What should I check before fastening duct to an equipment cabinet?
Confirm the manufacturer/project detail before fastening to equipment. Watch for cabinet penetration depth, internal coils, wiring, controls, drain pans, access panels, and service clearances.
Support duct independently before tightening the equipment connection. Equipment cabinets, VAV boxes, fans, louvers, and flex connectors are connection points, not hangers.
Before I fasten this duct to the cabinet, can you verify the allowed fastener location/length? I don't want to hit controls, wiring, coil, or internal parts.
Watch out
Do not let duct weight, brace tension, or hanger error pull on equipment.
Check
Check hangers near the equipment
Relieve weight and side-load from the cabinet/box/fan/louver
Recheck alignment after support is added
Steps
Find the correct connection flange, frame, collar, or adapter point.
Check whether fastener length/depth is limited by the manufacturer.
Look behind the panel if permitted: coils, electrical, controls, insulation, drain pan, or moving parts may be close.
Do not block doors, filters, disconnects, control panels, actuators, or coil pull space.
Ask before drilling into any equipment casing that does not have an obvious connection point.
Say this to your foreman
Before I fasten this duct to the cabinet, can you verify the allowed fastener location/length? I don't want to hit controls, wiring, coil, or internal parts.