Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association

ISSN: 0002-2470 (Print) (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/uawm16

standards for industrial duct construction

Harold A. Nepereny
To cite this article: Harold A. Nepereny (1977) standards for industrial duct
construction, Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, 27:12, 1178-1181, DOI:
10.1080/00022470.1977.10470542
To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00022470.1977.10470542

Published online: 13 Mar 2012.

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standards for industrial

duct construction
Harold A. Nepereny
SMACNA

The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors'

National Association, Inc. has recently published
standards for round industrial duct construction which
are intended for use by designers of air pollution control
and industrial ventilation systems. These standards
provide a simple 3-step procedure for the selection of
material gage, reinforcement systems, and connections
based on clearly defined design parameters.

There has long been a need for industrial duct construction

standards for air pollution control and industrial ventilation
systems. A designer needs a specification document which can
be referenced and which eliminates the necessity to develop
specifications for every application which he confronts. The
contractor should have a standard to guide him in the selection
of materials of construction, which incorporates sound engineering principles while providing options which allow the
contractor latitude in selecting the most economical system.
Owners need construction standards to assure them of getting
safe, sound, and cost effective duct systems based on professional design principles which also provide a reasonable basis
to compare competitive bids.
The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, Inc. (SMACNA) has responded to this need
by publishing a manual of Round Industrial Duct Construction Standards. To our knowledge, this is the first work
dealing with the selection of gage and reinforcing systems for
industrial duct.
We have considered the span (distance between hangers),
working pressure, specific weight and abrasiveness of particulate being conveyed and have documented all considerations
and assumptions which have been made in the development
of this design program.
SMACNA's Industrial Duct Construction Standards
Committee is indebted to Dr. Michael C. Soteriades, of the
Catholic University of America, for his work in developing
these standards.
Industrial duct is a broad classification of ductwork used
in industry for many diverse applications. While ventilating
duct in industry is often specified within the range of low
pressure and high pressure standards, as described in
SMACNA manuals for these criteria, we usually refer to in1178

dustrial duct as that which conveys air or gas, sometimes at

high temperature and often contaminated with particulate
or corrosive aerosols. Velocities in the industrial duct system
usually exceed 2000 ft/min and these systems operate at
pressures often higher than 20 in. w.g.
Round duct is usually used in the industrial ventilation, air
pollution control, and dust collecting system. The round duct
provides for efficient airflow (low friction loss) and structural
integrity can be achieved by using light gage material and
fewer reinforcing members. There are four classifications of
industrial duct systems:
Class 1includes non-abrasive applications: make-up air,
general ventilation, gaseous emissions control.
Class 2includes applications with moderately abrasive
particulate in light concentrations; i.e., buffing
and polishing, woodworking, grain dust, etc.
Class 3includes applications with highly abrasive material
in low concentration; i.e., abrasive cleaning operations, driers and kilns, boiler breaching and
sand handling, etc.
Class 4includes applications with highly abrasive particulate in high concentrations; i.e., materials
conveying high concentrations of particulate in
all examples listed under Class 3 (usually used in
heavy industrial plants, such as steel mills,
foundries, mining and smelting).
These classifications were adopted by the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists and published in
the Industrial Ventilation Manual of Recommended Practice, which has received universal acceptance throughout the
industrial ventilation industry.
A wide range of materials is available for industrial duct
construction. Hot-rolled steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel,
and aluminum are among the more popular materials used.
SMACNA's manual, entitled Round Industrial Duct Construction Standards, includes information on all of these
types of materials.
These standards provide a simple three-step procedure for
the selection of material gage, reinforcement systems, and
connections, based on clearly defined design parameters. The
tables in this manual provide options for the most economical
selection of material gage and reinforcing member. These
tables are developed for the four duct classifications in diameters from 4 in. through 60 in. and pressures of 2 in.
through -30 in. A complete text by Dr. Soteriades is included
in this manual, which substantiates the design principles upon
which the document is based. This text also provides the designer with the formula necessary to calculate special problems
Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association

STEEL

-16

WG

MATERIAL AND REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULE

FOR ROUND DUCT

CLASS 2

Duct
Dla.

