Abstract:
A system for automatically monitoring, regulating, and removing contaminants from a structure housing a body of liquid and for introducing the proper amount of outside air to maintain a negative pressure in the structure. The invention comprises a sensor for monitoring contaminants, a port assembly connected to at least one conduit, a controller to receive input from the sensor, a controller programmed to regulate environmental conditions of the structure at a predetermined level correlating to desired air quality in the structure, at least one exhaust fan, a climate control system, a cold plasma ionization system, a control signal from the controller for regulating the introduced outside air into the structure and for advancing fresh air into the structure, and a fresh air damper or fan.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/717,664, filed Oct. 24, 2012, in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This application incorporates the earlier provisional application by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a system for automatically monitoring, regulating, and removing contaminants from a structure housing a body of liquid and for introducing the proper amount of outside air to maintain a negative pressure in the structure. The invention also provides a method for evacuating contaminants and water vapor from an enclosure housing a swimming pool. 
         [0003]    In one embodiment of the invention comprises a perimeter drain assembly extending around the swimming pool, at least one conduit in communication with a channel defined by the drain assembly, at least one port in the conduit for directing air, at least one port in the conduit for directing liquid, at least one exhaust conduit, and at least one exhaust apparatus for drawing and directing the contaminants and water vapor to a desired area separate and apart from the swimming pool enclosure or facility. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for evacuating contaminants and water vapor from an enclosure housing a swimming pool comprising the steps of directing a flow of air against and/or across the surface of a swimming pool, creating a zone of containment for contaminants and water vapor substantially above the swimming pool, and evacuating the contaminants and water vapor across the pool surface into at least one port defined by the conduit and into an exhaust system. 
         [0005]    The chemicals used to treat water in a swimming pool create contaminants that may be harmful to swimmers and others present within an enclosure housing a swimming pool (e.g., a natatorium). The water in the swimming pool also creates water vapor (i.e., humidity) within the swimming pool facility. The contaminants (e.g., chloramine) can irritate the eyes and air passages of individuals in and around the pool area. The contaminants such as chloramine are present in the air within the swimming pool enclosure, but are concentrated in an area immediately above the surface of the swimming pool. Unfortunately, greater amounts of chloramine are created when the swimming pool is in use due to swimmers agitating the water (e.g., swimming and splashing). 
         [0006]    Moreover, the high humidity within the enclosure creates an uncomfortable environment for individuals and can affect the physical structure (e.g., girders and roofing) forming the enclosure (e.g., corrosion). 
         [0007]    Moreover, the high humidity formed within the enclosure housing a swimming pool requires that a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system run almost continuously to circulate and dehumidify the air contained within the enclosure. In addition, the HVAC system runs nearly continuously to circulate the air in order to avoid high concentrations of contaminants in the air. 
         [0008]    It is desirable therefore to reduce the levels of contaminants and humidity within the enclosure housing a swimming pool. Moreover, it is desirable for swimming pool facilities to improve the efficiency of the HVAC system in order to reduce costs associated with circulating, filtering, and dehumidifying the air within the swimming pool facility. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, the present invention addresses the requirements for an energy-efficient apparatus and method for evacuating contaminants and water vapor from a swimming pool facility. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The invention comprises in one embodiment a perimeter exhaust plenum or deck drain/exhaust plenum assembly extending around the swimming pool, at least one conduit in communication with a channel defined by the deck drain assembly, at least one port defined by the conduit for directing air, at least one port defined by the conduit for directing liquid, at least one exhaust conduit, and at least one exhaust apparatus for drawing and directing the contaminants and water vapor to a desired area separate and apart from the swimming pool facility. The evacuation system may include bench seating with ports for positioning adjacent the surface of a pool and for receiving air flow therein that can be directed to an appropriate exhaust system. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for evacuating contaminants and water vapor from an enclosure housing a swimming pool comprising the steps of directing a flow of air against the surface of a swimming pool, creating a zone of containment for contaminants and water vapor substantially above the swimming pool, and evacuating the contaminants and water vapor across the pool surface into at least one port defined by the conduit and into an exhaust system. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment, the invention comprises an assembly mounted to a wall adjacent the body of liquid. The assembly is comprised of a top section, opposing side sections connected by the top section, and at least one flange extending from an edge of at least one side section. The assembly also includes at least one port connected to a conduit wherein the port directs contaminants and water vapor from a surface of the body of liquid into said conduit, and the conduit evacuates the contaminants and water vapor from the body of liquid. The flange may secure the assembly to a wall adjacent the body of liquid. The flange may include at least one opening for securing the assembly to the wall. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the wall-mounted assembly or the bench assembly is a two-piece or three-piece assembly. Specifically, the assemblies may include two or more side sections and top sections. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention and the manner in which the same are accomplished will become clearer based on the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which various embodiments of the invention are depicted. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0020]    The invention  10  comprises in one embodiment a perimeter deck drain assembly  11  extending around a body of water (e.g., swimming pool  17 ), at least one conduit  12  positioned substantially adjacent to the deck drain assembly, at least one exhaust conduit  13  for evacuating contaminants and water vapor, and at least one exhaust apparatus  14  for drawing and directing the contaminants and water vapor to a desired area. The embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are adapted to be integrated with an HVAC system associated with standard swimming pool construction as well as standard chloramines evacuation systems. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  the deck drain assembly extends around the swimming pool and includes a bottom panel  15  and two side panels  16 A,  16 B extending vertically from opposing edges of the bottom panel. The deck drain assembly defines a channel  20  for collecting and circulating liquid (e.g., pool water). A grate or grate sections  21  may cover the channel. The gutter assembly may be formed from any number of materials suitable for pool construction such as concrete, stainless, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fiberglass, or tile. 
