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Compliance

The beauty is in the detail. All boards are not the same and therefore not all testing can be transferrable from one system to another.
 COMPLIANCE
A common misconception is that one piece
of material is the same as the other.

Unfortunately that is not the case, it is important to understand that these products are made up of chemical compositions that are specifically fabricated to give an end result that is fit for a specific purpose. It is therefore logical to see that they will also perform differently when under stress. It is also critical to remember that because a system is tested, it does not mean another will perform in the same manner, keeping that in mind, it is important to recognise
that our method of fabrication may not be same for another alternative. It is why we are adamant that all our systems are independently tested to meet your system requirements.

At Ductus, we have done just that and will guarantee our systems. We also believe that it is our duty to keep you updated with the latest information in duct construction. On this page will find the requirements for meeting the AS/NZ standards for steel duct. We also want to make it easy for you meet the required thermal outlines.

Definitions
All boards are not the same and therefore not all testing can be transferrable from one system to another. Hence the fabrication manual cannot be used.

Three critical documents are referenced in this guide:
1
National Construction Code Building / Code of Australia Volume 2
2
Rigid ductwork standard AS 4254.2
3
Insulation standard AS/NZS 4859.1

1.5.10 Duct

A component part of an air-handling system, intended for the passage ofair from one part of an air-handling system to another.

1.5.36 Plenum

An air compartment or chamber, intended for the passage of air, to which one or more ducts may be connected and which forms part of an air-handling system.

Ductus has held its second
Iso Duct Fabrication Course.

This year Ductus has held its second Iso Duct Fabrication Course. We do this to ensure all practices are maintained to the highest of quality, it also means that regardless of where you get your ALP ductwork in the region, it is constructed to the same high standards that we expect, giving peace of mind to the contractor, developer and specifier that its done right from the get go! Check out the video below! Don’t forget to hit the follow button for some big announcements coming up.

NCC Compliance

NCC Compliance
Ductwork for Air-handling Systems in Buildings

Thermal Performance (Section J)

Reference: NCC BCA Vol. 1, Specification J5.2-3
Under Section J, ductwork and fittings, used for heating and cooling, must be insulated to the levels detailed in the following table – Mimimum Material R-value and must comply with AS/NZS 4859.1.
Location of ductwork and fittings Minimu material R-value for ductwork and fittings in each climate zones
1-7 8
Within a conditiional space R1.2 R1.6
Where exposed to direct sunlight R3.0 R3.4
All other locations R2.0 R2.4

Fire Performance

Reference: NCC BCA Vol. 1, Specification C1.10-5 referencing AS 4254.2, Section 2.1.2
Rigid ductwork must comply with the following fire hazard properties as set out in AS 4254.2 (see Table 2 Minimum Fire Hazard Properties).
These requirements apply to both bulk insulation used to lag rigid ductwork and to pre-insulated ductwork systems.
Test Method Characteristics Climate Zone
AS 1530.3 Smoke Development ≤ 3
Flamed Spread 0
UL 181 Burning Pass

Ductwork Sealing (Air Leakage)

Reference: NCC BCA Vol. 1, Specification J5.2-2 referencing AS 4254.2, Section 2.2.4
Rigid ductwork systems must be sealed against air leakage in accordance with AS 4254.2 for the static pressure in the system (see the following table).
Criteria Specification
Capacity of Duct Systems Required to be tested > 3,000 L/s
Test Static Pressure R1.2
Where exposed to direct sunlight > 1.25 times the calculated operating pressure of the tested duct section
Maximum permissible leakage 5%
The above requirements do not apply to ductwork and fittings located within the only or last room that is served by the system.

Evidence of Suitability

Reference: NCC BCA Vol. 1, Specification A2.2
There are a number of ways a manufacturer or supplier can show that a ductwork system meets a Performance Requirement or a Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisionof the NCC.  Subject to the fire safety requirements detailed in the Fire Performance section, suitability can be demonstrated with any one of the following:

  • A report issued by a Registered Testing Authority (refer to definition below), showing that the material or form of construction has been submitted to the tests listed in the report, and setting out the results of those tests and any other relevant information that demonstrates its suitability for use in the building.
  • A current Certificate of Conformity or a current Certificate of Accreditation.
  • A certificate from a professional engineer or other appropriately qualified person which –
    • certifies that a material, design, or form of construction complies with the requirements of the BCA; and
    • sets out the basis on which it is given and the extent to which relevant specifications, rules, codes or practice or other publications have been relied upon.
  • A current certificate issued by a product certification body that has been accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ).
  • Any other form of documentary evidence that correctly describes the properties and performance of the material or form of construction and adequately demonstrates its suitability for use in the building.

