Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Written By:
Hal Finkelstein
Other Books Written By The Author:
Published By The National Resource Center
Variable Air Volume System Operation: A Guide to Engineering, Design & Operations, Pub #37
Contamination Control Ventilation: For Healthcare, Industrial, And Commercial Facilities, PUB #31
Ventilation For Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Systems, PUB #96
Steam Distribution And Flow, PUB #88
Avoiding 101 Serious Electrical System Design And Installation Mistakes, PUB #79
HVAC Systems For Bioterrorism Protection, PUB #33B
Published By:
The National Resource Center, Inc
Publications Department
Suite 167
1440 Coral Ridge Drive
Coral Springs, Florida, 33071
Email: info@nrctraining.com
II
Table Of Contents
1.1. Max and Min VAV air quantities not shown on drawings. 1
1.2. Linear diffusers create drifts and comfort problems. 3
1.3. Flexible duct installation problems 3
1.4. Un-balanced duct branches. 4
1.5. Interconnecting duct loop arrangements. 4
1 .6. Ceiling Return problems. 5
1.7. Diffusers dumping air at low flow. 5
1.8. Light troffers causing drafts and comfort problems. 8
1.9. Pressure dependent VAV system problems. 8
1.10. VAV terminal box operates with reduced capacity. 8
1.11 . VAV terminal box operates with reduced capacity. 9
1.12. Flex duct installation problems. 9
1.13. Flex duct installation problems. 10
1.14. Diffusers create drafts and comfort problems. 12
1.14. Diffusers create drafts and comfort problems. 12
1.16. Excessive duct leakage causes problems. 14
1 . 17. Insufficient air flow from a VAV terminal box. 14
1.18. Terminal boxes do not open. 15
1.19. Terminal boxes do not close . 15
1.20. Steam Humidifiers soak ducts. 15
1.21 . Duct Humidifiers cause water to collect in ducts. 16
1.22. Smudging occurs around ceiling diffusers. 21
1.23. Terminal boxes and diffusers generate noise. 22
1.24. High humidity occurs in courthouse occupancy. 23
1.25. Improperly sized diffusers. 24
1.26. Insufficient smoke control in VAV systems. 24
III
2.13 Outdoor air mixing box stratification. 33
2.14. Fan in plenum has reduced flow output. 35
2 .15. New fan installation using excessive energy. 36
2.16. A reduction of airflow is observed in a ducted system. 37
2 .17. Fan bearings constantly fail and have a short life span. 38
2.18. Fan motor drives constantly fail. 39
2.19. Overall system noise. 40
2.20 . Large amounts of fan noise. 40
2.21. Fan system can not put out design airflow. 41
2.22. System effects cause deterioration in fan operation. 42
Chapter 3: Controls
l
3.15. Terminal boxes continuously hunt. 56
3.16. Control configurations affect VAV system operations. 58
3.17. Velocity pressure signal control creates fan operation problems. 59
IV
Chapter 5: Hydronics
Chapter 7: Laboratories
v
About The Author:
Hal Finkelstein has more than 40 years experience in the HVAC field. He is
one of the founders of the Empire Consulting Group, a twenty year old
company specializing in consulting to Design Firms, Healthcare, Commercial
and Industrial Facilities. Their specialties included contamination control and
HVAC system problem mitigation. Mr. Finkelstein is the author of more than
ten books and publications and many more papers on ventilation, HVAC
systems and contamination control. He is an educator in the field of Heating,
Ventilation and Air Conditioning and presents Seminars throughout the
United States.
