Related Commercial Resources

CHAPTER 37

ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS

Abbreviations for Text, Drawings, and Computer Programs ....................................................... 37.1
Letter Symbols .............................................................................................................................. 37.1
Dimensionless Numbers ................................................................................................................. 37.4
Mathematical Symbols ................................................................................................................... 37.4
Subscripts ...................................................................................................................................... 37.5
Graphical Symbols for Drawings................................................................................................... 37.5
Piping System Identification ....................................................................................................... 37.10

T HIS CHAPTER contains information about abbreviations and

symbols for heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refriger-
ating (HVAC&R) engineers.
Some symbols have two or more options listed. The longest
abbreviation is preferred and should be used if possible. However,
it is sometimes necessary to shorten the symbol to further identify
Abbreviations are shortened forms of names and expressions the variable. For instance, the area of a wall cannot be defined as
used in text, drawings, and computer programs. This chapter dis- WALLAREA because some computer languages restrict the num-
cusses conventional English language abbreviations that may be ber of letters in a variable name. Therefore, a shorter variable sym-
different in other languages. A letter symbol represents a quantity bol is applied, and WALLAREA becomes WALLA or WAREA.
or a unit, not its name, and is independent of language. Because of Many advanced computer programming languages such as
this, use of a letter symbol is preferred over abbreviations for unit or Basic, C, and C++ do not have the limitations of older computer lan-
quantity terms. Letter symbols necessary for individual chapters are guage compilers. It is good programming practice to include the
defined in the chapters where they occur. complete name of each variable and to define any abbreviations in
Abbreviations are never used for mathematical signs, such as the the comments section at the beginning of each module of code.
equality sign (=) or division sign (/), except in computer program- Abbreviations should be used to help clarify the variables in an
ming, where the abbreviation functions as a letter symbol. Mathe- equation and not to obscure the readability of the code.
matical operations are performed only with symbols. Abbreviations In Table 1, the same symbol is sometimes used for different terms.
should be used only where necessary to save time and space; avoid This liberty is taken because it is unlikely that the two terms would
their usage in documents circulated in foreign countries. be used in the same program. If such were the case, one of the terms
Graphical symbols in this chapter of piping, ductwork, fittings, would require a suffix or prefix to differentiate it from the other.
and in-line accessories can be used on scale drawings and diagrams.
Identifying piping by legend and color promotes greater safety LETTER SYMBOLS
and lessens the chance of error in emergencies. Piping identification
Letter symbols include symbols for physical quantities (quantity
is now required throughout the United States by the Occupational
symbols) and symbols for the units in which these quantities are
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for some industries and
measured (unit symbols). Quantity symbols, such as I for electric
by many federal, state, and local codes.
current, are listed in this chapter and are printed in italic type. A unit
symbol is a letter or group of letters such as mm for millimetreor a
ABBREVIATIONS FOR TEXT, DRAWINGS, special sign such as ° for degrees and is printed in Roman type. Sub-
AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS scripts and superscripts are governed by the same principles. Letter
Table 1 gives some abbreviations, as well as others commonly symbols are restricted mainly to the English and Greek alphabets.
found on mechanical drawings and abbreviations (symbols) used in Quantity symbols may be used in mathematical expressions in
computer programming. Abbreviations specific to a single subject any way consistent with good mathematical usage. The product of
are defined in the chapters in which they appear. Additional abbre- two quantities, a and b, is indicated by ab. The quotient is a/b, or
viations used on drawings can be found in the section on Graphical ab−1. To avoid misinterpretation, parentheses must be used if more
Symbols for Drawings. than one slash (/) is employed in an algebraic term; for example,
(a/b)/c or a/(b/c) is correct, but not a/b/c.
Computer Programs Subscripts and superscripts, or several of them separated by com-
The abbreviations (symbols) used for computer programming mas, may be attached to a single basic letter (kernel), but not to other
for the HVAC&R industries have been developed by ASHRAE subscripts or superscripts. A symbol that has been modified by a
Technical Committee 1.5, Computer Applications. These symbols superscript should be enclosed in parentheses before an exponent is
identify computer variables, subprograms, subroutines, and func- added (Xa)3. Symbols can also have alphanumeric marks such as ′
tions commonly applied in the industry. Using these symbols (prime), + (plus), and * (asterisk).
enhances comprehension of the program listings and provides a More detailed information on the general principles of letter
clearly defined nomenclature in applicable computer programs. symbol standardization are in standards listed at the end of this
Certain programming languages differentiate between real num- chapter. The letter symbols, in general, follow these standards,
bers (numbers with decimals) and integers (numbers without deci- which are out of print:
mals) by reserving certain initial letters of a variable for integer Y10.3M Letter Symbols for Mechanics and Time-Related
numbers. Many of the symbols listed in this chapter begin with these Phenomena
letters and, in order to make them real numbers, must be prefixed Y10.4-82 Letter Symbols for Heat and Thermodynamics
with a noninteger letter.
Other symbols chosen by an author for a physical magnitude not
appearing in any standard list should be ones that do not already
The preparation of this chapter is assigned to TC 1.6, Terminology. have different meanings in the field of the text.

