Understanding The Principles, Operation &

Maintenance of Fabric Ducting

TR 52 : 2016

Presented by Mr. Nick Ang , nick.ang@thelgmgroup.com

Senior Manager, The LGM Group Pte Ltd
Agenda

1. The operating principles of fabric ducting

Description
Characteristics of material
Air dispersion
Quality management

2. Designing fabric ducting systems

System requirements
Shapes and sizes
Airflow
Static pressure

3. Installation, maintenance and warranty of fabric ducting

THE OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF
FABRIC DUCTING
Operating Principles - Description

A distribution system
Air disperses from the fabric material and air outlets
No diffuser is required
Positive pressure is required
No insulation is required
Made from light weight polymer material
Supported with wires or rails or hangers
Operating Principles - Advantages

Excellent distribution system - Better coverage and

draught-free
Very low noise
No diffuser = Cost savings
Lower static pressure requirement
No condensation
Lightweight
Easy and fast to install using less manpower
Operating Principles Shapes

There are generally 3 natural circular shapes

Circular shapes are fundamentally better for their airflow
performance
Any other shapes will be unstable and will require complex support
Operating Principles Smoke Test
Operating Principles Starting Up
Characteristics of Material

Due to the unique requirements of each country, the following

characteristics are required for the Singapore market.

1. Light weight 277g/m2

2. Thickness 0.4 mm
3. Permeable 40 CMH/m2 @ 120 Pa
4. Tensile strength - >1700 N / 50mm
5. Resistance to tear 130 N
6. Dust retention F7 ISO filter class
7. Shrinkage 0.5% at 40C
8. Water absorption 0.4% at 90% RH
Air Dispersion Permeable Fabric

Condensation on
steel ducting
Air Dispersion Permeable Fabric

Non-permeable material
will cause condensation
Air Dispersion Permeable Fabric
Air Dispersion Discharge Types

No Holes Small holes Medium holes Large holes Nozzles

Permeable Comfort Induction Long Throw Vario Nozzles

1. Displacement 1. Offices 1. Fitness centers 1. Sport halls 1. Heavy

ventilation 2. Schools 2. Retail outlets 2. Exhibition halls industrial
2. Cleanroom 3. Canteens 3. Showrooms 3. Supermarkets facilities
environments 4. Auditoriums 4. Places of 4. Warehouses 2. Distribution
5. Cinemas worship 5. Manufacturing Centres
6. Libraries 5. Museums plants 3. Sport halls
6. Restaurants 4. Exhibition halls
7. Light industrial 5. Supermarkets
facilities 6. Warehouses
7. Manufacturing
plants
Air Dispersion Comfort Range
Small holes (3mm); Throw distance 3 5m

Suitable for :
1. Offices
2. Schools
3. Canteens
4. Auditoriums
5. Cinemas
6. Libraries
Air Dispersion Induction Range
Medium holes (5 12 mm); Throw distance 6 10m

Suitable for :
1. Fitness centers
2. Retail outlets
3. Showrooms
4. Places of worship
5. Museums
6. Restaurants
7. Light industrial
facilities
Air Dispersion Long Throw Range
Large holes (15 32.5 mm); Throw distance 11 20m

Suitable for :
1. Sport halls
2. Exhibition halls
3. Supermarkets
4. Warehouses
5. Manufacturing
plants
Air Dispersion Nozzle Range
Vario Nozzle (48/60mm); Throw distance 15 25m

Suitable for :
1. Heavy industrial
facilities
2. Distribution Centres
3. Sport halls
4. Exhibition halls
5. Supermarkets
6. Warehouses
7. Manufacturing
plants
Airflow Directions
Air Dispersion Customisable

Fully customised
Discharge type
Discharge hole size
Discharge angle
Quantity of discharge
Quality Management, Design & Production
Quality Management, Important points

Production of fabric material Entry Control (raw material)

Colour control - entire length of duct to look the same
Pre-shrunk no shrinkage during washing process
Content of spinning oil important for air permeability
Weaving process control of permeability
Exit Control final QC check of material before cutting & assembly
Laser cutting technology precise airflow control with fabric fray
Bar Code for traceability and reordering
Warranty industry standard 10 years on delivered product
ISO 9001:2015 production and sales of ventilation duct specified
tailored solutions
Quality Management, Design Software

Designer software to customise solutions for projects

Quality Management, BIM

3D BIM components are easily available on-line

THE OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF
FABRIC DUCTING
Overview

1. Design Process: Comparing traditional steel

ducting to fabric ducting

2. Step by step guide to designing fabric ducting

Equipment selection
System Requirements
Air distribution
Fabric Ducting size selection

3. Types of fabric ducting available

 Comparing Traditional Steel Ducting to Fabric Ducting

Designing traditional ducting systems

Cooling loads (E20 or kW/m2)
AHU/FCU selection
Design and select diffusion type
Coverage air distribution
Ducting single line - duct routing
Ducting sizing - equal friction
method
 Comparing Traditional Steel Ducting to Fabric Ducting

Designing traditional ducting systems Designing fabric ducting systems

Cooling loads (E20 or kW/m2)
AHU/FCU selection
Design and select diffusion type
Coverage air distribution
Ducting single line - duct routing
Ducting sizing - equal friction
method
Cooling loads (E20 or kW/m2)
AHU/FCU selection
Design and select diffusion type
Coverage air distribution
Ducting single line - duct routing
Ducting sizing fabric ducting
chart
 Comparing Traditional Steel Ducting to Fabric Ducting