VI
Chapter 1
Air Distribution
1.1. Maximum and minimum supply air quantities for each VAV terminal unit
Wherever the max and min values are not listed on the
applicable VAV terminal box. Though this may work for the
control and low load. For this reason, the maximum and
fighting and money could have been saved rather than having
to make the corrections after the fact. In one major high rise
since the minimum value was not shown on the drawings and
systems to meet a move-in dead line. After the units were set
up, the engineers came forth to notify all involved that the
flow value. After the terminal boxes were then set up at the
2
1.2. Linear diffusers utilized in a VAV system create drifts and are causing
fittings when not adhered to, cause reduced air flow from terminal boxes
and diffusers.
that the flexible duct sag should not exceed 112", and that the
3
1.4. Duct layouts to avoid large pressure differentials between branches were
not stay balanced and will create large variations in cfm flows
4
1.6. Systems utilizing large ceiling return plenums demonstrate uneven air
comfort problems.
location.
1.7. Diffusers dumping air at low flow create drafts and other comfort
problems.
fpm.
5
Discharge Velocity vs Capacity
1,400
1,200 -
1,000
c
"(3
_Q
Q) 800
>
Q)
ei
ro
..c
(_)
600
(J)
Ci
400
200
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Fig, 1.1
Figure 1.2 shows how the throw is reduced as the air flow is
reduced for the same types of diffusers. The reason the throw
dependent on the mass of the air at any given time. The mass
6
As the throw drops off it will reach a point where in effect the
Throw vs Capacity
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Fig. 1.2
7
1.8. System utilizing light trotters experiences areas with drafts and comfort
problems.
drafts. The air discharge from the light troffer slots is in the
Where duct pressure variations are greater than 1" H10. and
diameter of the inlet duct to the terminal box smaller than the VAV
entrance.
8
This type of turbulence reduces the capacity of the terminal
Make the inlet duct the same size as the terminal box's inlet.
1.11. Neglecting to install a straight run of 1% times the inlet duct diameter as
rigid duct preceding the terminals inlet, creates uneven entrance flow
conditions.
#1.10 and #1.11 are connected in that they affect the inlet
the box greatly affects the output from the box at the selected
1.12. Installing flexible duct runs exceeding 5 feet, or worse, greater than 10
feet.
9
proper operation of the terminal box. The greater the amount
flexible ducts.
1.13. Neglecting to Install flexible duct, straight and properly supported (see
than ten feet, with a maximum sag of 112" in any 10 foot run.
For example. A 10 foot length with a 4" sag can have a friction
loss of .08" H20. If the sag is increased to 8" as it might very
10
Flex Duct Pressure Loss vs. Velocity
t
I
I I
8
r+- -- - - ---;--- -- - ---j - ---- --- --+ -
I
2
i
~
6 t- -- - -i - -- -- --~ ---~~ -- --- I
I
t
j
!
IPD Due To Sag
I
I
I I
t
ii'.
41-- - ---- - -1 - . - - ~ -- -- - I
!/
Qj
~ + 2 - - - -
I
___ j ___ --- - -
I
- - - -- - - + - - . -i
i
I
Velocity - FPM
Fig.1.3
II
1.14. If the minimum air flow rate is below 50% of maximum, neglecting to
check the ADPI (Air Diffusion Performance Index) for cooling at both the
1.15. In a VAV system, as the flow is decreased to below 50%, the air does not
diffuse into the room. Instead, it simply drops to the floor, creating drafts
#1.14 and #1.15 are related problems and stem from neglecting
80% at 100 fpm terminal velocity for ceiling slot diffusers and
function of the type of diffuser, the load, the cfm flow rate and
the room's aspect ratio. The higher the ADP/, the greater the
Note from figure 1.4, that with the two most popular types of
falls off very rapidly. Of course once the ADP/ falls below 80%
12
where you will get very poor diffusion and mixing, which will
ADPI vs Capacity
------- --- - --- - --
,--
-
100
80
60 - + - - - +
a:0
<(
0 10 20 30 40 so 60 70 80 90 100
Fig. 1.4
13
1.16. Excessive system duct leakage is causing operating problems, even
All to often /ow pressure ducts are not leak tested, and
operation, it turns out that the return side or exhaust ducts are
experiencing large leak rates. Leak rates of up to 40% have
been reported, even in systems which may have had the duct
system leak tested. The problem in these cases is not with the
1.17. Continued insufficient air flow from a Variable air volume terminal.
Check the damper shaft arrows. If all the dampers are wide
14
1.18. Terminal boxes consistently do not open.
If the controller has scale divisions, mark the settings and turn
both the MAX and MIN to the max setting. If the air terminal
still fails to open and has sufficient power (24 volts for electric
defective.
