Manual Volume Dampers on Return and Exhaust Ducts

[Igc15]

It's usual to insert manual volume dampers before a diffuser in all supply ducts branches. Is this also applied for return and exhaust ducts?

 

[EnergyProfessional]

it depends on if there is a need to balance.

For example, if you have a single VAV box serving a single diffuser, you don't need a damper. you only need dampers to balance flows between 2+ diffusers.

You also can have return or exhaust VAV boxes, BTW. Or if you have a single fan exhausting from a single hood, no balancing needed.

 

[willard3]

If you need to balance, and all air systems should be balanced, you need dampers at all outlets/inlets.