NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING

GRADUATE UNIT
FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

COURSE:
CALCULATION OF AIR SYSTEMS
CONDITIONED BY SOFTWARE
Duct Design

Ing. Cip Alfredo Escárate Cobeñas

Nº Reg. CIP 66645
Lima, August 15, 2020
 HVAC
HOW TO DIMENSION AND
DESIGN DUCTS
 HVAC
HOW TO DIMENSION AND DESIGN
CONDUITS
 CONTENT
1.0. DUCT DESIGN PRINCIPLES
1.1 Basic Definitions
1.2 Airflow Principles
1.3 Total pressure, velocity pressure, and static pressure
1.4 Characteristics of airflow in the duct
2.0. COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS OF THE DUCT
2.1 Components of the duct
2.2 Duct Materials
3.0. CLASSIFICATION OF CONDUITS
3.1 Speed classification
3.2 Pressure classification
3.3 Speed classification v / s Pressure classification
4.0. FORMS OF CONDUCT
4.1 Round ducts
4.2 Rectangular ducts
4.3 Oval ducts
4.4 Equivalent diameter
5.0. SIZE OF THE DUCT
5.1 Equal Friction Method
5.2 Speed reduction method
5.3 Static recovery method
 CONTENT
6.0. PRESSURE LOSS IN THE AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
6.1 Friction losses of the duct
6.2 Duct Fitting Dynamic Losses
6.3 The concept of equivalent duct length

6.4 Pressure loss in the components

7.0. FAN SIZE
7.1 Example of fan selection
7.2 Balance the air
7.3 Effect of the fan system
8.0. THE SUPPLY DUCT SYSTEM
8.1 Extended Plenum Systems
8.2 Reduction of the plenary system
8.3 Reduction of the trunk system
8.4 Spider System
8.5 Radial System
8.6 Perimeter loop system
8.7 Duct design rules (ACCA Manual D - Duct systems)
residential)
 CONTENT
9.0. RETURN DUCT SYSTEMS
9.1 Distributed performance
9.2 Central return
9.3 Pressure equilibrium
10.0. DUCT CONNECTIONS AND TERMINAL UNITS
10.1 Adaptations and transitions of ducts
10.2 Volume control regulators
10.3 Fire and smoke dampers
10.4 Diffusers, grilles, and registers
10.5 Location of air inlets and outlets
11.0. CONSTRUCTION AND REINFORCEMENT OF PIPES
11.1 Construction of ducts
11.2 Thickness of the duct sheet
11.3 Aspect ratio
11.4 Standard duct sizes
11.5 Manufacturing of ducts and lengths
11.6 Spacing of the duct suspension
12.0. GOOD ENGINEERING PRACTICES
12.1 Conservation of energy
12.2 Good engineering practices for designing ducts
 CONTENT
13.0. ISOLATION AND SEALING OF CONDUITS
13.1 Duct insulation
13.2 Air leak from the duct
13.3 Duct leakage tests
13.4 Duct sealing
14.0. DUCT ATTENUATION AND NOISE CONSIDERATIONS
14.1 HVAC Noise Points
14.2 Acoustic analysis of a duct system
15.0. DUCT TESTING AND SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
15.1 System equilibrium
15.2 Testing methods and equipment
15.3 Airflow measurement instruments
15.4 Determination of air flow in the grilles
15.5 Determination of air flow in the ducts
15.6 Provisions during design for testing, adjusting, and balancing
16.0. DUCT CLEANING
16.1 Duct Cleaning Methods
16.2 Coordination between Design Specialties
 CONTENT
HVAC - HOW TO DIMENSION AND DESIGN DUCTS
Airflow issues have plagued the HVAC industry for years. No
It doesn't matter how much money I spent on a high-quality HVAC system, the equipment does not
It will work in the best way without properly designed and installed ducts.
Poorly designed ducts cause discomfort, high costs of
energy, poor air quality, and an increase in noise levels.
A well-designed duct system should provide maximum indoor comfort.
lower operating cost while preserving indoor air quality.
Main requirements of an air conditioning duct system are:
It must transmit the specified air flow velocities to the locations.
prescribed.
It should be economical in the combined initial cost, the operating cost of
fan and the cost of construction space.
3. It should not transmit or generate objectionable noise.
A main problem is the trade-off between the initial cost of the system.
ducts and the energy cost of the air distribution system. The ducts
large require a higher initial investment, but result in lower costs of
fan energy during the system's lifetime. Other issues include
space restrictions, noise level, expansion capacity, appearance, etc.
This course will discuss the basic fundamentals and principles of design and layout.
air conditioning ducts.
 CONTENT
1.0. PRINCIPLES OF DUCT DESIGN
Starting with the basics, let's begin at the level
the most basic of the principles of air flow.
1.1 Basic Definitions
The following basic terminology is widely used in
this course.
•cfm: volumen de flujo de aire; pies cúbicos / minuto
fpm: flow velocity or air speed; feet /
minute
[Link]: size of the duct or cross-sectional area
transversal; pies cuadrados
The air volume in cfm can be calculated
multiplying the air speed by the area of the
sección transversal del conducto en pies cuadrados.
 CONTENT
cfm = fpm x area
Given two of these three quantities, the third can
easily determined:
fpm = cfm / area
Area = cfm / fpm
Gauge and absolute pressures:
The gauge pressure is indicated in the
manometer; absolute pressure is the total pressure
manometric indicated plus atmospheric pressure. The
The general equation for absolute pressure is:
Gauged pressure + atmospheric pressure = pressure
absolute
 CONTENT
For example, if the gauge reads 10 psig then,
using the previous equation, the absolute pressure would be
24. 7 psia:
10 psig + 14.7 psi = 24.7 psia
The ordinary heating duct systems,
ventilation and air conditioning read the pressures of
air at 0.4 psi or less, often much less. 1 psi
equivalent to 27.7 inches of water gauge; a
common duct pressure of 0.25 inches of
water column is equal to (0.25 divided by 27.7 in-wc
/ psi) = 0.009 psi.
Duct pressure:
Pressure in the duct:
The duct system is pressurized by three
pressures:
Static pressure: it is the air pressure in the duct.
what is used for the selection of fans.
Speed pressure: it is the pressure generated by the
speed and the weight of the air, which is used to measure the
flow (cfm) in a system.
Total pressure: it is used to find the pressure of
speed. The static pressure plus the pressure of
speed is equal to total pressure. The pressure in the
the duct is measured in inches of water column (in-
wc)
Standard air density: air has mass. Air
standard has a density of 0.075 lbs / ft3. The
the system's capacity is directly affected by
the changes in the airflow. As the air
heats or humidifies, its specific volume increases and
its density decreases. If the density of the air is low,
more than 6 cfm are needed to maintain the same index
of mass flow. If the density of air is not considered,
many systems will have a very low airflow. Without
embargo, the correction of density is not necessary
in air conditioning or refrigeration applications, if
the temperature is between 40 ° F and 100 ° F and up to 1000 ft
of elevation.
Fan capacity: the volume of air will not be seen
affected in a given system because of a fan
it will move the same amount of air regardless
of the density of air. In other words, if a
fan moves 3,000 cfm at 70 °F, will also move
3,000 cfm at 250 °F.

Volumetric air flow: The volumetric flow of air

that will be transported through the duct in a system
air conditioning is determined by the load of
cooling / heat and the air temperature of
desired supply. Since we are not conditioning
cubic feet per minute instead of pounds, we need an equation for
mass balance:
it is important that the air duct system
conditioned delivered and return the correct amount
of air in each room and provide comfort during
all year round. This implies the loss of heat in the room
per room and heat gain calculations.
1.2 Principles of Airflow
The airflow is generated as a result of the differential
of pressure between two points. The flow will originate in a
high energy (or pressure) area and will proceed to areas of
less energy.

The air moves according to three fundamental laws of the

physics: the conservation of mass, the conservation of
energy and momentum conservation.
1. Conservation of mass: it simply states that a
Air mass is neither created nor destroyed. From this principle,
deduce that the amount of air mass that enters a
union in a duct system is equal to the amount of
air mass that comes from the union, or the sum of the masses
The air in each joint is equal to zero. In the majority of the
cases, it is assumed that the air in a duct is
incomprehensible, a assumption that overlooks change
in the density of the air that occurs as a result of the
pressure loss and flow in the duct network. In
conducts, the law of conservation of mass means that you
Can you recalculate a duct size for a new one
air speed using the simple equation:
V2 = (V1 * A1) / A2
where V is velocity and A is Area
2. The law of conservation of energy: It states that the
energy cannot disappear; it only converts from one
shape another. This is the basis of one of the main
expressions of aerodynamics, Bernoulli's equation.
The Bernoulli equation in its simple form shows that,
for a basic flow current, the difference in
total pressures between any two points in a
the duct is equal to the pressure loss between them
points, or:
(Pressure loss)1-2 = (Total pressure)1 - (Total pressure)2
3. Conservation of momentum: It is based on the law of
Newton states that a body will maintain its state of rest
uniform motion unless another force acts on it
force to change that state. This law is useful to explain
the flow behavior in the adjustment of a system of
ducts.
1.3 Total pressure, velocity pressure, and static pressure
The airflow through a duct system creates
three types of pressures: static, dynamic (velocity) and
total.

Static pressure: static pressure is the pressure that

causes the air to flow in the duct. The pressure
static is the outward pressure of the air against the
superficies de los conductos y es una medida de
resistance when air moves through a
object as the work conduit. Measured in
inches of water column (in-wc), acts
equally in all directions and is
independent of the speed.
2. Velocity pressure: the velocity pressure is the
pressure caused by moving air. It is equal to
product of the air density and the square of the
speed divided by 2.

Using standard air, the relationship between V and VP is given

by

VP will only be exercised in the direction of the airflow and always

it is positive.
3. Total pressure: total pressure is the algebraic sum of
the dynamic pressure and the static pressure.
TP = VP + SP
•TP = Presión total
•VP = Presión de velocidad
SP = Static pressure
1.4 Characteristics of air flow in the duct
At any point, the total pressure is equal to the sum
of static and velocity pressures.
2. Static pressure is exerted equally in all directions.
directions and the pressure of velocity is exerted only in the
direction of the airflow. This makes it difficult to measure
directly the velocity pressure in a duct. In
few words, because static pressure also
is pushing in the direction of the airflow, never does
it can only measure velocity pressure. Practically,
The velocity pressure is calculated by measuring the pressure.
perpendicular to the airflow (static pressure) and also
measuring the pressure in parallel to the airflow (pressure
total).
Once you have these two values, you can subtract the pressure.
static total pressure and derive the velocity pressure.
VP = TP - SP
3. Static and dynamic pressure are mutually
convertibles. The magnitude of each one depends on the
cross-sectional area of the duct that determines the
flow velocity. The following pressure changes are observed
affected in the ducts
- Constant cross-cutting areas: total losses and
static ones are equal.
Divergent sections (increase in the size of
(duct): the velocity pressure decreases, the pressure
total decreases and static pressure may increase
(static recovery).
Converging sections (decrease in size of
duct): the pressure of the speed increases in the
flow direction, total pressure and the decrease of the
presión estática.
4. The total pressure generally decreases along the flow of
air due to losses from friction and turbulence.

The confusion in the use of the terms 'Static pressure',

"Velocity pressure" and "Total pressure" is very common.
among HVAC engineers and contractors. The term
"Static pressure" is typically used for selection of
fans; The 'Velocity Pressure' is used to measure
cfm in a system, and the 'Total Pressure' is used for
find the velocity pressure. The total pressure
determine the actual mechanical energy that must be
supply to the system.
2.0. COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS OF THE DUCT
The air distribution system will have a designation
depending on the function of the duct. In general, there are
five designations of ducts:
The air supply ducts provide air.
conditioned from the air treatment unit to the
conditioned area.
2. The return air ducts remove air from the
conditioned construction spaces and returns the
air to the air treatment unit, which reconditions
the air. In some cases, part of the return air in this
the conduit is discharged to the outside of the building.
3. The fresh air ducts supply outside air to the
air treatment unit. The outside air is used for
ventilate the occupied construction space.
4. The exhaust air ducts (relief) transport and
they release air to the outside. The exhaust air is taken from
the toilets, the kitchen, the laboratories and other areas that
require ventilation.
5. The mixed air ducts mix air from the air
exterior and the return air then supplies this air
mixed to the air handling unit.
2.1 Components of the duct
The figure below shows a representation
schematic and 3-D of supply air ducts and
return. The central air handling unit (AHU) is
connected to the air chamber at the starting point. The
AHU fans take air through grilles called
returns and force air through the plenary and towards the
space conditioned through the supply registers.
The components of the duct are as follows:
Plenum or Main Trunk: the plenum is the main part of the
supply and return duct system that goes
directly from the air controller to the 'main duct'.
Trunk duct: A duct that is divided into more than
A conduit is called a 'trunk', like a tree. The
ducts that are at the end of a trunk and end in
a record is called branches.
Takeoff: the branch ducts are attached to the main trunk
through a takeoff accessory. The takeoff encourages the
air that moves the duct to enter the takeoff to the duct
from the bifurcation.
Air terminal devices: The air terminals are
the air supply outlets and the air intakes of
return or escape. For the supply, the diffusers are the
more common, but grids and vents are also used
widely. A diffuser is an output device that
supply air is discharged in a radial direction to the axis of
entry. A record is a grid equipped with a
volume control damper. A grid does not have
shock absorber.
2.2 Duct Materials
The ducts are generally formed by bending sheet metal in the
desired form. Traditionally, air ducts
air conditioners are made of galvanized steel, the following
Aluminum is popular. Other metals used are low.
special circumstances are copper and stainless steel. The
metals that are widely used depend on the application
of the duct and are listed below:
Galvanized steel: it is a standard and more common material
used in the manufacture of ducts for most of the
comfort air conditioning systems. The
specifications for galvanized steel sheet are ASTM
A653, G90 coating.
2. Aluminum: it is widely used in room applications.
whites. These are also preferred systems for air
loaded with humidity, special exhaust systems and systems
of ornamental ducts. The specifications for the sheet of
aluminum is ASTM B209, alloy 1100, 3003 or 5052.
3. Stainless steel: used in duct systems for
kitchen extraction, air laden with moisture and gases
escape. The specifications for stainless steel sheet
son ASTM A167, Class 302 or 304, Condition A (striped)
Finish No. 4 for exposed ducts and Finish No. 2B
for concealed conduit.
4. Carbon Steel (Black Iron): it is widely used
in applications involving chimneys, chimneys,
bells, other high temperatures and special requirements of
coating for industrial use.
5. Copper: it is mainly used for certain pipes of
escape and chemical ornaments.

