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Blog

Airthings for Business: The Complete IAQ Solution

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Ductmate Industries

Indoor air quality is often up to five times worse than outside.  Considering most people spend 90% of their time inside, it’s time for a smarter solution.

Why is Indoor Air Quality Important?

People spend a lot of time indoors, so it’s no surprise that Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is strongly and directly connected to health and well-being. According to the US Environment Protection Agency, indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental risks to public health.  Annually, 3.8 million people worldwide prematurely die from illnesses attributable to indoor air pollution.

Poor indoor air quality can cause short-term issues, like headaches, inflammation of the nose, throat and eyes, and flare-ups of pneumonia or bronchitis, or it can contribute to long-term problems like cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer.  It has also been associated with aggravating respiratory issues, including asthma.

Improving indoor air quality is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure good health and optimal comfort.

What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality largely comes down to several key contaminants and components, which are known to play a role in comfort and health.

Pollutants that can affect the air quality inside buildings fall into one or more of the following categories:

Particulate Matter (PM):

Particulate matter is a range of dust, dirt, and liquid particles that become suspended in the air.  This includes dust, smoke and tobacco smoke, pollen, animal dander, particles generated from combustion appliances, and particles associated with dust mites, mold, and bacteria.

Some are large enough to see, like smoke, smog, or soot. The healthier the air, the fewer PMs.

Airborne Chemicals/Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):

Airborne chemicals/Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) come from combustion processes such as solid fuel heating, gas cooking stoves, vehicle exhaust, and tobacco smoke.  They can also come from building materials, furnishings, adhesives, paint, varnish, cleaning products, and pesticides.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2):

Emitted naturally by breathing, CO2 can build up in poorly ventilated buildings where the air is recycled.  High concentrations are linked to poor decision-making, low productivity, and infectious disease transmission.

Environmental Pollution & Radon:

Environmental pollution indoors comes from outside contaminants like vehicle fumes and industrial pollution that can seep into buildings.  It can also come from naturally occurring gases like radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps into buildings from rocks and soil and can build up to dangerous levels indoors.

Human Contamination/Virus Risk:

People in buildings are often carriers of viruses that can spread through the air.

Improved indoor air quality can help stop the risk of airborne viruses, including SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus), and other viruses.  The Biden-Harris Administration identified improved indoor air quality as an important tool to fight the spread of airborne diseases in the American Pandemic Preparedness Plan in September 2021, and the National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan prioritized it again in March 2022.

SMACNA Prioritizes IAQ

Recently, SMACNA launched WeAreWhatWeBreathe.com, a new web resource designed to raise public awareness for indoor air pollution and how indoor air quality (IAQ) improvements can help improve occupants’ health.  This comprehensive site is a destination for private and public stakeholders to explore how ventilation, airflow, and indoor air quality impact schools, homes, and office settings.

“The pandemic shined a much-needed light on indoor air quality and some of the major health concerns arising in our schools, homes, and workplaces,” SMACNA Chief Executive Officer Aaron Hilger said. “As a standard-setting organization, SMACNA is proud to play a leading role in addressing the impact of poor ventilation and air quality on our lives. We hope this website will be a helpful resource while instilling a sense of urgency for building owners and school systems to provide tenants with the clean, quality air they deserve.”

To learn more about indoor air pollutants and the need for better ventilation, visit WeAreWhatWeBreathe.com.

The Solution: Airthings for Business

Like other environmental health risks, IAQ can easily and reliably be monitored to assess risks and improve air quality.  Airthings provides the complete solution to improving the health and well-being of your building and its occupants.

Ductmate now offers the Airthings Space Hub, Space Pro, and Space CO2 Mini devices to building owners to help map out issues within their facilities and target the root causes of poor air quality and energy inefficiency in their buildings.  These three products can be configured to meet the needs of virtually any small to medium-sized commercial or institutional structure, including schools, offices, hospitals, and more.

Depending on the product, Airthings devices monitor particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide (CO2), airborne chemicals (VOCs), temperature, and more, as well as its virtual sensors that monitor occupancy and virus risk.  When paired with the Airthings dashboard, you can monitor data remotely in real time and make smarter decisions to improve your indoor air quality and energy efficiency levels.

