Mitigating Snow Penetration of Louvers
December 21, 2023
Cold climate regions like New York often experience wind-driven snow that can infiltrate building air intakes. While louvers themselves are not specifically snow-tested, anticipating these conditions during design helps prevent issues. This article covers strategies for minimizing snow entry through ventilation louvers.
Louvers Are Designed for Rain
Architectural louvers undergo rigorous rain testing to achieve performance certifications like AMCA 550 and Florida Building Code approvals. However, snow differs from rainwater in speed, density, and impact force. Exterior conditions also influence snow behavior.
While robust louvers shed moderate snow themselves, heavy sustained snow or gusting winds can overwhelm drainage capacity, allowing some buildup penetration. Planning options upfront helps mitigate this likelihood.
Strategic Equipment Positioning
Locating rooftop equipment like air handlers on slightly pitched raised platforms helps angling louvers downward to minimize snow intake. A 15-30 degree forward tilt or “dump” on platforms creates a more favorable impact angle.
Make sure platforms still enable rear maintenance access. Pitch angles over 30 degrees start restricting serviceability.
Supplemental Barriers
Adding perforated metal or mesh screens in front of louvers is another simple method to diffuse wind energy and capture some snow mass before reaching louver faces.
Around 50-60% open area steel or aluminum screens work well to dampen snow velocity while minimally affecting intake airflow volumes needed for ventilation.
Carefully Analyze Conditions
Since every project environment differs, thoroughly evaluate exposure, nearby structures causing wind funneling, average snow levels/cycles etc. to gain insight into expected worst case scenarios.
This helps tailor site-specific solutions using prudent plenum positioning, screening materials if warranted, and ideally, performance tested louvers resistant to extreme weather.
Proactive strategies enable optimal equipment protection and functionality through Northern winters while avoiding over-engineering. Work closely with façade consultants to match solutions to anticipated conditions. Contact Aire Renaissance for in-depth analysis.