Copyright © 2005, ASHRAE 37.1

37.2 2005 ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals (SI)

Table 1 Abbreviations for Text, Drawings, and Term Text Drawings Program
Computer Programs
entering entr ENT ENT
Term Text Drawings Program entering water temperature EWT EWT EWT
entering air temperature EAT EAT EAT
above finished floor — AFF —
absolute abs ABS ABS enthalpy — — H
accumulat(e, -or) acc ACCUM ACCUM entropy — — S
air condition(-ing, -ed) — AIR COND — equivalent direct radiation edr EDR —
air-conditioning unit(s) — ACU ACU evaporat(-e, -ing, -ed, -or) evap EVAP EVAP
air-handling unit — AHU AHU expansion exp EXP XPAN
alteration altrn ALTRN —
alternating current ac AC AC face area fa FA FA
altitude alt ALT ALT face to face f to f F to F —
ambient amb AMB AMB face velocity fvel FVEL FV
American National factor, correction — — CFAC, CFACT
Standards Institute1 ANSI ANSI — factor, friction — — FFACT, FF
American wire gage AWG AWG — fan — — FAN
ampere amp AMP AMP, AMPS film coefficient,3 inside — — FI, HI
angle — — ANG film coefficient,3 outside — — FO, HO
angle of incidence — — ANGI flow rate, air — — QAR, QAIR
apparatus dew point adp ADP ADP flow rate, fluid — — QFL
approximate approx. APPROX — flow rate, gas — — QGA, QGAS
area — — A freezing point fp FP FP
atmosphere atm ATM — frequency Hz HZ —
average avg AVG AVG
azimuth az AZ AZ
gage or gauge ga GA GA, GAGE
azimuth, solar — — SAZ
gram g g G
azimuth, wall — — WAZ
gravitational constant g G G
barometer(-tric) baro BARO — greatest temp difference GTD GTD GTD
bill of material b/m BOM —
boiling point bp BP BP heat — — HT
Brown & Sharpe wire gage B&S B&S — heater — — HTR
heat gain HG HG HG, HEATG
Celsius °C °C °C heat gain, latent LHG LHG HGL
center to center c to c C TO C — heat gain, sensible SHG SHG HGS
circuit ckt CKT CKT heat loss — — HL, HEATL
clockwise cw CW — heat transfer — — Q
coefficient coeff. COEF COEF heat transfer coefficient U U U
coefficient, valve flow Cv Cv CV height hgt HGT HGT, HT
coil — — COIL high-pressure steam hps HPS HPS
compressor cprsr CMPR CMPR high-temperature hot water hthw HTHW HTHW
condens(-er, -ing, -ation) cond COND COND hour(s) h h HR
conductance — — C humidity, relative rh RH RH
conductivity cndct CNDCT K humidity ratio W W W
conductors, number of (3) 3/c 3/c —
contact factor — — CF incident angle — — INANG
cooling load clg load CLG LOAD CLOAD indicated kilowatt IkW IkW —
counterclockwise ccw CCW — International Pipe Std IPS IPS —
cubic centimetre cm3 CC CC iron pipe size ips IPS —
cubic metre m3 CU M CU M
joule J J J
decibel dB DB DB
degree deg. or ° DEG or ° DEG kelvin K K K
density dens DENS RHO kilograms kg kg KG
depth or deep dp DP DPTH kilojoules kJ kJ KJ
dew-point temperature dpt DPT DPT kilometres per hour km/h km/h KPH
diameter dia. DIA DIA kilopascals kPa kPa KPA
diameter, inside ID ID ID kilowatt kW kW KW
diameter, outside OD OD OD kilowatt hour kWh kWh KWH
difference or delta diff., D DIFF D, DELTA
latent heat LH LH LH, LHEAT
diffuse radiation — DFRAD
least mean temp. difference4 LMTD LMTD LMTD
direct current dc DC DC
least temp. difference4 LTD LTD LTD
direct radiation dir radn DIR RADN DIRAD
dry — DRY leaving air temperature lat LAT LAT
dry-bulb temperature dbt DBT DB, DBT leaving water temperature lwt LWT LWT
length lg LG LG, L
effectiveness — EFT liquid liq LIQ LIQ
effective temperature2 ET* ET* ET load-sharing (hybrid) HVAC LSHVAC LSHVAC LSHVAC
efficiency eff EFF EFF system
efficiency, fin — FEFF litre L L L
efficiency, surface — SEFF litres per second L/s L/s LPS
electromotive force emf EMF — logarithm (natural) ln LN LN
elevation elev. EL ELEV logarithm to base 10 log LOG LOG
Abbreviations and Symbols 37.3

