BC & BAF SWSI

Backward Inclined
and Airfoil Fans
Twin City Fan & Blower has established itself as a leader in the design and
manufacture of quality air moving equipment and continues to advance by
implementing a philosophy that stresses quality in all of its operations. Our
products are known for their rugged construction and reliability of operation.
Twin City Fan & Blower offers flexibility in design and construction of fans
coupled with superior service before and after the sale.
This catalog features two types of non-overloading centrifugal fans in SWSI
(single width, single inlet) design: the backwardly inclined flat blade desig-
nated as BC and the airfoil blade designated as BAF. BAF airfoil fans offer a
slightly higher efficiency and less noise than BC fans at a price premium of
about 2%. However, the hollow airfoil blades are more susceptible to ero-
sion by particulate matter in the airstream than BC blades and thus type
BAF is recommended for clean air applications. Both designs are a popular
choice for the efficient handling of large volumes of relatively clean air at low
to moderate pressures in applications such as:
● HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning)
● Combustion air supply
● Filtration and drying systems
● Fume hood and spray booth and other exhaust systems
● Air pollution control (clean side of dust collectors)
● Industrial processes
Please discuss your particular application with the Twin City Fan & Blower
representative for your area.

Refer to Catalog 305 for

DWDI Type BC/BAF
Backward Inclined and Airfoil
Fans.

Refer to Catalog 600 for

Ventilating Sets, Featuring Type
BC (Designated as BCV), BAF
(ACV) and FC (FCV) Fans in
Arrangement 10.

Bulletin 300 3
Construction Features
Wheel
BAF airfoil wheels are available in sizes 122 (121⁄4"
diameter) through 165 (161⁄2" diameter) in aluminum
construction only using extruded aluminum blades.
Sizes larger than 165 are made of steel using die-
formed hollow airfoil blades, both sides of the blades
continuously welded to the conical spun inlet shroud
(rim) and the backplate.
BC wheels are constructed of steel using flat single
thickness blades, continuously welded to the rim and
the backplate.
Note that the use of a conical spun shroud (rim) makes
BC/BAF fans less susceptible to the performance The BAF wheel with die-formed
losses associated with poor inlet conditions. All BC and hollow airfoil blades continuously
BAF wheels are statically and dynamically balanced to welded to the rim and backplate.
grade G6.3 per ANSI S2.19 for smooth operation prior
to being assembled in the fan, followed by final balance
of the entire rotating assembly.

Housing
All fan housings are continuously welded to provide
strength and durability for extended service life — a
necessity in all commercial and industrial installations.
Outlet flanges for duct connection as well as rigidity are
standard. Inlet collars for slip-joint connection and lift-
ing lugs are also standard. All housings are reinforced
with rigid bracing to increase structural integrity. The
support angles are intermittently welded and caulked
between welds to prevent bleed-through corrosion.
Precisely positioned cutoff plates and aerodynamically
spun inlet cones provide high efficiency and smooth
airflow through the fan.
All fans are available in standard discharge configura-
tion. Fans Class I and II, sizes 270 and smaller in The BC wheel with flat single
Arrangements 1, 4, and 9 are field rotatable to any thickness blades, continuously
standard discharge position. welded to the rim and backplate.
The inlet-side rim is designed as a
proper companion for the inlet
Shaft cone.
Shafts are AISI Grade 1040 or 1045 hot-rolled steel
accurately turned, ground, polished, and ring gauged
for accuracy. Shafts are generously sized for first critical
speed of at least 1.43 times the maximum speed for
the class.
Mechanical Run Test & Final
Bearings Vibration Check
Bearings are a heavy-duty, grease lubricated, anti-fric- All fans are assembled for a mechanical run test as well
tion ball or roller, self-aligning, pillow block type, select- as final balance prior to shipment. Vibration readings
ed for minimum average bearing life (AFBMA L-50) in are taken on both fan bearings in the axial, horizontal,
excess of 200,000 hours at the maximum fan RPM. and vertical directions at the specified speed. Fans are
balanced to 0.15 in/sec. peak or less.

4 Bulletin 300
Standard Construction Arrangements
Arrangement 1
SWSI — Single Width, Single Inlet
Arrangement 1 fans are usually belt driven. The wheel
is overhung on the shaft, i.e., mounted at the end of
the shaft. The motor can be mounted in any of the four
AMCA standard motor positions, W, X, Y, or Z. The two
fan bearings are mounted on the bearing pedestal, out
of the airstream. Arrangement 1 fans are thus recom-
mended for high temperature or contaminated air
applications. Belt driven configurations offer perfor-
mance flexibility. If the performance requirements
change after the fan has been installed, it is simple and
inexpensive to change the drive.
Arr. 1 fan with optional unitary base, horizontal split
housing, shaft and V-belt drive guard.