The pressure in the air conditioning ducts is low.

so materials with high strength are not needed. The
The thickness of the material depends on the dimensions of the duct.
the length of the individual sections and the area of the section
transversal of the duct.

Non-metallic conduits
This category includes ducts made of plastic plates.
the foam, formed by cutting and folding to produce the
required cross-section geometry. The plates are
they are generally faced with a layer of aluminum, both
internal as well as external.
The main drawback of this type of ducts is their
fire classification. Even if it meets the
local standards, when exposed to fire, often
shows low performance in terms of production
of smoke and drops in flames.
1. Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP): it is used
mainly for chemical exhaust gases,
purifiers and underground duct systems. The
Advantages include resistance to corrosion, the self...
isolation, an excellent sound attenuation and a
high-quality sealing. The limiting features
they include the cost, the weight, the range of properties
chemicals and physics, and the acceptance of the code.
2. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): used for systems of
escape for chemical fumes and duct systems
underground. The advantages include resistance to
corrosion, lightweight and ease of modification. The
limiting characteristics include cost, manufacturing,
acceptance of the code, thermal shock, and weight.
3. Fabric: fabric ducts, also known as
textile ducts are generally made of material
special permeable polyester and are normally used
when the uniform distribution of air is essential. Due to
the nature or distribution of air, the textile ducts
they are not usually hidden behind false ceilings. The
condensation is not a concern with the ducts of
fabric and, therefore, can be used where the air must
supplied below the dew point without insulation.
4. Flexible duct: Flexible ducts consist of a
internal lining of the duct supported inside
for a helical wire coil and covered by a
insulation of a mantle with a vapor barrier shirt
flexible on the outside. Flexible ducts are used in
broth for fainting spells, as well as for the
metal collars used to connect the conduits
flexible supplies for plenums, trunks, and branches
made of sheet metal or duct plates. The flexible ducts
they provide ease of installation, since these can be
easily adapt to avoid shocks, but they have certain
disadvantages. These have more loss due to friction within
they that the metal ducts. The flexible ducts
they must be as short as possible (5 to 6 feet max.) and must
stretch as tightly as possible.
3.0. CLASSIFICATION OF CONDUITS
The ducts are classified in terms of speed and
pressure.
3.1 Speed Classification
The ducts are classified into 3 basic categories:
1. Low speed systems: they are characterized by
air speeds of up to 2000 fpm.
2. Average speed systems: they are characterized by
air speeds in the range of 2,000 to 2,500 fpm.
3. High-speed systems: they are characterized by
air speeds exceeding 2,500 fpm.
The low-speed system is used in most of the
air conditioning installations because it is more
silent, has less friction loss, lower
fan power and less air leakage.
The high speeds of the ducts result in
lower initial costs but require higher pressures
fan static; therefore, what results in a
increase in operating costs. Often, these
require additional noise attenuation (use of
noise silencers) and are not suitable for applications
of comfort.
In general, high-speed systems are applicable to
large multi-storey buildings, mainly because the
advantage of savings in duct axes and floor heights to
floor is more substantial. The small buildings of two and three
floors are normally low speed. It is recommended
a speed of 1,000 to 1,500 feet per minute for the
main ducts and a speed of 700 to 1,000 feet
por minuto para los desvíos de ramas.
3.2 Pressure classification
Duct systems are also divided into three
pressure classifications, which correspond to the form in
that classify the supply fans.
Low pressure: the term low pressure applies to
systems with fan static pressures below
3 inches WC. In general, the velocities of the
conducts are less than 1,500 feet per minute.
2. Mean pressure: the term mean pressure applies to the
systems with fan static pressures between 3 and 6
WC inches. In general, the speeds of the ducts
are less than or equal to 2,500 feet per minute.
3. High pressure: the term high pressure applies to the
systems with static fan pressures of around 6
10 inches WC.
Generally, the static pressure is limited to a maximum of
7 inches WC, and the duct velocities are
limited to 4,000 fpm. Systems that require
pressures of more than 7 inches of WC normally do not
they are guaranteed and could generate operating costs
very high.
The general good engineering practices are:
1. Use of medium pressure classification for ducts
of primary air (connections for fans, elevators and
main distribution ducts.
2. Use of low pressure classification for ducts
secondary air (outlets/derivations from the boxes
main distribution boxes and devices of
distribution).
3.3 Speed classification vs. pressure classification
The classification of the duct pressure influences the
duct resistance, deflection, and air leakage.
2. The classification of duct velocity influences
the noise, the vibration, the losses due to friction, and the power
of the fan.
4.0. FORMS OF CONDUCT
The pipes commonly used to transport
Air sounds in a round, square, or rectangular shape. Everyone
they have advantages and disadvantages, and find applications
donde una es definitivamente superior a la otra.
4.1 Round ducts
The shape of the duct that is the most efficient (offers the
lower resistance) to transport moving air is
a round duct, because it has the largest area of
cross-section and a minimum contact surface.
In other words, use less material in comparison
with square or rectangular ducts for the
same volume of air handled.
A duct with an 18-inch diameter, for example,
it has the same air transport capacity as a
rectangular duct of 26" x 11". The round duct
it has a cross-sectional area of 254.5 sq.-in and a
perimeter of 4.7 feet, while the duct
rectangular has an area of 286 sq.-in and a perimeter of
6.2 feet.
The rectangular duct thus has 32% more metal and
it would cost proportionally more. Also the insulation,
the supports and the work are higher for ducts
rectangular with similar capacity.
Some of the advantages of round ducts include:
The rounded shape reduces pressure drops,
what requires less power from the fan to move
the air and, consequently, a smaller team.
The round shape also has less area of
surface and requires less insulation when it is
wrap externally.
Round ducts are available in lengths
longer than the rectangular ducts, which eliminates the
expensive field meetings.
The spiral lock seams add rigidity; therefore
Thus, the spiral ducts can be manufactured using
lighter gauges than the longitudinal ducts of
sewing. The spiral ducts have fewer leaks and are
they can seal more easily compared to the
rectangular ducts.
The acoustic performance of round ducts and
oval shapes are superior because their curved surfaces allow
a lower startup noise. The low-frequency sound
it is well contained in round ducts.
Round ducts can help promote
healthier indoor environments. The smaller surface,
the corners and the best airflow reduce the possibility of
let dirt and grime accumulate inside the
conduit and, therefore, become a breeding ground
for bacterial growth.
While circular air ducts have great
advantages, there are some disadvantages for them. One of
the most notable drawbacks of air ducts
rounds is that they need a clearer height for the
installation. If the net and clear height of a hairy space
above a suspended 17
the ceiling is 14 inches, a cannot be installed
18-inch diameter pipe; however, its
equivalent rectangular duct of 26" x 11" will fit
easily in space. A combination of plenum
rectangular and round branches sometimes it is a good
commitment.
4.2 Rectangular ducts
Square or rectangular ducts fit better.
to the construction. They fit above the roof and in the
walls, and they are much easier to install between beams and
amounts.
When rectangular ducts should be used due to
space limitations, keep the width / height ratio low
high (aspect ratio). A section of duct
rectangular with an aspect ratio close to 1
produce the most efficient rectangular duct shape
in terms of air transport.
A duct with an aspect ratio greater than 4 is
much less efficient in the use of material and
experiences large pressure losses. The
aspect ratios of 2 to 3 are ideal for
offset the additional cost of the material duct and the
fan energy to save space.
The disadvantages of rectangular ducts are the
following:
The disadvantages of rectangular ducts are the
next:
They create a greater drop in pressure;
They use more pounds of metal for the same flow rate of
air than the round ducts;
3. The length of the joint is limited to the widths of the sheet
stored by the contractor;
4. Their joints are more difficult to seal;
Those with a high aspect ratio can transmit.
excessive noise if they are not admitted properly.
4.4 Equivalent diameter
How round and rectangular ducts are used
widely in air conditioning systems, it is
It is very possible that a contractor may wish to replace them with one.
while working on a new construction or modifying a
existing system.
With this probability, there is a general trend to
replace the cross-sectional areas of the round ducts
and rectangular. This is incorrect and will affect the
performance of the air distribution system. For
therefore, it is necessary for the HVAC designer to understand
completely the conditions under which they can
exchange the round and rectangular ducts.
The important thing is the pressure drop in the duct and it is there
where the concept of 'equivalent diameter' comes in
scene.
By definition, the equivalent diameter (Deq) is the
diameter of a circular duct that will provide the same drop
of pressure in the same airflow as the duct
rectangular.
From the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook, the following
equations can be used to convert ducts
rectangular and flat ovals to and from the round.
where
p = perimeter of the oval duct (inches)
A = cross-sectional area (sq-in)
• a = longitud del eje mayor (pulg)
• b = longitud del eje menor (pulg)
Equivalent diameter vs. Equivalent cross-sectional area approach
Consider an air flow of 7,500 cfm and compare a duct
30" diameter round with rectangular duct options
and oval equivalents.
Equivalent diameter approach
For a given circular duct diameter (30 inches), the
dimensions of the rectangular and flat oval ducts must
resolve by trial and error. Repair one dimension and replace it
in the previous equations. Let's use 16 inches for the axis
smaller, then the dimension of the equivalent rectangular duct
it will be 16" X 51", and the flat oval ducts with a 16-in. axis
the smaller will be 16 "X 53".
What this means is that the three conduits, 30" round, 16" x
51 rectangular and 16" x 53" flat oval will have the same
friction loss for a given cfm. The table at
continue summarizing the approach of the equivalent diameter.
Form of Dimensions Dimensions Area of the Speed Loss of
rounded converted ducts section (fpm) friction
exact transversal (in.-WC / 100
inches (pie2) pies

Round 30 4.91 1528 0.10

Plan 16 x 52.5 16 x 53 5.51 1361 0.10

oval

Rectangle 16 x 51 16 x 51 5.67 1362 0.10

lar
From the previous analysis, the three conduits have the same loss factors.
friction because they are equivalent (in terms of pressure drop per unit of
length). Please note that the cross-sectional areas of the rectangular ducts and
oval pipes will always be larger than round pipes with the same
equivalent diameter.
Equivalent cross-sectional area approach
Let's see what happens when an equivalent cross-sectional approach is used.
Duct diameter = 30 inches or 2.5 feet
Cross-sectional area of the 30-inch diameter duct = 3.14 * 2.5 *
2.5 / 4 = 4.91 square feet.
Cross-sectional area of the rectangular duct:
A=a*b
The minor axis "b" was corrected to 16 inches;
The main axis "a" will be = 4.91 * 144/16 = 44.2 inches.
Cross-sectional area of the oval duct:
The minor axis "b" was corrected to 16 inches;
The main axis "a" will be = 47.6 inches.
Speed in the duct
The velocity in the duct can be expressed as:
v=Q/A

where,
v = air speed in feet per minute, (fpm)
Q = airflow through the duct in cubic feet per minute,
(cfm)
A = cross-sectional area of the duct in square feet, (feet
squares)

Friction loss is estimated from the friction tables of the

duct for an air flow index and a speed (refer to the
section "duct sizing" below for
get more information).
The following table summarizes the approach of the equivalent cross-cutting area.
Shape of the Flow of Dimension Dimension Speed Area Loss
duct air is is section (v) fpm friction
(Q) converted rounds cross v = Q/A (in.-WC /
cfm the exact ones the the 100 feet)
inches (pie2)

Round 7500 30 4.91 1528 0.10

Plan 7500 16 x 47.6 16 x 484.95 1514 0.12

oval

Rectangle 7500 16 x 44.2 16 x 444.89 1534 0.14

lunar
You can see that the friction loss increases as the
speed and reduce the cross-sectional area.

In conclusion

The equivalent diameter approach will maintain the same drop of

pressure but will result in more cross sections
high of rectangular and oval ducts in comparison with
the round ducts.

