Air Distribution Systems

A. Ventilation: Outdoor air ventilation shall be introduced into each occupied building space in
accordance with the current revision of ASHRAE Standard 62 and approved addenda.
B. Energy Conservation: Exhaust airflow and associated outdoor air makeup airflow shall be
minimized to conserve energy. However, the applicable requirements of ASHRAE Standard
62 (referenced above) as well as the American National Standard for Laboratory Ventilation
(ANSI/AIHA Standard #Z9.5, referenced in the Wet Laboratories section within these General
Guidelines) shall not be violated. The conditioning of outdoor air is the most significant
energy consumer on campus. Fan energy consumption shall also be minimized. This
requires that careful attention be given to the selection of the most efficient fan type(s) and
size(s) for each application. This will also go a long way toward minimizing fan-generated
noise. Air distribution ductwork and accessories shall be sized generously (within appropriate
limits) and configured so as to minimize the total pressure requirement at each fan, thus
minimizing fan brake horsepower requirements.
C. Energy Recovery Systems: See the Energy Recovery Systems section within these
General Guidelines for specific air distribution/exhaust system requirements related to
energy recovery systems.
D. Economizers: Each air distribution system with a design recirculated airflow rate of 3000
CFM or greater shall be equipped with an airside economizer to allow the system to take
advantage of opportunities for free cooling.
E. Return Fans: Each air distribution system that is equipped with an airside economizer shall
incorporate one or more dedicated return fans.
F. VAV Systems: Each air distribution system with a design recirculated airflow rate of 5,000
CFM or more shall be a variable air volume (VAV) type system. Each fan motor in each VAV
system shall be served by a variable frequency drive (VFD). Non-wet lab applications with
capacity ranging from 5000 CFM to 10,000 CFM may not require heat recovery as long as
the Project complies with the current revision of ASHRAE 90.1 and approved addenda as
well as the current versions of the International Building and Mechanical Codes. Fanpowered VAV terminal units shall never be used.
G. Outdoor Air Intakes: Each outdoor air intake opening shall be located at least 3 ft. above
the adjacent ground or roof level. When an outdoor areaway is used for air intake purposes
it shall be sized such that the air velocity within the areaway does not exceed 500 FPM. A 23 ft. deep snow retention basin shall be provided at the bottom of the areaway to allow
airborne snow to accumulate without entering the intake louver. If possible, the intake
louver(s) shall be inset into the building away from the areaway a few feet to minimize the
potential for entrainment of dry powdery snow. This is especially important with air
distribution systems that utilize a high percentage of outdoor air. When locating outdoor air
intake openings it is essential that sources of odors/contaminants be avoided. Vehicle
exhaust from streets and loading dock areas as well as exhaust from emergency generators
are common culprits for indoor air quality problems. Outdoor air intake louvers shall be
sized generously to prevent the carryover of rain and snow into the associated ventilation
systems. Serious consideration shall be given to the installation of bird screen on the
exterior rather than the interior of all louvers in order to prevent the roosting and nesting of
pigeons. This has become a serious problem at numerous locations across campus. (See
the Pest Control section within these General Guidelines.)
H. Relief Air Openings: Each relief air opening shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from
the nearest outdoor intake opening. Consideration shall be given to the prevailing wind
direction, building configuration, intake and relief opening orientations, etc. when locating

outdoor air and relief air openings to minimize the potential for recirculation of relief air back
into the intake air stream. Relief air shall be ducted directly to the outdoors rather than being
discharged into a mechanical equipment room or other interior space. As addressed above
regarding outdoor intake louvers, bird screen shall be installed at each relief air louver,
preferably on the exterior of the louver.
I.

Mixing of Air Streams: The outdoor air ductwork and return air ductwork as well as the
actual mixing area upstream of each air-handling unit shall be configured so as to ensure
that the air streams mix thoroughly prior to entering the unit. This typically requires that a
significant amount of the mechanical equipment room be utilized for this purpose. This
prevents coil freeze-up problems as well as nuisance trip-outs of freeze protection
thermostats. This has been a very serious repeated problem on campus in recent years. Air
handling units in VAV systems are especially susceptible to this problem. When employed,
special air blending devices located within air handling units or mixed air plenums shall be
treated as a secondary rather than a primary means of achieving thorough mixing of air
streams. In other words, although the use of air blending devices is allowed and even
encouraged as insurance to ensure adequate mixing under the most extreme operating
conditions, each air distribution system shall be designed such that it does not rely upon such
a device as an essential component in order to achieve this.

J.

