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Mark Robison, P.E.

Dedicated to Hotel MEP Design and Operation

Archive for the ‘Mechanical’ Category

The New Look of Green for Hotels
Saturday, March 28th, 2009

Summary: I am embarking on a personal campaign to make the new wall mounted VRV air
conditioning units for guestrooms the new “look of green” for hotels.

Studies show that green conscious buyers of electric cars want their cars to look green as well as be
green.

So why not apply that same marketing strategy to hotel guestroom air conditioning units?

What is the chance that the VRV wall mounted unit below could become the desirable “look of
green” of the modern hotel guestroom? If that could be accomplished, hotel developers would have an
economic solution to costly, high-end HVAC systems. These VRV systems are low cost, energy
efficient, and exhibit “five star” comfort and quiet to guests.

So I challenge hotel designers to make this look the “look of green” in hotel design.
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As seen in the photo above, use of these systems is not completely original for hotels. However, I am
not aware of any major brand prototypes that include this as an option. Concealed VRV units are
being installed, but the construction cost savings are not being fully realized. The challenge is to
incorporate the exposed unit into designs that look good.

Please contact me if you wish to discuss ideas for incorporating this concept into your hotel projects.

Check out this website for more information on VRV systems:

Mitsubishi City-Multi

Posted in Mechanical | 2 Comments »

Marriott Mid-Rise vs. Code High-Rise

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Summary: Comparison of a Marriott mid-rise smoke control and building construction requirements
compared to a Marriott under full IBC code high-rise smoke control and building
construction requirements.
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Marriott construction guidelines define a mid-rise hotel as any hotel more than six stories and less
than 75 feet tall. For this mid-rise classification, Marriott requires certain aspects of a high-rise
building to be included in the design. The following is a comparison of the these requirements
relative to what is required by the IBC for a fully classified high rise hotel.

As is often the case, when a local jurisdiction is informed that a mid-rise hotel is going to be
designed per the Marriott criteria, full high-rise criteria is imposed. Check with your local
jurisdiction regarding this issue at the start of your project to avoid surprises.

Marriot IBC
Mid-Rise High-Rise
Emergency Generator Stair Fans Only All Fans
Smoke Report and
X
Rationale Analysis
Third Party Testing of
Smoke Control X
System
Fire-Fighter’s Control
X X
Panel
Fire Command Center X X
Exit Stair Pressurization X X
Mechanical Smoke Exhaust
X X
for Corridors
Mechanical Smoke Exhaust
for Public X X
Spaces
Elevator Pressurization X
Full Smoke Control
System per Section X
909
Fire Alarm Speaker
System for Zoned X
Evacuation
Secondary Water Supply
for Sprinkler X
System
Emergency voice/alarm
Communication X
System
Automatic Fire Detection
X X
(907.2.12.1)
Two hour protection for
control and X
power wiring (907.2.12.1)
Fire Department
Communication System X
(907.2.12.3)
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Vestibule at Exit Stairs

X
on Each Floor
Exhaust Fans Rated for
High X
Temperatures

Posted in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Mechanical | No Comments »

Hotel Mitsubishi City-Multi VRV Installed at Sheridan Carlsbad Resort & Spa
Saturday, February 7th, 2009

Summary: Here is a photo tour of a successful VRV installation in an operational hotel.

VRV HVAC systems are making their way onto the American scene. Although the VRV technology
is common in Europe and Japan, it is a newcomer to America. As such, there are few installations for
engineers to observe. At the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa, California, the Mitsubishi City-Multi
VRV system has been successfully installed. I visited the site and was impressed by the equipment
and performance. Most notably, the guestroom unit is almost completely silent. This photo tour was
made possible by Bruce Zelenka who enthusiastically allowed me to see all the pieces of the system
from the roof to the guestrooms.
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Bruce Zelenka was instrumental in getting the Mitsubishi City-Multi VRV system installed in the
Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa.

The condensers are modular and can be placed like soldiers shoulder to shoulder. Here they are about
six inches apart, but if space is at a premium, they can be shoved completely together.