Why suffer through poor indoor air quality that can adversely affect your health when there’s a simple solution? And when it comes to energy bills, why pay more than you have to? On average, an Airthings for Business customer saves up to 20% on energy costs.

Where Can I Buy Airthings?

Ready to buy Airthings? To purchase the Airthings for Business solution, please contact Ductmate customer service at 1 (800) 990-8459.

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Round & Round: Spiralmate Duct Connector

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Ductmate Industries

Renowned for its quality and reliability, Spiralmate is the round connection you can depend on.

What is Spiralmate?

Ductmate’s Spiralmate round duct connection system is the industry’s only self-sealing round flanged connector system of its kind that offers unsurpassed speed of installation, airtight integrity, and aesthetics.

Because the Spiralmate connector system is sold as a complete set, it consists of the following uniquely designed components:

  • Two mating round duct Connector flanges with Ductmate’s high-performance, non-hardening self-sealing 5511M mastic injected into the pocket.
  • Each Spiralmate flange is designed to adjust to the exact diameter of the duct.
  • A one-bolt closure band is engineered to quickly and safely clamp the Spiralmate flanges together without the need for multiple screws or bolts.
  • A high-density neoprene gasket is available, which allows for performance and adjustability at each connection.

Spiralmate offers the following exclusive, cost-saving features:

  • Sold as a complete connection
  • Quick and simple to install
  • Substantial reduction in labor
  • Airtight without external sealant
  • Clean appearance for exposed duct
  • Standard sizes from 8” – 120” in 2” increments
  • Tested to 18” w.g. positive and 10” w.g. negative
  • Available in six alloys

Spiralmate vs. Generic Connection Systems

Spiralmate is superior to generic connection systems when it comes to installed cost, safety, speed of installation, airtight integrity, adjustability, and aesthetics over a generic connection system.

With Spiralmate, the installed cost is lower because the cost includes the two factory-sealed flange rings and one bolt closure band required to make the connection, requiring no sealant or additional labor. In contrast, generic connections have each ring sold separately, plus the additional sealant and labor cost required to seal each connection.

The Spiralmate system is engineered to simplify the connection process with its one-bolt closure band design, which quickly and safely aligns and clamps each joint together for a superior seal and speed of installation. This process eliminates the added cost and labor of applying Tek screws manually at the connection, further enhancing safety and adjustability. Conversely, a generic connection requires multiple Tek screws around the circumference of each joint to complete the connection, decreasing worker safety while increasing installation time and leakage at the connection. Generic connections don’t allow for adjustability at the connection, either.

Lastly, Spiralmate is a clean, seamless connection that can be used as an architectural feature on exposed duct systems, while generic connections require exposed screws and sealant at the connection, ruining aesthetics.

Quick & Easy Installation

Spiralmate installation is quick and easy.  Don’t believe us? Watch our installation video and see for yourself just how easy it is to install Spiralmate.

Can I Customize My Order of Spiralmate?

Spiralmate comes in standard sizes from 8” – 120” in 2” increments.  For additional sizes, please consult a Ductmate representative.

Additionally, Spiralmate comes in six different alloys for a wide range of specialty applications, including galvanized metal, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and more.

For mining or unique applications, our alternative Ventmate is available. Ventmate is a connector clamp with the same high-quality neoprene gasket embedded into the closure band.  Consult Ductmate for more information on Ventmate applications.

Press-on inner rings are available for round ducts with 1” or 2” insulation, so no welding or fasteners are needed. Double-sided high-strength PSA tape can be applied for a simple on-site installation.

As always, we’re happy to work with you to deliver the products you need.

Where Can I Buy Spiralmate?

Ready to buy Spiralmate? Ductmate products are available at over 350 locations across the US as part of a selective distribution network.  Use the Ductmate distributor locator map to find a distributor near you.

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ULtimate Door Lineup: Performance, Safety, and Options That Matter

Posted on June 29, 2023 by Ductmate Industries

Design and engineering choices when choosing a grease duct access door can mean the difference between life and death for building occupants and first responders.  When life safety and building performance are your number one priority, Ductmate’s ULtimate grease duct access doors are superior to the competition.

