Maximize efficiency with innovative duct support system

Providing optimal temperature and air quality throughout a commercial building requires a complex network of ducts, cables, and pipes. Many building owners choose to install their HVAC systems on the rooftop (above the duct support system) to save space and reduce noise. It also helps improve the structural integrity of your roof in the long run.

Naturally, a rooftop environment requires appropriate infrastructure to support this equipment. Premature roof deterioration is often caused by inadequate support and can jeopardize not only the life of the roof, but also the safety of expensive equipment and maintenance personnel.

The HVAC market is expected to reach $455.96 billion worldwide by 2028, with ducting being the second largest category in this market. By 2028, the duct and support systems market is expected to reach $17.5 billion, leaving a $3 billion shortfall for HVAC control systems. This shows how important these support systems are to the safety of your system and property.

In this article, we take a closer look at the key points that professionals should consider when it comes to HVAC ductwork and support systems. The aim is to support informed decision-making about long-term sustainability, efficiency and safety.

Importance of duct support system

Several studies have shown that these systems play a critical role in ensuring the efficiency, safety, and longevity of commercial HVAC equipment. These systems are also important for OSHA compliance, especially ensuring worker safety. Additionally, duct support systems also ensure efficient operation of the HVAC system, improving temperature and air quality management throughout the building.

A well-designed system performs three main functions:

• Maintains the structural integrity of your rooftop
• Protect your valuable HVAC equipment
• Contributes to overall energy efficiency and safety.

Unfortunately, just have A duct support system alone is not enough. An inadequate support system can lead to several problems that affect not only the rooftop, but also the indoor environment and budget issues.

Rooftop duct support systems can fail for a variety of reasons, including:

• substandard design,
• unsuitable material, or
• improper planning,

This can cause various problems. Premature deterioration of commercial roofs requires significant investment in itself and is often related to infrastructure issues. Foot traffic on the roof surface, poor maintenance, punctures during installation, and the use of low-quality support systems can all contribute to costly roof repairs or replacements.

Key elements of an efficient and sustainable duct support system

Ensuring the efficiency, safety, and longevity of your commercial HVAC installation depends on careful consideration of key factors when designing and implementing your roof support or duct support system. These factors include:

1. Customize your rooftop environment: At the heart of duct support system design is understanding the unique specifications of the rooftop environment. Every roof is different, so the design must be tailored to its unique characteristics. Whether you have a flat or pitched roof, the calculations for weight distribution, wind resistance, and other performance requirements will vary accordingly.
2. Load capacity evaluation: It is important to determine the load capacity of the roof. This factor determines how much equipment the roof can safely support and how it should be positioned to properly distribute the weight. Dead loads and potential live loads such as maintenance professionals occupying the space must be considered.
3. Optimization of duct size: The shape, height, and width of the duct depend on various technical specifications, including air flow rate, length of the duct system, friction coefficient, etc. Duct supports must be meticulously designed to reduce noise pollution, reduce erosion, eliminate environmental risks and ensure uniform weight distribution.
4. promising: A well-thought-out design must support the current environment and be able to adapt to potential future changes. Whether you’re expanding your building or converting your rooftop into a green space or parking lot, your system needs to seamlessly accommodate these changes.
5. movement considerations: Duct support systems must account for potential movement due to changes in temperature, loads, vibration, and other environmental factors. Movement can be unpredictable, so designers must factor it into the system’s design in all directions.
6. environmental risk factors: Apart from standard weather resistance, material selection must consider continuous UV exposure and extreme weather conditions such as hurricane-force winds, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Areas where this type of situation is more likely to occur may have more stringent building codes that must be adhered to.
7. base attachment: Designers need to have a good understanding of how securing the support base to the physical roof structure affects warranties and how adhesives will react with roof surface materials. There is. Installation method can affect the long-term performance and safety of your system.
8. Maintenance accessibility: The design layout should take into account the ease with which maintenance professionals can move around the rooftop environment for inspection and repair/maintenance. Safety should always be a top priority and a well-planned layout will facilitate this.