A custom curb is used to create a platform to support the condensers.

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The refrigerant piping is light weight and can be routed above the roof membrane on off-the-shelf
supports. Here is an example of the piping stacked two layers high.

Here is an overall view of the piping neatly racked across the roof. The electrical is extended through
roof jacks from disconnect switches mounted on the wall of the parapet. Alternatively, the
disconnects could be located at the roof penetration, but this is a cleaner installation.
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The piping transition from the roof to a shaft down the building is shown here. Typically, refrigerant
piping penetrates a roof with a roof jack, but with this large number of pipes, it is more efficient to
create a roof hatch that handles a bundle of pipes. Also, the risk of a roof leak is very low with this
detail.

The BC Controller is what Mitsubishi calls the unit which manifolds the refrigerant lines to the
guestroom units. The best analogy to describe it is an electrical branch panel. Only one pair of
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refrigerant lines extend to the roof like a panel feeder, and each guestroom unit is separately served by
refrigerant lines like branch circuits.

Looking up at the ceiling of the corridor, the refrigerant piping can be seen routed horizontally.

In a guestroom the fan coils are

mounted in ceiling spaces near the corridor. This is no different than a four-pipe fan coil installation.
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In this installation, the air filter is mounted behind the return grille to simplify filter replacement.

This is the standard Mitsubishi thermostat. This thermostat is under review by Marriott and Hilton for
acceptance in their hotel brands.
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Mitsubishi has a fantastic design, but there is still no magic to deal with condensate. Here the
condensate from the fan coil unit in the ceiling is piped to the bathroom lav trap.

Mitsubishi offers a variety of fan coil unit styles. Here is a four-way cassette unit suitable for a
kitchen or work area. This unit is installed without a ceiling, but as the trim would indicate, it is
intended for a ceiling installation.
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Mitsubishi has a special condensate trap that does not require a vertical loop. This simplifies
installation in ceiling cavities with limited clearance.

This wall mounted style of fan coil is an economical alternative to a built-in type for a guestroom.
Although this installation made no attempt to conceal the electrical power or the condensate drain,
these units can be installed in guestrooms with a clean look not too different than a PTAC. However
with this unit, it is mounted high on the wall and does not require any floor space near the outside
wall. I have seen these units successfully applied to a college dormitory.

Posted in Mechanical | 7 Comments »

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Hotel Elevator Hoistway Venting

Monday, December 15th, 2008

Summary:The IBC requires the top of all elevators to be vented to the outside. The size of this vent
is important because in many cases it is routed through the elevator machine room.

The IBC requires the top of all elevator hoistways to be vented to the outside. Since almost all hotels
have elevators, this is a feature the architect will ask the mechanical engineer for help sizing.
Therefore, this article is intended to be a quick reference. The purpose of the vent is to allow smoke
removal from the shaft in the event of a fire. As an aside, I have also heard the argument that the
vent provides relief from the piston effect of the elevator, but I have not seen this reason confirmed in
writing anywhere. Of course, if the piston effect reason was actually true, then there should be a
corresponding relief opening at the bottom of the shaft, and the code does not address a vent at the
bottom.