Filtration: As a general rule, unless specific requirements dictate otherwise, supply airflow
serving standard building environments shall be filtered by a 30% efficient prefilter followed
by a 65% efficient final filter. Supply airflow serving special building environments (e.g.
laboratories where cleanliness is more critical) shall be filtered by a 30% efficient prefilter
followed by a 95% efficient final filter. Air distribution systems of less than 3000 CFM total
capacity may be treated as exceptions to the above filtration requirements. It is acceptable
to filter supply airflow through these smaller systems with a 30% efficient filter with no
additional secondary filtration. (Filter efficiencies are dust spot efficiency ratings per the
current revision of ASHRAE Standard 52.1)

K. Plenum Fans / Discharge Plenums: A plenum fan shall be utilized in each application
where a fan discharges into a plenum rather than discharging directly into a connected duct.
Therefore, when an air handling unit utilizes a discharge plenum, plenum supply fan(s) shall
be used in conjunction with it. Thus, a discharge plenum shall only be utilized in conjunction
with an air handling unit when the total static pressure requirements are within the
conservative operating limitations of a plenum fan (i.e. 5 to 6 of total static pressure).
Housed fan(s) shall be used in applications that require higher static pressures. In these
applications a discharge plenum shall not be utilized, but rather ductwork shall be attached to
the outlet connection of each fan. Since most air handling units incorporate a return plenum,
the installation of plenum return fan(s) within the return plenum of an air handling unit
should be considered and is encouraged.
L. System Effect: When ductwork is attached to the outlet connection of a housed fan, a
length of straight duct shall be provided prior to the first fitting or transition as required to
minimize system effect, maximize efficiency and minimize generated noise. The minimum
length of this section of duct shall be calculated using the formulas provided within the
chapter entitled Duct Design in the current edition of the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook.
Typically, the application of these formulas yield a minimum straight duct length that is equal
to 2 to 3 times the diameter of the equivalent round fan outlet opening. This typically
requires that a significant amount of the mechanical equipment room be utilized to
accommodate the duct configuration that is required to achieve this. The inlet of each fan,
whether it be ducted or unducted, shall also be configured so as to ensure that air enters the
fan uniformly so as to minimize system effect. Again, this typically requires that additional
space be dedicated for this purpose.
M. Vibration Control: All fans shall be supported by spring type vibration isolators to minimize
the transmission of vibration into associated equipment and building structures. Larger fans

shall be equipped with inertia bases as required to control undesirable movement and
vibration transmission. Flexible duct connections shall be installed at all points of connection
between fans and associated air distribution ductwork to allow movement of the fan relative
to fixed ductwork and to minimize the transmission of vibration into and throughout the duct
system.
N. Ductwork: Refer to Section 15810 for additional detail. Ductwork is generally classified in
three categories with each category possibly having three pressure classifications. No
Supply / Return duct system of any type shall be designed for an air velocity exceeding 2400
fpm (High Pressure >= 6 inches w.c.), or 2000 fpm Medium Pressure (between 3 inches and
6 inches w.c.), or 1200 fpm for Low Pressure (under 3 inches w.c.) static. Supply ductwork
downstream of VAV or Constant Volume boxes shall be designed to minimize sound
generation and should generally fall in a range between 500 and 900 fpm. Examples of
exceptions include a high velocity discharge stack that serves a fume exhaust system and
the possible exception of an exhaust system that is required to transport particulate within
the air stream. (Installing a VAV system to conserve energy does not result in decreased fan
energy consumption unless air velocities and the resultant total pressure requirement of the
fan(s) are kept within modest boundaries.) Ductwork shall also be designed and constructed
so as to minimize leakage. This is important for low pressure as well as higher pressure duct
classifications. Excessive duct leakage has been a problem on campus in recent years.
O. Fibrous Lining: Fibrous interior lining shall not be installed within any duct or any other air
distribution system component (including air handling units, sound attenuators, VAV terminal
units, etc.) such that it is in direct contact with the air stream. It may, however, be installed
within ductwork and other system components if it is completely sealed within a Tedlar film
enclosure and is separated from the air stream by a perforated metal barrier.
P. Sound Control: Sound control as it relates to air distribution systems should be given
focussed attention. Without the direct application of fibrous interior lining, adequate sound
control is difficult but not impossible to achieve. The use of sound attenuating devices within
supply and/or return air duct systems is often necessary. However, the best way to control
noise is to not create it in the first place. When a high priority is place on maximizing the
efficiency of air distribution systems, noise becomes much less of an issue. As stated
elsewhere, the allowable HVAC-related background noise level for a given type of occupancy
shall not exceed the guideline criteria provided within the chapter entitled Sound and
Vibration Control in the current edition of the ASHRAE HVAC Applications Handbook.
Q. Terminal Zoning: Air distribution systems should be configured such that each occupied
space can be controlled as a separate zone with regard to temperature and/or airflow. In
other words, one terminal control unit (e.g. constant volume reheat coil or VAV unit with
reheat coil) should be provided for each occupied space.
R. Diffusers and Grilles: The use of sidewall supply grilles shall be avoided where possible.
They are notorious for causing uncomfortable drafts. Ceiling supply diffusers are preferred.
Ceiling supply plenums shall not be used. Supply diffusers and grilles shall be selected and
installed so as to direct a greater percentage of the airflow primarily toward the source of the
heating/cooling load (e.g. toward exterior walls). Supply diffusers and grilles shall be
selected and installed so as not to create undesirable turbulence, particularly within
laboratories that contain sensitive equipment (e.g. near the face of fume hoods).
S. Return/Exhaust Air Systems: In a VAV system, the installation of a return or general
exhaust VAV terminal unit to serve each space, in conjunction with the supply VAV unit, is
required when serving areas where relative space pressurization is critical (e.g. chemical
laboratories, animal facilities, etc.). This type of system is preferred but not required when
serving areas where relative space pressurization is less critical. This approach allows for
the continuous positive control of the quantity of return or exhaust air from each space as
compared to the quantity of supply airflow. The control of the static pressure within this type

