What is TRUFLOW? - Spring Air Systems Inc.

Truflow 

Touchscreen 

Engineering 

Manual 

___________________________ 

Spring Air Systems Inc., Oakville, Ontario 

Phone (866) 875-4505, Fax (905) 338-0179, info@springairsystems.com 

www.springairsystems.com 

December 2007

Engineering Manual 

Table of Contents 

Introduction 1 

What is Truflow? 3 

Why Use Truflow? 3 

How Many Hoods Can Be Connected to Each Exhaust Fan? 5 

Design Tips to Maximize Energy Savings 7 

How Does the Truflo Work? 8 

SV Supply Control 13 

SC Supply Control 15 

Activation Control Options 18 

Sequence of Operation 19 

Activating Kitchen One 19 

Summer Winter Operation 20 

Override 21 

Surface Fire Suppression 21 

Multiple Kitchen Operation 22 

Setting Goals 23 

Option Wireless Remote 24 

Appendix A Minimum Duct Velocity in the Building Code 25 

Appendix B Truflo Panel Model Number 26 

Appendix C Hood mounted Truflow Enclosure 27 

Appendix D Wall mounted Truflow Enclosure 28 

Appendix E Installation and Remote Wiring 29 

Appendix F Sample Specification 33 

Nov19

TRUFLOW Engineering Manual 

SEE WHAT YOU SAVE 

Introduction 

Precise, real-time measurement so you can effectively manage your team to reduce 

energy use. 

TRUFLOW DASHBOARD 

Figure 1 

Truflow is the most economical 

and efficient kitchen ventilation 

energy management system 

available. 

The average commercial kitchen 

exhaust system operates at 100% 

capacity for 12 to 18 hours per day, 

blowing thousands of wasted 

energy dollars out the roof! 

Truflow measures heat from the 

appliances and automatically 

adjusts fan speeds throughout the 

day, giving you the precise amount 

of exhaust at all times. 

Truflow monitors ventilation system efficiency relative to your utility costs, in real-time, 

so that you can manage your kitchen to take advantage of off peak times by turning down 

appliances. Setting an energy reduction goal reduces your utility costs even more! 

You have the ability to increase the exhaust volume to 100% at any time. Because you 

control it, overrides are kept to a minimum to maximize energy efficiency. The override 

system runs for an adjustable timed period of 15 minutes and can be activated at the hood 

or via a remote control. 

Truflow not only saves you money on energy expenses it can also help extend the life of 

your equipment by demanding exhaust only when it is really required. Truflow can be 

specified on new hoods or can be retrofitted on you existing hoods. Since the panel can 

be hood mounted or wall mounted, it allows many convenient options of where to locate 

the panel and wireless remote unit. Truflow is internet accessible, so it is ideal for multiunit 

management. 

The TRUFLOW system reduces the amount of air exhausted from the kitchen to match 

the amount of cooking. As more appliances are used, the exhaust and supply volume 

increase, as less appliances are used the exhaust and supply volume decreases. 

Spring Air Systems TRUFLOW Engineering Manual December 2007 1

185 

Benefits: 

• Lower energy costs to boost profit 

• Improve kitchen air quality 

• Reduce kitchen fan noise 

• Extend the life of your equipment 

• Internet accessible for remote management 

• Semi-automatic override to maximize energy efficiency 

Exhaust Fan 

Roof Deck 

Exhaust Duct 

Finished Ceiling 

J-COUPLE 

Exhaust Hood 

Touchscreen 

Finished Floor 

Appliance Lineup 

TRUFLOW Setup screen 

Figure 3 

Typical TRUFLOW Kitchen 

Figure 2 

The TRUFLOW setup screen is shown in 

Figure 3 for the single kitchen above. 

The kitchen has one exhaust fan with one 

supply fan operating with a VSD 

(Variable Speed Drive). RSS (Remote 

Start Stop) has not been selected so the 

TRUFLOW will operate locally. KES 

has not been selected so the fan is a 

straight exhaust with no Kitchen Enviro 

System selected. In addition there is no 

WASH selected so there is no automatic 

wash type hood connected to this kitchen. 


What is TRUFLOW? 

