Louvers 101 – Selection & Application

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 Lisa Cherney

Education Manager, AMCA International

Session Moderator
• Joined AMCA in February 2019
• Responsible for development of AMCA’s
education programs; staff liaison for the
Education & Training Committee
• Projects include webinars, online education
modules, presentations at trade shows, AMCA
Speakers Network and many other items.

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 DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this education session is provided by

AMCA International as an educational service and is not intended
to serve as professional engineering and/or manufacturing advice.
The views and/or opinions expressed in this educational activity
are those of the speaker(s) and do not necessarily represent the
views of AMCA International. In making this educational activity
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be liable for any damages arising out of a party’s reliance upon or
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 COPYRIGHT MATERIALS

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Reproduction, distribution, display and use of
the educational activity without written
permission of the presenter is prohibited.

© AMCA International 2023

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 Charles DiGisco

Business Development Manager,

Architectural Louvers
Construction Specialties
• Over 22 years in business and sales leadership roles
with specialization in industrial, commercial and
construction vertical markets
• Provides engineered solutions & specifications to
architects, mechanical engineers, façade consultants
and the glazing/building envelope vertical markets
• AIA registered provider and RCEP certified presenter
• Degree in electrical engineering and studies in
business analytics from Harvard University

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Louvers 101– Selection & Application
Purpose and Learning Objectives
The purpose of this presentation is to provide attendees with an introduction
to louvers and the different designs and components, as well as outline
the parts of the overall system.

At the end of this presentation participants will be able to:

1. Compare the different types of louvers and their functions.
2. Explain louver performance terminology, including free area, pressure
drop, water penetration and wind-driven rain rejection.
3. Describe the five types of louver testing as outlined in ANSI/AMCA
Standard 500-L and how those tests are performed.
4. Explain how louvers are specified through the AMCA CRP process, and
what the equipment seals do and do not represent.
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Louver Selection and Application

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Louver Design and Construction

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 What exactly is a louver?

• Per AMCA publication 501

• A louver is a device
comprising of:
– A blade or blades…
– That permit the flow of air…
– But inhibits the entrance of
water or other elements

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 Louver Installations

• Where are louvers typically

installed?
– Exterior Wall
– Interior Wall
– Curtain Wall / Storefront
– Roof (Penthouse)
– Ductwork

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Anatomy of a Louver
Head
Blades

Jambs

Sill

Jamb– The vertical frame member on the sides of a louver.

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Louver Types

• Basic Louver Types

– Fixed Blade
Stationary
(Stationary)
– Adjustable Blade
– Combination
Adjustable

Combination
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 Blade Styles

• Blade Types
– Architectural (Non-
drainable)
• J or K Blade
J Blade K Blade
– Drainable Blade
• Single or Dual Drain

Drainable Blade

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Specialty Louver Types
• Sightproof Louvers
– Y Blade
– Z Blade
– V Blade
• Wind-Driven Rain Louvers
– Horizontal Blade
– Vertical Blade
• Hurricane Resistant Louvers
• Sand Louvers
• Acoustical Louvers
– J Blade
– Airfoil Blade

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Louver Frame Styles

• Frame Types
– Channel
– Flange
• Interior Flange
• Exterior Flange
– Glazing Adapter

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Louver Design Features
• Mullion Types
– Architectural
– Recessed
– Visible

Architectural
Mullion
Recessed
Mullion
Visible
Mullion
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Louver Accessories
• Screens
– Bird or Insect
• Blank off panels
– Non-insulated
– Insulated
• Sill
flashing/extensions Sill Flashing Pneumatic Hand Crank Motorized
Operator Operator Operator
• Actuators

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Aesthetics
• Specialty Shape – Round, triangular, etc.
– Performance - AMCA performance not valid unless specific
shapes tested
• Finish Types
– To match building construction elements
– Primer, Baked Enamel, Powder Coat, Fluoropolymer and
Anodize finishes most common

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Job Examples

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Job Examples

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Aesthetic Examples

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Louver Performance and
Test Standards

