Brussels, Krakow: In the course of its 2016 Eurovent Summit, the Eurovent association has announced releasing the first edition of its air curtain standard, titled ‘Eurovent 16/1’, which defines the first testing efficiency calculation method for air curtains. The document, the announcement said, fills a standardisation gap, which has characterised these products for a long time. It defines the air curtains’ categories, standard rating conditions and testing methods, and can serve as input on how to calculate the buildings’ energy saving by using air curtains, added the announcement.

The standard, the announcement said, has been developed in close cooperation with Europe’s leading air curtain manufacturers and laboratories. The announcement revealed that more than 10 producers have participated in a dedicated special project within the Eurovent association, during which they have defined testing and efficiency calculation methods. It further said that over a period of 14 months, field conditions have been first analysed and then reproduced in laboratories, with multiple testing methods being studied and then validated.

The association highlighted that Eurovent 16/1 covers all air curtain application areas, including commercial/comfort, industrial, cold storage and specialist applications.

“The Eurovent Air Curtains Recommendation provides the industry and users with a key tool to ensure the real performances of our products,” said Ola Wallander, Chairman of the Eurovent Product Group ‘Air Curtains’. “We have now developed the instruments needed to demonstrate the increased building performances by using state-of-the-art air curtain technologies. This is a foundation for everyone dealing with high-performance air curtain solutions and reaches out to manufacturers, consultants, engineers and policy makers alike. We strongly believe that, in the framework of the European Performance Building Directive (EPBD) revision, the European Commission should consider the important role air curtain technologies play.”

Francesco Scuderi, Technical and Regulatory Affairs Manager at Eurovent and Manager of the Eurovent Air Curtains Special Project, added: “Eurovent’s Product Group is the only dedicated committee on air curtain technologies within the EMEA region. Air curtain manufacturers have shared their knowledge and experience in order to finalise an entirely new and forward-thinking testing standard. This code of good practice is of high relevance: it ensures a level-playing field for the industry and increases the reputation of manufacturers vis-à-vis their customers.”