What are the ULtimate Doors?

Ductmate’s ULtimate access doors provide easy access to high-temperature air ducts and grease duct systems and were designed for applications requiring UL 1978 listing.

Ductmate offers the ULtimate Door (sandwich-style), ULtimate Door II (weld-on), and the ULtimate Door Round (sandwich-style for round duct) that provide the following special characteristics:

  • UL 1978 listed
  • Superior life safety protection
  • Minimal penetration into the duct
  • Grease and liquid tight
  • Meets NFPA96 standards
  • Dramatically reduces installation time
  • 11 ga. 304SS or Black Iron
  • ICC tested with leading wraps
  • No special tools required
  • Quick and easy access

Unlike shop-fabricated and inferior, light gauge grease duct door substitutes, the high-performance line of ULtimate Grease Duct Access Doors from Ductmate are designed to meet the challenges. They are the most extensively engineered, tested, and ruggedly constructed doors available in the industry.

Why make your job more difficult?

The ULtimate Doors are designed to save you time and money without compromising safety.  The sandwich style of the ULtimate Door and ULtimate Door Round allows them to be completely removed or installed in minutes.  No frames to install, no holes to drill, and no clips needed, dramatically reducing field installation time and labor.

When working in the field, time is money, so why make your job more difficult than it has to be? Use the access doors that keep you safe and don’t waste your time.

Can I customize my order of ULtimate Doors?

Ductmate can custom make virtually any size ULtimate Door, starting at 6” x 6” all the way up to 24” x 24”. Consult Ductmate customer service for more information.

Additionally, the ULtimate line of access doors can be ordered in stainless steel or black iron and several optional design features for virtually any configuration.

As always, we’re happy to work with you to deliver the products you need.

Where can I buy the ULtimate Doors?

Ready to buy the ULtimate Doors? Ductmate products are available at over 350 locations across the US as part of a selective distribution network.  Use the Ductmate distributor locator map to find a distributor near you.

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Problems Solved: DM ’45’ for Industrial

Posted on May 22, 2023 by Ductmate Industries

When heavy-duty ductwork requires heavy-duty connections, the Ductmate ‘45’ connector system provides a better solution.  Let DM ‘45’ solve your problems for you.

What is the DM ‘45’ System?

Ductmate (DM) ’45 ’ is a self-sealing rectangular duct connection system for when a rigid, leak-free connection is required in industrial applications, such as data centers, semiconductor plants, battery plants, wastewater treatment plants, chemical plants, oil rigs, stadiums/arenas, underground rail stations/subways, and more.

The DM ‘45’ connection system consists of precision roll-formed flanges, corner pieces, gasket and cleat. The flanges attach to the duct wall and have an integral mastic that allows the flange to seal itself to the duct. Corner pieces add rigidity to the flange, hold the ductwork together and provide a sealing surface for the gasket. The gasket serves as a seal between the flanges. The Ductmate Versa-Cleat ensures equal compression of the gasket along the length of the flange, and the Ductmate Bolt-On Cleat option is ideal for large spans and hard-to-reach areas.

DM ‘45’ has been tested in accordance with SMACNA testing procedures. No external sealant was employed, and the test results reveal that the Ductmate ‘45’ system is comparable to a SMACNA Class K transverse joint.

The DM ‘45’ system offers a wide range of unique, functional, and cost-saving characteristics:

  • Simple installation
  • Incredible material and labor-saving characteristics
  • Ideal for duct gauges 10 – 18 ga (fits 10 ga. – 22 ga. steel)
  • Easy to cut and assemble: No heavy black iron angle to cut, paint, weld or holes to drill.
  • Self-sealing: No additional sealing or associated labor required
  • Available in a wide range of specialty metals for virtually any application
  • 4-bolt corner and cleat combination is the safest, most efficient means of connecting large ducts on site
  • Sealing materials meet NFPA 90A & B Class 1 requirements
  • Virtually no leakage at up to 12” WG positive pressure or down to 12” WG negative pressure
  • Specified and used as an architectural feature
  • Optional cut-to-length flange reduces fabrication time and scrap (additional cost, minimum quantities and size restrictions may apply)
  • Free engineering assistance and duct construction information further reduces installation costs

What Are the Benefits of Using DM ‘45’?