         [0022]    The conduit  12  is in communication with the channel  20  and is positioned substantially adjacent thereto. For example, in one embodiment the conduit  12  is secured to one of the side panels  16 A,  16 B opposite the side panel adjacent to the pool. Stated differently, the conduit  12  may be secured to a back side panel of the deck drain assembly. In one embodiment, the conduit is positioned slightly above the side panels. 
         [0023]    It will be understood that the conduit may be formed from any number of materials suitable for construction in connection with swimming pools. For example, the conduit  12  may be formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), stainless steel or concrete. 
         [0024]    The conduit  12  defines at least one port  22  for directing air and at least one port  23  for directing liquid. It will be understood that any number of ports for directing air and fluid (e.g., water) may be positioned about the conduit and perimeter deck drain assembly. Moreover, the ports  22 ,  23  for directing air and water may be of varying sizes depending upon the size of the swimming pool and pool facility, and requirements to create a uniform draw to properly evacuate contaminants and water vapor. Depending upon the pool structure, the ports may be formed in the PVC, stainless steel, or concrete forming the perimeter gutter assembly. 
         [0025]    Advantageously, the conduit  12  evacuates contaminants and water vapor suspended above a body of liquid (e.g., swimming pool) when a flow of air  24  traveling across the pool surface enters the channel  20  of the perimeter deck drain assembly and the ports  22  for directing air. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 10  the exhaust conduit  13  for evacuating the contaminants and water vapor is in communication with the conduit  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10  the exhaust apparatus  14  draws and directs the contaminants and water vapor to a desired area spaced apart from the swimming pool (e.g., an exhaust vent outside of the swimming pool facility). 
         [0027]    In one embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b ,  6   a , and  6   b  the port for directing air  22  is positioned above the port for directing liquid  23 . As configured, the port for directing air  22  receives flowing air that is drawn from across the pool surface and into the channel  20  defined by the perimeter deck drain assembly. The port for directing air  22  is positioned above the pool surface and is capable of receiving the flowing air containing contaminants and water vapor from the pool surface as well as from the surface of any water collected in the channel  20 . Stated differently, the uniform draw of flowing air from the pool surface necessarily draws contaminants and water vapor from water collected in the channel  20  of the perimeter deck drain assembly (see  FIGS. 4   a  and  6   a ). 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the port for directing air  22  and the port for directing liquid  23  are substantially coplanar with respect to one another (see  FIGS. 3 and 4   a ). In other words, the two ports  22 ,  23  are formed in the conduit  12  and back panel  16 B of the perimeter deck drain assembly. This particular embodiment is configured for deck drain assemblies wherein a portion of the pool deck  18  extends over the channel of the gutter assembly. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, the port for directing air  22  and the port for directing liquid  23  are substantially perpendicular with respect to one another (see  FIGS. 5 and 6   a ). Stated differently, the port for directing air  22  is coplanar with the pool deck  18  and flowing air containing contaminants and water vapor is drawn through the top of the conduit. This particular embodiment is configured for perimeter gutter assemblies wherein the pool deck  18  is flush or coplanar with the deck drain assembly. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  6   a , the port for directing liquid  23  directs condensed water vapor into the channel. In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7   a , the port for directing liquid  23  directs condensed water vapor away from the channel, for example, into a drain  25 . Advantageously, this configuration provides a self-draining feature to the conduit. 
