Overview

Leakage from ducted air distribution systems is an important consideration in the design and operation of ventilation and air conditioning systems. A ductwork system that has limited air leakage, within defined limits, will ensure that the design characteristics of the systems can be maintained. It will also ensure that energy and operational costs are maintained at optimum levels.

Ductwork constructed and installed in accordance with DW/144 should minimize a level of air leakage that is appropriate to the operating static air pressure in the system. However, it is recognized that the environment in which systems are installed is not always conducive to achieving a predictable level of quality in terms of the system air leakage and it is therefore accepted that designers may sometimes require the systems to be tested in part or in total. It should be recognized that the testing of duct systems adds a significant cost to the installation and incurs some extra time within the programme.