OVERVIEW

Underfloor air distribution (UFAD) represents an approach to space conditioning in buildings that has several advantages over traditional ceiling-based air distribution systems. Depending on the design and application, these systems have the potential to (1) improve indoor environmental quality, worker satisfaction, and productivity by providing personal comfort control and improved ventilation efficiency, (2) reduce energy use through a variety of system design and operating strategies, and (3) reduce life-cycle building costs by improving flexibility in providing and maintaining building services.

While it is true that UFAD systems are being designed, installed, and operated right now, as an overall technology they are still relatively new and unfamiliar to the building industry at large. In this design guide, we have described UFAD systems in detail, and have presented recommendations and design methods based on the most current and best available data and information. Where available, we have also provided preliminary guidance for the design of task/ambient conditioning (TAC) systems. Throughout the guide, we have also identified areas where more work is needed. Additional research and development within the industry could provide significantly more guidance by identifying and investigating from both a fundamental and practical perspective some of the key differences between UFAD and TAC systems and overhead systems. These findings could then be incorporated into updated design guides, design tools, workshops, and other forms of technology transfer to help inform the design community about these systems.

This section summarizes ongoing and future research, standards development, and activities within the building industry...