Duct design is a key component of energy efficient HVAC system performance. We encourage engineers, designers, specifiers, and manufacturers of duct system components to get involved at the Society level and contribute to our increase of knowledge and understanding of duct design.

Get these duct systems essentials together!
Purchase the ASHRAE Duct Fitting Database and the newly published Duct Systems Design Guide to complete your duct design reference library! These tools are the perfect combo for HVAC engineers and designers seeking to develop more energy-efficient, accurate, user-friendly, and cost-efficient HVAC systems. Learn more at the ASHRAE Bookstore!

Herman and Dorothy Behls Travel Awards

The ASHRAE Foundation and ASHRAE TC 5.2, Duct Design, are pleased to invite applications for the Herman and Dorothy Behls Travel awards. TC 5.2 fully funded the endowment to honor the late Mr. Herman Behls, who was a 50-Year Distinguished Service Award member of ASHRAE. He was a respected engineer in the ASHRAE Illinois Chapter, and a longtime contributor to TC 5.2. He led the effort to write the Duct Design Guide, and was instrumental in developing the Duct Fitting Database. Through this endowment, the TC desires to encourage undergraduate and graduate engineering students, as well as ASHRAE YEA members, to continue the legacy and enhance the profound impact of the Behls family on the engineering profession.

Herman and Dorothy Behls Awards Announcement 

Herman Behls Obituary 

An engineering undergraduate or graduate ASHRAE Student Member can complete an application for the following endowment: 

• Herman Dorothy Behls Travel Award Application - Application Deadline is October 15, Annually
• Intent of Award: Provide funding for ASHRAE Winter Conference Travel. Conference attendance is one of the best ways to get involved with the organization, to become familiar with the major players in the HVAC&R industry, to network with experienced professionals in the field, and to learn about the ever-developing HVAC&R Industry.
• Recipient Receives:  Total budget for the trip.  If the cost exceeds $1,100, applicants should identify how the additional funding will be achieved (by applicant, student branch, local chapter, or other funding source).
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• - Applicant shall have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a scale where 4.0 is the highest.
• - Applicant must be an Engineering undergraduate or graduate ASHRAE Student Member
• - Applicant will be a member of a local student ASHRAE branch, if available 
• - Applicant will demonstrate potential service to the HVAC&R profession.
• - Applicant will demonstrate leadership ability, strong character and a strong work ethic.
• - ASHRAE Student member will shadow a member from TC 5.2 during an ASHRAE Winter Conference and attend technical sessions. The student will be encouraged to provide a short write up on their experience at the corresponding ASHRAE Winter Conference.

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• Become a Member of TC 5.2

  TC 5.2 is concerned with the design, characteristics and construction of all types of ductwork for the handling of air and other gases, but does not include chimneys.

• • ASHRAE TC 5.2  is always looking for dependable volunteers.  No matter what levels of expertise or experience, you can
    contribute!  Joining is free, you can join at anytime, and you don't need to be a paying dues member of ASHRAE to join a Technical Committee.

    How do I apply to become a Provisional Corresponding Member (PCM) on ASHRAE TC 5.2?

    1. 1.  Click Here to access the Application (Very simple and will only take a minute)
    2. 2.  Enter your ASHRAE ID and Email Address (You can obtain an ASHRAE ID without being an ASHRAE Member - Click Here)
    3. 3.  Enter Your Contact Information
    4. 4.  Select up to 3 Committees to serve on.
    5. 5.  Click "Join Now"

    What is a Technical Committee?

    • Remember - Anyone can attend a Technical Committee meeting. 

      Participation in ASHRAE activities is an excellent way to advance your career – technically, personally, and from a business perspective. If you are involved in the HVAC&R field, or a closely related field, ASHRAE is the go-to organization for professional advancement.

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  TC 5.2 White Paper - Return Ductwork Requirement for Airborne Pathogens Through the Airstream

   

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• Summary - Mechanical design plays a critical role in reducing airborne pathogen transmission. While ventilation, filtration, and disinfection are all essential, one often-overlooked factor is the choice between open ceiling plenums and ducted return systems.

  Open ceiling plenum returns, sometimes called “wild returns”, limit a building engineer’s ability to control airflow, pressure barriers, and pathogen containment. They also increase safety risks for maintenance personnel working in contaminated spaces.

  In contrast, ducted return systems provide:

• The ability for TAB Technicians to maintain accurate room pressurization (positive, neutral, or negative) during a pandemic.
• More stable airflow patterns for effective pathogen control.
• Safer maintenance conditions, since pathogens remain contained within the ductwork.
• The option to clean and disinfect ductwork using established NADCA and ASHRAE standards when needed.

