Devices and methods to provide air circulation space proximate building insulation

Abstract

Devices and associated methods are provided for improving ventilation of insulation material and building construction and renovation. Specifically, the present disclosure includes devices and system(s) to achieve the ventilation of exterior walls and roofs. Components of the system(s) consider shut-down of the ventilation process when it is not necessary, such as in winter, and in the event of fire, where the prevention of vertical and horizontal fire spread is desired.

1 . A method of retrofitting a building structure, comprising:
 a) removing external sheathing from a plurality of vertically-oriented studs forming an external wall of a building;   b) applying extension strips along the length of an outwardly-facing surface of each stud; and   c) applying sheathing to the extension strips.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 a) applying a spacer device to an inner surface of the sheathing between adjacent studs having a body that permits moisture to therethrough; and   b) disposing insulation material proximate the spacer device, wherein the spacer device defines a vertically-oriented ventilation channel between the building sheathing and the insulation material, wherein the spacer body permits moisture to be passed from the insulation material to the ventilation channel.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising applying cross bracing to the studs. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising applying cross bracing to the extension strips. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising constructing a horizontally-oriented air plenum proximate a lower portion of the building in fluid communication with a plurality of vertically-oriented ventilation channels disposed between the building sheathing and insulation material. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the plenum is shorter than the horizontal length of the building where the plenum is located. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the plenum is less than about twenty feet long. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the plenum is located proximate a floor platform of the building. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising disposing an air intake vent in fluid communication with the plenum. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the air intake vent can be selectively closed and opened. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least some of the studs are made from metal. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least some of the studs are made from wood. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising disposing an active fire stop device between adjacent studs to permit vertical airflow in the space defined by the spacer device when the fire stop is in an open condition, and that prohibits vertical airflow when the fire stop is an a closed condition. 
   
   
       14 . A method of retrofitting a building structure, comprising:
 a) removing external sheathing from a plurality of rafters forming a roof surface of a building;   b) applying extension strips along the length of an outwardly-facing surface of each rafter; and   c) applying sheathing to the extension strips.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 a) applying a spacer device to an inner surface of the sheathing between adjacent rafters having a body that permits moisture to therethrough; and   b) disposing insulation material proximate the spacer device, wherein the spacer device defines a ventilation channel parallel to the rafters between the building sheathing and the insulation material, wherein the spacer body permits moisture to be passed from the insulation material to the ventilation channel.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least some of the rafters are made from metal. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least some of the rafters are made from wood.