What is wind resistance?

 

 

What is wind resistance? (and why does it matter?)

When it comes to specifying external industrial doors, wind resistance is one of several important considerations. External doors are faced with a continual battle against whatever Mother Nature throws at them, and a door’s ability to withstand wind-loading will ultimately determine the success or failure of an external doorway.

 

So, what do we mean by wind resistance?

 

In the simplest terms, wind resistance refers to a door’s ability to withstand a “load” or “pressure” exerted on it by wind. BS EN 12424 is the British Standard that sets out the “Resistance to wind load Classification“. This standard states that, “Wind load is understood as differential pressure of one side of the fully closed door leaf to the other.”

 

Under this classification, doors are tested in accordance with BS EN 12444. The principle of this test is, “to apply a pressure differential across the test specimen, to determine failure.” Essentially, the test applies a controlled pressure to a test specimen, by using a pressurized air chamber, pressurized air bags, or weights. The pressure applied to the door leaf (or curtain) is increased until the door fails, allowing us to determine the maximum amount of pressure the door can withstand.

 

Wind load is measured in Pascals [Pa], with test results split into 5 different classifications for comparison purposes. The higher the class, the more resistant to wind loading the door is.

 

When specifying external doors there’s a few things to consider, including:

1. How exposed the site is. (Is the building near the coast or situated at the top of a hill?)
2. The prevailing wind direction. (Are external doors exposed to prevailing winds?)
3. Average and maximum windspeeds likely to be exerted on external doors.

 

 

Need help specifying an external door? Contact the team here!

Or browse the Tekta range of External high speed doors here.