Technical standards, ductwork specifications and installation practices will be among the subjects presented by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) at the 2027 AHR Expo.
The association plans to exhibit at booth N2014 during the Jan. 25-27 event at McCormick Place in Chicago. Its representatives will discuss technical standards, respond to industry questions, provide information about associate membership and outline ongoing association projects.
The exhibition provides mechanical contractors, HVAC professionals, designers and equipment manufacturers with an opportunity to discuss technical requirements and industry practices.
SMACNA has scheduled two technical presentations for Jan. 25, both in seminar room S404d in the South Building.
The first session, Air Duct Leakage, will run from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. William Farrell, senior project manager at SMACNA, will cover duct leakage specifications, applicable codes and standards, testing procedures and acceptable leakage criteria.
The presentation will also address leakage expectations for ductwork constructed under SMACNA's HVAC Duct Construction Standards, along with testing equipment, test configurations and sample leakage analysis.
The second presentation, SMACNA HVAC Duct Construction Standards - Metal & Flexible, is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Geoffrey Parks, senior project manager at SMACNA, will lead the session.
The discussion will cover requirements for round, rectangular and flat oval ductwork, including positive- and negative-pressure applications. Additional topics include duct sealants, internal duct liners and duct support systems.
The session will address provisions included in the fourth edition of SMACNA's HVAC duct construction standard.
Why It Matters
Duct leakage performance and fabrication standards influence HVAC system efficiency, installation quality and building operations. Technical guidance on testing procedures and construction requirements gives mechanical contractors, designers and specifiers a common reference for ductwork design, fabrication and field verification.
The two sessions place particular emphasis on technical requirements that affect duct system performance and installation practices across commercial and institutional construction projects.
Source: SMACNA.
