Air Curtain, PVC Strip Curtain & Insect Killer Glossary: 40+ Industry Terms Explained

This glossary explains the technical, commercial and compliance terms you will meet when buying air curtains, PVC strip curtains, insect-control machines and washroom-automation products in India. It is written for facility managers, purchase officers, consultants and export buyers who want plain-English definitions plus the practical context that affects a purchase decision. Terms are grouped by topic; use it as a quick reference before raising an enquiry or comparing quotes.

Air Curtain Terms

Air Curtain

A unit mounted above (or beside) a doorway that projects a high-velocity stream of air downward across the opening, forming an invisible barrier. It lets people and vehicles pass freely while reducing the exchange of conditioned air, dust, fumes and flying insects between inside and outside.

Discharge Velocity

The speed of air as it leaves the air curtain nozzle, measured in metres per second (m/s). For an effective seal the discharge velocity is typically three to four times the velocity you need at floor level. Commercial units commonly discharge 8–12 m/s; heavy industrial units reach 12–16 m/s.

Floor (Terminal) Velocity

The air speed that actually reaches the floor after the stream travels down the opening. A practical target is at least 2.5 m/s at the floor for commercial doorways and around 4 m/s for industrial and cold-storage openings, where outside pressure and traffic are higher.

Throw / Reach

The vertical distance an air curtain can project an effective barrier, i.e. the maximum mounting height at which it still delivers adequate floor velocity. Selecting a unit whose throw is less than your door height is the most common cause of a weak, ineffective curtain.

Airflow (CMH)

The volume of air the unit moves, expressed in cubic metres per hour (CMH). Larger openings and taller doors need higher CMH. CMH and discharge velocity together determine whether the barrier holds against draught and stack effect.

Mounting Height

The distance from the finished floor to the bottom of the air curtain, not floor-to-ceiling. Commercial units suit roughly 2.2–3.0 m; above ~3.5 m an industrial-duty unit with higher discharge velocity is required.

Heated vs Unheated (Ambient) Air Curtain

An unheated unit blows ambient air and is sufficient for most Indian climates. A heated unit adds electric or hot-water heating, used in cold-chain receiving docks, frozen-storage anterooms and hill-station premises where indoor temperature would otherwise drop sharply.

Cross-flow Fan

The barrel-shaped (tangential) fan used in most commercial air curtains. It produces a wide, even sheet of air across the full length of the unit, which is what creates a continuous barrier rather than isolated jets.

EC Motor

An electronically commutated motor that allows variable speed with lower energy use and lower noise than a conventional AC motor. Specified when a site needs high velocity together with quiet operation, such as hotel lobbies or hospital entrances.

Stack Effect

The natural tendency of warm air to rise and escape through upper openings, pulling outside air in at lower doorways. Tall buildings and multi-storey warehouses have strong stack effect, which is why their entrance air curtains need higher velocity.

Sound Level dB(A)

Operating noise measured in A-weighted decibels at a stated distance. Front-of-house areas such as restaurants and lobbies typically want ≤62 dB(A) at 3 m; factories and loading bays tolerate 70–78 dB(A).

PVC Strip Curtain Terms

PVC Strip Curtain

A physical barrier of overlapping flexible PVC strips hung across a doorway. It separates temperature zones, blocks dust and insects and dampens noise, while still allowing forklifts and foot traffic to push through.

Strip Width and Thickness

Common sizes are 200 mm wide × 2 mm thick for light/medium traffic and 300 mm wide × 3 mm thick for wide openings and heavy forklift traffic. Wider, thicker strips seal better and last longer but are heavier to push through.

Overlap

How much each strip covers the next. A 30% overlap suits general use; 50%–100% (double) overlap is used for cold rooms and freezers where the seal must be tighter. Higher overlap improves insulation but increases material cost.

Clear / Polar / Ribbed / Anti-Insect / Welding Grades

Clear grade is the standard transparent strip. Polar (freezer) grade stays flexible down to about −40 °C for cold storage. Ribbed grade has raised ribs that resist scuffing in high-traffic doorways and last longer. Anti-insect (amber/yellow) grade is tinted so flying insects cannot detect light beyond the curtain. Welding grade is amber/bronze and blocks harmful UV and blue light around welding bays.

Magnetic PVC Strip Curtain

Strips with magnetic edges that self-close after a person walks through, giving a tighter seal than plain hanging strips—useful for air-conditioned offices and clean areas.