         [0031]    The invention may further include at least one air source  26  for directing a flow of air downward against the surface of the swimming pool  17  as depicted in  FIG. 8 . As discussed below, it will be understood that one or more air sources may be incorporated into the subject invention to ensure proper evacuation of contaminants and water vapor, and sufficient recirculation of clean air (i.e., air containing minimal amounts of contaminants and water vapor). In one embodiment, one air source  26  (e.g., HVAC duct) is positioned above the swimming pool  17  in a central location with respect to the pool. 
         [0032]    In operation, the flowing air from the air source  26  creates a zone  30  for containing contaminants and water vapor substantially above and adjacent to the pool surface (see  FIG. 8 ). The flowing air creates overpressure above the swimming pool surface and forms the containment zone. It is understood that the air above the pool surface containing contaminants and water vapor is denser than the air emanating from the air source. Advantageously, the flowing air directs contaminants and water vapor from the containment zone  30  across the pool surface and through the conduit  12  into the port for directing air  22  to the exhaust conduit  13 . In this particular embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8 , the central location of the air source  26  and the exhaust system draws the air containing contaminants and water vapor across the pool surface in multiple directions in a uniform draw and into the conduit  12  for evacuation by the exhaust system. 
         [0033]    The invention may also include one or more of additional air sources  27  for circulating a flow of air substantially adjacent to the containment zone  30  as depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The additional air sources  27  may be positioned above the pool deck  18  on opposite sides of the swimming pool facility (i.e., on both sides the central air source  26  positioned directly above the swimming pool  17 ). As illustrated, the flowing air from the additional air sources maintains the integrity of the containment zone  30  and facilitates circulation of air substantially adjacent to the containment zone  30 . By doing so, clean air containing less contaminants and water vapor than in the containment zone is circulated adjacent to the containment zone  30  and adjacent to the airflow emanating from the central air source  26 , thereby minimizing contaminants and water vapor (i.e., humidity) in the areas adjacent to the swimming pool. 
         [0034]    Advantageously, the subject invention evacuates contaminants and water vapor where it is most heavily concentrated (i.e., above the pool surface) and prevents the contaminants and water vapor from disseminating throughout the swimming pool facility. Conventional systems merely mix and recirculate air containing contaminants and water vapor continuously in an effort to reduce chloramine and humidity levels within the swimming pool facility by dilution. As configured, the present novel invention works in unison with (i.e., balanced with) the HVAC system to reduce the number of air changes per hour (ACH) throughout the entire facility required to maintain safe levels of contaminants and a comfortable level of humidity and air quality. This is accomplished by evacuating contaminants and water vapor directly from the area most affected—i.e., the air in the containment zone  30  immediately above the swimming pool surface. By focusing evacuation in the containment zone  30 , fewer number of air changes are required in the areas adjacent to the containment zone. In other words, the apparatus affects an area smaller than the entire area of the facility (i.e., the area immediately above the swimming pool surface) and is capable of increasing the number of air changes per hour (ACH) within the containment zone. By doing so, the apparatus  10  reduces the number of air changes per hour (ACH) required in the areas adjacent to the containment zone. 
         [0035]    As depicted in  FIG. 9  in an alternative embodiment, the invention may also include yet another air source  28  for directing a flow of air  24  across the surface of the swimming pool  17  from one side of the pool to another. In this embodiment, the additional air source  28  directs a flow of air  24  from one port for directing air  22  to another port for directing air  22  that is positioned opposite thereto. In other words, the additional air source  28  will direct (i.e., sweep) air from one or more ports  22  on one side of a swimming pool, across the pool surface, and into one or more ports  22  on the opposite side of the swimming pool. The flowing air  24  is then directed to the exhaust conduit  13  by the exhaust apparatus  14 . 
         [0036]    The invention may also include an enclosure  31  for housing the apparatus and swimming pool. 
         [0037]    The invention also provides a method for evacuating contaminants and water vapor from an enclosure  31  housing a swimming pool  17 . The method includes the steps of directing a flow of air against the surface of the swimming pool, creating a zone of containment  30  for contaminants and water vapor substantially above the swimming pool, and evacuating the contaminants and water vapor across the pool surface. The contaminants and water vapor are directed into the ports  22  defined by the conduit  12  positioned substantially adjacent to the pool surface and into an exhaust system. 
