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Associate Editor - TIJ
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DeWitt, Mi
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Administrator
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Chicago, IL
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Active Member
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Calgary, AB
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 Fiberglass Ductboard
[#3] Posted: Mar 10 2004 - 7:24:42 PM |  |  |
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My supplier of the UNICO system carried fibreglass ducting when it was introduced in Calgary. We had many concerns and complaints with trades and customers, we've gone back to the traditional galv steel stuff.
The material has a greater chance of harboring undesirable creatures and other issues with restrictive flow etc.
We now recommend smooth pipe, the duct cleaners are happier and we don't have residual construction dust in the system.
My two cents.
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RC
www.YourCalgaryHomeInspector.com |
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Saugus, MA
Posts: 165
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Fiberglass Ductboard
[#4] Posted: Mar 13 2004 - 3:14:31 PM | | |
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Quote: Originally posted by LesI have been taking a lot of grief about fiberglass ductboard lately. Just got of phone with a HVAC contractor that threatened my life and good name because the tape was falling off plenumn and warm air return at furnace. Also, I have clients asking about the particulate distribution, etc.. Ownes-Corning has also called me from NY with threats etc.. and sent me a nifty "sales" pack for my education. Does anyone out there have any "world famous" opinions either pro or con regarding use of fiberglass ductboard? My only issue has been suitability for use in some applications and ability to really clean the stuff. thanks
Is fiberglass ductboard the thick black stuff I sometimes find lining the ducts?
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Moderator
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Boynton Beach, Florida
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Fiberglass Ductboard
[#5] Posted: Mar 13 2004 - 3:46:33 PM | | |
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The ductboard we see here in S. Florida is silver (aluminum) on the outside and yellow on the inside. It's usually used at the mixing boxes and supply/return plenums while flex duct which is plastic wrapped on both the inside and outside is used for the duct runs. The old galvanized metal ductwork is far better, in my opinion, since it creates less static pressure loss and is much easier to clean. My opinion only.
NORM SAGE
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Associate Editor - TIJ
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DeWitt, Mi
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Fiberglass Ductboard
[#6] Posted: Mar 14 2004 - 07:28:15 AM | | |
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Owens Corning sent me approx 15 art, one video and a partridge in a pear tree. Their site has lots of data as well as NAIMA.ORG. WWW.CUTTER.COM also has stuff. Jim Worden @ jim.worden@owenscorning.com sent me a package of stuff. Of course it is ductboard friendly, but it does seem to have good facts and is a valuable resource and contact. I am informed the lawsuit vs me is continuing and will keep you posted. Likely won't be much action as it is based on tradesperson's feeling getting hurt cost of material/labor and little else. I do mostly legal stuff and we have a law office, but this is a first for us. Thanks for the input!
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Les
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Gilbert, Arizona
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Chicago, IL
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Fiberglass Ductboard
[#9] Posted: Mar 16 2004 - 12:31:16 PM | | |
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Hey CW....
Good article. This is one material that I have a hard time believing is not a health problem. This article supports my personal bias, therefore I agree w/it. s]
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Kurt in Chicago
Workin' the Inner City
"Things are more like they are now than they ever have been before"
Dwight D. Eisenhower |
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Melbourne, Florida
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Fiberglass Ductboard
[#10] Posted: Mar 17 2004 - 08:13:11 AM | | |
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We see ductboard seldomly in air return areas under the air handler unit. Fiberglass facing out.
We say that the air return can not be adequately cleaned and dust etc will adhere to the fibers.
I remember Ron telling me that sometimes there is a sticker or label on the air handler unit for units installed in California regarding the prohibition of using fiberglass.
Ellen
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Spout Psring, Va
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Fiberglass Ductboard
[#11] Posted: Mar 22 2004 - 6:56:13 PM | | |
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The stuff inside the metal duct is fiberglas insulation, it is supposed to have a sealer applied to the raw edges to prevent fibers from being eroded. I've never seen a res system with the sealer. Ductboard, if incorrectly assembled, has the same failing, it will erode if softer inner part of duct is exposed to airflow.
Personally, I don't like any fiberglas product in the airstream or airhandler.
