1. Fabric Air Dispersion Systems
Understanding Codes
DuctSox Corporation

2. Which Codes Apply to Fabric Duct?
ASTM E84 is the standard for "Surface Burning Characteristics“ of Building Materials.
National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 90A is the standard for the installation of air conditioning and ventilation systems.
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.
Underwriters Laboratory UL2518 is the UL standard for fabric air dispersion systems.
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
UL2518 is also the approved method for testing Acceptance Criteria 167 .
ASTM E83
Acceptance Criteria 167
Ensures Continued Compliance
UL Quarterly Plant Inspections
DuctSox Corporation

3. Fire Safety and Fabric Duct
The basic goal of fire protection codes and standards is to reduce risks associated with fires.
Many building authorities utilize the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 90A Code for Safety.
A Surface Burning test is typically used to determine the Flame and Smoke development characteristics of a Fabric duct system.
Flame spread ratings offer a general indication of the speed with which fire might spread across the surface of a material.
A material with a low smoke development value should provide better visibility in any given exit route during a fire.
Underwriters Laboratory (UL) is an independent organization that tests and classifies building materials to the NFPA 90A Code for Safety
UL's test procedure for NFPA 90A is UL723 (ASTM E84)
DuctSox Corporation

4. How is a Product Tested?
A samples of the air dispersion system material (24’ x 2’) is evaluated for surface burning Characteristics.
The “Steiner Tunnel” burn chamber is used to perform the smoke and flame spread test.
The test specimen is supported in the top chamber by wire mesh.
A lid is used to seal the tunnel so that no air enters the chamber during testing.
Gas burners at one end of the tunnel provide a 4.5 foot (1.4 m) flame source for ignition.
A blower creates a controlled draft.
DuctSox Corporation

5. How is a Product Tested?
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.
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.
The distance traveled by the flame is used to calculate the Flame Spread Index (FSI).
The amount of smoke generated during the burn is measured optically and is used to calculate the Smoke Developed Index (SDI).
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.
DuctSox Corporation

6. Verona Fabric Other Manufacturer DuctSox-Verona DuctSox Corporation
This test is designed to show the typical “Self Extinguishing” characteristics of a quality fabrics. Both products meet NFPA 90A
DuctSox Corporation

7. Sedona XM Fabric Other Manufacturer DuctSox-Sedona XM
This test is designed to show the typical “Self Extinguishing” characteristics of a quality fabrics. Both products meet NFPA 90A
DuctSox Corporation

8. UL2518 and ICC AC167 Testing DuctSox Corporation Test Description
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.
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
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
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
Quality Control Program
The fabric air dispersion systems shall be manufactured under a quality control program with
inspections by an inspection agency accredited by the International Accreditation Service
General
5.1
DuctSox Corporation

9. DuctSox Classifications
DuctSox UL File
DuctSox is…..
UL Classified to
ICC AC167
Ul2518
DuctSox Corporation

10. Fabric Air Dispersion Systems
Understanding Codes
DuctSox Corporation