The TRUFLOW Energy Management Controller has been designed to change kitchen 

exhaust forever. TRUFLOW will automatically reduce the exhaust and supply air into 

the kitchen whenever appliances are not used at full capacity. When the appliances are 

not used and the heat is turned down or off TRUFLOW automatically senses the 

reduction and decreases the amount of exhaust and supply to match exactly what’s 

happening under the exhaust hood. The TRUFLOW duct mounted J-Couple monitors the 

exhaust temperature, which fluctuates based on the amount of appliances operating under 

the exhaust hood. As the amount of cooking increases the exhaust duct temperature rises 

and reaches an equilibrium temperature during each hour of the day. This equilibrium 

temperature represents a percentage of total cooking capacity. The 30% utilization 

temperature may be 80F. The 70% utilization temperature may be 105F. The duct 

temperature could reach as high as 150F and as low 75F depending on the following 

factors: 

• Kitchen room temperature 

• Total exhaust volume 

• BTU rating of each appliance 

• Total volume of makeup air 

• Temperature of makeup air 

• Where the makeup air is introduced back into the kitchen 

• Type of hood over the appliance 

TRUFLOW automatically modulates the exhaust and supply to suit the actual cooking 

operation at any given time during the cooking day. 

Why Use a TRUFLOW? 

Energy Savings up to 55% annually! Reduces operating cost. 

Let’s take a look at Chart No 1. The TRUFLOW does not lower the exhaust volume 

below 30% of the maximum operating exhaust. For the purpose of this chart we add 

operating times below 30% into the 30% operating time. 

Appliance Operating Capacity 

% of full appliance load that kitchen is operating at 

Operating Time 

% of time that kitchen is operating at stated Appliance 

Operation Capacity 

Hours of 16 hour day Number of hours, out of a 16 hour day, equating to % 

shown in Operating Time 

Equivalent CFM 

Calculated as Total Exhaust CFM x (%Appliance 

Operating Capacity) x (%Operating Time) 

Based on 4500 CFM total exhaust volume from our example above, the chart is tabulated. 


Typical Commercial Kitchen Operation with TRUFLOW 

Appliance 

Operation 

Capacity (%) 

Operating Time 

(%) 

Hour of 16 hour 

day 

Equivalent 

CFM 

30 30 4.8 405 

40 10 1.6 180 

50 10 1.6 225 

60 5 0.8 135 

70 10 1.6 315 

80 5 0.8 180 

90 10 1.6 405 

100 20 3.2 900 

Equivalent Daily Exhaust Volume CFM 

2745 CFM 

Semi Automatic Design 

TRUFLOW is a semi automatic design because of the manual OVERRIDE pushbutton. 

In the unlikely event that smoke does leak from the edge of the hood the operator simply 

pushes the OVERRIDE pushbutton to drive the exhaust volume to 100% for 15 minutes. 

After 15 minutes the exhaust automatically reverts back to temperature based control. 

(The 15 minutes override time is adjustable on the Touchscreen.) The smoke generated 

from appliances sometimes lags the duct temperature rise because of the following: 

• Large quantities of greasy foods are tossed on the grille at one time. 

• A large tilting skillet or kettle is opened quickly or 

• A draft from a door or window opening. 

The TRUFLOW is commissioned by a Spring Air service 

technician to minimize these OVERRIDE events. The kitchen is 

put into override by pressing the efficiency button on the 

Touchscreen Dashboard. 

Efficiency Button 

Figure 4 

From the Dashboard press the EFFICIENCY button to set the 

Truflow into override operation. The kitchen exhaust will operate 

at 100% volume for the time set on the override timer. 

To select the Override time, go to the System Control screen and 

press the O/R button. A second screen will open. 

The Override time is adjustable from the System Control screen by 

pressing the O/R button. The time is adjustable from 0 to 240 

minutes with a factory default of 15 minutes. 

Efficiency Button in Override 

Figure 5 


How many hoods can be connected to each exhaust fan? 

Truflow Setup Screen 

Figure 6 

Each TRUFLOW Touchscreen is 

capable of operating five independent 

kitchens, six exhausts and/or supply 

fans with up to 10 commercial 

kitchen hoods per exhaust fan. The 

number of exhaust fans is determined 

by the operational requirements of the 

kitchen appliances under each hood. 

When three hoods and two exhaust 

fans are connected as one kitchen any 

change in appliance usage under any 

of the three hoods will result in 

increasing the volume of the two 

exhaust fans. The optimum Truflow 

method to maximize savings is to 

operate the TRUFLOW Touchscreen 

with two kitchens consisting of one 

exhaust fan and one hood, and one exhaust fan and two hoods. The two kitchens operate 

completely independently supplying a single 4-20 milliamp signal to one makeup air unit. 

Truflow Setup Screen –Two Kitchens 

– two exhaust 4-20 milliamp supply signal 

Figure 7 

The schematic below shows a 

restaurant with one exhaust fan with 

one hood and one exhaust fan with two 

hoods. This should be operated by the 

Truflow as two kitchens. Kitchen One 

consists of one exhaust fan and one 

hood. Kitchen Two consists of one 

exhaust fan and two exhaust hoods. 

