Hart Cooley Tech Talk

December 2003
Introducing the Tech Talk Newsletter

by Dave Fetters
This is the first in a series of publications Opposed-blade vs. multi-shutter dampers

that will discuss topics of interest for all of Louver performance and how to size
our customers and potential customers. them
“Customers” include the family of
What does “Throw” mean and how to
employees within Hart & Cooley, as well
use it
as anyone with an interest in our products
and services. Our aim is to emphasize Repainting registers
education related to the HVAC industry. The information we need to help you
We will do this through the publication of size Type B gas vent
our Tech Talk newsletter. The information we need to help you
size grilles, registers and diffusers
As the name Tech Talk implies, we will How to determine engineering data for
present subjects of a technical nature, sizes not shown in our catalog
although we also may choose subjects that
The difference between flexible duct and
are not technical, but related. Every effort
flexible connectors
will be made to discuss topics in a way
that is easy to understand. Your questions How we can help you deal with
about the subject matter are welcome, as inspectors
are suggestions for future topics. We Helping you understand codes and
encourage your participation. Feel free to standards
comment about the effectiveness and
depth of coverage of the subject matter. Again, we want to assist you as much as
You may contact us through our web site we can, so please suggest topics that will
at www.hartandcooley.com. From the help you with your work. You might
home page, click on “Contact Us” and consider placing copies of these bulletins
then “E-mail Customer Service.” From in a convenient location for your
the home page you also can click on employees and customers. We also
“Site Map” and then “Comment/Question encourage you to incorporate the topics of
Form.” You may contact me directly as these bulletins within your own
well at fetterda@hartcool.com. publications if appropriate.
Some of the 40-plus topics that we have
listed and will eventually cover are:
January 2004
Type B Gas Vent Interconnection Fittings
by Dave Fetters TT-02
Changes or additions to existing B vent We wanted to accommodate the most

systems sometimes require the installer to common sizes used.
use new Hart & Cooley B vent with
whatever brand is already in place. Hart & Cooley has UL-listed male and
Appliance replacement, or building female interconnection adapters that meet
additions or modifications, may mandate these requirements. When speaking of
adding more B vent to a system or these adapters, it is easy to confuse them.
changing what is in place. We speak of “male” adapters as those that
adapt other brands to Hart & Cooley—
Since different brands of B vent have “theirs-to-ours” in the direction of flue gas
different locking designs and can produce flow. So a male adapter will fit onto the
different amounts of airspace between the male end of another brand heading away
inner and outer walls, a straightforward from the appliance. A “female” adapter, or
coupling of different brands is usually “ours-to-theirs,” allows for the male end of
impossible. Although the inner diameters Hart & Cooley pipe to adapt to the female
are universally the same nominal end of another brand.
dimension, the outers may be different,
preventing the necessary pipe overlap for a Another way to remember which end is
good connection. which is that flue gases flow into the
female end and out the male end. We
We wanted something other than a have an arrow on pipe that points toward
makeshift connection. We wanted a fitting the male end, showing the direction of
that would allow the mixing of brands flow of the flue gases.
while providing a positive lock—a lock
that meets Underwriters Laboratories The chart on the reverse side of this
Standard 441 for B vent. We wanted to newsletter, which appears in our
prevent the use screws to hold the joint Gas vent & chimney systems product
together, thus avoiding a potential source catalog, lists the adapters that we offer. □
of noise. We wanted to be able to have
other brands mate to our B vent at both
the male and female ends. (continued on reverse side)
Hart & Cooley
Adapter Model
Pipe
Manufacturer Diameter Airspace Male Female
Metalbestos 3" - 6" 1/4" RA or RPA RRA

7" - 8" 1/4" RA –
Metal-Fab 3" - 6" 1/4" RA or RPA RRA

7" - 8" 1/2" RPA –
AmeriVent 3" - 6" 1/4" RA or RPA RRA

7" - 8" 1/2" RPA –
Air-Jet 3" - 8" 3/8" RAA RRA

7" - 8" 3/8" RAA –
DuraVent 3" - 8" 5/16" RAA RRA

7" - 8" 5/16" RAA –
RA Male Adapter RAA Male Adapter

adapts other brands of B vent adapts other brands of B vent
to Hart & Cooley vent to Hart & Cooley vent
RRA Female Adapter

adapts Hart & Cooley vent to
other brands of B vent
TT-03
March 2004
The Difference Between Flexible Air Ducts and Flexible Air

Connectors
by Dave Fetters
Flexible air ducts and flexible air Flexible air connectors shall be
connectors share many of the same limited in length to 14 feet.
traits, yet are different enough that they Flexible air connectors shall not
are uniquely separate products. All of pass through any wall, floor, or
the national codes share similar ceiling.
language, as represented by the
International Mechanical Code, 2003 These last two entries define the
edition (paraphrased): primary difference between the two
products. Air ducts must pass 15 UL
Flexible air ducts and flexible tests, whereas connectors are not
air connectors, both metallic required to pass the flame penetration,
and nonmetallic, shall be tested puncture, or impact tests.
in accordance with UL 181.
Such ducts and connectors shall All Hart & Cooley flexible ducts are
be listed and labeled as Class 0 insulated and have a rectangular label
or Class 1 flexible air ducts or that shows the UL listing mark and
flexible air connectors and shall clearly states that it is an air duct.
be installed in accordance with Hart & Cooley flexible connectors have
the terms of their listing and the no insulation, but have a round label
manufacturer’s installation with the UL listing mark, the words
instructions. “air connector,” and the words “For
installation in length not over 14 ft.”
It goes on to say:
Flexible air ducts shall not be

limited in length. (continued on reverse side)
If flexible connector is used in an
application, the 14-foot maximum
installed length limit may not be
increased by installing a splice at the
end of a 14-foot length of connector. If
a listed connector is used in an
application that does not require the
use of listed connectors, it could still be
subject to the 14-foot length limitation.
Whether or not Hart & Cooley-listed air

connector may be used for bathroom or
dryer vent is a common question.
Subject to the 14-foot limitation stated
above, our air connectors—whether
listed or not, whether polyester or
corrugated aluminum—may be used,
provided the appliance manufacturer
allows for its use in their installation
instructions.
TT-04
April 2004
Spiral Diffuser Scoop Used

as a Balancing Device
by Dave Fetters
Hart & Cooley’s extruded aluminum The 2000 International Mechanical

spiral duct diffusers are available with Code states: “Balancing dampers
an optional “scoop” air deflector, which or other means of supply air adjustment
helps funnel air flowing along the duct (my underline) shall be provided in the
to exit at the diffuser. Without the branch ducts or at each individual duct
scoop, depending on the system design, register, grille, or diffuser.” Our scoop
air having momentum along the duct is not a damper in the traditional sense.
may be reluctant to exit at the desired However, the code clearly says “or
diffuser location or in the optimum other means,” so an add-on duct
amount. damper, an air-control grid, an air
diverter, a flexiturn, or the spiral
The scoop length is about 45% of the diffuser scoop would all comply as
diffuser width (the dimension along the supply air adjustment means. Nowhere
axis of the duct). It does not cover the does the code imply that one needs
full opening of the diffuser core area 100% shutoff capability, only that air
and, therefore, will not act as a volume- adjustment be provided. This
control damper with full shutoff requirement only applies to branch
capability. We did not want the scoop ducts. Main ducts do not have to meet
to be so long that it could easily reach this requirement.
the opposite side of the duct and
disrupt downstream flow.
TT-05
May 2004
Throw, Blow, Flow, Oh No!
by Dave Fetters
Everyone has thrown a ball of some We use the term terminal velocity in
kind in their lifetime, and we conjunction with throw to describe
generally pay attention to how far it what the air is doing at the end
traveled as a measure of our (or terminus) of the designated
strength, accuracy, or overall throw. A typical terminal velocity is
abilities. We can see the result of 75 feet per minute (FPM). This
our effort. Similarly, when air flows means that no matter how fast the
out of a supply register, we’d like to air is blown out of the register, the
know the result. Since we cannot throw tells us, at that distance, that
see what is happening (although we the air has slowed to 75 FPM.
might be able to feel it), we use
throw as one indicator of a register’s The supply air velocity measured at
abilities. Throw is a measure of how the register face determines how far
far the supply air stream is blown the throw will be. The faster the air
into the room. exits the face, the farther the air will
travel into the room. The resistance
Throw is measured in feet from the of room air to the supplied air will
face of the register along the primary cause the supply air to slow down.
direction of flow. However, a throw Eventually, the supply air will slow
distance is meaningless unless given enough to become ineffective in
a point of reference. By that I mean, mixing with room air. The point
“What is the air doing at the end of that air velocity becomes ineffective
the designated throw?” Is it is called the terminal velocity. It is
successfully mixing with room air to somewhat arbitrary, but generally
make the occupied space comfort- ranges from 150 down to 50 FPM.
able? To be mixing it has to be
moving, but how fast? (continued on reverse side)
©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

The distance from the face to where Always look for the stated terminal
this terminal velocity occurs is the velocity in the engineering data
throw. when discussing throws. Terminal
velocities will change depending on
Example: The engineering data for the type of product and the intended
a sidewall supply register states that use. We may even show two or
all throws are at a terminal velocity three throws for the same size
of 100 FPM. No matter what the product corresponding to different
face velocity is or how much air is terminal velocities.
being delivered, each throw is
measured at the point where the As always, if you have questions,
supply air stream has slowed down call us toll-free at 800.433.6341,
to 100 FPM. If we would have used check out our web site at
75 FPM as the terminal velocity, the www.hartandcooley.com, or send
throws would have all been longer us an e-mail at info@hartcool.com.
(farther from the face). At the
register face where the throw is “0,”
the velocity of the supplied air is
highest. No matter what distance we
choose to stop moving away from
the face, there will always be a
corresponding velocity that becomes
less and less the farther away we
move.

TT-06
July 2004
Noise Criteria (NC) – Part 1
by Dave Fetters
The selection of grilles, registers, or technology used to measure sound is

diffusers (GRDs) can sometimes be cumbersome for those of us who
influenced by noise generated by don’t work with it on a regular basis.
airflow passing through the device. Therefore, NC was conceived to
Many applications require a quiet provide uncomplicated information
environment where the designer to meet acoustic design goals
wants to limit, or not add to, the without having to resort to sound
background noise level by carefully consultants. It is not, however, a
choosing the air delivery product. perfect number for giving us a total
picture of the acoustic environment.
Movie and recording studios, sound For instance, NC does not tell us
stages, libraries, concert halls, anything about the frequency at
executive boardrooms, and churches which the “loudest” sound occurred.
all require attention to the noise Except for rooms where sound
criteria (abbreviated as NC) for intensity and sound quality are
GRDs. NC is a single-number critical to the occupancy, NC is
designation that gives us a adequate for the majority of HVAC
comparable reference of how loud a work.
register will be at a certain CFM
delivery. Usually, a single NC The velocity of the air passing
number is assigned to a particular through the various styles of faces
style and size of a register at a fixed influences sound levels attributed to
airflow rate. Any change in the size GRDs. Additional influence on
or style of GRD, as well as to the potential sound is determined by
airflow rate, will affect the NC rating. whether dampers are installed or
The NC number is a simplified not, the damper settings, the blade
approach to acoustics—the study of deflection settings, and GRD
sound. The terminology and
(continued on reverse side)

location. But the biggest influence is
the air velocity. As velocity
increases, the noise criteria will
likely increase at a faster rate.
Doubling the velocity can more than
double the NC rating.
Sometimes, system noise is unfairly

blamed on the register. System
noise of rumble, hiss, whistle, whine,
and vibration are generated by
pumps, fans, compressors,
combustion, motors, and turbulent
airflow in poorly designed ductwork,
and this noise is conducted by
ductwork and/or radiated from the
system. A quick check of whether
the register is contributing to the
overall noise spectrum can be made
by removing it from its mounting
location while the system is
operating and comparing the sound
levels.
Many of Hart & Cooley’s GRDs have

NC ratings in the engineering data
tables. For those products that do
not have NC, there is a table in our
catalog and on our web site of
recommended maximum velocities
that should be considered to ensure
low noise based on occupancies.
Next month we will continue with

Part II of this discussion.

