FLOWiQ – Taking airflow simulation to the next level

ETS NORD launches a new selection tool to help designers further improve indoor air quality.

Various calculation and simulation tools designed to simplify product selection have already become familiar to construction and HVAC designers. However, quantity does not necessarily mean quality. Conventional selection tools are typically developed to address a specific aspect of a design project and therefore understandably fall short of providing comprehensive support that delivers genuine added value to the design process.

ETS NORD has been working diligently to develop a selection tool that helps designers find the right air distribution products for any space – ensuring that the mission of providing the best possible indoor air quality is achieved throughout the building. As a result, the company has launched the beta version of its new FLOWiQ tool.

The big picture helps design a comprehensive solution

FLOWiQ is a selection tool for air distribution devices and grilles. It accurately visualizes how air flows through a room, making it easy for designers to select the right products for each project. Users can compare how different products distribute air and adjust a room’s dimensions and shape to see how airflow patterns respond. All the necessary product information – including required documentation, visualizations, available colors and dimensions, as well as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) – is readily accessible.

FLOWiQ contains extensive data, yet it was designed with usability as a top priority. The development process began with thorough research, including interviews with designers and collaborative workshops focusing on the challenges they face in their daily work. The aim was to understand how the new software could best address these challenges. The research revealed that designers value ease of use above all else – in other words, fast and accurate answers that eliminate the need to spend unnecessary time determining which products work best in different situations.

User experience as the main driver for development

Building on this insight, ETS NORD’s software developers worked hard to create a solution that best meets the needs of construction and HVAC designers. That is why FLOWiQ combines a wealth of useful information with some of the industry’s best features, presented in an easy-to-use format and built on principles that keep operation as simple as possible.

The beta version of the tool has now been released, and development continues. ETS NORD’s ventilation measurement center in Tallinn enables data collection under real-world operating conditions and comprehensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. This significantly improves FLOWiQ’s simulations, making both calculations and product selections even more reliable.

Collaboration with designers is ongoing, and we continuously collect feedback and suggestions to further enhance the user experience. Although FLOWiQ does not yet cover ETS NORD’s entire product range, the tool already delivers reliable results for the products currently included. We will add new products and release software updates regularly, especially during the first year.

Construction and HVAC designers can request access to FLOWiQ here.