ASHRAE Journal Supplement - AMCA inmotion - Fall 2017 - 20

2 in. wg
BHP

3 in. wg
FEI

RPM

BHP

impact-testing a louver's
550. But to be certain the
resistance to a large missile,
product in question was not
as described in ASTM E
only tested in accordance
1996-04 and E 1886-05. The
with the standard but also
goal of this test is to evaluate
passed the test, specifiers
the ability of a louver to
should include the following
resist the flying debris that
specification language:
often accompanies hurriLouvers shall be licensed to
cane-like conditions. The
bear the AMCA listing label
for high velocity rain resistest in AMCA Standard 540
tance in accordance with
simulates two different
AMCA Publication 512.
missile-level impacts that
may vary depending on the
This ensures that your
facility type. Most would
louver provides the level of
fall within the bounds of
protection required.
Missile Level D (basic proIf a project site is located
tection), which resists a
within the wind-borne debris
The results of impact testing at the AMCA headquarters labora4,100 g (9 lb) two-by-four tory. Image courtesy of AMCA International.
region and is within 9,144 mm
traveling at 15.25 m/s
(30 ft) above grade, you
(50 ft/s). Essential facilities would fall within the bounds of should specify that intake and/or exhaust louvers comply with
Missile Level E (enhanced protection), which resists a 4,100 g AMCA Standard 550 and that louvers meet the requirements
(9 lb) two-by-four traveling at 24.38 m/s (80 ft/s).
of AMCA Standard 540.
AMCA Standard 540 requires that any individual test speciFor that extra assurance that the product in question passed
men be impacted in three specific locations, including the the tests in these standards, specifiers should include a requirelouver blade edge and centerline.
ment that the device comply with AMCA Publication 512.
As in AMCA Standard 550, the test in AMCA Standard 540 This publication outlines a program to ensure that devices
is pass/fail. The louver fails if the applicable missile penetrates were tested at an AMCA-accredited laboratory and performed
the innermost plane of the louver test specimen and any adja- as specified. The following specification language is
cent louver components lose fastener/weld connection. It will suggested:
also fail if a solid sphere (76 mm [3 in.] diameter) could pass
Louvers shall be licensed to bear the AMCA listing label
through an opening caused by the missile.
for high velocity rain resistance and impact resistance
(basic or enhanced protection as required) in accordance
with AMCA Publication 512.
HOW TO BE SURE THE LOUVER

YOU SPECIFY MEETS REQUIREMENTS

If a project site is located within the hurricane-prone region,
design professionals should, at bare minimum, specify intake
and/or exhaust louvers that comply with AMCA Standard

The presence of an AMCA Publication 512 listing label on a
louver proves it has successfully passed its tests. Image courtesy of
AMCA International.

Fall 2017

Again, this ensures your louver provides the level of protection specified by codes pertaining to the region.
CONCLUSION

Safety in hurricane-prone and wind-borne debris regions is
vital. Louvers can help protect a space, but only if their performance is up to par.
By specifying louvers that bear the AMCA listing label
for high velocity rain resistance in the hurricane-prone region
and the AMCA listing label for impact resistance in the
wind-borne debris region, you can rest assured that you are
not just complying with building code requirements - you
are also doing everything you can to keep buildings in these
areas safe.

A M C A I N T E R NAT I O NA L

inmotion

W W W. A M C A . O R G

http://WWW.AMCA.ORG

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal Supplement - AMCA inmotion - Fall 2017