ADCAS welcomes reports of enforcement of ductwork standards
ADCAS* has welcomed reports that mechanical contractors on major projects are enforcing standards and insisting on inspection of ductwork as it is delivered to site.
Phil Johnson, who chairs the associates’ division of ADCAS, says, ‘This is the move we have been waiting for. We have campaigned long and hard to raise the issue of standards on a range of issues from non-standard ductwork sizing to sub-standard materials of construction. Now it looks as though it’s going to be much tougher to supply products which don’t conform to the relevant standard.’
ADCAS believes that a number of product sectors are involved — from spiral and flexible ductwork and fittings to flange systems and support steelwork.
Galvanising is a particular problem. Although HVCA Specification DW144 (Table 24) calls for standard ductwork to have a 275 µm zinc coating, products with coatings as thin as 140 µm have been imported into the UK.
Phil Johnson believes that this breach of code has been driven by price and lack of on-site inspection. ‘Lower-specification materials are obviously cheaper, and the risk of anyone checking the thickness of the coating prior to installation has been low.
‘Now the rules are being enforced, ADCAS will campaign to see that enforcement is extended urgently to other aspects of the problem, and in particular to the use of flexible ductwork without a BS476 fire rating. Risk of corrosion is bad enough, fire hazard is even worse!’
* The Association of Ductwork Contractors & Allied Services
