Duct Panel

Cleanroom Storage Cabinet: The Complete Guide

Zonsteel duct panel thickness varies from 20mm to 100mm. As for the color, the options include plain, matte, bright or any RAL color of steel. Talk to us getting your favorite color scheme.

Zonsteel duct panel surface is flat with no bubbles. The full panel is covered by steel, even the two sides. The surface steel do not move, so that you will not expose the PU or phenolic foam.

Zonsteel duct panel packed in a carton box if the surface is aluminum foil. While when surface is steel, will be protected by PVC film, to avoid scratches or dents during shipping. Zonsteel loads the container very carefully. Each stack has an extra steel cable on it to prevent the duct panel from falling. The container floor and four corners have the extra EPS foam to prevent the impact from reaching the duct panels.

Zonsteel duct panel delivery time is 7-15 days, for any quantity.

 

Duct Panel: The Complete FAQs Guide

This document is designed to answer the most commonly asked questions about Duct Panel including applications, benefits, materials used, specifications, warranty, and more.

For more information, we will be happy to answer any questions you may have about duct panel.

 

What Is Duct Panel?

Duct panels are the elements used to form the ducts or carrier framework of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, they are used mainly to deliver air to the conditioned space, return air, and exhaust air.  Duct panels are essential to residential, commercial and industrial air management system; their main function is to distribute cold and warm air throughout the building, while it ensure the best indoor air quality as well as thermal comfort. Duct panels are available in different types, dimensions, materials and shapes.

Figure 1: Duct Panel with Aluminum Foil Surface

 

What Are The Applications Of Duct Panels?

 

Duct panels are mainly used to construct the ductwork system, which carries cold and warm air throughout different types of buildings including:

Residential Buildings

Ducts panels are essential to construct the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of residential complexes, Houses, Apartments, Hotels, Dormitories, and all other housing needs.

Commercial buildings

A wide range of duct panels are available to suit all commercial buildings ductwork including supermarkets, workshops, food stores, etc.

Public Buildings

Duct panels are widely used for airports, stadiums, government buildings, health facilities, hospitals, laboratories, schools, universities, churches, etc. This is due to its thermal efficiency and lightweight which makes them essential parts for any air distribution system, air handling or indoor climate solutions.

Figure 2: The Applications Of Duct Panels, Duct systems

 

How to Choose Duct Panel for Your Project?

 

Duct Panel with Double Sides Aluminum Foil

This duct panel double sides facing with 0.04-0.1mm, suitable for duct system used for all kinds of buildings, such as hotel, shopping mall, office building, factory, villa and clean room level 1000 to 300,000.

Figure 3: Duct Panel with Double Sides Aluminum Foil

 

Duct Panel with Surface Smooth Steel / Aluminum Foil

This duct panel one side smooth color steel, and one side aluminum foil. Suitable for workshop and lab with cleanliness level 10 and level 100.

Figure 4: Duct Panel with Surface Smooth Steel / Aluminum Foil

 

Duct Panel Anti-Static And Anti-Corrosion

This duct panel is anti-static and anti-corrosion, suitable for the place with anti-static or anti-corrosion requirements, such as subway, tunnel, basement, etc.

 

What Are The Advantages of Duct Panels?

 

Duct panels are an essential part of HVAC system, they are used mainly to ensure an acceptable thermal comfort and improve indoor air quality; they have a number of important benefits, including:

 

Durability

The long-term thermal, acoustical, and condensation control performance of heat and cooling system depends largely on the quality of materials used to manufacture duct panel systems, for this reason, different types of quality material are used including fiber structures, airstream surfaces, aluminum, polyurethane, silicone, rubber, PVC, neoprene-dipped polyester fabric, reinforced aluminum foil (FRK) and more. However, while duct panel systems are designed to offer a prolonged lifespan for HVAC equipment, a periodic maintenance is also required to increases the longevity of the system components and prevents undue wear and tear caused by dust or other particulates.

 

Cost savings

A duct panel system is an energy saving system that helps to maximize HVAC efficiency and reduce the energy cost of heating, cooling and ventilating. The whole duct panel system is designed to reduce running cost; it helps the HVAC equipment to runs at optimal performance, to eliminate air leakage and improves air tightness. A well designed and constructed duct panel system can make over 46.2% saving on operating cost.

 

Improved Air Quality

Duct panels are designed to improve the indoor air quality and remove airborne such as fungus, mold spores and bacteria. Antimicrobial technology and fibre-free core are used to protect the air stream surface from the spread and growth of bacteria, thus, duct panel are a hygienic system that helps to provide healthy environment and eliminate allergies and asthma.

 

Design Flexibility

Duct panels are mainly designed to increase airflow and provide maximum comfort, they can be designed either manually or by software to create specific shapes, makes the design compatible with any application requirements and reduce materials waste.

