HVLS fans — layout & air-speed map
Fan count and layout for big spaces done on the air speed, not on a catalogue coverage circle: draw or import the area, add the racks with their height, and the tool tries every fan size from the library, lays the fans out clear of the walls, the racks and the structure, and ranks the options on coverage at the target speed, uniformity, kW and count. Move, add or remove fans and change their speed with the speed map updating live, read the cooling effect at your design temperature (ASHRAE 55 SET), run a coarse 3D CFD check, and issue the fan schedule, Excel, DXF and report.
What it does
Checks it performs
Sample report
Inputs, results with basis, checks, worked example, drawing and the standards list. Read it before you pay.
How to use it
- Give the area: type W × L for a rectangle, click the corners on the canvas (Draw area), import a DXF closed polyline, or Read from drawing inside the CAD plugin; add holes (areas not served) and obstructions — racks as rectangles with their height, or a block of racks with Add rack rows.
- Set the clear height to the roof structure, the occupied plane (seated 1.1 m / standing 1.7 m), the target air speed (0.8 / 1.0 / 1.5 m/s) and coverage %, the design air temperature, RH, met and clo for the comfort check, and the code regime.
- Pick the fan size from the library (filter by brand) or leave Auto; press Auto layout — every size is tried and the options table shows count, coverage, kW and score; click a row to apply it.
- Fine-tune on the plan: drag fans, click to add or remove, set the speed of each fan; the speed map (fast model), the stats (mean, p10 / p90, coverage, dead zones, kW) and the cooling effect update as you go.
- Run 3D check (CFD) for the coarse lattice-Boltzmann check of the chosen layout — the CFD plane map is shown next to the fast map with a vertical section; read the note on its limits.
- Save the project (code in the URL), then the Report, Excel and DXF; in AutoCAD / ZWCAD the HVLS fans drive tool places the fan blocks, coverage circles and speed contours on the drawing.
What you enter
- Area — rectangle W × L, polygon drawn on the canvas, DXF closed polyline or the drawing; holes
- Obstructions — racks / equipment / walls as rectangles or polygons with height; rack-row helper
- Heights — clear height to the roof structure, occupied plane 1.1 / 1.7 m
- Targets — air speed 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.5 m/s, coverage %
- Comfort — air temperature, RH, met, clo (ASHRAE 55 SET)
- Fans — library size (brand filter) or Auto; per-fan position, mounting height and speed
What you get
- Layout options — per size: count, coverage, kW, score — click to apply
- Speed map — air speed at the plane with contours, fan circles and coverage rings
- Stats & comfort — mean, p10 / p90, coverage, dead zones, kW; cooling effect at the design temperature
- 3D check — CFD plane map and vertical section (indicative)
- Report / Excel / DXF — fan schedule, speed map, stats, comfort, checks, typical mounting details
Also searched as
HVLS fan calculator; HVLS fan layout for warehouse; big ceiling fan sizing; how many HVLS fans do I need; HVLS fan coverage area; industrial ceiling fan air speed map. The same calculation, the same clauses — one tool for hvac design under the Indian codes (NBC, IS, CPWD) or the international ones (IEC, NFPA, ASHRAE, EN).
Standards applied
| Reference | Title | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| ASHRAE 55-2020 | Thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy | Comfort criteria |
| ASHRAE Fundamentals 2021 ch. 21 / 22 | Duct design; pipe design | Friction, fitting coefficients, velocity limits for ducts and chilled-water pipes |
| ASHRAE Handbook — HVAC Applications ch. 51 | Service water heating | Hot-water demand, storage and recovery |
| AMCA 210 / 300 / 301 | Laboratory methods of testing fans for aerodynamic and sound performance | Fan performance certification |
| NBC 2016 Part 8 Section 3 | Air-conditioning, heating and mechanical ventilation | Design conditions, ventilation rates, ducting and safety (India) |
Frequently asked
How do I use the HVLS fans — layout & air-speed map calculator?
Give the area: type W × L for a rectangle, click the corners on the canvas (Draw area), import a DXF closed polyline, or Read from drawing inside the CAD plugin; add holes (areas not served) and obstructions — racks as rectangles with their height, or a block of racks with Add rack rows. Set the clear height to the roof structure, the occupied plane (seated 1.1 m / standing 1.7 m), the target air speed (0.8 / 1.0 / 1.5 m/s) and coverage %, the design air temperature, RH, met and clo for the comfort check, and the code regime. Pick the fan size from the library (filter by brand) or leave Auto; press Auto layout — every size is tried and the options table shows count, coverage, kW and score; click a row to apply it.
Which codes and standards does the hvls fans follow?
It applies ASHRAE 55-2020, ASHRAE Fundamentals 2021 ch. 21 / 22, ASHRAE Handbook — HVAC Applications ch. 51, AMCA 210 / 300 / 301, NBC 2016 Part 8 Section 3. Every result line shows the formula and the clause it comes from, and the report lists the standards applied.
Is the calculator free to use?
Yes — running the calculation, reading the results, checks and clauses is free. One design credit unlocks the report, Excel and DXF exports for 30 days; the first design is free on sign-in.
Can I see a sample report before I use it?
Yes, a complete sample report for this tool is published at https://calc.designlink.in/samples/hvls/ — inputs, results with basis, checks, worked example, drawing and the standards list.
Is this the same as a HVLS fan calculator?
Yes. People also call it a HVLS fan layout for warehouse, a big ceiling fan sizing, a how many HVLS fans do I need. It covers the same calculation under hvac design, with the Indian and international code regimes selectable.
Does it work with AutoCAD or ZWCAD?
Yes — with the free DesignLink CAD plugin the tool reads rooms, layers and selections from the open drawing and places its DXF output straight back into the plan; without the plugin you upload a DXF and download the result.