The vent size is determined by IBC Section 3004.3, which requires the area of the vents be not less
than 3.5% of the area of the hoistway, but not less than 3 square feet for each elevator car.
Dumbwaiters hoistways are also included in this requirement with a minimum of 0.5 square feet per
dumbwaiter.
For hydraulic type elevators, the top of the elevator shaft is generally at or above the roof and
providing this vent is simple. However, for elevators with machine rooms at the top, access to the
outside is often through the machine room. This is accomplished done by routing a duct through the
machine room in a rated enclosure. Routing of the duct and shaft involves close coordination with the
elevator machine equipment layout and the associated working clearances.
The code allows up to 2/3 of the area of the opening covered with annealed glass. In mild climates,
this is not generally required. However, in extreme cold climates, the glass can reduce the heat loss
from cold air coming into the hoistway.
The table below shows typical vent sizes required for elevator shafts with one, two, and three cars.
Obviously, there is no single size for an elevator. However, the table below can be useful during
schematic design to quickly assess vent sizing requirements. Note that for two and three car banks
with a common hoistway, the sizing criteria is dominated by 3 sf per car rule rather than the 3.5%
rule. Therefore, estimating for multiple car hoistways is quite easy.
Table:
Vent Size Free Area Louver size (in) with 50% free area
Shaft Size (Ft2) Number of Cars
(Ft2) (nominal)
80 1 3 30X30
90 1 3 30X30
100 1 3.5 36×30
110 1 3.85 36×36
120 2 6 48×36
130 2 6 48×36
140 2 6 48×36
150 2 6 48×36
160 2 6 48×36
170 3 9 48×60 (close to 48×48)
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180 3 9 48×60
190 3 9 48×60
200 3 9 48×60

Code:

• 3004.1 Vents Required

Hoistways of elevators and dumbwaiters penetrating more than three stories shall be provided
with a means for venting smoke and hot gases to the outer air in case of fire.

• 3004.2

Vents shall be located at the top of the hoistway and shall open either directly to the outer air or
through noncombustible ducts to the outer air. Noncombustible ducts shall be permitted to pass
through the elevator machine room, providing that portions of the ducts located outside the
hoistway or machine room are enclosed by construction having not less than the fire protection
rating required for the hoistway. Holes in the machine room floors for the passage of ropes,
cables, or other moving elevator equipment shall be limited so as not to provide greater than 2
inches (51mm) of clearance on all sides.

• 3004.3 Area of vents.

Except as provided for in section 3004.3.1, the area of the vents shall not be less than 3.5% of
the area of the hoistway not less than 3 square feet(0.28 m2) for each elevator car and not less
than 3.5% not less than 0.5 square feet (.047 m2) for each dumbwaiter car in the hoistway,
whichever is greater. Of the total required vent area, not less than one-third shall be
permanently open. Closed portions of the required vent area shall consist of openings glazed
with annealed glass not greater than 0.125 in (3.2 mm) in thickness.

Posted in Mechanical | No Comments »

ASHRAE 62.1 LEED Credits for Hotels

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Summary: Example of how to apply ASHRAE 62 to achieve a LEED credit.

Applying ASHRAE 62 to a hotel to get LEED credits is very easy to do because hotel spaces
generally have separate air handlers serving each type of space. Therefore, to achieve ASHRAE 62
ventilation is as simple as setting the air handler minimum outside air to the ventilation requirements
for the respective zones computed according to the ASHRAE 62 method. This includes an area factor
and a occupancy factor, of course. The only situation that truly challenges the designer is where a
single outside air unit is used to serve several air handlers each serving zones with different
ventilation requirements. For those cases, the ventilation minimum outside air setting must be
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computed according to the involved formulas. ASHRAE has a spreadsheet available to help with
these calculations, or you can use a design program such as Design Master which has this feature
integrated into the load calculations.

Below is an example of an ASHRAE 62 computation performed for a simple building with diverse
zones served by common air handlers. The example is offered to assist in understanding what is
involved. The computations are performed using the ASHRAE 62 spreadsheet and Design Master for
comparison.

Sample Analysis:

ASHRAE 62 ventilation concept is a method for setting the minimum outside air for an air handler,
which serves rooms that have different percentage outside air requirements.

The building consists of five zones, each zone served by a separate HVAC unit. Within each zone are
a number of rooms ranging from one room to eight rooms. The single room zones are a trivial case of
the ASHRAE 62 concept. For those zones, the minimum outside air setting is simply the ventilation
rate prescribed by the ASHRAE 62 ventilation amount based on occupancy and room area.