With the DM ‘45’ system, you’ll reap maximum cost, time, and labor savings.

Because the DM ‘45’ is a self-sealing slide-on connector system without welding to achieve an airtight seal, its four-bolt design with optional bolt-on or snap-on cleat (which replaces countless nuts and bolts) makes ease of installation and airtight integrity simple.  By eliminating the need to weld, you’ll save on overall installation and labor costs.  It’s no wonder why the DM ‘45’ has become the clear choice over the labor-intensive companion angle.

Equal in strength to a SMACNA K Class 2-1/2” x 2-1/2” x 3/16” angle, the DM ‘45’ system has the strength you need to connect the biggest duct imaginable without the labor-intensive fabrication processes of drilling bolt holes, welding frames, or applying rust-proof coatings.

Concerned about aesthetics with a companion angle? Choose the DM ‘45’ system for a cleaner, professional look.  While galvanized steel is the standard, Ductmate offers the DM ‘45’ system in aluminum, 316 stainless steel, and black iron specialty metals.  Backed by rigorous testing and our industry-leading guarantee, large-scale critical air systems are better with the DM ‘45’ system.

Where Can I Buy the DM ‘45’ System?

Ready to buy the DM ‘45’ system? Ductmate products are available at over 350 locations across the US as part of a selective distribution network.  Use the Ductmate distributor locator map to find a distributor near you.

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Gecko Glue Adhesive: Now Available in 275-Gallon Totes

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Ductmate Industries

Gecko Glue adhesive is now available in new 275-gallon totes, resulting in cost, storage, and labor savings.  When less is more, more is less!

What Are the Benefits of Gecko Glue Totes?

There is a wide array of benefits to using our 275-gallon Gecko Glue totes.

The greatest benefit of Gecko Glue totes is that one 275-gallon tote is equivalent to five 55-gallon drums.  By buying in bulk, not only will you reap maximum cost savings, but it will result in maximum storage space savings as well.  One tote is significantly easier to store than five drums.

Gecko Glue totes are ideal for large insulation projects and significantly reduce changeover time, resulting in additional labor savings.  Additionally, Gecko Glue totes are compatible with all existing coil lines and sprayers as our standard drums.

Once all the product has been used, don’t throw the tote away! Our plastic 275-gallon totes are recyclable, making disposal easier than ever.  Check your local recycling guidelines and requirements, as many recycling facilities will have lower recycling fees for plastic totes.  With metal drums, typically, a higher fee is associated with disposal, giving our totes another advantage over the standard drums.

What is Gecko Glue Adhesive?

Ductmate’s Gecko Glue Silver and Gecko Glue Gold are commercial-grade, water-based duct liner adhesives formulated for spray and roller coating applications and can be used for the following:

  • Bond duct liner insulation to galvanized duct work
  • Ductmate PolyArmor™, elastomeric, or fiberglass insulation
  • Seal cut edges of fiberglass insulation
  • Bond kraft-backed foil covering to fiberglass
  • Bond multiple layers of fibrous insulation board

Gecko Glue adhesive offers the following special characteristics:

  • Solvent-free water-based adhesive
  • Spray, roll, or brush application
  • Exceptional wet tack with a smooth finish after drying
  • Fast tacking with some dry tack for an extended grip
  • Exceptional coverage
  • Excellent water, mold, and mildew resistance
  • Non-flammable in wet and dry states
  • Wipes clean with soapy water before fully cured
  • UL Classified
  • LEED® Compliant, meets all applicable EPA Method 24 and CDPH standards
  • Conforms to NFPA 90A and 90B requirements and SCAQMD standards

Where Can I Buy Gecko Glue Adhesive?

Ready to buy Gecko Glue adhesive? Whether you need a lot or a little, we are happy to work with you to deliver your desired products.

Ductmate products are available at over 350 locations across the US as part of a selective distribution network.  Use the Ductmate distributor locator map to find a distributor near you.

