AQC QDuct Service manual

Installation
Instructions

This document should be printed and readily available at the installation site. QDuct® is a user-
friendly system that will save installation time and labor. Installation videos, code documentation and
this guide are provided on www.aqcind.com.
GENERAL
QDuct is the most advanced and innovative pre-insulated exterior HVAC duct system designed for
superior AHU energy efficiency and built to endure external applications and other extreme
conditions. To ensure an air- and water- tight system, carefully adhere to the following instructions.
The QDuct system has been designed using AQC fabrication methods along with the Pal Duct™
phenolic engineered duct system methods. Use of non-approved accessories and/or material will
void the warranty. QDuct is fabricated using SMACNA guidelines for “Phenolic Duct Construction
Standards”, ANSI/SMACNA 022-2015 as applicable.
TOOLS
Contractor Provided Tools and Accessories:
AQC Provided Tools and Accessories:
1. Circular saw with 3” cutting depth and 45°angle
cuttingability
2. Utility knife with a minimum 3” bladeextension
3. Rubber mallet
4. Flat bar
5. Level
6. Square
7. Caulk gun (power operated recommended)
8. Safety glasses
9. Gloves (recommended forhandling/applying
sealant)
10. Rubber finger tip
11. Black permanent marker
12. Cardboard or plywood
13. Shop-Vac
1. Q Duct® Sealant
2. UL 181 listed tape
3. Tiger connecting clips
4. Squeegee for applying tape andjacketing
5. Exterior jacketing strips for joiningsections
6. Blue support plank

SITE CONDITION AND PREPERATION
The QDuct is intended for outdoor ducting. Lay cardboard or plywood on
roof surface before staging or placing any QDuct product on roof surface
to prevent possible damage to product. QDuct is not intended to be
installed underground. For underground applications, please visit
www.aqcind.com to learn more about The BlueDuct® preinsulated
underground system.
IDENTIFYING QDUCT® SECTIONS
To ease the installation, each QDuct system is shipped with a project specific drawing and list of
material. The drawing is numbered for each part. Each QDuct part is numbered to match the drawing
and the list of material. AQC recommends installing QDuct from the unit outward.
DUCT SUPPORTS
• AQC recommends that duct supports be used in
compliance with SMACNA guidelines for “Phenolic Duct
Construction Standards”, ANSI/SMACNA 022- 2015 as
applicable for exterior ducting.
• Duct supports should be designed per engineer standards
to conform to local codes and consider potential for snow
load.
• Duct supports should be fully enclosed (bottom, left side,
right side and top) around the external walls of the QDuct
ensuring resistance to lift caused by windforce.
• Supports should never be secured to the QDuct system
using screws,pins or other methods that would penetrate
the external jacket of the Q Ductsystem.
• Duct support spacing shall be every 72 inches or one
support per duct section.

• Due to extreme lightweight QDuct, a minimum of every
third support should be secured to the building roof deck.
• Refer to roofing support manufacturer guidelines for local
code requirements.
CONNECTING QDUCT® SECTIONS
Step 1:
• Apply QDuct® Sealant to each section ofduct.
• Sealant should be applied to the ends of both the
internal duct layer and the outer duct layer. An
additional bead must be applied around theentire
circumference of both the 3” internal interlocking
surface and the 3” protruding interlockingsurface.
• The sealant must be a continuous bead anda
minimum of 3/8”.
OUTER LAYER
INTERNAL LAYER
Step 2:
• The QDuct is designed for a 3” overlap of the interior and exterior layers for a male-female style
connection.
• Press and hold the interlocking sections of duct together. Maintain full pressure from both sides
until the sealant is visibly seeping out of the joint both externally and internally. While
maintaining full connecting pressure inspect the exterior of the joint to ensure that sealant is
visibly seeping out. Apply additional sealant to fill any observed voids in the seam. Maintain full
connecting pressure until all of the tiger connecting clips are properlyfastened.
Caution:
Failure to maintain sufficient connecting pressure will result in an incomplete seal causing air
leakage and potential damage to the duct system.

