- Why choose an AOV Louvre instead of a window?
Aside from the obvious appearance reasons there are a few other benefits louvres can provide when used in smoke ventilation. Glazed AOV louvres provide more flexbility in structural opening dimensions, making full, floor to ceiling height window possible. It’s not always possible to install a Julliet Balcony of other fall arrest structure on facades, so louvres can work better in these situations. During design, the individual blades can be customised to be fixed instead of opening with the rest of the vent. Thermal efficiency, louvres can have better U-Value ratings than casement windows.
- Are louvres and dampers the same thing?
No, louvres are typically installed on the external areas of buildings such as roofs and external walls. Dampers conform to a much higher fire rating standard (BS EN 12101-8) and have superior fire resistance. Dampers are typically used where a lobby or corridor joins a smoke shaft, they are covered by a grill to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
- What is EN 12101-2?
It’s a standard that specifies the requirements, test methods and labelling for natural, smoke, and heat exhaust ventilators. These devices are installed as part of a natural smoke and heat exhaust (NSHEV) system to remove smoke and heat from a building in case of fire. Tests may include wind tunnels, B300 fire test chambers as well as quality control.