.0172

.0221

.0281

.0341

.0428

.0538

.0667

.0966

.1116

.1265

.1775

Inches

26

24

22

20

18

16

14

12

11

10

3/16

NONE

US STD GAGE AND MINIMUM DECIMAL THICKNESS

NONE

NONE

10

A/9-Y/6

NONE

12

A/6-X/9

A/13-Y/7

NONE

NONE

A/4-X/18

A/8-X/11

A/13-Y/7
B/16-Z/7

NONE

18

A/6-X/11

A/11-Y/8
B/13-Y/8

B/20-Z/8

NONE

20

A/5-X/12

A/9-Y/8
B/10-Y/8

B/18-Z/8
C/20-Z/8

NONE

22

A/4-X/21

A/8-X/12
B/9-Y/8

B/16-Z/8
C/17-Z/8

NONE

24

A/4-X/22

A/7-X/13

B/14-Y/9

C/17-Y/9
D/20-Y/9

NONE

26

A/5-X/13
B/6-X/13

B/12-Y/9

C/15-Y/9
D/20-Z/9

NONE

28

A/4-X/24
B/5-X/14

B/11-Y/9

C/14-Y/9
D/18-Y/9
E/19-Z/9
F/20-Z/9

NONE

30

B/5-X/14

B/9-Y/9

C/12-Y/9
D/16-Y/9
E/17-Z/9
F/20-Z/9

NONE

32

B/4-X/25

B/8-X/15

C/11-X/10
D/15-Y/10
E/16-Y/10
F/19-Z/10

F/20-Y/10

NONE

B/4-X/26

B/6-X/15
C/7-X/15

C/10-X/10
D/14-Y/10
F/17-Z/10

F/19-Y/10
G/20-Y/10

NONE

B/5-X/16
C/6-X/16

C/10-X/10
D/13-Y/10
F/15-Y/10

F/17-Y/10
G/20-Z/10

NONE

I I I I

56

I I I I

34

where design parameters are beyond the scope of the tables

presented; i.e., ducts larger than 60 in. diameter or pressures
higher than 30 in. w.g. The manual also includes a section
on the proper design and selection of matched flange connections for round industrial duct.
The following application shows the simple procedure for
using this manual. Tables reproduced here are referenced by
the numbering system used in the manual.
Step Number One: Determine the minimum required gage
of a 36 in. steel duct conveying particulate material of specific
weight of 65 pounds per cubic foot (pcf), Class 2, supported
at maximum support spacing of 23 ft.
Using Table 3, we realize that there is no tabulated gage for
the exact data of the given example. The two data conditions
bounding the given data for which there is a tabulated answer
are:
D = 36 in., Class 2, C = 50 pcf, L = 20 ft for which 18 gage is
required.
D = 36 in., Class 2, C = 75 pcf, L = 25 ft for which 14 gage is
required.
December 1977

Volume 27, No. 12

I I I I

I I I I

I I I I

I I I I

16

I I I I

A/10-Y/7

I I I I

A/5-X/10

I I I I

I I I I

I I I I

A/15-Y/7
B/20-Z/7

I I I I

14

I I I I

I I I I

I I I I

6
8

Interpolating for the given case:

D = 36 in., Class 2, C = 65 pcf, L = 23 ft.
(which is almost halfway between the tabulated cases).
16 GA material can be used (between 18 and 14 gage).
Step Number Two: Select the duct gage, size and spacing of
reinforcing member and weld specification for a Class 2 steel
duct having a diameter 36 in., subjected to a negative pressure
of 16 in. w.g.
(1) Identify the appropriate material and reinforcement
schedule for Class 2, 16 in. w.g. (page 4c-14 in manual).
(2) Enter schedule with duct diameter 36 in.
(3) Available options are (from schedule):
16 gage
Not applicable
14 gageB/5-X/16B type* reinforcement on 5 ft centers
using 16 welds 1 in. long.
* Reinforcement type letter designation indicates minimum requirements for area and
moment of inertia.

1179

Table 3 (Cont'd.) MINIMUM GAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR ROUND DUCT

WHEN SUPPORT SPACING EXCEEDS 15-0"
Specific Weight of
Particulate
Duct
Dia.

32"

34"

36"

25#/Cu. Ft.

0#/Cu.Ft.

Span in Feet

20

25

30

35

Aluminum Class 1
Steel Class 1
Steel Class 2
Steel Class 3
Steel Class 4

20

18

16
26

14
24

Aluminum Class 1
Steel Class 1
Steel Class 2
Steel Class 3
Steel Class 4

20
26

Aluminum Class 1
Steel Class 1
Steel Class 2
Steel Class 3
Steel Class 4

20
26

Aluminum Class 1
Steel Class 1
Steel Class 2
' "l!SS 3

20
26

26 26

18
26

18
26

18
26

16
26

16
26

16
26

50#/Cu.Ft.

75#/Cu. Ft.

100#/Cu.Ft.

30

35

125#/

20

20

25

30

35

20

25

30

35

20

25

30

35

20

25

20
16
14

18
16
14

18
16
14

16
14
14

18
16
14

16
16
14

16
14
12

14
12
12

18
16
14

16
14

14

12
12
12

16
14
14

14
14
12

12
12
12

12
12
11

16
14

20
16
14

18
16
14

18
16
14

16
14
14

18
16
14

16
16
14

16
14
12

14
12
12

16
16
14

16
14
12

14

12
12
11

16
14
14

14
12
12

12
12
12

12
12
11

16
14
12

20
16
14

18
16
14

18
16
14

16
14
12

16
()
16 14

14
12
12

16
16
14

(ijp

14

14
12

12
12

12
12
11

16
14
12

14
12
t2

12
12
11

12
11
11

20
16

18
16

16
16

16
14

14
12

16

14

14

12

\A

I *

12
12

12

12

25

14
12
12

14
24
12
11

14
24

14

14

14
14
12

18
16

16
16

14
14

14
24
"

TABLE 12
FLANGE SELECTION CHART
Duct
Dla.

