We recently undertook a comparative analysis research project, looking at the most frequently specified performance louvres in Australasia.  Similar research is commonplace in many industries and companies regularly benchmark their products versus the competition.  We’re no different in that regard.  Where we are different, as we discovered, is that Ventuer is one of the very few companies to publish testing certificates for products.  Further, we always strive for 100% accuracy when it comes to applying performance ratings to products as an output from that testing.  That’s not always the case with other ventilation product manufacturers, as we uncovered more than a few instances of conflicting data.  In one instance, a competitor product had 3 different performance ratings.

We know how hard it is to keep all information up to date but we also know how vitally important it is.  And whilst we’re not accusing anyone of intentionally misleading customers, there is a duty of care to make sure information is accurate.  There has to be or the ventilation products specified may not perform as expected.

For us, performance ratings are critical as an output of comprehensive testing, and testing is a cornerstone of product development.  But given competitors sometimes publish conflicting performance ratings and almost never publish testing certificates - does this mean testing is not considered important at all and no-one really cares?  Do we even need to test given that most products are considered ‘mature’?

We believe we do, and that’s why we encourage everyone to seek products that have not only been tested, but tested independently by brand agnostic third parties.  You can read all the reasons why it’s important here.  

We won’t regurgitate that article here but rather bring your attention specifically to why testing for wind resistance and rain defence is important.  

Testing for Wind Resistance

As the built environment continues to climb upwards, wind dynamics are altered.  Free from surface friction and less dense, air accelerates as height increases, meaning specifying ventilation products to withstand the expected wind gusts for any given location may not be enough.  The wind pressure exerted will likely exceed the maximum expected gust speed. 

This is important because where that happens any physical degradation of the ventilation products presents a danger to those in the immediate vicinity.  A relatively light aluminium louvre blade from a plant screen on top of a multi-storey building, dislodged by wind and falling to the ground, can reach terminal velocities of 80-100 km/h.  That’s enough to cause serious injury to a person, shatter glass structures or dent vehicles.  

Even at lower elevations, wind can present a real problem for ventilation products.  Structural vibration caused by high winds can degrade performance over time, leading to the premature wearing of parts and significantly shortening the lifespan of ventilation products.  So even if there is no perceptible issue after installation, fast-forward 12 months and it could be a case of getting the phone call no-one ever wants - the one that starts with ‘we’ve got a problem’. 

The only way to avoid these issues is to seek assurance the ventilation products have been wind-tested and ask for copies of test-certification.  

Testing for Rain Defence

Hitting buildings more intensely and at higher speeds, rain in an elevated built environment is a significant problem.  This is especially true when ventilation louvres are specified for their high level of rain defence, knowing what sits behind them can be damaged by water ingress and when that happens, occupant comfort can be compromised.  

Even at lower elevations, rain can be an issue and the only way to be certain ventilation products will not become overwhelmed by a watery attack is to make sure they are tested.  Many of our ventilation products are sent to England for testing in one of the world’s most respected testing facilities - the BSRIA testing facility in Bracknell.  Indeed, it’s one of only two facilities in the world certified to carry out testing for water ingress and pressure drop to BS/EN:13030 - which is viewed as the gold standard.  Some manufacturers will test to the American standard AMCA 500-L, but we believe that the British standard is a much more accurate representation of field performance and results in more data for the mechanical consultants to base their decisions on.

Testing involves having water blown at the face of the louvre panel, simulating 75mm/hour rainfall with 13m/second wind. The chamber behind the louvre panel is fitted with a fan, drawing air inwards to simulate the action of an air intake of a mechanical ventilation plant. The intake flow is varied, from 0.0m3/s to 3.5m3/s, and readings are taken to establish what level of water ingress occurs at each intake rate.

As a result of testing we can accurately label the water defence rating of ventilation products.  We’re also careful to make sure any ventilation products specified are suitable for the location and if a higher rain defence is needed, we’ll say so and suggest a different Ventuer product.  If we feel none of them are suitable - it’s only because the building they’re going on is in Mawsynram.

As before, we always recommend asking to see testing certification to back up rain defence performance ratings.  

What Happens When It Goes Wrong?

The consequences of specifying a ventilation product that doesn’t live up to its performance rating are rarely pleasant.  Generally speaking, additional costs are incurred while remedial works are undertaken in order to find an acceptable resolution. Indeed, that might be the ‘least expensive’ part of the equation as the untold cost of a lack of confidence and reputational damage can continue to add up in terms of lost work for years to come.  

Can Mature Ventilation Products Be Trusted Without Testing Certification?

A number of common ventilation products have been used for generations and we found many of these have contradictory performance ratings.  In most cases, this may not be an issue and as long as they are being used in a similar manner as before, the performance should be the same.

Where issues are encountered is where mature products are used on buildings which are subjected to different atmospheric conditions.  As mentioned above, as the built environment continues to move upwards and we build up, wind dynamics become more testing.  Historically reliable ventilation products may find themselves pushed beyond limit.

Another factor is how ventilation products are advancing.  Previously acceptable performance levels may not compare favorably to modern products that benefit from advances in research and development.  It’s a bit like the trusted and much-loved VW Beetle.  Production began in 1938 and the Beetle was a trustworthy car.  Over 20 million Beetles later, production finally stopped and the last of the original Beetle’s rolled off the production line in Mexico in 2003.  Take one of those Beetles and compare it to any modern compact VW car and the difference is significant.  The Beetle was still a reliable form of transport but the performance compared to a modern Golf or Polo was terrible.  

Risk mitigation plays a significant role in our industry.  When it comes to ventilation products, the best way to mitigate risk is to make sure products have been tested, and to not just take the manufacturer's word for it.  We stand behind our products but understand the importance of providing testing certification to support performance ratings.  We don’t mind being asked for this proof of performance.  We expect it.  

In fact, we recommend everyone asks for testing certification.