TT-07
August 2004
Noise Criteria (NC) – Part 2

by Dave Fetters
As we indicated last month, grille, frequency sounds include hiss, whine or

register, or diffuser (GRD) selection and buzz.
sizing are often influenced by the
potential noise the product is likely to Examples of pleasant sounds are wind
make when air is flowing through it. chimes or stereo music that is soothing,
water lapping against a sailboat hull, or a
Noise and Sound: We need to be careful light breeze rustling leaves in a tree.
about terms and definitions here. The A motorcycle has a satisfying “sound” to
word noise and the word sound are often its rider. Boisterous conversation is an
and incorrectly used as one and the same. enjoyable sound to the participants, but
Noise is an undesired sound. Noise is may be unwanted noise to someone
erratic, intermittent, or random, and seated nearby. A crying newborn is
interferes with normal room activity. probably a satisfying sound (and a relief)
Sound, on the other hand, is perceived or to the mother, while to the uninterested,
“heard” as comfortable, wanted, or at noise.
least not annoying, not too loud, and
relatively constant as it blends into the The perception of sound is influenced by
background and/or has pleasing qualities loudness (magnitude). A noise can be
to it. Sound is noise if it is too loud, less harsh than a sound that is too loud.
unexpected, annoying, uncontrolled, Niagara Falls is a loud noise of complex
occurs at the wrong time, or is tones, but it’s enjoyable. The electronic
unpleasant—you get the picture. One hum of a poorly working computer is a
person’s loud stereo system is “wanted sound of a simple tone that can be very
sound” to him, but to his neighbor at annoying if the office is otherwise quiet.
bedtime it is unwanted, undesired, too Orchestras can be very loud, but the
loud, and therefore noise. Noise is music is anticipated and, therefore, a
usually (but not always) inclusive of most pleasant sound. Jet engines at close
frequencies at the same time. Frequency range are very loud and unpleasant.
(tone or pitch) is a method of categorizing A mosquito buzz isn’t loud, but it is a
sound. Low frequency sounds rumble, noise that equates to an unpleasant
even vibrate or rattle, like thunder. High experience.

How we perceive sound is also influenced from a particular register at a single
by the frequency. Humans can stand airflow rate. The highest NC number
louder sounds at low frequencies than at generated is 30 determined by the highest
high frequencies. The duration or how penetration of octave band level into the
long a sound lasts influences a person’s curves. Even though it occurs at 1000
reactions to it as does how often it occurs. Hertz, the NC doesn’t tell us anything
Unfortunately, it is hard to predict in any about the frequency. It only gives us an
precise way peoples’ response to sound. idea of the relative loudness.
It is part physiological and part
psychological; it depends on the situation, So even though we spend considerable
and it depends on the individual. The NC time measuring sound in our reverbera-
number we use for our products is a tion chamber at different airflows and
simplified approach to acoustics—the frequencies for each size and model of
study of sound. Our concern in the product, the end result is still the single-
HVAC arena is to limit the background number “NC.” NC does not address
interference of whatever human activity acoustical quality properties, such as
is taking place. A noise criteria chart has whether the background noise generated
been developed to show lines of “constant by the register will be annoying (rumble,
loudness” as the human ear would hiss, machinery noise, or vibrations), only
perceive it. whether the background noise will
noticeably interfere with sounds people
The plot on the chart below is typical of a want to hear, such as speech.
“sound room test” result we might see

TT-08
September 2004
Sizing a Register or Diffuser

by Dave Fetters
Conceptually, choosing a supply Availability

register or diffuser would seem to be Price
straightforward, and most of the Style
time it is. There are a number of Size limitation
influences that could affect the Material
choice. Putting emphasis on one New/replacement
influence over the others will alter
the outcome, but much depends on In practice, one’s experience,
one’s priorities. It’s like pouring geographical location, and the type
various ingredients into a blender of occupancy or activity in the space
and ending up with a flavored drink. under consideration may eliminate
Too much of one ingredient will some variables, such as mounting
dominate the taste. Some selection location, heating or cooling or both,
options for choosing a register will availability, style, and material like
be more important than others, thus steel, aluminum, or even plastic.
influencing the model and size.
Some of the possible input criteria Ceiling Diffuser

for making a selection are: For this initial discussion of sizing a
supply register or diffuser, we will
CFM narrow the selection criteria to only
Face velocity CFM, face velocity, and throw,
Throw which will minimize unnecessary
Pressure loss complications. The location is a
Noise criteria ceiling, and a circular or 4-way
Mounting location pattern is required. A circular
Heating/cooling/both ceiling diffuser, such as our #16, is
Looks one possible choice.

The chart below is the engineering This simple table allows for a visual
data for Hart & Cooley’s #16 round interpolation of data. A more
ceiling diffuser. precise method is to use the
relationship:
With a requirement of 120 CFM,
there are a number of choices for a CFM = Face Velocity x Area
size that can deliver this airflow.
A 6-inch diameter will deliver 120 The “Area” (in square feet) for each
CFM at a face velocity of 900 feet size is the “Ak” number listed under
per minute (FPM) and a radial throw each diameter. For instance, to find
of 5 feet. An 8-inch will also deliver the face velocity of the 10-inch at
120 CFM, but at a reduced face our stated 120 CFM requirement,
velocity (and quieter delivery) of divide 120 by the Area: CFM ÷ Area
about 530 FPM and a throw of = Face Velocity or 120 ÷ .345 = 348
approximately 4 feet. And lastly, a FPM face velocity.
10-inch will have a face velocity of
350 FPM and a throw of 3 feet. Another ceiling diffuser to consider
is the A504. This product is square
Given the three potential choices, and made of aluminum, providing an
think about throw as the next selec- alternative when looks and material
tion criteria. The greatest throw become selection criteria.
comes with the highest face velocity,
but don’t forget that the same high I consider this example an
face velocity may cause some back- “introduction” to sizing a supply
ground noise that might be bother- diffuser. In future editions, we will
some if used in a library as opposed study examples where we must
to a room with a higher level of choose the register or diffuser based
activity. Increasing face velocity on more stringent performance
will intensify the pressure loss. limitations, as well as examples that
(Doubling the velocity will require narrowing a choice of
quadruple the pressure loss!) product by prioritizing many of the
selection criteria.
Engineering Data for 16 Round Ceiling Diffuser

Face Velocity 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Pressure Loss .006 .010 .016 .022 .031 .040 .050 .062
6" CFM 55 65 80 95 105 120 135
Ak .135 Throw 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5
8" CFM 70 90 115 135 160 180 200 225
Ak .225 Throw 2.0 3.0 3.5 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.5 7.0
10" CFM 105 140 175 210 240 275 310 345
Ak .345 Throw 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 8.5
12" CFM 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
Ak .500 Throw 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.5 8.5 9.0 10.5
14" CFM 190 250 315 375 440 500 565 625
Ak .625 Throw 3.5 4.5 5.5 6.5 8.0 9.0 10.0 11
18" CFM 310 415 520 625 730 830 935 1040
Ak 1.04 Throw 4.5 6.0 7.0 8.5 10.0 11.5 13.0 14.5
Terminal Velocity of 50 FPM

TT-09
October 2004
Return Grille Locations

by Dave Fetters
Return grilles or filter grilles are just and otherwise doesn’t have its own
as important to the HVAC system as return grille. Bathrooms and
the supply side products. Return air janitor’s closets in some commercial
volume to the air handler must buildings are examples.
equal the supply air volume pumped
out by the fan, or system A common misunderstanding is that
performance will suffer. Air will not return grilles have a dramatic effect
readily flow into a room from a on room air distribution. In fact the
register unless there is a relief opposite is true based on laboratory
opening for the “stale” air to flow research. Return airflow has a
out. This could be as simple as negligible effect on room air patterns
having the door open to a small because of its low-capture velocity.
room for air to drift out to an This means that the sphere of
adjacent room that has a return influence, or the area affected by the
grille. return grille, is limited to a little
over one duct diameter away from
Door grilles, or “transfer grilles” as the face. Within this short distance,
they are sometimes called, allow the air is captured and pulled into
room air to flow out of the room if the grille. Outside this immediate
the door is closed most of the time, area, the capture velocity is so low

as to be ineffective in influencing weigh whether heating or cooling is
room air motion. Since the airflow more important and place returns
approaches the grille from all accordingly. Even though for the
directions, its velocity decreases remaining season the returns are not
rapidly as the distance from the ideally placed, the performance will
opening increases. In other words, a be more than adequate.
return grille will not “reach out into
the room” and pull the room air Return air face velocity depends
toward itself. somewhat on the environment and
grille design. Stamped, louver-faced
There is a preferred location for residential returns like our 650 or
returns and that is in an area called 672 should be limited to about 600
the “stagnant zone.” This is an area feet per minute (FPM) as a rule of
in the room that is outside the thumb. Commercial “assembled”
influence of the supply register returns can stand velocities up to
where room air motion is inactive 1000 FPM if the room background
except for natural convection. noise allows. Filter returns that use
When heating is the primary throw-away fiberglass disposable
requirement, the stagnant area will filters should limit the face velocity
be close to the floor where the to 400 FPM. The maximum rating
coolest air will gather. Thus, the for these types of filters is usually
coldest air will be delivered back to 500 FPM, beyond which their ability
the heating appliance. to remove dirt from the air stream
diminishes rapidly.
If cooling is the priority, the
stagnant area will be the warm air
that gathers near the ceiling that
should be removed first and
returned to the cooling coils.
For a combination heating and

cooling system, the preferred
location for the returns will meet the
requirements of one of the seasons,
but will only be a compromise for
the other. The designer needs to

TT-10
November 2004
Chimney Liner Applications and Limitations

by Dave Fetters
Hart & Cooley manufactures an that does not have the required
aluminum, corrugated chimney liner two-inch airspace to combustibles
system that is Underwriters (direct contact instead) may also be
Laboratories tested and listed. It used with this liner without further
may only be used with natural or safety concerns because of lack of
propane gas-fired Category I airspace clearances.
appliances listed for use with Type B
gas vent. This aluminum is the When we introduced the chimney
same alloy and thickness as the liner liner product line several years ago,
in our UL-listed B vent. This liner we “required” that masonry
system may not be used with liquid chimneys with at least one wall
(oil) or solid (wood or coal) fuel- exposed to the outdoors be relined
fired equipment. with Type B gas vent instead of
chimney liner. At the time, we were
Our UL listing allows the liner to be being cautious, knowing that in
installed in new or existing masonry order to vent properly chimney
chimneys, as well as existing, but liners must heat up quickly and stay
unused, factory-built chimneys and warm. We felt that chimneys
B vents. The liner may touch the exposed to cold air temperatures
interior surfaces of these flues. An may become too cold to work
incorrectly built masonry chimney properly, resulting in poor venting

and condensation within the liner.
However, after several years of
experience, we found that proper
venting is usually achieved with
liners in exposed masonry
chimneys. Therefore, although we
still “recommend” that Type B gas
vent be used in these instances, we
don’t “require” it. Insulating
chimney liners is another method
that helps assure proper venting.
Additional steps to help prevent

condensation are:
Proper sizing using the

dedicated sizing tables in our
instructions, or the required
20% reduction in capacity if
using B vent sizing tables.
Proper combustion air openings.
Venting with a draft hood-

equipped appliance.
Using as much B vent as

possible to line the vertical
portions of an exterior chimney.
As with any chimney or vent

product, follow our installation
instructions and the applicable
codes to ensure a safe and trouble-
free installation.