Term Text Drawings Program Term Text Drawings Program

low-pressure steam lps LPS LPS solar — — SOL
low-temp. hot water lthw LTHW LTHW specification spec SPEC —
specific heat sp ht SP HT C
Mach number Mach MACH — sp ht at constant pressure cp cp CP
mass flow rate mfr MFR MFR sp ht at constant volume cv cv CV
maximum max. MAX MAX specific volume sp vol SP VOL V, CVOL
mean effective temp. MET MET MET square sq. SQ SQ
mean temp. difference MTD MTD MTD standard std STD STD
medium-pressure steam mps MPS MPS standard time meridian — — STM
medium-temp. hot water mthw MTHW MTHW static pressure SP SP SP
mercury Hg HG HG suction suct. SUCT SUCT, SUC
metre m m M summ(-er, -ary, -ation) — — SUM
metres per second m/s m/s M/S supply sply SPLY SUP, SPLY
millilitres per second mL/s mL/s MLPS supply air sa SA SA
mL/s standard mL/sS mL/sS MLPSS surface — — SUR, S
minimum min. MIN MIN surface, dry — — SURD
surface, wet — — SURW
noise criteria NC NC — system — — SYS
normally open no NO —
normally closed nc NC — tabulat(-e, -ion) tab TAB TAB
not applicable na N/A — tee — — TEE
not in contract nic NIC — temperature temp. TEMP T, TEMP
not to scale — NTS — temperature difference TD, Dt TD TD, TDIF
number no. NO N, NO temperature entering TE TE TE, TENT
number of circuits — — NC temperature leaving TL TL TL, TLEA
number of tubes — — NT thermal conductivity k K K
thermal expansion coeff. — — TXPC
outside air oa OA OA thermal resistance R R RES, R
thermocouple tc TC TC, TCPL
parts per million ppm PPM PPM thermostat T STAT T STAT T STAT
Pascal Pa Pa PA thick(-ness) thkns THKNS THK
Pa (absolute) Pa (abs) Pa A PAA total — — TOT
Pa (gage) Pa (gage) Pa G PAG total heat tot ht TOT HT —
percent % % PCT transmissivity — — TAU
phase (electrical) ph PH —
pipe — — PIPE U-factor — — U
pressure — PRESS PRES, P unit — — UNIT
pressure, barometric baro pr BARO PR BP
critical pressure — — CRIP vacuum vac VAC VAC
pressure, dynamic (velocity) vp VP VP valve v V VLV
pressure drop or difference PD PD PD, DELTP vapor proof vap prf VAP PRF —
pressure, static sp SP SP variable var VAR VAR
pressure, vapor vap pr VAP PR VAP variable air volume VAV VAV VAV
primary pri PRI PRIM velocity vel. VEL VEL, V
velocity, wind w vel. W VEL W VEL
radian — — RAD ventilation, vent vent VENT VENT
radiat(-e, -or) — RAD — vertical vert. VERT VERT
radiant panel RP RP RP viscosity visc VISC MU, VISC
radiation — RADN RAD volt V V E, VOLTS
radius — — R volt ampere VA VA VA
receiver rcvr RCVR REC volume vol. VOL VOL
recirculate recirc. RECIRC RCIR, RECIR volumetric flow rate — — VFR
refrigerant (12, 22, etc.) R-12, R-22 R12, R22 R12, R22
relative humidity rh RH RH wall — — W, WAL
resist(-ance, -ivity, -or) res RES RES, OHMS water — — WTR
return air ra RA RA watt W W WAT, W
revolutions rev REV REV wet bulb wb WB WB
revolutions per minute rpm RPM RPM wet-bulb temperature wbt WBT WBT
revolutions per second rps RPS RPS width — — WI
roughness rgh RGH RGH, E wind — — WD
wind direction wdir WDIR WDIR
safety factor sf SF SF wind pressure wpr WPR WP, WPRES
saturation sat. SAT SAT
Saybolt seconds Furol ssf SSF SSF year yr YR YR
Saybolt seconds Universal ssu SSU SSU
sea level sl SL SE zone z Z Z, ZN
second s s SEC 1 Abbreviations of most proper names use capital letters in both text and drawings.
sensible heat SH SH SH 2 The asterisk (*) is used with ET*, effective temperature, as in Chapter 8 of this volume.
sensible heat gain SHG SHG SHG 3 These
are surface heat transfer coefficients.
sensible heat ratio SHR SHR SHR 4 Letter
L also used for Logarithm of these temperature differences in computer pro-
shading coefficient — — SC gramming.
37.4 2005 ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals (SI)

