CHANTILLY, Virginia — The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), a leader in promoting quality and excellence in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry, published the fourth edition of its "HVAC Duct Systems Inspection Guide," which is available digitally and in print.
The manual contains guidelines for inspection of commercial HVAC duct systems for compliance with SMACNA/ANSI HVAC Duct Construction Standards, Metal and Flexible, (4th edition), Fibrous Glass Duct Construction Standard (8th edition) and Phenolic Duct Construction Standards (1st edition). It reviews materials and reinforcement of duct systems, as well as assembly and supports of ducts. The Fire, Smoke and Radiation Damper Guide (6th edition) also summarizes the installation, maintenance, and inspection of fire life safety dampers. The Grease Duct Construction Reinforcement Standards (1st edition) covers common construction and reinforcements for Type I grease ducts. Checklists are included for ductwork and fire dampers.
“The importance of inspection cannot be overstated,” said Aaron Hilger, SMACNA’s CEO. “This manual, in conjunction with the other industry standards, expertly protect the systems we install and, of course, the buildings’ occupants.”
The updated 210-page standard was revised to provide contractors and facility owners with the information they need to apply effective and efficient solutions to their projects. The manual includes chapters on timing and risks related to inspection, as well as qualifications for inspectors, compliance, and quality control, among other topics.
“This manual is a valuable study guide for the HVAC Duct Construction Standards and instrumental for learning inspection procedures overall,” added Eli Howard, SMACNA Executive Director of Technical Services and Research.
Technical standards and manuals developed by SMACNA members have worldwide acceptance by the construction and code community, as well as local and national government agencies. SMACNA standards and manuals address all facets of the sheet metal and HVAC industry — including duct construction and installation, indoor air quality, energy recovery, roofing and architectural sheet metal, welding, and commissioning — and advancements are made possible by those in the industry who provide suggestions for improvement based on knowledge, experience, and research. All of SMACNA’s standards manuals are available in print or PDF format via SMACNA’s online bookstore.
For more information on SMACNA’s industry-leading standards, visit www.smacna.org/resources/technical/technical-standards