ATLANTA - Guidance on the use of antimicrobial and fabric ducts is contained in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers' (ASHRAE's) 2004 handbook.

HVAC Systems and Equipment discusses systems and the equipment that comprise them, including features and differences. It is designed to help system designers and building operators select and use equipment. There are 48 chapters.

Fabric air distribution devices are being incorporated into a growing number of open-architecture areas of buildings by HVAC engineers, according to Herman Behls, a member of ASHRAE's Technical Committee 5.2, Duct Design, which revised the chapter.

"These products have been in the industry for more than 20 years, but their design and use did not take off until the last few years," he said.

"HVAC engineers designing with these products can expect to have greater flexibility in the methods of delivering air out of a duct and into a space for the same cost range as traditional metal systems."

The cost of the 2004 ASHRAE handbook is $155. The 2004 ASHRAE Handbook also is available in CD format. The cost is $155.

To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400 (worldwide); 404-321-5478 (fax); or visit www.ashrae.org.

Publication date: 06/21/2004