The restaurant could have one or two 

makeup air units. One makeup air unit 

could be controlled by both kitchens or 

each kitchen could control a separate 

makeup air unit. Energy savings with 

one or two makeup air units would be 

similar. 


185 

185 

Exhaust Fan 

Exhaust Fan 

Roof Deck 

Roof Deck 

Exhaust Duct 

Exhaust Duct 



Exhaust Hood 

Exhaust Hood #1 


SYSTEMS ONE: ONE EXHAUST FAN ONE HOOD 

SYSTEM TWO: ONE EXHAUST FAN/TWO HOODS 

Kitchen 1: One hood and one exhaust fan, Kitchen two: Two hoods with 

one exhaust fan. Both Kitchens control a single makeup air unit. 

Figure 8 

TRUFLOW System Control Screen for Operation: Two 

Kitchens, Two exhausts, Two supply 4-20 milliamp signals 

Figure 9 


185 

185 

185 

185 

SV 

°F 

C1 

C2 

AL 1 1 1 0 

AL 2 

SEL 

SPR I NG AI R 

SUMMER /WINTE R C AN O PY L I GH TS 

EX HAU ST 

OCC UPIED/UNOCCUPIED 

SU PPLY 

OPE RA TION 

TRU-FLO VARI ABLE CONTROL 

HI 

PUSHTO OVERIDE 

Exhaust Fan 

Exhaust Fan 

Exhaust Fan 

Exhaust Fan 

Roof Deck 

Roof Deck 

Roof Deck 

Roof Deck 

Exhaust Duct 

Exhaust Duct 

Exhaust Duct 

Exhaust Duct 





SYSTEM ONE: 1 EXHAUST, ONE HOOD 

SYSTEM TWO: 1 EXHAUST, ONE HOOD 

SYSTEM THREE: 1 EXHAUST, ONE HOOD 

SYSTEM FOUR: 1 EXHAUST, ONE HOOD 

Four Kitchens with one hood and one exhaust fan each. One 4-20 milliamp signal is 

send to one single makeup air unit based on the combined exhaust volume. 

Figure 10 

TRUFLOW Setup screen for Operation: Four Kitchens, 

Four exhausts, Four supply 4-20 milliamp signals 

Figure 11 

Design Tips to Maximize Energy Savings 

• Connect each hood to an exhaust fan whenever possible or as the budget allows. 

• For each Truflow Touchscreen use as many sub Kitchens as possible for each 

individual hood and exhaust fan operation. 


How does the TRUFLOW Work? 

The TRUFLOW consists of three primary components: 

1. J-couple. 

2. Touchscreen 

3. Variable Speed Drives 

1. J-COUPLE 

The J-couple is mounted in the center of each exhaust hood duct collar. The J-couple 

threads into a UL/ULC listed hood penetration fitting. The J-couple wiring is terminated 

in a factory supplied J-Box. 

J-couple Mini-Clip connector to the Truflo panel 

UL/ULC duct penetration fitting 

J-box 

Exhaust duct collar 

J-couple 

Exhaust Hood 

2. TOUCHSCREEN 

J-Couple hood duct collar mounting 

Figure 12 

Touchscreen Dashboard 

Figure 13 

The Touchscreen includes five functional screens: Dashboard, System Control, Alarm 

Status, Reports and Setup & Diagnostics. 

a. Dashboard 


• Graph represents energy use throughout 

day 

• Energy consumption measured against 

reduction goal 

• Dashboard tells kitchen staff whether 

system exceeding goal or not. 

• Exhaust CFM, duct and outdoor 

temperature displayed 

• Outdoor temperature measurement 

allows for real-time energy savings 

reports directly from TruFlow! 

Touchscreen Dashboard 

Figure 14 

b. System Control 

• Displays components of all exhaust 

systems controlled by TruFlow 

– Hood lights 

– Fan on/off 

– Summer/winter switch 

– Override 

c. Alarm Status 

Touchscreen System Control 

Figure 15 

• Alarm conditions displayed for all 

systems controlled by TruFlow 

• Touch single bell icon to clear selected 

alarm 

• Touch multi-bell icon to clear all alarms 

• This action does not FIX the problem it 

simply records that an alarm or alarms 

have been acknowledged. 

• Service Company must still be called! 

Touchscreen Alarm Status 

Figure 16 


d. Alarm Condition 

• On alarm, display changes to alarm 

with optional audible alert 

• Touchscreen to go to Alarm Status 

Screen 

• Touching screen records action in 

event log 

e. Reports 

Alarm Condition Screen 

Figure 17 

• TruFlow can record a full year of data 

• Standard reports provided 

• Can create custom reports depending 

on needs of user 

• % Time Exceeding Goal is a key 

energy management report 

f. Setup & Diagnostics 

Touchscreen Reports 

Figure 18 

• Main system setup display allows 

entry of reduction goal, primary 

message center text and company or 

restaurant name 

• Power of TruFlow lies in the setting of 

an energy reduction goal 

• Goal represents a target % reduction of 

past utility costs (hourly or monthly 

rate) 

Touchscreen Setup 

Figure 19 


• Goal can be reset at any time to maximize energy efficiency and savings! 

