Gravity Ventilators: Model DC-AGV Severe Duty vs. Model AGV Light Duty

Posted on by Aire Technologies

What is a Gravity Ventilator?

A gravity ventilator encourages natural airflow throughout the building, from floor to up toward the ceiling.  Using natural forces, these ventilators introduce cool outside air into the occupancy level of a building while exhausting heated and contaminated air.  They require no power, motors, or fans to function, although mechanically powered ventilators with fans do exist.

Aire Technologies currently offers two types of aluminum gravity ventilators: the Model DC-AGV and Model AGV.  Learn more about Aire Technologies’ AGVs below.

Model DC-AGV Severe Duty AGV

The Model-DC AGV severe-duty aluminum gravity ventilator is designed, engineered, and tested to provide air intake or relief while protecting severe hurricane environments. The DC-AGV meets the following test protocols:

  • TAS 201-94 (Missile Impact Test)
  • TAS 202-94 (Uniform Static Air Pressure Test)
  • TAS 203-94 (Cyclic Wind Pressure Loading Test)

With the Model DC-AGV, you can have peace of mind knowing that this product is Miami-Dade County-certified and can withstand even the toughest of hurricane environments.  Engineered with a strong aluminum angle interior subframe, the Model DC-AGV is reinforced and built to last.  The Model DC-AGV’s wind load performance is +/- 120 psf at 96” W x 144” L and +/- 180 psf at 48” W x 48” L. Air performance data sheets are available upon request.

Available in a wide variety of sizes, the maximum shell size is 96” W x 144” L, and the minimum shell size is 24” W x 24” L.

Model AGV Light Duty AGV

The Model AGV is an aluminum gravity ventilator designed and engineered to provide air intake or relief in noncoastal regions.

The all-new light-duty AGV is lighter and leaner, designed for buildings that don’t need that extra protection that a hurricane environment would require.  By shedding the interior subframe required for hurricane regions, this complementary AGV offers similar air performance and options at a much lower cost.

Available in a wide variety of sizes, the maximum shell size is 96”W x 114”L, and the minimum shell size is 18”W x 18”L.

Can I Customize My Order of AGVs?

Standard construction for both the Model DC-AGV and Model AGV consists of 0.081” thick aluminum shell, a 2” x 3” x 0.188” curb skirt, an expanded aluminum bird screen, and a standard mill finish.

Optional features for custom orders include hinged assembly, filter racks, an insect screen, anti-condensate coating, and powder coating.  Consult an Aire Technologies representative in your area or our Aire Tech customer service team for more information.

Where Can I Buy Aire Technologies’ AGVs?

Ready to buy our aluminum gravity ventilators? As always, we are happy to work with you to deliver your desired HVAC products.  Aire Technologies’ products can be purchased through our representative locations across the US as part of our selective regional distribution network.  Use the Aire Tech representative map to find a rep in your region and place your order today!

Pop Quiz: Fire Dampers

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Pop Quiz!

1. What belongs in this space?
A. Horizontal fire damper
B. Vertical fire damper
C. CRD

 

2. What belongs in this space?
A. Horizontal fire damper
B. Vertical fire damper
C. CRD

 

3. What belongs in this space?
A. Horizontal fire damper
B. Vertical fire damper
C. CRD

*Answers are posted at the bottom of the page.

 

Want to learn more about fire dampers or simply need a refresher? Aire Technologies has you covered.

What is a Fire Damper?

A fire damper is “a listed device installed in ducts and air transfer openings designed to close automatically upon detection of heat and resist the passage of flame.”  In other words, these devices use curtain-style blades intended to resist passage through a UL-rated assembly.

Fire dampers are installed in HVAC ductwork to reestablish the fire rating of the barrier (walls, floors or other rated partitions/barriers) through which the penetration was created. Fire dampers are specifically intended for through penetrations, not membrane penetrations.

When preventing the spread of fire through buildings, fire dampers play a critical role and can mean the difference between life and death for a building’s occupants in the event of a fire.

It is important to note that fire dampers and ceiling radiation dampers are NOT the same thing and CANNOT be used interchangeably.

