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25.05.2021

Technical information insulation of ventilations systems

Learn which specific requirements you need to consider.

Introduction ventilation systems: terms

The concept of ventilation systems consists of ventilation ducts and all components and equipment required for their function. They consist of all components through which air flows, such as ventilation pipes, fittings, shafts and ducts, silencers, fans, air-conditioning devices, fire dampers and other shut-off devices against the transmission of fire and smoke and shut-off devices against the transmission of smoke (smoke dampers) as well as their connections, fastenings, insulating layers, fire protection sheathing, vapor barriers, foils, coatings and claddings.

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Why do we need AC in Buildings? What are ventilation systems insulated for?

As a building owner or project designer, you will choose your HVAC system based on the climate, use and structural conditions of the building, as well as your individual preferences. But whatever your choices, all HVAC systems require adequate insulation to keep the air at the desired temperature and avoid unnecessary heat loss and emissions.

Beyond heating or cooling a space, Ventilation & Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems goal is to provide thermal comfort and proper indoor environmental quality to everyone inside a building. Used in all types of buildings, from education, healthcare, to commercial or residential, HVAC systems are often referred to as the lungs and the veins of a building: depending on the outdoor conditions, the fresh outdoor air is drawn into the buildings and heated or cooled before being distributed in the occupied spaces, then it is exhausted into the ambient air or reused in the system. Ventilation systems, especially ventilation systems for outdoor air intake, must be insulated against the failure of condensa-tion water. This can be done on the outside or inside of the duct. Since both the Kaiflex KKplus (s1/s2/s3) systems and Kaiflex Protect Alu-TEC comply with the hygiene guidelines of German VDI 6022 (hygiene requirements for ventilation and air-conditioning systems), insulation inside the duct is recommended with these products.

To prevent condensation when outside air is supplied, it is not recommended using open-cell insulation materials. The considerable temperature difference between the duct surface and the environment in conjunction with the humidity to be taken into account can lead to moisture penetration and failure of the insulation system with subsequent corrosion of the system technology, both in the event of damage to a vapor barrier layer of open-cell insulation materials and in the event of failure of contact bonding.

Need for affordable, comfortable & healthy housing - to design and build great living spaces!

Buildings have a huge impact on peoples well-being. Many don’t even fulfill the minimum requirements to ensure healthy and safe living spaces. This might have a negative impact on inhabitants which could result on what is commonly called the “Sick building syndrome”.

According to international conventions (WHO 1982, MULHAAVE 1989), one speaks of sick building syndrome (SBS) when more than 10 to 20 % of the employees in a building experience non-specific complaints or symptoms that quickly subside after leaving the building. It can be because of poor or non-existent acoustic or thermal insulation, or inadequate humidity levels generating mold and damp. Indoor air quality can impact the health, comfort, well-being and productivity of building occupants. With the right insulation, noise disturbance generated by HVAC systems can be greatly reduced and comfort improved. Our sound absorbing materials break sound waves, which helps eliminate sound reverberation and prevent propagation, especially in rectangular ducts.

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Special features of the insulation of ventilation ducts on the inside

When insulating the inside of the duct, it should be noted that this reduces the cross-section in the duct. Depending on the duct size, this can significantly increase the flow velocity in the duct, which can lead to abrasion of the rubber material over time. For this reason, we recommend always using our coated material Kaiflex Protect Alu-TEC when insulating the inside of the air duct. The joints should be covered with Kaiflex Protect Alu Butyl Tape. This gives the duct a smooth surface on the inside and reliably prevents possible abrasion of the rubber.

If the flow velocity in a ventilation duct is less than 10 m/s, the self-adhesive sheet material Kaiflex KKplus (s1/s2/s3) will not peel off if it is processed properly, so that in this case the lamination can be dispensed with.

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Sound insulation for various requirements

In everyday life nowadays we are often stressed by a multitude of sounds which are unwanted and therefore more likely to be called “noise” (in colloquial terms). Clinical studies have shown that people, who are exposed to high levels of noise over a long period of time, have an increased risk of heart disease and a lower stress threshold.

In many areas of engineering and building design the challenges to lower the noise is increasing. Possible sources may include components of technical building equipment such as ventilation and air conditioning systems. Kaisound with its versatile, sound-reducing properties, already offers solutions in the planning phase to meet the high sound requirements of modern buildings. Kaisound reduces occurring air- and structure-born noise right at the source of its development. The excellent absorption values as well as the very high sound damping results (due to the viscoelastic properties) make a significant contribution to comfort and living quality. For a successful noise reduction within a machine, Kaisound can be applied internally. With its density of 240 kg/m³, it achieves impressive results, as can be seen in the CSTB report.