For the zones with more than one room per zone, there are three possible methods of calculating
ventilation rates that could be used, each with a different effect on air quality and energy
consumption. The first method is to simply add up the individual room ventilation rates and set the
HVAC unit to a minimum outside air based on that sum. This results in an amount of outside air at the
low end of the spectrum. This is the most energy efficient selection, since this minimizes the outside
air heating and cooling load on the system. However, it may not provide sufficient ventilation for the
room, which requires a higher percentage of outside air compared to other rooms in the zone. For
example, if a conference room and an office are both served by the same HVAC unit, and the
conference room requires 50% outside air and the office requires 20% outside air, then the office will
not receive sufficient ventilation based on this method.

One method to absolutely guarantee that every room receives the required ventilation is to set the
outside air at the HVAC unit to the percentage matching the room with the highest percentage
ventilation requirement. The drawback to this approach, however, is that the rooms such as offices
compared to conference rooms would receive far more ventilation than necessary. Thus, energy
would be wasted.

The ASHRAE 62 approach is to find a middle amount of ventilation between the two extremes
described above. Based on extensive research and analysis, the ASHRAE approach gives credit to the
mixing effect of return air from one room to another. For example, if an office needs 20% outside air,
but it is being served with 25% outside air, then a portion of the air returned to the HVAC unit is still
“fresh” and could be counted as outside air when recirculated. The trick is to determine just how to
translate this general concept into actual usable outside air values. This is what the formulas of
ASHRAE 62 accomplish. ASHRAE 62 computations result in a setting for the outside air that is a
proper compromise between the most efficient energy setting, and the maximum case ventilation
setting.

The following table shows the five zones, the supply air for each room, and the amount of ventilation
required for each room within the zones. In the least ventilation amount case, the sum of the room
ventilation cfms is shown for each zone. In the maximum ventilation amount case, the ventilation for
each room is computed based on the percentage of ventilation of the worst case room applied to all
the other rooms. This percentage is then applied to the zone to show the worst case outside air setting.
The column between the least and the worst-case ventilation rates is the ASHRAE 62 rate as
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computed using the ASHRAE 62 formulas. Note that this amount is between the two extremes in all
cases except the cases where the zone has only one room. In those cases, the ventilation rate simply
matches the minimum amount required for the room.

The ASHRAE 62 calculations were performed using Design Master HVAC software, which
combines load calculations, ductwork design, and the ASHRAE 62 calculations. As a further check of
this method of computing the AHSHAE 62 values, the official ASHRAE spreadsheet was used. The
values matched and confirmed the correctness of the solutions.

The following exhibits are included for reference:

1. Floor plans showing the five zones and rooms. Each room is labeled with the occupancy and
ventilation requirement: LINK
2. Summary of the outside air settings recommended for each HVAC unit. Note, this is the
minimum setting and any economizer cooling operation may and should increase these values
during economizer operation: LINK
3. Design Master printouts showing the ASHRAE 62 results: LINK
4. ASHRAE 62 spreadsheet showing a comparison analysis: LINK

Posted in LEED, Mechanical | No Comments »

Ducted Ventilation to Guestrooms from Corridors

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

Summary: The new codes now allow ducted guestroom ventilation for hotels in the west coast states
which have now moved from the Uniform Building Code to the International Building Code.
However, California has chosen to modify the IBC and continue to NOT ALLOW ducted ventilation
to guestrooms without the use of fire/smoke dampers.

Discussion: The following code analysis is presented to document the conclusions stated in the
summary above. This topic requires a step-by-step analysis of the code and there is really no short cut
to what appears below. Just to be clear, the question is: Are fire/smoke dampers required at the
penetration of the duct into the guestroom at the corridor wall?

Code Analysis:

1. The code defines four relevant types of separation that must be addressed as part of the code
analysis. Those types are: Fire Barriers, Fire Partitions, Smoke Barriers, and Smoke Partitions.

2. Addressing each type of separation, we find the following:

a. Section 706 Fire Barriers: This applies to the hotel corridors.

b. Section 708 Fire Partitions: This applies to the separation of hotel sleeping units
(guestrooms)
c. Section 709 Smoke Barriers: This section does not define where smoke partitions are
required. It is silent regarding where the section is applied.
d. Section 710 Smoke Partitions: This section does not define where smoke partitions are
required. It calls upon other sections to provide that definition.

