Fabric Air Dispersion Systems

Understanding Codes

1. ASTM E84 is the standard for "Surface Burning Characteristics“ of Building Materials.

2. National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 90A is the standard for the installation of air conditioning and ventilation systems.

3. International Code Council Acceptance Criteria 167 describes the standards and evaluations for weight, permeability, pressure, erosion, surface burning characteristics, high temperature, low temperature, mold growth, humidity and acceptable quality control procedures for fabric air dispersion systems.

4. Underwriters Laboratory UL2518 is the UL standard for fabric air dispersion systems.

5. UL723 is the test used to classify a product as meeting the standards of ASTM-E84 and NFPA 90A and is part of section 6 of UL2518

6. UL2518 is also the approved method for testing Acceptance Criteria 167 .

Which Codes Apply to Fabric Duct?

Acceptance Criteria 167

ASTM E83

1. The basic goal of fire protection codes and standards is to reduce risks associated with fires.

2. Many building authorities utilize the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 90A Code for Safety.

3. A Surface Burning test is typically used to determine the Flame and Smoke development characteristics of a Fabric duct system.

4. Flame spread ratings offer a general indication of the speed with which fire might spread across the surface of a material.

5. A material with a low smoke development value should provide better visibility in any given exit route during a fire.

6. Underwriters Laboratory (UL) is an independent organization that tests and classifies building materials to the NFPA 90A Code for Safety

7. UL's test procedure for NFPA 90A is UL723 (ASTM E84)

Fire Safety and Fabric Duct

1. A samples of the air dispersion system material (24’ x 2’) is evaluated for surface burning Characteristics.

2. The “Steiner Tunnel” burn chamber is used to perform the smoke and flame spread test.

3. The test specimen is supported in the top chamber by wire mesh.

4. A lid is used to seal the tunnel so that no air enters the chamber during testing.

5. Gas burners at one end of the tunnel provide a 4.5 foot (1.4 m) flame source for ignition.

6. A blower creates a controlled draft.

How is a Product Tested?

1. Heat-resistant observation windows are located at one-foot intervals along one side of the tunnel so that the entire length of sample can be observed for the duration of the test. Three tests are performed.

2. A photometer is located at the opposite end or vent end of the tunnel and is used to indicate changes resulting from effluents, particulates or smoke.

3. The distance traveled by the flame is used to calculate the Flame Spread Index (FSI).

4. The amount of smoke generated during the burn is measured optically and is used to calculate the Smoke Developed Index (SDI).

5. All materials shall have a flame-spread index of not over 25 and a smoke-developed index of not over 50 in order to be UL Classified to NFPA 90A.

How is a Product Tested?

Other Manufacturer DuctSox-Verona

Verona Fabric

This test is designed to show the typical “Self Extinguishing” characteristics of a quality fabrics. Both products meet NFPA 90A

Other Manufacturer DuctSox-Sedona XM

Sedona XM Fabric

This test is designed to show the typical “Self Extinguishing” characteristics of a quality fabrics. Both products meet NFPA 90A

UL2518 and ICC AC167 TestingTest Description UL2518 AC167

Weight Material is evaluated for weight in accordance with the Standard Test Method for Mass Per Unit Area of Fabric, ASTM D 3776, on a minimum of five specimens.

Section 5 3.1.2

Air Permeability

Material is evaluated for Air Permeability in accordance with the Standard Test Method for Air Permeability of Textile Fabrics, ASTM D 737, on a minimum of ten specimens.

Section 5 3.1.3

Surface Burning Characteristics

Material is evaluated for surface burning characteristics according to the requirements in ASTM E84 , NFPA90A and UL723.

Section 6 3.1.1

Mold Growth and Humidity

Materials for air dispersion systems shall be resistant to the effects of high humidity under standard atmospheric temperature conditions. No significant growth of mold is to be observed.

Section 7 3.2

Temperature Materials for air dispersion systems shall be resistant to the effects of high and low the temperatures to which they are exposed.

Section 8 3.2

Erosion Material for air dispersion systems shall not break away, crack, peel, flake off, or show evidence of delamination or continued erosion when air is passed through typical sections at a velocity of two and one-half times the manufacturer’s rated velocity.

Section 9 3.2

Pressure Air dispersion system materials shall withstand without rupture an internal air pressure of 2-1/2 times the manufacturer’s rated positive pressure, and not less than 1-1/4 inch water column (311 Pa).

Section 10

3.2

Quality Control Program

The fabric air dispersion systems shall be manufactured under a quality control program withinspections by an inspection agency accredited by the International Accreditation Service

General 5.1

DuctSox Classifications

DuctSox UL File

DuctSox is…..

UL Classified to ICC AC167

Ul2518

Fabric Air Dispersion Systems

Understanding Codes