Ductmate offers removable and breakaway connections for rectangular flange connection systems. Learn more below.

Removable Connections

Removable fasteners provide quick, easy access for maintenance, inspections, and repairs. They are also used for temporary assembly during fabrication and for systems that may need reconfiguration.

Our removable connections feature carriage bolts and nuts, or hand-tightened wing nuts.

Breakaway Connections

Breakaway connections are safety devices that allow ductwork to detach from a fire damper sleeve during a fire, which keeps the damper securely in place within the fire-rated opening. The breakaway connection is designed to fail under this force before the entire damper is pulled out of the fire-rated opening.  This maintains the fire barrier's integrity, preventing the spread of flames, smoke, and heat through the opening.

Our breakaway connections feature nylon bolts and nylon nuts, or hand-tightened wing nuts.

Installation Instructions

IMPORTANT: During fabrication, do not notch duct sections or sleeves when using the Ductmate Rectangular Flange System. Refer to the assembly and installation manual for complete details.

1. Cut flange to the proper length for each respective profile.
2. Assemble each frame by inserting corner pieces into the hollow web of the flange.
3. Slide completed frames onto each duct section and sleeve, making sure that the assembly is thoroughly seated into the integral mastic pocket of the flange.
4. Apply a small amount of water-based duct sealant to the inside edge of each corner at the corresponding raw edge of the duct or sleeve.
5. Apply a continuous strip of closed-cell neoprene gasket to the entire face of one of the frames, making sure that the gasket covers the inside edge of each corner and the corresponding raw edge of the duct or sleeve.
6. Align the opposing frame and duct section to be connected and insert a carriage bolt into all four corners and firmly tighten. For applications requiring toolless access, use wing nuts instead of standard nuts (see fastener requirements below).
7. Apply 6” metal or PVC cleat according to the following schedule:

• For ½”-2” WG/SP, use 6” cleat 24” OC
• For 3-4” WG/SP, use 6” cleat 18” OC
• For 6-10” WG/SP, use 6” cleat 12” OC

IMPORTANT: For breakaway connections, use only PVC cleat with a minimum of one per side

Fastener Requirements

Removable Connection Fasteners

Use metal or PVC fasteners:

• DM ’25’ Systems: 1” x 5/16” carriage bolts and nuts or wingnuts
• DM ‘35’ Systems: 1” x 3/8” carriage bolts and nuts or wingnuts
• DM ‘45’ Systems: 1” x 1/2” carriage bolts and nuts or wingnuts

Breakaway Connection Fasteners

Use only nylon bolts and nylon nuts or wingnuts:

• DM ‘25’ Systems: 1” x 5/16” nylon bolts and nuts or wingnuts
• DM ‘35’ Systems: 1” x 3/8” nylon bolts and nuts or wingnuts
• DM ‘45’ Systems: 1” x 1/2” nylon bolts and nuts or wingnuts

Ready to Buy?

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.

Outside the US? Check out our international distributor list.  For detailed information on product availability, lead times, or other international sales requests, please email ductmate@ductmate.com.