4"
TO
20"

21"
TO
36"

37"
TO
48"

49"
TO
60"

1180

Weight of Partlculate/Cu. Ft.

Span

0#

25#

50#

75#

100#

125#

150#

5 Ft.
10 Ft.
15 Ft.
20 Ft.
25 Ft.
30 Ft.
35 Ft.

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-2
F-3

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-2
F-3

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-3
F-4

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-3
F-4

F-1

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-3
F-4
F-4
F-4

F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-4
F-4

5 Ft.
10 Ft.
15 Ft.
20 Ft.
25 Ft.
30 Ft.
35 Ft.

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-2

F-1
F-1
F-1

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2

F-1
F-1

F-2
F-3
F-3

fF-3)
F-3
F-4

F-1
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-4

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-4

F-1
F-1
F-2
F-2
F-4
F-4
F-4

5 Ft.
10 Ft.
15 Ft.
20 Ft.
25 Ft.
30 Ft.
35 Ft.

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-3

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-3
F-4

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-4

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-4

F-1
F-1
F-2
F-2
F-4
F-4
F-4

5 Ft.
10 Ft.
15 Ft.
20 Ft.
25 Ft.
30 Ft.
35 Ft.

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-3

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-3
F-4

F-1
F-1
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-4

F-1

F-1
F-1
F-2
F-2
F-4
F-4
F-4

F-1
F-1
F-3
F-3
F-4
F-4

F-1

F-1
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-4

Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association

ANGLE

TABLE 14

FLANGE (TYPE F-2) STEEL

Inside
Diameter

4-1/16
6-1/8
8-1/8
10-1/8
12-1/8
14-1/8
16-1/8
18-1/8
20-1/8
22-1/8
24-1/8
26-1/8
28-1/8
30-1/8
32-1/8
34-1/8
36-1/8
38-1/8
40-1/8

hf

Size of
Holes

Size of
Bolts

3/8

5/16

5/8

3/8

5/8

3/8

5/16
5/16

5/8

7/16

3/8

5/8

5/8

7/16
9/16
9/16

1/2

3/16
3/16

5/8

3/16
3/16
3/16

3/16
3/16

5/8

3/16

5/8

10

I
1-1/2
1-1/2
1-1/2
1-1/2

3/16

5/8

10

1/4

7/8

12

1/4

7/8

12

1/4

7/8

14

1/4

7/8

14

1-1/2
1-1/2

1/4

7/8

16

1/4

7/8

16

1-1/2
1-1/2

1/4

7/8

18

1/4

7/8

18

1/4
1/4

1-1/8
1-1/8

20

1
1
1
1
1
1

C/6-X/16C type reinforcement on 6 ft centers

using 16 welds 1 in. long.
12 gageC/lO-X/10C type reinforcement on 10 ft centers
using 10 welds 1 in. long.
D/13-Y/10D type reinforcement on 13 ft centers
using 10 welds IV2 in. long.
F/15-Y/10F type reinforcement on 15 ft centers
using 10 welds IV2 in. long.
11 gageF/17-Y/10F type reinforcement on 17 ft centers
using 10 welds 1V2 in. long.
G/20-Z/10G type reinforcement on 20 ft centers
using 10 welds 2 in. long.
'716 in. gage
No reinforcement required.
Step Number Three: Determine the flange connection size
and bolt requirements for a Class 2 steel duct with a diameter
of 36 in., conveying particulate having a specific weight of 65
pcf, supported at spacings of 23 ft and subjected to a negative
pressure of 16 in. w.g.
The given case is bounded in Table 12 between the following
two cases:
Case 1D = 36 in., L = 20 ft, C = 50 pcf for which a Type F-l
flange is required.
Case 2D = 36 in., L = 25 ft, C = 75 pcf for which a Type F-3
flange is required.
Since the given case is almost halfway between these two
tabulated cases, a Type F-2 flange is selected by interpolation.
December 1977

No. of
Holes

tf

Volume 27, No. 12

20

3/8
1/2

9/16
9/16
9/16

1/2

9/16
9/16
9/16
9/16
9/16
9/16
9/16
9/16
9/16

1/2

1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2

From Table 14, a Type F-2 flange having a 36 in. diameter is

specified as follows:
Outstanding leg of flange
hf = 1V2 in.
Flange thickness
tf = l/4 in.
Bolt gage
a = 7/s in.
9
18 /i6 in. holes to take I8V2 in. bolts
It is our hope that, in addition to providing the industry
with a working specification document, these standards will
provide a foundation for further work in this field. The Sheet
Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, Inc., in its effort to respond to the needs of our industry,
is continuing the work on industrial duct construction standards by developing a standards document for rectangular
duct.
Copies of this 256 page manual, entitled Round Industrial
Duct Standards, may be obtained by writing to SMACNA,
Inc., Publications Department, 8224 Old Courthouse Road,
Vienna, VA. 22180. Cost is $20.00.

Mr. Nepereny is Director of Air Pollution Control for the

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, Inc., 8224 Old Courthouse Road, Tysons Corner,
Vienna, VA 22180.
1181