Michigan State Capitol Ground Louvers
Michigan State Capitol, a historic landmark built
in Lansing, Michigan in 1879, proudly displays its post-Civil War
style of fireproof monumental architecture. Following the
national trend of modeling state capitols after our nations capitol
in Washington D.C., the building was constructed to house the state
government, as well as to serve as a suitable repository for
mementoes of the war itself. Enduring extensive historical
restoration from 1987-1992, the building's interior and exterior
was returned to its original appearance, while being adapted for
the future as a modern hub of governmental activities.
Updating the heating, air
conditioning, ventilation, lighting and electrical systems were a
major part of the restoration process. The renovated offices
and its employees currently occupy 4 floors and approximately
180,000 cubic feet of space. The ventilation and electrical
systems are located in the building's basement or below ground
outside of the landmark building. Ground level air intake
louvers are utilized to draw outside air into the heating and
ventilating units, as well as to provide cooling to electrical
systems that control the lighting used to illuminate the exterior
of the building. Maintenance staff complained that through-out the
year, debris from grass clippings, trees, crop farming, snow,
insects and trash were being drawn into the air intake
louvers. Airflow obstructions in these types of equipment can
be a costly expense, requiring cleaning of at least 4-6 times per
year to prevent equipment damage and allow the systems to run at
peak efficiencies. Continuous cleaning required removal of
the grates, and a huge block of man hours and equipment
downtime. Midwest Air Filter, an air filtration
specialist and distributor out of Lansing, Michigan, came up with a
cost effective and long-term filtration solution for their customer
at the Capital Building facility.
Midwest recommended Permatron's patented PreVent® Equipment
Protection 
Filters to effectively prevent debris
from entering the ground level louvers above the air intakes.
Custom designed and manufactured to equipment specifications,
multiple sizes ranging from 21.5"-30" wide by 39"-75.5" long were
needed to protect the 2 large lighting system louvers and the 32
intakes leading to the HVAC ductwork. Permatron sewed vinyl
binding to the edges of three-dimensional UV protected
electrostatic 3-dimensional media, and then inserted numerous heavy
duty grommets spaced every 4" around all four edges.
Disposable zip ties are used to affix the PreVent filter to the top
of the metal louvers. No equipment modifications or
electrical hookups are required. PreVent filters are easily
cleaned in place by rinsing with a hose or using a portable shop
vacuum or landscaper's blower. The black polypropylene media
is UV protected and contains an inherent electrostatic charge that
won't diminish over time, so it will provide the Michigan State
Capital and its tax payer's years of equipment protection.
PreVent® the damage before it's too late!