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&/2 duct and fit neatly around the lower half of
3500/24).' &,%8)",% $5#4 the duct’s outer circumference.
S3.38 Factory-installed suspension systems that
S3.36 Flexible duct shall be supported at the
are integral to the flexible duct are accept-
manufacturer’s recommended intervals but
able for hanging when the manufacturer’s
at least every 10’ (3.05 m). Maximum per-
recommended procedures are followed.
missible sag is 1/2 inch per foot (41.7 mm/m)
of spacing between supports. A connection
S3.39 Hangers shall be adequately attached to the
to another duct or to equipment is considered
building structure.
a support point.
S3.40 To avoid tearing the vapor barrier, do not
S3.37 Hanger or saddle material in contact with the support the entire weight of the flexible duct
flexible duct shall be wide enough so that it on any one hanger during installation. Avoid
does not reduce the internal diameter of the contacting the flexible duct with sharp edges
duct when the supported section rests on the of the hanger material. Damage to the vapor
hanger or saddle material. In no case will the barrier may be repaired with approved tape.
material contacting the flexible duct be less If the internal core is penetrated, replace the
than 1” wide. Narrower hanger material may flexible duct or treat the tear as a connection.
be used in conjunction with a sheet metal
saddle that meets this specification. This S3.41 Terminal devices connected by flexible duct
saddle must cover one-half the circumfer- shall be supported independently of the flex-
ence of the outside diameter of the flexible ible duct.
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#/--%.4!29 Prefabricated Silencer for Acoustical
Performance, American Society of Testing
Flexible air ducts have rectangular UL labels attached Materials
every 10’ (3.05 m); flexible connectors have round ADC Flexible Air Duct Test Code FD–72, R1, Air
labels every 10’ (3.05 m). UL, NFPA, and most codes Diffusion Council (covering thermal,
make distinctions between these two products in their acoustical and friction ratings)
limits of application. Connectors are more restricted TIMA Test Method AHS 151–76T, Dynamic Thermal
and are currently limited to 14” (4.27 m) of installed Performance of Air Handling Systems,
length. Regulations governing these forms of duct Thermal Insulation Manufacturers Association
should be checked especially for floor penetrations,
ceiling air plenums, and fire rated floor-ceiling or The most common metallic duct is aluminum; how-
roof-ceiling assemblies. ever, galvanized steel and stainless steel varieties are
available. Nonmetal ducts are available in a wide va-
These installation provisions were prepared for round riety of materials and nominal shape-retaining rein-
ducts; however, they may also be usable for flexible forcements. Machines for producing the ducts are
flat oval ducts. available from several suppliers.
Flexible ducts may come to the installer in com-
Some types of flexible duct have received listings as
pressed form in a variety of lengths. Their length can
components of fan unit or air terminal unit systems,
be determined by a measurement taken with a 25 lb.
and they may be governed independently by the con-
(11.3 Kg) axial load used to extend the duct. Repeated
ditions of those listings.
flexure of metallic ducts will probably result in fa-
tigue stress cracking. Sections S3.23 and S3.24 con-
The designer should consult the following references tain statements that ducts “should” have minimum
when considering the use of flexible ducts: length and “should not” be compressed. “Should” is
used instead of “must” in these instances because
UL Standard 181 some discretionary judgement is necessary. Com-
NFPA Standards 90A and 90B pressing duct increases first cost and friction loss. The
UL Gas and Oil Equipment Directory minimum length refers to the practical route between
UL Fire Resistance Directory connection points but not to the degree that the mate-
ASTM Standard E96–66, Water Vapor rial is overstressed or to the degree that all available
Transmission of Materials in Sheet Form, stretch is removed. SMACNA discourages the prac-
American Society of Testing Materials tice of providing excess length in case of future build-
ASTM Standard E477–73, Duct Liner Materials and ing modifications.
(6!# $UCT #ONSTRUCTION 3TANDARDS -ETAL AND &LEXIBLE 3ECOND %DITION
