Most residential and commercial buildings are equipped with an air distribution system. It’s an important component of any HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. Its primary function is to distribute conditioned air throughout a building or space, ensuring that the air is evenly distributed and that the temperature and humidity levels are consistent. Open web floor systems can best facilitate that kind of installation. Let’s review several reasons why having an air distribution system is important:
1 – Comfort: An air distribution system helps to maintain a comfortable indoor environment by distributing conditioned air evenly throughout the space. This ensures that the temperature and humidity levels are consistent, which can help to prevent hot and cold spots and reduce the likelihood of drafts.
2 – Indoor air quality: An air distribution system can also help to improve indoor air quality by distributing fresh air throughout the space and removing stale air. This can help to reduce the concentration of pollutants and allergens in the air, which can be beneficial for people with allergies or respiratory issues.
3- Energy efficiency: An air distribution system can also help to improve the energy efficiency of an HVAC system by ensuring that conditioned air is distributed efficiently and effectively. This can help to reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills.
It’s obvious that TRIFORCE® open web joists are ideal for this type of installation. They are designed with an open web structure that allows for easy installation of MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) systems. The importance of an open web floor system is the ability to provide a clear and unobstructed path for the distribution lines to run through. This is particularly important in large buildings or structures where there may be many distribution lines running through multiple floors or levels.
By using open web joists, MEP distribution lines can be easily installed and routed through the building without the need for additional supports or framing. This can save time and money during the construction process and also make it easier to maintain and repair these systems in the future.
There are no standard sizes for MEP distribution lines. They come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the material, configuration and location. This is why an open joist TRIFORCE® floor system is ideal. Here are various options of equipment size:
Please note the allowable space for distribution lines in the table below:
With an I joist structure, you cannot make holes wherever you want:
- Minimum distances from the ends and the top and bottom of the joists
- Minimum distances between holes
- Maximum sizes of holes
- You have to be careful not to overcut the corners of square holes
- Of course, flanges are to be completely avoided: no cutting or notching.
- This is basic logic and goes for all joists. The amount of compression and tension these upper and lower members are designed to handle makes them dangerous to cut. The open joist concept eliminates all of these tedious considerations.
- Eliminates all the hole-drilling and drastically speeds up the plumbing, electrical and HVAC installation.
- Allows subcontractors to move ducts and piping across the floor structure much more freely.
- It provides peace of mind to the GC knowing that the work of the previous subcontractor won’t interfere with the next one’s job.
Another advantage of TRIFORCE® joists is that they don’t have metal plates. Because one of the tricky things about running electrical wiring through plated floor trusses is avoiding the sharp edges of the metal plates, which can strip wires. Obviously, this won’t happen with TRIFORCE® joists.
Not only does it allow for more efficient installation of pipes and wires, but an open web system allows for the installation of strongbacks, which are 2X dimension lumber running perpendicular to and within the joists. Their purpose is to provide transversal rigidity. The resulting rigidity effectively dampens vibration.
Also, they offer a variety of possibilities when it comes to lengths and heights, see it for yourself by checking out our TRIFORCE® open joist span table.
With all of these advantages, we think TRIFORCE® open joists are a great option! Talk to one of our distributors and ask them about our satisfied customers. You can also download our spec guide or contact us.
