Weather ProtectionTo ensure a louver's weather resistance, look for a design that assists in preventing water penetration. This feature uses blades with gutters and internal "downspouts" in the frame to collect and drain rain water before it can become entrained in the airflow. These are known as "drainable" louvers.
To provide the maximum protection against rain penetration, wind driven rain resistant louvers are also available. These models are designed to stop wind-blown rain penetration as well as water entrained in the airflow. They incorporate closely-spaced blades with sophisticated profiles. Although these are more expensive per sq. ft. than other louver types, their ability to prevent water penetration in severe weather is well worth the expense. Wind driven rain louvers can also be made smaller than conventional louvers due to greater water resistance.
Installation methods are just as important as the design of the louver. An important component for the weather resistance of any louver ...
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Making it look good.Because there are many appearance options for metal building louvers, they can be used to enhance the facade of any structure. Louvers are available with a variety of blade styles and spacing. Standard models can be provided with horizontal or vertical blades in wide or narrow blade spacings that create their own distinctive appearance. Louvers can also be constructed in many geometric shapes, including triangle, trapezoid and round. Many of these types are used to break up the "straightness" of a long rectangular building. Louvers
can even be fabricated with stretched components for installation in curved walls.
Perhaps the most important aspect of a louver's appearance is the finish. With the variety of design and finish options available, louvers can either blend-in with the surrounding structure or provide a dramatic contrast to the appearance of the building. Kynar-based paints are a very popular and effective finish for wall louvers. The combination of long life and color ...
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The use of metal construction for new buildings has been growing steadily for the past few years. Louvers are an ideal choice for providing fresh air through walls, and are a pleasing and ideal choice for metal construction.
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Over the past several years, enactment of Clean Air regulations has resulted in an increasing demand for incineration systems. Incineration systems destroy volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are produced during the manufacturing process so that they are removed from the exhausting airflow to the atmosphere. These incineration systems, (for example, thermal oxidizers) must function efficiently in order to meet the guidelines of Clean Air regulations. An integral feature of these incinerators is the diverter dampers that are used to direct the process airflow to and from the incinerators.
This is where Ruskin's new PDR20 Poppet Damper steps in. In order to attain the highest VOC destruction efficiency, certain incinerator systems will have fast-acting diverter dampers incorporated into their design. These dampers must open and close almost instantaneously while providing a tight shutoff.
The Ruskin PDR20:
Is ideal for applications that require rapid cycling times & tight shutoff.
Can be ...
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Ruskin is proud to announce the latest addition to its line of air monitoring dampers. The CDRAMS model is a true round air monitoring, low leak control damper that is easily installed in round spiral ductwork."The industry has been demanding a round air measuring damper with low leakage," said Michael Wiltfong, head of Ruskin's Control Dampers group. "And Ruskin met the challenge."The CDRAMS joins the [model:iaq50]IAQ50[/model] and [model:ams50]AMS50[/model] as Ruskin's latest air measuring damper. These dampers enable buildings to better meet ASHRAE Standard 62, which defines the requirements for indoor air quality. The CDRAMS also features:[list][*]Specially designed blade-to-frame polyethylene foam seals that fully encompass the edge of the damper.[*]Extruded aluminum airfoil sensing tubes that sample the air pressure across the full diameter of the duct.[*]Ease of operation with optional manual, pneumatic, or electric actuators.[/list]Ruskin's CDRAMS provides the solution to providing indoor air quality ...
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Fire and Smoke TestingIf dampers are expected to control smoke and air, it should be specified in the project's design by indicating the leakage amount allowed to pass through. Historically, Underwriters Laboratories 555S or Air Movement and Control Association laboratory methods are used to determine test procedures and leakage requirements.
Fan isolation or equipment room dampers generally require the National Fire Protection Agency exposure test. In addition, TVCDs could require fire ratings because they might be located inside equipment rooms with combustible items.
Generally, fire ratings are to be tested in accordance with British Standard 476-pt 20 fire tests for building structures and material. Dampers rated by British standards have shorter blade lengths and are built differently than NFPA qualifiers. British standard requirements limit gap or see-through during fire tests, caused by blade sag, frame deformation and blade rotation.
he longer the blades on TVCDs, the more mass and weight nee ...
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ActuationActuation is extremely important to damper reliability and performance. As requirements for elevated temperatures increase, manufacturers must search for different and creative ways to power machines. Depending on how they're tested, dampers can be actuated in various fashions, but most require a fail-position device.
Dampers switch to an open or closed fail-safe position when losing its electrical power or pneumatic air supply. This is inherent with fire rated apparatus, but may not be applicable with modulating or smoke control TVCDs.
Additionally, dampers can be fitted with many ancillary devices such as pressure switches, smoke detectors and position indicators to isolate and solve system problems.
Single actuators may power multiple sections of each damper or there may be only one per section. In either case, engineers must remember if a single actuator powering multiple sections fails, all section control is lost. This could be detrimental if the failed section supplies or exhausts a h ...
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A Question of Pressure
Finally, considering pressure transversals in mass transit rail systems is extremely important when applying TVCDs. Dampers in tunnels can be subjected to rapid pressure spikes created from high-speed trains passing in front of them. Depending on train speed, tunnel tolerances and damper location, pressures as high as 24-in, of water gage may be created as trains approach and travel away.
Over time, this aggressive movement has adverse effects on damper construction if this harsh impact wasn't considered during designing. Manufacturers should possess this data showing actual testing for these conditions and modifications should be made when needed.
Ventilation dampers play important roles in today's modern tunnel ventilation and emergency systems. When properly selected and applied, they can provide trouble-free service for many years. Today's TVCDs aren't just airflow devices but an integral part of the tunnel ventilation and emergency system function.
When the Mahaska County Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa, needed to renovate their building, there were several challenges that had to be overcome before they would be up to code. To meet those challenges, they turned to Ruskin.
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...and Ruskin had the solution.The existing shafts were not fire rated and none of the penetrations were protected with fire or combination fire/smoke dampers. The plans called for new fire rated wall construction and combination fire/smoke dampers for penetrations in all shafts.
Many of the applications had three ducts penetrating the shafts above the ceiling, one hot supply and one cold supply and one return air.
Because the shafts were only 36 inches wide, it was impossible to use standard style combination smoke dampers with side mounted actuators and accessories. They would be too wide to properly fit in the space.
KJWW Engineering Consultants turned to its local Ruskin Representative, Hart-Hammer, Inc., of Des Moines, Iowa, and contractor Cunningham, Inc., Oskaloosa, Iowa for help. Working together, Cunningham, Hart-Hammer and KJWW Engineering Consultants found that Ruskin's [model:fsd60v]FSD60V[/model] combination fire/smoke damper offered the performance and flexibility necessary to get the ...
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