• Gas and electricity costs can be entered at any time as monthly or hourly rates 

• Measure gas in joules or therms by selecting Imperial or Metric Units 

• Set daily or weekly operating times 

• Permits 

• Comprehensive service screen to quickly diagnose problems 

• Can access via Internet for remote service by Spring Air directly or Authorized 

Service Technician 

3. VARIBLE SPEED DRIVES 

The variable speed drives for the exhaust and/or supply fan can be located in a 

stainless steel enclosure adjacent to the Touchscreen panel or anywhere else in the 

building. 

• When direct gas fire unit is part of TRUFLOW the supply drive can be located 

in the makeup air unit control panel or with the exhaust fan drive(s) (SV 

Type) 

• When a SFA-IGO unit is part of TRUFLOW, a supply drive is not required. 

The Touchscreen panel sends a 4-20milliamp signal through a CAT5 cable to 

the makeup air unit modulating bypass damper. (SC Type) 

Two exhaust drives and one supply drive connected to the Touchscreen panel 

Figure 20 

A CAT5 cable is connected to each drive in series from the Touchscreen panel. The 

first cable connects from the Touchscreen to the first drive “Y” connector. The 2 nd 

drive cable connects from the first drive “Y” connector to the 2 nd drive “Y” 

connector. Each drive is connected in series. When the Touchscreen is initially 

activated the communication software starts all the exhaust and/or supply drive at 

100% capacity for 10 seconds for each kitchen. After the initial 10 seconds the 

exhaust and/or supply drives ramp up and down depending on the signal from the J- 

couple(s). As the exhaust volume increases and decreases, the supply volume 

increases and decreases in unison to maximize energy savings. The supply unit 

motorized damper end switch can also be interlocked to the Touchscreen such that the 

end switch must close to start the supply fan drive operation. 


The drive changes the AC 

to the exhaust motor between 18Hz 

frequency 

and 60Hz. 

Variable Speed Drive 

Figure 21 

Variable Speed Drive Field Wiring 

Figure 22 


SV Supply Control 

TRUFLOW Operation with SV Control for the following applications: 

• SAT direct gas fired supply units 

• Other direct gas fired supply units with unit mounted variable speed drive VSD 

• Supply units with electric heating, hot water heating, or no heating or cooling 

The Touchscreen receives a signal from the duct mounted J-couple that controls the 

exhaust motor VSD. The exhaust motor variable speed drive slows or speeds up the 

exhaust fan motor to maintain the required exhaust volume to match the amount of 

cooking. Simultaneously the Truflow controls the Spring Air SAT supply fan motor or 

other supply fan motors supplied by others. The supply variable speed drive changes the 

frequency of the supply fan motor to modulate the supply air into the kitchen space in 

proportion to the exhaust air volume. 

Exhaust 

Fan 

SUPPLY FAN 

CAT5 Variable Speed 

drive signal to motor 


Drive signal to motor 

J-Couple 

Kitchen Hood 

SV- Supply Volume Control with Variable Speed Supply Drive 

Figure 23 

The lowest possible exhaust volume is 30% of the maximum to meet the existing code 

and to ensure that the products of combustion are always completely exhausted. 


185 

185 

100% 

Spring Air SAT (Direct Gas Fired Makeup Air Unit) 

J-couple 

Exhaust Hood 

TRUFLOW 

TOUCHSCREEN 

TRUFLOW System operating at 100% with SAT direct gas fired makeup with SV control 

Figure 24 

30% 

Spring Air SAT (Direct Gas Fired Makeup Air Unit) 

J-couple 

Exhaust Hood 


TOUCHSCREEN 

TRUFLOW operating at 30% with SAT direct gas fired makeup with SV control 

Figure 25 


TRUFLOW – One Kitchen – Two exhaust fans – One supply fan – Six hoods 

Figure 26 

SC Supply Control 

TRUFLOW Operation with SC Control for the following applications: 

• SFT-IGO fresh air unit with heating or DX cooling 

• A 4-20 milliamp signal to Building Management System to control fresh air with 

HVAC bypass dampers 

• A 4-20 milliamp signal to a fresh air makeup air unit to modulate fresh air/return 

air bypass damper(s) 

Truflow receives signals from the J-couple and transmits a signal along a CAT5 cable to 

the exhaust motor VSD. The exhaust motor variable speed drive slows or speeds up the 

exhaust fan to maintain the required exhaust volume depending on the amount of 

cooking. At the same time, Truflow sends a 4-20 milliamp signal to the Spring Air SFT 

supply unit modulating Bypass Air damper. This bypass damper modulates to bypass 

fresh air from the supply air discharge back to the SFT fan section. 

