Q: How much quieter will my pipe or duct be?

When installed properly we would expect either B-10 LAG/QFA-3 or B-10 LAG/QFA-9 to result in a decibel drop of 10 dB to 15 dB, depending on what the dominant frequency is in the particular application.  The tables at the bottom of the technical datasheets show the Laboratory test transmission loss values (which is the decibel reduction) at individual 1/3-octave bands.  An overall STC rating is given so that there is standard number consumers can use when evaluating products. 

Q: Why does the 2” material really measure less than that?

The fiberglass that is used in the manufacture of the product, and is the industry standard, is a true 2” thick before it is run through the quilting process.  The quilting process serves several purposes, which includes changing the contour of the fiberglass; thereby increasing it’s sound absorption properties.  It is common for the B-10 Lag/QFA-9 material to be less than 1 ½” thick when the quilting process is finished.  Packaging the material adds further to the compactness of the product, especially when it is rolled for packaging.

 Q: What is the difference in the pipe wrap products?

B-10 Lag is a 1 Lb psf loaded vinyl noise barrier featuring a reinforced foil facing which readily accepts a matching lag tape. This product is often used when a duct or pipe is already wrapped with a standard thermal insulation. 

B-10 LAG/QFA-3 is the same product as above with a one-inch thick quilted fiberglass decoupler bonded to the back of the noise barrier.  The quilted fiberglass decoupler improves the overall noise reduction performance of the product.

B-10 LAG/QFA-9 has the same B-10 LAG barrier as above with a two-inch thick quilted fiberglass decoupler bonded to the back of the noise barrier.  The quilted fiberglass decoupler improves the overall noise reduction performance of the product, especially at lower frequencies. 

B-20 LAG has a 2 Lb psf noise barrier.

B-20 LAG/QFA-3 has a 2 Lb psf noise barrier with a 1" quilted fiberglass decoupler.

B-20 LAG/QFA-9 has a 2 Lb psf noise barrier with a 2" quilted fiberglass decoupler.

Q: Does the lagging material have an R-value?

The pipe and duct wrap with a fiberglass decoupler has an R-value of 4 per inch or thickness.

 Q: Is the lagging material fire retardant?

"Fire retardant" usually refers to material itself or clothing made from materials.  (You typically spray on a chemical to make something "fire retardant") and is not applicable to our products. 

We are required to test our products per ASTM E-84,“Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials”, which is the industry testing standard.  This 25-foot tunnel test measures both flame spread and smoke developed and is the same as the NFPA 255, UBC 42-1 and UL 723. The flammability classification of a material is determined by comparing the test results with standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 701).   To merit a Class A rating, a product must have a smoke developed rating between 0 and 450 as well as having a flame spread rating of less than 25. 

Q: What does Class A flammability mean?

The product can be used in any building, public or private, in America.  To merit a Class A rating per ASTM E-84, a product must have a smoke developed rating between 0 and 450 as well as having a flame spread rating of less than 25.  The ASTM E-84 is a 25-foot tunnel test measures both flame spread and smoke developed and is the same as the NFPA 255, UBC 42-1 and UL 723. The flammability classification of a material is determined by comparing the test results with standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 701).  

Q: Where can I buy the product?