         [0038]    In summary, the present apparatus and method provides the following advantageous benefits: reduces the level of contaminants and water vapor in the entire enclosure housing a swimming pool; operates in conjunction with HVAC system to remove contaminants, reduce humidity levels in the facility and thereby improve overall air quality; decreases the amount of heat in the facility; reduces the requirement to operate dehumidifiers within the HVAC system; reduces the number of air changes per hour (ACH) required to maintain safe contaminant levels and reduce humidity within the facility; reduces tonnage (i.e., amount of airflow) required of an HVAC system to recirculate and dehumidify air, and to reduce the concentration of contaminants (e.g., chloramine) within the facility; reduces the operating costs of a HVAC system (i.e., compressor and dehumidifier); and improves energy efficiency resulting from the variable operation of the subject invention (i.e., operates during peak demand when the pool is in use and is idle during off hours when the pool is closed); operates during peak demand or upon demand dependent upon humidity levels in the facility. 
         [0039]    Furthermore, the subject apparatus and method decreases the amount of tonnage necessary to circulate and dehumidify air in a swimming pool facility, thereby reducing the size of new enclosures for swimming pools necessary to circulate and dehumidify the air contained therein. 
         [0040]    In addition to new construction, the apparatus  10  is also suitable for retrofit applications for existing swimming pool facilities. By retrofitting existing facilities with the novel apparatus, one may be able to reduce the number of dehumidifiers required to maintain comfortable levels of humidity, or at least minimize the operating time of existing dehumidifiers, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs. 
         [0041]    In another embodiment set forth in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the invention comprises a perimeter deck drain assembly  40  extending around at least a portion of a body of liquid (e.g., swimming pool  17 ), at least one tray  41  for directing liquid (e.g., water) secured to lower portions of the gutter assembly  40 , and a grating system  42  for receiving water. The gutter assembly  40  has two side panels  43   a ,  43   b , an upper section  44 , and a lower section  45  all of which define at least one conduit  46  for collecting and circulating liquid. In this embodiment, the deck drain assembly  40  may be constructed substantially adjacent to the body of liquid (i.e., swimming pool). In operation, the conduit  46  evacuates contaminants and water vapor suspended above the body of liquid when a flow of air  24  traveling across the body of liquid enters the grating system  42  and conduit  46 . The invention also facilitates evacuation of water vapor and contaminants formed in the conduit  46  when the water is agitated during travel. In this specific embodiment as described in detail below, the deck drain assembly  40  includes a deck drain  47  integral with the evacuation apparatus  10 , wherein the deck drain  47  is flush with the deck  18  of the swimming pool  17 . As shown in  FIG. 11B , the tray may be shaped in any desired configuration to assist in draining and may include variously sloped surfaces. 
         [0042]    Advantageously, the upper section  44  of the gutter assembly  40  is adjustable for height and supports the grating system  42 . Specifically, the upper section  44  of the deck drain assembly  40  includes an adjustable neck  48 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper section  44  includes a four-sided section  49  having a perimeter that is slightly larger than another portion of the neck. The adjustment feature is shown schematically in  FIG. 11A . As configured, the uppermost section of the neck  48  may be adjusted for height depending upon, in one embodiment, the depth of the conduit  46  and the height of a pool deck  18 , and then secured to the remaining lower section  45  of the neck  48 . For example, tack welds can secure the uppermost section of the neck to the remaining lower section  45  of the neck. 
         [0043]    The tray  41  is secured to lower portions of the two side panels  43 A,  43 B of the deck drain assembly  40 . The apparatus may include any number of trays  41  sufficient to form a bottom panel  60  of the assembly. One or more trays  41  may be sloped towards one or more drains such that water entering the grating system  42  and conduit  46  will be directed to the drain for recirculation. 
         [0044]    The grating system  42  is positioned against the upper section  44  of the deck drain assembly  40 . The grating system  42  includes at least one grate section  55  defining a plurality of openings  56  for receiving liquid or water from a swimming pool deck and a support  57  secured to the upper section  44  of the deck drain assembly  40 . The support  57  releasably secures the grate sections  55  to the deck drain assembly  40 . The grate sections  55  having openings  56  may be interspersed with grate sections  55  having no openings depending upon the size and shape of the swimming pool and the requirements for providing sufficient recirculation of the water. 