TT-11
January 2005
Information Required to Size B-Vent

by Dave Fetters
We are often asked to size B-Vent

• Special appliance configurations,
installations to address performance
if any (motorized damper, 2-stage
issues with an existing vent system
firing, etc.)
and/or to satisfy the requirements of
the Fuel Gas Code. In order to • Vent height measured from the
perform a thorough evaluation of the appliance collar to the cap
vent system, which includes • A description of any offsets
compliance with the Fuel Gas Code, (angle and length between
we require some installation elbows)
specifics.
• Whether the connector is single-
wall or B-Vent
For a single-appliance vent system,
we need: • Collar size is optional, but helpful
• The type of appliance—water

For a multiple-appliance (two or
heater with draft hood,
more) vent system on the same
mid-efficiency (80% or
level, we need:
fan-assisted combustion) furnace,
or boiler • The types of appliances (see
above)
• BTU input
• BTU input of each appliance

• Special appliance configurations A multi-story sizing request should
(see above) always include a sketch. Besides the
appliance types and inputs, the
• Common vent height measured
appliance location dimensions must
from the tallest appliance collar to
include the horizontal distances of
the cap
all appliances on each floor from the
• Common vent offset angle and common vertical vent and the
distance between elbows relative locations of the
• The spacing between appliances interconnection tees on each floor.
and their locations relative to the
vertical portion of the vent There are definitions and sizing
examples of single-appliance,
• Whether the desire for connectors
multiple-appliance, and multi-story
and manifold is for single-wall or
venting in our Gas vent, chimney
B-Vent
sizing & application guide. These
• Rise and number of elbows for examples will help you understand
each appliance connector the information we require to size a
system properly. The sizing guide is
• Collar sizes are optional, but
available from our web site at
helpful
www.hartandcooley.com.
A system sketch is very helpful and

You may contact us with B-Vent
provides a forum for notes and a
sizing needs by telephone, mail, fax,
signature from a Hart & Cooley
or by e-mail (through our web site).
engineer. Not having all the
Please include your name, phone
information forces us to call for the
number and fax number on your
missing data, adding to the
sketch.
turnaround time. Incomplete
information may limit our choices of
venting options.

TT-12
February 2005
210 Floor Register/265 Grille

by Dave Fetters
These companion products have Part of the explanation for their

been part of the Hart & Cooley longevity is due to the robust
product line since 1947! Many construction. There are not many
other products have come and gone, products these days that haven’t
but these have endured. undergone some kind of cost-
reduction program, with one end
The Model 210 floor register is the result being the use of thinner steel.
one with the air-volume control There is a continuing need for floor
damper attached. The Model 265 is registers and grilles in length and
a grille, or “face only,” air-volume
width dimensions larger than our
and has no damper. control damper floor diffuser Models 531, 421, and
411. These products are limited in
lengths to 14 inches and widths to
6 inches. Our linear series are not
limited in length, but for constant
foot traffic are limited to 8 inches
Model 210 wide.
As the size of a floor product

increases in both length and width,
the strength must be there to meet
Model 265 the demands of foot traffic and code
compliance. The 210 is the answer!

Another reason these are popular is
because of our ability to build non-
standard sizes of width and height.
There are practical limitations of

increasing size, however. Handling
and shipping immediately come to
mind. As strong as these products
may be, one still needs to consider
the end use. They are not meant to
support fork trucks or grand piano
legs, only humans walking over
them. Another consideration is that
if the International Mechanical Code
is enforced, it requires floor registers
to resist, without failure, a 200-
pound concentrated load on a 2-inch
diameter disc applied to the most
critical area of the exposed face,
usually the center.
Although we do not punch mounting

holes in the margin of these
products, an installer may want to
drill mounting holes for wall
mounting in “high activity” areas
where the products may be subject
to damage—school hallways,
gymnasiums, and social centers for
example.
In spaces where the installation is

readily accessible and tampering
with the damper may be an
unintended result, consider using
the Model 265 grille, then there is no
damper that can be changed.

TT-13
March 2005
Fusible-link Dampers
by Dave Fetters
Most of us understand what a fuse is, lapping tabs are held together with
at least as it relates to electricity— precision solder that is temperature-
a safety device that fails and specific. A fusible-link damper is
interrupts the circuit if the current the result of mounting a fusible link
becomes too great. An old-style fuse to the damper of a register. The end
would melt an encapsulated wire or result is a register damper that is
metal strip due to heat build-up as fully operational as one would
the current exceeded the fuse’s expect, but has the added benefit of
rating. The fuse will no longer closing if the temperature becomes
conduct electricity after failing. too hot.
Today, however, most of us have
circuit breakers. We are going to Specifically, Hart & Cooley’s fusible
apply this concept of an old-style link is about an inch long with a
fuse to a register damper. standard temperature rating of
165°F or an optional link with a
One form of a fusible link is a set of 212°F rating. We use these on only
overlapping metal tabs with holes at some of our steel multi-shutter
each end for attachment purposes equipped registers like the 661 or
that will separate into two pieces at 682. When the air temperature
a preset temperature. These over- passing over the link approaches the

rated temperature of the link, the
link will open (fail), allowing a
spring-loaded mechanism to slam
the damper shut and hold it shut.
The register is reusable by installing
a replacement link.
The links we use are Underwriters

Laboratories-listed components.
This means only the link has a UL
listing. Our use of one of these
fusible links on a register does not
transfer a listing of any kind to the
damper. These fusible-link registers
are not fire dampers and cannot
pass the UL requirements for listing.
They should never be substituted for
a listed fire damper.
The 661 and 682 in limited sizes

with metal handle are the only
fusible-link (FL) registers that we
offer.

TT-14
April 2005
Effective Area vs. Free Area

by Dave Fetters
What are effective area and free Face Velocity (Ft³/Min) divided by
area as they apply to grilles, Ft/Min = Ft². The result is the
registers and diffusers? What are effective area (Ak) in square feet.
the differences between these two Notice that all the units match; that
areas and how are they used in our is, both sides of the equation use
industry? “feet” and “minutes.” You have
seen this relationship before in
Effective area, given the abbrevi- TECH TALK TT-08, and you will be
ation Ak (pronounced “A sub k”), is seeing it again in future discussions.
the area of the register, grille, or The engineering data tables for all of
diffuser in square feet that is utilized our products are based on this
by the air flowing through it. This is relationship. In use, the actual CFM
a calculated figure that can only be delivered by one of our products can
determined in our laboratory. It is be determined by measuring the
used in the equation: average face velocity and multiply-
ing it times the Ak for that size
CFM = Face Velocity x Ak product found in our catalog
Engineering Data.
It is calculated by carefully measur-
ing the Airflow Rate in Cubic Feet Free area is the sum of the areas of
per Minute or CFM, and the Face all the spaces between the bars or
Velocity in Feet per Minute or FPM. fins of a grille measured in square
We then divide the Flow Rate by the inches. It is sometimes called the

“see-through” area. If you were to Some national codes, like the
measure the area inside the margin International Mechanical Code and
of a register face and then subtract the National Fuel Gas Code, also talk
out the area of all the bars, free area about the square inch “net free
would result. Free area is different area” of grilles used to supply
for each style of product. Rarely can combustion air to gas-fired
a simple reduction in percentage of appliances in enclosed spaces.
the listed size be applied to a grille Again, free areas are commonly
to find its free area. There is no asked for and given in square inches,
single formula that applies, either. whereas Ak or effective area is
Every product has a different set of always given in square feet. One
input dimensions for calculating free can convert square feet to square
area. inches by multiplying square feet by
144 (1 square foot = 144 square
When air flows through the bars or inches). The reverse is possible by
louvers of a product, it is com- dividing square inches by 144 to get
pressed slightly between the bars, square feet.
and there is some friction as the air
makes contact with the bars as it
flows past. This has the result of
reducing the total area available for
the air to pass through. Effective
area is usually less than free area for
the same product because of these
reasons.
If the engineering data of both

supplies and returns use Ak, what is
the need for free area? The answer
is that some velometer manu-
facturers ask the user to use free
area multiplied by the measured
instrument reading. (Hopefully,
they ask that this area be converted
to square feet.)

TT-15
May 2005
Sweating of T-Bar Ceiling Diffusers

by Dave Fetters
Each year during the summer allowing the hot, humid outside air
season, we receive a number of calls to sneak in. This begs for the air-
about moisture forming on the faces conditioning system to run longer
of our T-bar diffusers or on adjacent and colder, trying to maintain a
T-bars and dripping into the space reasonable inside temperature.
below. In the industry this is
commonly called “sweating.” Sweating occurs on diffusers when
Moisture that drips into an occupied warm, moist room air contacts the
space is annoying, and will cold diffuser face through aspiration
eventually cause rust to form on (drawn by suction) when the supply
steel diffuser faces and adjacent air temperature is at or below the
T-bars. Sweating occurs more in dew point temperature. Dew point
southern states that border the is the temperature at which
coasts or in parts of the country that condensation (moisture formation)
experience high humidity levels as a begins to take place. Most of us
regular occurrence. Business have walked outdoors on a warm
activities that rely on people coming and humid summer day carrying a
and going, like fast-food restaurants, cold drink. It doesn’t take long
seem to be the most susceptible. before the outside of the glass
The doors are regularly opened, becomes wet. Moisture is

condensing from the air onto the temperature and the supply air
colder surface of the glass. The temperature. Doing this while still
same thing is happening at the meeting the load requirements
ceiling diffuser. demands an increase in CFM. If the
air-conditioning unit is cycling,
Moisture can also form on the cold switch to constant running. Look
back panel of a T-bar diffuser if the for restricted return airflow because
temperature in the ceiling space is of undersized returns or dirty filters.
hot and humid. This moisture often Are the coils clean? If the unit is
runs down to the T-bar edges and shut down at night, consider
drips from there. running at partial load to prevent
high humidity and room
In an HVAC system, the occurrence temperatures at start-up. Is there
of sweating on a diffuser or T-bar is excess outside air mixing with the
the symptom of a system problem. return air?
Removing a rusty, dripping diffuser
and replacing it with an aluminum We don’t claim to be experts in
model will not make the problem go system troubleshooting and problem
away. The aluminum diffuser will solving; therefore, we recommend
sweat; it just won’t rust. The seeking guidance from a qualified
problem is that the supply air HVAC contractor to solve a sweating
temperature is lower than it should problem. We address the issue
be for the current conditions of because the sweating manifests itself
temperature and humidity. Banks first on our diffusers, giving a false
and similar public buildings are impression that the diffuser is at
other examples of spaces where fault.
sweating occurs because of the high
volume of walk-in traffic and the
number of times the door opens,
letting in hot, humid outside air.
What can be done to minimize

sweating in an existing system?
One of the keys is to decrease ∆T –
the difference between room

TT-16
June 2005
Louver Performance and How to Size Them

by Dave Fetters
Regular readers of this publication an area in square feet sufficient to

have seen the mathematical pass the required quantity of air.
relationship: Therefore, we need to solve the
equation for area to determine the
CFM = Velocity x Area size. The equation above requires
two out of three factors to be
(Oh no, here he goes again!) “known” to calculate a value for the
third “unknown.” In order to find
This equation will always apply the correct “size,” the CFM and
whenever we speak of moving an velocity must be known for us to
amount of air through one of our determine the required area. When
products. As before, the volume a customer wants to size a louver
flow rate (cubic feet per minute or and only tells us the CFM, we have
CFM) equals the velocity (feet per to ask “At what velocity?” Since
minute or FPM) times the area velocity is related to pressure loss,
(square feet or FT²) of the product it we could arrive at a suitable velocity
is flowing through. Let’s apply this based on a planned pressure loss.
to the Hart & Cooley line of (We will save this discussion for
extruded aluminum stationary another issue of Tech Talk.)
louvers. Hopefully you get the idea that
somehow we have to determine a
Customers generally have an idea of face velocity.
how much air (CFM) needs to be
transferred through a louver and ask The rest is easy.
for assistance with sizing. “Sizing” a
louver means to find a size that has CFM/Velocity = Area

Some recommended velocities for Different louvers will have different
air intake, exhaust, or transfer are: areas for the same size because of
differences in blade angle and depth
Exterior of the blades.
500 – 700 FPM, up to 1,000 FPM
if noise and water infiltration are The area (in square feet) for the
not considerations various louvers we offer, can be
found in our Registers, grilles &
Interior diffusers product catalog and on our
200 – 400 FPM for low pressure web site at:
drop and low noise
www.hartandcooley.com
Example: Size a 1½" thick louver
to exhaust 2,000 CFM
from a mechanical room
at 500 FPM.
Solution: 2,000 CFM = 4 FT²

500FPM
So, from an area chart for

a 1530 louver (1½ inch
thick with a 30° blade
angle), a 42 x 30 is the
proper size that provides
at least 4 FT².
If noise is not a factor,

maybe a 900 FPM
velocity would work.
2,000 CFM
= 2.22 FT²
900 FPM
For the same louver, a

30 x 24 is the correct size
corresponding to this
area.

