Luftdurchlass

Luftdurchlass (German: "air passage" or "air vent") is a term used in building services, HVAC engineering and product design to describe openings, grilles, louvers or devices that allow controlled movement of air between spaces or between the interior and exterior of a structure. Luftdurchlässe vary from simple fixed slots and perforated plates to adjustable dampers, acoustic vents and integrated filtered or heat-recovery units.

In architecture and HVAC systems they serve multiple functions: supplying fresh air, exhausting stale air, equalizing pressure, reducing condensation and transmitting conditioned air from ductwork into rooms. Design considerations include airflow capacity, pressure drop, noise generation, thermal bridging, air filtration, security and fire or smoke control. Many installations incorporate fire/smoke dampers and comply with national building codes and ventilation standards to ensure safety and indoor air quality.

Materials and forms range from metals and plastics to fabrics in clothing applications; in vehicles and machinery, Luftdurchlässe are tailored for cooling and aerodynamics. Proper selection, placement and regular maintenance—cleaning, filter replacement and inspection of actuators—are important for performance and energy efficiency. The term is widely used in German-speaking technical literature and product descriptions to denote components that manage air exchange in engineered systems.