LETTER SYMBOLS Symbol Description of Item Typical Units

Symbol Description of Item Typical Units V linear velocity m/s
a acoustic velocity m/s w mass rate of flow g/s
A area m2 W weight N
b breadth or width m W humidity ratio of moist air (dry air g/kg
B barometric pressure kPa basis)
c concentration kg/m3 W work J
c specific heat kJ/(kg·K) Ws humidity ratio of moist air at saturation g/kg
cp specific heat at constant pressure kJ/(kg·K) (dry air basis)
cv specific heat at constant volume kJ/(kg·K) x mole fraction —
C coefficient — x quality, mass fraction of vapor —
C fluid capacity rate W/K x,y,z lengths along principal coordinate axes m
C thermal conductance W/(m2 ·K) Z figure of merit —
CL loss coefficient — α absolute Seebeck coefficient V/K
CP coefficient of performance — α absorptivity, absorptance radiation —
d prefix meaning differential — α linear coefficient of thermal expansion 1/K
d or D diameter m α thermal diffusivity m2/s
De or Dh equivalent or hydraulic diameter m β volume coefficient of thermal 1/K
Dv mass diffusivity mm2/s expansion
e base of natural logarithms — γ (or k) ratio of specific heats, cp /cv —
E energy kJ γ specific weight N/m3
E electrical potential V ∆ difference between values —
f film conductance (alternate for h) W/(m2 ·K) ε emissivity, emittance (radiation) —
f frequency Hz θ time s, h
fD friction factor, Darcy-Weisbach — η efficiency or effectiveness —
formulation λ wavelength nm
fF friction factor, Fanning formulation — µ degree of saturation —
F force N µ dynamic viscosity mPa·s
Fij angle factor (radiation) — ν kinematic viscosity m2/s
g gravitational acceleration m/s2 ρ density kg/m3
G mass velocity kg/(s·m2) ρ reflectivity, reflectance (radiation) —
h heat transfer coefficient W/(m2 ·K) ρ volume resistivity Ω·m
h hydraulic head m σ Stefan-Boltzmann constant W/(m2 ·K4)
h specific enthalpy kJ/kg σ surface tension N/m
ha enthalpy of dry air kJ/kg τ stress N/m2
hD mass transfer coefficient m/s τ time s
hs enthalpy of moist air at saturation kJ/kg τ transmissivity, transmittance (radiation) —
H total enthalpy kJ φ relative humidity —
I electric current A
k thermal conductivity W/(m·K) DIMENSIONLESS NUMBERS
k (or γ) ratio of specific heats, cp /cv — Fo Fourier number ατ/L2
K proportionality constant — Gr Grashof number L3ρ2βg(∆t)/µ2
KD mass transfer coefficient kg/(h·m2) Gz Graetz number wcp /kL
l or L length m jD Colburn mass transfer Sh/ReSc1/3
Lp sound pressure dB jH Colburn heat transfer Nu/RePr1/3
Lw sound power dB
Le Lewis number α/Dv
m or M mass kg
M Mach number V/a
M relative molecular mass kg/kg mol
Nu Nusselt number hD/k
n or N number in general —
Pe Peclet number GDcp /k
N rate of rotation rad/s
Pr Prandtl number cp µ/k
p or P pressure kPa
pa partial pressure of dry air kPa Re Reynolds number ρVD/µ
ps partial pressure of water vapor in kPa Sc Schmidt number µ/ρDv
moist air Sh Sherwood number hDL/Dv
pw vapor pressure of water in saturated kPa St Stanton number h/Gcp
moist air Str Strouhal number fd/V
P power kW
q time rate of heat transfer W MATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS
Q total heat transfer kJ
Q volumetric flow rate L/s equal to =
r radius m not equal to ≠
r or R thermal resistance m2 ·K/W approximately equal to ≈
R gas constant J/(kg·K) greater than >
s specific entropy kJ/(kg·K) less than <
S total entropy kJ/K greater than or equal to ≥
t temperature °C less than or equal to ≤
∆tm or ∆Tm mean temperature difference K plus +
T absolute temperature K minus −
u specific internal energy kJ/kg plus or minus ±
U total internal energy kJ a multiplied by b ab, a·b, a × b
U overall heat transfer coefficient W/(m2 ·K) a divided by b a
v specific volume m3/kg --- , a/b, ab−1
b
V total volume m3 ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter π
Abbreviations and Symbols 37.5

