PalmSHIELD Content Addition

Any louvered screen will increase the wind load on it supporting structure. This has traditionally been an educated guess with a considerable safety factor.  However, most architectural louvered screens are attached to adjoining walls and buildings that must meet an even greater wind load coefficient for solid surfaces.

Though PalmSHIELD may be installed as a wall louver where the louvered panels are installed like windows and attached to the building structure; PalmSHIELD louvers has its own independent structure that classifies it as a standalone louvered equipment screen system. It’s this independent structure that carries the load of assuring the overall system meets the latest IBC and UBC codes.

PalmSHIELD has been designed and engineered to meet these codes. Through measured calculations, PalmSHIELD’ s louvered panels with an 80% opening has a horizontal load of 19 psf.  This wind load calculation is based on 100 mph winds which complies with the 30psf load requirement on solid building surfaces.

This load calculation is then used in calculating the design of the structural post system that supports the panels. From this calculation, we can determine post design, material selection and post spacing.  By applying this load to the square footage of the panel size; we can properly estimate these specifications on a per case basis.  It must be stated that these are only estimated loads because loading will vary exponentially based on the height of the panels.  Not all wind loading is equal top to bottom of the louvered panel.  For actual engineered calculations, each system must be independently engineered by a registered engineer within the jurisdiction it will be installed.  This level of engineering is not included in the standard PalmSHIELD quote.  If local stamped engineering is required for your system, please indicate so at time of quote.  We will contact a local engineer in the respective jurisdiction and work directly with them to provide the necessary calculations.

What is important to recognize is that PalmSHIELD is just not another louvered screen system manufacturer. We design each system with the customer in mind.