The equivalent area approach will increase the pressure drop of

path of the duct while maintaining the area of
the cross section.
5.0. DUCT SIZE
The most commonly used method for sizing ducts is the
equal friction method. The other methods are reduction of
speed and static recovery.
5.1 Equal Friction Method
The equal friction design method sizes the ducts.
for a constant "Friction Rate", which describes the fall of
average pressure per 100 feet of duct in a system. A
very common friction rate for a reasonably system
well designed is 0.1 in-wc for every 100 feet of length of
duct.
The reduction of friction rates of 0.05 inches wc per 100
feet increase the size of the duct and costs by 15%,
but it reduces the portion of the total pressure drop in ducts
by 50%, resulting in energy savings from the fan of
15% to 20%.
Procedure:
The equal friction method uses a duct calculator rule, a
duct calculator or a friction index table for
determine the relationship between duct size and airflow,
that is, how much air will come out of a duct of a given size. The
the methodology is as follows:

a. Select the maximum air speed in the duct

main after the fan turns off.

b. Enter the friction chart knowing the cfm and speed

to determine the friction rate per 100 feet of length
of the duct and select the diameter (refer to the table at
continuation)
c. Based on the friction rate obtained in the previous step, use
the same value to determine the diameters for all the
other sections of the duct network.

d. The total friction loss in the duct system is

calculate by multiplying the friction loss by every 100 feet of
length by the equivalent length of the most critical path of the
red with maximum resistance.
Example
Determine the diameter and the speed of air through a
duct that transports 1,000 cfm of air. Assume a loss
of friction of 0.1 inch-wc per 100 feet of length of
duct. Determine the actual pressure drop and the speed in the
size of the selected duct.

Solution:
From the previous monogram, the friction line of 0.1 in-wc per 100 ft
it crosses with the 1,000 cfm line in a duct diameter
13.5-inch round.
Select the following available size of round duct from
When this duct is used, the pressure loss will be 0.09
pulg.-wc / 100 ', and the speed will be ~ 800 fpm. (Note: the table that
what is shown above is for educational purposes only and may be outdated
of scale).
There is a variety of duct calculator tools.
disponibles en el mercado (también conocidas como ductuladores)
which are easy to use and accurate for sizing ducts if
know the flow rate and the loss or friction velocity.
Use the following friction loss guidelines for sizing
ducts with a duct calculation tool.
 Type of system Friction loss per 100
conduct pipe feet (column
of water in inches

Supply descendants 0.08

Supply trunk or plenum 0.05

Return ducts 0.02

Advantages of the equal friction method:

The method is direct and simple.

2. Automatically reduce the air speeds in the
air flow direction, which in turn reduces the possible flow
generated by noise.
It is the most appropriate method for air volume systems.
constant (CAV).
Limitations of the equal friction method:
There is no equalization of the pressure drops in the branches of
conduct unless the system has a symmetrical design. The
balance dampers must be installed to balance the
system.
2. It is not recommended for VAV systems. If used for the design
from VAV supply ducts, the terminal units
they require the ability to independently control pressure (Pi)
to avoid excessive flows when the pressure in the duct is
high.
It is not flexible and cannot be adapted to future design changes.
5.2 Speed reduction method
This method sizes the duct by varying the velocity in the
main and secondary conduits. The various steps
those involved are:
a. Select the appropriate speeds in the ducts
primary and secondary. The following table indicates the limits of
commonly used speed:

Type of duct Speed of Speed of Speed of

the systems systems systems of
of comfort industrial high speed
(fpm) (fpm) (fpm)
Main duct 1000 - 1500 1500 - 2400 2000 - 3600
Main branch duct 700 - 1000 1000 - 1600 1200 - 2400
Conducto de escape 400 - 600 600 - 800 800 - 1000
b. Find the diameters of the main ducts and
secondary based on the speeds and flow velocities of
air. The velocity in the duct can be expressed as:
A=Q/v
Where,
A = area of the duct (ft2)
• Q = tasa de flujo de aire (cfm)
v = air velocity (fpm)
c. Based on the speeds and dimensions of the ducts
obtained in the previous step, find the pressure drop of
friction for the main and secondary ducts using the
previous friction diagram.
5.3 Static Recovery Method
Static recovery is the process of converting pressure of
velocity (VP) in static pressure (SP). We learned in sections
previously that the total pressure (TP) in a duct system is
equal to the sum of static pressure and velocity pressure
(TP = SP + VP). Therefore, for a given TP, if the VP is high
(generally because the duct area is small), then
static pressure (SP) must be low. SP is the pressure that it generates
that the air in the duct flows, and VP is the pressure resulting from
air movement. This means that it is desirable to have a high
static pressure value (SP) compared to total pressure
(TP) developed by the fan.
The static recovery sizing method of
ducts are based on Bernoulli's equation, which states that
when a reduction in speeds occurs, it occurs
a conversion of velocity pressure into static pressure. With
in this method, the duct velocities are reduced
systematically along the distribution layout, which
allows the velocity pressure to be converted into pressure
static, compensating for friction losses in the section
next of the duct. This means that there is the same pressure
static near all branches and all diffusers and, therefore
Thus, the system design requires little or no balancing.
Advantages:
All sections of the ducts have static pressure
uniform in all the derivatives and power outlets, which
simplify the selection of the output and the correct amount of air in
each output.
The duct system will remain in equilibrium because the
profits and losses are proportional to a function of the
speeds. Therefore, it is an excellent method for designing
variable air volume systems.
3. The static recovery method uses fewer pounds of sheet metal.
metallic and is less noisy.
Disadvantages:
One disadvantage could be seen in networks with a significant drop in

pressure in a section near the fan outlet.

speed can be reduced to a minimum in some sections of such
so that all the downstream ducts are sized
at a minimum speed.
Another disadvantage could arise from specifying a speed
minimum very low. The ducts would tend to be very large at
end of the long forks. The sizing method
it does not take into account the total mechanical energy supplied to the air

through the fan. Large ducts can occur in the

extremities of long branches.
Disadvantages:
A disadvantage could be seen in networks with a significant drop in
pressure in a section near the fan outlet.
speed can be reduced to a minimum in some sections of such
so that all the downstream ducts are sized
with a minimum speed.
2. Another disadvantage could arise from specifying a speed.
very low minimum. The ducts would tend to be very large when
end of the long forks. The sizing method
it does not take into account the total mechanical energy supplied to the air

by the fan. Large ducts can occur in the

ends of long branches.
6.0. PRESSURE LOSS IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
AIR
The resistance of the system in ducts has three components:
1. Loss of friction (resistance to air flow caused by the
size of the duct, the roughness of the duct walls and
the speed of the air.
2. Dynamic loss (resistance to airflow caused by
changes in the speed and direction of the air.
3. Pressure loss of the equipment (resistance to air flow
caused by components such as diffusers, coils, and filters.
6.1 Friction losses of the duct
Any type of duct system offers resistance to the
friction for air movement. The resistance to airflow
produces certain friction losses that vary with:
a. Air speed
b. Size of the duct (the duct with the smallest diameter has
more friction)
c. Material roughness
d. Length of the duct
The friction resistance of a supply duct varies in
square ratio of the speed relationship, and the
The fan power varies as the cube of this relationship.

For example, if a supply duct carries 5,000 cfm

from air at 1000 fpm, and a second supply duct more
small carries 5,000 cfm of air at 2,000 fpm.
The friction resistance of the second conduit per foot of
the length of the duct will be four times greater than that of the

first duct: (2,000 / 1,000)²; and the required power for

overcoming this resistance to friction will be eight times more:
(2,000 / 1,000) ³.
The easiest way to estimate friction loss per unit
The length is determined by using the monogram below.
Example (use of the friction loss table):

A length of 100 feet with a diameter of 10 inches of the duct

transporting 400 cfm would have a friction loss of 0.09
inches of water column.
A length of 100 feet with a diameter of 10 inches the duct
that transports 600 cfm would have a friction loss of
approximately 0.2 inches of water column.
A length of 200 feet with a diameter of 10 inches for the duct.
that transports 600 cfm would have a friction loss of
approximately 0.4 inches of water column. [200/100] x 0.2 =
0.4 inches of water column.
Problema:

Calculate the friction loss (in-H2O) of moving 20,000 cfm.

air through 200 feet of a 34 inch duct
diameter.
Solution:
From the monogram, the friction loss at 20,000 cfm in a duct
34 inches is 0.3 in-WC per 100 feet of duct.
Therefore, total loss = friction loss x length = [0.3 in-
WC through 100 feet of duct] x 200 feet of duct = 0.6 in-WC
Mathematical equation for the pressure loss in the duct
Mathematically, the Darcy Weisbach equation can be used to
determine the pressure drop in the ducts.

Converting to more commonly used HVAC and Refrigeration units

used:

where
P = Pressure drop, in. of water
f = friction factor, dimensionless
L = length of the duct, feet
• D = internal diameter of the duct in inches (covered to diameter
equivalent for non-circular duct
• V = Velocidad,fpm
• ρ= Densidad, lbm / ft3
6.2 dynamic losses in pipe connections
Dynamic losses in duct systems are losses of
pressure caused by:
The change in the direction of the air from the elbows, displacements
and takeoffs.
• Restrictions or obstructions in the airflow such as
shock absorbers, filters, and coils.
Changes in airspeed due to changes in size of the
duct.
The methods for calculating energy losses of the various
types of adaptation are based on the information found in
ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals or can be calculated from
loss coefficient tables developed by the Association
National Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (SMACNA).
 AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEATING
REFRIGERATION AND AIR
Conditioning Engineers

ASHRAE HANDBOOK FUNDAMENTALS 2017

velocity pressure (VP). The constant of proportionality depends
from the adaptation. Therefore, the total pressure loss due to friction
through an accessory is calculated as:

The dynamic loss coefficient (K) is measured empirically and is

information from accessory manufacturers. Often for simplicity,
an 'equivalent length' method is used for a type of
An accessory such as a T-joint or a elbow is assigned a number that
represents a length of the straight pipe that has a drop of
equal pressure.
For example, a T-YE could have an equivalent length of 10.
feet. A ninety-degree elbow could have a length
equivalent of 15 feet.

A round starter collar that comes out of a chamber of

metal sheet distribution can have equivalent lengths
that are closer to 30 feet or more. This additional length is added
then to the straight length of the duct to obtain the total length
effective.
6.3 The concept of equivalent duct length
The equivalent length refers to the amount of duct in feet.
rectangle that imposes the same resistance to air flow as a
particular connection. Let's assume we have a duct of
ventilador configurado como se muestra en la figura a continuación, y
We can measure the static pressure before (P1) and after (P2) the elbow.
In addition, we have a third meter (P3) that we can place in
anywhere along the duct. Let's say that the system of
conducts consist of 7-inch round pipes, including the
elbow.
With 250 cfm flowing through the system, we would find that the
pressure loss at the elbow, or the difference between the readings of the
The manometer P1 and P2 would be approximately 0.054 inches WG.
Now, to achieve the same pressure loss across the
straight pipe between the meters P2 and P3, we would find that the
Meter P3 must be placed 25 feet away from meter P2.
before the losses are the same. Therefore, for the
indicated condition, the pressure drop of the round elbow of 7
inches is equivalent to the loss of 25 feet of the circular duct
7 inches.
If we increase the airflow velocity through the system,
we would find that to maintain the readings between meters
we would have to move the P3 meter farther away from the meter
P2. In other words, if we increase the flow rate to say
350 cfm, the P3 meter might need to be placed at 26 or 27 feet from
distance from P2 to obtain the same loss reading as the
experienced by the elbow.
On the contrary, if we reduce the flow rate, the distance between
P2 and P3 could be reduced.

Therefore, the pressure drop of an accessory can be expressed

conveniently in terms of the equivalent length of the
straight duct of any size. The equivalent lengths are
numbers that can be consulted in an appendix of the ACCA guides
Manual D, ASHRAE or SMACNA.

Please note that the equivalent length of a fitting is

different from the effective length, which is the sum of the measured length
real of a duct plus all the equivalent lengths of the
various accessories.
6.4 Pressure loss in the components
The air handler is the largest pressure drop element.
in the duct network. The components in the treatment unit
air filters or coils have a static pressure drop
defined through them based on the airflow. For example, a
"Dry" serpentine can have a static pressure drop of
water column of 0.45 inches at 550 fpm. A coil
"humid", which is a water coil that operates with condensate
In the fins, it would have a greater drop at the same speed. Another
An example of changing pressures would be a filter that has a certain
static pressure drop when it is clean, and a greater drop
when it is dirty. To reduce the pressure drop, specify a
low face velocity unit in the range of 250 to 450 fpm.
the fan power requirement decreases by approximately
measure that decreases the square of the velocity.
7.0. FAN SIZE
In a duct system, a fan is used to supply
the forces necessary to bring the fluid from rest to the
system speed and overcome friction forces. The force
exerted by the fan is the total pressure of the fan. The pressure
total is divided into two vector components. The first component,
la presión de velocidad, está en la dirección del flujo y cuya magnitud
is positive and proportional to the speed. The second component, the
static pressure is perpendicular to the direction of flow. The static pressure
it can be positive, exercising outward from the frame of
reference, or negative, exerting inward. The pressure of
speed is always positive, and the sum of the static pressures is
The total pressure is speed.
7.1 Fan Selection
The fan must be selected to deliver a volumetric flow rate.
specific (cfm) and generate static pressure (Inch-H2O) to overcome the
pressure losses due to the ducts, the fittings and the
components of an air handling unit (AHU).

