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Louvers against the Elements – A winnable fight!.
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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.
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 Learning Objectives
Louver Presentation Outline • What is a Louver? Definition and terms. • AMCA International: The leader in Air Movement Test Standards. • 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
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 manufacturer’s 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 International’s website ― www.amca.org and click on Licensed Products. • Check the manufacturer’s catalogs. • Look for AMCA International’s Certified Ratings Seal on the product. • Contact AMCA International’s 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 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 31% By Actual FA or % FA 57% 61%
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 Waterdrop Manifold Air Exhaust Wetted Wall Manifold Water Droplets Test Unit Air Entrained into chamber through louver “Still Air” Condition! Air FlowMeasurement CollectionZone 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 louver’s 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”
Severe Storm footage - real life conditions. Extensive, continuous wind-driven rain.