What is a Fire Rated Partition or Barrier?

A fire-rated partition has an assembly of materials that will afford a given fire resistance rating (expressed in hours) to impede the spread of fire from one area to another.

A fire-rated barrier is a fire-resistance-rated wall assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity is maintained.

What Types of Fire Dampers Does Aire Technologies Offer?

Aire Technologies’ fire dampers have been extensively engineered and tested to prevent the spread of fire inside the ductwork through fire-resistance-rated walls.

Our fire dampers are available for both static and dynamic systems and are offered in multiple configurations to suit almost any specification. Additionally, our standard 4¼” and thin line 2” frame profiles are constructed with interlocking curtain-style blades offered in three types (A, B, and C) to accommodate different air stream efficiencies.

Aire Technologies’ fire dampers are UL 555 Classified and rated for 1½ hours or 3 hours and have been approved by the New York City Department of Buildings MEA Division and the California State Fire Marshal.

What Do the Different Types of Fire Dampers Mean?

A static fire damper has no airflow closure rating, meaning that these can only be applied in HVAC systems designed to shut down automatically in the event of a fire.  Because the HVAC system/fan will turn off, these dampers are designed like a curtain, allowing the damper to fall and shut due to gravity.

A dynamic fire damper closes while the HVAC system is running and should be selected to operate against the airflow conditions seen in the application.  Because the fan will stay on, the spring-loaded design helps the damper to spring shut against the air pressure.

Where Can I Buy Aire Technologies’ Fire Dampers?

Ready to buy some fire dampers? As always, we are happy to work with you to deliver your desired HVAC products.  Aire Technologies’ products can be purchased through our representative locations across the US as part of our selective regional distribution network.  Use the Aire Tech representative map to find a rep in your region and place your order today!

Need help to choose the right fire damper? Check out our simple guide for selecting the correct Aire Technologies fire damper:

 

Answers:

  1. B: Through Penetrations in walls require horizontal ductwork with a vertical fire damper that can close via gravity in static applications or with an additional negator spring in dynamic applications. Fire dampers are used to stop the spread of flame through the ductwork to another room or floor.
  2. A: Through Penetrations in walls require horizontal ductwork with a vertical fire damper that can close via gravity in static applications or with an additional negator spring in dynamic applications. Fire dampers are used to stop the spread of flame through the ductwork to another room or floor.
  3. C: Through Penetrations in walls require horizontal ductwork with a vertical fire damper that can close via gravity in static applications or with an additional negator spring in dynamic applications. Fire dampers are used to stop the spread of flame through the ductwork to another room or floor.

Show Some Louver Love

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Show some “louver love” by learning about the purpose of a louver and what types of louvers Aire Technologies has to offer.

What is the Purpose of a Louver?

A louver is a device comprised of horizontal or vertical blades that permits air flow into a system to provide fresh air intake or exhaust while keeping outside elements such as water, dirt, animals, and debris out of the airstream. There are many different louvers with various purposes, including protection from hurricane conditions and manual or automatic air shutoff.

What Types of Louvers Does Aire Technologies Offer?

Aire Technologies offers three main types of louvers: severe duty, stationary, and combination.

When selecting a louver, be sure to check each louver’s specifics to ensure it’s the right type of louver for your building application.  To assist with this process, Aire Technologies offers a comprehensive product selection survey in our catalog to help select the right product.

Severe Duty Louvers:

Aire Technologies’ severe duty louvers are drainable louvers designed, engineered, and tested to provide protection against large debris impact, cyclic loading fatigue, and severe pressure loads experienced in high-velocity hurricane zones.

These louvers provide the maximum level of hurricane and water penetration protection out of all our louvers.  Our severe duty louvers have been certified by Miami-Dade County (with the exception of the Model WDV-6) and AMCA, ensuring a high-quality product that can be specified with confidence.

Currently, Aire Technologies offers the following severe duty louvers:

Stationary Louvers:

Aire Technologies’ stationary louvers are drainable, louvers (with the exception of the Model 445-SW) designed to prevent water penetration in building exterior walls for non-wind-driven rain applications. Water is channeled away from the face of the louver via built-in drain gutters into vertical downspouts that allow the water to drain at the sloped sill.

