Terminology 287

Hot Deck: In a multizone or dual duct unit it is the chamber after

the air leaves the heating coil.

HVAC: Heating, ventilating and air conditioning a space using

the fluids of air, water, steam, and refrigerants.

Low Pressure System: Static pressures to 2 in. wg. (2"wg.), with

velocities to 2000 feet per minute.

Make-up Air: Air introduced into the secondary air system for
ventilation, pressurization, and replacement or “make-up” of ex-
hausted air.

Medium Pressure Systems: Static pressures between 2 and 6 in.

wg., with velocities between 2000 and 4000 feet per minute.

Mixed Air: Primary air plus secondary air. Also, return air plus
outside air.

Multizone System: Multizones are dual path systems usually

having a cooling coil and heating coil. The air passes through the
coils into mixing dampers and then into zone ducts to the various
conditioned spaces. Multizone systems are designed as constant
volume systems but the actual volume may vary up to 10% dur-
ing normal operation because of the changes in resistance be-
tween the smaller heating coil and the larger cooling coil.
Generally, multizone systems have between 4 and 12 zones. In
most cases, the zones will be similar in flow quantities.

Normally Closed: The position of a controlled device when the

power source is removed. A controlled device that moves toward
the closed position as the branch line pressure decreases is nor-
mally closed. The position of the damper or valve when the actua-
tor is de-energized.

Normally Open: The position of a controlled device when the

power source is removed. A controlled device that moves toward
288 HVAC Fundamentals

the open position as the branch line pressure decreases is nor-

mally open. The position of the damper or valve when the actua-
tor is de-energized.

Outlet Velocity: The average velocity of air emerging from a fan,

outlet or opening.

Plenum: An air chamber or compartment.

Pressure Dependent Box: The quantity of air passing through

this terminal box is dependent on the inlet static pressure.

Pressure Independent Box: The quantity of air passing through

this terminal box is independent (within design limits) of the inlet
static pressure.

Primary Air: The supply air.

Refrigerants: Refrigerants are fluids that are used in refrigeration

systems to absorb heat by evaporation and release heat by con-
densation.

Refrigeration: Refrigeration is the transfer of heat from one place

where it is not wanted to another place where it is unobjection-
able. This transfer of heat is through a change in state of a fluid.

Single Duct Box: A terminal box usually supplied with cool air
through a single inlet duct. The box may be constant or variable
volume, pressure dependent or pressure independent. It can also
have a hot water coil, steam coil, or electric reheat.

Single Path: A system in which the air flows through coils essen-
tially in series to each other. Single zone heating and cooling units
and terminal reheat units are examples.

Smudging: The black markings on ceilings and outlets usually