Ductwork Compliance for HVAC Applications
Phenolic duct systems may seem like a new idea, but it has been in the United States for over 20 years! Thermaduct® has more than 20 years of experience fabricating phenolic duct systems for commercial HVAC applications that was built into the creation of Thermatuff®. That experience supports established methods for panel fabrication, reinforcement, joint construction, sealing and installation.
Published in 2015, the SMACNA Phenolic Duct Construction Standards gave engineers, contractors and fabricators a recognized industry framework for pre-insulated phenolic ductwork. The standard addresses the construction differences between rigid phenolic panels and traditional sheet metal, including pressure classes, reinforcement, connections, supports and installation practices.
Thermatuff® phenolic duct systems are engineered for fabrication in accordance with these SMACNA standards. Thermaduct® also provides technical guidance, fabrication training and installation support to help contractors meet project specifications and applicable HVAC code requirements.
Long Term Duct Solutions With Phenolic
Long-Term Experience with Pre-Insulated Phenolic Ductwork
Thermaduct® has more than 20 years of experience designing, fabricating and supporting pre-insulated phenolic duct systems for commercial HVAC applications. That experience has helped contractors and engineers apply lightweight, high-R-value ductwork across a wide range of project types.
Our systems are built using established phenolic fabrication methods and the SMACNA Phenolic Duct Construction Standards. The result is durable insulated ductwork designed to reduce system weight, limit air leakage and eliminate the need for separate field-applied insulation.
Phenolic History In Sheet Metal Workers Trade
Phenolic ductwork has been used in the United States for more than two decades, giving contractors a lightweight, pre-insulated alternative to conventionally insulated sheet metal. Many of those early systems remain in service today, demonstrating the long-term viability of phenolic insulation for commercial air-distribution applications.
The publication of the SMACNA Phenolic Duct Construction Standards in 2015 was an important step for the sheet metal industry. The standard gave contractors, engineers and fabricators recognized guidance for panel construction, reinforcement, connections, pressure classes, supports and installation.
Our team brings more than 20 years of phenolic duct fabrication experience to Thermatuff®. Its greater than 90% closed-cell phenolic core is faced with non-perforated aluminum, providing high thermal resistance and a smooth, fiber-free air surface. Thermatuff also meets ASTM E84 25/50 flame-spread and smoke-developed criteria referenced by NFPA 90A and 90B for applicable air-distribution systems.
Thermatuff® combines proven phenolic technology with construction methods developed around the SMACNA Phenolic Duct Construction Standards, helping sheet metal contractors offer lightweight, high-R-value insulated ductwork with low-leakage performance.