Kanomax DALT6900 Automated Duct Air Leakage Tester

Overview

The Kanomax DALT6900 Automated Duct Air Leakage Tester is a precision-engineered instrument designed for quantitative evaluation of air leakage in HVAC duct systems under controlled positive and negative static pressure conditions. It operates on the principle of calibrated orifice flow measurement—using interchangeable nozzles to maintain laminar flow across defined pressure differentials—and conforms to established airflow quantification methodologies specified in international duct airtightness standards. The system integrates real-time differential pressure sensing, volumetric flow computation, environmental compensation (temperature and barometric pressure), and automated pass/fail determination based on user-selected compliance criteria. Its primary engineering purpose is to verify ductwork integrity during commissioning, post-installation verification, and periodic maintenance audits—ensuring energy efficiency, indoor air quality control, and regulatory adherence in commercial, institutional, and industrial HVAC installations.

Key Features

• Simultaneous bidirectional testing capability: measures leakage under both positive and negative pressure conditions up to ±2500 Pa, enabling full compliance with EN 1507:2006, EN 12237:2002, Eurovent 2/2, DW/143, SMACNA Duct Construction Standards, and GB 50243–2002.
• Dual-range calibrated nozzle assembly: primary nozzle set (4–36 m³/h) and auxiliary high-flow manifold (36–640 m³/h) ensure optimal signal-to-noise ratio and measurement repeatability across low-leakage residential ducts and high-capacity commercial systems.
• Integrated environmental sensors: onboard temperature (±0.5 °C), barometric pressure (±2% of reading), and static pressure transducers enable automatic density correction for volumetric flow calculations per ISO 5167 and ASHRAE Fundamentals Chapter 22.
• 4.7-inch capacitive touchscreen interface with intuitive icon-driven navigation: supports multilingual UI (English, Chinese, Spanish), real-time graphing of pressure vs. time and flow vs. pressure curves, and on-device pass/fail status flagging per selected standard thresholds.
• Robust data governance architecture: stores up to 1000 complete test records—including timestamp, location tag, operator ID, pressure ramp profile, leakage curve, ambient conditions, and compliance verdict—with exportable CSV logs via USB 2.0 port.
• Modular mechanical design: compact footprint (540 × 500 × 1200 mm), wheeled base with locking casters, and tool-free nozzle interchange facilitate rapid deployment in tight mechanical rooms, ceiling plenums, and rooftop unit enclosures.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DALT6900 is validated for use with rigid and semi-rigid duct constructions including galvanized steel, aluminum, fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP), and flexible insulated ducts. It accommodates rectangular, round, and oval cross-sections from 100 mm to 2000 mm nominal diameter or equivalent hydraulic diameter. Testing is performed either on isolated duct segments (e.g., after fabrication but before insulation) or on fully assembled systems (including AHUs, dampers, fire/smoke valves, and terminal devices). All measurements comply with traceable calibration protocols aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. Device firmware implements mandatory audit trails for GLP-aligned field reports and supports optional digital signature integration for FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant documentation workflows when paired with Kanomax’s certified reporting software suite.

Software & Data Management

The embedded firmware includes configurable test templates preloaded with default limit values from EN, SMACNA Class A/B/C, and GB 50243–2002. Users may define custom acceptance criteria, assign project identifiers, and annotate test points with geotagged photos (via external tablet integration). Raw data files adhere to ASTM E1554-22 metadata conventions and are compatible with third-party BIM commissioning platforms (e.g., Autodesk BIM 360 Field, Siemens Desigo CC). Optional PC-based Kanomax DuctTest Manager v3.2 provides advanced analytics: comparative leakage trend analysis across multiple zones, statistical process control (SPC) charts, automated PDF report generation with digital certification stamps, and export to Excel-compatible databases for QA/QC archival.

Applications

• Pre-commissioning verification of ductwork airtightness prior to insulation and final handover in LEED-certified buildings.
• Periodic performance validation of HVAC systems in hospitals (per HTM 03-01), laboratories (per ISO 14644-3), and cleanrooms where uncontrolled infiltration compromises environmental classification.
• Root-cause diagnostics during energy audits: correlating measured leakage rates with simulated fan power penalties using DOE-2 or EnergyPlus models.
• Contractor quality assurance documentation submitted to local building authorities, municipal inspection agencies, and third-party commissioning providers.
• Educational use in HVAC engineering labs for teaching duct system design principles, pressure balancing theory, and building envelope performance metrics.

FAQ

What standards does the DALT6900 directly support for pass/fail evaluation?
EN 1507:2006, EN 12237:2002, Eurovent 2/2, DW/143, SMACNA HVAC Air Duct Leakage Test Manual (2012), and GB 50243–2002.
Can the instrument be calibrated in-house, or is third-party traceability required?
Field verification using NIST-traceable reference manometers and flow calibrators is permitted; however, full recalibration must be performed by Kanomax-authorized service centers adhering to ISO/IEC 17025 scope.
Is the device suitable for testing ducts containing hazardous or corrosive airstreams?
No—the DALT6900 is rated for ambient air only. Testing of exhaust ducts conveying chemical fumes, particulates, or high-humidity vapors requires isolation and filtration per OSHA 1910.120 and ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 110.
Does the system provide real-time leakage rate calculation during pressurization?
Yes—flow rate, static pressure, temperature, and barometric pressure update at 10 Hz; leakage curves are plotted live, and pass/fail status is determined dynamically as the test progresses.
How is data integrity ensured during extended field deployments without network connectivity?
All measurements are stored locally in non-volatile memory with timestamped CRC-32 checksums; USB export preserves file integrity, and optional Bluetooth 5.0 module enables encrypted wireless sync to secure enterprise cloud repositories.