If the controller has scale divisions, mark the settings and turn
both the max and min settings to zero. If the controller has
controller is defective.
1.20. Steam humidifiers constantly soak duct work and other items downstream.
15
15 feet. In order to be certain that it will not become soaked
work in some cases actually causing large pools of water to form within
facing into the direction of the air flow. In this way, the steam
16
It is also important that when utilizing duct humidification, the
evaluate.
flow in the air duct, it will change from the invisible gas which
When the steam first condenses out, it gives up its latent heat
the air to warm up slightly. As the air vapor mixes, the heat
that will cause the condensate particles to drop out of the air
growth.
17
the moist vapor particles will create a false indication for the
humidification controllers.
sectional area, the duct with the higher height (larger aspect
selecting the distance you need for the visible vapor stream to
re-evaporate.
the duct air temperature is 55F the visible moisture zone can
18
Duct air velocity also affects the length of the visible moisture
zone. The higher the air velocity the longer the length of the
manifolds.
19
feet and the visible vapor length may impinge upon coils, fans,
humidifier.
Under Min. 3,725 Outdoor cfm/100 x 2.70 = 100.6 lbs. H20 per
Hr. required.
For 550 F supply air@ 90% RH. (maximum upper limit) the air
will hold 3.76 lbs. H20per100 cfm per Hr. We therefore
cannot attempt to have the air hold more then this amount. To
do so will cause moisture to fall out of the air stream.
20
maximum which the air could hold which as indicated above is
3.76 lbs. H20per100 cfm.
which entrains air within the primary air discharged from the
Using low returns in areas with very heavy foot traffic and
21
surface of the ceiling. Keeping the building pressurized, as
effect of smudging.
1.23. Terminal boxes and/or diffusers generate large amounts of noise even
though they appear to be designed and installed in accordance with all air
system guidelines.
22
Damper Throttling vs Noise Generation
- - - - - - - - - -- -
20 ~ - --- - --------
1
I
'
I
15 [ _ -- -
CD
I
-0
c:
I
~ 10 l-
ei i
~ I
5~
I
I
I
O L_ _ _ _ _ __
_J
Percent of Opening
Fig. 1.5
types of facilities.
system, should not have its minimum air supply less then 50%
23
below the 50% value. If the load is expected to be less then
1.25. Many comfort problems are associated with improperly specified diffusers
maximum.
1.26. Variable Air Volume Systems have been identified as the causes of
24
zone should have their terminal fans shut down. Terminal
units with fans that are not in the smoke zone but are adjacent
25
Chapter 2
Air Movement
2.1. A return or relief fan was not called for in a system where the friction along
the return duct was over 0.20" H20.
there is no effective return duct or the duct runs are vety short
where there are many return duct branches going back to the
long return duct runs or return duct runs with high amounts of
duct friction (exceeding .20 "H20J may exert too much negative
will also create a large system effect causing the supply fan to
26
2.2 . Because forward curved fans are smaller then the other types of fans for
similar service they are often utilized in smaller packaged units but where
larger, built-up units, and where fan wheels will exceed 20"
2.3. A system using parallel fan arrangements with individual drives, results in
they operate via the same sha'ft. This reduces the chances of
fan pulsating due to the fan rotation being even slightly out of
conditions.
27
2.4. Airfoil blade fans were never utilized where possible, causing less efficient
Airfoil blades are more efficient and quieter than the single
are installed, vibrate and pulsate when they are called on to operate
way to vary fan air flow is to vary the speed of the fan. This in
all respects shifts the operating point of the fan amongst the
drive is the direct current drive, which also varies the speed of
current motor making the entire system more complex that the
28
typical alternating current fan motor. Because of utilizing the
2.6. Variable-pitch controls were not used for vane-axial fans , causing chaotic
fan operation.
