Why Fabric Ductwork?

Fabric Advantages & Benefits:
DuctSox Fabric Duct and Diffuser Systems have many advantages and benefits, many of which are green and can be helpful in attaining LEED credits.

Simplified Design/Uniform Air Dispersion:
This means less ductwork! Because the entire DuctSox System is a diffuser, air can be supplied to the occupied space in a more efficient pattern. DuctSox Systems can be designed with fittings similar to metal ductwork, including many standard zippered fittings and unlimited customization to match any application requirements.

Cost Savings/Minimal Labor Hours:
The cost of a DuctSox System are comparatively lesser than metal. The cost savings of air porous DuctSox are even more dramatic when compared to insulated/double-walled spiral metal duct or where costs like insulation, grills, diffusers, dampners and false roofing add to the basic cost in a metal ducting system. Fabric Ducts can be installed in a comparatively shorter period of time when compared to metal duct systems.

Lightweight/Easy to Ship:
The weight of a DuctSox System can be significantly less than a comparable metal system. Designing with DuctSox Systems means lighter roof loads, ease of handling and reduced need for power lifting equipment. DuctSox can be packaged and shipped to your location from any of our manufacturing facilities. Smaller and lighter packages reduce transportation costs and damage.

Quiet:
With a properly designed DuctSox System, air is delivered quietly and without the resonating properties found in metal. Additionally, DuctSox fabrics provide noise absorption benefits in the occupied space.

Air Porosity:
Air passing through the fabric eliminates/reduces the risk of condensation and deflect airborne dust from accumulating on DuctSox surfaces.

Hygienic:
Some of our fabrics feature an active antimicrobial agent that inhibits bacteria growth.

Easy to Maintain/Clean:
Cleaning metal ductwork can be difficult and expensive—these costs are often overlooked. A dirty duct (interior) can be a leading contributor to sick building syndrome and human health problems. When it comes time to clean your DuctSox System, it can be easily removed and laundered. The cleaning process can involve either vacuum cleaning and/or hand or machine washing depending on the fabric. DuctSox Systems are designed with zippered sections for ease of handling and are sized to fit into industrial washing machines.

Ease of Use & Forgiving:

• Ease of Use: Lightweight, simple, and easy installation/removal/relocation.
• Forgiving: DuctSox fabrics will not dent or scratch like metal ductwork.

Colorful/Personalization:
Our fabrics are available in a variety of standard colors and patterns, including custom colors to match any interior decor. DuctSox can personalize your fabric air dispersion systems to advertise your company or school logos, mascots, inspirational sayings, sponsors or suppliers.

GREEN Advantages:
In addition to having recycled options for some of our fabrics, other Green advantages include:

• Improved Air Quality - Uniform air dispersion which results in more effective air distribution.
• Reduced Solid Waste - Less packaging, minimal jobsite waste.
• Conserved Resources - Reduced material use, less energy to ship,less labor & resources required to install.
• Lower Construction Costs - Lower equipment costs, reduced installation costs, structural savings (Lightweight).
• Lower Operating Costs - Increased efficiency of air delivery, reduced maintenance costs, no painting.
• Improved Productivity - Better airflow increases comfort, more aesthetically pleasing.
• Comfortable Environment - Quiet air delivery and uniform air dispersion, better ventilation effectiveness.
• Healthy Environment - Cleaner distribution systems, launderable, no mold, no condensation, uniform environment

In open ceiling architecture, traditional metal duct systems discharge air through side-mounted metal diffusers usually spaced 10 to 15 feet apart. The air is directed to specific zones resulting in less efficient mixing of air in the occupied space and often causing drafting and hot or cold spots.

With a DuctSox System, the air is discharged more uniformly along the entire length of the DuctSox system providing consistent and uniform air dispersion in the occupied space. Uniform air dispersion means better air mixing. Higher entrainment ratios result in consistent throw performance for orifices or linear vents.

Fabric Duct vs. Sheet Metal Duct Study
Fabric duct is also 24.5-percent more efficient than conventional sheet metal duct and diffuser systems, according to a recent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) energy study performed by the Iowa State University Mechanical Engineering Dept. in Ames, Iowa. The 10-month-long study, “Thermal Comparison Between Ceiling Diffusers and Fabric Ductwork Diffusers for Green Buildings,” proved fabric diffuser systems heat/cool rooms faster and more uniformly to satisfy temperature set points. This results in reduced mechanical equipment runtime, thus saving energy in the process.

There are three different areas to consider for maintaining your DuctSox Products.

Performance:
DuctSox products have been refined to reduce or eliminate required maintenance. Over years of use, extensive dirt build up will have little, if any, effect on the air dispersion performance of our Premium (Sedona-Xm and TufTex), Commercial (Verona or DuraTex) products.