Arrangement 3
SWSI — Single Width, Single Inlet
Arrangement 3 is available in either belt driven or direct drive.
Arrangement 3 SWSI has one bearing located in the
airstream. The wheel is mounted between the bearings and
supported by the fan housing, which makes it a structurally
sound, compact, and economical arrangement.

Extended lube line at inlet —

standard on all Arr. 3 fans.

Arrangement 4
SWSI — Single Width, Single Inlet
Arrangement 4 is available in direct drive only. The fan wheel
is mounted directly on the motor shaft with the motor
mounted on a pedestal. An Arrangement 4 design offers low
maintenance as there are no fan bearings, fan shaft or drive
parts to maintain. Arrangement 4 is typically limited to size
365 or smaller.

Typical Direct Drive Speeds

60 Hz OPERATION 50 Hz OPERATION
Synchronous Full Load Synchronous Full Load
Speed Speed Speed Speed
3600 3500 3000 2900
1800 1750 1500 1450
1200 1150 1000 950
900 850 750 720
Direct drive Arr. 4 with bolted
The actual full load speed of the motor can vary slightly
access door and shaft seal. depending upon motor HP and motor design.

Bulletin 300 5
Standard Construction Arrangements
Arrangement 8
SWSI — Single Width, Single Inlet
Arrangement 8 is a modified version of Arrangement 1 used
for direct drive. The Arrangement 1 bearing pedestal is
extended to accommodate the motor. A flexible coupling
connects the fan and motor shaft. Refer to the typical direct
drive speeds under Arrangement 4.
Recommended for 250 HP and larger applications.

Arr. 8 fan with optional coupling.

Arrangement 9
SWSI — Single Width, Single Inlet
Arrangement 9 is available as belt driven only. A motor slide
base is mounted on the side of the bearing pedestal. This
arrangement permits the unit to ship as a complete assem-
bly with the motor and drive mounted. Typically, the motor is
mounted on the left side of the pedestal for CW rotation
fans and on the right side for CCW rotation fans.

Arrangement 9F
SWSI — Single Width, Single Inlet
(Not Shown)
Arrangement 9F is available when a unit requires a motor
that is too large to mount on the side of the bearing
pedestal. The fan base is extended to accommodate the
motor, for horizontal mounting, similar to an Arrangement 1
fan. Typically, the motor is mounted on the left side of the
pedestal for CW rotation fans and on the right side for CCW Fan shown is CW-THD with nonstandard
rotation fans. Arrangement 9F is not suitable for mounting motor location on right-hand side.
vibration isolators directly under the fan.

Arrangement 10
SWSI — Single Width, Single Inlet
Arrangement 10 is available as belt driven only. For Class I
and II fans, sizes 122 through 365, Arrangement 10 units
are commonly referred to as Ventilating Sets. (Refer to
Bulletin 600 for more details.) An Arrangement 10 unit has a
motor slide base mounted inside the bearing pedestal. This
arrangement offers a more compact design than the
Arrangement 9 and is suitable for roof or outdoor installa-
tions with a weather cover.

Class II Arr. 10 ventilating set

with optional shaft cooler.

6 Bulletin 300
Standard Configurations

Designation for Rotation and Discharge

Clockwise Clockwise Clockwise Clockwise Counterclockwise Counterclockwise Counterclockwise Counterclockwise

Upblast Top Angular Up Top Horizontal Top Angular Down Upblast Top Angular Up Top Horizontal Top Angular Down
CW 360 CW45 CW90 CW135 CCW360 CCW45 CCW90 CCW135

Clockwise Clockwise Clockwise Clockwise Counterclockwise Counterclockwise Counterclockwise Counterclockwise

Downblast Bottom Angular Down Bottom Horizontal Bottom Angular Up Downblast Bottom Angular Down Bottom Horizontal Bottom Angular Up
CW 180 CW225 CW270 CW315 CCW180 CCW225 CCW270 CCW315

Direction of rotation is determined from drive side of the fan.

On single inlet fans, drive side is always considered the side opposite the fan inlet.
On double inlet fans with drives on both sides, drive side is that with the higher power drive unit.
Direction of discharge is determined in accordance with the diagrams shown above. Angle of discharge references the ver-
tical axis of fan and is designated in degrees above or below that reference axis.
On fans inverted for ceiling suspension or side-wall mounting, direction of rotation and discharge is determined when fan is
resting on the floor.