 

Vapor Barrier

Duct panels are designed to resist temperature, humidity and withstand harsh weather; materials such as reinforced aluminum foil (FRK) facing, PPGI, stainless steel and other protective materials can be used to create a vapor barrier and protect the exterior HVAC insulation from UV and weather.

 

Thermal Conductivity

The best insulation materials are used to produce duct panel are fiberglass, mineral wool, Polyisocyanurate (PIR), Polyurethane(PU), XPS, and Phenolic foam. The duct panel surface board is color steel, stainless steel or aluminum foil. All of the materials are carefully selected and tested to offer high thermal R-value performance.

 

Acoustical Performance

The highest quality soundproofing materials are used to produce acoustical duct panels that can effectively absorb unwanted ducts noise caused by vibration, expansion, contraction, or by pumping of hot and cold air. Duct panels are designed and produced to fulfill the requirements of the international acoustical standards.

 

Environmentally Friendly

Duct panel systems are made in compliance with green building standards, all materials used are resource-efficient and are manufactured under an environmentally responsible process from planning, design, quality control, inspection to delivery and after-sales support service.

Figure 5: Duct Panel with Double Sides Color Steel

 

What Materials Are Used To Produce Duct Panels?

A variety of high quality materials can be used to produce duct panels for Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning system, the most commonly used core materials are metal materials such as Galvanized steel, Aluminum (sheet metal), stainless steel, and non-metallic duct materials like special plastics, PVC, Polyurethane (PU), Phenolic foam, fiberglass and more. Duct panel properties are carefully selected and tested to provide high thermal and acoustical performance and help maintain good indoor air quality.

 

Non-metallic duct panels are sandwiched and laminated using embossed aluminum foil, aluminum cladding or multiple facings (ASJ, FRK) to reinforce both sides. Duct panel jacketing offers several advantages; it can ensure maximum protection from corrosion and vapor, while it can add an attractive finish to the duct panel system.

Tools such as Pins and Fasteners can be supplied also to install duct panels.

 

What Are The Types Of Duct Panel Systems?

Duct panel systems are available in different specifications, size, shape and materials to suit a wide range of applications including integrated ducting system and traditional ducting system. The following types are the most commonly used for HVAC system:

 

Polyurethane (PU) air duct panels

Polyurethane (PU) air duct panels constitute an excellent alternative to traditional galvanized sheet metal; they are also ideal for applications with weight restrictions. Polyurethane is the core material used to produce a strong PU/PUR sandwich duct panel, while jacketing are made from various aluminum foil, AluZinc, P.P.G.I steel, stainless steel, insulated plastic and other type of waterproofing membrane can be applied over rigid board insulation materials. The duct panels are then shaped to form different types of ductwork.

Figure 6: PU Duct Panel

 

PIR Foam Air Duct Panels

PIR Foam air duct panel are Pre-insulated HVAC Duct Panels, they are also referred as PIR or Polyisocyanurate, they are produced from a thermoset plastic foam which is used as rigid thermal insulation, this material is similar to polyurethane (PUR), the only difference is the proportion of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) which is higher and the polyester-derived polyol which is used instead of a polyether polyol. So that PIR has better warm insulation and has better fire resistance.

 

This type of duct panel systems is widely used in the ventilation systems of central air conditioning units, this is due to its robust ductwork material, high performance, lightweight, simple installation and considerable cost and space saving it offers.

Figure 7: PIR Duct Panel

 

XPS Air Duct Panels

XPS air duct panels fire rate is level B, density 36-42kg/m3. The water absorption less than 1.5%. The heat conductivity less than 0.03 w/m.k. The duct system made of XPS air duct panel, its air leakage less than 1.2%. The recyclability rate of XPS duct panel is 60-80%.

Figure 8: XPS Duct Panel

 

Phenolic Foam Air Duct Panels 

Phenolic foam air duct panel is the alternative product of  traditional insulated air duct, and upgrade product of single steel air duct. Surface with color steel sheet. It featured with good rigidity and strength like single steel air duct, and also like insulated air duct has good insulation, good sound absorption and noise reduction.

 

Zonsteel Phenolic foam air duct panel is one time foaming molding.  Has better bonding strength, good uniformity and long service life.

 

IPS Duct Panel Systems

IPS duct panel systems are often referred to as Integrated Plumbing Systems (IPS), designed to enhance restrooms and are used to hide unsightly toilet piping used for on toilets cubicle or standing urinal are bespoke to each project, being made to customer’s specific sizes. They are available in different dimensions, colors and laminates.

 

What Facing Options Can Be Provided For Duct Panel Systems?

