By / Jessica Kirby
SMACNA’s Technical Services & Research Department fulfills many roles and responsibilities for SMACNA members and the HVAC, architectural, industrial, and building codes community at large. The department’s members develop industry related standards and technical presentations, work with the model code groups to ensure proper code enforceable language is adopted, and answer day-to-day technical questions of interest to SMACNA members and the general design industry.
Eli Howard III, executive director, technical resources for SMACNA National, says, “As an ANSI accredited standards developer, SMACNA follows specific procedures for the development of ANSI related documents to ensure a broad reach of the industry that may be materially affected by the standard, and can provide technical feedback during the development process to ensure a genuine consensus-based standard has been developed.”
The department also provides interpretations of SMACNA standards through the SMACNA Technical Inquiry process via the SMACNA website. “This allows anyone to submit a technical question and receive a technical interpretation and/or intent of the standard as relates to the specific area of the inquiry,” Howard says.
Currently, there are nearly 300 resources available for SMACNA members including books and supporting materials, technical papers and guidelines, apps, webinars, and technical training workshops and seminars.
“2019 will also see SMACNA’s Technical Services and Research Department releasing new editions of the SMACNA HVAC Duct Construction Standards, HVAC Total Systems Leakage Manual, and SMACNA Fire, Smoke and Radiation Damper Installation Guide for HVAC Systems,” Howard says.
Future ongoing projects include revisions to the Rectangular Industrial Duct Construction Standards, TAB Manual, Food Grade Ductwork Guidelines, and Seismic Bracing.
The highly coveted SMACNA Technical University will also continue as an intensive 1-2 day program covering the top SMACNA standards and their use and application. Visit https://www.smacna.org/technical for a full list of resources, and https://www.smacna.org/events-education for Technical University and other SMACNA training opportunities.
Available from SMACNA’s Technical Services and Research Department
Apps
SMACNA HVAC Duct Construction App
The app will provide SMACNA compliant options for rectangular duct with dimensions from 1 inch to 120 inches for applications from negative to positive ten inch water gage. The app is intended to be used in conjunction with SMACNA’s HVAC Duct Construction Standard.
SMACNA Air Duct Leakage App
This tool allows engineers, architects, designers, and contractors to easily and accurately estimate the leakage of air from ductwork. It also allows a quick and easy way to determine the pass/fail mark for properly specified Duct Air Leakage Tests (DALT). The method used is compliant with ASHRAE 90.1, IECC, IGCC Version 2, IMC, and the UMC.
SMACNA’s Round Industrial Duct Construction App
This app allows the user to create an infinite number of solutions using the methods and formulas covered in SMACNA’s Round Industrial Duct Construction Standards Manual. After selections are made the user can then create a full engineering report that outlines the procedure used to create the specific solution.
SMACNA’s Downspout & Gutter Sizing Calculator
This tool allows engineers, architects, designers, and contractors to easily and accurately size downspout and gutters per SMACNA’s Architectural Sheet Metal Manual. The Design Area Wizard makes it easy to calculate the roof design area by providing various shape calculations and the calculation for Vertical Walls area per International Plumbing Code (IPC.)
Papers and Guidelines
This section contains white papers, research reports, and resulting guidelines developed by SMACNA or its partners, or commissioned through private research firms. Topics include construction techniques, inspection, standard development, fabrication methods, best practices, design recommendations, building code compliance, and other topics. It also includes a Master Index of SMACNA’s technical publications, which is searchable by keyword or phrases. The following are available as of this writing:
• Soldering Copper Flat Lock Roof Seams
• Residential Sheet Metal Guidelines
• 2017 Update for Architectural Fascia and Coping Wind Tests Report
• Architectural Sheet Metal Inspection Guide
• Architectural Sheet Metal Manual
• Effects of Imposing a Universal Requirement on All Components of Ductwork
• Custom Fabricated Sheet Metal Test Report
• ICC/International Code Adoption
• Technical Guideline on Through Penetration Firestopping
• SMACNA Master Index of Technical Publications
• ERRATA, Rectangular Industrial Duct Construction Standards
• New Test Standards for Fire, Smoke and Combination Fire/Smoke Dampers
• SMACNA CAD Standard
• Improper Fire Damper Installation
• Duct Cleanliness for New Construction Guidelines
• ERRATA, Guide for Steel Stack Construction, 2nd Edition 1996
• Building Code Update
Books
SMACNA publishes hundreds of books and supporting figures, CDs, and drawings available on for download from its website: smanca.org/technical. Simply navigate to your area of interest or enter keywords to browse the extensive collection. Some of its most popular publications are:
• Round Industrial Duct Construction Standards
• Architectural Sheet Metal Manual
• HVAC Systems Commissioning Manual
• HVAC Duct Construction Standards – Metal and Flexible
Webinars
Technical webinars cover a variety of topics that leverage the knowledge and standards set out in SMACNA’s standard and guidelines documents. Webinars are available live by registration in advance, or archived versions are available for download by members. Some of SMACNA’s current webinar offerings include:
HVAC Duct Construction Standards 103 – Round and Oval Duct, Hangers, and Casing Construction
Gain solid understanding of how to construct duct in a resource efficient and sustainable manner that is compliant with SMACNA’s HVAC Duct Construction Standard. This is the final session in a three part series.
HVAC Duct Construction Standards 102 – Rectangular Duct Tie Rods, New Tables (TDC/TDF), and Rectangular Duct Over 120′
Gain solid understanding of how to construct duct in a resource efficient and sustainable manner that is compliant with SMACNA’s HVAC Duct Construction Standard. This is the second session in a three part series.
HVAC Duct Construction Standards 101 – Rectangular Duct External Reinforcement
This presentation will cover the following (with respect to rectangular duct): – Basic definitions used to properly describe rectangular duct – Limits and proper application of various joints and seams – Use of the manual to determine proper construction options – and more
SMACNA Fire, Smoke & Radiation Damper
Session highlights the considerations in specifying and installing fire dampers, smoke dampers, combination fire and smoke dampers and ceiling dampers in HVAC systems.
SMACNA Seismic Restraint Manual – Webinar
Session highlights the SMACNA Seismic Restraint Manual – Guidelines For Mechanical Systems 3rd Edition (ANSI) means and methods for seismically bracing ducts and pipes to meet the requirements of the regionally appropriate seismic hazard levels so that ducts/pipes are more likely to maintain their integrity and remain attached to the building’s structure during a seismic event.
HVAC Air Duct Leakage
This webinar presentation on duct air leakage will define what duct air leakage is and how it relates to equipment air leakage, accessory air leakage, and HVAC system air leakage.
HVAC Duct Construction Standards
This webinar will demonstrate how to use SMACNA’s Third Edition of the HVAC Duct Construction Standard to determine the proper range of construction options of rectangular duct used in today’s commercial market. ■