3. Are smoke barriers and smoke partitions involved with guestrooms?

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a. Section 419 Group I-1, R-1, R-2, R-3: This section applies to guestrooms and states that
walls separating sleeping units shall comply with Section 708. That means the walls between
guestrooms are Fire Partitions. It does not elaborate and extend the rating to Fire Barrier,
Smoke Barrier, or Smoke Partition.

4. Section 706 requires ducts and air transfer openings comply with Section 716.

5. Section 708 requires ducts and air transfer openings comply with Section 716.

6. Section 716 addresses duct and air transfer openings of all types. Paragraph 716.6 Where
Required defines where fire dampers, smoke dampers, and combination fire/smoke dampers are
required for each type of separation. There are then two cases to analyze the hotel guestrooms. The
first case is a duct routed in the corridor with taps to each guestroom through the corridor wall. This
case involves crossing a Fire Barrier. The second case is a duct routed from guestroom to guestroom
which involves crossing a Fire Partition. These two cases are analyzed below.

7. Duct Routed in Corridor: Since we know from above that guestroom separation from the
corridor is a Fire Barrier, then the applicable sub-paragraph is 716.5.2 Fire Barriers:

a. This code requires fire dampers except where the duct system is constructed of 26 gage
steel and the ductwork is continuous from the air handling equipment to the air outlets in the
guestrooms.
b. Conclusion: The 2006 IBC allows air supply to guestrooms from a common duct in the
corridor without fire dampers or smoke dampers as described above.

8. Duct Routed in Guestrooms: Since we know from above that guestroom separation is only a
Fire Partition, then the application sub-paragraph is 716.5.4 Fire Partitions:

a. 716.5.4 Fire Partitions: This sub-paragraph requires fire dampers in ducts and air transfer
openings except when all of the following conditions are met:
i. Building is sprinklered.
ii. Duct penetration is less than 100 square inches.
iii. Duct is 26 gage steel.
iv. No openings communicated to corridor.
v. Duct installed above a ceiling.
vi. Duct not terminated at the corridor wall.
vii. A 12 inch steel sleeve through the corridor wall is provided for the duct.
b. Conclusion: The 2006 IBC allows an air supply to guestrooms from a common duct in the
corridor without fire dampers or smoke dampers if the conditions of 716.5.4 are met. The
following is a review of those conditions:
i. Sprinklers: No problem.
ii. Duct less than 100 square inches: We need 30 cfm of air per guestroom. A 10 by 10
duct (100 square inches) can deliver 500 cfm of air, which will serve 16 guestrooms. If
the duct begins at the center of the hotel, this restriction is not a problem.
iii. 26 gage steel is standard.
iv. The duct would have no openings to the corridor since the corridor air system would
be a separate system.
v. A ceiling would be provided for the corridor. This is not always the case, but would
be necessary (and desirable) under these conditions.
vi. The duct could not be terminated at the corridor wall of the guestroom. This
requires some form of soffit in the guestroom, which is easily accomplished. The grille
can then be installed at the wall of the soffit.
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vii. A 12 inch sleeve through the corridor wall is easily provided. The requirements for
this sleeve are detailed further in the code.

9. California: In the California version of the 2006 IBC there is additional wording added to
Paragraph 716.5.4. This wording states that the exception which allows the deletion of the
fire/smoke dampers in the IBC DOES NOT APPLY in California for high rise buildings and Group R
buildings. Hence, this exception is explicitly not allowed in California. The result is that fire/smoke
dampers are required for a ducted ventilation supply system, which, of course, makes it cost
prohibitive.

Posted in Mechanical | No Comments »

Proper Sizing for Hotel Guestroom Units

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Summary: Reduce noise with proper sizing of guestroom units. But be careful with undersizing the
heating capacity.

One of the big temptations for designers of hotels is to oversize the guestroom units. This is
especially true of the cooling mode. My observation has always been that the most important time for
a guestroom to perform properly is at night, and at night there is no solar load. So by oversizing a
unit for peak solar load plus all other extreme assumptions about the load in the room, the result is a
unit is far over sized for the night. This always translates into excessive noise.

