KCH manufactures an assortment of ventilation duct for use in various applications. Utilizing our modern fabrication equipment including heavy-duty butt welders and filament winding capabilities we are able to produce ducts from 6" to 120" in diameter.

PVC, PP, CPVC, Dual Laminate, and FRP materials of construction have long been a part of KCH's manufacturing expertise.


FRP duct specification Size 7.43KB

FM APPROVED DUCT

                                    

KCH's FM Approval 2004 Size 571KB

In Previous years:
A company purchasing fire insurance requiring "Factory Mutual" ratings has had little choice in the material of construction for pollution control fume exhaust ductwork. Fiberglass ducts with extensive internal water sprinkler systems have been necessary in many cases to meet the requirements of the insurance companies.

Although KCH Services had the answer:
In the self-extinguishing properties of our poly-vinyl chloride, the insurance companies had no test results to reference. Now, KCH Services, Inc. has successfully performed the needed tests on our P.V.C. ductwork and found excellent results. KCH unplasticized P.V.C. does not burn readily. It also softens and melts under the heat of fire. Therefore, a flame inside the duct causes the P.V.C. duct to collapse onto itself, starving the fire. Unlike the self-extinguishing characteristic of our P.V.C., FRP duct acts as a wind tunnel, feeding and spreading the flames.

As a result, KCH has obtained "Factory Mutual"
Approval on our P.V.C. duct and the need for fire sprinklers in our P.V.C. duct is nonexistent.

Other advantages:
Of the KCH P.V.C. duct over FRP are many. Some of these include longevity, uniformity, corrosion resistance, lower cost, and ease of maintenance. Our P.V.C. is an inert, homogenous material extruded into uniform sheets and/or various shapes which can be formed, cut, machined, head welded or solvent welded with no change in physical or corrosion resistant properties. FRP however, is a thermosetting plastic, fabricated into shapes by mixing liquid ingredients in exact proportions along with fillers, and fire retardant chemicals. This mixed resin is then applied to a fiberglass reinforcement over a form and becomes rigid via a head reaction. Therefore, the intergrity of the FRP is dependent upon the workmanship of each individual involved as well as environmental factors.

The corrosion resistant properties of P.V.C.:
Are maintained throughout the material whereas FRP relies on a resin rich surface which could easily be applied too thin or become broken or cracked. This can allow the corrosive chemicals to attack the internals of the duct wall causing extensive damage that can go unnoticed for long periods of time.

The replacement:
Of impact damaged FRP can many times require large sections of duct to be removed and replaced. Damaged P.V.C. duct, on the other hand, can be repaired with a simple weld or a "PATCH" that can either be welded or cemented in place.

Clearly, the advantages of the KCH:
Poly-vinyl chloride duct systems far outweigh those of FRP, including the cost. Economic factors range from the actual savings in cost for the ductwork and fittings to the savings in hangers, supports, and installation. Our P.V.C. duct is lightweight, easier to handle, requires less support, and is now FM APPROVED.