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New PROflex Master Rolls in Various Lengths: Now Available

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Ductmate Industries

You asked, we listened! Ductmate now offers PROflex master rolls in various lengths (1000 ft, 750 ft, 500 ft).  You can expect the same high-quality and customizable options from our master rolls as our standard 100 ft PROflex cartons.

What is PROflex?

PROflex is a flexible duct connector designed to isolate equipment noise and vibration from the ductwork, consisting of a fabric secured to sheet metal on both sides. Typically, the connector is inserted between the equipment and the ductwork.

Flexible duct connectors are widely used in commercial, industrial, and residential HVAC applications.  PROflex offers the following special characteristics:

  • Airtight and waterproof at 10 w.g. positive and negative
  • Double-lock gripping fingers of metal to fabric adds to holding power
  • Designed to meet NFPA 90A and 90B specifications
  • Pre-assembled with sheet metal permanently secured to the fabric
  • Fabrics are NFPA 701 listed (except Teflon®)
  • Available in six fabrics and five alloys for any configuration
  • Fabrics include UL Listed and LA Approved Super Duty Vinyl

How can PROflex master rolls increase efficiency and labor savings while reducing scrap?

PROflex master rolls, when used in conjunction with any automated flexible duct connector machinery, will significantly reduce labor time and machine downtime, resulting in notable labor savings on every project.  With less machine downtime and changeover time, your shop efficiency will skyrocket.  When PROflex master rolls are placed on a skid, loading and unloading with a forklift is a breeze, resulting in additional time savings.

PROflex master rolls are perfect for larger shops that use a large amount of flexible duct connectors.  The more you use, the more you save.

A PROflex 1000 ft master roll will significantly reduce the scrap produced compared to the standard 100 ft roll.  Over the course of a few projects, the amount of scrap coming from a standard 100 ft PROflex roll could add up to the cost of another standard 100 ft PROflex box.

An automated flexible duct connector machine used with PROflex master rolls will also allow you to take the guesswork and the possibility of user error out of the cutting process.

What if I need a smaller length of PROflex?

If you need a smaller length of PROflex, that’s not a problem!  We’ll work with your needs to minimize scrap.

Typically, PROflex is sold at a standard 100 ft length and is available with or without metal attached in various widths.

We understand that 1000 ft master rolls may be too much for most, so PROflex is also sold in multiple lengths, including 500 ft and 750 ft.

Can I customize my order of PROflex?

PROflex is available in six fabrics and five alloys for any configuration.  Specialty fabrics include UL Listed and LA Approved Super Duty Vinyl.   PROflex metals are available in galvanized, stainless, aluminum, and more.  For other alloys, fabric sizes, or chemical-resistant properties, consult your nearest Ductmate distributor.

As always, we’re happy to work with you to deliver the products you need.

Where can I buy PROflex?

Ready to buy PROflex? Ductmate products are available at over 350 locations across the US as part of a selective distribution network.  Use the Ductmate distributor locator map to find a distributor near you.

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What is the QPA score of your Sealants & Adhesives?

Posted on March 2, 2022 by Ductmate Industries

At Ductmate Industries, we take our Quality, Performance, and Availability (QPA) score very seriously when formulating our HVAC Sealants and Adhesives lines.

Quality: Ductmate Industries uses only high-quality polymers and raw materials to formulate its water-based sealants and adhesives, reducing fillers and thickeners that build up and cause excessive amounts of product to be applied. This results in a line of water-based products that go on smoothly and even, providing exceptional coverage, ultimately reducing your overall material and labor costs.

Performance: The high-performance characteristics of our formulas and polymers are also second to none. Our Sealants and Adhesives are engineered to meet or exceed the most demanding industry codes and standards, yet are environmentally friendly, sustainable and LEED compliant. When you count on getting the job done right the first time, Ductmate sealants & adhesives are the number one choice.

Availability: With manpower, raw material and supply chain issues facing the construction industry, Ductmate Industry has the right solutions to meet these challenges. Ductmate has Sealants and Adhesives products for virtually any HVAC application.