a raised to the power n an Low-pressure steam LPS

square root of a 0.5 High-pressure condensate HPC
a,a
Medium-pressure condensate MPC
infinity ∞
Low-pressure condensate LPC
percent %
summation of Σ Boiler blowdown BBD
natural log ln Pumped condensate PC
logarithm to base 10 log Vacuum pump discharge VPD
Makeup water MU
SUBSCRIPTS Atmospheric vent ATV
Fuel oil discharge FOD
These are to be affixed to the appropriate symbols. Several sub-
Fuel oil gage FOG
scripts may be used together to denote combinations of various
Fuel oil suction FOS
states, points, or paths. Often the subscript indicates that a particular
Fuel oil return FOR
property is to be kept constant in a process.
Fuel oil tank vent FOV
a,b,... referring to different phases, states or physical conditions of a Low-temperature hot water supply HWS
substance, or to different substances MTWS
Medium-temperature hot water supply
a air
High-temperature hot water supply HTWS
a ambient
b barometric (pressure) Low-temperature hot water return HWR
c referring to critical state or critical value Medium-temperature hot water return MTWR
c convection High-temperature hot water return HTWR
db dry bulb Compressed air A
dp dew point Vacuum (air) VAC
e base of natural logarithms (NAME)E
Existing piping
f referring to saturated liquid
Pipe to be removed XX (NAME) XX
f film
fg referring to evaporation or condensation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
F friction Refrigerant discharge RD
g referring to saturated vapor RS
Refrigerant suction
h referring to change of phase in evaporation
Brine supply B
H water vapor
i referring to saturated solid Brine return BR
i internal Condenser water supply C
if referring to change of phase in melting CR
Condenser water return
ig referring to change of phase in sublimation
Chilled water supply CWS
k kinetic
L latent Chilled water return CWR
m mean value Fill line FILL
M molar basis H
Humidification line
p referring to constant pressure conditions or processes
Drain D
p potential
r refrigerant Hot/chilled water supply HCS
r radiant or radiation Hot/chilled water return HCR
s referring to moist air at saturation RL
Refrigerant liquid
s sensible
Heat pump water supply HPWS
s referring to isentropic conditions or processes
s static (pressure) Heat pump water return HPWR
s surface
t total (pressure) Plumbing
T referring to isothermal conditions or processes Sanitary drain above floor or grade SAN
v referring to constant volume conditions or processes Sanitary drain below floor or grade SAN
v vapor ST
Storm drain above floor or grade
v velocity (pressure)
w wall Storm drain below floor or grade ST
w water Condensate drain above floor or grade CD
wb wet bulb CD
Condensate drain below floor or grade
0 referring to initial or standard states or conditions
1,2,... different points in a process, or different instants of time Vent –––––––––––
Cold water
Hot water
Hot water return
GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS FOR DRAWINGS
Gas G G
Graphical symbols have been extracted from ASME Standard Acid waste ACID
Y32.2.3 and ASME Standard Y32.2.4. Some of these symbols have Drinking water supply DWS
been modified, and others have been added to reflect current prac- Drinking water return DWR
tice. Symbols and quotations are used with permission of the pub-
Vacuum (air) VAC
lisher, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Compressed air A
Piping Chemical supply pipesa (NAME)
Heating Floor drain
High-pressure steam HPS
MPS
Funnel drain, open
Medium-pressure steam
37.6 2005 ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals (SI)

Fire Safety Devicesb Valves Actuators

Manual
Signal Initiating Detectors
Non-rising sun
Heat (thermal) Gas
Outside stem & yoke
Smoke Flame Lever
Gear
Radiant Panels
Electric
Motor
Solenoid
Pneumatic
Motor
Diaphragm
Radiant Ceiling Panels
Embedded Valves, Special Duty
Above ceiling Check, swing gate
Check, spring
Surface mounted
Control, electric-pneumatic
Suspended
Control, pneumatic-electric
Radiant Floor Panels
Slab on grade Hose end drain
Above subfloor Lock shield
Below subfloor Needle