The lowest possible exhaust volume is 30% of the maximum to meet the existing code 

and ensure that the products of combustion are always adequately exhausted. 


Exhaust 

Fan 


drive signal to motor 

4-20 milliamp Signal to 

Bypass Damper Motor 

J-Couple 

Signal 

Kitchen Hood 

SV- Supply Volume Control with Variable Speed Supply Drive 

Figure 27 

Truflow – One exhaust fan – One 4-20 milliamp supply signal – Three hoods 

Figure 28 


185 

185 

100% 

Spring Air SFT 

Blend Air Channel 

J-couple 

Exhaust Hood 


TRUFLOW operating at 100%. No Bypass required on Spring Air SFT 

Figure 29 

30% 

Spring Air SFT 

BYPASS Air 

J-couple 

Exhaust Hood 


TRUFLOW operating at 30%. Notice the bypass air below the on Spring Air SFA 

Figure 30 


Activation Control Options 

There are four separate TRUFLOW Operation Control options: Manual Control at the 

panel, Automatic Control using panel auto function, Remote Start/Stop Control with dry 

contact, and BACnet or LON control directly to the TRUFLOW PLC. 

1. Manual Control: 

Press the System Control button 

to switch to the screen 

Press the Hand button to switch 

to manual mode. 

Each kitchen is turned on by 

pressing the Fan button. Active 

button has white border. 

When the fan is on the fan 

graphic icon is moving. 

System Control screen 

Figure 31 

Pressing the button again turns 

off the kitchen operation. 

2. Automatic Control: 

Press the Setup button to 

change to the System Setup 

screen 

Press the Fan Time button to 

change to the Kitchen 

Operation screen. Select the 

Operation time or hours for each day 

of the week. 

Fan Time screen 

Figure 32 

Go to the System Control 

screen and press the Hand 

button off. The white border 

surrounding the button will disappear 

and the operation is now in automatic 

mode. The kitchen on and off times 

will follow the time set on the Fan 

Time screen. 


3. Remote Start/Stop: 

Setup screen RSS checked 

Figure 33 

Press the Setup button twice 

quickly to change to the 

secondary System Setup 

screen. 

Press the System 

Setup bar once and 

then Press the RSS 

button. The automatic mode as 

described above is disabled and the 

RSS (Remote Start/Stop) function is 

enabled. Closing a dry contact across 

terminals C+L will activate kitchen 

one. Closing a dry contact across 

terminals C2+CL will activate kitchen 

two…etc. 

4. BACnet or LON: 

The TRUFLOW panel can be operated directly from a BACnet or LON building 

management system. Connecting to the PLC through a RS234 connection will allow 

each kitchen to be operated from the Building Management System. The BMS can also 

read all information for the drives and panels. Truflow is LON compatible. An optional 

intermediate device can be supplied by Spring Air between the PLC and LON system to 

convert the various Truflow input and outputs to be recognized by the LON system. 

Sequence of Operation 

There are four separate TRUFLOW Operation Control options: Manual Control at the 

panel, Automatic Control using panel auto function, Remote Start/Stop Control with dry 

contact, and BACnet or LON control directly to the TRUFLOW PLC. See the section 

above for description of each method to activate the Truflow panel. 

At the start of the cooking day: Each kitchen connected to the Truflow panel is activated 

either manually, automatically, remotely or from a BACnet or LON. 

1. Activating Kitchen One 

All exhaust fans and supply fans connected to Kitchen One drive to 100% volume for 10 

seconds. After the initial 10 seconds each exhaust and supply return to normal mode. 

Normal mode is the exhaust and supply volume based on the number of appliances 

activated under the hoods served by the exhaust fans for Kitchen One. As more 

appliances are turned on or turned up, the hood duct J-couples sense the rate of change of 

duct temperature sending a signal to the Truflow to adjust the speed of the exhaust and 

supply fan motors. 


Once the kitchen is turned on the dashboard graph is activated. The graph 

measures systems efficiency vs. seconds of operation. 

The system efficiency measures the 

operating efficiency of the kitchen as 

compared to the energy reduction goal 

set by kitchen management. 

In the example the real time 

operating efficiency is 75%. 

This means the kitchen is 

operating at 75% of the energy savings 

goal. 

The Exhaust CFM is the 

actual total exhaust for 

Kitchen One. 