If you want high Quality, Performance, readily available water-based duct sealant, anti-microbial coating, duct liner adhesive, and a wide range of other products for your HVAC project, you will find the solution you need when you need it at Ductmate Industries.

For more product information or technical assistance, browse our full line of products now. To find an authorized Ductmate distributor near you, please see our Find a Distributor page. For any other questions, please contact Ductmate Customer Service today at [email protected] or 1-800-245-3188.


Browse Our Sealants Browse Our Adhesives

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PolyArmor™ Now Available in 3″ Thickness

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Ductmate Industries

Demanding Mega-Tech HVAC System? Don’t Sweat It!

When mega tech companies have demanding HVAC systems, they look for a high-performance insulation that won’t sweat under the pressure of extreme temperature variations – they look to PolyArmor™ from Ductmate Industries. Now this high-performance, user-friendly, polyester line of insulations has been expanded to address the latest code requirements with its New R12 – 3” Thick PolyArmor Insulation.  The new 3” PolyArmor embodies all of the high-performance characteristics that have made PolyArmor the specified Insulation for some of the biggest tech companies. Despite its thickness, PolyArmor is still a user friendly, light weight, non-irritating insulation, designed to reduce energy costs and cold tracking in some of the most demanding, extreme HVAC conditions at a very competitive price. When you need an insulation that addresses the most challenging environmental and critical conditions like hospitals, schools, universities, and tech data centers, Don’t Sweat It! Choose PolyArmor from Ductmate Industries.

  • New IECC and ASHRAE codes are now requiring an R-12 thermal value for climate zones 5-8 (Northeast, Midwest (north of Kansas City), Rocky Mountains, and the Northwest)
  • Meets all 3” duct liner thermal resistance requirements and provides excellent sound absorption
  • Fiberglass free alternative, user friendly, and hypoallergenic polyester material
  • Extremely durable FSK facing and does not promote or support growth of mold or mildew
  • Made of 25% recycled Zero VOC material for increased sustainability
  • Job Specific orders only available in 50’ Rolls and widths of, 47.5”, 48”, 56.25”, 59”, & 60”
  • Use with Zero VOCs water-based adhesive & 2.75” insulated cap weld pins

R-Value, Thickness, and Width

WidthR-12
3" x 50'
47.5"PA475F3W50
48"PA48F3W50
56.25"PA5625F3W50
59"PA59F3W50
60"PA60F3W50

 

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Get To Know Your Water-Based Duct Sealants

water based duct sealant

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Ductmate Industries

Technical Data Sheets – From Confusion to Clarity

Technical Data Sheets (TDS) related to water-based duct sealants can be just as intimidating as synonyms for the first word in the acronym, erudite or abstruse. These data sheets are provided to give specifics about the performance of each product for better product selection. However, the list of standards (NFPA 90A and 90B or ASTM C794), complex acronyms (TVOC Emissions CDPH Standard Method v1.1), and scientific units (cps or PLI) could leave the average person confused and allowing price to be the leading factor during selection. The truth is that engineers provide this information because they are truly dedicated to the product they worked very hard to develop, and would like to share all of the technical information possible explaining the positive attributes of the sealant itself. Ductmate understands that this information is not the easiest to grasp, and therefore, this article aims to describe a few key test specifications that may not be so obvious to understand at first glance.

Solid Content is one of the most misunderstood specifications most duct sealant manufacturers report on their technical data sheets. In most cases, more is better (unless you are playing golf). Solid content is a lot like your ideal golf game. Water-based duct sealants start out with a polymer that is the backbone of any formulation. These polymers are between 50-55% solids (the other 45-50% is water). To get the solid content to reach “typical” levels of 60-80% for the average sealant, 100% solid fillers are added. These fillers will reduce the water content in the formulation leading to quicker dry times and reduced cost, but most fillers provide little performance characteristics and will eventually lead to negative returns when added at an elevated level.

For the sealant to maintain other critical performance characteristics like flexibility and adhesion, there must be enough polymer in the formulation to hold all of the filler together. Envision a ball pit or a sandbox. In either case, it would be very difficult to cover the entire surface area of the particles without reducing the amount of those particles present. Ideally, a combination of large particles and smaller particles lends to better packing of the fillers.

