Code Requirements and Testing Results

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Declaration of Hero FabriDuct™

Hero Fabriduct™ products are polyester fabric supply air diffusion systems operating under positive pressure. They use permeable and non-permeable fabrics and strategically designed linear slots to provide uniform air distribution in various environments.

  • Configurations: These are available in Round and “D” shape (half-round) duct configurations.
  • Test Compliance: When tested according to ASTM E-84, the polyester fabrics achieve a flame spread index of less than 25 and a smoke-developed index of less than 50.
  • Operating Limits: This product is suitable for systems with a maximum positive design pressure of 3.1 inches of water column, a maximum operating velocity of 2,000 feet per minute, and a temperature range of 0°F to 250°F (-18°C to 121°C).
  • Installation: Hero Fabriduct™ instructions ensure efficient installation. These instructions must be available on-site during installation.

Conditions of Use

  • Fire Resistance: The products must not pass through any fire-resistive assemblies or partitions required to prevent the passage of smoke.
  • Usage: Intended only as positive pressure air distribution components in mechanical ventilation systems and for use in exposed interior locations.

Code Requirements

Flame Spread / Smoke Development

Hero Fabriduct™ meets the following fire code requirements:

  • NFPA 90A-1993: Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilation Systems
  • NFPA 90B-1993: Warm Air Heating and Air Conditioning Systems
  • NFPA 255: Standard Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

Description of Requirements

  • Flame Spread/Smoke Development: The material must not exceed a 25/50 rating for flame spread and smoke development. This rating is consistent with ASTM E 84 test methods and aligns with the Uniform Mechanical Code for various pipe insulations, duct insulations, and other combustibles used in air-handling plenums.

Considerations

  • Non-Relevant Factors: Torsion, collapse, air leakage, and impact are relevant to sheet metal duct but not applicable to Fabriduct™, except for specific applications like USDA. The relevant factor for Fabriduct™ is compliance with fire codes.
  • Product Description: Fabriduct™ is a flexible air duct and diffuser for exposed ceiling applications designed for positive-pressure air distribution.

Testing Results

Test Introduction

The test, conducted according to ASTM E 84-01, evaluates surface burning characteristics of building materials. The method is identical to NFPA No. 255 and UL No. 723.

Purpose

To provide comparative measurements of surface flame spread and smoke development of materials under controlled conditions. Results are expressed as Flame Spread Index and Smoke Developed Index benchmarked against red oak (rating of 100) and reinforced cement board (rating of 0).

Test Sample

The tested sample was identified as Fabriduct™, a white polyester duct fabric. It was conditioned and tested according to ASTM E 84 standards.

Test Results

Fabriduct™ Performance:

  • Flame Spread Index: 5
  • Smoke Developed Index: 40

Specimen ignition occurred at 0.07 minutes, and surface flame spread was observed to a maximum distance of 1.16 feet at 0.33 minutes. The highest recorded temperature during the test was 518°F.

Classification

Based on ASTM E 84 test results:

  • Class A: 0 – 25 Flame Spread Index, 0 – 450 Smoke Developed Index
  • Class B: 26 – 75 Flame Spread Index, 0 – 450 Smoke Developed Index
  • Class C: 76 – 200 Flame Spread Index, 0 – 450 Smoke Developed Index

Hero Fabriduct™ is classified as Class A, making it suitable for various interior applications as per the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and related codes.