EEDEN10-208

technical data

air conditioning systems

VRV® Outdoor Unit

Layout Guide
 EEDEN10-208

technical data

air conditioning systems

VRV® Outdoor Unit

Layout Guide
 Contents
P2 What is an air short circuit?

P3 Situation01: Row installation

P4 Situation02: Collective installation (When Installation Space Allows)

P5 Situation03: Collective installation (When Installation Space is Limited)

P6 Situation04: The importance of louvres

P7 Situation05: Units surrounded by walls

P8 Situation05: In case of more severe conditions

P9 Guideline for the installation of VRV outdoor units, surrounded by walls

P10 Service Space

P11 Situation06: Floor-by-floor installation(Ducts required)
P12 Situation07: Floor-by-floor installation(Possibility of short circuit occurring)
P13 Situation07: Floor-by-floor installation(Possible improvement)
P14 Situation08: Installing units in two rows on intermediate floor
P15 Guideline for the installation of VRV outdoor units, floor by floor
P17 Appendix: Duct
P18 Memo

1 Outdoor Unit Layout Guide

Introduction
For air conditioning system designers, it is always difficult to find space to install
outdoor units without sacrificing performance. Outdoor unit installation in severe
conditions tends to cause discharged air short circuits, resulting in wasted energy and
shortened machine life. In order for VRV outdoor unit systems to operate properly, it
is necessary to ensure proper fresh air supply and proper exhaust of discharged air.
This guide shows optimum layouts for outdoor units in various situations. We hope
this brochure will be helpful to designers and engineers in their daily work.

What is an air short circuit?

Air short circuit

It refers a phenomenon when discharged air (exhaust heat) from

the outdoor unit is drawn back into the suction vent.

If an air short circuit occurs

1 Efficiency of cooling operations will decrease.

2 Shortage in capacity.
3 High pressure cut-off will occur (operation stops).
4 The lifespan of the outdoor unit will be shortened.
 
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Outdoor Unit Layout Guide 2

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Align outdoor units so the suction side of the both front and back rows are facing
outward in order to ensure a fresh air supply.

Original Layout

Discharged air is drawn into

Fresh air the front row suction vents.

Suction side should be

facing outward

Suction side should be

facing outward
Fresh air

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3 Outdoor Unit Layout Guide

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Installing units too close together will cause heat to build up in one area. To avoid
this, install the units by dividing them into multiple groups.

Original Layout

Fresh air is not supplied to

the centre, and emanated
Fresh air heat is drawn back in.

Make passages for the

air to flow through

Fresh air

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Outdoor Unit Layout Guide 4

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Elevate the units and make sure that fresh air is supplied from underneath.

Original Layout

Fresh air is not supplied to

the centre, and emanated
heat is drawn back in.

Create an air passage

underneath

Fresh air

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5 Outdoor Unit Layout Guide

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A louvred wall improves fresh air supply.

Original Layout

Discharged air cannot

escape completely, and heat
is drawn in again.

Fresh air

Open louvre for fresh

air to flow through

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Outdoor Unit Layout Guide 6

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Elevate the units to make discharge vents and top of the wall at the same level.

Discharged air can

escape from the top
Fresh air

Fresh air

Original Layout

Discharged air is trapped

inside the walls and cannot
escape properly, causing
heat to be drawn in again.

Note: Refer to guidelines (page 9) for space requirements.

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7 Outdoor Unit Layout Guide

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After making one part of the wall into a louvre, place the exhaust vent in a position higher
than the wall, and make sure that intake air and exhaust air do not mix.

● Turn one part of the wall into a louvre.

●Place the discharge level higher than the wall, either by elevating

the units or installing discharge ducts.

Turn one part of the wall

into a louvre and elevate Discharged air can
the units. escape from the top

Fresh air

Turn one part of the wall

into a louvre and use Discharged air can
discharge ducts. escape from the top

Fresh air
Outdoor Unit Layout Guide 8
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1 . Te c h n i c a l b a c kg ro u n d
When installing VRV outdoor units collectively on the rooftop, the suction temperature increases due to the heat emanated from other outdoor units (air short circuit).
As a result, in cooling system, the COP is lowered because of decreased equipment capacity and increased power consumption. In some cases, outdoor units stop
operations due to abnormally high pressure. When installing these units, choose the most suitable layout for on-site space conditions from the installation options below,
while taking walkway space and ventilation into consideration.
* For other installation patterns, determine the appropriate installation method based on the space conditions, referring to the installation examples below.
For the space in front of the units, please ensure there is enough space for refrigerant piping work. The required installation space shown in the illustrations is based on the
cooling operation at 35°C of outside temperature. When the design outside temperature exceeds 35°C, make the inlet space larger than spaces shown in the illustrations.