These louvers provide various levels of water protection and louver depths.  Our stationary louvers are AMCA certified (with the exception of the Model 245-SD), ensuring a high-quality product that can be specified with confidence.

Currently, Aire Technologies offers the following stationary louvers:

Combination Louvers:

Aire Technologies’ combination louvers are drainable (with the exception of the Model 445-CW) and adjustable, utilizing a uniquely designed weather control blade to be used in intake and exhaust applications that do not require high water penetration protection.  Water is channeled away from the face of the louver via built-in drain gutters into vertical downspouts that allow the water to drain at the sloped sill.

These louvers provide the functionality of a louver with the bonus of controlling the built-in airflow shutoff damper.  Our combination louvers are AMCA certified, ensuring a high-quality product that can be specified with confidence.

Currently, Aire Technologies offers the following combination louvers:

Can I Order Custom Louvers?

Each Aire Technologies louver is manufactured custom to meet customer specifications.  Regardless of the model of louver you’re looking for, you can choose whatever custom options you’d like, including a variety of colors in weather-resistant powder finishes, flanged vs. non-flanged, and more.

In addition to those custom options, we offer many size options, from as small as 12”x12” up to larger width and height sizes (within reason), scaling in 1/8” increments.

Where Can I Buy Aire Technologies’ Louvers?

Ready to buy some louvers? As always, we are happy to work with you to deliver your desired HVAC products.  Aire Technologies’ products can be purchased through our representative locations across the US as part of our selective regional distribution network.  Use the Aire Tech representative map to find a rep in your region and place your order today!

Schedule an Aire Technologies Product Training Now!

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Schedule a training session with our Aire Technologies representatives today to ensure you’re up to date with our four core product lines’ latest essential training information.

Who Should Attend Aire Technologies Trainings and Why?

Aire Technologies manufactures very specific life safety products that, when installed or used incorrectly, can void the critical UL rating to which the products were originally designed, tested, and approved. These products increase the allowable amount of time occupants of a building have to escape in the event of a fire.

Our training courses are meant for manufacturer’s representatives, wholesalers, contractors, engineers, inspectors, architects, and anyone else who would benefit from Aire Technologies product training.  Architects, please note that our courses are AIA accredited for one LU credit.

What Training Courses are Available?

Aire Technologies offers four key training courses with the following learning objectives:

  • Ceiling Radiation Dampers (CRDs)
    • Specify the appropriate floor/ceiling and roof/ceiling assembly for a multi-family, senior living, or mixed-use project.
    • Identify operation, testing procedures, classifications, and listings for UL-rated life safety products in architectural assemblies.
    • Specify approved life safety dampers for different floor/ceiling and roof/ceiling assemblies by navigating the UL fire resistance directory.
  • Fire Dampers
    • Specify the appropriate fire and/or smoke-resistive products given a penetration through a wall, floor, barrier, or partition.
    • Identify operation, testing procedures, classifications, and listings for UL-rated life safety products.
    • Understand the differences and similarities between using fire dampers, smoke dampers, and combination fire and smoke dampers.
  • Leakage-Rated Life Safety Dampers
    • Specify the appropriate fire and/or smoke-resistive products given a penetration through a wall, floor, barrier, or partition.
    • Identify operation, testing procedures, classifications, and listings for UL-rated life safety products.
    • Understand the differences and similarities between using fire dampers, smoke dampers, and combination fire and smoke dampers.
  • Louvers
    • Specify the appropriate louver for intake or exhaust penetration.
    • Identify operation, testing procedures, classifications, and listings for extruded aluminum louver products.

Each training course takes approximately 30-45 minutes.  If desired, you may schedule more than one training course consecutively.

Where Does the Training Take Place?

The best part about Aire Technologies’ training courses is that our representatives will come right to you, or it can be conducted virtually, depending on your preference and schedule.

Whether you attend in person or virtually, you’ll receive the same high-quality educational training from our knowledgeable representatives.

How Do I Schedule a Training?

