Intake Air Louvers 1

[MarkS]

I am having problems with snow entering through louvers and piking up in the ductwork or air handling units. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Are there any suggested solutions?

 

[JEFF1]

I've never heard of it before - you seem to work in a different climate. Entrainment of rainwater is common and is controlled by sizing the louver to a published face velocity. Possible suggestions: alter the location with respect to the prevailing wind, keep louver face velocity low, build an awning over the louver, provide a sudden change of direction before entering the ductwork so that centrifugal force will force the snow to collect elsewhere.

 

[deanp]

I usually size intake louvres at 350 fpm across the face area. I have not had any problems using this method.

 

[philwagner]

Yes, I've had this problem before in the North Central States. We,ve gone so far as build a plenum behind the louver with a drain in the bottom that goes to a floor drain in a mechanical room. Wind driven snow is going to drift in and you have to make provisions for it!<br>
<br>
PhilW

 

[AlanRz]

There is a proprietary product available for this application.<br>
I will be happy to give contact info via e-mail if you want.<br>
You can let me know at &lt;pi-cats.usa.net&gt; if required.

 

[sigmapsi]

When it comes to light or powdery snow, I do not think there is any louver that can stop all snow entry. The only solution I have been able to work out is to assume it will enter, then pitch the bottom of the duct or plenum to louver or to a drain.

 

[Johnherbert]

Re the Light / Powdery snow problem, just an idea - Has anyone tried the sand louvre? In the middle east we used them for inlet and exhaust (they were necessary for sand storms). If I remember ?ork and ?arrier offered them as an option. Although they were used all year in the middle east it could be a solution, noted they do have a high pressure drop and were relatively expensive.