Building Aerodynamics is the art and science of determining wind loads on the main wind force resisting system and on components & cladding of buildings and structures. Pedestrian level winds (wind comfort) may also be of interest. Other testing encompasses smoke, smell or pollutant transport. Testing may be done in two boundary layer wind tunnels and in an acoustic wind tunnel.

Smoke extraction or other protection measures such as pressure differential systems are used to secure escape routes and to meet the demands of defined safety objectives in the case of fire. These measures need to be planed taking into account the requirements of standards and laws. Our experts use different simulation methods as well as standard calculation methods for this purpose.

Industrial aerodynamics incorporate consultancy and development for any problem involving fluid dynamics within the non-compressible flow regime. Over the years, we developed special ventilation systems, air curtain systems, aerodynamic separation systems, swirl extraction systems, wind tunnels, fans, test rigs, aerodynamic transportation and sorting systems for our customers. Don't hesitate to approach us with any query!

I.F.I. is notified  product certification body according to the CPR (Construction Product Regulation) (EU) No. 305/2011 
and listed at the EU Commission's website under NANDO with no. 1368, cf. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=….

The accredited I.F.I.-Testing laboratory (D-PL-17774-01-00) offers  testing of NSHEV for ITT (Initial Type Testing) in accordance with Annex B, Annex C, Annex D and Annex F of EN 12101-2 and in co-operation with accredited partner laboratories provides testing in accordance with Annex E and Annex G.

For solar mounting systems on flat roofs, aerodynamics help to optimize ballast needed. For solar fixed-tilt or tracking ground mount systems, static and dynamic wind loads need to be determined for the design. Aerodynamic instabilities such as torsional galloping are known to occur on tracking systems with single or multiple axes.

The acceptance of fire- and safety engineering measures in different types of buildings such as residential or office buildings, shopping malls, industrial facilities, train stations or tunnels often require a fire test. We perform for this purpose or as fire service drill controlled fire tests with hygienic harmless smoke considering the requirements of e.g. VDI 6019, vfdb 14-02 or RABT.

I.F.I. conducts wind uplift tests on a variety of roofing systems, e. g. metal roofs, bonded or mechanically fastened roofing membranes or green roof systems.

Codes and standards often do not cover unusual structures and do not provide realistic design wind loads. We apply additional scientific knowledge via expert statements to the design of such structures eliminating the need for additional testing. Typical applications are parking lot ventilation, wind loading on building appurtenances and static equilibrium of rooftop objects, etc.

I.F.I. use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to study and analyze complex flow processes where calculations and more simple simulation tools fail. Typical problems which we encounter in our daily work are smoke ventilation in buildings or in traffic infrastructure, pollutant dispersion e.g. in underground parkings or outdoor areas, indoor flow processes considering local thermal boundary conditions, cold airflow in outdoor environments, and instability analysis of single-axis PV tracking systems. Depending on the problem, stationary or transient simulations are conducted using either FDS or OpenFoam.

The testing of non-smoker protection systems according to GS-IFI-M14 was developed in cooperation with the BG Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BGIA). The GS-IFI-M14 test ensures that the tested (and certified) equipment provides the best possible protection against pollutants in the area surrounding the installation, and protects people who are staying there effectively and as completely as possible from the dangers of tobacco smoke and odor nuisance. Therefore, the requirements for the tested devices and systems are particularly high.