Air flow velocity in ducts should be kept within certain limits to avoid noise and unacceptable friction

loss and energy consumption.

Low and Medium Pressure Ducts

Maximum friction rate 0.1 - 0.2 inches W.G./100 ft

Velocity 1,500 - 2,000 ft/min (8 - 10 m/s)

Air Flow Rate

Maximum Velocity

(m3/h)

(CFM)

(m/s)

(ft/min)

< 300

< 175

2.5

490

< 1,000

< 590

590

< 2,000

< 1,200

785

< 4,000

< 2,350

980

< 10,000

< 5,900

1,180

> 10,000

> 5,900

1,380

High Pressure Ducts

Maximum friction rate less than 0.4 inches W.G./100 ft

Velocity 2,000 - 3,500 ft/min (10 - 18 m/s)

Shafts

Air Flow Rate

Maximum Velocity

(m3/h)

(CFM)

(m/s)

(ft/min)

< 5,000

< 2,950

12

2,350

< 10,000

< 5,900

15

2,950

< 17,000

< 10,000

17

3,350

< 25,000

< 14,700

20

3,940

< 40,000

< 23,500

22

4,300

Air Flow Rate

Maximum Velocity

(m3/h)

(CFM)

(m/s)

(ft/min)

< 70,000

< 41,000

25

4,900

< 100,000

< 59,000

30

5,800

It is common to keep main duct velocity above 20 m/s (3940 ft/min).

Corridors

Air Flow Rate

Maximum Velocity

(m3/h)

(CFM)

(m/s)

(ft/min)

< 5,000

< 2,950

10

2,000

< 10,000

< 5,900

12

2,350

< 17,000

< 10,000

15

2,950

< 25,000

< 14,700

17

3,350

< 40,000

< 23,500

20

3,940

User Areas

Offices, receptions, lounges and similar

Air Flow Rate

Maximum Velocity

(m3/h)

(CFM)

(m/s)

(ft/min)

< 5,000

< 2,950

10

2,000

< 10,000

< 5,900

12

2,350

< 17,000

< 10,000

14

2,750

< 25,000

< 14,700

16

3,150