May 14, 2003—Control damper selection and sizing are a critical first step in the design of control systems. But many designers select economizer outdoor air, return air, and relief/exhaust air damper sizes and damper action based on rules of thumb that are not valid or valid only for certain applications, according to Steven Taylor, P.E.
“This improper selection and sizing may cause improper temperature, flow, and pressure control and other operational difficulties,” Taylor, chair of a committee that developed a new ASHRAE guideline on damper selection, said.
ASHRAE Guideline 16-2003, Selecting Outdoor, Return, and Relief Dampers for Air-Side Economizer Systems, provides techniques for properly selecting dampers for the most common economizer relief system applications (return fans, relief fans and non-powered relief) and minimum outdoor air control strategies.
The guide addresses the application and sizing of outdoor, return and relief dampers used to control outdoor air intake for economizer cooling, minimum ventilation outdoor airflow for indoor air quality and building pressure.
The cost of ASHRAE Guideline 16-2003, Selecting Outdoor, Return, and Relief Dampers for Air-Side Economizer Systems, is $24 ($19, ASHRAE members) plus shipping and handling.
To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 800/527-4723 or visit the ASHRAE.org bookstore.
