The Kingspan KoolDuct System has been used during the National Theatre’s £80 million redevelopment of its iconic building, located next to the Thames in the South Bank area of London.

Designed by architects Haworth Tompkins and project managed by Lend Lease, this prestigious ‘NT Future’ redevelopment will see the National Theatre build on its current success by transforming the facilities it offers audiences and artists and enhancing its relationship with the environment The NT Future development also aims to reduce the Theatre’s energy consumption by at least 20%.

Airtech Ductwork Systems Ltd installed the Kingspan KoolDuct System throughout existing and new areas of the National Theatre. The pre-insulated ductwork system was also used in conjunction with fire rated galvanised sheet steel ductwork, using fire dampers as the transition between the two.

The Kingspan KoolDuct System is the only CFC/HCFC free premium performance pre-insulated ductwork to be listed as a Class 1 Air Duct, to Standard for Safety UL 181 (Underwriters Laboratories: Factory Made Air Ducts & Air Connectors), when fabricated to a specification clearly defined by UL.

Julian Hembrough of Airtech commented “We have used Kingspan KoolDuct for many previous projects and have always found the product to be easy to handle and install on site, we are not only happy with the product but with the excellent support provided from Kingspan Insulation.”

Unlike traditional sheet metal ducting which needs to be thermally insulated as a second operation, the lightweight but strong Kingspan KoolDuct System requires only a single fix installation. This not only provides considerable space saving advantages, but also makes the System a high speed option for projects where time is critical. Its lightweight nature gives consideration towards the Grade II listing of the existing building as a heavier ductwork system may have required additional supports, which could have obscured the listed features.

Other benefits of the pre-insulated ductwork ‘complete system technology’ enhance its appeal to specifiers. The System’s low level of air leakage and superior insulating properties can result in electrical consumption savings. With The Kingspan KoolDuct System, ventilation air flows over aluminium surfaces and does not have contact with any material containing loose fibres, making it ideal for high specification projects.

Kingspan KoolDuct panels have been assigned a 2008 Green Guide Summary Rating of A and their premium performance insulation core is manufactured with a blowing agent that has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and low Global Warming Potential (GWP).