For many years, duct products have often involved significant on-site measurement and construction, bringing certain advantages and risks. Here, that practice is com-pared to the use of listed ductwork, with an eye on duct integrity, hood connections, clearance to combustibles,
fire ratings, and more.
At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the mission was an air handling overhaul without interrupting the usual delivery of care. The project team delivered a safer, upgraded environment via a new desiccant system, air handlers, increased flexibility in the surgical suites, and more.
Air changes in some but not all spaces, duct liner here but not necessarily there, rooftop unit requirements … do the rounds and get a feel for the current condition of ASHRAE Standard 170, Ventilation of Health Care Facilities.
On all projects, the need to provide reliability, accuracy, and safety need to be carefully considered as part of the overall design, but when we start looking at critical environments, these requirements become paramount in the design process.
When the school board and town government of Bourne, MA, saw the unusually high utility bills for Bournedale Elementary School, they knew something had to be done.
Since opening in November 1929, Northrop Auditorium has served the University of Minnesota as a venue for music, dance, traveling roadshows, and convocations in its auditorium.
Here, the pressures on the occupants are exceeded only by the weight of the cooling loads. However, underfloor air proves to be a good fit for an unusual setting. Take stock of the requirements, then look for designs that can pay dividends.