Where calculations are performed, compliance with the ABCB protocol can be demonstrated with any one of the following:

  • A certificate from a professional engineer or other appropriately qualified person which –
    • certifies that the calculation method complies with a relevant ABCB protocol; and
    • sets out the basis on which it is given and the extent to which relevant specifications, rules, codes or practice or other publications have been relied upon.
  • Any other form of documentary evidence that correctly describes how the calculation method complies with a relevant ABCB protocol.

The NCC requires that any documentary evidence that is submitted must be a complete copy of the original.

Cushion box — is it a register or duct?

1 Scope

Intent

To clarify that Specification J5.2b provides the required performance of ductwork insulation and sealing.
Clause 1(a) clarifies that Specification J5.2b contains the required performance for the insulation and sealing of ductwork and fittings, where the ductwork is part of an air-conditioning system.

Clause 1(b) outlines that for the purposes of this Specification, ‘fittings’ includes passive or static components of a ductwork system and excludes active components of a ductwork system such as those used in an air-handling unit.

This means passive or static components of a ductwork system must meet the requirements of this Specification and may include items such as plenums, bends, branches, transitions, reducers, offsets, spigots, cushion heads, attenuators and fixed air balance dampers.

Active components of a ductwork system are exempt from the insulation and sealing requirements of this Specification. This exemption recognises that there are practical difficulties applying insulation to components that move or where access is regularly required.

Active components may include Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes, electric duct heaters, actuated volume control dampers, access panels and doors, fire and smoke dampers, fans or humidifiers.

Fire Performance

Reference: AS 4254.2, Section 1.8
Fire testing on insulation, facing material and rigid ductwork material must be performed by a Registered Testing Authority.  Samples submitted for testing must be identical to the manufactured product.  The test certificates must include the following minimum product data:

  • Manufacturer’s name or registered trademark and product name.
  • Thickness, R-value, density of insulation and all flame retardants used.
  • Nominal grammage (g/m2) of facing or lining material and all flame retardants used.
  • For facings and lining materials of a composite nature that are bonded together with fire-retardant adhesives, the adhesive type, all flame retardants used in the adhesive and the weight of adhesive applied (g/m2).

New Designs and Innovations

Reference: AS 4254.2, Section 1.9
Any alternative materials, designs, methods of assembly, and procedures that do not comply with specific requirements of this Standard, or are not mentioned in it, would need to be assessed by the appropriate regulatory authority.

Ductwork Sealing (Air Leakage)

Reference: AS 4254.2, Section 2.2.4
In addition to the air leakage limitations detailed in the previous Ductwork Sealing (Air Leakage) section, AS 4254.2 requires that a minimum of 10% of each duct system, longitudinal seams length and total circumferential joints length shall be tested, inclusive of floor distribution, riser and plant room duct, and of each seam, joint and sealing construction type.

The Standard requires records to be kept of each test result, inclusive of seam, circumferential joint and sealant type and length, calculated section operating pressure, test pressure and air leakage.

Rectangular Duct Reinforcement

Reference: AS 4254.2, Section 2.3
In relation to rectangular duct reinforcement, AS 4254.2 details a wide range of construction and reinforcement specifications which can be referenced unless specified otherwise.  The standard conveys details around minimum joint reinforcement, joint types and joint ratings, types of intermediate reinforcements, longitudinal seams and seam locations, tie rod details and rectangular duct construction.

Hangers and Support Systems

Reference: AS 4254.2, Section 2.6
As with rectangular duct reinforcement requirements, AS 4254.2 similarly details specific requirements for hangers and support systems for both strap-and-rod systems and wire rope suspension systems.

Sheet Deflection

The deflection of the sheet sections of ducting shall not exceed the following:
Duct Dimension
mm
Deflection (maximum)
mm
Up to 300 10.0
301 to 450 12.0
451 to 600 15.0
Over 600 20.0

Joints

Reference: AS 4254.2, Section 4.1.4
Transverse joints shall not fail at 150% of maximum operating pressure.
Where transverse joints act as reinforcing members, deflection shall be 6.0 mm at maximum operating pressure.

Beam Strength of Duct Section

Reference: AS 4254.2, Section 4.1.5
A duct section between adjacent hangers shall be capable of carrying its own weight and resist external loads for which it is constructed.
Notes:
Compliance to the NCC Deemed to Satisfy Note: Important acceptance Evidence of Suitably Performance Requirement in product quality thermal Perform fire requirement leakage pressure irrection fabrication.

We are able to show Deemed to Satisfy by past installations globally, EN standards, Middle Eastern Standards, Australian standards New Zealand standard.

Different climate/environments Training installers and Fabricators.

Registered Test Authority NATA testing as per duct standards in Australia.

Certificate of Accredited (accronum) by a professional engineer Stipulating (iii) – (A) and (B) by providing his 65 pg report.

Fire is met as stipulated in AS425.2

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