A niche no more: engineers, interior designers, and architects now use fabric duct systems for air distribution in a variety of facilities. By outlining relevant applications, design parameters, sizing and installation tips and more, our monthly puzzle author spells out the fabric solution for moving air up, down, or across a space

Engineered Systems, Jan, 2005 by Steve Liescheidt

OFFICE SPACES

Comfort and IAQ hinge on good air distribution. Fabric ducts can get air distributed in an office space where it is not generally cost effective or possible to do so with traditional ceiling diffusers. With fabric air distribution, the air can be distributed more evenly by using vents/nozzles evenly spaced across the entire length of the fabric duct. This provides a great way to cover a large length of floor-to-ceiling glass.

RETAIL / GROCERY STORES

Public spaces designed to get shoppers to buy products need to have architectural and interior designs that create a mood for shopping. These are design challenges that require creative solutions. With fabric ducts, the designers can use colors and shapes and air distribution creativity that is not generally economically feasible otherwise.

In areas where open case refrigeration displays are used, the fabric air distribution systems can provide draft-free supply air so that the "air curtain" of the display case is not affected. This becomes a major energy saver for the store and allows the refrigerated product to be unaffected by the supply airstream that might be blowing warm air onto it when using traditional metal supply air devices.

ELECTRONICS ROOMS

Rooms that have electronic equipment generally require materials of construction that minimize or eliminate static electricity charges. Some manufacturers of fabric ducts have found fabrics that do not cause static electricity charges. These fabrics can also provide draft-free air distribution in rooms where this is needed.

TEMPORARY STRUCTURES / TENTS

The use of temporary tents and other structures for various events like weddings, parties, holiday celebrations, family reunions, or more tragic events like tornado and hurricane disaster relief efforts and military operations have become very common. Since these structures and tents need to be mobile, it only makes sense that the air distribution systems are mobile as well. Fabric duct systems provide the flexibility, durability, and ease of installation that meet these design requirements. In addition, fabric ducts are lightweight and do not impose an unnecessary structural load on the framework of these structures and tents.

EXHAUST ENVIRONMENTS

Laboratories generally require large amounts of supply air to compensate for the research hood exhausts. It is important to get this supply air into the space without disturbing the airflow pattern into the hood. It is also generally desirable to provide a comfortable environment with minimal drafts in the space for the occupants. Properly designed fabric air distribution can provide solutions to these design challenges.

Along the same lines, fabric ducts can provide a draft-free solution for providing replacement air in kitchens required because of the kitchen hood exhaust. Draft-free air distribution is important so that the effectiveness of the hood is not compromised, worker comfort is maintained, and the food is not cooled by air blowing on it before it is served. Consult the AHJ for this application to ensure compliance with local codes and ordinances. Special fabrics with USDA approval for food processing applications may be considered for kitchen applications as well.