The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has published a new guide titled Insulation and Cladding of External Sheet Metal Ductwork – A Guide to Product Selection and Installation for HVAC Ductwork Operating at Temperatures Between 10°C and 35°C.
This comprehensive resource is available free of charge to all TICA members via the organisation’s technical hub. Other industry stakeholders can request access.
External ductwork requires weatherproofing once insulated, necessitating a combination of appropriate thermal insulation and cladding systems. TICA’s document provides a detailed analysis of these options and examines factors that influence their specification and installation.
Chris Ridge, TICA’s Technical Director, explained:
“Locating ductwork externally often makes sense, but it also brings challenges. Without adequate means of protection, the ductwork insulation will be open to the elements – not just weathering, but also damage from humans and wildlife.
“This guide advocates for a systematic approach to insulation and cladding, beginning at the design stage. By addressing these considerations early and ensuring proper installation, we can minimise disruptions, reduce maintenance needs, and extend system lifespans, ultimately lowering the embodied carbon footprint.”
TICA has announced plans to release a suite of technical documents over the next two years.
Ridge added:
“Installer competence and quality assurance are now huge talking points in the construction sector. TICA recognises this and wants to ensure that good practice is promoted in the thermal insulation industry.”
For more information or to request a copy of the guide, email:technical@tica.uk.com
Photo Caption: TICA publishes new guide on external ductwork insulation and cladding.