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• Based on these health and safety benefits, ASHRAE Technical Committee 5.2 white paper, Return Ductwork Requirement for Airborne Pathogens Through the Airstream,  recommends ducted return systems in all new buildings and major renovations, prioritized for medical facilities, schools, and assembly spaces.

  This guidance underscores a fundamental principle: when occupant safety and energy efficiency cannot be perfectly aligned, safety must remain the driving factor.

  🔗 Interested parties can download the full ASHRAE 5.2 document for free here: Return Ductwork Requirement for Airborne Pathogens

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ASHRAE Handbook

Interested in helping edit the ASHRAE Handbook? TC 5.2 is responsible for the chapter Duct Design and Construction, which was recently created by combining two existing chapters. Although the chapter number has not yet been assigned (we are hoping for Chapter 19) it will appear in the volume HVAC Systems and Equipment. Handbook editing is open to anyone who would like to contribute input. Below are some details you should know if you want to contribute.

TC 5.2 Handbook Subcommittee meetings are every other Thursday starting July 23, 2026.  Here is the link to the Teams meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/254340732138636?p=iKzJSPwVrowoSPrMx8 .

Not an ASHRAE Member but still want to participate? 

Become a Provisional Corresponding member by filling out the information on this page.   Joining is free, you can join at any time and you don't need to be a dues paying member of ASHRAE to join a Technical Committee.

Handbook Revisions

Due to the number of substantial changes to our chapter and the need for transparency, members of our subcommittee have asked for a specific process to request revisions.

Receiving emails from the subcommittee will be helpful in this process.  Please email our Handbook Subcommittee Chair, Matt O’Rourke, at morourke@tabbcertified.org if you need to be added to the mailing list.  You can also email him if you would like to be removed from the list.

Having Access to TC 5.2’s Basecamp page will also be helpful in this process.  If you don’t have access to Basecamp, you can request access via email from our TC 5.2 Committee Chair Mr Akshay Bhargava  TC0502@ashrae.net

The document that is being referenced for Chapter revisions, tentatively titled Chapter 19 - Duct Design & Construction - for revisions, can be found found on TC 5.2’s Basecamp page at this link Chapter 19 - Duct Design & Construction - for revisions.docx.  At this time, all requests to edit the handbook should reference this document.

Requests to make changes to the Handbook content must be done by completing the form found at this link: Substantial Change Request Form.  Send the completed form to the Handbook Subcommittee Chair at morourke@tabbcertified.org.  Please follow the directions on the form.  If you have any questions about this process please ask the Handbook Subcommittee Chair, Matt O’Rourke via email.

For review prior to the meeting, all submitted request forms will be kept in the folder found at this link: Submitted Change Request Forms - 7/21/2026 - 9/25/2026.  For every form that is added to this folder, an email will be sent to everyone that is signed up to receive messages from 5.2’s Basecamp page.  If you are not signed up for this, contact the TC 5.2 Committee Chair Mr Akshay Bhargava  TC0502@ashrae.net

Revision requests will be accepted until September 25, 2026 and will be discussed by the Handbook Subcommittee for the final time for this revision cycle at the October 1 meeting.  After the final decision is made on revisions by the voting members of this subcommittee, the chapter will be submitted to the Technical Committee for final approval.    

Navigating ASHRAE TC 5.2’s Basecamp for Handbook docs

For access to Basecamp, email TC 5.2 Committee Chair Mr Akshay Bhargava  TC0502@ashrae.net

To obtain the document, Chapter 19 - Duct Design & Construction - for revisions, click this link:   Chapter 19 - Duct Design & Construction - for revisions.docx

or follow this path: 

Basecamp à Docs & Files à Handbook à 2028 Revisions à Working Revisions à Chapter 19 - Duct Design & Construction - for revisions.docx

To obtain a Change Request Form, click this link:  TC 5.2 Handbook Substantial Change Request Form.docx

or follow this path

Basecamp à Docs & Files à Handbook à 2028 Revisions à Submitted Change Request Forms - 7/21/2026 - 9/25/2026

To review submitted Change Request Forms, click this link:  Submitted Change Request Forms - 7/21/2026 - 9/25/2026

or follow this path

Basecamp à Docs & Files à Handbook à 2028 Revisions à Submitted Change Request Forms - 7/21/2026 - 9/25/2026

To find the list of subcommittee’s voting members, click this link:  TC 5.2 Handbook Subcommittee Voting Members.pdf

or follow this path

Basecamp à Docs & Files à Handbook à 2028 Revisions à Submitted Change Request Forms - 7/21/2026 - 9/25/2026