Presentation by Paul Sterling

Chairman of ADMA (Australian Duct Manufacturers Alliance)

on AS 4254.1 2012

Flexible Duct

Flexible Duct

• What is it? • General assumptions • Where is it used? • Who uses it?

History of Flexible Duct Year Introduction of new products to the Australian

market place

Applicable Australian Standards

60’s and prior

•Rigid Sheet metal duct round and square • Fire: AS 1530.2- 4 zero AS 1530.3- 4 zero • Mechanical: As per SMACNA • Thermal: 25 mm or 50 mm fiberglass

Late 60’s/Early 70’s

First flexible duct appears on market • Core –Aluminium strip corrugated semi rigid hand bendable • Insulation- 25 mm Fiberglass • Outer sleeve - Polythene

• Fire: AS 1530.2- 4 zero AS 1530.3- 4 zero • Mechanical: None • Thermal: None

Late 70’s/Early 80’s

• Core – Metalized claff strip mechanically locked into either a metal or nylon outer rib

Mid 80’s 1990

• Core – Metalized PET strip glued to clear PET strip • Outer sleeve - Metalized PET strip glued to clear PET strip Insulation- 25 mm Polyester Blanket

1995 AS 4254 1995 published for both Flexible and Rigid duct but not called up in BCA

History of Flexible Duct (continued) Year Introduction of new products to the Australian

market place Changes to Australian Standards

1999 THE “4 ZERO” REQUIRMENT IS SUPERCEEDED WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF AS 4254 1995 which calls up; 3 Fire Tests: • AS 1530.2 Flammability index not greater than 5 • AS 1530.3 Smoke developed index not greater than 3 Spread of flame index not greater than 0 • UL 181.9 Burn Test 7 Mechanical Tests: •UL 181.11 Mould Growth /Humidity Test •UL 181.12 High/Low Temperature Test •UL 181.13 Puncture Test •UL 181.14 Static Load Test •UL 181.15 Impact Test •UL 181.17 Pressure Test •UL 181.19 Tension Test

•Thermal: None

History of Flexible Duct (continued) Year

Introduction of new products to the Australian market place

Changes to Australian Standards

2002 Insulation : Many Polyester blankets of varying unsubstantiated R Values appear as the use of polyester increases and fiberglass declines

Introduction of AS 4254 2002 amendments Fire Tests: •AS 1530.2 is withdrawn •Un insulated flexible duct must be separately tested to comply with the full requirements of AS 4254 2002 Introduction of Thermal Testing to: •AS 4859.1 via BCA

2012 Introduction of •AS 4254.1 Flexible duct •AS 4254.2 Rigid duct As 2 separate Australian Standards Introduction of Thermal Testing to •Thermal: AS 4859.1 via BCA

Major changes to AS 4254.1 2012 Flexible Duct • Collar length - 70 mm • Duct retention system • Applying duct tape -air sealing -mechanical fix -vapour seal • Installation practices • Load distributor

• Labelling

• Greater onus on duct manufacturers

Major changes to AS 4254.1 2012 Flexible Duct

• Flexible Duct Compliance Report Summary (F.D.C.R.S.) Independent Certification is Required to be available by Duct manufacturers to substantiate

their products compliance claims 10 year Shelf life of test reports

Major changes to AS 4254.1 2012 Flexible Duct

• Insulation -Clause 2.6 specifies the appropriate AS 4859.1 test to

determine the thermal properties of a fibrous insulation blanket. ASTM 653C

Major changes to AS 4254.1 2012 Flexible Duct

• The NCC 2013 specifies the Material R Values (R m) required for insulation used in the construction of flexible duct when tested to AS 4859.1 • Independent Certification is required by the NCC to

determine Material R Values of the insulation used in the

construction of flexible duct.

Major changes to AS 4254.1 2012 Flexible Duct

• The NCC 2013 specifies the Material R Values

(R m) required for insulating material used on fittings when tested to

AS 4859.1 • Independent Certification is required by the N.C.C to

determine the Material R Values insulating materials used on fittings

AS 4254.1 and the NCC 2013 • BCA 2009 Climate Zone Map for Australia

AS 4254.1 and the NCC 2013 • BCA Climate Zone Map for Queensland

AS 4254.1 and the NCC 2013 • Residential Class 1+10 Buildings

AS 4254.1 and the NCC 2013 • Commercial Class 2 to 9 Buildings

ADMA E-learning Program Up skill industry installers ,architects, specifiers ,older trades people, duct

manufacturers, suppliers to the industry, regulators ,authorities etc. The learner has 2 weeks to complete on line in their own time a 45 minute on line

questionnaire.

There is the option to email questions into the programs administration where the teacher can provide further explanation to the learner via email as /if required

AS 4254.1 2012 product selection, installation ,certification and testing requirements NCC 2013 Fire, mechanical and requirements for flexible duct and fittings

AS 4254.1 2012 is a reference document used under license as part of the programs

support data

The course takes the learner through an installation that has gone wrong and they are provided the support data to work out how to rectify the installation so that it is in accord with AS 4254.1 2012 and NCC 2013 requirements

The course provides feed back after each question is answered correctly and reinforces why the work must be conducted in such a fashion

A 1 hour practical session at PICAC (Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre) or Local TAFE Colleges finishes the course Practical Learning outcomes include

Why you need to do this course

Questions

R1.0 Feedback

Sealing Flexible Duct

Sealing Feedback

Future Challenges

Cutting and pasting old requirements “4 ZERO” NCC only calls up AS 4254.1 for New buildings signed off

for construction after 1 May 2013. Residential-, 5-10% all work (unless a new heating system is installed into an

existing dwelling) Commercial- 5-10% all work. Current Australian Standard and the NCC requirements for

flexible duct require support from Government and regulators if they are to be effective.

AIG current project- “The quest for a level playing field” The non-conforming building products dilemma.