TT-17
August 2005
T-Bar Diffusers with Molded Fiberglass Back Panels

by Dave Fetters
Quite a few of the Hart & Cooley Fiberglass back panels allow for the
lay-in T-bar diffusers and return use of various collar styles like
grilles use a molded fiberglass back spin-in, tab-in, or our own 5400
panel or plenum. The molded Series Collar Ring (6-inch through
fiberglass backs have some 18-inch diameters). The use of the
significant features. 5400 collar allows for the installa-
tion of our 3800, T19, or RD round
Bonded foil vapor barrier
dampers, either at the time of
Prescored for different collar installation or later.
sizes
UL 181 Erosion and Impact
tested
Meets ASTM E84 for 25/50 code
compliance
4-inch deep cavity
“R” values of 4.2 and 6
Approved for the city of
Los Angeles Fiberglass Back Panel
Labeled with code information NOTE: Attachment of molded
fiberglass back and
5400 collar requires
5400PP (push pins).

The 5400 collar was originally This collar attachment system works
designed for, and is still used on, our for the following products.
metal-backed T-bar products like
the HVS/FPD and others. As such, it
comes with
four small
plastic push
pins that 659TI 96AFBTI
5400 Collar
snap into
the prepunched holes in the metal
plenum. If one chooses to use the
5400 collar with the fiberglass back
panel, a different but similar
mounting system is employed.
PFTI RE5TI
Cut the four small plastic push
pins off of the 5400 collar plate.
Cut a hole in the fiberglass back
panel to match the collar size.
Lay the 5400 collar on the back
panel. RENPS
REN4
Punch holes in the back panel
with a screwdriver or awl using
the plate holes as a template.
Push the 5400PP push pins
up through the back panel holes
from the inside and through the RENP
holes in the plate.
The large head on the black plastic

push pins (5400PP part number
014525) should be
snug against the
fiberglass back on
the inside, and the 5400PP
“Christmas tree” Push Pin
legs should grip the holes in the

collar plate tightly.

TT-18
September 2005
Repainting Grilles, Registers and Diffusers

by Dave Fetters
Since we are often asked how to Lightly rubbing the hard, glossy
repaint our registers, the answer finish of our product with fine steel
®
sounded like a good Tech Talk wool or a Scotch-Brite pad allows
subject! the new paint to adhere better.
Every part, whether it is made from Priming is not required. A couple of

steel, aluminum, or plastic, whether light color coats are preferred over
painted or anodized, can be one heavy coat. Spraying will
repainted. A common starting point provide better coverage than
for any product is to ensure a clean brushing. Lacquer, latex, and
surface. Paint will not stick to a urethane-, acrylic- or PVC-based
dusty or greasy surface. Just wipe paints all work, even on the
off a dusty surface with a clean, dry REZZIN™ products. Krylon® Fusion
cloth. If grease or a similar and H2O™ work well.
contaminate is present, clean with a
mild dish detergent or diluted If spray lacquer will be used, be sure
alcohol to cut the grease, then dry to shake the can well; otherwise, the
thoroughly. thinners and paint in the can may
not mix, and the result could
DO NOT use aggressive chemical damage the surface to be painted.
cleaners like lacquer thinner, MEK
(methyl ethyl ketone), acetone, nail
polish remover, PVC cleaner, bleach
and the like, because they will eat
into the existing paint or, on plastic,
attack the surface.

TT-19
October 2005
Alternate Sizing of the 821/831/92/HV Series Registers

by Dave Fetters
We publish a significant amount of The last page of the Engineering

performance data for the series of Data at the back of our Registers,
products listed above. We also grilles & diffusers catalog shows an
duplicate the data for the sizes “Alternate Sizing Graph” for these
shown in the tables for four different products. This graph provides a
deflections, since the blades in the method of using “equal areas” to
register face are individually find a listed size that has the same
adjustable. The sizes listed in the approximate performance as the
tables cover a range of popular desired size that is not listed.
rectangular products, but by no Testing indicates that by varying the
means the full extent of the sizes dimensions of a grille while main-
we can build. In addition, we do not taining the same area, there is little
show data for square sizes or for effect on the airflow. The relation-
those with a width less than the ship of the width to the height of a
height. For instance, the extruded grille is called the aspect ratio.
aluminum HD series can be built in A 16 x 12, which is not shown in our
any 2-inch dimension from 4 x 4 to data, is approximately equivalent to
48 x 48—more than 500 combina- a 24 x 8 in performance, which is
tions! Obviously, we cannot publish shown even though the aspect ratio
performance data for all these sizes. has changed. We have just
How can you determine perform- determined the performance of our
ance for a size not listed (without desired size by looking at a listed
calling us, of course)? size with equivalent performance.

When performing these compari- Blade Deflection
sons, remember to stay with the
same blade deflection represented
by our designations A, C, E, or G.
These deflections are described at
the very back of our catalog near the
alternate sizing graph.
The same alternate sizing can be

accomplished by using a calculator
through trial and error. The
numbers don’t always come out
perfectly. For example, let’s say we
are locked into a retrofit size register
of 14 inches wide by 22 inches high,
and we want to find out how it will
perform at various face velocities.
14 x 22 = 308 square inches
We now need to divide 308 by

various widths appearing in our
performance data to find a depth
that is close to a size that is listed.
I started by dividing 308 by 20 and
got 15.4, which doesn’t match
anything. I tried 24, 30, and 36 as
extrapolation, using data from listed
well and found that at 30 inches
sizes to project what the perform-
wide, I got 10.26 inches high. It’s
ance will be for unlisted sizes. I’ll
not a perfect match, but it is close
save this topic for later so that I
enough to the 30 x 10 listed in our
don’t overwhelm you all at once.
tables, which gives us a reasonably
accurate series of performance
numbers based on changing face
velocity.
This same analysis cannot be

applied with any degree of accuracy
for other face designs like adjustable
curved-blade registers or stamped
louver supplies and returns. There
are other tricks to generate perform-
ance data that use a method called

TT-20
November 2005
Grille, Register and Diffuser Substitution

by Dave Fetters
For whatever reason, you may not be able location using dual multi-shutter dampers
to find the exact model of Hart & Cooley to change the air pattern as necessary.
grille, register, or diffuser product you Linears offer the greatest available range
had hoped to. Given the fact that you of lengths (almost unlimited) and widths,
may not have the option to change the are made of extruded aluminum, can be
size of the desired model to get by, what used as a supply or return, and can be
options do you have to substitute another used in the floor, on the wall, or in the
model for the one you wanted? Since ceiling. The Linear series has a large
Hart & Cooley has the broadest product matrix of possible sizes, when you
offering in the industry, chances are very consider that widths are available in half-
good that a suitable substitution can be inch increments from 1½ to 12 inches
found. Allow me to offer some (for floor applications) and up to
suggestions for substitutions without 24 inches for wall or ceiling use combined
concern for the obvious variable of cost. with infinite lengths. The 210 supply
registers and 265 return grilles could be
This discussion should help broaden your used as substitutes for sizes of floor
product knowledge about the use of registers that are not available in the 421,
alternates. Materials, construction, 411 or 531 styles.
designs, and features may change, but the
end effect of adequate (or enhanced) Baseboard: Baseboard diffusers do not
performance will still be achievable. have the luxury of a wide range of
common sizes. However, the 654, 655,
Floor: An alternate for our popular 421 and 664 are interchangeable, for the most
steel floor diffuser could be a 411, 531, or part. We offer 406, 462, and 464 base-
a Linear in an ascending order of board diffusers, as well, in longer lengths
capability. The steel 411 is more robust and various materials and finishes.
than the 421 and could be used in high
traffic areas. A 531 is constructed of Sidewall/Ceiling: Alternates for our
extruded aluminum for a premium look, louvered sidewall/ceiling registers, like the
has high strength, and offers a unique way 661 ⅓-inch and 682 ½-inch fin-spaced
to both heat and cool from the same designs, would be one for the other if you
©2005 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved (continued on reverse side)
were not concerned with blade spacing. RHF45, REF5, and RCBF—are more
An option for these steel registers is the robust, being assembled of steel or
plastic RZ680 series that has the extruded aluminum, and offer many more
advantages of molded-in color and rust sizes.
resistance, but the size offering is limited.
The ultimate in sidewall/ceiling products Ceiling Diffusers: Round ceiling diffusers
are the 92 series in steel and the HV are limited to our 16, RZ16, or 20
series in extruded aluminum. These diffusers. A square diffuser could be
products offer the widest range of sizes substituted for a round diffuser with little
and options, including stronger construc- change in performance. The 16 is a non-
tion, multiple damper choices, single or adjustable, steel, step-down diffuser. The
double deflection, adjustable blades, and RZ16 is a plastic flush diffuser with a 12-
matching returns and filter grilles. inch face, but it has built-in 6-, 7-, and 8-
inch collars. These come with a cam-lock
Curved-blade registers start with the installation method, removable core, and
300/A300 series, progress to the built-in damper. The 20 diffuser is a
A611-A614MS/OB adjustable curved- heavy duty, adjustable core diffuser for
blade registers, and finally extend to the commercial and industrial applications.
C series extruded aluminum registers.
The 300/A300 series of stamped, fixed- Square diffusers include the 24, RZ500,
blade registers have a multi-shutter SD, the A500 directional series, the MCD
damper. The assembled A600 series modular core diffuser, and the SR/AR
adjustable blade registers offer a choice of series, again in ascending order of
multi-shutter and opposed-blade features and size offerings. The 24 is a
dampers. Faces and blades are made of steel, step-down diffuser with butterfly
aluminum with painted galvanized steel and opposed-blade damper options. The
dampers. The C series of adjustable RZ500 is the square equivalent of the
curved-blade registers also have a choice RZ16 described above. The SD step-down
of multi-shutter and opposed-blade is an all-aluminum diffuser that can be
dampers, as well as a comprehensive size used in high humidity applications. An
matrix in 2-inch increments. White and MCD modular core diffuser is made from
satin anodized aluminum finishes are extruded aluminum and allows for 1-, 2-,
available. These are assembled using 3-, 4-, and 2-way corner airflow patterns.
premium aluminum extrusions. It is offered in two margin styles, nine
sizes, plus an available T-bar mounting,
Return Grilles: The 650 and 672 with or without damper. The SR/AR
stamped-face, louvered return grilles series has the greatest number of options
could be substituted for one another of sizes and face styles in both steel and
(as before, there is a difference in blade aluminum for any ceiling diffuser in our
spacing) before moving to the 94, 94A, lineup of products. Not all of these are
RCB, RE5, RH90, or RH45 return grilles. suited for residential applications,
The latter group is usually considered however.
“commercial” because these are
assembled rather than stamped. They A substitution may not always be avail-
have stronger construction and offer more able or welcome, but if the opportunity
features, especially size options. occurs, the preceding should be helpful.
Filter Grilles: We start with the

