COMPLIANCE WITH EN 13403

Insulation

Low Energy – Low Carbon Buildings

First Issue January 2018

Non-Metallic Ducts made from Insulation Ductboards

See rear cover for applicable countries

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IntroductionEN 13403, (Ventilation for Buildings. Non-Metallic Ducts. Ductwork Made from Insulation Ductboards), created by Technical Committee CEN/TC 156, specifies the basic requirements and characteristics for ductwork made of insulation ductboards and used in ventilation and air-conditioning systems of buildings subject to human occupancy. EN 13403 is part of a series of standards for ductwork used in ventilation and air conditioning of buildings for human occupancy in the field of mechanical building services (Figure 1).

EN 13403 was created to introduce basic requirements and characteristics for ductwork made of insulation ductboards for countries throughout Europe. EN 13403 is not a harmonised standard and is a voluntary reference, but it allows ductwork made of insulation ductboards to demonstrate performance and fitness for purpose. Ductboards must meet the requirements as listed to comply with the standard. Compliance with this standard should be a prerequisite for pre-insulated ductwork systems in the Middle East.

EN 13403 offers a method to compliance whereby the requirement for non-metallic pre-insulated ducts is achieved by passing the following tests and meeting the requirements mentioned.

Compliance with EN 13403

Mechanical building services

Ventilation and airconditioning systems

Control Systems

Heating Systems

Sheet metalair ducts withcircular crosssection -Dimensions

Sheet metalair ducts withrectangular crosssection -Dimensions

Circularflanges - Dimensions

Measurementof ductworksurface area

Requirementsfor ductworkcomponentsto facilitatemaintenance

Circular sheet metal air ducts - Requirementsfor strength and leakage

Rectangular sheet metal air ducts -Requirements for strength and leakage

Ductworkhangers and supports -Requirementsfor strength

Ductwork

Dimensions/ requirements - Flexible ducts

Air handling units

Determination of mechanical energy loss

Installation

Ductwork made of Insulation ductboards

Figure 1: Position of EN 13403 in the field of mechanical building services as illustrated in EN 13403.

Test 1: Resistance Against Pressure The Resistance Against Pressure test determines the fitness for purpose of the ductwork assembly without reinforcements. The air ducts and connector sections with joints should withstand the test pressure without rupture. EN 13403 offers a method to compliance whereby the mandatory requirement for air duct resistance against pressure is achieved by meeting the maximum pressure of 2.5 times the manufacturer’s rated positive pressure without rupture. This will demonstrate the ducts usability in regards to air flow pressure.

The Kingspan PalDuct PIR System meets the requirements of withstanding the test pressure without rupture and showing no evidence of other damage. Maximum rated pressure of the Kingspan PalDuct PIR System 80/80 is 1000 Pa.

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Test 5: Water Vapour ResistancePre-insulated ductwork should avoid condensation inside the ducts, as creation of condensation inside ductwork can lead to leaks, damage, and could potentially cause the formation of mould. The Water Vapour Resistance test ensures that the ducts, held at a certain humidity, will maintain the humidity level and will not allow condensation to occur. The system should be tested in accordance with EN 12086:2013 (Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of water vapour transmission properties). EN 13403 offers a route to compliance whereby the water vapour resistance of the duct shall not be less than 140 m2 h Pa/mg for the outer facing.

Test 3: Microbial Growth Ductwork shall not serve as a habitat to enable bacteria and mould growth. Mould growth can lead to a multitude of issues, including health risks to building occupants. A microbial growth test method should be followed to ensure the duct will not enable any significant microbial growth and with no indication of deterioration from mould.

Test 4: Board Stiffness The pre-insulated ductwork must be tested for the minimum required rigidity. EN 13403 offers a method to compliance whereby the board stiffness class will be determined by the minimum flexural rigidity of the preinsulated ductboard sample.

