HVAC Technical Guides & Resources

Technical Resources

HVAC Specification Guides & Technical Advice

AMS publishes specification resources for M&E engineers, mechanical contractors and acoustic consultants working on commercial ventilation projects. Topics cover acoustic attenuator specification, ductwork design principles, and product selection guidance for the S Series and F Series attenuator ranges. Content is written by our Portsmouth manufacturing and technical team, drawing on over 20 years of experience producing HVAC components to DW144 Class B standards.

Alongside our HVAC content, we publish product updates and installation guidance for the Focus Stoves flue pipe range - a resource for chimney manufacturers, stove retailers and specialist installers working with single-wall 316 stainless steel flue systems in 125mm, 150mm and 175mm diameters.

Common Questions

HVAC Technical Guides - Frequently Asked Questions

• What topics do the technical guides cover? Our technical content covers acoustic attenuator selection and sizing, ductwork noise attenuation, fan compatibility, product installation notes, and specification guidance for M&E engineers working on commercial ventilation projects. We also publish product updates and installation guidance for both the HVAC attenuator range and the Focus Stoves flue pipe and fittings range, covering pipe sizing, fitting selection and installation tolerances.
• Who are the HVAC specification guides aimed at? Our specification guides are written primarily for M&E engineers, mechanical contractors, acoustic consultants and building services specifiers. Content is also useful for quantity surveyors pricing acoustic packages and project managers specifying to DW144 or CIBSE standards. Focus Stoves content is aimed at chimney manufacturers, specialist retailers and solid fuel installers working with stainless steel flue systems.
• What specification topics do the attenuator guides cover? Acoustic attenuator specification articles cover product selection criteria, diameter and length, insertion loss performance, pressure drop, and compliance with BESA DW144 Class B standards. We also cover the difference between spigot and fan mounted attenuators, and guidance on selecting standard versus bespoke rectangular silencer options for non-standard ductwork sizes.
• What does the ductwork design content cover? Our ductwork content addresses acoustic performance targets, attenuation calculations, system pressure drop, and noise breakout considerations for commercial HVAC installations. Where relevant, we reference CIBSE guidance notes and DW144 standards. Content is practical and aimed at engineers working on real installations rather than theoretical acoustic modelling.
• Do you publish guides on Focus Stoves flue pipe? Yes - alongside HVAC content, we publish product guides and installation notes for the Focus Stoves flue pipe range. Topics include pipe and fitting sizing for 125mm, 150mm and 175mm diameters, telescopic pipe selection, installation tolerances, and the correct use of 316 grade stainless steel in solid fuel flue applications.
• How often is new content published? New guides and ventilation resources are added regularly throughout the year. Topics are drawn from customer enquiries, product developments and updates to industry standards. If you are looking for guidance on a specific topic not yet covered, contact us and we will consider it for a future article.
• Can these resources be used for NBS or tender specifications? Yes - our technical articles are written to support real project specification work. Product data, performance figures and compliance references used in the guides are drawn from current manufactured range specifications and are suitable for use as supporting reference material in NBS schedules, tender documentation, or M&E design reports. For formal acoustic performance data or product certificates for a specific project, contact our technical team directly and we will provide the relevant documentation.