2.7. Installed fans do not operate as designed, pulsating , vibration and noise is
generated.
the fan being submitted can follow the system curve, if it can
29
not, then changes may be required, or the fan should be
disapproved.
Normally in the above situation you will find that only one
blow -through air handling unit can cause large pressure variations with a
30
as called for by the designer because of space restrictions
the final filter, measured along the centerline. This allows the
instead of two feet the distance is much less, say 6" between
the plate and the filter, this will cause the approach velocity to
the flow becomes far more turbulent. The CFM in turn will
of the fan's rpm in order to get the design cfm, which in turn
2.11 . Vane-axial fans generally require less space than other centrifugals so
they are often selected where space is a concern. However, they operate
at high rpms and can create serious noise, vibration and other operating
problems.
31
This Configuration Produces Air Stratification
Filter Outdoor
Bank Air
Dampers
Mixing Plenum
Fig. 2.1
34
Configuration With A Diverting Baffle
Filter Outdoor
Bank Air
Dampers
Mixing Plenum
r
Diverting Baffle
Fig 2.2
2.14. Fan operating within a plenum or cabinet has its capacity significantly
reduced.
point where the fan may operate significantly off of its normal
between the enclosure wall and the fan inlet. Experience has
the wall of the enclosure and the fan inlet. If multiple double
35
the distance should be increased to one full impeller diameter
2.15. Fan systems installed in a hospital are utilizing excessive energy after a
new installation and litigation has been filed against the design and
construction team.
operating costs derived from the fact that their fan systems, as
cost factor over the life of the individual systems. We are not
36
Projected Additional Total Compounded
Fan System Cost Over Design ($/Yr) Additional Cost
Fig. 2.3
inlet. An elbow located at the fan inlet does not allow the air to
37
2.17. Fan bearings constantly fail and have a life span far below the
for the fan to operate 10% above this maximum number. This
you are concerned about getting the most usage out of the
number you increase the torque, heat and vibration which the
bearings are exposed to. This shortens their life. The fan is
can't put out the required air flow (CFM) at the design rpm
Check all of these items since the only way to cure the
38
2.18. Fan motor drives constantly fail. Either the belts constantly break or the
times the sum of the two sheave diameters and not less apart
then 8:1.
5. Keep the speed of the belts between 1500 and 5000 fpm.
of annual usage.
39
2.19. Complaints related to overall system noise.
purpose.
higher the static efficiency the quieter the fan will be. In the
vaneaxial fans spread the noise over all of the octave bands.
40
sound power level of the critical octave bands should be
specified.
curves .
book and the HVAC Testing and Balancing book. Contact your
41
2.22. Significant system effects add up to cause deterioration in fan operation.
42
significant additions to system effect. To get the actual
be.
following table.
connections.
43
Discharge into filter bank diffuser section: The
This calculation shows that the system effect, due to the items
indicated above, adds 1.10"H20 of total static to the 7.5"H20
that was originally estimated. The total actual static for the fan
would now be 8.60"H20. This would require a significant
noise and vibration and may cause the fan to operate too close
to the fan manufacturer's upper fan rpm limit. If left as it is, the
CFM.
44
caused the fan to be operating over the manufacturer's safe
RPM and also caused the motor to operate at the top of its
service factor.
balancing reports.
45
Chapter 3
Controls
3.1. Air flow stations using differential pressure principle must have an air
enough signal at velocities below 600 fpm, this is not the same
600 fpm then you should use the vortex shedding device
despite the fact then in many sizes they are more expensive
3.2. As a minimum, supply and return fans and coil temperature controls
3.3. Velocity sensors generate false readings in the low end of the CFM scale
and do not match those taken through the use of accurate duct traverses.
46
If the sensors are differential pressure type make sure the
of load.
3.4. The VAV supply fan can not provide the required static pressure at the
problems.
