The Condenser - AMCA 550 Quick Review

In this Condenser, we take a quick look at AMCA Standard 550. Get a refresher on AMCA’s wind driven rain standard for hurricane louvers. The MCDLG Newsstand has you covered.

AMCA 550 is the industry's primary testing standard for high velocity wind driven rain, specifically intense rainfall during a hurricane. Louvers are subjected to rainfall in the same way as a wind driven rain louver, where the test chamber sprays water into an airstream passing through the louver.

In AMCA 550 testing, wind speeds reach up to 110 miles per hour. This puts it on par with the windspeeds of a category 2 hurricane. The louver must reject 99 percent of incoming rainfall to pass the test.

When a hurricane louver completes testing, the manufacturer will receive a listing label to display on the louver and its submittal. This label is different from the AMCA Certified Ratings Seal. The listing labels are tied to AMCA’s Listing Label Program, which is like their Certified Ratings Program (CRP). However, the Listing Label Program is a separate program. In AMCA’s Product Search, listing labels and Certified Ratings Seals are separate listings.

For the listing label, use AMCA's product search for listing labels. This link leads to a list of Arrow United louver with listing labels for AMCA 540 and 550. Note the EA-331-VSL at the top of the list. This louver will also be listed in the louver product search for Arrow United, because it also has a certified rating seal.

The listing label for AMCA Standard 550 signifies the louver completed high velocity wind driven rain testing in the condition described: “with blades open” or “with blades closed”.

Most hurricane louvers utilize stationary (fixed) blades. Their blades are permanently fixed to fully open. These louvers receive the listing label "with blades open", assuming there is no control damper installed behind them. 

Manufacturers can test adjustable and combination louvers for AMCA 550, or a fixed blade louver with a damper installed behind it. Testers can close the louver or damper during the test.

If the louver closes during the test, then it will receive the AMCA 550 listing label “with blades closed". With this listing, the louver must be closed during a storm event to fully protect the opening.

The same is true for the louver and damper setup. If the damper is closed, then the louver receives the “with blades closed” listing label. The damper will be required when installing the louver. If the louver and damper are not installed together, then the listing label will not apply.

AMCA Standard 550 is a pass/fail testing standard. A louver must reject at least one percent of all simulated rainfall to receive a listing label. Otherwise, it fails the test.

AMCA Standard 550 is one of two hurricane louver standards. Hurricane louvers with AMCA 540 and 550 listing labels provide the most protection during a hurricane, because they have passed the tests for impact resistance and high velocity wind driven rain.

Do you need severe weather louvers? Arrow United Industries can build them. We offer a wide range of severe weather and hurricane-rated louvers, including our EAV-66. The EAV-66 is listed for AMCA 540 and 550. Contact Arrow United today. Let’s meet your severe weather requirements together.