S-and-drive / slip-and-drive end
Look for: hemmed/drive edges, slip/S-cleat sides, drive cleat that slides on, folded drive ends.
Usually search: S-and-drive, drive cleat, S-cleat, slip joint, drive won't seat.
Go here: Category 04 — S-and-Drive
Don’t know the name? Tap what it looks like.
Apprentices often cannot search for a part they cannot name. This tree starts with the picture: rectangular, round/spiral, support, damper/access, equipment, measuring, or finish work.
Jobsite rule: Photo ID identifies the lane. It does not approve cutting, moving braces, changing dampers, touching rated assemblies, or modifying structural supports.
yellow laneRectangular duct runS-and-drive, TDC, Ductmate, seams, joints
green laneLoose duct pieces / fittingsCheck size, orientation, labels, and flow direction before install
yellow laneSpiral / round ductLook for roundness, coupling depth, support, exposed finish
yellow laneRound branch / takeoffOpening size, collar, damper, seal method, and airflow direction
yellow laneTrapeze hanger / rod supportRod, strut, anchors, elevation, insulation clearance, load path
red laneDamper / access conditionRated assembly, sleeve, label, actuator, access door, future ceiling access
yellow laneEquipment connectionRTU/AHU/VAV/fan clearance, panels, flex connector, transition fit
blue laneCeiling grid / finish workDiffusers, grilles, tile cuts, alignment, access, TAB readiness
red laneHigh-risk overhead accessBefore covering dampers, access panels, valves, and service points
yellow lanePrint / layout markRevision, gridline, elevation, detail callout, and measurement reference
yellow laneLouver / wall equipment areaOpenings, wall penetration, clearance, flashing, and finish coordination
yellow laneFlex duct overheadSag, bend radius, support, inner liner, jacket, and final connection
No visual cards matched that search. Try a simpler word like “round,” “hanger,” “damper,” “louver,” “flex,” or “diffuser.”
Connector ID helper
Rectangular duct end: S-and-drive or TDC/Ductmate?
If you do not know the name yet, look at the end of the duct before searching.
TDC / TDF / Ductmate flanged end
Look for: formed channel/flange, corners, bolt/cleat pattern, gasket, rail alignment.
Usually search: TDC, Ductmate, flange gasket, corner clip, bolts won't line up.
Photo ID
What am I looking at?
One clean field-identification grid. No duplicate sections.
TDC flange corner
Where it shows up: Medium/large rectangular duct
What to check first: Gasket continuity, corner clip, rail alignment, cleat/bolt pattern.
Common apprentice mistake: Tightening one corner first and twisting the flange.
Related category: category-05
Ask foreman when: Pressure class, gasket type, connector system, or manufacturer detail is unclear.
S-and-drive joint
Where it shows up: Small rectangular duct runs
What to check first: S/slip seated, drive seated full length, drive ends folded, corners closed.
Common apprentice mistake: Hammering a crooked drive and hiding the gap with mastic.
Related category: category-04
Ask foreman when: Screws, pressure class, or drive-end finish requirement is unclear.
Spiral coupling
Where it shows up: Round/spiral duct runs
What to check first: Roundness, coupling depth, screw/seal method, support, exposed finish damage.
Common apprentice mistake: Crushing spiral to force a connection.
Related category: category-06
Ask foreman when: Duct is exposed, out-of-round, or the connection method is unclear.
Flex collar connection
Where it shows up: Diffusers, boots, short branch runs
What to check first: Inner liner secured/sealed, jacket pulled back, support, sag, bend radius.
Common apprentice mistake: Tying only the outer jacket.
Related category: category-07
Ask foreman when: Flex run is long, kinked, unsupported, or being used as a reroute.
Trapeze hanger
Where it shows up: Rectangular or oval duct support
What to check first: Rod, strut, anchor, duct load, insulation clearance, seismic notes.
Common apprentice mistake: Letting the connector carry duct weight.
Related category: category-08
Ask foreman when: Moving anchors, changing spacing, or touching seismic braces.
Fire/smoke damper access
Where it shows up: Rated walls/floors and duct penetrations
What to check first: Label, actuator/handle, sleeve, access door, future ceiling/wall access.
Common apprentice mistake: Burying the access side behind insulation or ceiling.
Related category: category-10
Ask foreman when: Damper type, access side, or rated assembly detail is unclear.
Grease duct cleanout/access
Where it shows up: Kitchen exhaust and special exhaust systems
What to check first: Cleanout/access, material, weld/wrap/slope, clearance, hot-work controls.
Common apprentice mistake: Treating grease duct like normal exhaust.
Related category: category-11
Ask foreman when: Cutting, welding, wrapping, sealing, or rerouting grease/special exhaust.
Equipment connection
Where it shows up: RTU, AHU, VAV, fan, louver connections
What to check first: Service clearance, flex connector, transition fit, controls/drain/filter access.
Common apprentice mistake: Blocking service panels to make duct fit.
Related category: category-12
Ask foreman when: Manufacturer/submittal detail or service clearance is unclear.
Print/layout mark
Where it shows up: Before install and field verification
What to check first: Revision, tag, grid/room, elevation, detail callout, measurement reference.
Common apprentice mistake: Installing from an old print or wrong elevation note.
Related category: category-02
Ask foreman when: Print and field do not match.
Spin-in / start collar
Where it shows up: Branches, taps, takeoffs, flex or round connections
What to check first: Size, damper if required, seal, screw pattern, airflow direction, liner clearance.
Common apprentice mistake: Cutting the opening wrong or forgetting damper/access requirement.
Related category: category-15
Ask foreman when: Opening size, collar type, damper, or seal requirement is unclear.
Access door
Where it shows up: Dampers, coils, equipment, grease/special exhaust, inspection points
What to check first: What needs access, door size/location, gasket/latch, insulation/ceiling clearance.
Common apprentice mistake: Installing access where nobody can actually reach it.
Related category: category-10
Ask foreman when: Access is for fire/smoke damper, grease duct, coil, or required maintenance.
Seismic brace / sway restraint
Where it shows up: Seismic jobs, large duct runs, equipment supports
What to check first: Brace type, angle, anchor, load path, conflict with trades, engineered detail.
Common apprentice mistake: Moving it because it is in the way.
Related category: category-09
Ask foreman when: Brace location, anchor, angle, or structural attachment changes.