Designing traditional ducting systems Designing fabric ducting systems

Cooling loads (E20 or kW/m2) SAME Cooling loads (E20 or kW/m2)
AHU/FCU selection SAME AHU/FCU selection
Design and select diffusion type SAME Design and select diffusion type
Coverage air distribution SAME Coverage air distribution
Ducting single line - duct routing SAME Ducting single line - duct routing
Ducting sizing - equal friction EASY Ducting sizing fabric ducting
method chart
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems

DESIGN STEPS
1. Cooling loads
2. AHU/FCU selection
3. Diffusion type
4. Air distribution
5. Duct routing
OR 6. Ducting sizing

Example:
250W/m2
Cooling loads
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems

DESIGN STEPS
1. Cooling loads
2. AHU/FCU selection
3. Diffusion type
4. Air distribution
5. Duct routing
OR 6. Ducting sizing
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems

Things to Note - System Requirements

1) Design for Ducted type fan blower*

2) Design for Airflow - 1,000 to 70,000 CMH
3) Operating Static Pressure 80pa to 300pa

*Not Suitable for Wall mounted type, cassette type, low static type ducted and any
free throw type FCUs.
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems

DESIGN STEPS
1. Cooling loads
2. AHU/FCU selection
3. Diffusion type
4. Air distribution
5. Duct routing
6. Ducting sizing

Sports Hall
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems

DESIGN STEPS
1. Cooling loads
2. AHU/FCU selection
0.4 m/s at 1.5 meter 3. Diffusion type
4. Air distribution
5. Duct routing
6. Ducting sizing

0.2 m/s at 1.5 meter

Sports Hall
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems

DESIGN STEPS
1. Cooling loads
2. AHU/FCU selection
3. Diffusion type
4. Air distribution
5. Duct routing
6. Ducting sizing

Sports Hall
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems

DESIGN STEPS
1. Cooling loads
2. AHU/FCU selection
0.4 m/s at 1.5 meter 3. Diffusion type
4. Air distribution
5. Duct routing
6. Ducting sizing

0.2 m/s at 1.5 meter

Sports Hall
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems

DESIGN STEPS
1. Cooling loads
2. AHU/FCU selection
0.4 m/s at 1.5 meter 3. Diffusion type
4. Air distribution
5. Duct routing
6. Ducting sizing

0.2 m/s at 1.5 meter

Sports Hall
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems

DESIGN STEPS
1. Cooling loads
2. AHU/FCU selection
3. Diffusion type
4. Air distribution
5. Duct routing
6. Ducting sizing

Advantage compare to steel duct for this design

Shortest ducting length - cost saving and easy installation
Can satisfy both airflow the spectator and main area
Free space in the center of the hall for aesthetic
Away from game play so will not hit by ball
HVLS fan can be installed for to assist with natural ventilation
No blocking of light fitting that may cause shadowing
Make best use of the fabric ducting throw capability
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems

DESIGN STEPS
1. Cooling loads
2. AHU/FCU selection
3. Diffusion type
4. Air distribution
5. Duct routing
6. Ducting sizing

12,500CMH 12,500CMH

25,000CMH
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems

DESIGN STEPS
1. Cooling loads
2. AHU/FCU selection
3. Diffusion type
4. Air distribution
5. Duct routing
6. Ducting sizing

12,500CMH 12,500CMH

25,000CMH
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems

DESIGN STEPS
1. Cooling loads
2. AHU/FCU selection
0.4 m/s at 1.5 meter 3. Diffusion type
4. Air distribution
5. Duct routing
6. Ducting sizing

0.2 m/s at 1.5 meter

Designing Fabric Ducting Systems
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems
Designing Fabric Ducting Systems
Installation Method Wires & Clips
Installation Method Wires & Clips
Installation Method - Easyslider
Installation Method Wingrails

Installation Method Wingrails
Installation Method Rails & Hangers
Installation Rails & Hangers
Maintenance

The 3 levels of maintenance are subject to the users hygiene requirements and site conditions:

Level 1 - Normal maintenance

- Cleaning or replacing air filter for AHU/FCU as per the normal maintenance protocol.
- Dust and dirt is collected in the filter so the inside of the duct is clean.
- Pressure inside the fabric ducting push away the dust that come close the the ducting.

Level 2 - Corrective maintenance

- Cleaning required if there is direct contact to foreign object or particle.
- Cleaning using wet cloth or vacuum cleaner on the outside without dismantling.

Level 3 - Comprehensive maintenance

- Badly contaminated with dirt, dust or debris.
- Dismantling and cleaning/washing.
- Dismantling and re-installation requires minimum manpower (similar to hanging a curtain).
- Washing can be done by any laundry service provider.
Maintenance Preventive
Warranty

Industry Standard of 10 Years Warranty

Understanding The Principles, Operation &
Maintenance of Fabric Ducting
TR 52 : 2016

Presented by Mr. Nick Ang , nick.ang@thelgmgroup.com

Senior Manager, The LGM Group Pte Ltd