Slab above subfloor Pressure reducing

(number and specify)
Radiant Wall Panels
Quick opening

Quick closing, fusible link

Relief (R) or safety (S)

Embedded Surface mounted Decorative Solenoid

Valves Square head cock
Valves for Selective Actuators Unclassified (number and specify)
Air line
Fittings
The following fittings are shown with screwed connections. The sym-
Ball bol for the body of a fitting is the same for all types of connections,
unless otherwise specified. The types of connections are often specified
for a range of pipe sizes, but are shown with the fitting symbol where
Butterfly required. For example, an elbow would be:

Diaphragm
Flanged Threaded Belt & Spigot
Gate

Gate, angle
Weldeda Soldered Solvent Cement
Globe Fitting Symbol
Bushing
Globe, angle
Cap
Plug valve Connection, bottom
Connection, top
Three way
Coupling (joint)
a See section on Piping Identification in this chapter. Cross
b Refer to Standard for Fire Safety Symbols, 1999 edition (NFPA Standard 170).
Abbreviations and Symbols 37.7

Elbow, 90° Hanger rod

Elbow, 45° Hanger spring

Elbow, turned up Heat exchanger, liquid

Elbow, turned down Heat transfer surface
(indicate type)
Elbow, reducing (show sizes) Pitch of pipe, rise (R) drop (D)

Pressure gage and cock

Elbow, base
Pressure switch
Elbow, long radius
Pump (indicate use)
Elbow, double branch
Pump suction diffuser
Elbow, side outlet, outlet up
Spool piece, flanged
Elbow, side outlet, outlet Down
Strainer
Lateral
Strainer, blow off
Reducer, concentric
Reducer, eccentric straight invert Strainer, duplex

Reducer, eccentric straight crown Tank (indicate use)

Tee Thermometer
Tee, outlet up Thermometer well, only
Tee, outlet down Thermostat, electric
Tee, reducing (show sizes) Thermostat, pneumatic
Thermostat, self-contained
Tee, side outlet, outlet up Traps, steam (indicate type)

Tee, side outlet, outlet down Unit heater (indicate type)

Tee, single sweep Air Moving Devices and Components

Union, screwed
Fans (indicate use)a
Union, flanged
Axial flow
Piping Specialties
Centrifugal
Air vent, automatic
Propeller

Air vent, manual Roof ventilator, intake

Roof ventilator, exhaust

Air separator
Roof ventilator, louvered
Alignment guide
Anchor, intermediate Ductworkb
Direction of flow
Anchor, main

Ball joint Duct size, first figure is side down

Expansion joint Duct section, positive pressure,
first figure is top
Expansion loop Duct section, negative pressure
Flexible connector Change of elevation
Flowmeter, orifice rise (R) drop (D)
a Units
Flowmeter, venturi of measurement are not shown herein, but should be shown on drawings. The
first of the two dimensions on ducts indicates the side of the duct showing; on duct
Flow switch sections, the top; on grilles and registers, the horizontal edge.
b Adapted from SMACNA, Symbols for Ventilation and Air Conditioning Figure 4.2.
a Includes fusion, specify type. HVAC Duct System Design.
37.8 2005 ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals (SI)

Access doors, vertical or Heat stop for fire rated ceiling

horizontal

Acoustical lining (insulation)

Louver and screen

Cowl, (gooseneck) and flashing

Louver, door, or wall

Flexible connection Door grille

Flexible duct Undercut door

Sound attenuator Ceiling diffuser, rectangular

Terminal unit, mixing

Terminal unit, reheat Ceiling diffuser, round

Terminal unit, variable volume

Diffuser, linear
Transitiona

Diffuser and light fixture

Turning vanes combination

Detectors, fire and/or smoke

Transfer grille assembly
Dampers

Backdraft damper Refrigeration

Compressors
Pneumatic operated damper
Centrifugal
Electric operated damper
Reciprocating
Fire Damper and sleeve (provide access door)
Rotary
Vertical position
Rotary screw

Condensers
Horizontal position

Air cooled
Manual volume

Manual Splitter Evaporative

Smoke damper (provide access Water cooled, (specify type)

door)

Standard branch, supply or return, Condensing Units

no splitter
Air cooledb
Duct, electric heater
Water cooledb
Grilles, Register and Diffusersa