Test 2: Air Leakage Factor and Air TightnessPre-insulated ductwork can have a fraction of the air leakage rates typical of sheet metal ductwork. A low-air leakage rate can yield significant electrical consumption savings because of reduced quantity of heated/cooled air and reduced fan energy usage. This can reduce the overall operational energy use of a building. The system should be tested for air leakage/air tightness and bulging/caving — in accordance with EN 1507 (Ventilation for buildings. Sheet metal air ducts with rectangular section. Requirements for strength and leakage). EN 13403 offers a method to compliance whereby the air leakage in the insulated ducts should meet a factor outlined in Table 1 to achieve classification.

Kingspan PalDuct PIR System meets the stringent requirements of air tightness Class C, and duct wall deflection is within the required limits.

Kingspan PalDuct PIR System meets the requirements by exhibiting that it does not support microbial growth and showed no sign of deterioration after the test. The Kingspan PalDuct Eco System uses panels and components coated in Biomaster — an innovative antimicrobial technology that inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Kingspan PalDuct PIR System 20mm thick meets the requirements by achieving a stiffness class of R3.

The outer facing of Kingspan PalDuct PIR System maintained a water vapour resistance that meets the requirements of EN 13403.

Table 1: Air tightness class and corresponding air leakage factors from section 4.3 of EN 13403.

Table 3: Stiffness classes from section 5.3.1 of EN 13403.

Air Tightness class Air Leakage factor (fmax)

I/(sm2)

A 0,027 x Ps 0,65

B 0,009 x Ps 0,65

C 0,003 x Ps 0,65

Stiffness Class Flexural rigidity (EI) Nmm2

R1 ≥ 55,000

R2 ≥ 90,000

R3 ≥ 160,000

R4 ≥ 200,000

R5 ≥ 300,000

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Test 8: Thermal Properties Thermal resistance and thermal conductivity should be based upon measurements carried out in accordance with EN 12667 (Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of thermal resistance by means of guarded hot plate and heat flow meter methods. Products of high and medium thermal resistance) or EN 12939 (Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of thermal resistance by means of guarded hot plate and heat flow meter methods. Thick products of high and medium thermal resistance) and is determined by following the specific insulation product standard.

Additionally, the Dubai Green Building Regulations & Specifications was implemented in the Emirate of Dubai to keep Dubai a city that follows the highest standards of sustainable development and has a clean pollution-free environment.

Section 502.11: of the Dubai Green Building Regulations & Specifications states that ducts passing through conditioned spaces must be insulated in accordance with BS 5422:2009 (Method for specifying thermal insulating materials for pipes, tanks, vessels, ductwork and equipment operating within the temperature range -40°C to +700°C ) or other insulation standards approved by Dubai Municipality (Figure 2).

Figure 2

Kingspan PalDuct PIR has a thermal conductivity of 0.020 W/m2.K and can meet the requirement of BS 5422:2009 and Dubai Green Building Regulations & Specifications.

Test 7: Sound Absorption Ductboard should be tested for sound absorption performance, to provide a rating which is useful for comparison. A reverberation chamber is used to carry out weighted acoustical absorption of the ductboard. EN 13403 offers a route to compliance whereby the weighted acoustical absorption determined according to EN ISO 11654 (Acoustics. Sound absorbers for use in buildings. Rating of sound absorption) shall be classified according to the values given in Table 4.

Kingspan PalDuct PIR achieved a Class E and an overall weighted sound absorption coefficient of 0.25.

Table 4: Weighted acoustical absorption from section 4.7.7 of EN 13403.

Class Acoustic absorption ∞w

A 0,9; 0,95; 1,00

B 0,80; 0,85

C 0,60; 0,65; 0,70; 0,75

D 0,30; 0,35; 0,40; 0,45; 0,50; 0,55

E 0,25; 0,20; 0,15

without classification 0,10; 0,05; 0,00

Test 6: Dimensional Tolerance The dimensional tolerances of the boards are tested in accordance with EN 822 (Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of length and width) and EN 823 (Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of thickness). Pre-insulated ductboards should be produced with minimal tolerance on their length, width and thickness. EN 13403 offers a method to compliance whereby the ductboard length shall not exceed ±2%, the width ±1.5%, and the upper and lower deviations of the thickness shall not exceed +2.0mm -1.5mm.

Kingspan PalDuct PIR meets the requirements of EN 13403.