Motor Positions

The drawing above illustrates the AMCA motor position standards for Arrangement 1 fans. The location of the motor is
determined by facing the drive side of the fan and designating the motor position by letters W, X, Y, or Z, in accordance
with the diagram shown above.

Illustrations reprinted from AMCA Publication 99 Standards Handbook, with the express written permission from the Air Movement Association, Inc.,
30 West University Drive, Arlington Heights, IL 60004-1983.

Bulletin 300 7
Typical Specifications
Furnish and install Twin City Fan & Blower Type BC Backward Inclined or BAF Airfoil, as shown on the plans and
specifications.

Fan ratings shall be based on tests conducted in accordance with AMCA Standards 211 and 311 for air moving
devices and shall be licensed to bear the AMCA Certified Rating Seal for Air and Sound. Fans shall have a sharply
rising pressure characteristic extending through the operating range and continuing to rise beyond the efficiency
peak to ensure quiet and stable operation. Fans shall have non-overloading design with self-limiting horsepower
characteristics and shall reach a peak in the normal selection area. All fans shall be capable of operating over the
minimum pressure class limits, as specified in AMCA’s Standard 2408-69.

Housing — BC and BAF fan housings are to be of heavy gauge, continuously welded construction. Housings with
lock seams or partially welded construction are not acceptable. Discharge flanges are to be provided for rigidity and
duct connection. Housings shall be suitably braced to prevent vibration or pulsation. Fan housings shall have
tapered spun, aerodynamically designed inlet cones or shrouds providing stable flow and high rigidity. Wheels shall
be of the non-overloading type.
BC-SW only: Class I & II sizes 270 and smaller, excluding Arrangement 3, shall be of the rotatable design, con-
vertible to 8 standard discharge configurations.

Wheel — BC backward inclined wheels shall be single thickness plate type, continuously welded to the rim and
back plate, designed for maximum efficiency and quiet operation. Partial welding will not be acceptable on back-
ward inclined blades. BAF airfoil wheels shall be die-formed airfoil blade type, continuously welded to the rim and
back plate. Partial welding will not be acceptable on airfoil blades. Smaller sizes may use extruded aluminum blades.
All BC and BAF wheels shall be statically and dynamically balanced. The complete fan assembly shall be test bal-
anced at the operating speed prior to shipment.

Shaft — Shafts are to be manufactured of AISI 1040 or 1045 hot rolled steel, accurately turned, ground, polished,
and ring gauged for accuracy. Shafts are to be sized for the first critical speed of at least 1.43 times the maximum
speed for the class.

Bearings — Bearings are to be heavy duty, grease lubricated, anti-friction ball, self-aligning, pillow block type. Each
fan’s bearings are sized with a minimum average life (AFBMA L-50) in excess of 200,000 hours when operating at
the maximum RPM of the class.

Drive — Cast iron, fixed pitch sheaves are recommended for applications 15 HP and larger; variable pitch sheaves
are recommended for applications less than 15 HP. Drives should be selected to provide a minimum 1.5 service fac-
tor on 30 HP and larger.

Finish and Coating — The entire fan assembly, excluding the shaft, shall be thoroughly degreased and deburred
before application of a rust-preventative blue primer. After the fan is completely assembled, a topcoat of blue primer
is applied to the entire unit. The fan shaft is coated with a petroleum-based rust protectant.

Accessories — When specified, accessories such as belt guards, weather covers, access doors, companion
flanges, variable inlet vanes, outlet dampers, inlet boxes, shaft coolers, shaft seals, inlet screens, etc., shall be pro-
vided by Twin City Fan & Blower to maintain one source responsibility.
When specified, fans shall be supplied with internal or nested type variable inlet vanes for wheel diameter 161⁄2" or
larger. Cantilevered vane blades are to be used through size 660 to minimize air performance insertion losses and
noise. Operating mechanisms shall be out of the airstream.

Factory Test Run — All fans prior to shipment shall be completely assembled and test run at their operating speed
or at the maximum RPM for the particular fan’s construction class. The fans are to be balanced and records main-
tained of the readings in the axial, vertical, and horizontal direction on each of the fan’s bearings. A written copy of
this record shall be available upon request.

Submittals — Submittals for approval of equipment shall include copies of outline drawings and performance
curves showing the operating point.

Bulletin 300 83
Dimensional Data

Bulletin 300
TWIN CITY FAN & BLOWER
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55442

63