Too many sharp elbows increase pressure loss
Too many hard turns add pressure loss. Count the elbows/offsets in the run and ask before adding another turn that could make TAB fight the system.
Watch out
- Do not stack elbows just because the duct can be forced through the space.
Check
- Trace the run from main/VAV to device and count tight elbows or hard offsets.
- Look for a straighter route before adding another fitting.
- Check whether each elbow was shown on the shop drawing or added in the field.
- Measure available clearance for a longer radius or cleaner offset.
- Ask before installing a shortcut route that adds unnecessary turns.
Steps
- Trace the run from main/VAV to device and count tight elbows or hard offsets.
- Look for a straighter route before adding another fitting.
- Check whether each elbow was shown on the shop drawing or added in the field.
- Measure available clearance for a longer radius or cleaner offset.
- Ask before installing a shortcut route that adds unnecessary turns.
Say this to your foreman
This route needs [number] elbows/turns to fit. Do you want this routing, or should we get a cleaner path before I install it?
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