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Test 9: Reaction to Fire The fire performance of insulation materials is a key factor in determining their suitability for specific applications. Reaction to fire classification should be in accordance with EN 13501-1:2007 (Fire classification of construction products and building elements. Classification using test data from reaction to fire tests). The Euroclass system categorises construction products into one of seven reaction to fire classes ranging from the highest (best) class of A1 to the lowest (worst) class of F, depending upon their performance in application, in defined tests or a defined combination of tests.

Smoke Production

In addition to the reaction to fire classes A to F, products subjected to the Single Burning Item (SBI) test are also classified into one of three smoke production sub-classes ranging from the highest (best) class of s1 to the lowest (worst) class of s3.

Flaming Droplets / Particles

The final sub-classification for construction products subjected to the SBI test is for flaming droplets / particles which is also divided up into one of three classes ranging from the highest (best) class of d0 to the lowest (worst) class of d2.

The reaction to fire classification for Kingspan PalDuct PIR System is declared within the Declaration of Performance of each product.

Moreover, Kingspan PalDuct PIR Panels, and their rigid thermoset insulation core, achieve results to BS 476-6 (Fire tests on building materials and structures. Method of test for fire propogation for products) that enable a Class 0 classification, and BS 476-7 (Fire tests on building materials and structures. Method of test to determine the classification of the surface spread of flame of products) that enable a Class 1 classification.

Kingspan PalDuct PIR Panels, faced with silver aluminium foil on both sides, are Euroclass C-s2,d0 as defined by the European Fire Classification System.

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Other ConsiderationsErosion and Emission of Particles*

This test measures resistance to erosion when air is passed through typical ductwork sections at a velocity of two and one-half times the manufacturer’s rated velocity. EN 13403 offers a method to compliance whereby the duct shall not erode or break away during the test, to show that the duct can withstand maximum air speed as recommended by the manufacturer.

Supports and Hangers

The ductwork shall fulfill requirements specified in EN 12236 (Ventilation for buildings. Ductwork hangers and supports. Requirements for strength) as per EN 13403.

Facilities for Cleaning

Ductboard shall not show erosion or evidence of delamination as per the requirements specified in ENV 12097 (Ventilation for buildings. Ductwork. Requirements for ductwork components to facilitate maintenance of ductwork systems) during and after 20 cleaning simulations, which is equivalent to a lifecycle of 20 years (one cleaning per year).

*PalDuct PIR is not tested to Erosion and Emission of Particles.

Health and Safety

The insulation materials used in the ductboards shall not be listed in the Directive 67/548/EEC Annex 1 and shall be noncarcinogenic fulfilling the requirements specified in Article 1 of Directive 97/69/EC.

EN 13403 is the is the correct European Standard of choice to assess non metallic ducts made from insulation ductboards. Kingspan Insulation LLC confirms that the Kingspan PalDuct PIR System complies with EN 13403.

For detailed information and specific construction details related to EN 13403 please contact the Kingspan Insulation Technical Services Department.

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Notes

Kingspan Insulation LLCP.O. Box 113826, Dubai Investment Park 2, Dubai, U.A.E.

Tel: +971 4 889 1000 Fax: +971 4 883 8515 info@kingspaninsulation.ae

www.kingspaninsulation.com

Kingspan Insulation LLC reserves the right to amend product specifications without prior notice. Product thicknesses shown in this document should not be taken as being available ex–stock and advice should be sought directly from Kingspan Insulation LLC. The information, technical details and fixing instructions etc. included in this literature are given in good faith and apply to uses described herein. Recommendations for use should be verified as to the suitability and compliance with actual requirements, specifications and any applicable codes, laws and regulations. For other applications or conditions of use, contact Kingspan Insulation LLC. Advice should be sought for uses of Kingspan Insulation products that are not specifically described herein. The fire tests referenced in this literature and the assigned results are not intended to reflect hazards presented by the materials and products described herein under actual fire conditions. Please check that your copy of the literature is current by visiting www.kingspaninsulation.com.

Countries comprise: all of the Middle East and Asia as far north and east (and including) Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

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