“residential” type 659 and 673 with
stamped louvered faces that are inter-
changeable as far as performance, even
with the difference in blade spacing.
There is a large number of sizes offered.
The commercial filter grilles—96AFB,

TT-21
December 2005
Working with Standards, Codes, and Inspectors

by Dave Fetters
The products we develop, sell, and by a recognized agency and tested to

use in our HVAC industry are an industry-accepted standard have
subject to testing to Standards, met a certain minimum level of
installing to Codes, and inspection performance, allowing everyone to
for approval by Inspectors. As an feel secure in the knowledge that, if
example, our Type B gas vent is installed properly, the product is
Underwriters Laboratories-listed to safe for its intended use. Listed
their Standard 441; it must be products require a label attesting to
installed according to our its approval.
instructions as required by The
National Fuel Gas Code and must be A Code is a systematic document of
inspected for compliance before rules given statutory force by an
being approved for use. adopting governmental agency.
Codes are written to safeguard life,
A Standard is a widely accepted health, property, and public welfare.
consensus document, developed They provide a foundation from
over time by those knowledgeable in which consistent understanding and
the industry, and is used as a basis enforcement can take place. Codes
for measuring, evaluating, or judging will require appropriate products to
the quality and performance of be listed and installed according to
products. Usually, products listed the manufacturers’ installation
instructions. Codes usually do not installers and to inspectors on
prevent the use of materials, portions of codes that apply to our
methods, or procedures not products.
specifically prescribed by it, but
they may require evidence to Whenever someone calls for help,
substantiate claims of equivalent we need to deal with clear and
performance or safety of concise facts. Be prepared to
alternatives. provide comprehensive and detailed
information with documentation if
The Inspector is the authority necessary. We can only deal with
having jurisdiction designated by the the information provided to us. If
governmental agency. The inspector the information is inaccurate or
administers and enforces codes by incomplete, it could affect the
inspecting installations during outcome of the disagreement.
construction, or at least before use
or occupancy. Call us, fax us, or contact us by
e-mail through our web site at
Installers and inspectors, working www.hartandcooley.com.
together, will minimize conflicts.
Misunderstandings will occur and
disputes will arise, but letting the
issue become confrontational is
inadvisable. Usually, it becomes a
matter of discussing the issues for
resolution. Contractors/installers
should know the product, the
installation instructions, and which
codes apply.
Hart & Cooley is able to help with

questions about codes and standards
as they apply to the products we
sell. We have people on staff who
have been members of codes and
standards writing bodies for many
years. We conduct training to

TT-22
January 2006
Dimensions of a Grille, Register or Diffuser

by Dave Fetters
Sometimes, those of us in the HVAC Let’s look at the simple example of a

industry assume our customers 12 x 6 sidewall supply register. The
understand the everyday lingo we model doesn’t matter. The
use in helping describe our dimensions 12 and 6 are inches. By
products. Have you ever stopped to convention in the industry, the first
realize what the “size” of a register dimension is the width of the
means or where one measures the register. So looking at the register,
size? Usually a size is given in the 12-inch dimension is the left-to-
inches and it right (horizontal)
refers to the measurement. That
two leaves the 6-inch
dimensions of height dimension as the
(vertical)
a square or height or up-and-
rectangular down (vertical)
register. The width (horizontal) dimension. To refer
size can also to this product as a
be a single dimension that refers to 6 x 12 would imply that the 6-inch
the diameter of a round diffuser or dimension is the width, because it is
the “square” of diffusers that are the first dimension given, and the
only offered in square as opposed to height 12 inches. This would not
rectangular sizes. look right on a wall nor would the
fins be oriented in the proper
direction for its intended use.
Big deal, you say? Have you ever tried to find the 12- and 6-inch dimensions on
a register? They aren’t there! The dimensions are called nominal, meaning
“in name only.” The nominal dimensions or “listed size” of a register refer to
the hole, boot, stack head, or duct opening. The industry builds the damper on
the back of a register undersized with reference to the nominal dimensions so
that the damper will fit into the opening. A submittal drawing of the part may
3
show the damper dimensions as “listed size minus /8” which means that for our
example, the damper dimension would be 115/8 by 55/8 inches.
The margin or outside face dimensions are oversized compared to nominal.

They may be “listed size plus 1¾” inches so that the face will easily overlap the
12 x 6 mounting hole. Our example register would have face dimensions of
13¾ by 7¾ inches.

TT-23
February 2006
Sidewall Vent Terminations

by Dave Fetters
We are often asked if our models When unit heaters or other

RHW and RM gas vent caps are appliances are vented horizontally,
suitable for use on a sidewall vented the performance characteristics of
appliance. the vent change. Flue gases do not
naturally flow horizontally. The
Background: Many unit heaters small combustion air blower in the
allow sidewall venting as an option appliance now pressurizes the flue
to a vertical vent. With vertical gases slightly. This pressure in the
venting, the hot flue gases rise in the horizontal vent is slightly positive
vent creating a (higher than)
negative pressure atmospheric
in the vent. The pressure. Leakage
vent joints are of flue gases could
not required to now possibly occur
be leak-proof or into the occupied
sealed, since the space. Therefore,
atmospheric RHW Cap RM Cap the single-wall vent
(positive) joints must be
pressure outside sealed.
the vent is higher than the negative
pressure inside the vent during Cap performance: Our RHW and
firing. Leakage, should it occur, RM caps are tested to Underwriters
would be from the outside of the Laboratories standards requirements
vent to the inside—from the area of that must be met when installed in
higher pressure to an area of lower their natural position on top of a
pressure. vertical vent.
These tests are oriented toward a The amount of static pressure that
vent system operating with a builds up around a horizontal vent
negative pressure. These UL cap depends on wind speed, wind
standards do not address direction, and how close the cap is
performance of these same caps for mounted to the sidewall. Both
a horizontal, positive pressure vent. increasing wind speed and shorter
cap distances to the wall will
Horizontal vent performance increase static pressure to a point
requirements for the gas-fired where the furnace may not vent
appliance certification process are properly. Clearly, the appliance
part of the ANSI Z21 series of manufacturer does not want a vent
standards. When an appliance is termination to extend out from a
tested with a horizontal vent system, building wall 4 feet just to overcome
the appliance manufacturer must the cap’s poor performance in the
specify which cap(s) should be used wind test. Six to 12 inches is
with their appliance, based on these usually an acceptable distance that
test results. In other words, for the will work with a proper cap tested
Hart & Cooley caps to be used for with the appliance.
sidewall vented appliances, they
must have been tested and approved Again, our caps have not been
for use with that appliance. To date, tested for use as horizontal
our RHW and RM caps have not terminations.
been tested with any appliance, that
we know of, and should not be used
for sidewall vent terminations
without the approval of the
appliance manufacturer.
What difference does this make?

Sidewall terminations must have
Fuel Gas Code-specified distances
from adjacent public walkways,
buildings, operable windows, and
other building openings for obvious
reasons. More importantly for
proper performance of the
appliance, the ignition, firing,
running, and shut-down sequences
must perform in a nominal fashion
without undue delays or
interruptions with a 40-mph wind
blowing on the vent termination.
The amount of carbon monoxide
developed during testing must not
exceed .04%.

TT-24
March 2006
What are the Considerations in Sizing a Return?

by Dave Fetters
In a previous Tech Talk, we The return air grilles or return air

discussed return grille locations filter grilles should be unobtrusive
(TT-09). This time we will look at during fan operation. This means
sizing return grilles. paying attention to the face velocity
when sizing these grilles so that
As we have stated before, return air humming or whistling noises do not
volume to the air handler (fan) must occur. These noises are symptoms
equal what is supplied from the air of face velocities that are too high.
handler, otherwise system perform- In filter grilles, this may also
ance will suffer. Not all the air that indicate that the velocity is higher
is returned may be from the than the rating of the filters.
occupied spaces. Some make-up air
may be brought in from the outside. General recommendations for resi-
No matter the mix of indoor to dential return grille maximum face
outdoor return air, the fan needs to velocities are about 600 Feet-per-
see the same volume coming in as it Minute (FPM) for grilles and 400
sends out. If the system requires FPM for filter grilles. These products
80% of the supply air volume to be usually have stamped louver faces
returned through grilles, the amount (Model 650).
of airflow through each depends on
the number of each. A 2000 CFM
system returning 80% will require a
single filter grille to handle 1600
CFM, four return grilles to handle
400 CFM each, or some other
combination.
650 Return Air Grille
Special consideration must be given A 20x20 grille has 400 square inches
to master bedroom suites and home of gross area. If the “2 CFM/square
theater rooms where lower velocities inch” rule is used, 800 CFM is what
may have to be considered to the grille will handle with a low
guarantee no noise. Assembled enough face velocity to avoid noise.
grilles using heavier steel or For our 650 grille, using this method
extruded aluminum will not share results in a face velocity of about
the humming noise with their 430 FPM. This rule is a little
stamped-face cousins, but can make conservative for grilles, but much
airflow noises closer for filter grille performance.
if the velocity
creeps up
(Model RH45).
The room
activity and
background
noise level
will help
dictate how
RH45 Grille high the face
velocity may
extend. A noisy cafeteria or busy
lobby can afford higher velocities
than executive offices or libraries.
Once a reasonable face velocity is

determined for the type of grille
being considered, use the perform-
ance data in the back of our catalog
or from our web site to size the
grille. Under “Face Velocity” for the
style grille being considered, go
down that column until the CFM
figure equals or slightly exceeds the
volume flow rate necessary.
Without benefit of the catalog, a rule
of thumb is to plan for 2 CFM for
each square inch of gross grille area.
This rule will keep you within a safe
face velocity.

TT-25
April 2006
Sizing of Flexible Duct

by Dave Fetters
Flexible duct has many advantages Friction loss in straight duct is

in the HVAC environment. Its ease dependent on the relationships of
of use and timesaving (money) duct diameter, air velocity in the
speed of installation compared to duct, and duct roughness as major
hard duct is inviting. But using it as components, and to a much lesser
a direct size replacement for degree on air density. As one can
smooth, imagine, flex duct
galvanized duct with its helical
is not one of its corrugations is
advantages due going to be much
to a difference in “rougher” or less
performance. smooth than
galvanized duct.
Because of flex This is especially
duct’s unique true if it is not
corrugated stretched out to the
construction and extent possible
flexibility, there during installation.
is a higher Slack duct allows
airflow friction loss compared to the the coils of reinforcing wire to relax,
same size smooth-walled galvanized which bunches up the polyester and
duct. Performance equivalent to pushes it into the interior of the
hard duct requires a larger diameter core, adding more resistance to
flex duct. airflow.
Sizing charts and calculators for Cubic feet per minute airflow rate
duct sizing are available from many still equals the air velocity times the
sources. Hart & Cooley has a Sheet area of the duct in which the air is
Metal Duct Friction Loss Calculator flowing. Increasing the area of the
on one side of a slide chart with a duct will slow the velocity of the air
Flexible Duct Friction Loss and reduce pressure loss. Keep in
Calculator on the other side that we mind that the long-term system
make available. We also have an performance will be affected by the
interactive flex duct calculator on up-front, one-time cost of the flex
our web site. Spending a few duct. Increasing flex duct one size
minutes with these aids can quickly to offset its higher pressure loss
demonstrate the differences between compared to smooth duct is
the friction losses for galvanized prudent.
verses flexible duct. It is worth
noting that for a fixed duct diameter,
as the velocity in the duct increases,
the friction loss increases twice as
fast. So if the velocity were to
double, the friction loss would be
four times greater! A handy rule
that is very effective and reliable is
to increase the size of flex duct one
diameter to neutralize the added
friction loss compared to that of
galvanized duct for the same CFM.
A further penalty in performance

will occur if flexible duct is
compressed from its round shape to
an oval shape, say by squeezing it
into a joist space. Just because it
can doesn’t mean it should. We do
allow for up to approximately a 20%
reduction in diameter only if it
occurs in one spot, but not over any
distance or repeatedly. The friction
loss for flex squeezed into an
elliptical shape over any distance is
severe, and the loss of airflow will be
significant.