The only caution is to make sure the units are sized adequately for heating at night in cold
climates. At night there is no heat gain from such things as lights and the television once the guest
goes to bed. The in-room refrigerator is the one exception that produces heat all night long, but it is
not significant.

If you are using heat pumps, make sure the supplemental strip heat is large enough. In the case of
hydronic systems, make sure the boilers can maintain water temperature in the extreme cold
conditions with ample spare capacity for the very extreme cold. Unlike cooling, guests have no
tolerance for an occasional cold night. An occasional hot day is expected, but not a cold night.

Posted in Mechanical | 1 Comment »

Two Pipe Water Source Heat Pumps for Hotels

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

Summary: Analysis of water source heat pumps.

The water source heat pumps are a popular choice for mid-priced hotels, and for hotels more than 4
stories. Marriott has a policy of not allowing PTACs and VTACs on hotels above six stories, even if
that is the brand prototype. Therefore, water source heat pumps are often the choice of taller projects.

The advantages of water source heat pumps include:

1. Only two pipes for water distribution.

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2. No insulation of pipes or potential for sweating.

3. High efficiency from central cooling towers and boilers.
4. High efficiency from the ability to transfer heating and cooling from one side of the building to
the other depending on solar exposure
5. Easy maintenance compared to central chiller plats of 4 pipe systems.

The disadvantages of water source heat pumps include:

1. The noise of the compressor is present in each guestroom.

2. less smooth temperature control compared to fan coil units
3. Assuming the common spaces are also served by heat pumps, the problem of temperature
control is significant compared to air handlers with heating and cooling coils. Any spaces
requiring high percentages of outside air such as meeting rooms and corridors are difficult to
control in extreme climates. In hot and cold climates, pre-coolers and pre-heaters are sometimes
necessary.

Posted in Mechanical | No Comments »

Hotel Bath Exhaust Subducts

Saturday, October 25th, 2008

Summary: A subduct is a duct inside a vertical exhaust duct routed between floors of a building. The
subduct replaces the role of a fire/smoke damper at much lower cost. This article presents a
discussion of issure surrounding the design and installation of a subduct exhaust shaft.

I could write a small book about subducts, but here is the short version. You either got to this web
page because you don’t know what a subduct is, or your got here because you do and you are looking
for more information about them. For the rookie, a subduct is simply a trick of duct construction to
avoid a fire/smoke damper in an exhaust duct routed between floors of a building. As we all know,
any shaft up through a building must maintain the fire rating of the floor assembly, So if you have a
single duct routed in a shaft and there is an opening at each floor, the fire rating must be maintained.
Since fire smoke dampers are expensive, the code offers an alternative as follows: provide an inner
duct boot with a minimum 22 inch upward extension inside the main duct and maintain a constant
negative pressure on the duct. The idea is that fire and smoke will not climb down the boot if exhaust
air is being drawn up the main duct. It seems reasonable and I’m sure it has been tested. So why is
this worth a blog entry?

Here is a photo of a real subduct before installation.

 Page 19 of 22

The reason I am writing this entry is because the code has so much room for interpretation, and the
methods of constructing a subduct can vary significantly, with vastly different performance and cost
implications. Let’s start with the subduct construction. The best construction is a sheet metal main
duct with sheet metal subducts. The cross sectional area of the main duct is sufficiently large so that
the subduct does not excessively restrict the airflow from below. Since the airflow is greatest that the
top of a building, the air speed at the top subduct is a critical design point. The speed of the airflow
around the top subduct should not exceed 400 feet per second. One trick is to reduce the size of the
subducts at the upper floors to allow more free area in the main duct at the top where the airflow is
greatest. This also has the benefit of accomplishing some degree of self balancing since the static
pressure is greatest at the upper floors. Regardless, balancing dampers are recommended at all
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floors. The bottom floor balancing damper may be omitted since the balancing process should start
with that damper fully open anyway.