To schedule one of Aire Technologies’ four key training courses, please fill out the online submission form below, or contact [email protected] with the following information:

  • Full Name
  • Company
  • Location (City, State)
  • Product line(s) of interest
  • Have you done business with Aire Technologies in the past?

To avoid scheduling conflicts, please get in touch with us to schedule your training at least one month before the desired date.  Our representatives may be able to accommodate a sooner date, depending on their schedules and time of year.

We look forward to seeing you and providing the product training you deserve!

 

Model DC-AGV: Built to Last

Posted on by Aire Technologies

Made to endure whatever life throws at it, the Model DC-AGV aluminum gravity ventilator is designed, engineered, and tested to provide air intake or relief while protecting severe hurricane environments.

 

The Model DC-AGV meets the following test protocols:

  • TAS 201-94 (Missile Impact Test)
  • TAS 202-94 (Uniform Static Air Pressure Test)
  • TAS 203-94 (Cyclic Wind Pressure Loading Test)

Learn more about the Model DC-AGV that’s built to last at rb.gy/8aid5j.

Aire Technologies Donates Louvers to the Rostraver Township Historical Society

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Earlier this year, Ductmate Product Line Manager Rich Plavchak discussed the potential for a local project that he was personally connected to and asked for the assistance of Aire Technologies.

The Rostraver Township Historical Society, located at 800 Fellsburg Rd in Rostraver Township, Pennsylvania, is in a historic church building originally founded in 1792.  Earlier this year, the building suffered damage during a storm that destroyed one of its four old, rotting wooden louvers in the bell tower.  Water damage was also an ongoing issue, and this beautiful historic building needed a long-term solution.

To solve these problems, Aire Technologies donated four new extruded aluminum 245 Stationary louvers powder coated white by Broken Arrow Powder Coating in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.  They were installed Wednesday, December 7, 2022, just in time for the holidays.  Each louver measured 36” wide by 55” tall.

These louvers’ design, quality, coating, and appearance will last many years.  Aire Technologies is proud to have donated these to the Rostraver Township Historical Society to help preserve this historic building and church.

For more information about the Rostraver Township Historical Society, CLICK HERE.

Aire Technologies Holds 2022 Manufacturer’s Representative Forum

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Aire Technologies held its second Manufacturers’ Representative Forum at the Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe in Canonsburg, PA on September 13-15, 2022.  It has been six years since the inaugural forum in 2016. This event was held as a cooperative event focused on open dialogue between all stakeholders. Aire Tech provided product overviews including sales metrics, new devices, market news, industry updates, and steel and aluminum supply outlooks. The representatives were also provided with in-depth manufacturing and shipping process overviews followed by a tour of our Monongahela, PA, facility.

During the first day, attendees spent the day traveling to Pittsburgh and getting settled into their hotel rooms.  Later that evening, attendees were taken to Primanti Brothers in Washington, PA, for a casual dinner and social event.

During the second day, attendees spent half of the day in the Parlor C conference room engaged in presentations by Aire Technologies team members. The second half of the day was spent touring our Monongahela, PA, facility.  Presenters included Michael Florian, Brian Rudolph, Ben Stock, Duane Fetko, Sean Trudeau, Greg Krueger, Zack Zimmerman, Dan Quiroga, and John Newman.  Lunch was held at Vincent’s of Southpointe in Canonsburg, PA, and dinner was held at Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse in Pittsburgh later that evening.

During the third and final day, individual territory meetings with the representatives were held at 45-minute intervals to discuss performance, sales metrics, and 2023 forecasting. Representatives in attendance included The Kivlan Group, Gunder Associates, Sales Management Solutions, Wright Sales, Southern Rep Agency, The McAllister Group, The Eby Co., and EP Sales.

Aire Technologies provided group ground transportation to attendees throughout the forum with van drivers Tom Dunay, Jerry Morris, and Tim Jenkins of the Aire Tech manufacturing team.

Thank you to all who attended, presented, and helped organize this forum.  As always, we look forward to the next one!

