Ductwork Connectors
Ductwork connectors are used in commercial and residential construction to join two courses of ductwork with a tight seal, to prevent leakage of warm or cooled air in heating and air conditioning systems. Because they are used at joints, they are usually composed of a semi-flexible material to allow for slight movement and settling with changes in air temperature both within the system and in the surrounding environment. Without ductwork connectors, the efficiency of heating and air conditioning systems can be severely compromised, as processed air HVAC system which employs leaks out, or unwanted cool or warm air infiltrates the system. Every professionally installed HVAC system which employs separate joined courses of ducting material uses ductwork connectors to seal and insulate these joints.
Ductwork connectors and asbestos
Prior to 1977, more than 3,000 construction and HVAC-related materials and components were manufactured in the United States using asbestos as a component. Ductwork connectors were no exception. With superior insulating ability and added flexibility afforded by the fibrous nature of asbestos, ductwork manufacturers considered the material an ideal component to incorporate into flexible connectors. In 1977 after years of health warnings, federal legislation outlawed the use of asbestos in the manufacture of building materials. However, existing stockpiles of these materials were allowed to be used in subsequent construction. As a result, it’s a safe bet that any building constructed prior to the mid 1980s contains asbestos in some of its building or infrastructure materials. Do your ductwork connectors contain asbestos? You can’t tell by looking. Any remodeling or renovation work which involves your heating or air conditioning system may expose both the contractor and those living or working in the building to the harmful and potentially life-threatening effects of asbestos fibers. Even an act as simple as removing degraded connectors and replacing them with new, efficient connectors can cause involve serious exposure risks. For this reason, any work involving ductwork should be undertaken with respiratory apparatus. Moreover, because asbestos degrades and becomes brittle over time, tiny asbestos fibers may work themselves into your ductwork without any renovation work being performed. Even natural air currents can dislodge fragile fibers, making them airborne where they can be inhaled, lodging in the lungs where they may cause mesothelioma and other cancers.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