This allows for the dried sealant to be a strong, flexible coating that will hold up to the harsh conditions a duct system may go through during its lifetime (vibrations, expansion/contraction as air begins to fill the duct, or transferring between cold and hot conditions). Sealants that contain too much filler, or only one size of filler, could result in cracking and poor adhesion. Just think, if there is not enough polymer to surround all of the filler present, how will there be enough to bind to the steel or hold all of the particles together during movement? Flexibility and adhesion are perhaps the two most important characteristics of any duct sealant. These characteristics can be accidentally ignored when choosing a duct sealant based on a high solid content.

Tricks of the Statistics: Solid Content can be linked to performance characteristics like Flexibility and Adhesion, but they are also typically proportional to other common specifications on a technical data sheet. For instance, when the solid content is in the 70-80% range, the density (how many lbs. are in a one-gallon pail) is also typically higher. This could lead to higher shipping costs. Viscosity is also typically affected at high solid content levels. The higher the solid content, the thicker the sealant tends to be. If the product is too thick, the sealant will be harder to brush. In this case, excess sealant is often used driving up the cost of the job.

Below is a table breaking down some key technical data and how each relates directly to a Ductmate Water-Based Sealant. We hope this chart can help end users select which sealant is right for their own use. For example, if you want a product with great adhesion to steel, is easily spreadable, LEED compliant, and matches the color of steel = EVERseal. If you want a product that adheres very well to multiple substrates, is great for outdoor use, can be used in high pressure systems, and is LEED compliant = PROseal. If you want a premium product that is also sprayable = PROseal Spray.

Ductmate SealantsAdhesion to MetalAdhesion to Flexible Duct ConnectorsFlexibilityOutdoor ApplicationsBrush DragSag Resistance<15" Water GaugeLEED CompliantFiber TextureSprayableColor Match to Galvanized Steel
PROseal

•••

•••

•••

•••

••

•••

•••

YesNoNo

•

FIBERseal

•••

•••

•••

•••

••

•••

•••

YesYesNo

•

EVERseal

•••

••

•••

••

•••

••

••

YesNoNo

••

EZseal

•••

••

•••

••

•••

••

••

YesYesNo

••

PROseal Spray

•••

•••

•••

•••

n/a

•

•••

YesNoYes

•

••• = Excellent
•• = Above Average
• = Standard

For more information, please visit our Water-Based Sealant page or to download Technical Data Sheets for any of our products, please browse our Technical Resources page.

 

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Ductmate 45 Industrial Duct Connector On The Fast Track In LA!

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Ductmate Industries

Contractors Turn to Ductmate’s Industrial Duct Connector for City of L.A. Transit Station Project.

The Los Angeles County California Metro is amongst the nation’s largest and premier transportation agencies, and it serves as transportation planner, coordinator, designer, builder, and operator for one of the country’s largest, most densely populated and developed counties. More than 9.6 million people – nearly one-third of California’s residents – live, work, and play within their 1,433-square-mile service area. Beginning in 2014, the LA Metro began an ambitious project to extend their existing Crenshaw/LAX transit line to better serve the cities of Los Angeles, Inglewood, El Segundo, and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County.  This would extend the existing Metro E Line at Crenshaw and Exposition Boulevards in Los Angeles and merge it with the Metro C (Green) Line at the Aviation/LAX Station on Aviation Boulevard and Interstate 105 in the City of El Segundo.

The new state of the art Metro Rail extension would offer an alternative transportation option to congested roadways and provide significant environmental benefits, economic development, and employment opportunities throughout Los Angeles County. Riders will be able to make easy connections within the entire Metro Rail system, municipal bus lines, and other regional transportation services. Equally important, it will dramatically reduce travel times, inefficiencies, and lower transportation costs while improving the quality of life for commuters and residents as well as benefiting the surrounding environment. The ability to foresee such an innovative concept, let alone engineer such a monumental and technically complex project that would ultimately result in such a vast number of socioeconomic solutions, is hard to put into words.