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Louver Performance Considerations
• When designing louvers, consideration should be given to the
following performance criteria:
• Free Area
• Air Performance (Pressure Drop)
• Water Penetration
– Still Air
– Wind Driven Rain
• Sand Rejection
• Structural Integrity
• Noise

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 Test Standards & Publications
• AMCA Publication 501: Application Manual for Air Louvers
• ANSI/AMCA 500-L: Laboratory Methods of Testing Louvers for
Ratings
– Tests the following:
• Air Performance (Pressure Drop)
• Water Penetration (still air)
• Wind Driven Rain
• Sand
• Leakage (adjustable louvers)
• AMCA 511: Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Air
Control Devices
• ANSI/AMCA 540: Test Method for Louvers Impacted by Wind Borne
Debris
• ANSI/AMCA 550: Test Method for High Velocity Wind Driven Rain
Resistant Louvers
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AMCA 500-L
• AMCA 500-L consists of five different testing
protocols for testing louvers:
1. Pressure Drop
2. Airflow Leakage
3. Water Penetration
4. Wind-Driven Rain
5. Wind-Driven Sand

➢ AMCA 500-L: Gives you the testing parameters

for testing louvers and confirms performance.
➢ AMCA 511: Was written to give guidance on
how to certify the louvers that are tested.

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AMCA 500-L
• Upon testing, manufacturers can show that their louver
has been part of AMCA’s certified ratings program (CRP).
** Very important because not all manufacturers choose to
certify their product!

• Manufacturers can identify which tests have been

independently conducted by AMCA with a CRP marking on
their submittal page.

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Free Area
• The minimum area through which air can pass
• Free Area = 𝐿 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝑁𝑋𝐶
𝐿 𝐴+𝐵+ 𝑁∗𝐶 100
• Percent Free Area =
𝑊∗𝐻

Horizontal Blade Louvers:

– A = Minimum distance between the head and top blade
– B = Minimum distance between the sill and bottom blade
– C = Minimum distance between adjacent blades
– N = Number of “C” openings in the louver
– L = Minimum distance between louver jambs
– W = Actual louver width
Horizontal
– H = Actual louver height Blade
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Free Area
• The minimum area through which air can pass
• Free Area = 𝐿 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝑁𝑋𝐶
𝐿 𝐴+𝐵+ 𝑁∗𝐶 100
• Percent Free Area =
𝑊∗𝐻

Vertical Blade Louvers:

– A = Minimum distance between the left jamb and left blade
– B = Minimum distance between the right jamb and right blade
– C = Minimum distance between adjacent blades
– N = Number of “C” openings in the louver
– L = Minimum distance between head and sill
– W = Actual louver width
– H = Actual louver height
Vertical Blade
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 Air Performance
• 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)

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Water Infiltration

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Traditional Louvers
• Typically sized at 600 to 800 fpm
intake velocity
• Drainable blades for intake
applications
• Some very high performing
traditional models
• How much water is allowed?
– Adequate drainage
– Equipment that needs to be
kept dry
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Rain Defense

• Prevents Damage
RAIN
– Mechanical Rooms, Generators,
Production Plants, Electrical
switchgear areas

• Protects interior finishes & contents WIND

– Exhibition Halls, Warehousing,
Museums

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 AMCA 500-L Water Penetration Test
Water Penetration (still air)

• Defines the point of

beginning water penetration
at a specific intake air
velocity

• The beginning point of water

penetration is 0.01𝑜𝑧/𝑓𝑡 2 of
free area

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Still Air Test
Test Conditions:
– 4” per hour rain - light vertical
rain
– 1,250 fpm max free area velocity
– Approx. 14 mph
– Tested for beginning point of
water penetration based on free
area velocity
– 48” x 48” sample size
– No screen
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Still Air Test

Beginning Point of Water penetration-

.01 oz. of water per sq./ft. at X FPM
F.A. Vel.

