Working against the clock in tight spaces is all part of a day’s work for ductwork installers, but is there a better way to go about tackling these jobs?
The Challenges
Ductwork installers regularly face a number of challenges when they get to site. The ductwork specification is often one of the last considerations in the design process, and the final layout is worked up whilst construction work has commenced. Unsurprisingly, this can lead to delays and last-minute design changes in order to reroute the ductwork around unforeseen obstacles.
The fabrication and installation process for traditional galvanised steel ductwork often exacerbates these issues further as each section is heavy to handle and must be installed and then lagged with insulation as a separate operation. This not only increases installation time but also means a considerable amount of extra service space must be left open to allow operators to physically fit the insulation.
A Modern Solution
The Kingspan PalDuct system was specifically designed to tackle these issues.
The system panels are lightweight and pre-insulated with a premium performance phenolic core. This eliminates the need for a separate lagging stage, saving time and allowing the ductwork to be installed flush with structural objects.
The rectangular ductwork can be fabricated in sections up to 4.00 m long — at least twice the length of traditional sheet metal ductwork — reducing the overall number of duct sections required. Also, multiple PalDuct duct sections can be quickly joined at floor level before installation. They’re also much lighter than traditional ductwork making them easier to handle and install.