However some drop ceiling designs create a.
Ceiling space return air plenum.
Normally the space above the ceiling and the deck above is used to return air from the conditioned spaces below the ceiling to the air handling equipment.
This is most common in commercial buildings schools hospitals or libraries.
Ceiling plenum 0 03 in.
From reading 8 15 1 it seems vague on whether the plenum needs ductwork to the ceiling or leaving a portion s of the ceiling open to allow a return air unit to pull from the environmental space and thus pull from the occupied space.
If this is an area used as a return it is normally referenced as a return plenum.
Maintaining a low pressure drop return air path from conditioned spaces to the air handler can be a challenge using architectural plenums when spaces are divided by figure 1 figure 2typical pressures.
Space between the structural ceiling and the dropped ceiling or under a raised floor is typically considered plenum.
Other common framing cavities used as return air pathways or plenums are air handler platforms open floor truss cavities and dropped ceilings.
Section 300 22 a of the nec provides information on the installation and uses of electrical wiring and equipment in ducts that are used to transport dust.
Fire protection within a return plenum is very important to the integrity of the entire structure and.
The word plenum in the nec is used to describe both an air space and also various types of wiring methods that are specifically designed and tested for installation within these areas.
Of thumb for sizing various return air transfer assem blies are shown in table 1.