47
3.5. The static pressure controller adjusts the supply fan but the adjustments
3.6. If and when the supply fan gets out of synchronization with the needs of
the systems terminal boxes it over pressurizes the discharge duct section
The High-pressure fan limit may not have been located at the
system.
48
maintaining building pressure differentials. This method
to reset the return fan. This variation often does not give
3.8. Design is for the return or relief system to maintain proper building
pressure. But the supply and return fans are controlled by a single
The system also works only if when the building load changes,
49
the airflow rates of both fans are changed according to their
curves of both fans are not matched properly, which very often
3.9. The return /relief fan is controlled by the feedback of building pressure, but
the system has trouble controlling proper interior building pressure. In its
doors.
actual final setting will depend on the building itself and its
50
problems every time a door is opened and may require forces
instabilities occur.
--+I 1---1- - - -- -- - 1
Controller
I High
I
O.S.A.
L_
Supply Fan . . Limit
___......_____i- ----!:::::!--+
..:. S.P. Sensor
><
Ret.
Damper - - - - - -....._ __.I Controller
~
~--------------
Relief Damper
Return Fan
~ Flow Stations
Fig. 3.1
51
Branch 1
..--------_.-- I
S.P. Sensors
Supply Fan
O.S.A. Branch 2
l
Limit
Rel. _ I
Damper
Relief Damper
Return Fan
Fig. 3.2
pressure.
3.11. VAV terminal multi-point sensors must have a velocity of not less than 600
52
accurate controllability. A multipoint sensor is more accurate
3.12. VAV terminal box with DDC controllers malfunctions wh enever the system
the unit is put through all cycles to verify that the settings did
53
modifications made to the terminal inlets. Or, a correction
values.
level.
54
Terminal Size Design Max Design Min Min CFM Min CFM
CFM CFM L1P Velocity
6" 80 25 .003" 220 fpm
8" 105 35 .002" 180 fpm
12" 420 126 .005" 280 fpm
14" 550 165 .004" 259 fpm
Fig 3.3
and unpredictable.
same controllers all of the time. Depending upon how the load
figure a maximum pressure drop of 2 psig for the air line with
55
3.14. Fan adjusting control in a VAV system is constantly hunting.
the fan. If this is the case, check the sizing and sensitivity of
recommendations.
3.15. Terminal boxes continuously hunt, attempting to control the required cfm.
control span to 0-. 1 ". The difference in the total random error
56
no control problem from the transducers due to the random
! _50%L-1--1--:--: --:-~-~
-100J '":"'.I ":"': "':" ':" _.,. - ,-/
0.005 0.015 0 .025 0.035 0.045 0.055 0.065 0.075
Differential Pressure - H2 0 "
Fig. 3.4
57
% Control Error vs. VAV Box Sensor Pv
For Pressure Transducer Range 0 - .1"
100%
r ! -- : I T---r i :- 1
50% 4- --~ - r- ---1- t- - 1- -+ ---t- -t .
% Total Control Error
~ I I I I I I I I
I I I I I I I
-50% --i - _j_ - -l -- -1- _, _ _J_ - !-- -!
I I I I I I I
-1 00%
0.005
l
~l. ' ' ' I' ' ' '.i r,-,~lT- ' ' I' ' ' ' I' ' ' i ' ~rLl
0.015 0.025 0.035 0.045 0.055 0.065 0.075 0.085
Fig. 3.5
3.16. Control configurations can adversely affect the operation of VAV terminal
58
the control responses and eliminates this offset. A
regulating the fan from same, this offset injects an error into
the level of the duct static pressure. And in the case of a VAV
3.17. Utilizing the velocity pressure signal from a duct directly to regulate air
critical when the return fan and supply fan must track in order
59
utilize a less expensive simplified design short cut to
60
Chapter4
Equipment
water.
61
cooling tower water temperature, the absorption machine must
of steam.
