Paraflow Reaches New 600 Pa Water Penetration Milestone
Paraflow Reaches New 600 Pa Water Penetration Milestone
Doric’s Paraflow Dual Blade Louvre System has reached a significant new performance milestone, achieving 600 Pa water penetration resistance in recent testing – the highest result achieved for Paraflow on the Azuma NATA accredited test rig.
The tested configuration measured 1853 mm high × 933 mm wide (Overall Frame Width) and also achieved ultimate positive and negative test pressures of 8,000 Pa ULS.
The result represents an important step forward in the continued development of Paraflow and substantially expands the range of project conditions in which the system may be considered.
What 600 Pa Means for Cyclonic and High-Exposure Projects
Australia is divided into different wind regions, reflecting the country’s widely varying weather conditions – from comparatively moderate conditions across much of southern and inland Australia to cyclonic and severe cyclonic conditions along sections of the northern coastline.
However, wind region alone does not determine the requirements for a window system. Building height, location, terrain, shielding, orientation and exposure must also be considered for each project.
Water penetration resistance testing assesses a window system’s ability to resist wind-driven rain under applied pressure. A result of 600 Pa represents a demanding level of weather performance and sits at the upper end of the water penetration test pressures identified for exposed housing applications in current Australian industry guidance.
For Paraflow, reaching this level means the system can now be considered for higher-exposure project requirements, including opportunities in northern and cyclonic-region markets where conventional louvre solutions may previously have been limited.
Balancing Airflow, Acoustics and Weather Performance
Louvre windows are valued for their ability to provide natural ventilation, support passive design strategies and give occupants greater control over airflow.
In more demanding environments, however, architects and specifiers must balance those benefits against acoustic, structural and weather-performance requirements.
Paraflow was developed specifically to respond to this challenge. The new 600 Pa water penetration result adds another significant dimension to that performance.
What This Means by Role
Architects and specifiers gain greater design freedom when considering natural ventilation for challenging sites.
Fabricators gain the opportunity to offer a differentiated louvre solution across a broader range of project briefs.
Building owners and occupants gain access to ventilation and acoustic comfort without overlooking the demands of the external environment.
Australian Development and Technical Capability
This milestone is also a reflection of Doric‘s ongoing investment in Australian product development, testing and technical expertise.
Performance improvements of this nature are achieved through repeated design refinement, testing and collaboration between engineering, R&D and technical teams. Each result helps build a clearer understanding of how the system performs and where it can provide value.
Achieving 600 Pa is not simply a bigger test number. It represents broader possibilities for the use of high-performance louvres in Australian buildings and another important step in the evolution of Paraflow.
Talk to Our Technical Team
Product suitability remains subject to the wind, water, exposure, configuration and certification requirements of each individual project. Contact Doric’s technical team to discuss Paraflow for a specific application.