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Rev. Date 040218
Fan Placement & Clearance
Sprinkler Systems and Fan Placement
In any installation where fire sprinklers are in place, fans should not interfere with their correct
operation. Fans should be located no less than 3 feet below a sprinkler, and placed central to
each sprinkler quadrant. Our AirBrain motor controller can be connected to a fire suppression
control system which will emergency-stop fans in case of fire. Prior to installing fans, review all
codes applicable to sprinkler systems and fans to ensure code compliance (refer to NFPA 13).
Please call MacroAir for guidance (contact information can be found on page 74). However, it is
your sole responsibility to see that the installation is completed to code and that it is correct.
Other Information on Placement and Spacing
If possible, avoid mounting fans directly below lights or skylights to avoid any strobe effect
caused by moving airfoils.
Note, a large fan, 20 – 24 feet in diameter, performs best at 20 to 30 feet above the floor, but
acceptable performance has been demonstrated as low as 10 feet and as high as 50 feet. 24 foot
fans should not be installed in locations that experience high winds.
If the building has a mezzanine, fans should be mounted so a person cannot reach a fan in any
way from the upper level/deck. Make certain that fans are positioned so that the airfoil tips are at
least 3 feet away from any area where a person may be able to extend outward to reach them.
HVLS fans should not be located near to air supply outlets or exhausting inlets of other HVAC
equipment. Supply air outlets can be configured to deliver air away from the HVLS fan or the fan
location should be oriented such that the outlet is pointing away from the fan and outside the
swept area of the fan. Exhaust fan inlets or other return air points creating a negative pressure
should not be within 1.5 times the diameter of the fan. This system will diminish the capacity of
the HVLS fan. Proper systems orientation will provide an enhancement to the Indoor Air Quality
(IAQ) and occupant comfort. Refer to next page for illustration.