2. Installation examples (up to 24 units)

Here shows basic collective installation examples of 16 HP units when 1600mm-high walls surround outdoor units, which is as high as outdoor units. Please be sure that
the distances from each wall and between outdoor units are larger than the figures shown in illustration diagrams.

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S E L E C T I O N O F L O C AT I O N
This unit, both indoor and outdoor, is suitable for installation in a commercial and light industrial environment.
If installed as a household appliance it could cause electromagnetic interference.

The VRV outdoor units should be installed in a location that meets the following requirements:

1. The foundation is strong enough to support the weight of the unit and the floor is flat to prevent vibration and noise generation.
2. The space around the unit is adequate for servicing and the minimum space for air inlet and air outlet is available.
(Refer to below figure and choose one of both possibilities.)
3. There is no danger of fire due to leakage of inflammable gas.
4. Ensure that water cannot cause any damage to the location in case it drips out the unit (e.g. in case of a blocked drain pipe).
5. The piping length between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may not exceed the allowable piping length. (See “Example of connection”.)
6. Select the location of the unit in such a way that neither the discharged air nor the sound generated by the unit disturb anyone.
7. Make sure that the air inlet and outlet of the unit are not positioned towards the main wind direction.
Frontal wind will disturb the operation of the unit. If necessary, use a windscreen to block the wind.

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Notes
1. Heights of walls in case of Patterns 1 and 2 :
Front : 1500mm
Suction side : 500mm
Side : Height unrestricted.
Installation space to be shown in this drawing is based on the cooling operation at 35 degrees outdoor air temperature. When the design outdoor air temperature
exceeds 35 degrees or the load exceeds maximum ability because of much generation load of heat in all outdoor unit, take the suction side space more broadly
than the space to be shown in this drawing.
2. If the above wall heights are exceeded then h2/2 and h1/2 should be added to the front and suction side service spaces respectively as shown in
the figure on the right.
3. When installing the units most appropriate pattern should be selected from those shown above in order to obtain the best fit in the space available
always bearing in mind the need to leave enough space for a person to pass between units and wall and for the air to circulate freely. (If more units are to be
installed than are catered for in the above patterns your layout should take account of the possibility of short circuits.)
4. The units should be installed to leave sufficient space at the front for the on site refrigerant piping work to be carried out comfortably.

Outdoor Unit Layout Guide 10

 S i t u a t i o n 06
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(Ducts required)

Floor-by-floor installation is suitable for a VRV system if it is equipped with a duct.

Why a
duct is
needed

If ducts are not used:

Discharged air cannot escape
completely, and heat is drawn
in again

If ducts are used:

Heat is allowed to escape
through ducts to the outside

Note: Refer to guidelines (page 16) for maximum capacity per floor
and maximum number of consecutive floors.
11 Outdoor Unit Layout Guide
S i t u a t i o n 07
)ORRUE\IORRULQVWDOODWLRQ ・When there is some kind of shielding structure in
(Possibility of short circuit occurring)
front of the building(see illustration).
Conditions under which short circuits are likely to occur ・When units are installed in high-rise buildings.
・When a large number of units are installed on every
floor.

Discharged air from the lower floors

is drawn into the suction vents on
the upper floors, and upper floors
become progressively hotter.

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Note: refer to guidelines (page 16) for maximum capacity per floor
and maximum number of consecutive floors.

Outdoor Unit Layout Guide 12

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(Possible improvement)

Supply fresh air from the side, and orient the suction and discharge sides in different directions.

To prevent friction loss, we Original Layout

recommend not using louvres in
Outdoor units on the upper floors draw
front of discharge ducts. in the exhaust heat from the lower
floors. (Suction vents of outdoor units
and discharge ducts are facing the
same direction.)

Close the front louvre (or use a solid

wall) everywhere except in front of the
discharge area to avoid recirculation of
discharged air.

Fresh
air

Note: Be aware of friction loss through the louvre on suction side.

TOP
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When an air passageway cannot be When an air passage can be created on
created on the side: the side:
Air is drawn in and released from the front. Air is drawn in from the back and released
from the front.

Fresh air can be drawn

in from the back.

13 Outdoor Unit Layout Guide

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When installing two rows of units on one floor, it is necessary

to arrange the air suction mechanism.

When there is no wall to the side

The front row of units draw in air from the front, and the
back row draw in air from the back.

Fresh
air Fresh
air
Units in the back row should draw
in air from the back. (Suction side
should be facing the back.)

When there is a wall to the side

Elevate the front row of units, so that both rows can
draw in air from the front.

Suction side of both rows

should be facing the front.
Fresh
air
Elevate the front
row of units.
Fresh
air

Note: Do not merge ducts. Only one duct is to be installed on each fan in order to prevent air from being directly
circulated into the neighbouring fan.