CONNECTING QDUCT® SECTIONS, CONT.
Step 3:
• Using a rubber mallet, tap the tiger clips into the duct to join the two sections.
• Tiger clip spacing shall be a maximum of 12 inches between clips on each seam and within 3 inches
of everycorner.
Step 3.5:
• Smooth the external sealant with a finger or sealant tool pushing the sealant into the joint as it is
being smoothed.
Step 4:
• Apply the AQC provided UL 181 tape over the tiger clips and exterior of the duct joint. Center the
tape over the duct joint.
• Use a squeegee to applyfriction to the tape to allow the tape to seal properlyto the duct.
Visually inspect to ensure the edges of the tape are sealed tightly to theduct.

CONNECTING QDUCT® SECTIONS, CONT.
Step 5:
• Apply the AQC provided exterior jacketing over the tape, tiger clips and ductjoint.
• Center the jacketing over the duct joint.
• The overlap of the jacketing should be on the bottom or side of the duct. If
side, it should overlap facing down to maximize water shedding. There
should be no overlapping seams on the top of
the duct.
• With a squeegee, apply heavy pressure to seat the jacketing. Significant
pressure and friction ensures a good adhesive bond to the jacketing. Run
the squeegee along everyseam to ensure the edges are tightly adhered.

CUTTING QDUCT® LENGTHS
• When making length adjustments in the field, AQC recommends to
cut the male end of the duct.
• Cut outer layer to the desired length and exercise caution tomake
sure not to cut the internal layer.
• Cut internal allowing for a 3” protruding end.
• Use the AQC provided UL 181 tape to tape all exposed jointopenings
and refer to
Connecting QDuct Sections included on pages 3-5 of this document.
QDUCT® BRANCH CONNECTION
• Designate area of desired branch and place the duct section flush to the maintrunk line
and ensure the duct is properly centered on the main trunk line.
• Using a permanent marker, trace around the OD of the branched duct on the main trunk line to
create anoutline.
• Use a circular saw to cut the outlined area on the main trunk line. A hand saw may be required
to finish the cut de- pending upon the thickness of the duct and the depth of the sawblade.
• Use a flat bar to remove the cut panel from the main trunkline.
• All exposed joint openings must be taped using the AQC provided UL 181 tape before making a
connection.
• Refer to Connecting QDuct® Sections included on pages 3-5 of this document.
• Place a jacking strip on the bottom of the branch, then on sides of the branch and lastlyon the top
of the branch.

NOTES:
• Penetrations are prohibited. Due to possible damage that can be caused, there shall be no
penetrations made to the QDuct. All sensors shall be mounted during installation with internal
support brackets only. The trades must coordinate this step to ensure that penetrations are not
made after QDuct installation has been completed. If the QDuct has been penetrated contact
your AQC representative for repair assistance.
• Due to possible leakage and damage, duct modifications are prohibited without factory
assistance. If modifications are required contact your AQC representative.
• Due to possible leakage and damage, third party access panels and doors are prohibited. If
access is required after final installation, contact your AQCrepresentative.
• AQC recommends to wait a minimum of 72 hours from making the last sealed connection to start up
the HVAC unit.
• After a minimum of 24 hours has passed since the last sealed connection was made, the system
can be tested to 1” static pressure for 5 minutes. The QDuct Sealant must fully cure (requires 7
days) if a higher static pressure is required.
CONNECTING QDUCT® TO A ROOF CURB
Option 1: QDuct sits flush to curb.
Refer to detail shown below.

Option 2: QDuct butt joint connects to roof curb butt joint.
• Fill the entire receiving end of the roof curb with QDuct® Sealant.
• Insert the section of QDuct to be connected and make sure sealant is visiblyseeping out of the
connection. Apply additional sealant to fill any observedvoids.
• To secure the QDuct to the roof curb, install a piece of hanger strap around the top of the duct
and fasten the hanger strap to the roof curb withscrews.
CONNECTING QDUCT® TO A ROOF CURB
Refer to detail shown below.