Total Static Pressure (TSP) is the sum of the external static pressure.
(ESP) and the internal static pressure (ISP).
TSP = ESP + ISP
where
ESP is the static pressure created downstream of the AHU and includes
all the losses of the ducts of the fan until it reaches the
download point. This could include a negative static pressure in
the extraction side of the fan and a positive pressure on the side
of thrust, or any combination of pressures that must be overcome
fan. It is estimated by the HVAC design engineer while
establishes the ducts, diffusers, and terminal devices.
ISP, regarding HVAC AHU, is the static pressure loss.
in the filters, coils, grids, dampers, and spins and turns inside
from the AHU casing. The ISP is generally provided by the
supplier, but for custom designs, the design engineer
The HVAC estimates the pressure loss in the various components of
the UTA.
The following is a simple model for calculating loss.
of total pressure (using the equal friction method) and the selection
of the fan.
Example
A design of air conditioning below represents a
air handling unit (AHU) that supplies cold air to a
office space. The supply air fan discharges to
supply air diffusers SAD -1 and SAD -2 through the duct of
supply and draws air through the return duct through the
air return grille (RAG -1).
It also takes fresh air through a grill (OAL -1). Estimate the
total pressure loss for fan sizing.
Solution:
El diseño muestra cuatro (4) trayectorias de flujo de aire y seis (6)
duct sections.
Route No. 1: Air supply through the duct sections AB
y BC
Route No. 2: Air supply through sections AB, BD, and DE of
duct
Route No. 3: Air return through the FG duct section
Route No. 4: Exterior air entry through the duct section
HG
The section occurs in:
Change in the size of the duct
Change in air volume
Now using the friction tables, let's discover the losses of
pressure in the duct per 100 feet of duct length

Route No. 1:
a. Duct run AB; (12" diameter, 1000 cfm) = 0.2 in.- wc / 100 feet of
length of the duct
b. Duct run BC; (8" diameter, 500 cfm) = 0.37 in-wc / 100 feet of
length of the duct
c. SAD-1 = 0.12 in-wc (from the manufacturer's catalog)
d. Total pressure loss = [0.2 + 0.37 + 0.12] = 0.69 in.-wc / 100
feet of duct length
Route No. 2:
a. Duct run AB; (12" diameter, 1000 cfm) = 0.2 in.-wc / 100 feet of
length of the duct
b. Duct run BD; (10 " diameter, 500 cfm) = 0.14 in.- wc / 100 feet of
length of the duct
c. Duct run DE; (8" diameter, 500 cfm) = 0.37 in-wc / 100 feet
length of the duct
d. SAD-2 = 0.12 in -wc (from the manufacturer's catalog)
e. Total pressure loss = [0.2 + 0.14 + 0.37 + 0.12] = 0.83 in-wc /
100 ft of duct length
Route No. 3:
a. RAG -1 = 0.08 in.- wc (from the manufacturer's catalog)
b. The duct executes FG; (12" in diameter, 900 cfm) = 0.16 in.-wc /
100 feet long of the duct
c. Total pressure loss = [0.08 + 0.16] = 0.24 in. - wc / 100 feet of
length of the duct
Route No. 4:
a. OAL-1 = 0.08 in. - wc (from the manufacturer's catalog)
b. The duct executes HG; (6 " in diameter, 100 cfm) = 0.08 in-wc /
100 feet in length of the duct
c. Pérdida de presión total = [0.08 + 0.08] = 0.16 in.-wc / 100 pies de
length of the duct

Pressure loss due to fittings

All the calculated pressure losses above are for 100
pipes. length of the duct The pressure drops in the connections of
the conduits have equivalent lengths. All the lengths of the
conducts and equivalent lengths are added to achieve the ESP
maximum.
Let's say, for this example, the effective length (straight length of the
duct + equivalent length of the fittings) for several
sections of ducts is:
a. AB = 25 feet
b. BC = 35 feet
c. BD = 75 pies
d. DE = 35 feet
e. FG = 50 feet
H
F.G=10eft
Let's calculate the total pressure losses in the actual lengths.

Route No. 1:
a. Duct AB = 0.2 x 25/100 = 0.05 in. - wc
b. Duct run BC = 0.37 x 35/100 = 0.13 in.- wc
c. SAD-1 = 0.12 in.- wc
d. Total pressure loss = [0.05 + 0.13 + 0.12] = 0.30 in.-wc
Route No. 2:
a. Duct AB = 0.2 x 25/100 = 0.05 in.- wc
b. Duct run BD = 0.14 x 75/100 = 0.10 in. wc
c. Duct run DE = 0.37 x 35/100 = 0.13 in.- wc
d. SAD-2 = 0.12 in. - wc
e. Total pressure loss = [0.05 + 0.10 + 0.13 + 0.12] = 0.40 in.- wc
Route No. 3:
a. RAG -1 = 0.08 in.- wc
The duct works FG = 0.16 x 50/100 = 0.08 in.- wc
c. Total pressure loss = [0.08 + 0.08] = 0.16 in. - wc
Route No. 4:
a. OAL-1 = 0.08 in. - wc
b. The duct operates HG = 0.08 x 10/100 = 0.008 in.- wc
c. Total pressure loss = [0.08 + 0.008] = 0.09 in.- wc
Maximum ESP:
Sum the pressure losses calculated for each branch from the
fan to an air discharge point. The branch with the largest
pressure loss establishes the pressure drop of the system. In
in our example, Route No. 2 + Route No. 4 results in the maximum loss of
pressure.
ESP max. = 0.40 + 0.09 = 0.49 in.-wc
Loss of equipment (ISP):
a. Filters = 0.15 in.- wc (from the manufacturer's catalog)
b. Coil cooling = 0.50 in.- wc (from the manufacturer's catalog)
c. Heating coil = 0.28 in.-wc (from the manufacturer's catalog)
Maximum ISP:
The maximum ISP is the sum of the losses of the components.
ISP max = 0.15 + 0.50 + 0.28 = 0.93 in.-wc

Fan selection:
The selection of the fan will be made based on the loss of
total pressure.
SP max = maximum ESP + maximum ISP
SP max = 0.49 + 0.93 = 1.42 in-wc

Safety factor, (SF-1)

To allow the accumulation of dirt in the filters and coils, and
for possible changes in the duct installation, generally
a safety factor is added (10 to 15%).
Safety factor, (SF -2)
The configuration of the fan connection with the duct in the
input and output cause a serious degradation of performance of the
fan and is generally compensated by adding some factor of
additional security. This is called 'system effect factor of the'
"fan" and the value is based on the use of published tables and graphs
by the Air Control and Movement Association (AMCA) and the
National Association of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors
(SMACNA).
Alternatively, as a general rule, a factor of
10% security for the effect of the system. Therefore, the:
Static requirement of the total fan = SP max x SF-1 x SF-2 = 1.42 x
1.15 x 1.1 = 1.8 in.-wc
Therefore, the fan should be selected to produce a
pressure increase of at least 1.8 in-wc to overcome the losses
of the duct system.
Fan rating
Fan manufacturers generally publish curves
characteristics in terms of the static pressure of the fan in
place of the total pressure of the fan. This is understandable since
Manufacturers may not have control over the types of connections.
of inlet and outlet ducts or the conditions at the inlet or
input/output cone exit.
7.2 Air balancing
An important consideration in duct design is balance.
of duct design pressure.

The actual airflow may exceed the design flow if the pressure of
the fan is greater than the pressure loss. In this case, it
requires the partial closure of the balancing gates, which
they control the airflow to reduce the air flow to what the
ductwork was designed to handle.

The air balance is an act of adjusting the dampers of

volume control to balance the losses due to friction. One of the
main drawbacks of the sizing method of
friction duct equals that there is no equalization of the drops of
pressure in the branches of the duct, unless the system has a
symmetrical design.
In the previous example, because air will flow to the path of least resistance.
resistance, it will be necessary to adjust the balancing gate in the
line BC to divide the supply air equally (i.e., 500 cfm)
for exit). The duct network has been installed in such a way that the
air route from the fan discharge to SAD-2 has a
total resistance of 0.40 in-wc; while the flow resistance of
The fan air at SAD -1 is only 0.30 in .wc.

This means that SAD-1 will tend to obtain more air than required and
SAD-2 will receive less than the design cfm. To balance the air in
for each pipe line, the BC regulator will be adjusted so that
will impose a resistance in the BC line equal to 0.10 [Link], which is the
calculated difference in pressure loss between the two series of
conductors (0.4 -0.3).
Just like with the supply runs, the return ducts and
External ducts have different pressure losses. Therefore,
Thus, to balance the return and the external lines of the duct,
external air regulator HG will be adjusted in such a way as to impose a
resistance of 0.07 [Link] (the difference between the return run and the
outdoor air (0.09 - 0.16).
7.3 Effect of the fan system
Normally, the fan performance curves are developed
through laboratory measurements with the fan installed in
ideal conditions.
However, when the duct system is connected to the
fan, the operating conditions of the fan are affected
affected and the performance of the fan will be altered. The figure
Next, it shows the air speed profiles in a duct at
various distances from the outlet of a housed centrifugal fan. The
air in the fan is pushed against the outside of the housing
through the movement of the fan blade.
Therefore, at the fan outlet, there is a high speed in the
top of the fan outlet. However, at the part
below the fan output there is a negative speed, because
the air turns back towards the fan on the cutting plate,
trying to re-enter the fan.
At point A in the figure, the velocity pressure is high and the pressure
the available static is low.

As the air moves through the duct, the speed of the air
becomes more uniform through the duct, and the static pressure
increases as the velocity pressure decreases.

At point B of the figure, the air speed is uniform throughout.

of the duct and low compared to the exit speed (point
A).
Fan output speed profile
Remember that total pressure is the sum of velocity pressure and
the static pressure. The total pressure in the duct at point B is
approximately the same as at point A; therefore, as one
that the velocity pressure has decreased, the static pressure has
increased. In other words, the system has gained static pressure.
This is static recovery.
The system now has more potential to overcome the resistance in the
system and, therefore, the system can deliver more air. In the
point B, the air speed is uniform throughout the area of the
it has slowed down.
This is the point of highest static recovery. They must be avoided.
takeoffs of ducts and the bends or elbows before point B because
the air flow in the ducts connected before point B will have
significant losses of the effects of the system that must be taken into account
in consideration of the sizing of the duct and the fan.
The distance from A to B is called the length of the 100% effective pipe.
The outlet of the housed fan must be designed with a straight duct.
for a duct length 100% effective, and the accessories do not
they should be placed near the fan outlet to eliminate the
effect of the system on the output.
To achieve an effective duct length of 100%, a stroke
The duct from the blower must be long enough to achieve
a uniform velocity across the cross section of the
duct.
The calculation of the length of the duct 100% effective depends on the
air velocity at the fan outlet:
a. If the exit speed is less than 2,500 fpm:
Length of the duct 100% effective = 2.5 x diameter of the duct

b. If the exit speed is more than 2,500 fpm:

Length of the duct 100% effective = fpm / 1000 x diameter of the
duct
c. To calculate the diameter of the duct:
D = 2wh / (w + h), where h and w are the height and width of the duct,
respectively.
Causes of the system effect
The four most common causes of system effect in the fan
son
Uneven air flow at the fan inlet
2. Spinning air at the entrance of the fan
3. Obstructions in the fan's entrance or exit
4. Incorrect duct connections at the outlet or inlet of the
fan
Corrections of the fan system effect in the design
The use of the 'six and three rule' minimizes system loss.
Provide six diameters of straight duct in the suction of
fan and three diameters of straight duct in the discharge of the
fan
2. Use a straight duct as long as possible for the conditions of
work. The first elbow in the duct that comes out of the unit must not
be less than 2 feet from the unit to minimize resistance and the
noise.
The AMCA standard 210 specifies an outlet duct that does not
is greater than 107.5 percent or less than 87.5 percent of the area
fan outlet.
4. If a duct transition must be used, tilt the sides as much as
gradually possible. The AMCA Standard 210 requires that the
the transition pending does not exceed 15 percent for the
convergent transitions, that is, higher than 7 percent for the
divergent transitions.
5. To achieve maximum performance, air must enter
directly at the fan entrance, with a uniform speed
throughout the entrance area. The ideal entry connection is a
long and straight duct with a length four times greater than the
diameter of the entrance. If an elbow is required, there must be a
length of straight duct between the fan inlet and the elbow to
less than two times the diameter of the fan inlet.
6. If a free entry is required, the intake duct can
replace with an entrance bell that provides a
smooth transition to fan speed without loss in pressure
total.
A straight duct should be used for a distance of three to six.
duct diameters from the fan discharge for
develop a complete dynamic head. The bifurcation and the turn
before they cause losses in the effect of the system.
8.0. THE SUPPLY DUCT SYSTEM
The two most common supply duct systems are the
extended plenum system and the radial system. The others
options are spider and perimeter loop systems.

8.1 Extended Plenum Systems

In extended camera systems, a large supply trunk
equal-sized principal connects directly to the controller of
air. The smaller bypass ducts and the
descents are connected to the trunk. The arrangement
provides airflows that easily balance and can
easily designed to fit within the conditioned space
of the building.
However, the extended camera system can be modified to
provide a double span, of up to 48 feet long, when the
The equipment is located in the center. See the figure below.

