PRESS RELEASE
Chantilly, VA (April 7, 2025) — The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), the leader in promoting quality and excellence in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry, released major updates to the Seismic Restraint and Industrial Duct Construction manuals, which are available digitally and in print to all members of the trades.
Non-members can create a free account to purchase the manuals.
The Seismic Restraint Manual: Guidelines for Mechanical Systems, 4th Edition, introduces an extended list of bracing options, additional material thickness selections and refined anchor system guidelines to meet varying seismic risk levels. The manual explains how very low- and very high-risk areas of the country can be accommodated and is updated to comply with current building codes. Some of the significant changes include adding 10-gauge sheet metal thickness options to cold-formed angle options, introducing three new axially loaded bracing class schedules, and basing each anchor system (single to six anchor groups) on approved ICC-ES evaluation reports.
“SMACNA is committed to providing the industry with the most up-to-date standards, ensuring compliance, durability and improved seismic performance,” said Aaron Hilger, SMACNA’s Chief Executive Officer.
The Rectangular Industrial Duct Construction Standards, 3rd Edition, now features enhanced pressure capacity tables, additional duct construction options, and expanded temperature design capabilities for stainless steel ducts. A thorough review of the previous edition was conducted by SMACNA’s Rectangular Industrial Duct Construction Task Force, which resulted in this new, indispensible edition for the industry.
“These updates incorporate the latest building codes, expanded design options, and new engineering data to improve safety, efficiency and usability for contractors, engineers and industry professionals,” added Eli Howard, SMACNA Executive Director of Technical Services and Research.
Technical standards and manuals developed by SMACNA members have worldwide acceptance by the construction and code community, as well as local and national government agencies. SMACNA standards and manuals address all facets of the sheet metal and HVAC industry – including duct construction and installation, indoor air quality, energy recovery, roofing and architectural sheet metal, welding, and commissioning – and advancements are made possible by those in the industry who provide suggestions for improvement based on knowledge, experience, and research. All of SMACNA’s standards manuals are available in print or PDF format via SMACNA’s online bookstore.
For more on SMACNA’s industry-leading standards, visit www.smacna.org/resources/technical/technical-standards.
ABOUT SMACNA
SMACNA is an international trade association representing 3,500 contributing contractor firms
and is a leader in promoting quality and excellence in the sheet metal and air conditioning
industry. SMACNA members are responsible for effectively delivering the clean air Americans
breathe in offices, homes, and hospitals; for many of the attractive facades you see on today’s
stadiums and office buildings; and for the comfortable, healthy, and safe living environments in
which our citizens live out their daily lives. SMACNA has national offices in Chantilly, Va.,
outside of Washington, DC, and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.SMACNA.org.
Media Contact: Dani Mackey, [email protected]