62
4 .3. No matter how many vibration eliminators are utilized on a rooftop HVAC
building.
under the unit. This slab adds extra mass and stiffness and
63
HVAC Unit
Roof Slab
Fig. 4.1
HVAC Unit
Roof Slab
Fig. 4.2
64
HVAC Unit
Roof Slab
Fig. 4.3
4.4. Hot water heating pumps or condenser water pumps produce noise and
65
installations. When suction piping is the same size as the size
placed any closer to the suction inlet, then five times the pipe
times the pipe diameter from the reduction piece to the first
4.5. A Boiler ta ken off line and isolated shows signs of freezing damage to its
interi or.
steam lines isolated from the other boilers, must also have its
66
taken off line for maintenance and repair work. This of course
4.6. Cast iron sections are cracking at the section roots above the combustion
elongated flame. The flame wil/ have a tendency to hit the cast
casting root. The sections will crack at that point due to the
air.
If the boiler uses a burner with turn down, it can vary its load
important that when you use turn down, that the combustion
67
Exc ess Air vs B ur ner L oad(%)
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 1 00
Burner L oad(%)
Fig. 4-4
50 ....
~
~
....
->-
40
....
-~
-- ~
,-..
cf2. - ~
.......... - ~
~
"O
Q)
30 __......
.......
Cf) ~
cu ~
s 20
Q)
::::l
LL
10
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Excess Air(%)
Fig. 4.5
68
Fuel Wasted (o/o) vs Excess Air (o/o)
Natural Gas
60
50
I~
-~40 ~
/
-
~ i
-s
'"O
(l) ,_
,_
--
~
---
~ 30
~
~ 20
LL ~
10
-
0 -
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Excess Air(%)
Fig. 4.6
4 .7. Unstable water level in boiler causes water level controls to malfunction
and also causes water hammer throughout the stream piping system.
69
churning of the water level and in its extreme, actual foaming
within the boiler water. The churning causes the water level to
cause water to carry over into the steam system and generate
4.8. Low Pressure heating boiler shows signs of a pitting type of corrosion.
water. The gases which play the biggest part in pitting type
70
total alkalinity. You can protect against the Oxygen in
instructions in detail.
a simple suction valve to throttle gas flow for capacity control can create
refrigeration.
71
up utilizing additional steam or electricity to operate the
72
Chapter 5
Hydronics
which is made when the moving portion of the check valve still
the valve body when it contacts its seat. When a pump is shut
down, the pump may still have some rotating movement. This
flow for a short amount of time. But when the head finally
drops below the system head, flow will reverse, causing the
check valve to close and slam. For example. When the flow
return flow catches the check valve, it moves the element off
very short distance from open to shut. In this way, the valve
will close before the reverse flow develops, and slam will be
eliminated.
73
5.2. Severe pitting of newly installed chillers in the absorber and condenser
tubes occurred in a system utilizing 4" to 6" steel piping with an open
cooling tower.
tubes.
values (6-7) along with the warm condenser water and the
74
The iron oxide that then enters the cooling tower water circuit
keeping the cooling water clean and making sure that the
system.
75
situation. Operating a hydronic system at temperatures above
sand and other such items must not be allowed to enter the
to the debris, air and low pH of the water. Proper air venting of
vents. Many automatic air vents can suck more air in to the
system then they vent out. The best way to vent is to utilize
the system.
76
5.4. Continuous undetected corrosion occurs within the cooling tower piping
systems.
The cooling tower water circuit and any other open piping
actually is.
supply firm.
77
amount of time the rate will begin to fall off steadily, eventually
exposure. The pits are measured with a dial pitch depth gauge
recorded.
formula:
(By comparing the mpy over time you can track the efficiency
78
5.5. Steam traps blow by steam even though they appear to be installed and
operating properly.
1. The net final pressure at the steam trap (after all valve
for. Figure every two feet of rise equals about 1 psi of back-
of a steam trap.
The differential pressure which the trap will act against must
79
trap minus all back pressure values and differential caused by
lift.