A common VE recommendation is to eliminate the sheet metal duct and utilize the fire rated shaft as
the main duct. The subducts remain as sheet metal elements. There are two major issues with this
approach. First, there is always concern that the shaft material will develop mold, especially with the
moist air of the showers in a hotel. The counter argument to this issue is that mold-resistant paint can
be applied to the inside of the shaft walls. Also, since the shaft is always in exhaust (note, subducts
are not allowed for supply systems), any mold will be exhausted. Also, since the exhaust air is
moving 24/7, there might be a slight moisture build-up for a few minutes, but the moisture will
rapidly be removed by the constant airflow. This may be true for dryer climates, but I would have
some concern in the humid areas of the country.

The second issue is the integrity of the shaft which is generally gypsum board. The construction
challenge is to get the shaft sealed so it does not leak. One can argue that the leaks will simply come
from the same place as the bath air, but that could potentially rob the lower floors of proper air
exhaust. As for my opinion, I prefer to have a sheet metal duct liner. But in dry climates on hotels
four floors or less, I allow the shaft to act as the duct.

The code also says that the airflow will be continuous in the subduct shaft. So what does continuous
mean? First, we all agree it means the fan runs 24/7. But what about when there is a power failure?
Some jurisdictions require subduct fans to be on emergency power. To take it a step further, some
jurisdictions require airflow monitoriing with a trouble alert at the fire control panel.

Hotels with attics: This next comment is about subducts in regard to buildings with attics. With a flat
roof, the subduct shaft terminates at a curb on the roof and the exhaust fan is installed at that curb.
However, if there is an attic, where does the shaft terminate? It is not uncommon to see the shaft
terminate at the upper floor ceiling with a fire damper installed at the attic floor. From that
point unprotected ductwork is routed within the attic to a common exhaust fan. So here is my
question: If the fire damper is activated, the exhaust air stops, is the subduct still code compliant? For
this reason, I have always extended the subduct shaft through the attic to the exterior of the building.
If you do not want to install the exhaust fans on the sloped roof, then simply install the exhaust fans
inside the shaft in the attic with a fire rated access door. For the sake of the maintenance staff,
remember to have the architect provide a catwalk to each fan.

Mushroom fans or Utility fans: There are two types of fans that can be used for a subduct exhaust.
The first is a simple mushroom fan mounted on top of the roof curb. This is good if some type of
acoustical treatment is included in the neck of the fan curb. A simple sound lined baffle is my
favorite detail. Remember to have enough height on the curb that the subduct at the top floor
bathroom does not stick up above the curb. The other type of fan is a small utility fan mounted a few
feet away from the roof curb. This installation allows a horizontal section of ductwork which can
contain vibration isolation and a sound trap. This is probably the best installation, but it costs more
than a mushroom fan. And regarding direct drive vs. belt drive for the fans, I like belt drive for
balancing, but direct drive is nice for maintenance. A typical hotel with belt drive exhaust fans
generally has at least one exhaust stack not functioning due to a broken belt.

Tall Buildings: What about really tall buildings? A subduct cannot be balanced for more than about
20 floors. If the shaft is very tall, keep the shaft large and the airflow slow so it behaves as a plenum
rather than a duct. If the building is more than 20 stories tall, install multiple sections of duct with no
section of duct serving more than 20 stories. Another approach is to provide an exhaust fan in each
guestroom as a “pusher” at each floor. This is a typcial Hyatt design standard. I have seen this done,
but the code really does not address this approach. I can imagine a code reviewer arguing that the fan
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could force smoke from one floor to the next and defeat the subduct smoke control concept. Hyatt
specifies that that pusher fan be relatively weak compared to the exhaust fan. So one could argue that
the pusher fan would not push smoke from one guestroom to another. Since Hyatt does this as a
standard approach, it appears plan reviewers are not chanllenging it.

I recently found a manufacturer of pre-fabricated subduct inserts that have a profile to minimize air
resistance. See this product at http://www.subductriser.com/LSR060829.pdf

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