Dashboard Efficiency Graph 

Figure 34 

The Outside Temp is the actual outside temperature. This value is used to 

calculate the BTU’s of heating or cooling required for the kitchen. The BTU’s 

are converted to actual dollar cost and can be viewed from the Report screen. 

The light bulb turns the canopy light on and off. 

Press System Control to view 

other control options. Kitchen 

1 is the top row of symbols on 

the screen. 

The rotating fan icon indicates 

that the system is active. 

The light bulb can also be used 

to turn the canopy lights off 

and for the kitchen. 

System Control Screen 

Figure 35 

2. Summer/Winter 

The summer/winter symbol operation is connected to a Truflow dry contact across 

terminals 11+12. Pressing the icon on the System Control screen above changes the 

kitchen operation from summer to winter and back again. 


Winter Operation: When the winter icon is displayed a Truflow dry contact closes. 

The icon is used in winter mode to turn off the (optional) makeup air cooling 

system and turn on the makeup air heating system. The Reports are now 

calculating the cost of heating the fresh air from the outside temperature to the 

room temperature or accumulating this cost in chart form. 

Summer Operation: When the summer icon is indicated the Truflow dry contacts are 

open. The summer icon is used to turn off the makeup air heating system and 

activate the (optional) makeup air cooling system if it is present. The Reports are 

now calculating the electrical cost to operate a DX air conditioning system based 

on the difference between the outside dry bulb temperature and the inside dry bulb room 

temperature. The accumulated results are presented on the Report screen. When the A/C 

button located on the Setup/Goals screen is not selected the cost of summer kitchen 

cooling is not calculated and accumulated. 

3. Override 

Override Adjustment on System Control 

Figure 36 

Each Kitchen can be put into 

Override mode by pressing the 

EFFICIENCY button on the 

Dashboard of the individual 

kitchens. The factory override time is 

set at 15 minutes. 

The override time can be 

adjusted from the System Control 

screen above. Pressing the O/R button 

to open a sub screen where the length of 

the override (in minutes) can be selected. 

4. Surface Fire Suppression 

The surface fire suppression is interlocked to this panel from a micro switch located in 

the cylinder head of the fire suppression system. In the event of surface fire activation 

the micro switch closes across Truflow terminals B+L and the Truflow exhaust fans will 

continue to operate, the supply fans will shut off, and a 120V signal is sent to the shunt 

trip connected to the appliances under the hood with the activated surface fire 

suppression system. A panel alarm will annunciate. Press the screen and the alarm 

message will scroll across the bottom of the Truflow screen. 


5. Multiple Kitchen Operation 

Press the Setup icon to switch to 

the First Setup screen. 

First Setup screen 

Figure 37 

Press Setup icon again on the 

first second setup screen to 

switch to the Second Setup screen. 

Second Setup screen 

Figure 38 

System Setup screen 

Figure 39 

Press the System Setup bar above to 

change to the screen on the left. First 

select the number of systems or 

Kitchens. Now select the number of 

exhaust fans for each system and then 

select whether the supply control will 

be by VSD or 4-20 milliamps. A 

unique name can be selected for each 

kitchen by touching the kitchen name. 

An on the system keyboard opens to 

allow the new name to be entered and 

stored in the Truflow. 


Press the System Control icon to 

change screens. The System 

Control screen will display all four 

kitchens entered on the Setup screen. 

Each kitchen can be individually 

controlled from this screen. 

Multiple System Control screen 

Figure 40 

Pressing the Dashboard icon 

shows the operation of each 

individual kitchen. Pressing the 

Kitchen name, Efficiency, or Exhaust 

CFM buttons will change the screen to the 

efficiency graph for the kitchen selected. 

6. Setting Goals 

Multiple Dashboard screen 

Figure 41 

Select the Setup icon to change 

the screen to the main setup 

screen. This screen would normally be 

locked and a password is required to see 

the next setup screen information as seen 

to the left. 

First Setup screen 

Figure 42 


Reduction Goal Setup screen 

Figure 43 

Select the Dollar icon to change to 

the Energy Reduction Goal setup 

screen. 

The Energy Reduction Goal value is the 

percentage energy savings that the operator 

wants to achieve during normal operation of 

the kitchens. To save 20% annually, enter 

the number 20. The higher the percentage 

entered the more aggressive the energy 

savings goal. Next select the units imperial 

or metric. Enter the cost of gas in $/BTU’s. 

Enter the cost of electricity in $/KWH. 

Check Demand Electrical if the utility 

company has graduated billing throughout 

the day. Follow screen prompt to enter the demand cost of electricity and the time it 

takes effect. Finally select the A/C button if the kitchen is air conditioned with DX 

(Direct Expansion) cooling. If the kitchen is not air conditioned the summer energy cost 

will be only the cost of the exhaust and supply fan motors. 