Exhaust grille or register

Supply grille or register Condenser-Evaporator

(Cascade System)
Grille or register, ceiling

a Indicate a Show volumetric flow rate at each device.

flat on bottom or top (FOB or FOT), if applicable.
b Show bL = Liquid being cooled, RL = Refrigerant liquid, RS = Refrigerant suction.
volumetric flow rate at each device.
Abbreviations and Symbols 37.9

Cooling Towers Float valve, low side

Cooling tower
Thermal bulb

Spray pond Solenoid valve

Evaporatorsa
Constant pressure valve, suction
Finned coil

Evaporator pressure regulating

Forced convection valve, thermostatic, throttling

Immersion cooling unit Evaporator pressure regulating

valve, thermostatic, snap-action
Plate coil Evaporator pressure regulating
valve, throttling-type,
Pipe coilb evaporator side
Compressor suction valve,
Liquid Chillers (Chillers only) pressure-limiting, throttling-
type, compressor side
Direct expansionc
Thermosuction valve

Floodedc
Snap-action valve

Tank, closed
Refrigerant reversing valve
Tank, open

Chilling Units Temperature or Temperature-Actuated Electrical or Flow Controls

Absorption Thermostat, self-contained

Thermostat, Remote Bulb

Centrifugal

Pressure or Pressure-Actuated Electrical or Flow Controls

Reciprocating Pressure switch

Pressure switch, dual (high-low)

Rotary screw Pressure switch, differential oil

pressure

Controls Valve, automatic reducing

Refrigerant Controls
Valve, automatic bypass
Capillary tube

Expansion valve, hand

Valve, pressure-reducing
Expansion valve, automatic
Valve, condenser water
Expansion valve, thermostatic regulating

Float valve, high side Auxiliary Equipment

Refrigerant
a Specify manifolding. Filter
b Frequently used diagrammatically as evaporator and/or condenser with label indicat-
ing name and type.
c L = Liquid being cooled, RL = Refrigerant liquid, RS = Refrigerant suction. Strainer
37.10 2005 ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals (SI)

Filter and drier Steam turbine

Scale trap Steam turbine, condensing

Drier
Vibration absorber Electrical Equipmenta
Symbols for electrical equipment shown on mechanical drawings are usu-
Heat exchanger ally geometric figures with an appropriate name or abbreviation, with details
described in the specifications. The following are some common examples.b

Oil separator Motor control

Sight glass Disconnect switch, unfused

Fusible plug Disconnect switch, fused

Rupture disk Time clock

Receiver, high pressure, Automatic filter panel

horizontal
Lighting panel
Receiver, high-pressure, vertical
Power panel

Receiver, low-pressure a See ARI Standard 130 for preferred symbols of common electrical parts.
b Number each symbol if more than one; see ASME Standard Y32.4.

Intercooler PIPING SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION

The material in piping systems is identified to promote greater
safety and lessen the chances of error, confusion, or inaction in
Intercooler/desuperheater times of emergency. Primary identification should be by means of a
lettered legend naming the material conveyed by the piping. In addi-
tion to, but not instead of lettered identification, color can be used to
identify the hazards or use of the material.
Energy Recovery Equipment The data in this section have been extracted from ASME Stan-
dard A13.1.
Condenser, double bundle
Definitions
Air to Air Energy Recovery
Piping Systems. Piping systems include pipes of any kind, fit-
tings, valves, and pipe coverings. Supports, brackets, and other
Rotary heat wheel
accessories are not included. Pipes are defined as conduits for the
transport of gases, liquids, semiliquids, or fine particulate dust.
Materials Inherently Hazardous to Life and Property. There
Coil loop
are four categories of hazardous materials:
• Flammable or explosive materials that are easily ignited, includ-
Heat pipe ing materials known as fire producers or explosives
• Chemically active or toxic materials that are corrosive or are in
Fixed plate themselves toxic or productive of poisonous gases
• Materials at extreme temperatures or pressures that, when
released from the piping, cause a sudden outburst with the poten-
Plate fin, crossflow tial for inflicting injury or property damage by burns, impinge-
ment, or flashing to vapor state
Power Sources • Radioactive materials that emit ionizing radiation
Motor, electric (number for Materials of Inherently Low Hazard. All materials that are not
identification of description hazardous by nature, and are near enough to ambient pressure and
in specifications)
temperature that people working on systems carrying these materi-
als run little risk through their release.
Engine (indicate fuel)
Fire Quenching Materials. This classification includes sprin-
kler systems and other piped fire fighting or fire protection equip-
Gas turbine ment. This includes water (for fire fighting), chemical foam, CO2,
Halon, and so forth.
Abbreviations and Symbols 37.11

