Patent ID: 8272185

Claim:
A method of protecting an internal environment, the method comprising: providing a plurality of elongate members and at least one sensor capable of detecting at least one pre-selected indicator, said elongate member being responsive to said at least one pre-selected indicator, wherein an internal surface of said elongate member defines a cavity capable of accepting a substance as a result of the detection of said at least one pre-selected indicator; assembling the elongate members into a barrier to prevent entry of a harmful substance from an external environment into an internal environment such that the sensor is secured to at least one elongate member, wherein assembling the elongate members into a barrier involves providing a manifold and connecting the elongate members to the manifold to facilitate communication among the elongate members; and engaging the sensor to detect at least one pre-selected indicator and to respond to the indicator, such that the sensor facilitates maintenance of a desired internal environment within the structure; and filling the cavity with said substance, wherein said substance is capable of neutralizing said harmful substance.