Press the Dashboard icon to return to normal operation. The goal setting number shifts 

the axis of the efficiency curve on the dashboard. A higher goal means the operation will 

run in the RED, or under 100% efficiency more often unless the kitchen operators are 

diligent at turning down or turning off appliances that are not in use. When the efficiency 

graph is in the RED the operator must glance at the appliances and shut off or turn down 

any that are not in use. If all the appliances are being used to cook products then the 

operation is profitable. The equipment is being properly utilized for the operation and it 

is acceptable for the efficiency graph to be in the RED. “SEE YOUR SAVINGS” by 

using the graph. 

7. Optional Wireless Remote 

1. The standard TRUFLOW system can be supplied with a wireless remote to 

provide a remote override button from another location in the kitchen. 

2. Truflow panel Kitchen One is on: 

a) Press the wireless remote once and the exhaust immediately 

ramps to 100% for approximately 15 minutes. 

b) Press the wireless remote again and hold for two (2) seconds 

the exhaust returns to normal operation. 

3. Truflow panel Kitchen One is off: 

c) Press the wireless remote once and the exhaust immediately 

ramps to 100% for approximately 15 minutes. 

d) Press the wireless remote again and hold for two (2) seconds and the exhaust 

and supply return to normal operation. 

e) Press the wireless remote again and hold for four (4) seconds and the exhaust 

and supply shut off. 


APPENDIX A. 

Minimum duct velocity in the Building Code 

The National Fire Protection Association code, NFPA-96 2001, changed to provide for a 

reduction of the exhaust air from a commercial kitchen during low demand periods. The 

minimum duct velocity in the NFPA-96 2001 has been reduced from 1500 fpm to 500 

fpm. In addition the International Building Code, IBC, was changed in 2003 to allow for 

the reduction in exhaust from a commercial kitchen during low demand periods. Local 

building and fire departments have these codes in their possession and will have no 

reason not to allow a TRUFLOW installation anywhere in North America. 

International Mechanical Code. 2003 

Section 507 Commercial Kitchen Hoods 

507.1 General 

Exceptions: 

3. Net exhaust volumes for hoods shall be permitted 

to be reduced during no-load cooking conditions, 

where engineered or listed multi-speed or variablespeed 

controls automatically operate the exhaust 

system to maintain capture and removal of cooking 

effluents as required by this section. 

NFPA-96, 2001 

8.2 Airflow 

8.2.1 Air Velocity 

8.2.1.1 The air velocity through any duct shall be 

not less than 152.1m/min (500 ft/min) 

Sizing the Exhaust Ductwork 

We recommend that the engineer size the exhaust ductwork for 1670 fpm velocity. The 

NPFA-96 code allows for a reduction in duct velocity to 500 fpm. By sizing the 

ductwork at 1670 for 100%, exhaust and duct velocity will be 500 fpm at 30% exhaust 

volume. 


APPENDIX B. 

TRUFLOW Panel Model Number 

RPD-P 1 1 A W 2 TF 1 SC 

1- Total number of exhaust fan (Up to five exhaust fans) 

1- Total number of supply fans (one per kitchen) 

A- Standard Panel 

B- BACnet or LON panel. 

W- Wall mounted panel 

H – Hood mounted panel 

2- Total number of kitchens 

TF- TRUFLOW Variable Speed 

1- Total number of exhaust hood duct collars (10 per kitchen) 

SC- Supply 4-20 milliamps 

SV- Supply VSD 


APPENDIX C. 

Truflow stainless steel enclosures dimensions 

Hood mounted. 

TRUFLOW enclosure, hood mounted 

Figure 45 


APPENDIX D. 

Truflow stainless steel enclosures dimensions 

Wall Mounted. 

TRUFLOW enclosure wall mounted 

Figure 46 


APPENDIX E. 

Remote Wiring 

TRUFLOW Control panel wiring schematic One Kitchen 

Figure 47 


TRUFLOW Control panel wiring schematic Two Kitchens 

Figure 48 


TRUFLOW Control panel wiring schematic Three Kitchens 

Figure 49 


TRUFLOW Control panel wiring schematic Four Kitchens 

Figure 50 


APPENDIX F. 

Sample Specification 

The commercial kitchen energy management controller shall be a Spring Air Systems TruFlow- 

EMC model RPD-PXX-AH-TF-X-WV. The Truflow shall provide semi automatic variable speed 

operation 24 hour/day for the commercial kitchen ventilation system. The panel shall be CSA 

certified and supplied in an 18GA stainless steel enclosure with No. 4 finish for hood, surface 

wall, or recessed wall mounting. The Truflow NEMA4x Touchscreen operates in conjunction with 

an integral PLC to provide daily reduction of the commercial kitchen exhaust and supply, and 

real-time temperature based control of energy target goal management. Truflow has optional 

LON, BACnet or MODbus interfaces to the Building Automation Systems (BAS). Each Truflow 

panel shall be internet accessible with a secure password through the local IP address for each 

location. The internet operator shall access the Touchscreen panel and view, control, or execute 

all functions available to the local kitchen operator. 