Outdoor Unit Layout Guide 14

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1. Technical background
To make sure there is no risk of short-circuits in a system is a key point to bear in mind prior to deciding on the outdoor units layout
with a floor-by-floor installation.
Short-circuits affects the general performance of the equipment and may lead to some shortage in capacity, increase of energy
consumption (as the COP decreases) and in the worse case, lead to a complete stop of the system if suction temperature exceeds a
certain level.
The limitations concerning the outdoors layout described in this document are based on these specific concerns.

Other important concerns in a floor-by-floor installation:

 Discharged air should not cause nuisance to neighborhood (direct discharge onto residents or other people).
 Operating noise should not cause environmental problems, and its level should comply with local regulations.

2. Domain of application of the present guidelines

Models:VRVII&III
Layout: Floor-by-floor installation.

3. Maximum number of floors

Maximum number of floor where outdoors can be installed with a given capacity installed per floor can be determined according to
the distance from the nearest structure facing the installation.

How to read the graph:

Maximum number of floors (NS) is drawn
as a function of the distance to the nearest (SBQI

structure (L), for different “total capacity of
10HP/FL
outdoor units installed” per floor (HP/FL). 
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16HP/FL
20HP/FL

Conditions: 32HP/FL
40HP/FL
1. The air discharge velocity: 6 m/s.  48HP/FL
64HP/FL
2. Outdoor temperature: 35 Deg.C DB.
 96HP/FL
3. Design guideline condition described in 4
satisfied. 

               
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15 Outdoor Unit Layout Guide

4. Design guidelines
(1) Remove outdoor fan protective casing.
(2) Install air discharge ducts on all outdoor units. Fix the duct against the louver if existing.
(3) Louver angle: 20 degrees from horizontal
(4) Air velocity: Discharge air VD=5–8 m/s and Suction air VS ≤1.6 m/s
(5) Total pressure loss (through the discharge duct and the louver) should be less than 58.8 Pa for VRVII and 78.4Pa for VRVIII
(with high static pressure setting).
(6) Space should be left for suction air to circulate freely and for installation/service/maintenance to be done.

5. Illustration
Diagram below indicated the minimum distance for the unit layout
in case of a floor-by-floor installation

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Air velocity
VD: Air discharge effective velocity VS: Air suction effective velocity

Flow rate Flow rate

VD= VS=
Discharge effective surface Suction effective surface

Discharge effective surface = Actual discharge surface x Louver opening ratio Suction effective surface = Actual suction surface x
Louver opening ratio
5 m.s-1 ≤ VD ≤ 8 m.s-1 VS ≤ 1.6 m.s-1

Total pressure loss: Less than 58.8 Pa for VRVII and 78.4Pa for VRVIII
Example:
40HP per floor installed, with a structure facing the installation at 5 meters distance.
From graph, maximum number of floors the installation can be safely done: 20 Floors.

Outdoor Unit Layout Guide 16

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Note 2: Use only one duct per fan.

17 Outdoor Unit Layout Guide

Memo

Outdoor Unit Layout Guide 18

 VRV® Outdoor Unit
Layout Guide

Daikin’s unique position as a manufacturer of air Daikin Europe N.V. is approved by LRQA for its Quality The present publication is drawn up by way of information only and does not
conditioning equipment, compressors and Management System in accordance with the ISO9001 constitute an offer binding upon Daikin Europe N.V.. Daikin Europe N.V. has
refrigerants has led to its close involvement in standard. ISO9001 pertains to quality assurance regarding compiled the content of this publication to the best of its knowledge. No
environmental issues. For several years Daikin has design, development, manufacturing as well as to services express or implied warranty is given for the completeness, accuracy,
had the intension to become a leader in the provision related to the product. reliability or fitness for particular purpose of its content and the products and
of products that have limited impact on the services presented therein. Specifications are subject to change without
environment. This challenge demands the eco design prior notice. Daikin Europe N.V. explicitly rejects any liability for any direct or
and development of a wide range of products and an indirect damage, in the broadest sense, arising from or related to the use
energy management system, resulting in energy and/or interpretation of this publication. All content is copyrighted by Daikin
conservation and a reduction of waste. Europe N.V..
Prepared in Belgium by Lannoo (www.lannooprint.be), a company whose concern for

Responsible Editor: Daikin Europe N.V., Zandvoordestraat 300, B- 8400 Oostende

ISO14001 assures an effective environmental

management system in order to help protect human health
and the environment from the potential impact of our
activities, products and services and to assist in
maintaining and improving the quality of the environment.
the environmont is set in the EMAS and ISO 14001 systems.
EEDEN10-208 • 01/2010 • Copyright Daikin
The present publication supersedes EEDEN09-208

Daikin units comply with the European regulations that

guarantee the safety of the product.

Naamloze Vennootschap
Zandvoordestraat 300
B-8400 Oostende, Belgium
VRV® products are not within the scope of the Eurovent
www.daikin.eu certification programme.
BE 0412 120 336
RPR Oostende

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