Developments in Aire Technologies

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Aire Technologies evolved into a new level of manufacturing and sales growth recently via an asset acquisition of Leader Industries in Nashville, Tennessee in 2018. Leader Industries had a vast offering of steel dampers, louvers, penthouses, aluminum gravity ventilators, and extruded aluminum dampers. This provided much needed larger sized dampers, new configurations and extruded aluminum products new to Aire Technologies to propel our business into the larger, engineered, bid and spec market with a much broader range of product offering. We are poised for continued aggressive growth.

Providing Solutions to the HVAC Industry

Aire Technologies is a progressive and innovative manufacturer of air management, air control, and HVAC life safety devices.  We have developed a unique CRD frame design. We have heavily incorporated automation for manufacture of subcomponents, and we rely on lean six sigma continuous process improvement.  Our commitment to provide an unequalled customer experience and craftsmanship in our products is the drive that makes us who we are.

Aire Technologies’ continued success in the multi-family, commercial, and Industrial HVAC segments will be based upon the continued development of progressive, engineering focused, air management and life safety solutions. These include such innovative capabilities as Rev-it 3D BIM capabilities, and a new web-based pricing program. A completely new Aire Technologies extruded aluminum product category emerged including commercial and severe duty (Miami Dade County) rated louvers, penthouses, and aluminum gravity ventilators have emerged in our Wagoner, Oklahoma facility. The motorized leakage rated damper line (combination fire & smoke dampers) has grown to include larger single-section sizes, multi-section dampers, corridor, and out-of-wall dampers that include many options such as smoke detectors, and blade indicator packages for automation.

The DMI Companies Wagoner, Oklahoma facility houses Aire Technologies newest equipment and manufacturing capabilities along with shared resources, warehousing, and shipping for Aire Technologies. The extruded aluminum product manufacturing was operational in December of 2019. Insulated CRD Boots (57IB’s) were relocated from our Pennsylvania facility to Wagoner in July of 2020 to free up space and capacity for continued growth in PA. We now manufacture the products in the region in which they are most frequently used, effectively reducing transit time and shipping costs. This represents a significant growth and performance opportunity for Aire Technologies and our customers.

Aire Technologies is currently building redundancy of the heavily taxed CRD (True-Truss, wood truss UL classified devices for multi-family) manufacturing by initiating a large-scale resource taxing project intended to double CRD manufacturing capacity for Aire Technologies for 2021 and beyond. Production capabilities will add much needed redundancy to our current highest volume product lines. This will aid in building momentum in our efforts to expand much further west. It will improve our turnaround times and even enable us to reduce our lead times to a highly competitive region. We will leverage our capabilities to reduce transit time and shipping costs from Pittsburgh by manufacturing the desired products regionally.

Dynamic CRD’s – DEBUNKED!

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Aire Technologies has been approached by industry partners regarding a dynamically rated ceiling radiation damper that has recently emerged. We wanted to take this opportunity to dispel misinformation being propagated about dynamically rated UL floor-ceiling assemblies and specifically those CRD’s that are claimed acceptable in all wood-truss assemblies. Keep in mind that the greatest means of success is fully understand building codes, fire ratings, local jurisdictions and most importantly UL263 wood truss assembly ratings.

1. Dynamic ceiling radiation dampers are required in dynamic HVAC systems

a. TRUE. IBC 2015 requires that ceiling radiation dampers that are used in dynamic wood truss systems must be rated for dynamic systems AND dynamic fire-resistance-rated assemblies.

2. IBC 2015 requires all ceiling radiation dampers to be dynamically rated by an NRTL.

a. FALSE. IBC differentiates between static and dynamic ceiling radiation dampers but does not require one or the other on all projects. Dynamic dampers must be used in dynamic systems. Static dampers must be used in static systems. “Ceiling radiation dampers shall comply with the requirements of UL 555C or shall be tested as part of a fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263. Only ceiling radiation dampers labeled for use in dynamic systems shall be installed in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems designed to operate with fans on during a fire.” (IBC 2015 717.3.1 item 4).

3. A dynamic ceiling radiation damper can be used in any floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling truss assembly.

a. FALSE. Static assemblies are evaluated differently than dynamic assemblies and are not interchangeable. According to UL, “…the certified ceiling damper must be directly referenced in the floor-ceiling and/or roof-ceiling design, by manufacturer and model number, in order to be used in that design. Only the dampers specified in the design may be utilized.” (UL.com. CABS.Guideinfo, 2020).