Example:
with a lift of 30 feet, the calculations for steam trap size will be
as follows:
one of the factors you must consider is any warm up that will
80
The basic loss that creates the warm up load has to do with
follows:
#/hr = W x (t1 - t 2) x 5 h
HL
#/hr = Load on Steam Trap
W =Weight of Total Pipe Length
T1 =Final Pipe Temperature
T2 =Initial Pipe Temperature
Sh = Heat Of Pipe Material
HL = Steam Latent Heat
81
Pipe Weights Per Foot In Pounds
Safety Factors
Mains 2
Storage Heaters 2
Space Heater Exchangers 2 3
Air Heater 2 4
Submerged Coils (low level drain) 2
Submerged Coils (siphon drain) 2
Tracing Lines 2
Presses 2
*Safety Factor Information From Sarco Steam Hookup Book
82
5.6. Malfunctioning steam pressure reducing stations, result in severe valve
are dealing with wet steam you must utilize a steam separator
to separate out the water and dirt, and send only the clean
will usually be less than the size of the pipe. If in fact the
valve size is the same as the pipe size, you can suspect that
5. 7. An operator may find that balancing valves have very little effect in aiding
All too often balancing valves are selected to match the size of
the pipe in which they are being installed. This is not the
way will have very little effect on flow adjustment until you get
the valve this way will also cause damage to the valve seat and
form in the valve's seat. This in turn, causes the valve to allow
83
be selected by calculating the valve's flow coefficient. Where
Cv = 1.5Q(spAh)-5
slightly off of the seat, causing wire drawing and valve failure
84
Chapter 6
6.1 . System not designed for best outdoor air criteria thereby creating IAQ and
Outside air is critical for proper interior air quality and good
are being held responsible for Interior Air Quality and Infection
syndrome litigations.
85
6.2. System not designed for room peak total supply air flow or system
designed for less than .9 CFM per square foot of floor area.
Tests have shown that you should never circulate a total air
6.3. Facility experiences a large amount of Interior Air Quality complaints when
VAV box minimums should not be set for less then 30% of
6.4. System not designed for room loads at minimum air supply, causing
86
accelerate the growth of bacteria, fungi, molds and many other
6.5. Perimeter zones designed for over 1,000 ft2 floor area create control and
comfort problems.
control.
Floor square footage of 1000-1500 sq. ft. per zone, has proven
87
6.7. Interior open office ventilation zones designed for over 2,500 ft2 of floor
control problems.
control points. Though the 2500 sq. ft. maximum is not written
the case. Actual field tests have shown that even within the
88
6.9. Final filters on the discharge side of the cooling coil on a blow through unit
constantly get wet and cause the growth of fungi and mold which in turn
complied with.
89
Following is a moisture eliminator
curve:
100
n-
' I
-f--T I
I
---
"<f2.
.........
80
t j! I
't-1
>.
(.)
c
Q) 60
0
~
,_Jl
Ll.J
u
~
0
c
0
40
--1- I
(_) j
20
I
_ ___i__
I
! ---i
I
I I
0
I___J_ --- ---
__ j
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Fig. 6.1
Note that the size of the moisture droplets coming off of the
efficiency.
90
6.10. Dirt build-up on reheat coils within terminal boxes creates serious interior
6.11 . Contamination from exhaust fan discharges work their way back into the
Fig. 6.2.
91
Effective Stack Height
For Vertical Discharges Only
Momentum Flow:
Ta
F
m T
Fig. 6.2
the height of the recirculating zone then the exhaust air will be
92
recirculating zone, then the discharged air will be within the
Recent studies have shown that all too often when Nitrous
6.13. HVAC systems which exhaust contaminated air often require a Bag In/Bag
Out filtering system. Besides many of these systems fail ing to actually
Bag In/Bag Out systems were found to never have had the bag installed.
When operators went to change the original bag, they were shocked,
93
when they opened the containment cover, to find that there was no bag
installed.
