Installation manual
44 McQuay IM 487-4
Introduction
Installing Ductwork
On bottom-supply/bottom-return units if a McQuay roof curb 
is not used, installing contractor should make an airtight 
connection by attaching field fabricated duct collars to the 
bottom surface of either the roof curb’s duct flange or the 
unit’s duct opening. Do not support the total weight of the duct 
work from the unit or these duct flanges. See Figure 52.
Units with optional back return, side discharge, or end 
discharge all have duct collars provided. To expose the 
discharge duct collars on a side discharge unit, remove the 
plenum section access door and the door gasketing.
Use flexible connections between the unit and ductwork to 
avoid transmission of vibration from the unit to the structure.
To minimize losses and sound transmission, design duct work 
per ASHRAE and SMACNA recommendations.
Where return air ducts are not required, connect a sound 
absorbing T or L section to the unit return to reduce noise 
transmission to the occupied space.
Ductwork exposed to outdoor conditions must be built in
accordance with ASHRAE and SMACNA recommendations 
and local building codes
.
Figure 52. Installing duct work
WARNING
Mold can cause personal injury. Materials such as gypsum wall 
board can promote mold growth when damp. Such materials 
must be protected from moisture that can enter units during 
maintenance or normal operation.
NOTICE
Installer must provide access in the ductwork for 
plenum-mounted controls.
Once duct work is installed in units with side discharge, access 
to plenum-mounted components is difficult.
U n i t   D u c t   O p e n i n g
U n i t   B a s e
9 . 7 6 "
4 . 5 8 "
R o o f   C u r b
D u c t   F l a n g e r
i n   R o o f   C u r b
F l e x i b l e
C o n n e c t o r
D u c t w o r k










