ATAI USES THE FLEXMASTER METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FLEIBLED DUCT.

HERE IS

THE STORY
The construction industry has long recognized the need for an economical means for handling misalignment between system components and ducting
around obstacles where fabricated and fitted ducts are difficult and costly to install. This led to the development of several types of flexible duct material
to perform this function in a practical manner.

Initially flexible ducting was constructed of a fabric tube glued over a spiral wire helix on a mandrel. This limited the product to short lengths and long
production time to allow the glue to dry. In cases where the glue is applied unevenly the spiral wire has a tendency to separate from the fabric allowing
the duct to collapse.

The process was improved by development of a method allowing the duct to be formed by winding strips of fabric over the spiral wire with adhesive being
applied as the duct is formed. This process is sometimes utilized with a hot melt adhesive applied to the wire and subject to heat to cause the wire to
adhere to the fabric. A method of solvent sealing is also used wherein the wire is encapsulated with a soluable material and a solvent applied to cause it
to adhere to the fabric. These methods reduced production time and permitted ducts to be formed in longer lengths. With this construction, the application
of the adhesive is critical and any variation in the manufacturing process causes weakness in the duct. In many cases, a tug on the helix end will cause
the entire liner to start unwinding. Strain and pressure can separate the helix from the fabric with the likelyhood or rupture of collapse.

The recognition that glue and other adhesives were a weakness brought about the development of a flexible duct with fabric locked into the helix by
mechanical means. This process eliminated adhesives by interlocking the fabric in a formed metal spiral. While this solved the problem of separation it
retained the helix on the inside where it causes turbulence in the airstream and increased pressure drop and acoustic levels, particularly when installed in
complex configurations. The fabric on the outside is stretched over the helix and scuffing during handling can easily cause leaks. Nevertheless, all these
products have solved the problems of misalignment and properly installed, serve the purpose intended.

While the advantages of a mechanical lock were recognized, this method has been more costly and economic pressures have caused other manufacturers
to de-emphasize this construction in favor of cheaper methods. FLEXMASTER has resisted this trend by developing the equipment and technique to
economically fabricate flexible duct by the mechanical lock method WITH THE METAL HELIX ON THE OUTSIDE. This construction gives the
product the strength, durability and scuff resistance of sheet metal ductwork while retaining the flexibility of a fabric duct. The unique patented machines
that produce the FLEXMASTER product run at high speeds and the manfuacturing process is automated to produce the highest quality product at the
lowest possible cost. The mechanical lock construction illustrated below provides a positive seal while solidly positioning the helix as a integral part of
FLEXIBLE DUCT

the fabric.

Galvanized
Helix

Fabric inside String

The process is compatible with any flexible material from ordinary paper to the most exotic laminated fabrics. With this flexibility, Flexmaster research
and tested fabrics offered for the best combination of strength, permeability and flame resistance with properties to resist temperature change, mildew and
age hardening. Current production is fabricated with a trilaminate of aluminum foil, fiberglass and aluminized polyester which has passed rigid testing in
all classifications. Testing is continuing and as new and better fabrics are developed they will be considered for use in FLEXMASTER duct material.

During a recent period of scarcity of insulating materials the industry generalized its reference to insulation thickness to allow for occasions when designed
thickness were not available. To meet economic pressure some manufacturers are still cataloging and marketing material with minimum insulation and C
factors as high as .37. During periods of shortage, FLEXMASTER experienced some variance in insulating materials but in all cases, the combination of
thickness and density is maintained to provide a C factor of .23 or lower. FLEXMASTER will continue to maintain high standards as set by the industry
as conditions change.

A variety of vapor barrier outer jacket material is currently in use. Many of the lower priced makers’ use a vinyl film which has the disadvantages of age
hardening at freezing temperatures and will crack and rupture at extremely low temperatures. After extensive testing, FLEXMASTER adopted as
standard a fire retardent polyethelene material with low permeance and excellent strength at low temperatures passing A.S.T.M. D1790 at -40F. It is
tested to meet U.L. Standards with a flame spread of 20, fuel constributed 0 and smoke developed 35. As an extra cost option FLEXMASTER offers a
metalized jacket consisting of a fiberglass fabric coated with a elastomer compound and laminated to metalized polyester film. Both jackets have features
to recommend them but the primary advantage of the metalized jacket, giving the appearance of an all metal duct when properly installed.

FLEXMASTERS outstanding performance is the result of the unique construction method which forms a rigid aluminum helix on the outside rather than
using a cold rolled steel spring wire on the inside. Positioned on the outside the helix protects the fabric from cutting. The strength of the formed helix
will not allow the duct to oval at bends, to balloon or collapse at recommended positive or negative pressures. The mechanical lock eliminated problems
PAGE 4.2

of separation and unwinding and duct ends can be trimmed clean and easily joined to prevent waste. FLEXMASTER is proud of it’s product acceptance
in the marketplace and reseach and development continues to refine equipment and materials to offer superior products at competitive prices. The
company is active in all industry programs and is dedicated to maintaining it’s quality standards for the benefits of, the ARCHITECT, the ENGINEER,
the CONTRACTO R, and the ultimate end user, the OWNER.

ATAI