General rules:
The following general rules apply to the extended camera system:
Individual plenums must not exceed 24 feet in length.
Double fuselages must not exceed 48 feet in total length.
Keep the branching start collars 24 inches from the end caps.
• Nunca encuentre un despegue en la tapa del extremo.
The main design limitation of the extended plenum is the length.
maximum of the main supply trunk (of individual size), which
it is generally limited to about 24 feet. When this length is exceeded,
the pressure tends to accumulate towards the end of the duct, resulting in
resulting in an excessive airflow near the ends and a flow of
Insufficient air in the branches closest to the air handler.
8.2 Reduction of the plenary system
The reducer duct system can be used when the design
space physics requires distances greater than the restrictions of
length imposed in the extended full (24 feet). The concept of
the plenum reducer system is simple: when the air speed
loss in branching reaches approximately 50%, the
the size of the impeller chamber is reduced to recover speed
in the remaining part of the impeller chamber. This reduction improves the
characteristics of airflow in bifurcation ducts that are
closer to the air treatment unit.
Another variation of this system is the reduced trunk system that is described in
continuation.
8.3 Reduction of the trunk system
The reducing trunk duct system is very similar to the
full reduction system, with the exception that the travel of the
the trunk reduces in size after each branching. The system
The reducing trunk reduces the cross-sectional area of the trunk.
periodically after each bifurcation or exhaustion duct.
The arrangement maintains a higher air pressure and speed.
uniforms on the trunk, which improves airflow in the branches and
the drains closest to the air handler. The system is good
balanced since each branch is specifically designed.
effective design of trunk reduction systems requires a
precise determination of the amount of supply or extraction of
air for each terminal device (diffuser, register, and grille) in the room.
The following figure illustrates the concept.
Obviously, this type of system generally requires more metal.
to manufacture and requires more labor to produce and install.
8.4 Spider System
A spider system is a clearer variation of the trunk system.
and branch. The large supply trunks (generally, ducts
large diameter flexible pipes connect remote mixing boxes to a
small central supply chamber. The branch ducts or
smaller outputs carry air from the remote mixing boxes to
the individual supply outputs. The figure below illustrates
this concept.
8.5 Radial System
In a radial system, there is no trunk duct, ducts of
branching or outlets; the supply outlets are quite individual
they are essentially connected directly to the air controller,
usually using a small supply camera. The
short and direct ducts maximize airflow. The system
radial is commonly applied in attics, crawl spaces and in
installations of slab on slab (with the ducts embedded in the
It can be used with ovens and upward air handlers,
descendants or horizontals.
Traditionally, this system is associated with a controller of
air that is centrally located so that the ducts are
arranged in a radial pattern. However, the symmetry is not
mandatory, and designs that use parallel outputs can be
design in such a way that the ducts remain in space
conditioned (for example, installed on top of a collapsed roof).
The radial system is more economical and easier to install, but it is not
practical if the air treatment unit cannot be located
centrally.
8.6 Peripheral loop system
A perimeter loop system uses a perimeter duct.
supplied from a central supply plenum using various
feed ducts. This system is generally limited to the
installations built on slabs in cold climates.
8.7 Duct design rules (ACCA Manual D - Systems of
residential ducts
Up to 24' trunk length: use a size
More than 24 ': reduce the trunk duct every 15' to 20 '
Use a conical reducer for the reduction of the trunk in the trunk.
covered
The standard trunk is 8" high
The width of the trunk should not exceed the height of the trunk by more than 4.
times
Use compensation takeoffs instead of straight takeoffs.
Alternate the branch take-offs
Cushion each run as close to the trunk as possible.
Do not branch closer than 12" to the end or the tip of a
trunk
•Without takeoff 4 'after a reduction or 1.5 times the dimension
mayor of the conduit
Never remove a reduction or increase the electrical network closer
that the diameter of the branching duct
In the supply and return, when the trunk is wider than the
full, a transition accessory should be used
9.0. RETURN DUCT SYSTEMS
Air conditioning systems do not only provide airflow.
to the rooms, but also extract the air from the
rooms. If the return flow is not free to exit the space, the
pressure will build up in the room and the lost air must be
replaced. This causes a greater amount of outside air, which
that can generate heat, humidity, and other undesirable elements
additional with it. Therefore, the supply air must be balanced
to maintain neutral air pressure inside the space. This is
is designing ducts with an adequate number of ducts of
return (or grilles). The return duct systems
They are generally classified as central return or distributed.
9.1 Distributed return
In a distributed return, each room has a duct of
return that provides a path for air to flow back to
air controller. The scheme ensures that the airflow is
returned from all rooms, avoids excessive pressurization
positive, minimizes pressure imbalances, improves privacy and
it is quiet. However, the design and installation costs
they are generally taller than those of a central return system,
and the greatest friction losses can increase the requirements of the
blower.
9.2 Central Return
In a central return duct system, the return grilles
they are located in central locations in the common area,
generally near the air handler. To ensure a flow
of adequate air from all rooms, especially when
the doors are closed, transfer grilles must be installed or
bridge ducts in each room.
The central return ducts must have at least one bend of
90 degrees between the air handling unit and the central grille
return, and the air speed on the face of the rear grille must
designed to 350 fpm. This keeps the noise under control while
allows enough negative pressure in the return box to attract
outside air with the integrated supply ventilation system
the central fan.
To size the return grille, use the following equation and
divide the result by 0.65 to represent approximately the
65% of the free area, which is normal in return grills
printed.
A = q/v
where,
A = area in square feet
v = air speed (ft / min)
q = volumetric airflow rate (cfm)
Central return duct systems offer the following
advantages:
They require fewer conduits than a distributed system.
They reduce energy loss, as a plenum space more
large provides a more direct route for airflow.
They reduce installation time and material costs.
9.3 Pressure Balancing
The return openings will need to be 2 to 3 times the size of the
supply duct depending on the design speeds of the
sistema. Esto puede tomar la forma de rejilla de transferencia y ductos
of jump.
1. Transfer grates: They allow air to move from a
space to another to relieve pressure differences. For example, a
transfer grille installed above the door of a bedroom
allows air to move between the bedroom and the hallway,
regardless of whether the door is open or closed. The cut of
the door can also help (for example, a notch from of
an inch in a 32" door will create an open area of 24 2)

but normally it is not enough by itself.

A transfer grid and/or ducts are often required
jump to equalize the pressure and avoid excessive pressurization of the
spaces. A 'Golden Rule' considers 1 square inch of
wall opening by cfm delivered to the room.

2. Duct jumps: they are short ducts that connect the

adjacent rooms help balance the airflow between the
rooms in cases where there is a return grille
shared that is used for the whole floor. As a general rule, no one
the room will have a jump duct of less than 6 inches in diameter and,
if it is necessary to transfer more than 250 cubic feet per minute to the area
for the main return, it may be advisable to use a duct of
specific return for that area.
10.0. DUCT CONNECTIONS AND TERMINAL UNITS
10.1 Adaptations and transitions of ducts
Losses of ducts occur through connections and
transitions. While SMACNA standards are almost always the
guide document for construction, experience has shown
that the appropriate techniques are not always followed during the
manufacturing and installation. Design engineers often do not
allow enough space to install transitions or
compensations of the appropriate size. Often, during the
installation, there is not enough space and the accessories are tightening in
reduced spaces
Good engineering practices include:
Unless a two-inch reduction can be made, it
it must maintain the size of the original duct.
The transition slope must be 8 degrees at a maximum of 14.
degrees. When the area of the duct is increased, the slope does not
it must exceed eight degrees.
Use radio elbows instead of square elbows whenever possible.
allow the space. When a radius elbow cannot be coupled
complete, a partial radius elbow or a square elbow should be used
with one or more separators.
The tilt blades should only be used in low-speed systems.
where the radio elbows do not fit.
Fig. 6.- Maximum acceptable noise within the areas to be air-conditioned.
10.2 Volume control regulators
Dampers are used to control the flow of air. They can be
request to completely block the airflow or regulate it
flow. There are two main types in use: parallel sheets where the
leaves turn in one direction or opposite leaves where the leaves
Adjacent ones turn in opposite directions.
The pressure loss through the damper and leaks through a
closed shock absorber are two performance criteria that affect
the selection of dampers. The parallel blade dampers are the
more suitable for full opening or closed requirements or
for fine control between 80% and 100% of total flow. The
opposing blade dampers are better for systems
where the air volume changes over a wide range. AMCA
it is recommended to use an opposite blade damper when needed
volume control
The volume balance/adjustment regulators must be installed.
near the main supply, as far away from the exits as possible. The
terminal dampers, like those used in the records and
diffusers should not be considered in the equilibrium of derivations, since
that are intended to be used solely for fine adjustments and
they would normally be found in an almost completely position
open to avoid unnecessary noise.
10.3 Fire and smoke dampers
A fire damper is a device installed in ducts and
air transfer openings to interrupt the flow of the
llamas and maintain the integrity of the classified separation as
fire resistant. The fire dampers are equipped with a
fuse link (rated for 165 °F to 286 °F) that maintains the
open blades until the link melts. Upon reaching the point of
fusion, the blades close and stop the movement of the flame
towards an adjacent compartment.
Location: fire dampers must be installed in or near the
floor or ground, at the point of penetration of the duct, to preserve the
integrity and the fire rating of a wall or floor, already
whether it is a return application with duct or plenum
open. If the pipe falls, the damper must remain on the wall
or the floor to maintain the integrity of the wall or the floor.
One should think of the fire bumper as part of the
own wall system.

Smoke dampers are defined as a device designed to

resist the passage of smoke through the HVAC system, or from one side
from one separation with fire classification to another.

Location: They must be installed no more than 24 inches from the barrier.
of smoke. Of course, the smoke dampers that are used for
isolate the air handlers are not limited to this requirement of
distance. NFPA 90A establishes that smoke dampers must
to be used to isolate air handling units of more than 15,000
cfm.
10.4 Diffusers, grilles and registers
Diffusers are the terminal devices that supply air in
various directions through the use of their deflector palettes. These
they are designed to promote the mixing of air conditioning with
the air that is already in space.
Grilles are defined as air devices that are generally used to
used to return air to the fan or to extract air from a
space.
Generally, grills are not used in the distribution of
supplies due to its inability to control the air.
The records resemble the grids but are composed of
adjustable air current deflectors and dampers in a
or two directions to restrict the amount of airflow that
requires to be returned, supplied, or exhausted.
Steps to select air terminals:

a. Determine the airflow requirement and the size of the

room.

b. Select the appropriate diffuser.

c. Determine the speed, the launch, the noise, and the fall of
pressure through the diffuser.

Let's check the characteristics of the diffuser (element c) with the

help with an example. The table below provides the
performance conditions of typical diffusers:
Air speed: it is the normal air speed used for a
comfortable air distribution of 50 fpm, while the range
acceptable is from 25 to 75 fpm.
Pressure drop: it is the pressure drop across the diffuser that
increases to higher speeds.
Noise criteria (NC): NC increases at higher speeds. If a
typical space requires an NC rating of 28-32, the airflow
the corresponding maximum is between 85 and 95 cfm.
Shot: Shot is defined as the horizontal distance from a diffuser to a
specified speed. For example, T50 = 15 ', indicates that at a distance
At 15' from the diffuser, the air speed will be 50 feet per minute. T100 =
10', indicates the distance at which the airspeed is 100 feet per.
minute, and T150 = 5', indicates the distance of 150 feet per minute. Often,
the launch is simply shown in the following format: [T150 -
T100 - T50]. For example, in the table above, the air flow of 60 cfm
results in a speed of 150 fpm at 7' from the diffuser, a speed of 100
9 fpm at the diffuser, and a speed of 50 fpm at 12 'from the diffuser.
Next, we mention the maximum amount of noise.
admissible in the different areas, measuring the noise level in
decibels (dBA).

Maximum acceptable noise within the areas to be air-conditioned.

10.5 Location of air inlets and outlets
A supply diffuser is responsible for most of the
air movement inside a room. As the air
of supply comes from a supply record, has a certain
flow volume expressed in cfm; that is the primary air. So
As soon as this air exits the outlet, it starts to draw in air.
secondary that already exists in the room. The air in this room blends in
the primary air and is carried along with it. The air current in
movement now has a much larger volume when it reaches the
end of its release. This total volume divided by the volume
The primary air is called the aspiration ratio. A high
the aspiration relationship is good, as it means that it is maintained in
movement a greater amount of air, with fewer possibilities of
stagnation in parts of the room and with fewer possibilities
of temperature stratification within the room.
The following key point must be taken into account:

a. Place the diffusers so that the T50 length is almost

equivalent to the characteristic length, which is defined as the
distance between the central line of the diffuser and the wall or the distance
between the center line of two diffusers.

b. When cooling is the space conditioner

dominant, install ceiling diffusers or high wall outlets that
download air parallel to the ceiling.
c. A return air inlet that is located directly in
the primary airflow from the supply outlet will short-circuit
the supply of air to the return without mixing with the air
environment. Place the high returns when the cooling is the
dominant factor, and low when heating is the factor
dominant.

d. Special situations that require special attention for

part of the designer is the location of the return vents and of
escape in bars, kitchens, toilets, dining rooms, club rooms, etc.
They should normally be located close to or at ceiling level to collect
the hot air. -up, "smells, smoke and gases".
11.0. CONSTRUCTION AND REINFORCEMENT OF CONDUITS
The National Association of Sheet Metal and Air Contractors
Conditioning (SMACNA) defines the construction standards of
ducts for rectangular, round, and oval ducts for classes
of positive or negative pressure of up to 10" water column.