Aesthetics:
Keeping the exterior of your DuctSox looking clean may be very important to you. If this is the case, your maintenance schedule should be no different than with metal duct. Although, keeping your DuctSox looking clean can be much easier and less expensive than keeping your metal duct clean. There are a few things that may help reduce the exterior dusting of a DuctSox, including selecting a porous fabric or cycling the system once daily. The most common options for cleaning your DuctSox include vacuuming and/or using compressed air, or it can be easily removed and laundered.

Hygienic:
Over its lifetime, the interior of a duct system will collect dust and/or other micro-organisms that have been known to contribute to sick building syndrome. DuctSox has a distinct advantage over metal—you can completely launder your fabric duct system. This allows you to clean both the inside and outside of your HVAC system helping to eliminate the contributors of sick building syndrome.

Overall, the laundry requirements for each space varies based on the quality of the filters in the air handling unit, the amount of dirt entrainment entering the space (on people’s shoes and/or clothing), and other location related issues (e.g. near farmland). Based on our experience, average commercial spaces with relatively high traffic and 50% efficient filters may choose to launder their DuctSox after five to seven years. If your fabric is white, a more frequent schedule may be necessary.

Laundering Instructions

All Fabrics 

• Remove system and break down into sections
• Turn soiled side out, soak in cold water for 30 minutes
• Any commercial washer with mild detergent should be suitable for laundering your DuctSox
• Wash cold on a gentle cycle
• Rinse thoroughly (repeat cycle if DuctSox is still soiled)
• Line dry or no-heat tumble dry

If the system becomes dirty/soiled during installation, please coordinate a proper cleaning prior to completion.

Exterior surface dirt can, most frequently, be blown off using a combination of a brush and compressed air.

DuctSox Fabric Air Dispersion Products takes great pride in upholding the highest quality standards. Part of those high standards include regulatory compliance testing. Regulatory compliance and codes are generally governed by a regional code body. In some instances, individual cities have a regulatory code body. Product testing is an on going process. Please check back for up-to-date information.

UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES (UL)

UL Classified/Certified to NFPA-90A
Coronado, Sedona-Xm, TufTex, Verona, DuraTex, EkoTex, Rx25, Rx50, Rx100, Rx200, Microbe-X, & Stat-X
Requirements to classify are to pass the 25/50 flame spread/smoke developed requirements of ASTM E-84 (Tunnel Test/NFPA 255/UL723). UL Classification ensures continued compliance for all products manufactured.

UL 2518
Coronado, Sedona-Xm, TufTex, Verona, DuraTex, EkoTex, Rx25, Rx50, Microbe-X, & Stat-X

UL 2518 is the most comprehensive compliance requirement assembled for the fabric duct industry. It ensures that our products meet a higher level of safety, quality, and performance.

CAN/ULC Listed (Canada only)

Verona, Stat-X & EkoTex
Products meet the minimum requirements to pass the 25/50 Flame Spread/Smoke Developed requirements of ULC test method S102.2 “Standard Method of Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Flooring, Floor Covering and Miscellaneous Materials and Assemblies.”

INTERNATIONAL

BS 5867 Part 2, 1980
Verona, DuraTex (by request only), EkoTex
These products have been tested in accordance with BS EN ISO 15025:2002 Procedure A (surface ignition) using a 15 second flame application time. The results obtained were assessed, and products pass, according to the requirements of BS 5867: Part 2: 2008.

GB8624-2006

Verona, EkoTex
The listed products have been evaluated by the tests included in GB8624-2006 Classification for Burning Behavior of Building Materials and Products. The testing of these products produced a Bs1d0t1 rating.

Design & Performance Warranty
DuctSox Systems that are designed within our performance criteria, based on DuctSox submittal documents, are covered by a 1 year Design & Performance Warranty. We want to ensure the product performs consistently through the entire heating and cooling cycle for the first year of operation. To ensure a DuctSox System is designed correctly, our Inside Sales and Engineering group are available to provide design assistance. Our Design Manual is also available in the Media Library.

DuctSox Product Warranty
Our Product Warranty is for replacement or repair credit based on the amount of the warranty period remaining. The warranty is not available in the form of a cash payment, only as credit towards repair or replacement. The DuctSox Warranty covers materials, fabrication, and performance of the fabric portion of the DuctSox System only. Warranty coverage begins at the time of shipment.

Both the Design & Performance Warranty and the Product Warranty exclude damage to the fabric from improper installation, poor maintenance, abuse, abrasion, caustic chemicals, exposure to high temperature (over 180 degrees Fahrenheit, 82 degrees Celsius), fabric discoloration and shrinkage, or any unauthorized modifications to the DuctSox System. It also does not cover labor, equipment rental, or freight charges incurred as a result of executing the warranty.

The DuctSox Product Warranty is non-transferable.

Ductsox Frequently Asked Questions