4. Ceiling Radiation Dampers listed by UL can be used in any wood truss assembly.

a. FALSE. Assemblies specify which dampers are compatible with the assembly. “Ceiling radiation dampers shall be installed in accordance with the details listed in the fire-resistance-rated assembly and the manufacturer’s instructions and the listing.” (IBC 2018 717.6.2.1).

5. A dynamic CRD can be used in a static floor-ceiling assembly like L-521 and L-587.

a. FALSE. A dynamic ceiling radiation damper can only be used in a dynamic assembly, unless also tested in a specific static assembly. Assemblies tested with dynamic ceiling radiation dampers are considered holistically to be dynamic assemblies. A dynamic assembly will state, “Ratings were developed under conditions employing air movement within a dynamic system.” (UL Product iQ, 2020).

6. A dynamic CRD can be used in a static HVAC system.

a. FALSE. A dynamic CRD cannot be used in a static HVAC system unless specifically listed by an NRTL (UL) for use in a static HVAC system on the UL Product iQ listing service. The testing procedure is different between a static assembly and a dynamic assembly, and the testing procedures are not comparable.

7. A dynamic CRD can be used in a roof-ceiling assembly.

a. FALSE. At the time of this writing, there are no tested and listed dynamic wood truss roof-ceiling assemblies, or any roof-ceiling assemblies with dynamically rated CRD’s. All roof-ceiling assemblies at the time of this writing employ static dampers.

8. Dynamic Ceiling Radiation Dampers are the most cost-effective solution to building life safety plans.

a. SPECULATIVE. Dynamic CRD’s are estimated to be approximately 30% more costly per damper than corresponding static CRD’s. The cost of the project also depends on which products are listed in the fire resistance-rated assembly (e.g. gypsum board, insulation, resilient channel, dampers). With limited options in an existing dynamic floor-ceiling assembly, the potential for a higher overall cost increases. A cost-effective alternative is to make the system static with a firestat.

9. Dynamic ceiling radiation dampers are the only code-compliant solution to modern multi-family life safety plans.

a. FALSE. Systems are made static by the proper wiring of a firestat HVAC limit switch and/or smoke detector to the local HVAC fan that triggers it to shut off upon firestat operation. Most fans are required to have a smoke detector nearby. Static ceiling radiation dampers are intended for use in systems with an HVAC limit switch wired to the fans.

Dynamic Ceiling Radiation dampers should not be considered in isolation for evaluation, specification, or approval. All relevant factors of multi-family wood truss construction and specification should be considered. What is the design rating that has been specified? Keep in mind that dynamic ceiling radiation dampers cannot be used in a static floor-ceiling assembly nor can a static ceiling radiation damper be used in a dynamic floor-ceiling assembly.

Beyond the actual price increase of a dynamic CRD over a standard static CRD, there is the increased cost of the fabrication and installation associated with a dynamic floor-ceiling system. Fabrication of a steel plenum (box) enclosure for every dynamic CRD and R-11 (required) wrap for every enclosure. Also, every CRD in the system must be dynamic – not just the one over the air handler. Therefore, that cost is then multiplied by the total number of dampers per unit.

A typical firestat installed within close proximity of the air handler in each unit will be a substantial cost-effective alternative, allowing faster completion and practical acceptance for critical life safety installations.

North and South Carolina Now Represented By The McAllister Group

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We are proud to announce that we have expanded our existing partnership with The McAllister Group to represent our product lines in North and South Carolina in addition to Florida and Georgia.

McAllister Group is a Manufacturer’s Representative in the HVAC and Refrigeration industry assembled of successful and experience sales, support and distribution, and marketing professionals.  Established in the industry for over four decades, McAllister continues to strive to provide top-level support for manufacturers and wholesalers.  We are looking forward to this partnership and new representation in the Carolinas.

Visit our Find A Rep page for more information on all our Manufacturer’s Representatives or feel free to contact us via email at [email protected].