Food Service Division

Recessed Air Curtains

When there is insufficient room between the top of the door and the ceiling to mount an air curtain or if it is not desirable to see the air curtain, the air curtain can be recess mounted in the ceiling with the use of a custom nozzle extension supplied by Powered Aire, Inc. When an air curtain is used in a recessed installation, the steering vane that is typically installed in the air curtain discharge to deflect the air stream is removed. It is instead installed on the discharge side of the nozzle extension. The nozzle extension ships loose and is installed in the field. After the air curtain is installed above the ceiling, a slot is cut in the ceiling tile for the nozzle to slide up through from the bottom. When it is all the way through, the one inch flanges on the bottom of the extension will be flush with the ceiling. The top of the extension is like a sleeve that fits over the discharge of the air curtain. It is attached to the air curtain using self tapping screws fastened to the case of the unit.

When ordering a nozzle extension, the distance the air curtain is going to be mounted above the ceiling will need to be supplied so that the nozzle extension can be manufactured accordingly. A finished trim piece (supplied by others) may be placed over the flush flanges on the exposed side of the ceiling so that the colors match. It is not recommended to use a slot diffuser that in any way obstructs the airflow. If there is not a supply of air in the ceiling, an intake grille will need to be put in the ceiling to supply return air to the air curtain. The grille should be just in front of the air curtain intake and should be large enough to provide access to the front of the air curtain for maintenance. If there is an air supply in the ceiling, it is recommended that an access panel be put in the ceiling to provide access. The standard nozzle extension is constructed of galvanized steel but can be made of stainless steel upon request.