TT-26
May 2006
Cleaning Chimneys
by Dave Fetters
It probably strikes you that this is an classified as purely a “fuel” can

odd time of the year to be hearing contain very harmful chemicals.
about cleaning chimneys. Yet, These chemicals may end up on the
cleaning a chimney in the spring, at chimney walls as part of the
the end of the heating season, is one creosote, soot, ash or debris that
of the most builds up over time
important elements Creosote can be highly when burning any
of properly fuel. Most people
flammable and, if
maintaining a realize that creosote
chimney system.
ignited, can create a buildup in a chimney
We want folks who
severe chimney fire— needs to be addressed
have installed our that’s dangerous! on a regular basis.
chimney to enjoy But, as one’s train of
the value of their investment by thought frequently goes: “There
having the satisfaction that, with isn’t enough junk on my chimney
proper care, the chimney will have a wall to be dangerous, so I’ll clean it
long, safe life. later.” Just because the condensed
material on a chimney flue may not
All fuels have some contaminants in be creosote, which can build up
them. Some, like coal, contain more thick enough to start choking off the
than others. Burning trash, flow of gases, doesn’t mean it isn’t
workshop scraps, and other harmful, if not dangerous. Creosote
burnable matter that cannot be can be highly flammable and, if
ignited, can create a severe chimney Thoroughly brushing the chimney is
fire—that’s dangerous! usually adequate to mechanically
remove any buildup of soot or
Soot, on the other hand, is not creosote from the interior of the
normally thought of chimney for intermittent
as “dangerous,” nor cleaning during the
does it build up heating season. We
layers thick enough recommend a final pass
to affect the draft. down the chimney be
It’s only thought of as made with the brush
annoying, if it is wrapped in a rag. At the
thought about at all. end of the season, spray
But left alone, soot the rag-wrapped brush
containing harmful with WD-40 for the very
acidic compounds last pass down and back
can harm the chimney. up the chimney. This will help
remove all residual soot from the
Oil and coal fuels contain sulfur. surface and leave a protective film
When burned, the sulfur becomes on the interior throughout the
sulfites and sulfates that end up summer.
being carried out in the flue gases.
If these compounds trapped in the
soot are allowed to sit in the
chimney for long periods of time,
say all summer, the moisture in the
air will combine with the sulfur
compounds to form acids. These
acids then begin to eat away at the
stainless steel.
We ask that chimneys be cleaned at

the end of the heating season to
minimize the possibility of harmful
residue remaining on the chimney
wall during the off season. The
sooner the chimney is cleaned after
the last use of the appliance the
better.

TT-27
June 2006
Flexible Duct Tape and Non-metallic Clamps

by Dave Fetters
Tape
As an added service to our flexible Generic “Duct Tape” is sold and
duct and connector customers, used for many applications other
Hart & Cooley sells an than for sealing ducts.
Underwriters There are different
Laboratories-listed tape grades and levels of
specifically for use with performance, but, unless
flexible duct as required it is UL-listed 181B, it is
by national standards. not approved for flexible
This tape is labeled duct applications.
“UL 181B-FX” both on There is a UL 181A tape
the package and on the specific for duct board,
tape. We offer rolls in and neither should be
both black and silver to substituted for the
match the color of our other.
flexible duct jackets.
Tape is used for both Generic tape is mostly
sealing the duct to cloth-backed with a
collars, as our instruc- water soluble, rubber-
tions state, and to seal based adhesive that is
rips and tears in the sold in 60-yard rolls.
jacket should they Hart & Cooley’s duct
occur. tape is a polypropylene film with a
solvent-based adhesive that is sold Ducts must be reasonably airtight to
in a 120-yard roll. It also has higher prevent leakage and noise for
tack and adhesion, a longer shelf reasons of energy efficiency,
life, and a flame and smoke rating of humidity control, cost, temperature
25/50—suitable for commercial control, reduced maintenance and
applications. It is a tough material, general acceptability. Since most
yet can be torn by hand. The systems are not pressure-tested
functional temperature range is -35° before being approved, the codes
to +260°F—better than cloth tapes. insist on the use of UL-listed
materials and prescriptive methods
Non-metallic clamps of attachment and sealing that, if
Non-metallic air ducts and followed, will ensure consistently
connectors are required by industry tight joints.
installation instructions to clamp
the core to the collar. This can be
accomplished with either metallic
hose clamps or with listed non-
metallic clamps labeled in
accordance with UL standard 181B
and marked “181B-C.” This UL
standard is a relatively recent
development for these non-metallic
clamps. Prior to this portion of the
standard, each flexible duct
manufacturer would have to test at
significant expense each non-
metallic clamp to be specified. We
now have a list of 9 different
manufacturers that have multiple
models listed with UL.

TT-28
July 2006
Using a Digital Airflow Meter

by Dave Fetters
There are at least a dozen airflow LCD readouts, read in US or metric,

meters (also called anemometers or and have averaging as well as
velometers) that are min/max
now on the market and capabilities. For
relatively affordable to most residential
an installer or service and commercial
technician. These are work, these meters
generally small, hand- will measure airflow
held, propeller-type at the face of grilles,
digital meters that read registers, and
air velocity in feet per diffusers to aid in
minute (FPM). Many balancing and
are capable of diagnostics. They
measuring temperature can also be used to
and, by entering the measure air
area of a register in velocity anywhere
square feet, calculating in a room to study
cubic feet per airflows, look
Illustration from
minute (CFM). Universal Enterprises, Inc.
for drafts,
Accuracy is www.ueitest.com and
advertised at ± 3% determine
within an airflow range of about 150 throws by looking for the terminal
– 5000 FPM. Most have large digital velocity of a supply register.
We were curious about these Anyone following Hart & Cooley’s
instruments, so we tried a few over Tech Talk newsletters should know
the years in our laboratory and by now the CFM = Velocity x Area
compared them to our expensive, relationship that I’ve mentioned in
calibrated, hot-wire anemometers. previous issues—Numbers 8, 14 and
In a word, they perform well enough 16. The units of the quantities on
for one to get a good idea of the air both sides of the equal sign must be
velocity. Some are more accurate the same. Cubic feet per minute
than others, with accuracy declining appear on the left of the equal sign.
toward the low velocity readings. Velocity on the right side is in feet
A little experience is helpful in the per minute. Therefore, the area
use of these devices, but does not must also be in square feet—
significantly improve the outcome. effective area in square feet to be
More important to proper use is to accurate.
understand a little about airflow and
the expected result, at least within We provide the effective area (Ak) in
the ballpark! square feet in the performance data
for all our products. This is what
The single biggest shortcoming that should be entered into these meters,
we saw on a consistent basis was in NOT the free area typically given in
the lack of clarity of instruction square inches (if one can find it at
manuals. Reading face velocity with all). We did not find any meter that
these instruments is straightforward. would accept free area in square
One of the keys to obtaining a good inches and convert it internally to
face velocity is by averaging many the square feet that is required.
readings covering the entire face.
However, when the instructions say Beyond the above, which remains
how to obtain CFM, some make a very important for good results, we
glaring error by asking the operator found the meters to be adequate for
to enter the free area. Not only that, the job and certainly better than
but the instructions may not clearly nothing.
state whether this area should be in
square inches or square feet.

TT-29
August 2006
Dirt Stains on Diffusers and Adjacent Ceiling Surfaces

by Dave Fetters
We’ve all seen them – ceiling supply air. This dirt suspended in
diffusers that are dirt-stained, and room air, called an “atmospheric
the dirt stains usually extend to the aerosol,” can then be entrained
surrounding ceiling surface. It is (drawn) into the discharge of the
unsightly, especially if one is waiting diffuser. Additionally, diffusers with
for a meal in a restaurant. A first tumbling air patterns that contact
reaction from the ceiling, such as
those outside our the RENPS, are more
industry is “Wow,
the filters need to
…dirty or poorly likely to generate
smudging on the
be changed.” functioning filters ceiling. This is in
Hopefully, those of contrast to a register
us involved in are not the sole or that blows air angled
HVAC businesses
know that dirty or
most common away from the
mounting surface,
poorly functioning cause. such as the 682,
filters are not the although dirt may
sole or most still stain the diffuser.
common cause.
Dirt particles can be composed of
Investigations have shown that both natural and man-made
“smudging,” as we call the materials that are generally common
deposition of dirt particles on the air in the immediate area. The amount
outlet and surrounding surfaces, is varies with the geography, season,
more likely to be generated from weather, room furnishings, room
room activity that releases dirt into construction, and activity. Dust,
the room air rather than from dirty carpet fibers, tobacco smoke, greasy
fumes, lint, and pollen Another potential solution
are some of the is to use our Surfaire® or
particles deposited. REN4 diffusers that
The smallest particle generate a very thin air
sizes are the worst stream tight to the ceiling
offenders. Heavy foot that prevents dirt-laden
traffic through a room room air from entering the
will stir up these fine SRS/ARS minimal space between
particles and keep the supply stream and the
them in suspension. ceiling. Some dirt will still
Cooking, printing, deposit on the aluminum
paper dust, and face at the edges of the air
smoking are some pattern and in the center
other contributing where there is little
activities to smudging. airflow. These stains on
One interesting an aluminum diffuser are
example occurred in a ®
Surfaire /REN4 easy to wipe off compared
new local food store to ceiling materials.
near our offices. Dust from the
coffee grinder produced an obvious What we are trying to do is prevent
brown blossom on the ceiling the entrained room air that
around the diffuser that was located suspends the dirt particles from
above the grinder with nothing reaching the ceiling surface where
appearing on the more remote the forces of electrostatics, vapor
outlets, even though they were on pressure, direct impingement, and
the same air system. temperature difference cause the
dirt to stick. The (relatively) high
How can we control (notice I didn’t velocity of the supply air stream
say “eliminate”) smudging in creates a localized lower pressure
susceptible areas? A combination of that the room air-suspended dirt will
keeping the air filters clean, frequent want to flow toward. As my wife
mopping and vacuuming of floors, likes to say, “Nature abhors a
and room air cleaners can all help, vacuum” (which she learned from
but may not be practical in many me). That’s another way of stating
areas. A careful selection and that air will flow from a region of
mounting of air diffusers will high pressure to one at a lower
minimize dirt smudging, but pressure. Keeping this supply jet off
recognize that we are addressing the the ceiling surface can help reduce
symptoms, not the problem. staining.
A diffuser with a beveled or step-

down margin like our SRS/ARS will
help deflect the air in a slightly
downward angle, keeping the air
from contact with the ceiling and,
hopefully, lessen dirt staining on
that surface.

