How To Install Nordfab Ductwork

To ensure that Nordfab Quick-Fit™ continues to be the “World’s Fastest Ducting,” we want to provide you with a few tips to help your installation go quickly, smoothly and safely.

Important Safety Information:
Always use proper safety equipment when installing Quick-Fit

Work Gloves: Sheet metal can be sharp and burs are possible.
Eye & Ear Protection: for use whenever cutting pipe.
Safety Helmet: to avoid injury from falling parts or tools
Cutting Device: There are several options for cutting galvanised or steel ducting. Whether you use a hacksaw, sawzall, nibbler or other method, it is important that the cut is clean and that the duct is not crushed into an oval shape during cutting. Follow all manufacturer safety guidelines for your cutting tool.
File: This ensures that any cuts you make for the slip duct sections are clean.
Scaffolding and proper safety equipment for working off the ground.
Level: Most duct runs should be level. But NOTE that on some applications such as cement or oil mists, it is preferable for the runs to be angled so that any material that falls out of the airstream will drain out of the duct.
Plumb: It is advisable that all vertical runs be plumb.

STEP ONE: Make Sure Your Shipment is Complete and Undamaged. Nordfab ships most orders FOB Nordfab or “Free On Board.” This means that it is your responsibility to ensure that the materials you receive do not have freight damage and that the carrier has delivered all the boxes in your shipment.Inspect all boxes for outward damage BEFORE signing for receipt. The boxes should be strapped to a pallet, and not be crushed, torn or otherwise damaged. If you find damage, either refuse the shipment or note the issue on the receipt you sign. Unless you do this, any future claims will be virtually impossible to collect.

Additionally, before signing for your shipment, ensure that all boxes are accounted for. You can find the number of boxes in a shipment by checking the delivery receipt the driver will ask you to sign. Again, note any discrepancies before signing. Important safety note: Beware of the sharp metal staples used to seal the shipping boxes.

Make sure your parts match the packing list

STEP TWO: Understanding the Packing Documents. Nordfab packs boxes with the goal of reducing shipping costs, not in the order the parts are needed. Do not simply tear into the boxes and begin removing parts. At least one box on each order will contain Nordfab’s “Packing List.” Locate these documents before opening any boxes as it will give you details as to what is in each box. Avoid opening boxes until you need them to reduce the chance of parts being lost or damaged on site.

If you have any problems, call your dealer as he is in the best position to rectify any problems with your particular order. Have all packing documentation with you when you call.

STEP THREE: Preparing to Install Your Ducting. It is important for the installer to understand the layout the system designer planned for the ducting. Follow all local codes and regulations and note loading capabilities of structures to ensure the ducting is properly supported and that the building can carry the ducting system. If your installer doesn’t understand the layout, he will not to have all the parts necessary to complete the job. If you do not have a clear understanding or drawing of the system you are about to install, please call the person who designed the system before you begin work.

Lay your system out on the floor

STEP FOUR: Laying out the duct. Begin by laying the system out on the floor below where it will hang. Remember that two parts that connect will often not be in the same box, so this step dramatically reduces the time it takes to complete the job once the installation begins.

NOTE: This is the step where you could possibly find that you do not have all the parts necessary to complete the job. In that case, contact your dealer immediately so that he can get a head start on getting you the needed parts as well as help you verify that your layout matches the one planned by the system designer.

STEP FIVE: The QF Slip Duct. One of the most important benefits of Quick-Fit is that it is not necessary to take exact measurements before cutting each piece of pipe. The Slip Duct is a short section of duct that has a slightly larger diameter than a standard QF Duct. To use the Slip Duct, simply:

Measure the distance you want to span.
Cut the pipe (NOT the QF Slip Duct) approximately 102mm shorter than the length necessary to complete the span.
Make sure the cut is free of burs and that it maintains its round shape.
Slip the cut end of the QF Duct into the Slip Duct.
Clamp one end of the assembly into place. Be sure that the Slip Duct is downstream of the cut piece.
Slide the QF Duct into the Slip Duct to the desired length.
Slide the o-ring across the rolled edge of the Slip Duct so that it is around the cut piece of QF Duct. Roll it until it is seated against the rolled edge of the Slip Duct. The o-ring will form a seal and provide a rolled surface for the QF clip to grab.
Use a standard QF clip to connect the rolled edge of the Slip Duct and the o-ring together.
Once in place, you can re-adjust the length of the assembly by releasing the clip and changing the length of the duct that is inserted into the Slip Duct.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: To ensure a strong, safe and stable system, there must always be at least four inches of duct inserted into the Slip Duct.

STEP SIX: Supporting Your Ductwork. Nordfab has a variety of duct hanging devices, but it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of all ducting. Please check with local agencies to ensure that your ducting is supported in a way that meets local codes. When determining the weight your ceiling and hangers must support, always allow for the ducting being 100 percent clogged with whatever material is being conveyed.

Pre-stretch your clips

STEP SEVEN: Pre-Stretch Your Clips. Nordfab QF Clips are designed to provide a tight seal, which means that they also require some pressure to close. By pre-stretching the clamp around the rolled edge of a single piece of duct, you can make it much easier to close when you connect two pieces together.

Clamp pieces on the ground

STEP EIGHT: Clamp As Many Parts Together As Possible on the Ground. It is much faster and easier to close the clips on stable ground than on a scaffold. Therefore many installers connect two or three pieces of ductwork together on the floor before lifting them into place.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: The ducting must be properly supported.

Lift pieces into place

It is unsafe to have several segments cantilevered without support. Each additional piece of pipe puts enormous amounts of pressure on the clamps and hangers which could result in catastrophic clamp or hanger failure.

Use cotter pins

STEP NINE: Use the Cotter Pins. After closing each clip, install one of the enclosed cotter pins into the hole as shown. This ensures that the clip cannot come open unexpectedly. Install the cotter pin as soon as a clip is closed and beware of clips until the cotter pin is safely installed.

Clamp together

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: On very rare occasions, unpinned clips can spring open unexpectedly which can cause the duct pipe to drop. Additionally, the handles on unpinned clips have been known to cause injury when they sprung open.