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Louver Still Air Test

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Traditional Louver Technology

• Design Characteristics
– Wide Blade Spacing
– High Free Area
– Low Cost
– Low Pressure Drop
– Not Effective In
Storms

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Wind Driven Rain Louver Technology

• Design Characteristics
– Close Blade Spacing
– Lower Free Area
– Greater Velocities
– Higher Pressure Drop
– Effective water rejection
in storm conditions

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AMCA 500-L Wind-Driven Rain Test for Louvers
• The chamber behind the louver is fully pressurized with an exhaust
fan trying to draw water through the louver’s blades during the testing
procedure (30-minute testing period).
– Test values are noted at regular intervals and are not more than 10
minutes apart.
– The test procedure is completed when a minimum of 4 consecutive
readings within the steady state of tolerance have been noted.

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WDR Test

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Wind Driven Rain
Measures the performance by establishing an effectiveness rating of
louvers subjected to both rain and wind pressure, both with and without
airflow through the louver.
• Two conditions
– 3 in. of rain/hour @
29 mph wind vel.
– 8 in. of rain/hour @
50 mph wind vel.
• Effectiveness
Ratings
– A = 99.9% to 99%
– B = 98.9% to 95%
– C = 94.9% to 80%
– D = Below 80%
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Still Air vs. WDR AMCA Wind Driven Rain test
Based on Wind Driven Rain test-- 3” per hour
at 29 mph wind velocity, wind tunnel pulling
1300 FPM.
29 liters

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Sizing Tips
• Free area not necessarily the most important characteristic

• Pressure drop generally becomes the limiting factor.

– Low free area can be offset by low pressure drop
– Still area louvers require a (15% to 25%) safety factor – WDR
louvers do not.
– At 10,000 CFM a 6” still air louver with 860 fpm fav requires a
48” x 60” louver – A 6” vertical WDR with 2019 fpm fav
requires a 42” x 42” louver.
– A difference if 7.75 sq. ft. face area

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Sand Louver Application

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Wind Driven Sand
• Measures the sand rejection
performance subject to airborne dry
sand particles at different airflow rates
through the louver
• Test procedure and certification
launched January 13, 2016
• Primarily a concern for Middle East
region
– Could be applicable in construction near
beaches and other sandy regions worldwide
• Effectiveness Ratings
– A = 100% to 90%
– B = 89.9% to 80%
– C = 79.9% to 70%
– D = Below 70%

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Sound Performance

• ASTM E90-99: Standard Test Method for Laboratory

Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building
Partitions and Elements

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Extreme Weather
• ANSI/AMCA 540: Test Method for Louvers Impacted by Wind Borne
Debris
– Intended to demonstrate the structural capabilities of the louver in the
event the louver were to be impacted by wind borne debris.
– Large missile impact test as described in ASTM E 1996-04 and E 1886-05
• ANSI/AMCA 550: Test Method for High Velocity Wind Driven Rain
Resistant Louvers
– Intended to demonstrate the acceptability of the louver in which water
infiltration must be kept to manageable amounts during a high velocity
wind driven rain event.
– Pass / Fail Criteria
– Equivalent to FBC TAS 100A
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ANSI/AMCA 540-
Test Method of Louvers Impacted by Wind Borne Debris
• Test procedure measures a products
capacity to withstand impact from
wind borne debris in hurricane wind
velocities.
– Test Missile: 9 lb. 2 x 4
– Distance: 12-feet (9 ft. long missile)
– Impact Velocity:
• 3 units tested
• Shortest blade span
• Longest unsupported span
• Mullion location

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

• Impact Testing
– AMCA Standard 540

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AMCA Testing Standards - 540
• AMCA 540
• Minimum of three specimens impacted
• Requires the minimum and maximum sections to be tested
• Can be one single-section and one multi-section

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ANSI/AMCA 550-
Test Method for High Velocity Wind Driven Rain Resistant Louvers

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AMCA Listing Standards - 550
• AMCA 550
– Water shall be supplied to the wind stream
using a sprinkle pipe system simulating a
uniform 8.8 inches/hour (223.5 mm/hour)
over the test specimen.
– Eight intervals of testing
• Five to fifteen minutes
• Wind Speeds from 0 mph to 110 mph

– Pass/Fail is determined by whether or not

the louver exhibits water infiltration in
excess of 1% of the total water sprayed.

