CHANTILLY, Va. - Commercial duct integrity has taken another step forward. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) announced that the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s (SMACNA’s) new “HVAC Duct Construction Standards - Metal and Flexible,” third edition, has been approved as an American National Standard.

According to the association, the manual is intended primarily for commercial and institutional duct construction. The standard contains tables and details for constructing ductwork for 1/2- to 10-inch-w.g. positive and negative pressures.

Expanded pressure class tables, separate tables for TDC/TDF construction, and expanded tables for round duct construction (including 6-inch-w.g. positive and negative pressure and sizes up to 96 inches) are featured in the standard.

An engineering and design chapter provides additional information for design professionals, double-wall construction details, new casing construction details, and more accessory items.

According to SMACNA, the standard can be applied for the construction of ductwork using uncoated steel, galvanized and stainless steel, and a limited range of aluminum ducts.

The standard has been adopted in the ICC International Mechanical Code.

Now, ANSI recognition increases the potential for SMACNA’s standards to be internationally adopted for industry and regulatory use, the association said. The approval should also encourage increased domestic use of the standard by state and local code governing bodies, as well as by the design and engineering communities.

Architects and engineers may purchase the new publication for $151 (book), $178 (CD-ROM), $204 (CD-book combo), or $151 (PDF download). Others may purchase the book for $215, the CD-ROM for $255, the combo for $339, and the PDF download for $215.

For more information, contact the SMACNA’s Publications Department at 703-803-2989 or visit www.smacna.org/bookstore.

Publication date: 10/15/2007