How to Install HVAC Duct Access Doors and Panels

Install HVAC Duct Access Doors and PanelsInstall HVAC Duct Access Doors and Panels
  • Author: Mohsin Khan
  • Posted On: June 15, 2022
  • Updated On: July 9, 2023

Your HVAC system is a vital building component that delivers services necessary for the occupants. It distributes conditioned air throughout the occupied spaces, provides heated or cooled air, and offers temperature control, making it an essential part of the business.

Install HVAC duct access doors and panels helps gain access to crucial utility components. It will enable you to inspect, clean, repair, or replace any parts without the hassle of creating a hole in the entry surface.

Work with a licensed professional to help you correctly and adequately place them to optimize their functional use. Here’s an easy guide for installing an HVAC duct access door and panel, plus other things you must know:

What are HVAC Duct Access Doors and Panels

It would be best to have ductwork and air handling during HVAC maintenance. The system and duct access door design offer easy access to vital locations.

The primary sheet-metal duct is where you typically place these access doors and are available in various styles, including hinged and insulated. Depending on your requirements, you can choose from multiple ducts, such as high pressure, sheet metal, and grease duct.

Installation steps

A man is Installing HVAC Duct Access Doors and Panels

  1. Place the frame over the installation surface and carefully trace its outline using a marker or pencil. Ensure accuracy by having someone hold the frame as you draw along the frame.
  2. Cut the edges of the outline using a jigsaw cutter. Then, use a 3/8-inch drill bit to cut through the traced outline.
  3. With the door facing outward, place the access panel into the hole. Use the cam-lock latch to open the door. Insert the supplied backing rim through the door opening at an angle to go between the opening’s opposite corners. Place it at the inside edge of the frame within the duct.
  4. Using a magnetic screw-tip power tool, drill the 1-inch self-tapping sheet-metal screw tip to secure the frame. Press the backing rim on the duct’s inner surface with one hand and drive the screw through the edge and into the opening’s outer parts.
  5. To fasten the rim on the internal surface of the duct, repeat the operation and drive extra screws at 3-inch spacing along the margins of the hole. Latch the door, and installation is now complete!

Why Commercial Buildings Need HVAC Duct Access Doors and Panels

The NFPA 96 fire code recommends installing duct access doors in your commercial kitchen ventilation systems. Adequate equipment installed in your commercial building can considerably lower fire risk.

Vertical and horizontal ducts must offer access, with horizontal ducts providing at least a 20″ x 20″ opening, according to the NFPA 96 Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations. If you can’t provide the size of the entry point, you’ll have to make larger ones at 12-foot intervals to ensure thorough cleaning.

Duct access doors must also be of the same width and material as the duct, often 16-gauge carbon steel or 18-gauge stainless steel. The entrance must have a seal of an 816°C or gasket. Fasteners must be of stainless or carbon steel materials and should not pass through the duct wall.

The Takeaway

It is vital to note that if you have the option of hiring a licensed professional to do the work properly, do not hesitate to do so. It will save you from many hassles and prevent costly repairs from hidden hazards that you might miss without an expert’s help.

Get in touch with your local contractor so they can provide you with more information that will suit your project before making any significant decisions.

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Author: Mohsin Khan

Mohsin has worked as one of the experienced editors with ConstructionHow since 2020 with a total span of 5 years of experience in business PR, boasting a remarkable professional trajectory, he has collaborated with entrepreneurs and startups, and certain publications over the last few years. His unwavering interest lies in the construction industry and related materials. He believes in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing buildings, and homes that fall under the right budget. With a wide range of experience in construction, he also tapped into DIY and home improvement projects based on his extensive set of knowledge in the industry.

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