Polyurethane (PUR) Air Duct Panels and PIR Foam Air Duct Panel can be faced with different types of smooth or embossed materials that can be selected according to application requirements as follow:

 

Aluminum foil 

Duct Panels Aluminum foil is available in different embossed materials such as diamond embossed aluminum sheet/Coil; orange peel embossed aluminum sheet/Coil and stucco embossed aluminum sheet/Coil. Aluminum foil can be applied either to both sides with 0.04 mm to 0.1 mm thickness aluminum foil. Or one side aluminum foil and another side color steel or stainless steel.

 

Aluminum Claddings / Jacketing

A wide variety of Aluminum Cladding / Jacketing are protective film can be used to create a vapor barrier and protect insulation board from corrosion, UV exposure and weather in exterior applications.

 

ASJ Facing

ASJ Facing or All Service Jacket is the most commonly used facing method for the duct panel used for indoor HVAC ductwork; the ASJ facing is a light-weight aluminum foil made of flame-retardant vapor-barrier materials that constitute light-weight aluminum foil layered.

 

FRK Facing

FRK Facing is also known as Foil Reinforced Kraft Paper Jacketing or FSK paper (Foil, Skrim, Kraft), it’s a foil reinforced kraft paper or an aluminum protective membrane that is used as a vapor barrier of fiberglass and mineral wool insulation rigid board used on interior and exterior HVAC ductwork applications.

 

Color Steel

Color steel used as duct panel surface, could be 0.18mm to 0.6mm

Both sides or one side color steel, another side with aluminum foil.

 

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel used as duct panel surface, could be 0.4mm to 0.6mm

Both sides or one side stainless steel, another side with aluminum foil.

 

Colors 

Silver, white, black and different colors are available.

 

What Sizes Is Duct Panel?

Duct panels are available in multiple sizes, and can be manufactured to suit specific HVAC system’s size, applications and requirements. The full width is 1200mm, length is no limit. For more information contact us now at: Daisy@zonsteel.com

 

Are Duct Panel Made In Compliance With International Standards?

Duct panels are designed and manufactured in compliance with the following international standards:

 

ICC International Mechanical Code

Duct panels shall comply with ICC International Mechanical Code for Duct systems used for the movement of air in air-conditioning, heating, ventilating and exhaust systems.

 

ASTM International Standards

Materials used in duct systems shall meet below standards and test procedures:

ASTM C1146 – 09 (2018): standard Guide for Prefabricated Panel and H-bar Insulation Systems for Vessels, Ducts and Equipment Operating at Temperatures Above Ambient Air.

ASTM C518 – 17: standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus.

ASTM C1338: Standard Test Method for Determining Fungi Resistance of Insulation Materials and Facings.

ASTM G21: Standard Practice for Determining Resistance of Synthetic Polymeric Materials to Fungi.

ASTM G22: Standard Practice for Determining Resistance of Plastics to Bacteria.

 

UL 181 Class 1 Air Ducts

Duct panel materials shall fulfill all the requirements of UL 181 standard and testing methods must be applied to materials used in the fabrication of air duct and air connector systems.

 

Standards of the National Fire Protection Association

Duct panels shall comply to NFPA 90A and NFPA 90B which covers construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of air conditioning and ventilating systems, warm air heating and air conditioning including filters, ducts, and related equipment, to protect life and property from fire, smoke, and gases resulting from fire or conditions having manifestations similar to fire.

 

Are Duct Panels Produced In Conformance With International Mechanical Code?

 

Yes, definitely. Duct panels shall be designed and engineered in accordance with the International Mechanical Code requirements of building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems design, installation, inspection, safety and public health. Additionally, to ensure the safety of mechanical systems, duct panels should be designed as per the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) guidelines for the installation, inspection and maintenance of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems (HVAC).

 

What’s the Certification You Have?

Zonsteel duct panels are certified by the most recognized Quality Management Systems including:

 

ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System Requirements for the manufacture and supply of HVAC duct panel systems.

ISO 14001:2015– Environmental Management Systems Requirements for manufacturing and supply of HVAC duct panel systems.

And fire test report.

 

Are Duct Panel Fire Resistant?

Absolutely, yes.

Duct panels are fire rated and produced to offer more safety to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and minimize the fire spread danger, fire retardant materials are used to provide more fire resilience and form a barrier between ducts and effectively prevent the passage of flames and smoke of HVAC systems. Duct panels shall comply with the fire protection standards of National Fire Protection Association Standards NFPA 90A and NFPA 90B.  Also, duct panels hall be tested in accordance with the UL 723 and ASTM E84 Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, these testing methods helps to determine the indices for flame spread and smoke density of building materials.

Zonsteel duct panels fire rating as below,

Phenolic foam duct panel: A

PIR duct panel: B1

PU duct panel: B2

XPS duct panel: B1

Fiber glass duct panel: A

Mgo duct panel: A

 

Does Manufacturer Produce Environmentally Friendly Duct Panels?