TT-30
September 2006
Finding Performance Data for

Unlisted Size Registers by Using Listed Sizes
(Interpolation or Extrapolation)
by Dave Fetters
I know what you are thinking: “Oh sizes that are not listed based on sizes
no, here comes another math lesson. that are. I also mentioned using a
I don’t even know what those big calculator to find a listed size register
words mean!” Well, you’re right. that has similar gross square inches as
This is going to involve math to some the unlisted size. By using the data
degree, but only simple addition and for the register that is close in
multiplication. It’s more about equivalent area, you will have a good
teaching you the concept of sizing a idea of its performance. This is
register or grille for a size not shown sometimes called “the equal area
in our performance data tables, based method.” This is an iterative process
on data for a size that is shown (to in that it requires a “trial-and-error”
interpolate or extrapolate). approach until a solution is found.
Interpolate means working within the We will again use the 821/92/HV
maximum and minimum table entries series products as examples, although
to find data for a size that falls this same discussion can be applied to
between two listed sizes. Extrapolate many other products as well. These
means to project known data from a products lend themselves to the
listed size for a size that falls beyond discussion because of the numerous
the largest size listed. sizes that are listed, with which I will
demonstrate both interpolation and
Previously in Tech Talk TT-19, I extrapolation.
mentioned the alternate sizing graph
in the back of our catalog as one Let me begin by saying that any
means of finding performance data for alternate sizing must remain not only
the 821/92/HV series products for within the same deflection (A, C, E, or
G) table, but also under the same Examples: An 18 x 12 is not a size
column of face velocity. My examples that is listed, but a 36 x 12 is. If we
will all be from the Deflection A take half the CFM of a 36 x 12, it will
performance data and in the 400 Feet- represent the CFM for the 18 x 12 at
per-Minute face velocity column for the same face velocity. CFM for an
simplicity. The principles apply to unlisted 36 x 24 will be twice that of
any deflection and face velocity, the listed 36 x 12 and for an unlisted
however. 36 x 36, three times that of the
36 x 12.
A 24 x 12 register will be twice as
large as a 24 x 6 register. A 24 x 24 is Be sure to keep in mind what
two times larger than a 24 x 12 and constitutes twice the size as opposed
four times larger than the 24 x 6. But to four times the size of a register.
a 12 x 6 is ¼ the size of a 24 x 12. Doubling one dimension only will
See the representation below. double the size while doubling both
dimensions will quadruple (4x) the
24 size.
12 x 6 12 x 6
12 One last comment: To determine a
12 x 6 12 x 6 rough throw result, use the
multiplication factors below.
If a register is twice as large, it will If you:

allow twice as much air to pass
through at the same face velocity. Double the size and CFM,
I use these sizes since one can look multiply the throw by 1.5
them up in our catalog to follow along. Quadruple the size and CFM,
Going from 24 x 6 to 24 x 12 will multiply the throw by 2
demonstrate a doubling of both the
size and the CFM (310 to 635). Half the size and CFM, multiply
Likewise, doubling a 10 x 6 to a 20 x 6 the throw by .67
will double the CFM from 125 to 255 One quarter the size and CFM,
(with rounding). This is interpolation multiply the throw by .5
within the table entries. If we wanted
to extrapolate from the 20 x 6 to a By now, most of you are probably
40 x 6, the CFM would double again thinking, “I’ll never remember how to
from what it is for the 20 x 6 (255) to do this. It’s a lot easier to just call
about 510 CFM for the 40 x 6. You Hart & Cooley and ask for help.” We
can check this by using the alternate remain here to do just that, but file
sizing chart in the back of our catalog this Tech Talk for reference.
to discover that a 40 x 6 has
equivalent performance (and area) as
a 24 x 10 or 30 x 8, both of which are
listed in the table. The 40 x 6 has 240
square inches of gross area and shares
this number with both the 24 x 10
and 30 x 8 (equal area method).

TT-31
October 2006
Curved-Blade Register Discussion

by Dave Fetters
Hart & Cooley’s product offering

includes both fixed and adjustable
curved-blade registers used for high
sidewall and ceiling applications. The
fixed curved-blade series is the (A)300
one-piece, stamped-face register in (A)302 fixed
(A)301 fixed
one-, two-, three-, and four-way
deflections with either steel or
aluminum faces. Adjustable curved-
blade registers come in two different
series—the residential A600 series
made with a stamped aluminum face
and roll-formed aluminum blades and
the commercial C series made (A)303 fixed (A)304 fixed
entirely with extruded aluminum.
The reference to residential or
commercial is mostly in name only.
We see either product used in either
application. Commercial product is
usually distinguished by more options
and a much larger size offering.
A611 adjustable A612 adjustable All three series offer all four
deflections. The C series, made from
extruded aluminum, is the premium
product because of its considerable
strength advantage over the roll-
formed product. In addition, the C
series is offered as a grille
(no damper) and as a register with
A613 adjustable A614 adjustable either a multi-shutter or
opposed-blade damper in 2-inch don’t understand the concepts of air
increments from 6 x 6 to 36 x 36— pattern adjustments or they don’t
a much larger matrix of sizes and bother. My guess is the former in
options than the A600 series. These most cases because they have never
are some of the reasons why the C been shown the advantages of
series costs more than the A600 adjusting air deflection to suit the
series—added features. seasonal demands.
The performance data of the A600 Since the blade setting has so much
and C series product lines are very impact on performance, we have
similar, providing that the blades are chosen a blade setting for general
set to the same opening dimension. purpose cooling. The gap is specified
The 300 series is not included in this at 13/32 of an inch for our data
discussion since the blades are fixed. gathering purposes (it happened to be
A significant advantage of adjustable the width of the scale in my pocket at
curved-blade registers is the ability to the time!). We show this
open or close the blades to suit the dimensioned gap for the C series in
room comfort requirements. our catalog. We did not choose to
Consequently, performance depends generate data at other blade settings
on how far the blades are open with due to resource constraints. This has
respect to how much air is available at proven to be acceptable based on my
the face. With this in mind, consider feedback.
a narrow blade opening for a ceiling-
mounted register. A small gap You may direct your questions,
between blades constricts the airflow, comments, or suggestions for future
which usually increases the velocity articles to me at any time. See our
and resistance (for a set CFM, web site at www.hartandcooley.com
reducing the area increases the for contact information.
velocity if the fan can work against
the added resistance). The result is
an air pattern that is tight to the
ceiling surface at a somewhat
increased velocity that will maximize
the throw. This is a great cooling
pattern.
CH1 adjustable CH2 adjustable
At the extreme opposite blade setting
with all the blades open to the
maximum, the air is no longer
deflected into discreet directions
along the ceiling, but allowed to blow
straight downward or outward. This is
the best way to introduce warm air
from the ceiling into the occupied C3 adjustable C4 adjustable
space with this type product. Since
conditioned air above ambient
temperature is so buoyant, it needs to
be blown downward from ceiling
outlets to provide good air mixing and
to avoid stagnation near the floor.
Although the capability is there to

have both heating and cooling air
patterns from the same supply
register, most homeowners either

TT-32
November 2006
Soft-Cone Flashings for Type B Gas Vent

by Dave Fetters
Often I am asked if it is permissible usefulness of the design has caught

to use a flexible pipe flashing to seal the eye of the HVAC contractor as
a roof penetration for our gas vent or well.
chimney systems. The reason for
the request is almost always because There are obvious advantages with
of “profiled” or metal corrugated using these flashings, and standing
roofing and decks. By “flexible pipe metal seam roof decking almost
flashing” I mean the various brands always demands their use. The soft
of flashings that consist of flexible rubber cone will flex for different
rubber cones attached to dead-soft, roof pitches. The aluminum base
formable aluminum compression will easily bend to fit most contours
rings or bases. The rubber cones are and is then sealed with silicone and
usually designed fastened tightly
in steps such that to the deck. The
a single cone will EPDM rubber
accommodate used for the cone
several diameters will withstand a
of pipe. The soft 212ºF constant
aluminum base temperature—
conforms to most more than
roof panel adequate for
configurations, if B-vent
it is screwed down applications. For
around the higher skin
perimeter. These temperature
products were resistance, an
designed with the optional silicon
plumbing industry rubber cone is
in mind, but the usually available.
So my response is a cautionary “Yes, Our testing has shown that a B-vent
you may use it.” I immediately skin temperature will not exceed
qualify my answer with a discussion about 200ºF measured near the
about some issues that affect appliance when the vent is fired at
performance and acceptance by the its maximum input temperature on a
building owner or mechanical continuous basis. Cycling appli-
inspector. ances with normally lower flue gas
temperatures will not generate this
Listing: Foremost is the fact that much skin temperature, especially
these flashings are not UL-listed for when measured near the termina-
use with B-vent, and may not be tion. Unlisted appliances or those
acceptable to the authority having not approved for use with B-vent
inspection jurisdiction. For the may easily cause skin temperatures
most part, my experience indicates to exceed 212ºF, depending on the
that use with Type B gas vent is firing conditions. This will exceed
almost universally accepted by the EPDM rubber maximum
inspectors. However, these flashings temperature.
shall not be used with our factory-
built chimney system because of our An option other than using a soft-
UL-listing and associated cone flashing for profiled roofing
performance requirements. I systems is to build or purchase a
suspect all other chimney custom roof curb with integral
manufacturers’ systems have listed cricket, such as the Roof Products &
flashings that preclude the use of Systems brand from Commercial
these unlisted flexible flashings. Products Group in Bensenville, IL
(800.624.8642 phone). This
Sealing: Rubber cones have to be provides a smooth, flat surface to
made to fit the pipe diameter by mount a factory-made flashing.
cutting or pulling tear-off rings.
A tear-off will have a smoother
sealing surface than a cut edge,
which affects how well the cone
seals to the pipe. The smoother and
tighter it is, the better it will seal,
since a storm collar is generally not
used. However, no matter how well
the cone might fit without sealant,
water will find its way along the
vertical lock seam on B-vent and run
down the pipe. I encourage a little
dab of silicone at that point to
prevent water leakage.
Temperature: As I’ve already

indicated, EPDM rubber will
withstand the skin temperature of
B-vent connected to appropriate
appliances without breaking down.

TT-33
December 2006
Condensation in Type B Gas Vent: Why It Forms and How to

Prevent It
by Dave Fetters
A recurring theme in my work is the B vent sizing tables are so important! With
question from many quarters about why the Department of Energy likely to increase
condensation is occurring in a Type B gas efficiency requirements of gas-fired
vent and what to do about it. appliances by 2 percentage points in the
Unfortunately, the near future,
condensation adhering to the
usually drips out of tables to
an elbow in the The vent, through proper design and prevent
attic, wets the sizing, must keep the moisture in the condensation
insulation, and becomes
stains a bedroom
vapor state until it exits the vent. critical.
ceiling before it is This is one reason why the B vent The following is
noticed elsewhere. sizing tables are so important! a list of reasons
Condensate will for condensate
form in the coldest development in
part of the vent (near the termination) the approximate order of priority, based on
when the flue gas cools to its dew point my experience.
temperature. This is the temperature at
which the flue gas, with its heavy load of 1. Single-wall connectors used with 80%
moisture in the form of water vapor, starts appliances. It’s okay to use single-wall
to condense (“dew” forms) on the cooler connectors with these non-draft hood-
walls of the vent. equipped appliances, IF one uses the
proper sizing table. The FAN MIN
A 100,000-BTUH furnace burning for one input from the single-wall connector
hour will generate a gallon of water in the sizing table must be met or exceeded to
form of vapor in the flue gas. The vent, prevent condensation. Be careful of
through proper design and sizing, must 2-stage and modulating equipment. Use
keep the moisture in the vapor state until it the lowest firing rate for determining
exits the vent. This is one reason why the FAN MIN.
2. Water heater connector is too small. 6. An interior masonry chimney venting
In multiple-appliance systems, a 3-inch 80% appliances. Neither single nor
diameter connector will not accommo- multiple fan-assisted 80% appliance(s)
date water heater inputs greater than shall be vented into an interior masonry
about 35,000 BTUH, even though water chimney without a dedicated relining
heaters with inputs as high as 50,000 system.
BTUH still use 3-inch draft hood collars.
7. Venting into exterior masonry chim-
Use a 4-inch connector on every 3-inch
neys. Even though the National Fuel
water heater collar to eliminate this
Gas Code has sizing tables for this
problem. Do not assume that because
scenario, they are very complicated and
the water heater has a 3-inch draft hood
restrictive. The best choice, especially
collar that 3-inch connector is always
for the northern tier states, is to plan
appropriate.
for and install a properly sized, listed
3. Offsets (laterals, horizontal runs) in gas appliance relining system approved
connectors and common vents that are for this use.
too long. A single-appliance vent sizing
8. Not properly accommodating appli-
table provides data that tells you how
ances with vent dampers. An appliance
far the horizontal run may be.
with a built-in powered vent damper
However, for a multiple-appliance
must be sized using NAT MAX in
connector or for the common vent in
combination with FAN MIN from the
multiple-appliance systems, the limit is
sizing tables.
1½ feet of horizontal run per inch of
connector or vent diameter. This can
Insulating B vent to try to solve a con-
be a significant limitation, especially for
densation problem will not work, and
common vents, but, if exceeded, leads
B vent manufacturers do not want their
directly to condensate formation.
B vents insulated. The insulation is
4. Combustion and make-up air issues. treating the symptom, not the problem.
The code is very clear about how to
calculate and provide proper openings Although condensate formation may
for combustion and make-up air. These manifest itself in the vent extremities, the
days with tight homes, larger bath fans, cause more often than not may be in the
fancy cooking appliances, dryers, and mechanical
decorative gas-fired appliances room. The
consuming indoor air, it becomes Hart & Cooley
imperative to provide air for the heating Gas vent,
appliances in the required amounts. chimney
Condensation is only one sign of sizing &
restricted air. Spillage, no draft, and, in application
a worst case, carbon monoxide are guide has a
other consequences. lot of good
information,
5. The common vent is too small, too
which
large, or exposed on an outside wall.
includes
A common vent that is too small will
sizing tables
obviously have to be made larger, have
and combustion air opening requirements.
an appliance removed from the system,
To receive a free copy, please contact your
or be engineered to work. To prevent a
Customer Service Representation. Or, if
common vent from being too large, its
you prefer, you can view the guide on our
area shall not be more than 7 times the
web site at www.hartandcooley.com.
area of the smallest connected appli-
ance collar. A vent shall not be exposed
to the outdoors below the roofline.
These are existing fuel gas code require-
ments and have been for some time.

