High praise for concealed displacement ventilation and The BlueDuct Underground Ductwork in Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church

Location: Fargo, ND
Contractor: Air Mechanical
Engineering Firm:
Obernel Engineering
Rep Firm:
SVL, Inc.
Product:
BlueDuct®

 

System delivers maximum comfort, energy efficiency and quiet operation

ST. PAUL, Minn. — When church officials at Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo, N.D., added a sanctuary as part of the final phase of a multi-phase building plan, they requested a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that churchgoers would not see, hear or feel. The building system engineers rose to the challenge and delivered a solution that featured a concealed displacement ventilation system with completely hidden displacement diffusers that are integrated into the architecture with air supplied under the floor by The BlueDuct® underground ductwork.

“Churches have unique heating and cooling needs,” says Jeremiah Christenson, managing principal and mechanical engineer from Obermiller Nelson Engineering, Inc. (ONE) of Fargo. “The HVAC system needs to respond quickly to accommodate a large congregation of people within a short period of time. To meet this and other requirements, we needed to combine innovative technology without impacting the beauty of the traditional architecture.”

Different from traditional ventilation, displacement ventilation requires multiple strategically located diffusers at floor level to spill the air, at a very low velocity, across the floor. Selected for this project, The BlueDuct underground ductwork provides the air supply to the diffusers.
Displacement ventilation allows air to stratify rather than mix, resulting in a very efficient system. As the air comes in contact with a heat source, such as people and equipment, the air is warmed and rises. This allows the occupied zone to be conditioned to the proper temperature. The air above the occupied zone can be a higher temperature without impacting occupant comfort or efficiency.

The BlueDuct’s low-velocity underground air ducts, manufactured by AQC Industries, LLC, allowed for the arrangement of displacement diffusers near church occupants and spaced evenly throughout the interior area. AQC Industries worked with ONE to provide proper duct sizing and created CAD (computer-aided design) drawings to map the ideal duct placement.

The low velocity of the system offers quiet operation and prevents airflow from being felt when people are sitting in close proximity to the air outlets. Displacement diffusers were ingeniously concealed in the stone pilasters, prayer kneelers, and pews. The return air system was installed in the attic to pull the return air from the top of the 45-foot-tall room. This further reduced any potential noise issues, minimized the effects of stratification, and increased system efficiency.

The BlueDuct direct-burial underground air ducts were selected for the church because of the product’s durability, inherent insulation value, watertight and airtight properties, and longevity along with cost-effective and easy installation.

The BlueDuct products are made from advanced HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and have a low-friction, smooth surface, which also resists mold, mildew and radon. The products are engineered to exceed load requirements and protect against corrosion. Faster and more affordable to install than other underground ductwork, The BlueDuct does not require added insulation or cement trench structures. In most applications, drain tile is also not required.

“Twelve-hundred parishioners and individuals from the community attended the event to showcase the new sanctuary,” says Christenson. “During this event, we closely monitored the temperature of the space. The system adjusted quickly to just above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and maintained a comfortable temperature for three hours.”

AQC offers convenient installation training and contractor certification at no charge. The BlueDuct products are in stock and ready for quick delivery to the job site.

AQC Industries, LLC designs and manufactures The BlueDuct underground air duct system for heating, ventilation and cooling in commercial and residential applications. The BlueDuct is a direct-burial underground duct system made from ultra-durable, advanced HDPE. The BlueDuct systems have been installed in thousands of buildings for over a decade with trouble-free, long-term performance. The product is sold through a nation-wide network of knowledgeable representatives and distributors.

concealed displacement ventilation
concealed displacement ventilation