Pre insulated ducting is made up of an inner core that carries airflow and an outer layer of insulation material. The insulated ducts are lightweight and easy to install. They are also resistant to fungus growth.
They have a high R-Value and provide energy efficiency to buildings. They also offer acoustic comfort to building occupants.
Ease of Installation
Pre-insulated ducts are made of rigid phenolic insulation panels faced with aluminium foil which eliminate the need for a separate lagging stage. This reduces installation time and costs, especially for small duct runs. It also makes it easier for operatives to fit the duct to the building structure and remove it.
The duct is up to 75% lighter than a comparable galvanised steel system with mineral fibre lagging, which reduces the load on the building frame and bearers and allows it to be installed flush to ceilings, saving up to 6”-8” of space. This can be particularly beneficial in modular construction where maximization of floor area is critical.
Phenolic ducts have a fire rating of Euroclass B s1 d0 and are not affected by the growth of fungus. They are easy to clean and can be accessed through inspection portholes, which make maintenance operations quick and straightforward while maintaining indoor air quality. This is particularly important in modular buildings where there are fewer areas to access compared to traditional sheet metal ducts.
Space Optimization
Pre insulated ductwork saves space and time during installation. Unlike traditional galvanised sheet steel ducts, which require insulation to be installed in a second operation, pre insulated ducts can be fabricated and insulated in one step. This eliminates the need for separate duct and insulation installation, which is time-consuming, labour-intensive, and costly.
When assembled and installed in line with SMACNA phenolic duct construction standards, pre insulated ducts can achieve low levels of air leakage. This can lead to increased energy savings and reduced operational costs for the HVAC system.
Kingspan KoolDuct also offers a space saving solution for HVAC contractors by utilising its unique insulation profile that can deliver high R-values without the need for fibrous, open cell insulation. This can allow ducts to be located closer together, and even install flush to the ceiling where space is at a premium. This can result in significant increases in usable building floor space. This is especially beneficial for main riser ductwork.
Energy Efficiency
The performance of cleanrooms and controlled environments is heavily reliant on the efficiency of the HVAC system. The choice of ductwork specification is therefore a crucial consideration when planning a project.
Mechanical engineers and installers are faced with an increasingly challenging set of requirements across the built environment. Rising energy costs, a drive towards net zero carbon emissions, and the impact of pandemic-related skills shortages mean that it is more important than ever to find solutions that meet these demands cost effectively.
Pre-insulated ducts are an ideal solution to this challenge. They can significantly reduce installation time and ancillary costs, and are designed to minimise air leakage rates, which contribute to increased energy consumption over the life of the building. They also offer a number of environmental benefits, such as being manufactured without CFCs or formaldehyde, and are highly durable with a strong metal exterior and closed-cell phenolic insulation core that is resistant to mold growth and odors.
Modular Construction
Unlike traditional ducting, which typically takes up space in any building, pre insulated ducts can be mounted flush to the ceiling. This can save up to 6-8 inches of space compared to a typical metal duct.
The Kingspan KoolDuct System combines premium performance Kingspan insulation panels, fabrication methods and coupling systems to produce pre-insulated rectangular ductwork in long sections – up to 15 meters. The process is modular and can be adapted for different project requirements.
With a weight saving of up to 75% structural engineering can often be reduced or eliminated and the flexible phenolic insulation can easily be adapted for curved walls and ceilings. It also offers the flexibility to join sections together at floor level and then lift and fit them onsite – further speeding up installation. With a smooth aluminum interior and low air leakage, the system can easily achieve SMACNA Class 3 energy efficiency ratings. This reduces HVAC runtime, providing lower operating costs and a better overall life cost.