of return/exhaust system shall be accomplished similarly to that within the supply system.
The use of a static balancing damper in the branch return/exhaust ductwork serving each
space in conjunction with some form of fan tracking or overall airflow monitoring control to
control return airflow is inferior to this approach and often insufficient in maintaining
appropriate air balance. With these approaches, as overall airflow changes in the system,
the return-side pressure gradient changes, resulting in return-side air balance changes. In
any case, the installation of return air ductwork is preferred over the use of a ceiling plenum
as a path for return air.
The use of exit passageways, stairs, ramps, and other exits as a part of a supply, return, or
exhaust air system serving other areas of the building is prohibited in any new structure or in
major renovations of existing buildings, except as permitted in the International Building
Code and the International Mechanical Code. For the purpose of this section, a building will
be considered to undergo a major renovation if either the existing air distribution system, or
the interior space arrangements and/or structure are modified to an extent that the
renovation costs exceed 25 percent of the replacement cost of the distribution system or
structure. Existing air distribution systems that utilize any of the exit elements of a building
may not be altered in any way that would reduce the level of life safety to users of the
facility. Alteration proposal for existing, non-compliant systems will be reviewed by DEHS
and must clearly demonstrate that the safety of the users will not be reduced by the
proposed modifications. In addition to creating more stringent requirements for the materials
of construction above the ceiling level (e.g. plenum rated communication cables), use of a
ceiling plenum as a return air path results in the deposition of a substantial amount of airborn dust on the upper surfaces of the suspended ceiling system with the passage of time.
T. Restroom Exhaust Systems: Multiple restrooms shall be served by a central exhaust
system. Individual exhaust systems shall be avoided. Exhaust air from restrooms shall be
discharged in an appropriate manner at the roof level to minimize the potential for the
recirculation of exhaust air back into an air intake opening.
U. Makeup Air: Appropriately conditioned makeup air shall be directly ducted from an air
distribution system into each space from which air is exhausted. The control of makeup air
and exhaust air quantities shall be coordinated. At any time, the quantity of makeup airflow
shall be approximately equal to that of the exhaust airflow.
V. Wet Laboratories: See the Wet Laboratories section within these General Guidelines for
specific air distribution / exhaust system requirements related to chemical laboratories.
W. Fume Exhaust Systems: See the Wet Laboratories and the Laboratory Equipment sections
within these General Guidelines for specific fume exhaust system requirements related to
chemical laboratories. Filters and access to them for replacement will be required. Specific
types of filters can vary depending on the application. The degree of filtration should be
established in conjunction with the User, O&M, and the Architect/Engineer.
X. Manifolded Vs. Dedicated Systems: See the Wet Laboratories and the Laboratory
Equipment sections within these General Guidelines for specific guidance regarding
manifolded versus dedicated fume exhaust systems.
Y. Exhaust Filtration: Final filters shall not be installed in exhaust systems, with the possible
exception of systems in which high hazard biological contaminants or highly radioactive
isotopes are used. In these cases, DEHS shall be contacted for guidance.
Z. Animal Facilities: See the Animal Facilities section within these General Guidelines for
specific air distribution / exhaust system requirements related to animal facilities.

AA. Sterilizing Equipment: See the Animal Facilities and Wet Laboratories sections within
these General Guidelines for requirements related to exhaust systems that serve sterilizing
equipment.
BB. Odor Control: See the Animal Facilities and Wet Laboratories sections within these
General Guidelines for relative air pressurization requirements to achieve odor control.
CC. Smoking Prohibited: Campus policy dictates that smoking is prohibited in any campus
building.