SNIPS: HVAC Duct Construction Regulations to See Changes
An article in the June issue of SNIPS Magazine confirms that 2018 continues to see duct design and installation facing an increased amount of scrutiny.
“When it comes to ductwork, there has been a long-standing chasm between best practices and cost-cutting measures,” said Ken Mueller, a ductwork fabrication specialist at Cincinnati-based HVAC contractor DeBra-Kuempel. “I’ve found that unless there is a specific performance goal being targeted or mandatory proof of compliance, attention to proper duct functioning is often lax.”
As a result, building performance suffers. Studies from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and others, make clear that leaky, improperly installed ductwork is often the No. 1 culprit behind poor indoor air quality, ineffective HVAC function and energy inefficiency.
Several new codes and standards affecting ductwork construction and testing are highlighted in the article, including:
- ASHRAE 189.1
- ASHRAE Handbook
- IECC 2018
- Uniform Mechanical Code
- SMACNA Duct Construction Manual
- ASHRAE SPC215
- California Title 24