Installing air distribution ducts

Activair air ducts are quick and easy to install. They can be laid on the floor, under benching or suspended overhead using a duct kit. For optimum air distribution when installing Activair air ducts the following guidelines should be followed:

• Duct runs should cover as much of the area as possible
• Keep duct runs as short and straight as practical
• Use as few metal elbows and tees as possible
• Fit air straighteners after the fan, and elbows, tees etc. if the ducts flap

For further information see designing a duct system.

Typical air duct layouts

The following diagrams illustrate the most popular layouts for air ducts suspended overhead:

A simple two duct design. Air distribution is relatively efficient and the installation cost is low. This design is only suitable for narrow buildings
Most Activair air duct systems are based on this design. This design is more expensive to install than above, but the air distribution is superior. This system combines plain and perforated Activair air ducts with metal ductwork
This layout provides the most efficient air distribution. A metal duct runs down the centre of the building from which the perforated air ducts extend. The perforated air ducts are short but cover the whole area. This design is used in cool rooms where air distribution must be carefully controlled

Activair duct kit

Duct kit A is used for air ducts upto 75ft. (23m) and contains one wire rope tensioner.

Duct kit B is for air ducts upto 150ft. (46m) and contains two wire rope tensioners.

It is the responsibility of the customer to provide any additional fixings required.

Duct kit installation

1) Ensure there is sufficient head clearance to allow the deflated air duct to hang down from the suspension wire. Fix the end brackets to the walls (fixing screws not supplied) making sure the wire is level and resting on the top of the air outlet. 2) Fit a thimble and two wire grips at each end. The first grip must be immediately next to the thimble. The second grip must be at least 50mm from the first. Tighten to approximately 3N.m 3) Fix one wire grip to the top of the air outlet.
4) Pass the suspension wire through the air duct and grip on the air outlet making sure the holes in the duct are closer together near the air inlet (fan) end. Stretch the wire between the two wall brackets 5) Duct kit A Make sure the wire tensioner is fully open and fitted at the end furthest from the air inlet (fan end). Duct kit B Make sure the wire tensioners are fully open, and attach one to each end of the suspension wire. 6) Tighten the tensioner(s) to remove the slack from the suspension wire
7) Pass 6in. (150mm) of air duct over the air outlet, and secure it using either duct tape or an expanding duct clip 6) Trim the far end of the air duct to length allowing 3ft. between the duct and end wall. The air duct must not be shortened by more than 10% of its overall length, if necessary order a new air duct of the correct length
7) Seal the end of the air duct. Use an impulse heat sealer, or fold the air duct over several times and seal it with duct tape. 8) If the air duct sags fix supports between the roof and suspension wire. (Available separately). 9) Strengthen the suspension points with duct tape to prevent tearing

Commissioning the air duct system

More information on Activair air ducts

See designing an Activair duct system, and the benefits of polythene air ducts

Click on the icon, for a printer friendly data sheet.