The Modular Air Handling Unit (MAH) is a high-performance, flexible HVAC solution engineered for commercial, industrial, and institutional projects requiring precise air treatment across a wide range of airflow and static pressure demands. With airflow capacities from 1,000 CFM (472 l/s) to 60,000 CFM (28,318 l/s) and total static pressure capability up to 8.0 inWG (2,000 Pa), the MAH range addresses the full spectrum of ventilation and air conditioning requirements from medium-scale commercial buildings to large industrial and institutional facilities.
Every MAH unit is manufactured in modular sections that can be supplied as a completely factory-assembled unit or as a knock-down kit for onsite assembly. This dual-supply format provides the flexibility to deliver a fully tested, ready-to-install unit where access allows, or to bring the unit in sections through restricted access points such as narrow doorways, small plant rooms, or lift shafts before assembling on site.
Different sectional arrangements and fan discharge positions are configurable based on site and project requirements, allowing MEP engineers and consultants to specify a unit that fits precisely within the available plant room footprint and connects seamlessly to the existing ductwork layout.
| Product Information | |
|---|---|
| Unit Type | Modular Air Handling Unit (MAH) |
| Airflow Range | 1,000 CFM (472 l/s) to 60,000 CFM (28,318 l/s) |
| Static Pressure | Up to 8.0 inWG (2,000 Pa) |
| Supply Format | Factory-assembled or Knock-Down (KD) |
| Sectional Arrangement | Flexible, project-specific configurations |
| Fan Discharge | Multiple positions available |
| Thermal Break | Applied to panels and frames |
Modular Sectional Construction
The modular construction of the MAH series is one of its most significant engineering and practical advantages.
Factory-Assembled Units Units supplied fully assembled and factory-tested provide the fastest path to site commissioning. All sections are connected, sealed, and tested at the factory before dispatch, reducing on-site installation time, minimising the risk of assembly errors, and providing confidence that the unit will perform to specification from the first day of operation.
Knock-Down (KD) for Onsite Assembly Where site access constraints prevent the delivery of a fully assembled unit, the MAH can be supplied in individual modular sections for assembly on site. Each section is factory-fabricated and pre-fitted, requiring only final bolting, sealing, and connection on site. This format is particularly valuable for:
- Plant rooms accessible only through standard doorways or corridors
- Basement or rooftop plant rooms with restricted crane or vehicle access
- Retrofit installations within existing buildings where full-unit delivery is not feasible
- Projects in remote locations where transport of large assembled units is impractical
Flexible Sectional Arrangement The modular format allows sections to be arranged in multiple configurations to suit available plant room dimensions, ductwork routing, and service access requirements. Standard sections include filter, fan, coil, mixing, humidification, heat recovery, and access sections, all of which can be ordered and arranged in the sequence required by the project design.
Thermal Break System
The MAH series incorporates a comprehensive thermal break system applied to both the panel insulation core and the structural frame, a critical feature for high-performance air handling in warm and humid climates.
Panel Thermal Break
- Double-skin panels with a continuous thermal break between inner and outer skins prevent heat transfer across the panel from the warm exterior to the conditioned air interior
- Eliminates surface condensation on panel exteriors in warm, humid environments such as the UAE, GCC, and tropical South Asian and African climates
- Maintains insulation integrity and prevents moisture ingress that would degrade insulation performance over time
Frame Thermal Break
- Structural frame members incorporate thermally broken connectors that interrupt the heat conduction path between inner and outer frame elements
- Prevents cold bridging at frame junctions, which is the primary cause of localised condensation and mould formation on AHU casings in humid environments
- Complies with the thermal transmittance and thermal bridging requirements of EN 1886 Class T2 and TB2 ratings
Combined Performance
- Thermal transmittance (U-value) reduced to levels compliant with the most demanding project specifications
- Acoustic attenuation enhanced by continuous panel insulation without thermal bridge interruptions
- Long-term casing integrity protected by the elimination of condensation-related corrosion
Fan Discharge Positions and Configurations
The MAH series supports multiple fan discharge positions to accommodate the widest possible range of plant room layouts and ductwork connections:
- Top discharge: Supply air discharged vertically upward from the fan section, connecting to overhead ductwork or ceiling void distribution
- Bottom discharge: Supply air directed downward, suitable for underfloor distribution or raised floor plenum applications
- Front discharge: Horizontal supply air discharge toward the front of the unit for direct duct connection in front-access plant rooms
- Rear discharge: Horizontal discharge toward the rear of the unit for wall-mounted duct connections behind the AHU
- Side discharge (left or right): Lateral discharge for plant room layouts requiring ductwork to leave from the side of the unit
Each discharge position option is available as a factory-configured choice at the time of order, ensuring the delivered unit is ready for direct ductwork connection without field modification.
Duct Connection and Free Discharge Applications
The MAH series is suitable for two distinct air distribution approaches.
Duct Connection The unit connects directly to a supply air ductwork network that distributes conditioned air to multiple supply air outlets across the served space. This is the most common configuration for commercial HVAC applications including offices, hotels, hospitals, and institutional buildings. The unit’s high static pressure capability of up to 2,000 Pa makes it suitable for long and complex duct runs typical of large commercial buildings.
Free Discharge In free discharge applications, conditioned air is discharged directly from the unit into the served space without a connecting duct system. This configuration is used in large open spaces such as warehouses, manufacturing halls, sports facilities, and temporary structures where ductwork installation is impractical or uneconomical. The MAH fan section can be configured with appropriate outlet velocities and throw distances for effective free discharge distribution.
Applications
The Modular Air Handling Unit is specified across a wide range of commercial, industrial, and institutional project types:
- Commercial Office Buildings: Central air handling for open-plan floors, meeting rooms, and lobbies with flexible sectional arrangement to fit available plant rooms
- Hotels and Resorts: Large-capacity air handling for ballrooms, lobbies, restaurants, and back-of-house areas
- Hospitals and Healthcare: High static pressure capability for long duct runs to clinical areas with strict infection control and ventilation requirements
- Industrial Facilities: Free discharge or ducted air handling for manufacturing halls, warehouses, and process environments
- Airports and Transport Hubs: High-volume fresh air and recirculation air handling for large public spaces
- Educational Institutions: Flexible modular units for assembly halls, sports facilities, and large academic buildings
- Data Centers: High static pressure ducted units for precision air distribution to server halls and support areas
- Shopping Malls and Retail: Large-capacity central air handling for mall concourses and anchor tenant spaces
Why Choose a Modular AHU Over a Standard AHU
Flexibility in Delivery and Installation The knock-down format resolves one of the most common challenges in AHU installation: getting the unit into the plant room. Modular sections can be brought in through standard access points and assembled on site, eliminating the need for temporary openings, crane access, or building modifications.
Scalability Additional sections can be added to an existing MAH installation as building requirements change, providing a future-proof air handling solution that can grow with the project.
Customisation The sectional modular format allows every unit to be configured precisely for the project’s airflow, static pressure, filtration, coil, fan, and discharge requirements, producing a purpose-engineered solution rather than a compromise between standard product sizes.
Site-Verified Performance Factory-assembled units are tested before dispatch, providing confidence in performance before the unit reaches the site. Knock-down units benefit from the same factory-fabricated components, assembled to the same standards on site.