TT-34
January 2007
Vent Offsets
by Dave Fetters
A loyal reader of these Tech Talk Notice that the definition avoids any
newsletters suggested that I address mention of the angle or slope of the
vent offsets as a topic. Even though I offset. However, buried in the text of
have other Tech Talks already written the paragraphs of Chapter 13, where
and could have used for this month, this the code discusses sizing, is some
topic excited me and is a worthy insight into what angle the code refers
subject for discussion. Only an to when it mentions lateral. Paragraph
engineer can get “excited” about such 13.1.3 for single-appliance venting says
matters. Others are merely interested. “…venting with lateral lengths include
two 90° elbows.” Clearly, this
The National Fuel Gas Code (NFGC) statement means that a lateral is
and International Fuel Gas Code are not horizontal pipe between two 90°
explicit in their definitions of what elbows. The horizontal offset is
constitutes an offset in a vent system. measured along this horizontal run
A typical definition of vent offset is this from the same point on each end
one from the NFGC (2006 edition) (centerline to centerline or outside wall
Paragraph 3.3.107: “Vent Offset. to the same outside wall at the other
An arrangement of two or more fittings end).
and pipe installed for the purpose of
locating a vertical section of vent pipe The code also speaks about offsets that
in a different but parallel plane with can be pipe-installed at angles less than
respect to an adjacent section of 90° (30° or 45° from vertical for
vertical vent pipe.” instance) as stated in paragraph 13.2.5
Vent Offsets and paragraph 13.2.6 In summary, the NFGC allows offsets in
Elbows in Vents. When a vent has an single-appliance and multiple-appliance
offset, say in an attic, where the angle of vents. The offset in the eyes of the code
the offset is 45°, the code looks at what is the horizontal displacement of the
the vertical-centerline-to-vertical- vent. A horizontal vent may be
centerline, horizontal displacement is, measured directly. A vent on some
and uses that for the offset or lateral angle can be calculated as demonstrated
allowance. This is the dimension above, guessed at (bad idea), or
labeled “Offset” in the adjacent measured using a plumb bob from the
drawing. Typically, if the vent is for a displaced vertical. Whew!
single appliance, the sizing tables show
the horizontal offset allowance in the
column labeled “Lateral.” For multiple-
appliance common vents, the code
allows the horizontal offset to be no
more than 18 inches for each inch of
common vent diameter.
For example, in the adjacent figure, the

vent is tilted at approximately 45°, and
we want to find the horizontal length
labeled “Offset.” To determine this
offset displacement, one would multiply
the hypotenuse by the cosine of 45°
(sorry). In layman’s language, take the
running length of the pipe and multiply
it by .7 (the cosine of 45°). So if the
running length were 10 feet, the offset is
7 feet (.7 x 10).
If the vent is offset 30° from vertical,

then multiply the running length of pipe
by .5 to get the offset (trust me on this
one).

TT-35
February 2007
Wood vs. Metal Floor Diffusers

by Dave Fetters and Mark Walraven
When considering the use of wood floor changes in product performance. All
diffusers instead of the traditional metal Hart & Cooley floor diffusers (including
kind, one should consider how they wood) meet the International
perform, as well as how they look. Mechanical Code for strength. Since
wood is not as strong as steel, more
Wood floor diffusers can be an wood must be used in the diffuser to
aesthetically pleasing addition to a meet the strength requirements.
home. Solid wood or wood-faced floor
diffusers look nice, can be stained to Consequently, wood diffusers generally
match wood floors, and recessed flush have different performance character-
with a wooden floor surface (R403). istics than steel diffusers. Performance,
for the purpose of this Tech Talk, refers
to the effective area and throw pattern
of the diffuser. For example, the R400
(the wood equivalent to the steel
Hart & Cooley 421) has only 60% of the
R403 effective area of the 421. One must
consider the impact that lower effective
area (lower cfm delivery) will have on
However, when
considering the use of
wood floor diffusers
instead of the
traditional steel
R400
diffusers, one should
also account for
421
room comfort before selecting the
diffuser. A larger size wood diffuser or
additional floor diffusers may be
necessary to maintain the same cfm
delivery as a traditional steel diffuser.
An additional consideration is the

diffuser’s throw pattern. A diffuser’s
throw pattern affects room air mixing,
and different diffusers have different fin
angles and throw patterns. Most wood
diffusers have parallel fins that deflect
the air in two directions. Whereas the
421 and 411 fins are more vertical in
the center, and they slope progressively
as the fins approach the outside edges.
This fan-shaped pattern helps diffuse
(disperse and mix) the air better than
the parallel fins of the wood register.
Other decorative floor diffuser products

have designs, such as a Victorian scroll
pattern and a Contemporary “parallel
blade” pattern. As the fin pattern
Victorian
changes, so does the throw pattern. So,
be sure to match the correct decorative
product to the application and
environment.
Engineering data for Hart & Cooley

decorative registers can be found at our
web site at www.hartandcooley.com. Contemporary

March 2007
Filter Grille Performance and Filter Limitations TT-36
by Dave Fetters
Air circulation and conditioning usually than other types of media and filtration
incorporate some form of filtration of methods. More important to the
airborne particulate matter. There are installer, most efficiency and pressure
many types of filtering mechanisms drop ratings are developed at only
and methods, but I want to limit my 300 feet-per-minute airflow velocity
remarks to the specific products we sell through the filter. The maximum
that allow air filtration. In our business, airflow recommended is usually around
this air filtering is accomplished with a 500 feet per minute, as published in the
filter grille. The vast majority of our literature for these types of filters.
filter grilles are designed to use the
readily available, 1-inch thick, Given the popularity of these types of
cardboard-edged, disposable, fiberglass filters, care must be given in selecting a
filters. Although we manufacture filter filter grille size to accommodate the
grilles that will accept thicker filters, desired total CFM, while keeping in
relatively few are sold. Even though mind the filter limitations of velocity.
hog hair, foam, and other types of Our recommendation for a maximum
media filters may do a better job of design face velocity is 400 feet per
filtration than the fiberglass, the minute (FPM). To size a filter grille,
universally available and inexpensive look at the engineering data for that
fiberglass filter is the most popular model. In the column less than 400
choice. FPM, find a CFM number that is equal
to or slightly higher than what is
These throwaway, one-inch panel filters desired or required. The size corres-
are relatively inefficient and are ponding to that rating is what should be
effective with comparatively large used.
particulate matter at low airflow rates
A rough but safe rule of thumb to use in Obviously, as a filter collects dirt, its
the absence of available engineering resistance to flow increases and drives
data is to multiply the gross filter grille up the system pressure loss. For this
area in square inches by 2 CFM for each reason, it is vitally important for a
square inch. This will keep the face homeowner to establish a regular
velocity below 400 FPM. For instance, maintenance cycle to change out
if one thinks a 20 x 20 grille might be filters, so they do not affect the system
adequate, 20 x 20 = 400 gross square performance.
inches. Multiply this by 2 CFM per
square inch and the result is a CFM of
800.
Exceeding the filter’s capability will

lower filtration efficiency by allowing
some dirt to pass through and may
dislodge particulate matter already
captured if the face velocity becomes
excessive. In addition, noise could
RHF45
become an issue with stamped-face
Aluminum Filter Grille
filter grilles if velocities exceed about
500 FPM.
T-bar filter grilles that are 2 x 2 in size

are going to accept a nominal 20 x 20
filter. So, the rule-of-thumb CFM
capacity will also be around 800 in
order to maintain a 400 FPM face
velocity. We build RHF45 filter grilles
from as small as 6 x 6 to 48 x 48. This
659
is a rigid filter grille with mullions and Steel Return Air Filter Grille
blade spacers at appropriate widths for
added support. If one wanted to “push
the envelope” for performance, this
filter grille would handle higher
velocities without fin or face vibration,
which would occur with a stamped-
faced filter grille like our 659 or 673.
Obviously, the filter media would have
to be up to the task as well.
Our testing of a filter grille with and

without a clean fiberglass filter has
673
indicated that a clean filter reduces the Steel Return Air Filter Grille
performance data we publish by only
about 3% to 5%.

Hart Cooley Tech Talk

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December 2003

Introducing the Tech Talk Newsletter

This is the first in a series of publications  Opposed-blade vs. multi-shutter dampers

Type B Gas Vent Interconnection Fittings

by Dave Fetters TT-02

Changes or additions to existing B vent We wanted to accommodate the most

Metalbestos 3" - 6" 1/4" RA or RPA RRA

Metal-Fab 3" - 6" 1/4" RA or RPA RRA

AmeriVent 3" - 6" 1/4" RA or RPA RRA

Air-Jet 3" - 8" 3/8" RAA RRA

DuraVent 3" - 8" 5/16" RAA RRA

RA Male Adapter RAA Male Adapter

RRA Female Adapter

The Difference Between Flexible Air Ducts and Flexible Air

Flexible air ducts shall not be

Whether or not Hart & Cooley-listed air

Spiral Diffuser Scoop Used

Hart & Cooley’s extruded aluminum The 2000 International Mechanical

Throw, Blow, Flow, Oh No!

©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

Noise Criteria (NC) – Part 1

The selection of grilles, registers, or technology used to measure sound is

©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

Sometimes, system noise is unfairly

Many of Hart & Cooley’s GRDs have

Next month we will continue with

©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

Noise Criteria (NC) – Part 2

As we indicated last month, grille, frequency sounds include hiss, whine or

©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

Sizing a Register or Diffuser

Conceptually, choosing a supply  Availability

Some of the possible input criteria Ceiling Diffuser

©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

Engineering Data for 16 Round Ceiling Diffuser

©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

Return Grille Locations

©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

For a combination heating and

©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

Chimney Liner Applications and Limitations

©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

Additional steps to help prevent

 Proper sizing using the

 Proper combustion air openings.

 Venting with a draft hood-

 Using as much B vent as

As with any chimney or vent

©2004 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

Information Required to Size B-Vent

We are often asked to size B-Vent

• The type of appliance—water

©2005 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

A system sketch is very helpful and

©2005 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

210 Floor Register/265 Grille

These companion products have Part of the explanation for their

As the size of a floor product

©2005 Hart & Cooley, Inc. All rights reserved

There are practical limitations of

Although we do not punch mounting

In spaces where the installation is

This is the first in a series of publications Opposed-blade vs. multi-shutter dampers

Conceptually, choosing a supply Availability

Proper sizing using the

Proper combustion air openings.

Venting with a draft hood-

Using as much B vent as