Duct panels are environmentally-friendly, the foam and other materials used are eco-compatible and free from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which harm the ozone layer. The best manufacturing technology are applied to offer a comfortable and healthy living low-carbon and low-energy buildings with low chemical emissions indoor air systems, while, all materials and practices used are for objective to reduce environmental footprint.

 

How Long Does Duct Panels Last?

Duct panel systems can last from 15 to 30 years. Replacement is required at the end of its lifetime as the HVAC system’s efficiency will reduce and will naturally wear out and deteriorate.

 

When Should Duct Panels Be Replaced?

Duct panel system can experience wear and tear with normal use and has a shelf life of 15 to 30 years and it is likely to be replaced every 15-30 years or even more if properly installed and maintained.

How Duct Panels Are Installed?

Duct panels should be installed correctly to ensure maximum mechanical integrity and longevity without causing any leaks, insulation failure, noise or any other maintenance issues. Moreover, a well designed duct panel system offers high thermal and acoustical performance, proper air distribution and economical heating and cooling.

Duct panels can  be cutting to any shape by CNC machine, according to duct systems design. Then follow step as glue brush-seal-press-paste the adhesive tape-install flange-seal up.

Two skilled worker can install around 200 m2 straight duct panels in 8 hours working time.

Figure 9: Duct Panel Installation

 

How To Maintain Duct Panels?

Duct panel can be cleaned easily using one of the methods recommended by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA)-Publication AH122 for Cleaning Fibrous Glass Insulated Duct Systems. This method utilize cleaning techniques such as Vacuum, Air washing, Power brushing, Cleaning HVAC equipment, Sanitizing, and Sealing to clean and maintain duct systems. However, duct panel maintenance can be professionally made by a specialized duct servicing firm or duct technicians, who will take in charge removing ductwork debris blockages, dust, mildew and mold; this will allow more air flow inside the building. Duct panel maintenance is essential for energy efficiency as faulty ductwork can increase energy bills due to air loss.

 

How to Repair Duct Panel When it Been Damaged?

 

-If aluminum foil surface of duct panel appears dent and scratch, but not effect the duct panel function, can use aluminum sheet or aluminum tape to fix it.

 

-If appears hole on duct panel, cut this hole to regular shape such as square or rectangle and insert responding duct panel, seal it using aluminum tape.

 

-If damaged area is big, can replace it by same size duct panel.

 

You can see, only the damaged parts needs to be repaired, the rest is no need to deal with.

Figure 10 Easy to maintain Duct Panel

 

Where Do You Deliver Duct Panels?

We deliver duct panel nationally and internationally. Confirmed orders placed with Zonsteel takes from 7 days to be delivered; while delivery time may vary depending to order size and duct panels specification and other requirements.

 

How Much Does Duct Panels Cost?

Duct panels cost vary significantly according to the panel thickness, insulation material type, and surface material type. Usually the aluminum foil surface is inexpensive than steel sheet surface.

 

What Covers The Warranty Of Duct Panels?

Duct panels are covered by 1 year warranty and which includes structural performance, facing materials, thermal performance, and acoustic performance. 

 

Why Choose Zonsteel Duct Panel Systems?

Zonsteel is the Chinese leader in manufacturing bespoke duct panels, insulation materials and composite solutions; we are based in one of the most strategic areas in Jiangsu, we utilize the most innovative technologies to deliver the most cost-effective and the highest quality duct panels to international clients. We are committed to provide sustainable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) duct panel solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Our products are certified and proven to ensure the best indoor air quality system and offer the highest thermal and acoustical performance. Our duct panels are durable, antimicrobial and resistant to fire, they are manufactured to maximize energy efficiency and minimize maintenance cost.

What is the Tips of Air Duct Application?

1, Zonsteel duct panel suitable for rectangular air duct making. Also can be made to round air duct diameter more than 600mm, by bending machine.

2, Zonsteel duct panel should not be used in ventilation systems where the air medium exceeds 140 degrees for a long time.

3, Zonstseel duct panel is fit for operating temperature -40°C-80°C

4, When air duct system air pressure reach 2000-4500Pa and even higher, Zonsteel cannot guarantee zero air leakage coefficient.

5, When air duct system is used outdoor, advise to use prepainted and galvanized steel surface sandwich duct panel to extent life span.

 

What is the Accessories to Make Air Duct ?

To make air duct will require accessories, such as PVC and aluminum channel, corner cover, end cover, connection kits, tray, aluminum or fiber glass tape and adhesive. Zonsteel can provide those accessories together with duct panels.

Figure 11 Duct Panel Accessories

Request A Free Quote or Consultation Now?

Contact us today at email daisy@zonsteel.com or call us at phone number +86 15861405541 to request a free quote/consultation or to schedule an appointment with one of our experts.