Research and Development

Nailor experience and expertise in both air distribution and air control provides unique capabilities.

We understand the complete air distribution field including the air control requirements. With regards to dispensing of air, we have the ability to take advantage of knowing air flows, pressure drops and noise consequences; therefore understand, as a group, the environmental effect of air as dispersed and controlled by our products. To accomplish this properly, economically and with a concern for aesthetics is our goal.

With our own laboratory in Houston, Texas, we are able to fully test our Air Distribution products as well as Control Dampers, Fire Dampers and Smoke Dampers with UL certification.

Most Damper manufacturers do not have a Sound Laboratory. Most Air Distribution manufacturers do not have the ability to test large Control, Fire and Smoke Dampers. We can test our Damper products for noise criteria, which is not common data, and we can test any combination of Air Distribution and Air Control products for the best combined system effect.

With what we believe to be the most extensive laboratory facility of its kind, we are able to work closely with the engineering community where customized product development and performance testing require unique Nailor flexibility.

Research, design, create

and develop air distribution equipment for quality products . . .

Aesthetic appearance and functionalism are prime considerations in the design of every engineered product. Advanced theory is combined with practical field experience to assure maximum performance within rated capacities. Consulting Engineers benefit in many ways from the fully staffed, well-equipped engineering facilities at Nailor. All equipment is tested full scale under actual operating conditions; not just theoretical assumptions. Our engineering personnel draw on practice as well as engineering theory, and their experience is immediately available to help you with product application, system recommendations or on-the-spot field assistance.

The laboratory and what it has to offer . . .

Reverberant Sound Room
The reverberation room is 14,5000 cubic feet in size. The room and equipment meets ANSI S12.51 for determination of sound power levels of noise sources using sound pressure in reverberation rooms. All of our sound instrumentation is Bruel and Kjaer.

Environmental Room
Used for testing grilles, registers and diffusers under both isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. Measurements may include throw, drop and Air Distribution Performance Index (ADPI) in accordance with the latest ANSI / ASHRAE Standards.

Curtainwall Facility
This is a 2 room assembly. The outside room that represents the space outside the building is 14 feet tall by 6 feet long by 20 feet wide. Seven and one half (7 1/2) tons of low temperature refrigeration is dedicated to service this space (-34°F is shown on the pictures). The curtainwall opening can accommodate up to 20 linear feet of glass and mullions. The test room attached to this space is 20 feet wide by 24 feet long. Both the test room ceiling and the glass wall can be adjusted for a 12 foot height space. The floor is a 1 foot raised floor system.

Mockup Facility
The mockup room is 2160 cubic feet in size. The room is equipped with a raised floor for underfloor terminal unit and diffuser testing. The ceiling is located 9 feet above the 1 foot raised floor system and there is a 36 inch ceiling plenum depth. All of the plenum space walls can be opened or closed to the main laboratory.

Low Flow Wind Tunnel
12,000 cfm capacity at 8" w.g. static pressure.

Dynamic High Flow Wind Tunnel
150,000 cfm and up to 8" w.g. static pressure
UL approved facility for dynamic testing of fire dampers at elevated temperatures in accordance with AMCA-500D.
Both are used for testing of dampers, air terminals and air distribution products in order to measure pressure drops, torque requirements and control capabilities under dynamic conditions.

The Nailor Air Distribution Test Laboratory is adjacent to the company's manufacturing plant in Houston, Texas. The Laboratory was established for the purpose of developing and testing air distribution systems.

It has complete facilities for research, development and testing of air distribution equipment. Actual on-the-job conditions can be accurately simulated in the test chambers of the laboratory to better service Nailor clients in the air diffusion industry. Exhaustive tests help in the design of systems for specific buildings to accurately forecast the performance of the actual installation.

Today, new trends in building construction and design call for new methods of pre-testing equipment and system performance. High intensity lighting calls for changes in design of the air distribution equipment and the integration of air diffusion, light and acoustic ceiling components.

One cannot rely exclusively on theoretical consideration, but must determine equipment and system performance under laboratory conditions before the final installation is made.