All you need to know about louvers in Ventilation Systems
Industrial ventilation systems are very different from regular residential central vacuum systems or ventilation systems. They are built for heavy-duty functioning and need to ventilate larger spaces while handling different fumes or chemicals. Due to the controlled nature of the environment in this setting, we cannot simply open a window to freshen the indoor air. A common piece of ventilation equipment is the louvre. They increase ventilation to let in natural or mechanical light and air and curb moisture.
Let us take a deep dive into louvres in industrial ventilation systems.
What are Louvers?
Louvres have been designed and popular since early. 14-15th century. They are similar to windows in terms of placement, and they consist of angled strips of wood, metal or other materials that let air in but shield the area from other natural conditions like rain, snow, hail etc.,
Louvres are the first form of ventilation control, a great alternative to the simple window, where everything could freely flow in and get out. Since it is a form of natural ventilation, it is not dependent on power or electricity.
These days there are motor-controlled louvres that can regulate, control and even filter out the incoming air and sunshine.
Louvres for home:
Louvres in the home or smaller office spaces are typically window blinds or horizontal/vertical blinds and shutters that let in air and sunshine, but keep out rain and snow. You might have seen a lot of them used by architects for aesthetic purposes by incorporating them into the facades of the building.
A variation of the louvre is the jalousie. While louvres are fixed installations, jalousies come with adjustable blades that can regulate the ventilation in and out of the area. These days both these terms – louvre and jalousie are used interchangeably, though not entirely true.
Louvres for factories and industries:
Louvres are important parts of most industrial ventilation systems because they are great sources of natural ventilation. Natural ventilation is cost-effective and easy. It is therefore the first choice of incorporation amongst most ventilation design engineers.
When it comes to designing louvres for your industrial building, they are placed such that they allow clean air intake and enable contaminated air exhaust. Ventilation specialists ensure these are made from heavy-duty metals unlike brittle wood or aesthetically appealing materials used in residential settings. This is because, in an industrial setting, these need to be durable and long-lasting. They also choose between stationary or adjustable blades depending on the industry and placement of the louvre itself. Fixed blades let in air and light and block weather conditions and debris from entering the space, while adjustable blades mean you get to decide how much air or light to enter the space.
Industrial louvres these days come with filters built in that filter the air coming in, or with acoustical lining that absorbs and controls industrial noise.
Uses of Louvers:
Louvres have a wide range of applications beyond ventilation systems too. It originated in the middle ages, primarily as exhaust systems for kitchens. These were lantern-like installations made of wood which fit into top roof holes. They would allow air drafts in and out while blocking snow, leaves and other debris. Over time, these evolved into clay installations, some permanent and semi-permanent fixtures.
Today these louvres are made of metal, wood, clay, aluminium and hard carbon steel, depending on requirements on installation. They can also be adjusted by pulling strings or using motorised slats. Many louvres today are fire-resistant, and block debris, dust and contaminants more effectively.
In architecture:
In architecture, louvres were popular elements in European design, and are often seen in 18th or 19th-century buildings in the form of Demerara windows and Venetian blinds. Their function was to improve daylight indoors while keeping the home warm, not letting cold gusts of wind inside.
Industrial and infrastructure:
Louvres also found uses in heavy infrastructure like dams, aerodromes and aeroplanes too, where moving flaps were incorporated to regulate floodwaters and lower hydrostatic pressure on walls.
In industrial design, they are super-efficient to let in fresh air from outside, clean up the indoor air and push out stale air. They are combined with mechanical elements to provide an effective, economical industrial ventilation system. They also help regulate the temperature inside the industry, by letting in the air during summer.
Sophisticated industrial ventilation is highly nuanced and requires detailed design. Every element of a ventilation system needs to be optimised for maximum utility.
Cleair is the authorised distributor for Renson systems in India, a world leader in offering Mechanical fresh air systems for home and commercial needs. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation or to know more.