It was the underground stations where Metro had a particularly challenging objective. Tunneling under countless buildings and congested streets overhead in a seismically active area, engineers and contractors had to bring in fresh air for the passengers waiting to board. At this point, the HVAC Contracting Companies of Limbach and Superior Duct were tasked with sourcing and installing the critical air systems needed. With ductwork exceeding 45 square feet in 20’ sections, the contractors had to be extremely selective in the connection system they would use on the job. It would be imperative they complete their work in a timely fashion to ensure the project kept moving and on schedule. Because of the unique belowground operation, the HVAC system has to withstand very rigorous operating standards, as well as meet the engineering standards for catastrophic events such as an earthquake. The ductwork would have to tolerate up to 14” positive and negative pressure and operating temperatures exceeding 480 degrees.

“Because we have so many types of construction, it requires so many types of specialties. The construction managers all have to have different types of training, and coordinating that to make sure we have the right resources at the project at the right time based on what’s going on – that’s a complexity for us, and something we have to manage.”

– Stephanie Leslie | Deputy Executive Officer, Construction

One of the key points the contractors have stressed as a primary reason for turning to Ductmate Industries, and making the switch from companion angle frames to Ductmate 45 Industrial Rectangular Duct Connector System on this project, is the universal acceptance of the Ductmate Brand, the product’s performance, and the engineering and technical support behind the product.

The Ductmate 35 and Ductmate 45 Rectangular Duct Connector Systems both were designed and engineered to increase the overall performance (airtight and structural integrity) of commercial and industrial HVAC systems, and are the most independently tested and widely used connector systems in the world. Ductmate Industries’ engineering department built industrial sections of duct using the DM 45 connector system and tested it well beyond the performance requirements of the LA Metro project to confirm and support testing completed to achieve approval for this project. The Ductmate Connection system has been through rigorous shaker testing and simulations specifically for critical projects in earthquake prone regions. Also, because of the extremely high temperature requirements of this project, a specialized silicone sealant was used between the flange faces at each 20’ duct joint. The silicone sealant worked perfectly with the Ductmate 45 System and achieved optimal results for this high temperature application.

In addition to the high-performance characteristics of the Ductmate system, possibly the most compelling reason the product was selected was the inherent cost savings associated with the Ductmate 45 system versus companion angle flanges. The fabrication of connections for HVAC systems utilizing companion angle is an egregiously labor-intensive process. Although project specifications can vary from project to project, in general companion angle is hard to cut, requires countless number of holes to be drilled, must be painted to prevent rust, requires certified welders to join angle together and to attach to the duct wall, and then attached with equally countless number of nuts and bolts.  Ductmate 45 is a self-sealing slide-on connector system where no welding is needed to achieve an airtight seal. Its 4 -bolt design with optional bolt-on or snap-on cleat (which replaces countless nuts and bolts) makes ease of installation and airtight integrity simple, thus it has become the clear choice over labor-intensive companion angle.

Learn How To Install The Ductmate Flange Connector System

Ductmate Industries has always been viewed as the industry leader within the commercial and industrial HVAC industry. Needless to say, due to the performance characteristics and being vastly more labor-saving, the Ductmate 45 System was approved and used over the initially specified companion angle. Once approved, the contractor drew upon Bay Insulation/CWCI for just-in-time delivery and service to ensure a seamless supply of Ductmate 45 components.

It is a unique project like the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Stations where the versatility and quality of Ductmate products and its engineering staff truly shine. For over 40 years, Ductmate has been partnering with companies in the commercial and industrial HVAC space to solve challenging and unique mechanical problems in every conceivable alloy. Ductmate products have been installed in virtually every type of commercial and industrial HVAC system imaginable including transportation hubs,  data centers, waste-water treatment plants, processing plants, and countless other project types for companies such as Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Disney, to name a few.  Upon the project’s expected completion in 2021, the LA Transit line will be one of the most advanced, efficient, safest, and environmentally friendly transit systems in the world, consisting of 3 underground terminal stations and miles of below and above grade track.  Ductmate Industries is proud to assist in making this project a success.

Crenshaw/LAX Metro Update Video | The Ductmate 45 Flange Connection System Can Be Seen Throughout

Sources:
Crenshaw/LAX Metro Website

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