ASHRAE Journal - December 2019 - 74

A Three-in-One Solution
Ruskin® overcomes a unique ventilation challenge in a medical office building
At a large medical office building in California, a significant challenge was presented to the director of engineering at a
west coast company in the Ruskin representative network. The task was to replace the components of the building's large,
built-up air-handling system. This included the outside air louvers that cover a large opening in the building's exterior
and bring fresh air into the structure.
Pipe location presents challenge
What made this job somewhat out of the ordinary was the
large, structural steel pipe that ran behind the opening. The
pipe could not be moved because it was part of the system
designed to support the building in the event of an earthquake.
Unfortunately, the pipe interfered with the installation of
actuators on the jackshaft of the damper.
A solution was needed that compensated for the sheet metal
wall separating the two rooms and provided a work-around
for the pipe. In addition to replacing louvers and other key
components of the air-handling system, operations managers
at the medical office building planned to install dampers and
air-measuring stations. The goal was to measure and control the amount
of air entering the building, thereby meeting new building codes and
standards that dictate how much fresh air a building must bring inside.

Ruskin offers many solutions, including custom
combinations with products like the TDP05K.

Ruskin provides space-saving solution
For this project, the Ruskin application engineer recommended the Ruskin IAQ350XL. This unique, three-in-one product features
a Class A, wind-driven rain louver, Class 1A-rated, low-leakage damper and an integral, air-measuring station in a common sleeve
that is only 12 inches in the direction of airflow. Specifically designed to save space in tight mechanical rooms and air-handling units,
the compact model reduces the space requirement by as much as 93 inches when compared to typical air-measurement installation
requirements, and provides accurate flow measurement within ±3% accuracy.
Jackshaft fits around challenging pipe
Ruskin provided 14 sections of the IAQ350XL to cover the 336-inch by 118-inch opening and fabricated the unit with a jackshaft
that fit around the pipe. The units could also be adjusted in the field, which provided the installing contractor with the flexibility
to adjust as necessary.
Today, the units allow the building to meet the standards and codes that dictate fresh air intake while providing money-saving
operating efficiencies. "This project demonstrated the reasons our company continues to represent Ruskin products," the director
of engineering for the project explained. "In this case, they responded with a product that perfectly addressed space limitations
by combining the functionality of three products in one, resulting in a system that maintains proper ventilation and meets our
energy efficiency goals."
Alternate solutions
While Ruskin offers several products like the IAQ350XL that are built standard as combinations, the company offers many
other solutions including custom combinations. For example, at low velocities, thermal dispersion devices obtain more accurate
readings, so Ruskin could combine its TDP05K with a wind-driven rain louver and a control damper to meet that need. For each
project and its unique design requirements, Ruskin can help find the right solution.

ruskin@ruskin.com | 816-761-7476 | ruskin.com

http://www.ruskin.com

ASHRAE Journal - December 2019

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