Build it and They Will Compute

Introducing Syska’s Duct Sizing Calculator App

At Syska, we talk a lot about the built environment, but sometimes what we build isn’t bricks and mortar. For example, we recently launched our first mobile app, called the Duct Sizing Calculator.

The Duct Sizing Calculator is a duct-sizing tool app available for free download from Google Play and the Apple App Store. Mechanical engineers and other AEC professionals can use it to calculate the optimal friction and velocity of airflow for ducts in HVAC systems in design. Accuracy of these calculations ensures that the HVAC systems are energy-efficient and that they operate as intended.

Many mechanical engineers use handheld sliding tools to determine duct dimensions, but the tools lack precision and full information. There are also a few mobile apps that make these calculations, but they too are imprecise and not user-friendly. That’s why Syska and our subsidiary, Syska Innovations, decided to support in-house development of an alternative. Connections spoke to members of the team that worked on the Duct Sizing Calculator to learn about this process, from ideation to launch.

The Team

The Duct Sizing Calculator is the brainchild of Chris Wescott, associate principal and technical manager in Syska’s New York office. Frustrated with the duct-sizing tools he’d tried throughout his career, he decided to create his own. He developed the Visual Basic app from scratch, and shared it with Syska Innovations, whose mission is to drive innovation within Syska and throughout the industry.

Chris’s Duct Sizing Calculator concept was ideally suited to in-house incubation. When program manager David Victor joined Syska Innovations in early 2024, he was tasked with championing the app from a project management perspective, overseeing its operations, and adding structure to its development.As part of the development process, Lindsay Bilger and Katherine Puckett joined the team, soon followed by David. Lindsay, based in the San Diego office, is a sustainability specialist. She had minored in computer programming at college and wanted to “keep flexing that muscle,” which led her to volunteer for the Duct Sizing Calculator project.

Katherine, a mechanical engineer based in Syska’s Charlotte office, is the team’s “subject matter expert.” According to David, her role is “to give us the real-world application of what we’re developing.”

“The majority of them (mechanical engineers) said that it would really help them come up with the quick calculations they must make, especially when they’re on a phone call with a contractor or client and need to provide on-the-spot duct sizes for a space.”

Market Research

The Duct Sizing Calculator team didn’t just take Chris’s idea and run with it; they wanted to make sure that the app addressed a market need. To that end, the team interviewed many mechanical engineers at Syska who regularly specify duct sizes to assess the viability of the concept. David reports: “The majority of them said that it would really help them come up with the quick calculations they must make, especially when they’re on a phone call with a contractor or client and need to provide on-the-spot duct sizes for a space.”

He adds that interviewees envisioned scenarios where they could pop open their phone, make the requested calculations immediately on the app, and export the results directly to the project team. “It doesn’t matter where they are,” David emphasizes. “They can be on a project site and send the dimensions from their phone.”

Another plus is quality control. As Lindsay points out, “We know that our engineers will be using calculations and equations from our own Duct Sizing Calculator app rather than from a random app, so we can trust the information. ”Katherine, a mechanical engineer based in Syska’s Charlotte office, is the team’s “subject matter expert.” According to David, her role is “to give us the real-world application of what we’re developing.”

“It’s a testament to their efficiency and efficacy. They all wanted to make the most of their time when we came together to collaborate.”

Moving Forward

Once the team confirmed the demand for a Duct Sizing Calculator app, the next step was to choose a software platform for development. The team decided on FlutterFlow and commenced the process, making time for weekly meetings and ongoing communication. Lindsay, Katherine, and Chris were working their full-time jobs at Syska while participating in the Duct Sizing Calculator project, and since each is based in a different Syska office, regular, structured coordination was essential.

Lindsay credits David for inspiring the team’s progress. “I think we’d probably still be back at that first wireframe if David hadn’t guided us,” she says. David, in turn, appreciates the hard work of the team. “It’s a testament to their efficiency and efficacy,” he states. “They all wanted to make the most of their time when we came together to collaborate.”

“It helps you with the calculations, features drop-down menus, and even takes into account the duct’s location at a project site, which other apps and tools do not."

Outcomes

The resulting app “holds your hand as much as possible,” says David. “It helps you with the calculations, features drop-down menus, and even takes into account the duct’s location at a project site, which other apps and tools do not. Another advantage is that it looks nice.”

You can see for yourself by downloading the Duct Sizing Calculator app from the Apple app store, or Google Play. (reminder – it’s free!)

Next Steps