Filter Housing: The filter housing shall be a Bag In/Bag Out type
to allow replacement of contaminated filters while minimizing
exposure to maintenance personnel. Housing shall be
manufactured from 11 and 14 gauge T-304, unpainted stainless
steel (or other approved material suitable for the environment in
which the housing will be utilized) and shall be adequately
reinforced to withstand a negative pressure of one and a half ( 1.5)
times the expected operating pressure or IO" water gage if the
exact operating pressure is unobtainable. The housing shall be side
access for filter installation/change-out and shall accommodate
standard gasket filters that do not require special attachments or
devices to function properly in the housing.
94
exert a sealing force of 1400 pounds per 24" x 24" filter which is
applied as even, uniform load, along at least 80% of the top and
bottom of each filter frame.
Bagging: The housing shall have a bagging ring around each filter
access port. The bagging ring shall have two continuous ribs to
secure the plastic change out bag and the ring shall be hemmed on
its outer edge to prevent the bag from tearing. One PVC change
out bag shall be supplied with each filter access port. The bags
shall be PVC and shall be at least 8 mil thick. The bags shall have
a 114" diameter elastic shock cord hemmed into the open end so
when stretched around the bagging ring, it provides a secure fit.
Bags shall include approximately 12" of transparent PVC at the
open end and three glove sleeves built into the body to assist in
filter change out. To prevent bag detachment during the change
out operation, one nylon security strap shall be provided with each
access port. Each filter access port shall be sealed by a removable
access door which is designed to seal on the filter housing face and
not the bagging ring. Access doors shall have a perimeter edge
extruded silicone gasket.
95
1. Each filter sealing surface of each housing shall be checked with
a flatness gage to guarantee the flatness tolerance for filter
mounting frames as recommended in ERDA 76-21, "N uclear Air
Cleaning Handbook, Table 4-2".
2. Each housing shall be tested for filter fit using a test fixture that
is the maximum size allowed by the tolerances given in the
standards governing the actual filters that will used in the housing.
With this test fixture installed in the housing , the filter clamping
mechanism shall be checked to ensure that all components are
operating properly.
3. Use an air tight gasket fixture that simulates an actual filter so
the filter sealing surfaces can be tested for leak tightness. With test
fixture in place, the filter sealing surface shall be evacuated to
negative 1O" water gage (i.e. pressure is such that it tries to pull the
fixture away from the sealing surface). The maximum allowable
leak rate shall be .. 0005 CFM per cubic foot of tested volume.
4. The inlet and outlet of each filter housing shall be blanked off
to allow the entire pressure boundary of the housing to be leak
tested. The maximum allowable leak rate shall be ..0005 CFM per
cubic foot of tested volume.
5. All above testing shall be in accordance with ASME N5 l 0.
96
Chapter 7
Laboratories
Where duct pressure variations are greater than 1" H20. and
7.2. Fume hoods in a laboratory can not get sufficient makeup air and/or they
proper air flow in the room without exceeding the 50% terminal
air velocity guide. That is, the terminal air velocity within the
greater then 50% of the actual hood face velocity. If the 50%
guide is violated you often find that there are competing air
flows within the room, which cause the hoods to be starved for
97
make-up air; even though calculations might theoretically
opened .
98
Bi-Polar Flow Across A Doorway
t
I 30FPM 9.-- Doorway
Negative
Height Of oorway \ . 25FPM : Side
-, I
~'
I~
Positive
Side
:
I
)
- - - - l 12 FPM
25FPM
Outward Inward
Fig. 7.1
99
of variable frequency drives on the fume hood exhaust fans.
The lower the sash is positioned, the less the air flow. In
some cases when the sash is totally closed, the air flow will be
control the air, it is rare that the timing could be such that the
7. 6. Fume hoods cannot remove parti culate matter generated by the process
Fume hoods and the exhaust duct from the fume hood, are
102
large particles, such as 100 micrometer particles. The duct
turn out that the installed fume hoods do not work as they
than these values, then even though the hood may be tested at
a face velocity of 100 fpm (for example), it will not provide the
exhaust power due to the turbulence at the face of the hood.
and the room must be laid out so that the hoods will not be
103
affected by furniture layouts, high supply air terminal
particular hood.
104