Mounting Hardware (Hook-and-Rail / Header Plate)

The galvanised or stainless rail and bracket system that holds the strips. A good header lets individual strips be replaced without removing the whole curtain.

Insect Control Terms

Electric Insect Killer (EIK) / Fly-Catching Machine

A wall-mounted unit that attracts flying insects with ultraviolet (UV-A) light and then either electrocutes them on a high-voltage grid or traps them on an adhesive board.

UV-A Attractant Tube

The 350–370 nm fluorescent or LED tube whose light draws flying insects toward the machine. Tubes lose effectiveness over time and are usually replaced about once a year even if still glowing.

Glue-Board (Sticky-Board) Unit

An insect killer that captures insects intact on a replaceable adhesive board, with no fragmentation. It is the type recommended for food-preparation, storage and front-of-house areas because it does not scatter insect debris.

Electrocution (Zapper) Grid Unit

An insect killer that kills insects on an electrified grid. Because impact can scatter fragments, these are intended for non-food areas such as corridors, loading bays, bin stores and plant rooms.

Coverage Area

The floor area a single unit can effectively service, quoted in square metres or square feet. Coverage falls if the unit competes with strong daylight, so placement away from windows matters as much as the rating.

HACCP-Compatible Placement

Positioning insect-control units in line with food-safety guidance—glue-board units in food zones, fixtures not directly above open food, and grids confined to non-food areas.

Washroom Automation Terms

Sensor (Touchless) Tap

A faucet that opens a solenoid valve when an infrared sensor detects hands, then closes automatically. It saves water and reduces cross-contamination in high-footfall washrooms.

Automatic Soap Dispenser

A motion-sensing dispenser that releases a measured dose of liquid or foam soap without contact, improving hygiene and controlling consumption.

Sensor Flush Valve

An infrared-triggered flushing system for urinals and WCs that flushes after each use, cutting odour, water waste and the need to touch fittings.

High-Speed Hand Dryer

A dryer using a concentrated high-velocity air stream to dry hands in 10–15 seconds, reducing paper-towel cost and waste.

Solenoid Valve

The electrically operated valve at the heart of every touchless tap and flush unit; the sensor signals it to open or close the water path.

B2B, GST & Export Terms

MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)

The smallest quantity a supplier will accept for an order or for a particular price tier. Bulk B2B pricing usually improves as you cross MOQ thresholds.

HSN Code

The Harmonised System of Nomenclature code that classifies a product for GST and customs. Air curtains fall under 8414 59 10 (fans/blowers); PVC strip curtains under 3920 49 00 (PVC sheet/strip); electric insect-repelling devices commonly under 8516 79 20.

GST Rate

The Goods and Services Tax applied to a supply. Air curtains, PVC strip curtains and electric insect killers are generally taxed at 18% (9% CGST + 9% SGST intra-state, or 18% IGST inter-state). Confirm the current rate on your invoice, as rates can change.

Proforma Invoice

A preliminary, non-tax invoice issued before supply so a buyer can arrange payment, an LC or internal approval. It states items, prices and terms but does not itself transfer ownership or claim GST.

Credit Line (Net 30 / Net 60)

An arrangement where an approved business buyer pays within 30 or 60 days of delivery instead of upfront, easing cash flow on larger or repeat orders.

IEC (Import-Export Code)

The registration number issued by India's DGFT that a business needs to import or export goods. Export buyers and Indian exporters quote it on shipping documents.

Incoterms (EXW / FOB / CIF)

Internationally standard trade terms defining who pays freight, insurance and duties and where risk transfers. EXW (Ex-Works) means the buyer collects from the factory; FOB (Free On Board) puts goods on the vessel at the origin port; CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight) includes sea freight and insurance to the destination port.

Lead Time

The time from confirmed order to dispatch or delivery. Standard stock items ship quickly; custom sizes, voltages or finishes add to lead time.

Genuine Spare Part / OEM Part

A replacement component made or authorised by the original equipment manufacturer, ensuring correct fit and warranty compliance—as opposed to a generic aftermarket substitute.

Still have a question?

If a term you need is not listed here, our technical team can help you match the right specification to your doorway, site conditions and compliance needs. Browse our full product range, try the strip-curtain calculator, or contact us for a tailored recommendation and quote.