ALDES Middle East, a leading global solutions provider for fire protection, ventilation and air distribution, has launched six new louvre models that have been fully certified by the Air Movement and Control Association (Amca) International in the Middle East.

The new louvres include the fresh air models AG 638A and the AG 639A; the sand trap units AG 644 and the AG 644A; and the acoustic louvres SU 631 and the SU 632. All models have been tested and rated to conform with Amca International’s test standards and rating requirements – giving complete assurance and peace of mind to Aldes’ target market consisting of Middle East specifiers, engineers and developers, says a spokesman for the company.

“The Amca certification of these louvre models proves to be very timely and strategic as the Middle East region in general and the UAE in particular is currently witnessing an ever-increasing need of tested and certified quality products for the construction industry,” says Yannick Applasamy, marketing manager of Aldes ME.

“Our louvres have been found to comply with Amca International’s rigorous test standards and rating requirements – a world-class mark that specifiers and engineers favour in their search for the perfect louvre to use in their projects. Moreover, the launch of these new louvre models demonstrates our continuing commitment to provide our Middle East clients with best-in-class solutions for air distribution and ventilation,” he adds.

Elaborating on the products, he says the AG 638A and the AG 639A can be generally installed on outside walls and used either for fresh air intake or polluted air exhaust in commercial, residential and industrial premises. These fresh air louvres are manufactured in extruded aluminium construction (frame/blades) with RAL 9010 surface finish as standard supply.

Meanwhile, the AG 644 and the AG 644A are mainly used for air intake and serve as a pre-filter for the protection of air-conditioning plants located near dusty environments or deserts. These sand trap louvres are self-cleaning and maintenance free.

Lastly, the SU 631 and the SU 632 are acoustic louvres used for either fresh air intake or polluted air exhaust in commercial, residential and industrial premises. Both models are designed to provide optimal noise attenuation with minimal airflow restriction.

According to Aldes ME senior executives, the release of the Amca-certified louvres complement the company’s philosophy to provide high-quality and reliable air distribution and ventilation products to its clients in the region. The company is a member of Amca International, which is a global organisation for air system equipment manufacturers and runs the world’s only international certified ratings programme (CRP) for air system components.

Airflow regulator

Aldes Middle East’s extensive portfolio of products also includes the MR range of constant airflow regulators (CAR) that are designed to balance the airflow in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) ductwork.

According to the spokesman, there is a growing need for optimum air-balancing with precise and constant airflow regulation in HVAC systems, whether it is for the removal of polluted air from toilets, kitchens or technical areas in a single or centralised ventilation system or for the supply of hygienic, fresh/treated air in an air-conditioning system.

SU 631 ... Amca-certified acoustic louvre.

“Managing to set real airflows as per the calculations in the design stage ensures hygiene (ventilation systems) and thermal comfort (air-conditioning systems) while limiting noise and optimising fan or AHU (air-handling units) operating costs. To meet this challenge, Aldes offers the MR range of CAR designated as MR Mono – which has one factory-set airflow points and MR Modulo, with several airflow points.

MR regulators have been developed with an innovative concept for maintaining constant airflow automatically, even if the upstream/downstream differential pressure varies. They can be easily inserted into a portion of a circular duct network in order to regulate an accurate and constant airflow within a large differential pressure range, he points out.

“The flexible membrane of MR inflates and deflates depending on the pressure differences between the upstream and downstream flow, thereby changing the cross-section of the flow and guaranteeing a constant air-flow, regardless of aeraulic variations in the ductwork. This principle of operation guarantees constant airflow, regardless of the pressure variations in the ductwork,” the spokesman explains.

Typical applications include supply or exhaust airflow stabilisation; eliminating the stack effect, achieving energy savings and better indoor air quality, maximising the efficiency of the HRV (heat recovery ventilation) unit, and auto-correction to compensate for changes in duct length, duct leakage, proper filter selection, filter loading and damper settings.

The product offers a host of advantages. From the viewpoint of the consultant, it automatically regulates constant airflow in low or high pressure systems; simplifies design engineering and compensates for minor errors; and provides reliable acoustic and aeraulic performances.

For contractors, it ensures user-friendly installation: no commissioning, tool-free airflow setting (for MR Modulo), and can be installed in both ducting and fittings. It can also be installed horizontally or vertically or any desired angle. It features no electrical or pneumatic sensors or controls, hence no wiring is required (mechanically self-powered).

Aldes Middle East, the local arm of the France-headquartered Aldes Group, has maintained a strong presence in the UAE over the past three decades and currently employs 140 workers from across 10 different countries. In 2002, Aldes Middle East opened its own production facility at the Sharjah International Airport Free Zone, manufacturing a diverse range of HVAC accessories like dampers, VAVs (variable air volume), grilles and diffusers, sound attenuators and fire protection components. The 8,000-sq-m production site is equipped with state-of-the-art production machinery.