Pre Insulated Duct Panels Thickness Selection Guide

Improper selection of the thickness for pre-insulated duct panels can easily lead to problems such as condensation, increased airflow noise, and excessive cooling loss. GFI has compiled reference standards for PID panels thickness selection in four major scenarios“shopping malls, hospitals, factories, and equipment rooms” based on airflow velocity conditions.

PID Model Selection Note：This table applies to GFI standard 50kg/m³ high-density PIR pre-insulated duct panels. 

The recommended thickness is for general reference only. Final selection should consider supply air temperature, ambient temperature and humidity, dew point, duct pressure, duct dimensions, acoustic requirements, local codes and project specifications.

PID Duct Panel Thickness and Internal Relationship Between Air Velocity

1、Insufficient insulation thickness, combined with high ambient humidity and low supply air temperature, can reduce the outer surface temperature of the duct below the ambient dew point, increasing the risk of condensation.

2、Continuous airflow impacts the inner wall of ducts. Higher air velocity can increase airflow-generated noise and turbulence, while the rigidity and structural stability of the duct system also affect vibration and noise performance. Selecting an appropriate panel thickness, together with proper duct sizing, reinforcement and installation, can help improve the overall acoustic performance of the system.

3、Intensive heat exchange under high airflow speeds up foam aging. Proper panel thickness and correct installation help maintain the long-term thermal and structural performance of the duct system.

结论

Many HVAC duct panel projects experience issues such as condensation and noise, which are often caused by a mismatch between the thickness selected during the initial design phase and the operating air velocity. This selection reference table can serve as a preliminary basis for HVAC designers when selecting materials.