Louvers against the Elements A winnable fight!

The Air Movement and Control Association International (AMCA), has met the standards and requirements of the Registered Continuing Education Providers Program. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to the RCEPP. A certificate of completion will be issued to each participant. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by NCEES or RCEPP.

Learning Objectives
Define the purposes of a louver Describe louver types List performance parameters for louvers Know how to select the proper louver Understand louver construction Be familiar with louver accessories, finishes and installation

Louvers!

Form and Function

Beauty and Performance

Louver Presentation Outline

I. What is a Louver? Definition and terms.

II. AMCA International: The leader in Air Movement Test Standards. III. Louver Test methods: New test methods lead to new AMCA certified products providing better rain defense.

What exactly is a Louver?

An air termination or entry device composed of multiple blades which, when mounted in an opening permit the flow of air, but inhibit the ingress of other elements, for example rain and noise.

Louver Design Considerations

When designing louvers, consideration should be given to the following five criteria:
Airflow
Rain Defense Structural Integrity Noise Aesthetics

Airflow
Airflow/Volume The measurement of the rate of airflow that passes through a louver,(measured in cfm/m3s) Pressure Drop The resistance to airflow across an open louver (stated in inches of water/kpa) Free Area Velocity Rate of airflow that passes through the free area of a louver (expressed in fpm/ms).

Rain Defense
AMCA 500-L
The louver test standard

Water Penetration Test

The velocity at which .01 ounces of water passed through the louver

Wind Driven Rain Test

New test standard with wind pressure applied to face of louver

Effectiveness Class
New classification of louver performance

Structural Integrity
Windloads: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) formula Hidden or Visible supports Effective Wind Speed (mph) Louver panel size
Blade Span (Span tables) Intermediate bracing

Noise
Sound Transmission Loss
ASTM E90-99

Sound Transmission Classification (STC)

ASTM E413-87

Free Field Noise Reduction

Aesthetics
Louver Shape
Performance difference

Finish Type
To match building construction elements
Flouropolymer and Anodize most common

Who makes sure these louvers work?

AMCA International
AMCA International
Is an independent, third-party, performance verification organization. Administers the Certified Ratings Program. Has a state of the art testing laboratory.

Serves as an information source for publications and test standards.

Conducts seminars and training programs. Is available on the internet at www.amca.org.

AMCA International
Certified Ratings Program
Provides independent, reliable, third party verification of manufacturers product performance ratings. Supplies performance information for product comparisons. Requires periodic retesting to verify performance and allows for challenge testing.

Establishes criteria for informed decisions on purchasing and specifying air movement and control products.

AMCA International
Licensed Products
How do you know the product you specified is licensed by AMCA International?
Visit AMCA Internationals website www.amca.org and click on Licensed Products.
Check the manufacturers catalogs. Look for AMCA Internationals Certified Ratings Seal on the product.

Contact AMCA Internationals Certified Ratings Program Department crp@amca.org.

AMCA International
Testing Laboratory
State of the art equipment.

Ability to test to many tests standards. AMCA International test standards Other recognized standards Traceable calibrations of equipment.
Performs contract tests for any interested party.

Laboratory accreditation body.

AMCA International
As An Information Source
Test Standards Applications Guides Certification Programs General Publications Video and CD Programs Order at www.amca.org

AMCA International
Seminars and Training Programs

Technical Seminars Engineering Conferences Training Programs TECHSPECS

AMCA Louver Test Methods

AMCA Standard 500-L

Tests and Certifies the following:
Free Air Velocity through Louver Pressure Drop Beginning Point of Water Penetration Water Rejecting Effectiveness Discharge Loss

Leakage (for operable louvers)

Standard 500-L Louvers

The AMCA Seal of Approval
Water Penetration, Air Performance Air Leakage Air Performance, Wind Driven Rain Wind Driven Rain

Water Penetration,
Air Performance, Wind Driven Rain

Standard 500-L Louvers

Free Area
Measured Clearance Minimum Inside Blade to Frame

Minimum Inside
Blade to Blade

Standard 500-L Louvers

Free Area Tables

By Actual FA or % FA

Standard 500-L Louvers

Pressure Drop
Two Test Configurations 5.4 Wall Intake 5.5 Wall Discharge

Standard 500-L Louvers

5.4 Wall Intake

Pressure Required to Accelerate Air and Overcome Losses due to Blockage and Entrance Conditions

Standard 500-L Louvers

5.5 Wall Discharge

Pressure Required to Accelerate Air and Overcome Losses due to Blockage and Exit Conditions

Standard 500-L Louvers

Water Penetration or Water Rejection
Two Test Configurations 5.6 Water Penetration for Still Air 5.11 Water Rejection for Wind Driven Rain

Standard 500-L Louvers

5.6 Water Penetration
Air Exhaust
Waterdrop Manifold Wetted Wall Manifold Test Unit Water Droplets

Air Entrained into chamber through louver

Air Flow Measurement Collection Zone

Still Air Condition!

Exhaust Fan

Standard 500-L Louvers

Test Conditions
4 per hour rain

1250 fpm max free area velocity (approx 14 mph) Weight of water penetration per ft2 free area @ free area velocity

MASTERSPEC - EVALUATIONS 8/93

Water-penetration testing measures the weight of water in ounces per sq. ft. of louver free area passing from the louvers exterior to the interior at various air intake velocities...