While low-cost solutions may seem appealing at first, the real value lies in long-term sustainability. Systems that stand the test of time not only reduce the need for repairs and replacements, but also contribute to overall energy efficiency and safety, resulting in a significant return on investment (ROI).

Sample duct support system to maximize HVAC efficiency

As discussed, commercial and industrial HVAC systems require carefully designed duct support systems. You need to focus not only on performance, but also on safety, longevity, and efficiency. While the optimal duct support system will vary based on building geography, system type, and building design, research shows there are some important principles to keep in mind for a better design.

Here’s a sample duct support system that improves HVAC efficiency while keeping your employees and buildings safe.

Figure: Sample rooftop duct system for an auditorium.

In this example, the HVAC system is designed for a 1000-seat auditorium for summer conditions. The design aims to provide optimal cooling with a tonnage capacity of 70 TR.

Design specifications:

Cooling system load calculations take into account a variety of factors, including heat generated by walls, windows, lighting, appliances, and people. This comprehensive analysis ensures that your HVAC system can handle the heat load efficiently.

Duct design is important to support the cooling system. The duct is designed based on the equal friction method, which keeps the pressure loss constant per unit length of the duct. This approach applies to both supply and return ducts.

The duct branches use a reduced-diameter trunk system in which the diameter of the main duct gradually becomes smaller. This approach simplifies installation and reduces costs. There are several important considerations when it comes to duct support systems, which ultimately determine the overall efficiency of the system. These include:

• roof slope: The design must accommodate moderately sloped roofs. This ensures that weight distribution, wind resistance, and performance calculations match the degree of incline.
• Load capacity: Duct support systems must be designed with the roof load capacity in mind.
• duct size: To ensure noise reduction, prevention of erosion and even distribution of weight, duct dimensions should be planned based on:
  • Air volume,
  • Effective total length of the duct system,
  • Friction rate and other important parameters.
• Future plans: The design must take into account future changes, such as expanding the building or converting the rooftop into a green space or parking lot. Flexibility is key in any project.
• displacement: Duct support systems must account for potential movement due to temperature changes, load fluctuations, vibration, and other factors. This ensures system stability and safety under various conditions, especially in high-traffic environments.
• environmental risk factors: The design should consider the local climate, taking into account continuous UV exposure and possible extreme conditions such as strong winds, tornadoes, and earthquakes. For durability, the selected materials must meet local building codes.
• base attachment: The fixation of the support base is done carefully to avoid affecting the warranty and ensure compatibility with the roof surfacing material.
• Maintenance needs: A layout designed with maintenance in mind, providing easy and safe access for inspection, repairs, and daily activities.

Efficiency for long-term sustainability:

The design of this duct support system should not be solely about cost. Its main focus should be on long-term sustainability and efficiency. This system will pay for itself by reducing maintenance costs and eliminating the need for HVAC replacement/repair over the next few years. While low-cost solutions may seem appealing at first, they can lead to frequent repairs and replacements, ultimately hurting your return on investment.

Finally – PHP System/Innovative Duct Support System Design

At PHP Systems/Design, we understand the uniqueness of each rooftop environment. We take pride in creating duct support systems that are customized to your specific characteristics. It also complies with all state and local standard stamps and is provided for all projects. We design solutions that are built to last, taking into account factors such as load capacity, duct dimensions, future planning, displacement, environmental conditions, base installation, and ease of maintenance.

Our commitment to durability is unwavering. We use robust materials and alloys that can withstand the harshest environmental conditions. Careful attention is paid to the installation of the support base to ensure compatibility with the roof surfacing material, ensuring warranty and enhancing long-term performance and safety.

Additionally, our designs prioritize ease of maintenance, making inspection, repair, and daily operations easier while keeping safety a top priority. If you’re ready to get started, feel free to contact us for a personalized consultation and pricing. Call us today to take the next step in securing your real estate future.