How Are Fabric Ducts Installed?

Technical

Fabric ducting can look deceptively simple once it is in place. A lightweight textile duct runs neatly through the room, inflating when the ventilation system starts and distributing air through carefully positioned perforations or nozzles.

However, the installation itself depends on quite a bit of preparation. The duct has already been designed around the available airflow, pressure, room layout, and required air movement before it arrives on site. At Prihoda, our systems are made specifically for each application rather than supplied as standard lengths that are adjusted during installation.

 

What Needs to Be Checked Before Installation Starts?

The first step is confirming that the site matches the drawings. Installers need to check where the duct will run, the position of the air supply connection and whether lighting, sprinkler systems, cable trays, or other services could obstruct the planned route.

The suspension height matters because the fabric duct has been designed to deliver air from a particular position. Moving it significantly higher, lower, or sideways could change where the air reaches occupants.

Access should also be considered at this stage. Fabric ducts are designed to be removable for cleaning, so leaving enough room to reach the system later makes routine maintenance much easier. Prihoda has used this approach on installations such as the University of York laboratories, where suspended aluminium profiles were positioned to avoid clashes with other services while retaining access for washing.

 

How Is the Suspension System Installed?

Fabric ducts are supported by a suspension system fixed to the building structure. Depending on the design, this can involve aluminium tracks, wires or other purpose-designed supports. The exact arrangement depends on the shape of the duct, its size and the appearance required within the room.

The supporting system is normally fitted first, following the installation drawings. Getting this stage right helps keep the finished duct straight and ensures it sits where the airflow design expects it to be.

Fabric ducting is considerably lighter than traditional sheet-metal ductwork, which can simplify handling on site and reduce installation time. Installation can be substantially quicker than comparable traditional duct systems, particularly on larger projects.

 

How Are the Fabric Sections Put Together?

Larger systems are usually supplied in separate fabric sections rather than as one extremely long piece.

These sections are connected together using zips, before being attached to the suspension system. The sections are labelled so installers can follow the correct order shown on the drawings.

Orientation is particularly important. The holes, microperforations, or fabric nozzles used to distribute air have been positioned according to the airflow design. Installing a section the wrong way around could send air towards a wall or other unintended area.

Prihoda fabric ducts can use several different air outlets, including microperforations, larger laser-cut perforations, and fabric nozzles, depending on how far and at what speed the air needs to travel.

 

How Is the Fabric Duct Connected to the Ventilation System?

Once the duct is suspended, it needs to be connected to the supply air system. The fabric inlet typically connects to an air handling unit, fan coil unit, evaporator or existing rigid duct connection. When the fan starts, static pressure inside the duct causes the fabric to inflate and maintain its working shape.

Installers will usually check that the connection is secure and that there are no twists or restrictions preventing the duct from inflating properly.

When the system is switched off, some types of fabric duct will naturally lose their inflated shape. This is normal and is considered when selecting the suspension arrangement.

 

What Happens During Commissioning?

Installation is not finished simply because the fabric is hanging correctly. The ventilation system should be run so the duct can inflate and its performance can be checked. Installers can then look for uneven inflation, movement, incorrect alignment or anything obstructing the intended airflow.

The actual air pattern should also be considered against the original design. Prihoda provides airflow graphics for its systems showing the expected direction, velocity and travel distance of the supplied air.

If occupants are experiencing an unexpected draught or an area appears poorly supplied, the cause may lie elsewhere in the ventilation system, such as an incorrect airflow volume or pressure.

 

Why Should Future Cleaning Be Considered During Installation?

One of the practical advantages of fabric ducting is that the textile sections can be removed for cleaning. This becomes much easier when the installation has been planned with maintenance in mind. Accessible suspension tracks and clearly identified duct sections allow the system to be taken down, separated and cleaned before being reinstalled.

Fabric ducting is therefore best treated as a maintainable part of the ventilation system from the beginning. A well-planned installation considers how the duct performs on day one and how easily it can be accessed several years later.

 

FAQs

Does Fabric Ducting Need Specialist Installation?

It depends on the system and project. The ducts are lightweight, although accurate positioning, suspension and orientation are important because they affect the designed airflow.

 

How Long Does Fabric Ducting Take to Install?

Installation is often quicker than installing comparable rigid ductwork because the textile sections are lightweight and do not require the same level of heavy support. The actual time depends on the size and complexity of the project.

 

Can Fabric Ducting Connect to an Existing HVAC System?

In many cases, yes. Fabric ducts can be designed to connect to existing air handling equipment or rigid ductwork, provided the available airflow and pressure are suitable.

 

Why Do Fabric Ducts Inflate When the Ventilation Is Running?

Air pressure created by the ventilation fan inflates the textile duct. The air then leaves through the designed perforations, microperforations or nozzles and enters the occupied space.

 

Can Fabric Ducts Be Removed After Installation?

Yes. Fabric duct systems are generally designed so individual sections can be removed for cleaning and maintenance before being reinstalled.