         [0045]    The invention may also include at least one support member  58  for supporting the gutter assembly  40 . In one embodiment, the support member  58  is secured with rebar to concrete or other material forming the swimming pool. 
         [0046]    The invention may also include at least one exhaust conduit  13  for evacuating contaminants and water vapor, and at least one exhaust apparatus  14  for drawing and directing the contaminants and water vapor to a desired area. The exhaust conduit  13  for evacuating the contaminants and water vapor is in communication with the conduit  46  of the deck drain assembly  40 . The exhaust apparatus  14  draws and directs the contaminants and water vapor to a desired area spaced apart from the swimming pool (e.g., an exhaust vent outside of the swimming pool facility). 
         [0047]    As described earlier, at least one air source  26  for directing a flow of air against the surface of the swimming pool may be provided. In operation, the flowing air from the air source  26  creates a zone  30  for containing contaminants and water vapor substantially above the pool surface. The flowing air directs contaminants and water vapor from the containment zone  30  through the grating system  42  into the conduit  46  and to the exhaust conduit  13 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the grating system  42  is flush with the deck surface  18  of the swimming pool  17 . 
         [0048]    As previously discussed, this embodiment may also include at least one air source  28  for directing a flow of air  24  across the surface of the swimming pool  17 . This embodiment may further include at least another air source  27  for circulating a flow of air substantially adjacent to the containment zone  30 , such that the flowing air maintains the integrity of the containment zone and facilitates circulation of air substantially adjacent to the containment zone. 
         [0049]    This particular embodiment may also include an enclosure  31  for housing the apparatus and swimming pool. 
         [0050]    A method incorporating this latest embodiment is also provided. The method includes the steps of directing a flow of air against and/or across the surface of the swimming pool, creating a zone of containment for contaminants and water vapor substantially above the swimming pool, and evacuating the contaminants and water vapor across the pool surface, into at least one conduit  46  positioned substantially adjacent the pool surface, and into an exhaust system. 
         [0051]    The invention includes yet another embodiment in which the ports for evacuating contaminants and water vapor are conveniently implemented in the form of a deck bench as illustrated in  FIGS. 13-17 . The bench provides a seat around the perimeter of a body of liquid, such as a swimming pool. The front section  65  of the bench assembly  70  defines ports  22  that receive air flow from just above the surface of the liquid. Similar to the embodiments noted above, the ports direct contaminants and water vapor to the appropriate exhaust removal system and drainage system. Air enters a conduit defined by edges of the bench assembly  70  through the ports  22  and exits through an exhaust connector  68  to the appropriate exhaust removal and handling system. 
         [0052]      FIG. 14  shows the air flow entering a respective port  22 , and one should note that the air flow may be controlled in any of the ways described above for other embodiments of this invention so long as contaminants and water vapor efficiently enter the conduit defined by the bench assembly via the ports  22 . Accordingly, the invention may further include at least one air source  26  for directing a flow of air downward against the surface of the water in a swimming pool  17  as depicted in  FIG. 8  to push water vapor and contaminants into the ports  22  defined by the bench assembly  70 . As discussed above, it will be understood that one or more air sources may be incorporated into the subject invention to ensure proper evacuation of contaminants and water vapor and sufficient recirculation of clean air (i.e., air containing minimal amounts of contaminants and water vapor). 
         [0053]      FIG. 15  shows that the bench assembly  70  may be formed of modular sections  70 A,  70 B, and  70 C for stacking and easy storage. The sections incorporate connectors (e.g., standard draw catches) that allow the sections to fit together tightly, and a gasket  67  may fit between connected sections to seal the sections together. Each section may also include a rubber foot  69  for sealing the bench assembly  70  to the floor (i.e., a floor seal). Overall, the sections  70 A- 70 C fit to each other and to the floor adjacent a body of liquid to create an air tight enclosure that is connected to an exhaust removal system by an end piece  68  as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . The exhaust removal system may be configured to provide a negative pressure level that actually sucks the contaminants and water vapor into the appropriate exhaust removal mechanisms. 
         [0054]    So long as the ports  22  are accessible to the air flow above the body of liquid, the system will efficiently transport contaminants away from the liquid. The bench assembly may be sized as appropriate for the amount of contamination to be removed (e.g., sections of 16 inches by 16 inches allow for 256 square inches of air flow). The body of the bench assembly  70  and its component sections  70 A- 70 C may comprise any materials that are convenient for manufacturing the sections and that can withstand the pressures used in the system. Bench assemblies of molded plastics or shaped metals are within the scope of the invention described herein. The number of ports  22  and the number of sections  70 A- 70 C may be adjusted to fit the use at hand. The bench assembly may be placed in one or more regions around the body of liquid or may encompass the entire perimeter of the body of liquid. 