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 Typhoon Conditions – AMCA 550
• Louver test specimen size must exhibit a 1m x 1m “core” area.
• No more than 1% of the total sprayed water volume may penetrate
the louver to pass.
Interval Wind Speed Duration Water Spray

1 35 mph 15 min On

2 0 mph 5 min Off

3 70 mph 15 min On

4 0 mph 5 min Off

5 90 mph 15 min On

6 0 mph 5 min Off

7 110 mph 5 min On

8 0 mph 5 min Off

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Searching for AMCA 540/550 Louvers

Source: www.amca.org/certify/#listed-product-search
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Blast Resistant Louvers

• Blast Resistance – GSA Solutions

• Government installations
• 10 psi tested performance
• Proven installed design

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Blast Resistant Louvers

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 How to Specify
AMCA-Certified Louvers

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AMCA International- Equipment Validation
How do you know if the product you want to specify is certified or
listed by AMCA International?
– Visit AMCA’s website (www.amca.org); click on “Certify”
• Select “Certified Product Search” to research products by company name,
product type, country or license type
• Select “Listed Product Search” to research the louvers that are verified as
meeting the severe-duty requirements
– Check the manufacturer’s catalogs
– Look for AMCA International’s Certified Ratings Seal or Listing Label
on the product (Note: displaying physical seals and labels is optional.)
– Contact AMCA International’s Certified Ratings Program Department
― [email protected].

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AMCA Publication 511-10
• Publication 511: Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Air
Control Devices
– Dictates proper presentation of data and other required technical procedures for
certification of air control devices under the AMCA Certified Ratings Program
• AMCA CRP seals for one or more licenses; licenses can be combined into
one seal:
– Water Penetration, Air Performance
– Air Leakage
– Air Performance, Wind Driven Rain
– Wind Driven Rain
– Water Penetration, Air Performance, Wind Driven Rain
– Sound
– Wind Driven Sand
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What is the AMCA Seal?
• The AMCA International Certified Ratings
Program is a globally recognized third-party
program that gives buyers, specifiers and
users assurance that manufacturers’
published data for air movement and control
products are accurate.

• AMCA-tested and certified products ONLY

are eligible to bear the CRP seal.

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What is the AMCA Seal?

➢ What DOESN’T this seal mean?

≠ “Tested in accordance with

AMCA Standard 500-L.”

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Louver Presentation Summary
• Topics covered:
– Louver types, definitions and terms
– Louver performance, test standards/methods and performance data
– Traditional louvers offer high FA and low pressure drop but do not
provide WDR performance
– WDR louvers stop water penetration and allow greater FA velocities
– WDR allows for smaller footprint of louver sizes
– WDR louvers do not require a safety factor
– How to specify louvers and AMCA-certified louvers

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Resources – Louvers 101
• AMCA International: www.amca.org
• AMCA White Paper: www.amca.org/educate/#articles-and-technical-papers
> Understanding the AMCA Standard 500-L Tests
• ANSI/AMCA Standard 500-L-12: www.amca.org/store
> Laboratory Methods of Testing Louvers for Rating (Available for purchase)
• AMCA Publications: www.amca.org/store
> 501-17: Louver Application Manual and Design Guide (Available for purchase)
> 502-06 (R2009): Damper Application Manual for Heating, Ventilating, and Air
Conditioning (Available for purchase)
> 511-21: Certified Ratings Program — Product Rating Manual for Air Control
Devices (Free PDF download)
• AMCA Online Education: www.amca.org/educate
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Q&A
Survey QR Code:

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 Thank you for your time!
To receive PDH credit for today’s educational session, you must complete
the online evaluation, either via the QR code or a link, which will be
emailed to you 2 weeks of this program.

PDH credits and participation certificates will be issued electronically

within 30 days, once all attendance records are checked and the completed
online evaluations are received.

Attendees will receive an email at the address provided on your 2023 AHR
Expo registration, listing the total credit hours awarded and a link to a
printable certificate of completion.

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Cherney, Education

Manager, at AMCA International ([email protected]).
www.amca.org
www.amca.org