The 2012 edition of the International Building & Mechanical Codes (IBC & IMC) introduced new testing requirements for air intake and exhaust louvers located in hurricane-prone regions of the U.S. Louvers installed in Florida were already subject to the testing standards of the Florida Building Code (FBC). For years, a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) was considered the standard certification for hurricane louvers installed anywhere simply because there were no other standards that were widely used by louver manufacturers. However, Miami-Dade NOA’s are not required by code outside of Florida and NOA louvers are typically designed for much higher wind load pressures than what’s found in areas outside of South Florida. Several years ago, Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc. (AMCA) created ANSI/AMCA Standard 540, “Test Method for Louvers Impacted by Wind Borne Debris,” and ANSI/AMCA Standard 550, “Test Method for High-Velocity Wind Driven Rain Resistant Louvers.” These standards were adopted as requirements in hurricane areas in the 2012 IBC & IMC and have remained in all successive editions of the codes. The AMCA standards provide a more streamlined means of qualifying louvers for hurricane conditions outside of South Florida. However, designers are often challenged with determining which standards apply to their projects considering their location, building type, and local code amendments. There are also multiple styles of louvers available that meet these standards, each with their own characteristics that should be considered when selecting. In this paper, we will examine the code requirements and outline the styles of compliant louvers available.

Hurricane Louver Test Requirements per 2012 and later IBC & IMC 

Louvers protecting air intake and exhaust openings in projects located in hurricane-prone regions are required to meet ANSI/AMCA Standard 550, “Test Method for High-Velocity Wind Driven Rain Resistant Louvers,” per Chapters 4 & 5 of the IMC. Hurricane prone regions are defined as:  

  • Areas in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico coasts where the ultimate design wind speed for Risk Category II buildings is greater than 115 mph; and
  • Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.


Figure 1 - Hurricane Prone Region highlighted (115 mph) 1609.3(1) Risk Category II map


For projects located in Windborne Debris Regions, louvers protecting air intake and exhaust ventilation ducts not assumed to be open that are within 30 feet of grade are required to meet ANSI/AMCA Standard 540, “Test Method for Louvers Impacted by Windborne Debris,” per Chapter 16 of the IBC. Windborne debris Regions are defined as:

  • One mile from coastal mean high-water line where the basic design wind speed is 130 mph or greater or in areas where the basic design wind speed is 140 mph or greater.


Figure 2 - Windborne Debris Region highlighted (140 mph) 1609.3(2) Risk Category III map


The ultimate design wind speed maps found in Chapter 16 of the IBC can be referenced to locate these regions (see Figures 1 & 2).  

Per the IBC definitions and maps, AMCA 550 wind-driven rain resistance is required further inland than AMCA 540 impact resistance. Texas cities that are affected by one or both of these requirements include Beaumont, Houston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, and McAllen. Designers working on projects in these and other areas close to the coast should consider the requirements of the governing building codes when selecting louvers.  

Special Code and Amendment Adoptions 

Some areas vary from the general International Code Council (ICC) requirements. For example, the city of Houston has adopted an amended version of the 2012 IBC that elevates the ultimate design wind speed for Risk Category III & IV buildings to 150 mph. These building categories include important facilities, such as hospitals, police and fire stations, emergency response centers, buildings with large occupancies, and various other structures. The 150-mph wind speed qualifies those buildings to be in the windborne debris region and requires them to use AMCA 540 impact-resistant intake and exhaust louvers within 30 feet of grade. In addition, Houston follows the 2012 Unified Mechanical Code (UMC), which states that on any building, the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) can request AMCA 540 impact resistance for louvers within 30 feet of grade. The 2012 UMC also prescribes the use of AMCA 550-compliant louvers for intake and exhaust applications within the hurricane-prone region, which the city is located within. Other municipalities close to Houston require AMCA 550 and potentially AMCA 540, depending on the ultimate design wind speed of their area per the ICC codes.  

AMCA 540 & 550 Test Variations 

Both AMCA 540 and 550 are pass/fail tests and manufacturers must successfully test their products to be considered compliant. AMCA offers a louver listing program to manufacturers that confirms compliance to the standards as well as a listed product search tool on AMCA.org. The tool is a great resource to designers looking for compliant models to use in their designs. Note that louvers may be qualified for either or both tests, and there are variations within the tests themselves. For example, the 540 impact test has two impact levels: Level D basic protection for standard buildings, and Level E enhanced protection for essential buildings, such as hospitals and emergency response facilities. AMCA 540 also has a cyclic wind pressure option that is suggested for louvers used in the high-velocity hurricane zone in south Florida. AMCA 550 has two classifications: blades fully open and blades fully closed. Louvers qualified with blades fully open have passed the test with open blades and allows ventilation at all times. Louvers with blades fully closed must be shut to pass the test and do not allow ventilation in that setting.     

Available Louver Styles 

AMCA 540 Impact Resistance – While a very challenging test, there are multiple designs that pass AMCA 540. This gives designers a variety of louvers to select from, including traditional drainable blade-style models and wind-driven rain louvers that feature either horizontal or vertical blades. Typically, louvers that are rated only for impact resistance are open and do not require closed blades to pass the test.

AMCA 550 High Velocity Wind Driven Rain Resistance – This test is more difficult to pass, resulting in fewer choices for designers. For louvers with blades fully open, horizontal blades only without additional vertical blades generally do not pass AMCA 550. Open louvers typically utilize vertical blades, either by themselves or in combination with horizontal front louvers, to hide the vertical blades behind. Louvers with blades fully closed can be operable or can consist of an open louver combined with a qualified low-leak control damper in a common sleeve. Either way, the operating blades must be closed to pass AMCA 550. Note that using a wind-driven rain-resistant louver in a louver/damper combination will provide better rain protection than a traditional drainable louver when the damper is open.

Note that there are significant considerations when using a louver and damper combination to meet AMCA 550:

  • No ventilation when blades are fully closed. If the building is occupied, it must be ventilated with outside air per ASHRAE Standard 62.1, “Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality;”
  • Louver/damper combinations are significantly more expensive than a single open louver;
  • Dampers must be specific low-leak models that have been qualified for use. Non-qualified standard control dampers do not comply; and
  • Actuation is required to close dampers. If electric actuators are utilized, power must be run to the actuators and a control strategy should be devised for their operation.

Many wind-driven rain models with open vertical blades meet both AMCA test standards, making them the most cost-effective styles to use. However, if vertical blades are not desired aesthetically, then louvers with horizontal front and vertical rear blades are available to provide a traditional louver appearance. While fully closed louver/damper combinations can also meet both standards, they should only be considered for buildings that will not be occupied during a hurricane and must be carefully designed and specified to minimize issues during the construction process.  

Recommendations: 

  • Review the louver requirements per code where your project is located and determine what test standards are prescribed. Be sure to consider any local amendments and special code adoptions;
  • Determine what louver characteristics are needed for the project. Do you need a louver that is fully open allowing ventilation? Are vertical blades aesthetically acceptable? If using a louver/damper combo, use a wind-driven rain-resistant louver to reduce water penetration when the damper is open;
  • Use the listed product search on amca.org to find qualified louvers; and
  • Consult with your local Ruskin Representative for design assistance on your projects.