         [0055]    In yet another embodiment, the invention includes a wall-mounted apparatus. More specifically, the apparatus  100  includes an assembly  110  mounted to a wall  111  adjacent the body of liquid. The assembly  110  is comprised of a top section  112 , opposing side sections  113 ,  114  connected by the top section, and at least one flange  115  extending from an edge of at least one of the side sections. In the embodiment appearing in  FIG. 18 , the assembly  111  includes two flanges  115  that mount to a wall. The assembly  110  also includes at least one port  116  connected to a conduit  117 , such that the port directs contaminants and water vapor from a surface of the body of liquid into the conduit, and the conduit evacuates the contaminants and water vapor from the body of liquid. 
         [0056]    In one embodiment depicted in  FIG. 19 , the flange(s)  115  defines at least one opening  118  for securing the assembly  110  to the wall. It will be understood that the flange  115  may not necessarily include an opening, but can be used in any number of fashions to provide a flat surface for securing the assembly  110  to a wall. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the assembly  110  is secured to the wall by a mounting member  119 . The mounting member  119  can be a screw, a nail, a fastener, bracket, a bolt, or combinations thereof. 
         [0057]    The assembly  110  may also include modular sections  110 A,  110 B,  110 C that fit together on the wall around the body of liquid. The modular sections  110 A,  110 B,  110 C may include connectors  120  for fitting the modular sections to each other. One or more gaskets  121  may be used between pairs of modular sections to maintain an airtight seal. In addition, the assembly  110  may include at least one wall seal  122  to maintain an airtight seal. 
         [0058]    An exhaust connector  124  connecting the conduit  117  to an exhaust removal system is also included in the assembly  110 . One end of the assembly may include an end piece  123  sealing the conduit  117 . 
         [0059]    In another embodiment of the invention, the top section  112  and one of the side sections  113 ,  114  of the wall-mounted  110  or bench assembly  70  are integrally formed as illustrated in  FIG. 21 , such that the other side section is a separate piece. In this embodiment, at least one end of the top section  112  is releasably secured to one end of one of the side sections  113 ,  114 . That said, the top section  112  and the side sections  113 ,  114  may also be formed from separate pieces, wherein the top section is releasably secured to the side sections as illustrated in  FIG. 22 . Accordingly, in this embodiment, opposing ends of the top section  112  are releasably secured to ends of the side sections  113 ,  114 . 
         [0060]    In another embodiment, the invention includes a system for automatically monitoring, regulating and removing contaminants from an area above a body of liquid. The system includes a sensor for monitoring contaminants (e.g., volatile organic compounds or VOCs) mounted to a wall adjacent the body of liquid, an assembly comprising at least one port connected to at least one conduit. The system includes at least one port directing contaminants and water vapor from a surface of the body of liquid into the conduit. The system also includes at least one climate control system for recirculating air into and out of a structure containing the body of liquid, at least one external or outside air damper or fan for the introduction of outside air into the facility, and at least one plasma system for reducing VOCs in the environmental air present in the structure. 
         [0061]    In addition, the invention includes at least one fan for advancing the evacuated air out of the structure and an outside air damper or fan for advancing fresh air into the structure. The regulation of the outside air will correspond with the air flow of the exhaust fan to maintain a slightly negative building pressure, preventing nitrogen chloride (NCl3) gas and other VOCs from entering other occupied spaces in the structure outside of the structure or in one embodiment a natatorium. Advantageously, the conduit evacuates the contaminants and water vapor from the body of liquid. 
         [0062]    The assembly may be retrofitted into an existing structure such as a natatorium. In one embodiment, the apparatus is secured to a wall of the structure by a mounting member. Likewise, the assembly can be independent of an existing exhaust system in the structure. 
         [0063]    For the sake of efficiency, the system includes a controller for monitoring and regulating exhaust and introduction of external or outside air. This system will provide “on demand” control of NCl3 and disinfection by-product. 
         [0064]    The system also includes an exhaust connector for connecting the conduit to an exhaust removal system, an outside air damper or fan for introducing outside air, and an exhaust connected to the exhaust connector. 
         [0065]    In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical embodiments on the invention and, although specific terms have been employed, they have been used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.