Fig. 1 Visibility of Pipe Markings Table 3 Classification of Hazardous Materials and

Designation of Colorsa
Colors of Letters
Classification Color Field for Legend
Materials Inherently Hazardous
Flammable or explosive Yellow Black
Chemically active or toxic Yellow Black
Extreme temperatures or pressures Yellow Black
Radioactiveb Purple Yellow
Materials of Inherently Low Hazard
Liquid or liquid admixturec Green Black
Gas or gaseous admixture Blue White
Fire Quenching Materials
Fig. 1 Visibility of Pipe Markings Water, foam, CO2, Halon, etc. Red White
a When the color scheme above is used, the colors should be as recommended in the
latest revision of NEMA Standard Z535.1.
Table 2 Examples of Legends b Previously specified radioactive markers using yellow or purple are acceptable if
already installed and/or until existing supplies are depleted, subject to applicable
HOT WATER federal regulations.
c Markers with black letters on a green color field are acceptable if already installed
AIR 700 kPa
and/or until existing supplies are depleted.
H.P. RETURN
STEAM 700 kPa (gage) Table 4 Size of Legend Letters
Outside Diameter Length of Size of
Method of Identification of Pipe or Covering, mm Color Field A, mm Letters B, mm
Legend. The legend is the primary and explicit identification of 20 to 32 200 13
content. Positive identification of the content of the piping system is 40 to 50 200 20
by lettered legend giving the name of the contents, in full or abbre- 65 to 150 300 32
viated form, as shown in Table 2. Arrows should be used to indicate 200 to 250 600 65
the direction of flow. Use the legend to identify contents exactly and over 250 800 90
to provide temperature, pressure, and other details necessary to
identify the hazard. clearly identify the hazard and use the recommended color and leg-
The legend shall be brief, informative, pointed, and simple. end guidelines.
Legends should be applied close to valves and adjacent to changes
in direction, branches, and where pipes pass through walls or CODES AND STANDARDS
floors, and as frequently as needed along straight runs to provide
clear and positive identification. Identification may be applied by ARI. 1982. Graphic electrical symbols for air-conditioning and refrigeration
equipment. Standard 130.
stenciling, tape, or markers (see Figure 1). The number and loca-
ASME. 1996. Scheme for the identification of piping systems. Standard
tion of identification markers on a particular piping system is A13.1.
based on judgment. ASME. 1988. Glossary of terms concerning letter symbols. Standard Y10.1.
Color. Colors listed in Table 3 are used to identify the charac- ASME. 1984. Letter symbols and abbreviations for quantities used in acous-
teristic properties of the contents. Color can be shown on or contig- tics. Standard Y10.11.
uous to the piping by any physical means, but it should be used in ASME. 1987. Letter symbols for illuminating engineering. Y10.18.
combination with a legend. Color can be used in continuous total ASME. 1999. Abbreviations and acronyms. Standard Y14.38-1999 (Revi-
length coverage or in intermittent displays. sion and redesignation of ASME Y1.1-1989).
Visibility. Pipe markings should be highly visible. If pipe lines ASME. 1999. Graphical symbols for pipe fittings, valves, and piping. Stan-
are above the normal line of vision, the lettering is placed below the dard Y32.2.3.
horizontal centerline of the pipe (Figure 1). ASME. 1998. Graphical symbols for heating, ventilating, and air condition-
Type and Size of Letters. Provide the maximum contrast ing. Standard Y32.2.4.
between color field and legend (Table 3). Table 4 shows the size of ASME. 1999. Graphic symbols for plumbing fixtures for diagrams used in
architecture and building construction. Standard Y32.4.
letters recommended. Use of standard size letters of 13 mm or larger
IEEE. 1998. American national standard letter symbols for units of measure-
is recommended. For identifying materials in pipes of less than 20 ment. IEEE Standard 260.1-1993.
mm in diameter and for valve and fitting identification, use a per- IEEE. 1993. Mathematical signs and symbols for use in physical science and
manently legible tag. technology. Standard 260.3-1993.
Unusual or Extreme Situations. When the piping layout occurs IEEE. 1996. Letter symbols and abbreviations used in acoustics. Standard
in or creates an area of limited accessibility or is extremely complex, 260.4-1996.
other identification techniques may be required. While a certain NEMA. 1998. Safety color code. Standard Z535.1.
amount of imagination may be needed, the designer should always NFPA. 1999. Standard for fire safety symbols, 1999 edition. Standard 170.

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