bar and the mechanical clip configured to secure a piece of plastic sheeting therebetween. In some aspects, the securing bar may include an engagement portion that is configured to engage the mechanical clip. In these aspects, the engagement portion and the mechanical clip may be configured to secure the piece of plastic sheeting therebetween.

In other aspects, a vapor mitigation apparatus for use with the construction of a building where the building has at least one penetration extending outward from a footing. In these aspects, the apparatus includes a membrane material and a rigid ring located at the approximate center of the membrane material. An inner portion of the membrane material is located inside the perimeter of the ring. The rigid ring is configured to be located around one of the at least one penetration such that the inner portion of the membrane material is configured to stretch around the one penetration resulting in the sealing of the apparatus to the penetration.

In some aspects, the inner portion may include an undersized hole located at the approximate center of the inner portion. The undersized hole is configured to allow the penetration to penetrate therethrough which allows the inner portion of the membrane material to stretch around the penetration creating a seal.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