The Touchscreen controller shall be complete with Dashboard, System Control, Alarm Status, 

Reports and Setup & Diagnostic screens. 

The Dashboard screen shall graph energy usage throughout the day measuring energy 

consumption against user-set goals. The Dashboard screen also displays exhaust volume, 

outdoor temperature, hood lights, and % of goal reduction that is achieved each minute of the 

day. 

The System Control screen displays all components of the kitchen ventilation system: hood 

lights, fan on/off, summer/winter switch, and overrides. Each Truflow is capable of providing five 

independent systems with a maximum of five exhaust variable speed drives and one supply 

variable speed drive and/or a 4-20 milliamp output for each system. 

The Alarm Status Screen indicates and logs all alarm events which include: high temperature 

operation, electrical faults, J-couple faults, and supply drive communication error/failure and 

exhaust/supply drive communication error/failure. 

The Report screen provides fingertip selection of reports for Year to Date cost of gas, Year to 

Date cost of electricity, Daily cost of Utilities, % time exceeding goal and % time in override. 

The System Setup screen is accessible by the administrator with a secure password to customize 

the screen to the user, enter reduction goal, operating times, utility costs and provides system 

diagnostics. 

The Truflow modulates the exhaust and supply volume through variable speed exhaust and 

supply motor drives and/or a 4-20 milliamp output. The commercial kitchen ventilation system 

modulates from 30 to 100% to provide necessary exhaust during kitchen operation. When the 

mushroom pushbutton located under the panel is activated manually the exhaust volume will 

automatically increase to 100% for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes the system automatically reverts 

back to temperature based control. The 15 minutes is adjustable at the controller. The panel is 

supplied with a room and outdoor temperature transducer. 

Options: 

• The panel is hood mounted or wall mounted 

• The panel does not/does include optional drive enclosure 

• There are a maximum of 5 systems (kitchens) to be controlled, with up to 5 exhaust fans 

and one supply fan per system (kitchen) and 10 hoods per kitchen 


Remote Wiring Connections: 

Wiring to panel: 

• Power supply to the RPD-PXX-AH-TF-X-WV 15 amps 120V/1/60 

• Interlock from Building Automation System (BAS), CAT5 cable 

• Internet connection 

Wiring Drives: 

• High voltage power supply from breaker panel to input side of each drive 

• High voltage power wiring from output side of each drive to fan mounted motor 

disconnect switch 

Wiring from panel: 

• Interlock each drive with CAT5 connection in parallel 

• CAT5 cable to Outdoor temperature transducer located in a fresh air inlet 

Remote Wiring: 

• Power supply to the RPD-PXX-AH-TF-X-WV at 15 amps 120V/1/60 

• Power supply XXXV/3/60 from breaker panel to variable speed exhaust fan drive(s) 

• Power supply XXXV/3/60 from breaker panel to variable speed supply fan drive(s) 

• Power supply from the variable speed supply fan drive to the supply fan disconnect switch 

• Power from the variable speed exhaust fan drive(s) to the exhaust fan disconnect switch 

• Interlock to shunt trip 120V/1/60 – 2 amps maximum 

• Interlock to fire suppression system 120V/1/60 – 2 amps maximum 

• Interlock two (2) thermocouple wires from controller to each duct collar. Thermocouple wire is 

supplied by Spring Air 

• Interlock two (2) wires 4-20 milliamp signal to supply fan variable speed drive 


Other Fine Products From 

SPRING AIR SYSTEMS... 

• Water Wash Ventilators 

♦ Hot Water Wash 

♦ Cold Water Spray/Hot Water Wash 

♦ Water Wash Control Panels 

• Dry Extractor Hoods 

• Revlow Hoods 

• Cartridge Hoods 

• Filter Hoods 

• Surface Fire Suppression 

• Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Fans 

• Kitchen Enviro Systems 

♦ KES - 100% Exhaust 

• Commercial Kitchen Supply Units 

• Compensating Hoods 

• Exhaust Fans 

• Supply Fans 

• Commercial Kitchen Control Panels 

• Truflo & Melink Variable Speed Exhaust/Supply Systems 

• Utility Distributions Systems 

Phone: 905-338-2999, FAX: 905-338-1079, e-mail info@springairsystems.com 

www.springairsystems.com

What is TRUFLOW? - Spring Air Systems Inc.

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