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as<br />
Increased<br />
Efficiency<br />
With Added Beauty<br />
A Feature of Modern<br />
Air<br />
Distribution<br />
DIFFUSER DESIGNS FOR EVERY DUTY<br />
by DAVID A. UTLEY*<br />
iXECENT DEVELOPMENTS in air conditioning<br />
have been accompanied by improvements<br />
in air distribution equipment<br />
to meet the requirements of every theatre<br />
installation.<br />
Some of the first theatre air distribution<br />
outlets were cast iron ornamental plaster<br />
grilles. Uncomfortable drafts and stratification<br />
of the air in the theatre resulted<br />
from the inefficient and uncontrolled air<br />
flow from those grilles. Locating outlets<br />
for decoration instead of efficient air distribution<br />
resulted in dead air spaces.<br />
A wide variety of air distribution outlets<br />
are required for a modern theatre installation.<br />
Units in entrances and lobbies must<br />
harmonize with decoration. Return air<br />
grilles located near the floor should be<br />
constructed to withstand abuse. For maximum<br />
occupancy comfort, ceiling outlets<br />
should be adjustable to assure the most<br />
satisfactory distribution. Supply air volume<br />
and direction adjusters should be<br />
tamper-proof.<br />
Noise of supply air outlets is of major<br />
consequence in theatre installations. In<br />
hallways, auditoriums and lobbies the<br />
maximum recommended noise level is 35<br />
decibels. In offices and maintenance areas,<br />
a level of 40 to 50 is satisfactory.<br />
Wall mounted supply grilles are frequently<br />
used for lobby or entrance air distribution<br />
where appearance and performance<br />
should both be considered when selecting<br />
a grille. A large number of small<br />
openings are preferred to a small number<br />
of large openings, for large holes are dark<br />
and detract from the unit appearance.<br />
Levers or knobs protruding from the out-<br />
'Electrical Division, Barber-Colmcm Co.<br />
let which collect dust and break the smooth<br />
surface can be eliminated by outlets with<br />
hidden volume and deflection adjusters.<br />
Removable cores are desirable for easy<br />
cleaning of core and duct and for ease of<br />
redecoration without marring the surrounding<br />
wall.<br />
Adjustable air deflection is desirable for<br />
grilles in theatre lobbies where room decorations<br />
may not permit a fixed deflection<br />
supply grille in a location for most efficient<br />
air distribution. Adjustable grilles<br />
can also be set for even distribution<br />
throughout an irregularly shaped space.<br />
Where outside doors leading into these<br />
areas are open a large part of the time,<br />
comfortable temperatures can be maintained<br />
by installing a grille which mixes<br />
incoming fresh air quickly with room air.<br />
Grilles with curved surfaces for installation<br />
in round corners or columns are available<br />
shown.<br />
'<br />
Circular or linear ceiling outlets may<br />
also be installed in theatre lobbies as shown<br />
Ways in which air diffusers can be fitted to the architectural requirements of the modern theatre<br />
are shown above by the curving wall grilles used in this lobby in combination with the flat cold air<br />
return grilles<br />
near the floor.<br />
10 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION
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