Fantech
Technical LibraryDo’s and Don’ts

Do's and Don'ts - Design & Installation

Description

The installation guide given here illustrates a number of situations that should be avoided when installing fans and silencers. The guide does not profess to be a comprehensive one so, if you are in doubt, please send a copy of your proposed installation so that our Engineers can assess the situation.

Index

Pressure recovery

Pressure recovery

Look for opportunities for pressure recovery at centrifugal exhaust fan outlets

Pressure Recovery

Pressure Recovery

Look for opportunities for static pressure recovery at axial exhaust fan outlets.

Spinning of air at inlet connection

Spinning of air at inlet connection

Ensure unintentional spinning of air at fan inlet does not take place.

Eccentric inlet flow

Eccentric inlet flow

Do ensure inlet air to the fan is evenly distributed.

Bends on fan discharge

Bends on fan discharge

Bends near fan discharge should be in the direction of wheel rotation to prevent needless pressure loss

Inlet plenums

Inlet plenums

Ensure eccentric flow is not caused by inlet plenum.

Motor position

Motor position

Position the motor of a belt-driven fan such that the belt leaving the motor pulley is uppermost as this will increase belt arc of contact.

Inlet cones

Inlet cones

Use inlet cones for axial fan free air intakes to improve performance and noise level.

Flexible connection to fan

Flexible connection to fan

Flexible connections must be taut or else turbulence at the fan inlet, noise level and pressure loss are all increased.

Duct restrictions at fans

Duct restrictions at fans

Ducts significantly smaller than the fan diameter create turbulence if transitions connect directly to fan.

Turning vanes at sharp bends

Turning vanes at sharp bends

Fit turning vanes in elbows adjacent to axial fans

Isolating vibrating fans

Isolating vibrating fans

Vibration transmission through building structures is a frequent problem.

Guards

Guards

Safety of personnel around rotating machinery is crucial.

Obstructions at fan inlet

Obstructions at fan inlet

Don’t obstruct fan inlet.

Obstructions at fan outlet

Obstructions at fan outlet

Don’t obstruct fan outlet.

Transitions

Transitions

Ensure symmetrical transitions from duct equipment to fan inlet.

Air flow dead zones

Air flow dead zones

Unducted air extract fans require careful location to obtain an even airflow across the room

Roof ventilator short-circuiting of air

Roof ventilator short-circuiting of air

Ensure the roof ventilator base has an airtight seal.

Prevailing winds

Prevailing winds

Mechanical roof ventilator units perform best if influence of prevailing wind is minimal.

Back-draft shutters

Back-draft shutters

Butterfly back-draft shutters on a roof unit should be installed so gravitational effect on each leaf is the same.