Fabric Ducting

Thermo Air and Fabric Duct

We are a leading supplier and installer of fabric duct systems in Ireland, working with the longest established and experienced manufacturers, FabricAir. We work with clients to design, supply and install complete fabric air systems nationwide. We undertake detailed site surveys to establish what system best suits the need of each project and client, with a complete project led approach from our experienced engineers. Fabric duct can be installed as part of a new system or adapted to existing systems. We offer customers the complete air distribution system including Fabric duct, new Thermo Air AHU’s or refurbishment and project/design assistance during project.
Some of the benefits include overcoming condensation issues, poor air distribution, create comfortable environments for staff, provide low velocity systems for production / manufacturing and reduce project costs of metal ducting.

Fabric duct is utilised in, but not limited to the following areas:

  • Swimming pool and leisure centre
  • Manufacturing and production (plastic moulding / electronics / precision engineering)
  • Food process and production- Meat, dairy, fish, packaging
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Clinical
  • Arena
  • Retail and shopping centres
  • Warehousing
  • Open plan office
Fabric Ducting

Everything is included in a FabricAir dispersion system
Many functions known from conventional metal ducts are fully integrated in a FabricAir dispersion system, making diffusers, grilles, dampers, etc., redundant. FabricAir dispersion systems are all inclusive.
You can forget about the following when using fabric air dispersion systems:

  • No extra grilles or diffusers are necessary. The FabricAir dispersion systems function as both a duct system and as an air dispersion system.
  • No extra noise reduction is needed (except perhaps reduction of fan noise). Noiseless is the standard.
  • No inconvenient alterations or assembly on site. A FabricAir dispersion system fits straight from the factory, is assembled with zip fasteners and is ready for installation as soon as it arrives.
  • No damper is necessary. A FabricAir dispersion system does not require balancing.
  • Painting is not necessary as the fabrics are dyed.
  • No extra insulation is necessary. FabricAir dispersion systems are condensation free.

FabricAir dispersion systems offer multiple opportunities to save money without sacrificing quality or flexibility in design. Utilizing FabricAir dispersion systems can result in 30-70% savings over the cost of conventional ducting through a simple installation process, economical shipping solutions, space-savings and efficient materials.

FabricAir ducts are 100% polyester, making them a hygienic choice for your air distribution. Polyester is a thin plastic thread that does not absorb water. This makes it impossible for bacteria to live “inside” of the fiber and should any dirt accumulate on the surface of the duct, it can simply be washed. If you have an application that is likely to deposit harmful bacteria on the duct, such as food processing, you have the option of specifying one of our anti-microbial polyester ducts. These unique qualities make FabricAir dispersion systems the preferred choice in slaughterhouses, laboratories, professional kitchens and any other location with strict hygienic requirements.

FabricAir dispersion systems do not have limitations when it comes to elbows, reducers and take-offs, such as conventional metal ducting does. If you can imagine it, FabricAir can produce it. If you are used to metal ducting then you know to take your wallet out when you hear “non-standard”. At FabricAir, non-standard is what we do, because every job is custom. Any angle, any length, any diameter… Give us a call and we will turn what you have imagined into reality in three weeks or less.

Metal ducts need grills and diffusers, which results in highly complicated installations and higher energy consumption. These additional fittings often cause uneven air distribution and add to the expense, space requirements, man hours, etc. of the project. Such uneven air distribution is a major cause for uncomfortable and unhygienic work environments as they lead to draft and condensation problems.

At FabricAir we design our air distribution and air dispersion systems with efficiency and excellence in mind. The fabric ducts are breathable, which makes every part of the duct functional and efficient, creating a uniform air distribution. Higher control and precision provides the area with a superior comfortable climate as far as ventilation, heating and cooling is concerned.

Full-length air dispersion allows for the gentle, noiseless exit of air from the duct surface. Ideal comfort with lower energy consumption is achieved through combining flow models to suit the specific area requirements. The use of tailored flow models allows the system to suit virtually any design requirement the end-user has without compromising the air dispersion results.

FabricAir dispersion and distribution systems have a smaller carbon footprint than conventional metal ducting. FabricAir ducts require less energy to produce and transport, and with a significantly lower weight fabric ducts place considerably less load stress on the construction, making the system ideal for retrofitting as well as new builds.

The efficiency of air distribution in fabric ducts is much higher and more precise than with conventional metal ducting. This means they can run at a low static pressure drop and require less energy to operate.

FabricAir meets the OEKO-TEX 100 requirements, proving that we are committed to environmentally friendly production methods and materials.

FabricAir is the original fabric duct manufacturer. We introduced the world’s first fabric duct in 1973, thus have more than 40 years of experience. Many of our initial installations are still fully functional and perform just as well as the day they were installed.

Depending on the application, FabricAir ducts and dispersion systems can be tailored to suit the specific needs of your building, by using the best flow model or combination of multiple flow models.

For example, in buildings with low ceiling heights, low-throw air flow models are often the option of choice to eliminate drafts. However, if the building has high ceilings and requires heating, high-throw flow models are used to ensure that the air reaches the occupied zone and to help avoid stratification. FabricAir dispersion systems ensure the ideal air distribution regardless of room size and ceiling height.

FabricAir offers the most heavy duty ducts in the industry, in a lightweight design. Our ducts weigh as little as 300 g/m² [8.8 oz/yd²], thus it is like comparing a feather to a hammer, when compared to conventional metal systems. This is important especially in connection with retrofitting existing building mass, as FabricAir dispersion systems will not significantly affect the structural integrity. As a quick rule of thumb, using 3 kg/m [2 lbs/ft] for calculation purposes will provide a fair conservative estimate for the structural engineer in 99% of all project. The weight of an actual duct with suspension depends on the length and diameter of the duct. However, most popular fabric, Combi, weighs approximately 1/20 of steel sheet ducting.

FabricAir produces many different flow models to meet the specific demands of any project. The appropriate flow model depends on a number of project specific factors. What type of conditioning is being supplied: heating, cooling, ventilation, or a combination of the three? Are there any specific air velocity requirements? Do the requirements differ from room to room? There are more questions that may be asked, and the answers determine what flow model will be the best fit for your application. Rest assured, no matter what the requirements are for your application, FabricAir has the flow model to fit your needs.

FabricAir has many different flow models that can be divided into two main categories: linear and surface flow models. Linear flow models will have a row(s) of air distribution, whereas surface flow models will utilize much more of the surface area of the duct to release the air into the space. Regardless of which one is right for you, they are made in the same facility, and FabricAir ensures that our in-house design team evaluates which flow style or combination of flow styles is best suited to your application.

FabricAir dispersion systems are fully customisable and can be tailored to your specific needs. We have a dedicated engineering department to help design the optimal duct system using our proprietary 3D software.

 

Fabric Air fabric duct sales catalogue - ThermoAir