The duct construction standards allow an estimator

specify which meters, connections, the reinforcement rods and the
coupling bars should be used for rectangular ducts,
round and oval.
11.1 Duct Construction
The walls of the ducts, the transverse joints, the seams
longitudinal and the reinforcements in or between the joints form the
basic elements of duct construction. Each size in a
pressure class has a minimum wall thickness of the duct and
a minimum specification for joints and reinforcements. The details are
available in the guides of the third edition of SMACNA 2005.
11.2 Thickness of duct sheet
Galvanized sheet is a common material for ducts. The
The thickness of the sheet is specified in "gauge" and the largest of the
The dimensions of the duct determine the thickness of the sheet.
(caliber). The table below provides general guidelines.
Refer to the SMACNA guides for more realistic thicknesses in
function of operating pressures.
 Thickness of the duct sheet
Rectangular Duct Circular Duct
Large dimension Steel plate Iron of Diameter Iron Iron of
Galvanized Aluminum steel Aluminum
(calibre) (calibre) Galvanized (calibre)
(caliber)
Up to 30 24 22 Up to 8 24 22
inches inches
31 to 60 inches 22 20 9 - 24 22 20
inches
61 - 90 inches 20 18 25 - 48 20 18
inches
91 inches 18 16 49 - 72 18 16
inches
Please note that the lower the gauge, the thicker the metal.
The recommended galvanized sheet for the ducts should have a zinc coating of at least
less than 1.25 ounces (35.4 g) per square foot. on both sides of the sheet and must be of quality
of training lock. The weight of galvanized steel is as follows:
Caliber 24 = 1.156 lbs./sq.-ft.
Caliber 22 = 1.406 lbs./sq.-ft.
Caliber 20 = 1.656 lbs./sq.-ft.
Caliber 18 = 2.156 lbs./sq.-ft.
Cost of galvanized steel = $16 per pound
11.3 Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio is an important factor for classifying cost
and the effectiveness of the airflow of a rectangular duct.
aspect ratio is the ratio between the width (w) and height (h) of
a duct, expressed as a ratio of w / h.
Increasing the aspect ratio also increases the installed cost.
as the operating cost of the system. A rectangular duct with
an aspect ratio closer to 1 will use the lowest plate.
Other benefits include low friction drop, low metal weight
and lower insulation and installation costs.
Example:
A duct with a cross-sectional area of 4 square feet.
And 100 feet in length can be made with dimensions of 2' x 2'.
1 'x 4'.
In the first case, 2 'x 2', the perimeter = 8 feet, the total required of
Sheet is 8 x 100 = 800 square feet.
In the second case, 1 'x 4', the perimeter = 10 feet, the total sheet
required is 10 x 100 = 1000 square feet.
As the aspect ratio increases from 1:1 to 1:4, the area
of surface area and the insulation requirements increase by 40%
11.4 Standard duct sizes
A standard air conditioner moves 400 cfm of air per
ton. One ton of refrigeration is equivalent to the rate of
heat extraction of 12,000 Btu per hour. The thermal unit
British thermal unit (Btu) is the measure of heat. One Btu is needed to raise
the temperature of the water at one degree Fahrenheit.
A 6-inch duct and an 8-inch duct transport
approximately 100 cfm and 200 cfm of fresh air,
respectively. Here are some sizes for the duct of
supply that can be used.
 STANDARD DUCT DIMENSIONS

Air flow Diameter of the Size of Size of Tonnage

duct conduct (1) duct (2)
100 cfm 6-inch circular 5”x6” 4 inches by 8 inches
¼ ton
200 cfm 8” circular 6"x8" 4"x12" ½ ton
300 cfm 9” circular 10"x7" 5"x14" 3/4 ton
400 cfm 10” circular 8"x10" 6"x14" 1 ton
600 cfm 12” circular 10"x12" 8"x14" 1½ tons
800 cfm 13” circular 10"x14" 8"x18" 2 tons
1000 cfm 14” circular 10”x16” 12”x14” 2½ ton
1200 cfm 16” circular 10"x20" 12"x16" 3 tons
1400 cfm 16” circular 12”x18” 10”x20” 3½ ton
1600 cfm 18” circular 14”x16” 12”x20” 4 tons
2000 cfm 18” circular 12"x25" 16"x17" 5 tons

Make sure the return ducts are larger or, when

less, the same size as the supply ducts.
11.5 Manufacturing of ducts and lengths
Standard length straight ducts cost less already
that the duct machines, like the coil lines
for rectangular ducts, they produce automatically
sections of ducts 5 feet long. Any duct
a rectangle that is not of a standard length is
technically adequate, as it cannot be done by the
coil line. Although a circular conduit in spiral
it can be practically any length, generally
it is cut into sections of 20 feet so that they fit in a
standard truck. The standard lengths of the ducts
ovals vary by manufacturer, but the ducts
they are typically 12 feet long. It is not uncommon that
an inexperienced designer includes too many reductions in the
size of the ducts with the false impression that the
Reducing the sizes of the ducts will lower costs.
Examples of worse and better duct design
 11.6 Spacing of the duct suspension
Perimeter of transverse duct Maximum space between hangers
Horizontal ducts less than 4 feet 8 feet
Horizontal ducts from 4 feet to 10 feet 6 feet.
Horizontal ducts longer than 10 feet. 4 feet.

SUSPENSION OF DUCTS
12.0. BEST ENGINEERING PRACTICES
12.1 Conservation of energy
Typical duct systems lose 25 to 40 percent of the
heating or cooling energy. Buildings with ducts
in a protected area (like a basement) they can lose something less
what this is, while other types of systems (such as the ducts of
attics in warm and humid climates) often lose more. The
Duct systems lose energy in two ways:
The first way is through heat transfer through
the walls of the duct. The ducts in a conditioned space
they are the most efficient ducts from an energy point of view.
The ducts that cross unconditioned spaces, such as a
attic or an open space, must be isolated. The gains and losses
Heat is minimized and goes directly to the conditioned space.
The second is through air leaks through holes
accidental or through open spaces between sections of
poorly connected ducts. The supply ducts with leaks
they cause the depressurization of the structure and the outside air
introduce through cracks in the envelope. The return ducts with
leaks cause pressurization, which forces the air conditioning
conditioned leave the structure. The sealing of the ducts of
supply and return minimizes energy loss by
infiltration.
12.2 Good engineering practices for designing ducts
The distribution of air within the space is critical to maintaining the
space conditions and minimize noise concerns. These
here are some key guidelines for designing ducts that must be followed
to make the most of your system:
1. Configuration: the ducts must be designed so that the
length of each route (each section of ducts) is the
sufficiently short to provide adequate control of
air flow and the stability of the construction. The configurations
radial or trunk and branch have shorter careers and generally
work better. Whenever possible, the ducts must
locate themselves within the conditioned space. The long sections and
Winding pipes can cause problems,
like pipes falling over time or twisting and getting blocked.
2. Go straight: this is the most important rule of all. From a
energy perspective, the air wants to go straight and will lose energy if it
you make it bend. From a cost perspective, the straight duct
it costs less than the accessories. Accessories are expensive because
they must be assembled by hand even if the pieces are cut
automatically with plasma cutters. Therefore, when designing
a system, try to reduce the number of curves and turns to a minimum
absolute.
3. Make sure the ducts are the right size: the
conducts that are too small will not be able to transport
sufficient air to heat or cool your building. The ducts that
they are too big to lose both air and energy,
reducing the efficiency of the system and wasting money. Use
reliable industry standards and procedures, such as the
published by ASHRAE, to size their ducts.
4. Make sure there are enough return ducts: the
supply ducts transport the air conditioning to your
building, but the system also requires sufficient ducts of
return to return used air to the HVAC unit and condition it
again. Each room that receives heating or cooling must
have at least one return duct. As a general rule, use 2
cfm per square inch of return air opening; for
example, 20
The grid 'x 20' equals 400 [Link]. gross area of the grill, which
it means 800 cfm of recommended air flow.
5. Be careful where you install the ducts: The ducts
placed in conditioned spaces are more efficient than those that
they are placed in unconditioned spaces. If found inside the
conditioned space, conductive and radiative losses, the
losses due to leaks and the losses of the equipment cabinet are reduced or
recuperan en el espacio del edificio. Si no es posible ubicar los
ducts within the conditioned spaces, the ducts
they must be properly sealed and isolated. The ducts of the
The overhead compartments are generally found above the aisles.
in the cavity above the ceiling to minimize transmission of
noise to the conditioned areas and allow easy access without
to bother the occupants of the building.
6. Thermal zoning: zoning is a practice of dividing a
building in different thermal zones, which have requirements of
heating and cooling similar. In practice, the rooms of
the corners and the perimeter spaces of the building have variations
in the loading compared to the interior areas of the core. The
Buildings are generally divided into two main areas.
•Outer zone: this is the area inside from the outer wall
generally from 12 to 18 feet, if the rooms do not align in the
outer wall). The exterior area is directly affected by the
external conditions during summer and winter and has loads
variable thermals.
•Inner zone: this is the area contained by the outer zone. The zone
the interior is only slightly affected by the outside conditions
and, generally, has a constant cooling load and
uniform throughout.
Few areas, for example, conference and meeting rooms are
influenced by variable occupancy loads. The concept of zone
Thermal is important for sizing the HVAC equipment and planning the
the way the ducts are channeled. If the areas have requirements
temperature and/or humidity specials must have systems
independent air distribution separated from the areas
variables. The idea is to allow independent control of the
temperature and humidity in similar areas. Where not possible,
consider the use of VAV systems and/or supplementary controls.

7. Seal and isolate: make sure that all duct sections are
seal tightly. The connections can be sealed
mechanically with sheet metal screws or other fasteners to
improve the resistance of the connection. Seal the connections with putty
or metal tape. Cover the ductwork with insulation, such as
a rigid fiber board or a standard blanket-type insulation.
8. Golden rules:
10% Rule: for supply ducts longer than 10 feet, the
air is reduced by 10% for every 5 feet in 10 feet.
For example, a 30-foot race results in a 40% reduction.
(30-10 = 20, 20 ÷ 5 = 4, 4 × 10 = 40%). Minimize the length and the
restrictions. Keep the length of the supply duct as short as possible
approximately 10 feet, but never less than 6 feet. Use the least
number of possible curves.
24-inch rule: use at least 24 inches of straight plenum
before any fitting, such as an elbow, tee, or takeoff. The
Electric duct heaters require 48 inches. Avoid the
elbows directly out of the units. The maximum total length
The plenary must be restricted to 150 feet. For the plenary, maximize the
length and minimize the restrictions.
•60/40 Rule: when using a T, split the flow as close as possible.
of 50/50, no more than 60/40. Always use a rotating palette.
•Rule 70/30: Turn the tee 90° to form a lateral branch with no
more than 30 percent of the air. Do not use a rotating palette.
Takeoffs: keep the distance between takeoffs as far apart as possible.
uniformly possible. Place the takeoffs at least 6 inches apart
from a distance and 12 inches from the end cap.
•Accessories: use long and rounded duct accessories in
place for short or mitered accessories whenever possible.
13.0. ISOLATION AND SEALING OF DUCTS
13.1 Duct insulation
The insulation is applied to the ducts to minimize the rate of
thermal loss through the thin sheet. The ducts also
they can sweat when their surface temperature is below
from the dew point of the surrounding air. This can cause damage
by water and microbial growth inside the building.
A temperature difference of 15 °F from the inside of the duct
the maximum difference is considered towards the outside of the duct
allowed before isolation is needed. A blanket of
one-inch fiberglass (R-value of 16) is almost always
sufficient for thermal protection. The air ducts of
return only need to isolate if they go through environments that affect
adversely the return air temperature.
The insulation is joined by overlap, stapling, and gluing. It should be
include a protective cover with a vapor barrier like a
aluminum foil in the insulation specifications.
13.2 Air leakage from the duct
The duct leak refers to the air leak from the ducts.
air distribution system. The leak can occur at joints,
stitches and penetrations. This leak causes two problems: 1) some
areas at the end of the race may have little airflow, and 2) the
the fan's energy increases as the cube of the
air leak. For example, if a system has a 10% leak and the
the fan design was originally 20 HP (HP), the new motor
required to overcome the loss of 10% will be 20 HP x (1.1) 3 =
26.6 HP. In this case, the owner pays the equivalent of 6.6 HP in
additional fan energy during the building's service life.
The air duct leak can be represented as a function.
of the surface area of the duct, the type of leak, and the pressure
static. The type of leak is determined by the methods of
construction employees in the manufacturing of ducts according
with the construction standards of ducts ANSI/SMACNA
HVAC.
13.3 Duct leak tests
The ducts that are designed to operate at static pressures
higher than 3 inches of water column and are located at
outdoor areas must undergo a leak test of
agreement with the Air Duct Leakage Testing Manual
from SMACNA HVAC. The positive pressure leak test is
acceptable for negative pressure ducts.
The maximum allowable leakage from the pipe will be:

where
Lmax = maximum allowed leakage in cfm / 100 square feet of
surface area of the duct;
•CL = duct leak class, cfm / 100 square feet of
surface of the duct in a column of water of 1 inch.
SMACNA has defined duct leakage rates as class of
escape 24, 12 or 6. These figures simply mean that at 1 inch
during the pressure test, it can be expected that the conduits will leak
24, 12, or 6 cfm per square foot of duct surface.
•P = test pressure, which is equal to the class rating of
design duct pressure, in water column in inches,
according to ASHRAE 90.1: [Link].2
The ducts designed to operate at static pressures below
3 inch - WC and located outdoors or inside a non-space
air-conditioned units, must undergo a leak test of
agreement with the testing procedures contained in the
SMACNA HVAC Air Leak Test Manual.
13.4 Duct sealing
The sealing of the duct is a process of applying materials.
approved or sealants in the joints of the duct prone to
air leaks. The locations where it is usually done
seals include supply and return plenums, collars of
start where the ducts are connected to the plenums,
accessories in the ducts, splices inside the conduit and
terminations where the ducts connect to the registers of
supply.
Approved sealants:
Sealers must be listed in UL 181, water-based, no
they are toxic and are water-resistant with a high solid content.
The approved sealants are flexible joints, reinforced sealant.
with fiber or putty used with mesh tape. The systems of
Sealed ducts with sealants generally show leaks.
minors. The sealant used must be water-based,
non-toxic, have at least 50% solids and have the
UL 181 approval.
Non-recommended materials:
Paper tapes are not suitable, the duct tapes with
Back support of the screen or pressure-sensitive tapes. They should not be.
use sealing and glazing compounds based on
oil.
The ASHRAE and SMACNA standards specify the requirements of
sealing of ducts in terms of seal classes A, B, and C.
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 Duct Seal Classes