CONNECTING QDUCT® TO AN HVAC UNIT
• Refer to detail shown below.
CONNECTING QDUCT® TO INDOOR PAL DUCT™
Once QDuct enters the envelope of the building you may want to transition to Pal Duct™. To connect
to Pal Duct, use the AQC provided UL181 tape to cover the cut edge of the QDuct system. Use UL181
tape to cover the cut edge of the mating Pal Duct section. Apply a continuous 3/8” bead of QDuct®
Sealant to both the mating QDuct and the Pal Duct ends. Press the two ducts together; applytiger clips
and UL181 tape over the seam. Other connection hardware is available for higher static systems for
these different styles, refer to the indoor Pal Duct installationinstructions.
CONNECTING QDUCT® TO INDOOR SHEET METAL DUCT
Once QDuct enters the envelope of the building it may be necessary to transition to sheet metal
duct. To connect to sheet metal duct, use the AQC provided aluminum “U” Channel to attach to the
end of the QDuct. Add a continuous 3/8” bead of QDuct Sealant around the connection. The sheet
metal duct will overlap to the “U” Channel by approximately 2”. Then fasten and seal the sheet metal
duct to the “U” Channel per the specifications for the sheet metal duct installation.

WARRANTY
AQC Industries Limited Warranty in General
AQC Industries (AQC) warrants QDuct® Products sold either directly or through its resellers
(representatives and distributors) in accordance with the limited warranty set forth in this
document (the Limited Warranty). Except as expressly provided in the Limited Warranty, AQC
makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, with respect to QDuct®
Product, whether as to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, warranties arising from
course of dealing or usage or trade or any other matter.
AQC does not install QDuct Products and has no responsibility or obligation with respect to installation.
AQC DIS- CLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATED TO INSTALLATION OF QDuct PRODUCTS. AQC
offers webinar based QDuct Installation Training Certification to installing contractors at no charge, and
recommends this training prior to in- stalling the QDuct Product.
AQC Industries Limited Warranty
AQC Industries (AQC) warrants that in normal and contemplated use and service, QDuct Products
shall be free from defects in manufacturing materials and workmanship for a period of ten (10) years
from the date of manufacture set forth on each of QDuct Products (the Limited Warranty). The Limited
Warranty shall only be applicable if AQC is given prompt written notice specifying the nature of the
warranty claim within the applicable warranty period.
Upon confirmation by AQC that a QDuct Product proves to be defective in manufacturing, materials
or workmanship, the exclusive remedy shall be for AQC to, at its option, repair or replace the
defective QDUCT Product or issue a credit or refund. The Limited Warranty does not extend to any
BlueDuct product subjected to misuse, accident, or alteration. This Limited Warranty does not extend
to improper installation.
This Limited Warranty does not cover any loss caused by accidents or careless handling of a QDuct
Product. This Limited Warranty does not apply to any QDuct Product which has been damaged in
transit, abused, altered, modified, used in a manner not originally intended, or used. This Limited
Warranty does not cover any QDuct Product that has been installed in a manner not consistent with
the QDuct Product instructions.
The Limited Warranty set forth above is the only warranty AQC makes for QDuct Products and is in
lieu of all warranties express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, warranties of
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and infringement, and warranties arising from course
of dealing, usage of trade or otherwise. THE REMEDIES SET FORTH IN THIS LIMITED
WARRANTY ARE THE ONLY REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO ANY PERSON CLAIMING FOR
BREACH OF WARRANTY OR FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE. AQC SHALL
NOT HAVE ANY OTHER LIABILITY OF ANY DESCRRIPTION,WHETHER ARISING OUT OF
WARRANTY (INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES) OR ANY OTHER CONTRACT,
NEGLIGENCE, TORT OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIM-
ITED TO, COST FOR REMOVAL OF DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, COST FOR INSTALLATION OF
ANY REPLACEMENT PRODUCT, COMMERCIAL LOSS FROM ANY CAUSE, BUSINESS
INTERRUPTION OF ANY NATURE, LOSS OF PROFITS OR ANY OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL
LOSS OR DAMAGE, EVEN IF AQC SHALL HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE.
Intheeventanyimplied warranties (including,but not limitedtotheimplied warranties of merchantability
and fitness for a particular purpose) are found to exist, such warranties are limited (i) in duration to the
period of the limited warranties set forth in this Limited Warranty, and (ii) in amount to the total amount
paid to AQC for the product inquestion.