It is important to realize that the test is based on still air conditions and simulates the effect of falling rain and rain flowing down the wetted surface of a building over a louver

MASTERSPEC - EVALUATIONS 8/93

While this may provide accurate data for rain conditions with only fan-induced air-intake velocities, no test currently exists that provides data on louver performance during exposure to wind driven rain

AMCA 5.6 Test Method Water Penetration

Why Traditional Louvers Dont Always Stop Rain Entry

Severe Storm footage - real life conditions. Extensive, continuous wind-driven rain.

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Floyd

Typical Drainable Louver Shape

Still Air Louver in Wind Driven Rain Test

High Tech Secondary Rain Defense System

International Airport: Electrical service area for the Monorail system shut down/ immobilized for days due to poor louver selection

Standard louvers used where Storm Resistant could have been.

Louver Rain Defense

Prevents Damage Generators, Production Plants Electrical switchgear areas Protects interior finishes & contents. Exhibition Halls, Warehousing, Museums

RAIN

WIND

Louver Rain Defense

AMCA standard 500-L-99
AMCA revised its standard to include recommendations for wind driven rain testing of louvers

Masterspec 2000
Includes substantial changes to the advice given when selecting louvers. Wind driven rain resistant louvers are now recommended for use.

Products to meet these needs and recommendations have been developed

and are increasingly specified.

Standard 500-L Louvers

5.11 Water Rejection Wind Driven Rain
Air Exhaust Rain Water Discharge Nozzles Wind/Rain Machine

Wind Driven Rain plus Air Entrained Into Chamber Through Louver

Exhaust Fan Collection Zone Test Louver

Still Air vs. Wind Driven Rain Tests

Air Exhaust

Test Louver

Chamber

Straightener Fan

Still Air vs. Wind Driven Rain Tests

AMCA Wind Driven Rain Test Duration Air Intake (fpm) Maximum Minimum Wind Driven Rain 1250+ No Yes 1250 No No AMCA Still Air 30 minutes (minimum) 15 minutes (minimum)

Rain Fall Rate

75mm/hr (3")
or 200mm/hr (8)

4"/hr

Static Pressure Drop Yes Free Area Test Points Louver Test Size Goal Yes Numerous 40" X 40 or 48 x48 Establish louver effectiveness by varying test conditions

Yes Yes 4 48" X 48" Establish point of beginning water penetration

AMCA 500-L test. Wind Driven Rain testing at 29 mph wind velocity and 3 of rain per hour

Storm Resistant

Standard Drainable

Water has a hard time getting through a Wind Driven Rain Louver

Water pours right through a Still Air Drainable louver in a storm

AMCA 500-L test. Wind Driven Rain testing at 29 mph wind velocity and 3 of rain per hour

Inside

Outside
Water is outside where it belongs

Wind Driven Rain Louver NO water penetration

Standard 500-L Louvers

Rejection Effectiveness Classes A 99% to 100% B 95% to 98.9% C 94.9% to 80% D below 80% 3 rain/29 mph wind 8 rain/50 mph wind

RAIN ENTERING YOUR BUILDING

STANDARD FIXED DRAINABLE

Lets Compare!!!
Volume of water entering a 4 X 4 louver during a one-hour period. Based on Wind Driven Rain testing at 29 mph wind velocity (For comparison purposes only) 28 liters = approx. 6 1/2 gallons

30

25
LITERS OF WATER PER HOUR

20 WIND DRIVEN
STANDARD FIXED

15

10

0
Liters entering through a 4' x 4' Louver during a one hour perios. Liters based on Wind Driven Rain Testing at 29 mph velocity (equal to 60-90 mph windspeeds in real life storms.)

DRAINABLE

Standard 500-L Louvers

Actual/Theoretical airflow Discharge Loss Classes 1 - .4 and above 2 - .3 to .399 3 - .2 to .299 4 - .199 and below

EXAMPLE: A2 up to 2 m/s
at least 99% efficient and between .3 & .399 loss at 394 fpm core velocity (maximum)

Louver Evolution: Up to the Test!

Louver Evolution and Expansion

Z or J Non-Drainable Blade Louver
Good airflow; very little rain defense

K Non-Drainable Blade Louver

Old stormproof; average airflow; very little rain defense

Drainable Louvers
Good airflow; some rain defense

Wind Driven Rain Storm Resistant Louvers

Good airflow on vertical blade; moderate airflow on horizontal blade; stops most wind driven rain

Hurricane Resistant Louvers

Florida Code Compliant Louvers Moderate airflow; most stringent tests; severe storm conditions; missile impact resistance

Non-Drainable Louvers
Z or J and K Good airflow Looks good Stop rain entry?
No! Do not use if water entry is a concern Good as a screen
Cross section

Drainable Louvers
Good airflow Looks good Visible mullions Rain Entry Improvement
No Wind Driven Rain prevention

Double Drain

Flat

High Performance

Recessed Drain

Hook

Drainable

Horizontal Line Blade Design

Most common look Adequate blade support required Many blade profiles for visible or nonvisible lines Welded or mechanically fastened 5 span for drainable blades

Visible Mullions

Hidden Mullions

Vertical Line Blade Design

Becoming more widely used Excellent mechanical performance Excellent for Wind Driven Rain

Wind Driven Rain Louver Designs

Sophisticated Blade Profiles Closely Spaced Vertical and Horizontal Blades Increased Depth Better Pressure Drop in many cases

76

Louver Presentation Summary

Today we discussed
I. Louver definitions and terms to familiarize ourselves with the subject matter. Value of organizations like AMCA International: The leader in Air Movement Test Standards. Contact www.amca.org or email amca@amca.org

II.

III. Old and new louver test methods and how louvers have evolved to keep up with the tests.

Questions?

Louvers against the Elements Winning the battle!