Louvers Combine Performance, Beauty

The building includes more than 300 lineal feet of Ruskin 9 1/2-in.- high EME520DD louvers that protect ventilation openings from wind-driven rain penetration.

Louvers Combine Performance, Beauty Wind-driven, rain-resistant louvers protect openings while supporting building’s aesthetic.

Architectural products from Ruskin, Grandview, MO, are doing double duty at a new customer center, providing performance features while supporting the architect’s aesthetic concept. The center, which serves a large insurance company, is part of a larger campus-style project that includes four offi ce towers and approximately 2-million sq. ft. of fl oor space. In addition to the insurance company, the complex will house residential, health, and retail businesses.

Ruskin architectural representative Steve Bryan, with ADW Corp., Carrollton, TX, worked closely with Armetco Systems (a Justin, TX, installer of exterior cladding and curtainwall systems), building architects, the building owner, and Ruskin engineers to secure orders for Ruskin EME520DD wind-driven rain-resistant louvers and hinged doors and EV811AB horizontal screen louvers.

“The project posed many challenges for engineering and manufacturing,” said Bryan. C

“The 4-ft.-deep EV811AB equipment screens required 6-in.-deep blades to be integrated at M

strategic locations.” In addition to the aesthetic requirements, the engineers needed to Y

design a 45-ft.-high picture-frame screen to withstand an elevated 57-psf wind load. The CM

building includes more than 300 lineal feet of 9 1/2-in.-high EME520DD louvers that MY

protect ventilation openings from wind-driven rain penetration.

CY

“Perhaps the biggest engineering and manufacturing challenge was the design and CMY installation of the large, hinged EME520DD louver doors,” said Bryan. “The building has

K three sets of double doors, the largest roughly measuring 17 ft. 6 in. wide by 8 ft. 6 in. high.” Each hinged leaf of the double door weighs approximately 500 lb. and uses special heavyduty hinges and rolling casters to help support its weight. CA

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ADW Corp., adwcorp.com Armetco Systems, armetco.com