Seal level Sealing requirements

Class A Seal All transverse joints and longitudinal seams, and
the penetrations of the duct wall. The tape
sensitive to pressure should not be used as a sealant
primary.
Class B Seal All transverse joints and longitudinal seams.
The pressure-sensitive tape should not be used as
primary sealant.
Class C Seal All the transverse joints only

Duct sealing classes of SMACNA-HVAC

• Class A Seal: 2 to 5 percent of total system leaks (all joints
transverse, longitudinal seams, and penetrations of the ducts.
Class B seal: 3 to 10 percent total leakage of the system (all joints
transverse and longitudinal seams.
Class C seal: 5 to 20 percent total system leakage (all joints
transversals).
• Unsealed: 10 to 40 percent total system leakage.
14.0. DUCT ATTENUATION AND CONSIDERATIONS
NOISES
The HVAC industry has established noise criteria values (NC)
to assess the acceptability of sound levels. The values
NC for different types of buildings varies from 30 to 40 decibels.
A decibel is a comparative unit of sound measurement.
whispered conversation at a distance of 6 feet from the ear,
example, has a sound pressure level of 30 decibels.
14.1 HVAC noise points
The figure below shows the noise points of a
typical HVAC system.

NOISE COMPONENTS IN A TYPICAL MECHANICAL INSTALLATION

The main source of noise in air conditioning systems is
due to the speed of the air and the noise of the fan. The 5 ways
different types of noise are:
1. Ruido transmitido por el conducto: es causado por el flujo de aire y
depends directly on the speed of the air.
2. Radiated equipment noise: It is caused by the vibration of the equipment.
and the inherent sound pressure of the equipment.
3. Input noise: it is radiated equipment noise that enters the
network of conduits and propagates through the duct system.
4. Break noise: transmits through the duct wall.
5. Terminal end noise: It is caused by air flows.
in terminal devices such as the diffuser or the register.
14.2 Acoustic analysis of a duct system
The noise due to the air is approximately proportional to the 5th.
fan speed power. If the speed of a
The fan is reduced by 10%, the dB will decrease by 2 dB. If the
the fan speed is reduced by 20% and 30%, it will produce
a noise reduction of 5 dB and 8 dB, respectively.
Based on the aforementioned analysis, the following are made
recomendaciones:
Duct transmitted through the duct:
1. Keep the airspeed low and size freely the
ducts. The air velocity in the main duct must
limit to 1,500 fpm and the speed through the ducts
the derivation must be less than 800 fpm.
2. Select the fan at the point of maximum efficiency.
3. All VAV systems must have frequency units.
variable.
4. The ducts must be routed, manufactured, and supported accordingly.
with SMACNA guidelines.
Noise from the irradiated equipment:
1. Use vibration isolators between the equipment and the structure of the
building. The common materials used as insulators of
vibration are rubber, cork, various types of steel springs and
fiberglass pads.
Use flexible fabric connections between the fan and the duct.
3. Avoid placing the HVAC unit in a space immediately
adjacent to the occupied space.
4. Soundproof the walls and ceilings of the mechanical room
with fiber insulation mounted on wooden slats. The
insulation must be covered with a perforated aluminum sheet of
caliber 36.
Duct Break-In and Break-Out Noise
1. Ensure a low airflow velocity. The air speed
in the main duct and the bifurcation duct must be limited to 1,500
fpm and 800 fpm, respectively.
2. Make sure that the ducts do not vibrate. The ducts can be
make them stiffer by adding external clamps and/or adding
damping (spray or self-adhesive compounds).
3. Avoid abrupt changes in the cross-sections of the
ducts; most straight ducts naturally attenuate
the noise and provide smooth transition duct branches,
takeoffs and curves.
4. The fitting (like elbows and transitions) should not be placed closer.
from 3 to 6 diameters of the pipe downstream of the transitions of a
fan and duct, particularly at the inlet openings and
unit download: 15 ° maximum.
5. Isolate the duct with Rockwool or Glasswool to dampen the
breakage noise of the pipe.
6. Use the internal lining of the duct at least 10 to 15
fan discharge ducts. Duct insulation of
One-inch thick fiberglass has an NRC of 0.7; this
it means that it effectively absorbs 70 percent of the sound in the
most common frequencies. A two-inch duct lining of
thickness has an NRC of 0.90, absorbing 90 percent of the sound.
Caution: a two-inch cover will reduce the area of the section
transversal of the duct causing an increase in velocity. This
needs to be evaluated.
7. Add acoustic silencers to the fan discharge.
Caution: Check the fan's static pressure to exceed
the resistance. Check the space
8. Use flexible ducts only at the terminal ends of the
diffusers. The flexible ducts must be fully stretched and
restricted to a length of 6 feet.
Terminal noise:
Install at least 3 straight bend diameters at the entrance of
diffuser or use a minimum of 6 feet of acoustic bend between the
low-pressure duct and the diffuser.
2. Select diffusers, grilles, and registers for the qualification of
"noise criterion" of NC-30 or lower for the airflow rate
designed.
Refer to the chapter HVAC Applications, "Sound Control and
vibration" from the ASHRAE Manual, Chapter 43 and 2003 edition for
obtain more information.
Regenerated noise: HVAC Designer Enemy # 1
The medium and high-speed airflow that impacts any
Obstruction will cause disturbance of the airflow. The turbulence
resulting produces regenerated noise.
The design components of HVAC ducts such as elbows,
rotating blades, dampers, transitions, deviations,
takeoffs, you, etc. are examples of such obstructions. The
turbulence in most air flow systems is
characterized by sudden changes in the trajectory of the airflow,
pronounced curves, abrupt changes in the cross-section, etc.
in contrast to the aerodynamic noise of the fan that is
it manifests in a more tonal frequency spectrum in the transition of
fan frequency. The turbulence and the regenerated noise are
they are generally characterized by a band frequency spectrum
wide. Turbulence increases noise levels and the system
operating costs.
The regenerated noise can be minimized by ensuring conditions of
gentle air flow. The design and construction guidelines of
SMACNA ducts must be incorporated into all specifications.
and drawings of the work. The SMACNA guidelines also describe the
locations and the optimal guidelines for duct silencers for
installation of centrifugal fans (distances for the
installation of duct accessories.
15.0. DUCT TESTING AND SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
The testing and air balancing is a process that measures and adjusts the
air distribution for supply in an HVAC system
determined. The purpose of testing and balancing an HVAC system is
supply to each conditioned area the precise amount of air of
necessary supply to offset a gain (or loss) of
determined heat. This process is usually carried out after
that an HVAC system was installed. The amount of airflow in each
The zone is determined based on mechanical design plans. Without
embargo, the tests and air balancing are also carried out in
response to certain cases of thermal discomfort of the occupants.
If there is thermal discomfort among the occupants in a building with
A properly sized and balanced HVAC system may be
it is necessary to make adjustments in the supply records
to satisfy all occupants.
The following testing requirements are recommended:
1. The air flows room by room are correct;
The total offer is as designed;
Total return + escape = total supply;
4. The ducts, the plenum, and the air controller are airtight; and
5. The static pressure is correct.
15.1 System balancing
Balancing a system involves the following steps:
1. Inspect the entire system; locate all ducts,
openings and dampers.
2. Open all the dampers in the ducts and in the grilles.
3. Check the speeds at each outlet.
4. Measure the area of the "free" grid.
5. Calculate the airflow volume at each outlet.
6. Total cubic feet per minute.
7. Determine the floor areas of each room. Add to
determine the total area.
8. Determine the cfm for each room. The area of the divided living room.
by the total area of the floor multiplied by the total cfm equals cfm
for the room.
9. Adjust the duct dampers and the dampers of the
grid to obtain these values.
10. Recheck all the outlet grills. In some cases,
it may be necessary to overcome the excessive resistance of the duct
installing an air duct amplifier. These are
fans used to increase airflow when the
the duct is too small, too long, or has
too many elbows.
15.2 Testing methods and equipment
The duct testing is the process of using mechanical equipment
calibrated to measure the amount of air flow that is lost to
through the duct system when it is at operating pressure
normal. While some joints or seams may have small
Leaks, other sections may be completely disconnected.
The duct test can indicate the relative leakage of the
ducts and help determine if the duct system needs to
to seal, to repair, or to renew.
There are two main testing methods:
The pressurization subtraction method uses a unit of
pressurization (that is, a high-power fan installed in
a door and connected to pressure gauges) to pressurize everything first
the space that heats up and / or cools down and then the same space with the
duct system blocked off. This method is less
I need the duct testing method.
The duct testing method uses a calibrated fan.
that gently pressurizes the ducts and measures the airflow to
through the ducts to indicate a total leak. The tester
The ducts consist of a portable fan, with manometers.
digital calibrations, which is connected in the compartment of
blower of the air controller, or connected to the return grille
All records of ducts and grilles are sealed.
temporarily, and the duct tester fan is
turn on to pressurize the system. The fan pressure is read
from the meters and turns into a leakage rate of the duct
cubic feet per minute (cfm). If the quantity of
Air loss falls outside acceptable limits, it will be required
sealed to correct the condition. This testing method is preferred.
because it measures the airflow accurately and simulates what happens
under normal operating conditions.
15.3 Air flow measurement instruments
Anemometer: the anemometer is a device used to measure
the speed of air traveling through a duct or grille. The
Readings are measured in feet per minute (fpm).
The airflow is measured in cfm, therefore:
Air flow (cfm) = Velocity (fpm) x Area (ft2)
For example, if the average speed in a rectangular duct of 12
"x 24" is 1,000 fpm, the volume flow rate is 12 x 24 x 1,000
144 = 2,000 cfm.
There are three (3) types of anemometer:
a. Anemometer with thermal probe: it has a probe that consists of
a small length of very thin wire (or a small cord)
thermistor) attached to the end of a support tube. The cable is
it is heated electrically and measurements of the dissipated heat are made
through the cable. The heat dissipation rate is directly
related to the speed of the air that passes through the cable.
b. Rotating blade anemometer: it consists of a disc of blades
angled joined to a rotating axis and generally mounted inside
of a protection and support ring. The speed at which
The set of blades is a measure of the speed of the air that
act on it. This speed can be detected electronically or
through a counting mechanism.

Anemometer of
rotating palettes
c. Ultrasonic anemometer: takes air speed measurements
clean and gas with a "mini sensor". Using three "publications"
Energized, sound waves are transmitted sequentially.
3,849 times per second. The time required for the
sound journey from one publication to another and for the wave to return to the
same precise distance. Using the speed of sound, at 340.3 m/s
In standard air as 'carrier', the actual speed can be
calculate with 100% certainty and repeatability. Any change in the
ambient temperature conditions, barometric pressure,
relative humidity and gas density become irrelevant for your
use in air mixing situations / inert gas density, without
need for corrections, recalibrations, or complex calculations.
Anemometer with
thermal probe Ultrasonic anemometer
Manometer: The manometer is a device used to measure
relatively low pressures or, more commonly, devices of
pressure.
The pressure gauges are made in two (2) different styles. Both are
used to measure the pressure difference in an object, e.g., filter,
coil and fan

1. The U-tube manometer to read the amount of pressure

applied, read the corresponding value of the fluid level on one side of the
tube and double it.

2. Inclined manometer. To read the amount of pressure applied, read

the value according to the fluid level in the tube.
The Pitot Tube: the Pitot tube is a device that is generally used
junto con un manómetro inclinado para medir la presión estática, la
total pressure and velocity pressure within a system with
ducts. The Pitot tube assembly includes a pressure probe
static and a total pressure probe. A total pressure probe,
aligned in the airflow, detects the speed pressure of the
duct and the static pressure, which is equal to the total pressure. A
static pressure probe aligned at right angles to the airflow
only detects static pressure. The difference between the reading of
total pressure and the static pressure reading is the pressure of
speed.
15.4 Determination of air flow in the grilles
The rotating blade anemometer is often used to measure the
speed at the intake grilles and the extraction openings. If the
The grille has directional grilles, these must be configured at an angle.
just before taking the readings.

