Commercial HVAC Duct Design - Part 2

In Commercial HVAC Duct Design - Part 2, you'll learn ...

• The design and operation of commercial HVAC air distribution systems and their major components
• The application of duct sizing methods to produce efficient, balanced, and code-compliant duct systems
• The integration of HVAC codes, standards, building pressurization, and airflow control into commercial duct design
• How to develop practical commercial duct system layouts from load calculations through final design documentation

Overview

Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.

Credit: 3 PDH

Length: 52 pages

The design of ductwork is as much an art as it is a science. An experienced engineer or contractor can design ductwork that is not only energy efficient, but simple and straightforward to build using a minimum of materials and labor. For most people, ductwork is the “out of sight, out of mind” mechanical system we take for granted that exists either above or below hidden away by attractive floors and ceilings. It generally goes unnoticed unless poorly designed, which can result in building occupant discomfort due to excessive noise and/or temperature control issues.

Ductwork can be defined as a network of round, oval, rectangular, or combination of gas conveying conduits of varying sizes. Ducts can deliver or remove gases (usually air) to or from one or more spaces for the purposes of ventilation, heat exchange, particulate removal, pressure control, or other specialized manufacturing and industrial processes. Ductwork can be arranged in simple single zone systems or massive multi-zone multi-story systems serving hundreds of rooms in buildings as large as hundreds of thousands of square feet.

This is Part 2 of 2 in the Commercial HVAC Duct Design course series. Part 1 and Part 2 are relatively independent of each other and can be taken out of order. However, it is recommended that you complete Part 1 and pass the quiz before attempting Part 2 as concepts discussed in Part 2 borrow from the foundation knowledge presented in Part 1.

Part 2 Section 3 begins with an overview of air distribution systems and all the components that could be installed in an air distribution system for the purposes of airflow control and building occupant safety. The various types of duct systems and components used are explained. The main methods of duct sizing are covered in Section 4. An example duct design project for a medium-sized commercial office building is also presented in detail step by step. Lastly, some duct design and project tips are provided to help you design the perfect duct system.

Mechanical engineers working in HVAC design or operations and maintenance will benefit from this course. This course is focused on commercial building duct design. However, the concepts introduced will not only provide a solid foundation of knowledge but also equip you with the tools necessary to design ductwork for any type of duct system: residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional.

Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

• The functions and applications of supply, return, outside air, and exhaust duct systems
• The operation and selection of dampers, diffusers, grilles, registers, turning vanes, and wall louvers
• The application of ASHRAE, SMACNA, NFPA, and energy conservation standards to commercial duct design
• The principles of insulation selection, noise control, and building pressurization
• The advantages and limitations of ducted return and return air plenum systems
• The operation and control sequences of VAV, parallel fan, series fan, and dual-duct terminal units
• The development of HVAC zones using building load calculations and occupancy requirements
• The application of Equal Friction, Static Regain, Velocity Reduction, and Total Pressure duct sizing methods
• The preparation of complete commercial duct layouts including airflow calculations, duct sizing, and equipment coordination
• How to apply practical duct design and project management techniques that improve constructability, maintenance, and long-term system performance

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 20 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.