Discharge Air Temperature (Dat)

The temperature of the air that is discharged from a building management system (BMS) is known as the discharge air temperature (DAT). The DAT is typically measured at the outlets of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. It is important to note that the DAT will be different than the room temperature, as it takes into account the heat that is added or removed from the air by the BMS.

The ideal DAT will be dependent on the climate and application. For example, in a cold climate, the DAT should be lower than the surrounding air to provide warmth to the space. Conversely, in a hot climate, the DAT should be higher than the surrounding air to provide cooling. In some applications, such as data centers, it is important to maintain a constant DAT to protect sensitive equipment.

The discharge air temperature can be controlled through various means, such as adjusting the supply air temperature or changing the airflow rate. It is important to adjust these parameters according to manufacturer specifications in order to avoid damaging the HVAC system.