The measurement of air velocity should be done between the blades.

in various positions. The effective free outlet area of the grid is
you can find from the relevant manufacturer's data or if
estimate from the area of unobstructed flow of the grid.
To determine the volumetric flow, the measuring instrument
it must be evenly traversed across the entire face of the grid to
determine the arithmetic mean value of the air speed.
The volume flow is then:
Q = Aeff x Vmedia x f
Where,
Q = volumetric flow (cfm)
Aeff = effective free outflow area of the grid 2)

•Vmedia= velocidad media (fpm)

f = correction factor for obstruction by the instrument of
measurement (for rotating paddle anemometer, f = 1.3 to 1.9.
15.5 Determination of air flow in the ducts
The Pitot tube with the manometer is generally used to measure
the velocity in the ducts. If you connect the total pressure probe to
high port in a differential pressure sensor and the probe of
static pressure at the LOWER port in the differential pressure sensor,
then the output of the sensor will be the speed pressure.
The gauge readings are velocity pressure (VP) in
inches of water column, and not in velocity (fpm). Therefore,
it is necessary to convert the pressure of speed to speed, in feet
per minute (fpm), using the following equation:

where
• V = Velocidad de flujo en pies por minuto, (fpm)
VP = The velocity pressure measured by the pressure sensor, (in-wc)
After obtaining the flow velocity from the previous equation, the
value is now multiplied by the area of the cross-section of the
duct to determine the airflow in cfm.
There are two different equations to determine the area of the section.
transversal of the duct, one for the round ducts and another
for square or rectangular ducts.
The equation for a round duct is:

A = πx r^2

where,
A = Cross-sectional area of the duct (sq-ft)
π= 3.14159
r = radius of the duct in feet
The equation for square or rectangular ducts is:
A=w*h
where,
•A = Área de sección transversal del conducto, (sq-ft)
h = height of the duct in feet, (ft)
w = Width of the duct in feet, (ft)
Example:
A Pitot tube measures a velocity pressure of 0.75 "W.C.
from a 18" diameter duct. Determine the airflow at
through the conduit.
Calculate the air flow velocity:
Speed (V) = 4005 x (0.75) ½
V = 4005 x 0.866 = 3,468 fpm
Calculate the cross-sectional area of a round duct of 18
in diameter:
Diámetro = 18 "= 1.5 pies
Radius = 1.5 / 2 = 0.752 feet
A = π x r²
A = 3.14158 x 0.752 x 0.752 = 1.77 ft2
Determination of air flow in cfm:
Air flow (Q) = Flow velocity in fpm (V) x Cross-sectional area
of the duct (A)
Q = 3.468 feet per minute x 1.77 square feet = 6.138 cfm
15.6 Provisions during design for testing, adjustment and
balance
It is important that the air from the system reaches the space occupied with
minimal losses caused by leaks and resistance, with the mixture
adequate air, and without temperature changes due to losses or
heat losses. Noise, the draft, and the
efficiency with which air is delivered. The means to achieve these
requirements are the proper design of ducts and points of sale.
The designer must pay special attention to the process of balance and
adjustment during design. It is necessary that the capacity of
balanced is initially designed in the system. Next,
they detail some considerations that must be taken into account when designing
duct systems.
1. Sufficient lengths of straight duct must be provided in
an accessible area to allow TAB staff to carry out their
function correctly. This also applies in the TAB work of
the critical branches of the distribution system.
The mixing boxes must be located in such a way that the network of
download minimizes air turbulence and stratification.
3. The ducts to and from the air conditioning equipment
must be carefully designed so that the stratified air can
mix properly before entering the ducts of
referral or to the team.
4. Access doors of appropriate size must be installed inside.
from a normal working distance of all regulators
volume, shock absorbers, pressure reducing valves, coils of
reheating, mixing boxes, mixers, regulators of
constant volume, etc. that require adjustments within the
conducts.
5. Quadrant type volume dampers must be installed.
manually operated, with opposing blade or single blade
in each duct bifurcation take after leaving the
main duct for controlling the amount of air that enters or exits
from the fork.
6. Do not use exhaust fans at the outlets of the main ducts or
the bifurcations, as they can cause turbulence in the duct
main trunk, which increases the total pressure of the system and affects
the performance of other secondary outputs downstream. The
extractors are mainly used to divert the air to the
conducts of the branches.
16.0. DUCT CLEANING
There is also the question of when the cleaning should be done.
duct and how the work can be validated. Duct cleaning
it may be justified in any of the following situations:
There is substantial evidence of visible mold growth inside
the hard surface of the ducts or in other components of the
heating and cooling system. Conduct a laboratory analysis
for the sample before making the decision.
If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or has
mold cannot be cleaned effectively and must be removed and
replace.
The ducts are infested with parasites, e.g. (rodents or
insects)
The ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust or
waste, so the particles are actually released in the home
from the supply records.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it has never been
it has been demonstrated that duct cleaning actually prevents problems
of health. Furthermore, the studies do not conclusively demonstrate
that particle levels in homes increase due to the
dirty air ducts. This is because much of the dirt
in the air ducts adheres to the surfaces of the ducts and not
necessarily intrudes into personal space. It is important to have
it states that dirty air ducts are just one of the many
possible sources of particles that are present in homes. The
pollutants that enter the house both from the exterior and
from indoor activities like cooking, cleaning, smoking or
simply moving can cause greater exposure to the
contaminants that dirty air ducts. In addition, there is no
evidence that a small amount of household dust or others
Particles in the air ducts pose a risk to your health.
In 1989, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association
(NADCA) was formed by members of the cleaning industry
ducts. This organization adopted a standard in 1992 titled:
NADCA Standard 1992-01, Mechanical cleaning of components of
non-porous air transport system. This standard provides
performance requirements and evaluation criteria for cleaning
non-porous duct mechanics, fans, coils, and others
non-porous components of air transport systems
commercial and residential.
16.1 Duct cleaning methods
The methods of duct cleaning vary, although
the industrial associations related to cleaning
air ducts have established standards. Therefore
generally, a service provider will use tools
specialized for removing dirt and others
waste in the ducts, and then pass them through the
vacuum cleaner with a high-power vacuum cleaner. The
Common duct cleaning methods include:
contact aspiration
air sweeping
electric brushing.
Vacuum contact method:
The aspiration of contact involves cleaning the surfaces of the duct.
interior through existing openings and exits or, when appropriate
necessary, through openings cut in the ducts. The
vacuum unit should only use HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) collection equipment
Efficiency Particle Air); the conventional equipment can release
extremely fine particles in the atmosphere, instead of
to gather them.
Starting on the return side of the system, the head of the
the vacuum cleaner is inserted into the section of the duct that is going to be cleaned in
the furthest opening, and then the vacuum cleaner is turned on. The
aspiration proceeds downstream slow enough to
allow the vacuum to collect all the dust and dirt particles.
The aspiration of contacts generally requires windows of
access larger than other methods, to allow the team
of cleaning I reached the last corner of the duct. The distance
between the access hatches depends on the stationary equipment and the
target distance from the opening. The vacuum head is
introduce into the duct using the nearest opening to the
start of the duct network. Then, the movement begins,
following the direction of the airflow, and slow enough
to capture and collect all the dirt.
Air sweeping method:
In the air sweeping or air washing method, a unit of
The vacuum pickup is connected to the downstream end of the
duct section. The vacuum unit must use the HEPA filter, if
is running out in an occupied space. The isolated section of
the duct that is being cleaned must be subjected to a pressure of
minimum negative air of 1" to extract loose materials to
vacuum collection system. Be careful not to collapse the
duct.
The compressed air is then introduced into the duct through a
hose equipped with a pattern nozzle. This nozzle is
driven by compressed air along the inside of the duct.
For the air washing method to be effective, the air source
compressed must be able to produce an air pressure of between 160 and
200 psi and it must have a 20-gallon receiver tank. This method
it is more effective for cleaning ducts that are no more than 24" x 24"
of interior dimension. The inspection of each section of the duct and
related components are carried out to determine if the
the duct is clean.
Mechanical brushing method (mechanical):
In the electric brushing method, a collection unit of
vacuum connects to the duct in the same way as with the method
air sweeping. The pneumatic or electric rotary brushes are
they are used to dislodge dirt and dust particles that are
They are transported by air and then introduced into the vacuum unit. The
Brushing operations typically require access openings.
larger than the previous method. However, they are needed
fewer openings. Certain types of mechanical brushes can reach
up to 24 feet in both directions.
The inspection of each section of the duct and the components
related is done to determine if the duct is clean.
When the duct section is clean, the brush is removed from the
duct and is inserted through the following opening, where the
process continues.

Other cleaning variations

The service provider may propose the application of biocides.
chemicals, designed to eliminate microbiological contaminants, in
the interior of the duct and in other components of the system.
Some service providers may also suggest applying
chemical treatments (sealants) to encapsulate or cover the
internal surfaces of the air ducts and the casings of the
equipment because they believe they will control the growth of mold or
they will prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from the
conducts. These practices have not yet been fully researched and
must be fully informed before deciding to allow the use
of biocides or chemical treatments in their air ducts.
16.2 Coordination between Design Specialties

The design review process includes a random verification.

to verify that the mechanical design is coordinated with the design
electrical, structural, and architectural.

Many of the following coordination checks

they will guarantee energy efficiency in addition to verifying the
system integration:
1. Is the structural support adequate in the areas where it
Where will the mechanical team be located?

2. Do the architectural and structural details provide the

acoustic insulation and protection against moisture necessary
in the mechanical areas?
3. Do the entry and exit penetrations through the walls
are of an adequate size to prevent high-pressure drops and
moisture penetrations?
4. Are the hunting sizes large enough to
allow adequate size ducts?
5. Are the structural clearances around the chains and others
areas with large ducts and pipelines are sufficient
to allow systems to be installed without major crashes
pressure?
Is there enough space above the ceiling and below the structure?
to allow the necessary mechanical system to be directed
together with the electrical, plumbing, and special systems without a
excessive amount of compensations and/or duct sizes
restricted?
7. Have general rules been established for routing ducts,
pipes, ducts and special systems through the cavity of
roof? If so, do they meet the requirements of the systems
mechanics?
Is there an appropriate access route to allow for removal?
of worn-out equipment and the installation of new equipment? Is this
route contains the appropriate structural resistance to support the
team that could move through it?
9. Are the electric service requirements coordinated with the
requirements of mechanical systems in terms of voltage,
capacity, reliability, and source? An air management system
that has its fans powered by the system of
emergency, its Direct Digital Control (DDC) controllers
powered by an uninterruptible power supply, with a
locking circuit with normal power, can
to experience some problems when there is an increase in
momentary power in the service line.

10. If the project will use variable speed units, who...

Will it specify? If the units require transformers of
isolation or line reactors, who is responsible for
dimension them and specify them?
11. Have the engine power requirements changed since the
development of the design?

12. Has there been coordination with the electrical designer regarding the type of motor?
What kind of starter will be used for large machinery? Often,
change the type of starter or the voltage used to serve
A large engine can improve the system's performance.
electric and reduce initial costs.
These coordination problems have dominant effects with
important implications for energy conservation and the
resources. For example, if there is a coordination problem between a
mechanical system and a structural element are not resolved in the
design stage, the field solution may require accessories
additions. These accessories will introduce pressure drops that
they will persist during the life of the system or possibly the useful life
of the building. As another example, consider an equipment room with
a poor access route. The lack of adequate access can
delay the replacement of an existing and obsolete part with one
more efficient machine, simply because the cost of carrying the
The new equipment in the building is too tall.
Summary

General rules for duct design:

The air must be transported as directly as possible to

save space, energy, and material.

2. Sudden changes in directions should be avoided. When not

It is possible to avoid sudden changes; palettes should be used.
swivels to reduce pressure loss.

3. The diverging sections must be gradual. The angle of

divergence must be ≤ 20°.

4. The aspect ratio should be as close to 1.0 as possible.

It should normally not exceed 4.
5. The air speeds must be within the limits
permissible to reduce noise and vibration.

6. The material of the duct must be as smooth as possible to

reduce losses due to friction.

7. Round ducts require 27% less metal per

air handling capacity unit that the ducts
rectangular and have lower installation costs, which can
result in substantial savings in capital costs.
8. Rectangular metal ducts are the most flexible.
when it comes to placing them in limited spaces and
they are used in many duct systems with pressures below
2.0 in-WC, particularly when the installation contractor
he has a metal sheet workshop.

9. Leaks with medium and high pressure systems can create a

considerable noise. The sealing materials include gaskets, tapes
sensitive to pressure, embedded fabrics, putties, and liquids.
A continuación se encuentran extractos de diseños típicos de
real project ducts.
 TYPICAL DUCT DESIGNS
Ducts with square diffusers
Ducts with linear diffusers
DUCTS WITH CIRCULAR DIFFUSERS
UNIT TYPE ROOF PACKAGE WITH ducts
ROOF PACKAGE UNIT WITH DUCTS
(SIDE VIEW ELEVATION)
COORDINATION BETWEEN CONDUITS AND STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
TYPICAL MANUFACTURE OF THE DUCT AND SUPPORTS
INSTALLATION OF CIRCULAR DUCTS AND TRANSITIONS
RECTANGULAR DUCTS
LOW PRESSURE DUCTS WITH VAV TERMINAL BOX
DUCT SYMBOLS
LOW PRESSURE DUCTS WITH VAV TERMINAL BOX
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
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