Facilities Quality Service
FAN COIL UNITS MOUNTING LOCATION
ISSUE:
Exterior wall fan coil units, mounted near the floor or at the ceiling
BACKGROUND:
VA design criteria allow a four pipe fan coil system located usually under the windows of
perimeter patient rooms, offices and other exterior spaces requiring mechanical
cooling, provided the system proves cost effective on the basis of life cycle cost
analysis. However, there are cases where fan coil units were mounted at the ceiling
instead of at the floor level due to physical limitations in the existing buildings.
DISCUSSION:
Vertical fan coil units mounted under the windows are easier to maintain than the
ceiling.mounted . The floor mounted also provide better comfort conditions during winter
when the outdoor design temperature is below 40 degrees F. Units mounted at the
ceiling lead to unsightly ceiling conditions at the access panels that are required for
maintenance. They also lead to damaged ceiling tiles, clogged drain pans and
condensate drain lines, growth of mold and mildew in water damaged tiles or drain
pans, and inaccessible controls, valves, and filters.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Install vertical fan coil units only under the windows and not at the ceilings, unless there
are physical limitations in an existing building where it's not possible to install them
under the windows. Where installations at the ceiling are necessary, carefully plan for
unit access, proper slope of condensate pans and drain lines, and chemical treatment
of the condensate system to control mildew and mold growth.
LINKS TO FM TECHNICAL INFORMATION LIBRARY (TIL):
See. HVAC Design Manual at http://www.va.gov/facmgt/standard/manuals_hvac.asp
See Specification Section 15740 `Terminal Units at
http://www.va.gov/facmgt/standard/spec
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Contact Satish Sehgal at 202-565-5032 in the Facilities Quality Service (181A).
16 April 2001
FM-181A-DA-107
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