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Spout Psring, Va
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Fiberglass Ductboard
[#12] Posted: Mar 22 2004 - 6:59:59 PM | | |
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I personally don't like any fiberglas in the ductwork.
Both ductboard and liner will be eroded if not installed correctly. The liner, which is both thermal and acoustic insulation, must be "buttered" at the edges with a sealer, and I've yet to see this done on any residential system.
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 Fiberglass Ductboard
[#13] Posted: Mar 25 2004 - 4:39:23 PM | | |
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after they get done raising the prices on sheet-metal we will might switch to ductboard !!
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providenciales, turks and caicos
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Fiberglass Ductboard
[#14] Posted: Apr 30 2008 - 2:14:41 PM | | |
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Duct board releases fiberglass particles into the airstream, this is obviously a health hazard. Mold is another huge problem. The original product deteriorated rapidly and I have found samples where little more than the paper was left upon removal. In recent years manufactures have improved the product by adding thicker coatings inside and mold resistant chemicals. Cleaning is still a problem. It is now a better product, however fibers are still released, how much greatly depends on the installer's methods.
Because it of its relative simplicity to on site fab, many unqualified installers are out in the market doing sloppy work. Some trained installers still do not fully understand the importance of sealing all fibers. I have even seen installers who do radius fittings by making little slices so it will bend. RADIUS FITTINGS ARE NOT FOR DUCT BOARD!!! Everyone out there doing this-PLEASE STOP. You are releasing fibers for people to breathe and trapping dirt,spores,germs ect.
The cleanest healthiest way to move air is in metal duct with insulation on the outside.
Remember "Cheap ain't Good and Good ain't Cheap.
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Tucson, Arizona
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Fiberglass Ductboard
[#15] Posted: Aug 12 2009 - 7:59:19 PM | | |
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The American Lung Association gives the following information on their web site "Facts About Fiberglass".
"Fiberglass insulation packages display cancer warning labels. These labels are required by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) based on determinations made by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP)." (more at the American Lung Association web site)
That said, this conclusion is controversial. But cancer is not the only bad thing that can happen to the occupant of the house. There are other lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema.
The Illinois Dept. of Public Health states that: (persons with) "worn-out duct work lined with fiberglass in their homes or workplace may have long-term exposure to fiberglass."
Here in Arizona, besides traditional air conditioning, many homes are fitted with swamp coolers. The humidity really causes rapid deterioration of the fiberboard.
Additionally, I know of few home installation settings where there is periodic inspections. The only time someone sees the plenum is at long intervals when the furnace or air-conditioning is replaced. And then its hit or miss if a deterioration is even noticed or discussed with the home owner.
So as far as Fiberglass duct board, if it deteriorates, it is indeed a health hazard, and usually a hidden health hazard.
The lady who lived previously in my home died of emphysema, likely caused by a lethal combination of smoking and chronic exposure to fiberglass. (Compare this to Smoking plus asbestos was associated with much much higher chance of cancer than either smoking only or asbestos exposure only)
When I moved in and discovered this, I had to have the entire plenum and duct work remediation done with sealer and then Fosters sealer. Thus encapsulating the loose fibers and to seal out the moisture from again disrupting the deteriorating fiber board.
In my opinion, contractors who install fiberglass board duct work in homes are creating long term health hazards.
And this is so unnecessary. Interestingly, I have been told that the fiberboard ducts can be constructed "inside out" so the aluminum is lining the duct work and the insulation is on the outside. This insures a metal lined duct, all of the the insulation effect, and a significant contribution of the sound deadening properties. ( I say this as a physician who has had conversations with many "lung patients" HVAC contractors on the patients behalf -- and not as one directly versed in building codes)
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Administrator
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Chicago, IL
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Fiberglass Ductboard
[#16] Posted: Aug 12 2009 - 8:18:45 PM | | |
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Interesting tidbits, especially the one about the State of Illinois Health Dept.
What else you got?
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Kurt in Chicago
Workin' the Inner City
"Things are more like they are now than they ever have been before"
Dwight D. Eisenhower |
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Fiberglass Ductboard
