Blueprint for Success

Blueprint for Success (02/16 & Sealing Benefits of coating systems When do you use coatings? What are coatings? Contractor concerns. Applications tools. General cleaning procedures. How to estimate a coating project. Sealing Summary. Coatings characteristic chart Coatings, airless sprayer & spray tip chart

An Benefits of Coating For the Contractor: Coating systems is a way to grow your business! You can better serve your existing customers, bring in new customers, and set yourself apart and above your competition. Air Duct Cleaning Contractors, Fire/Water Remediation Contractors and Mold Remediation Contractors are prime candidates to offer system coating services. For the Building Owner: Coatings enhance and extend the life of the system, giving the building owner a less expensive alternative to replacing existing ductwork and other components. Cleaning and coating ductwork in an occupied building is normally 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of replacing that ductwork. In some cases however, it can make economic sense to replace ductwork instead of cleaning and coating it. When do you use coatings? In most cases, coatings are specified for a project by an Engineering Firm or Environmental Consultant. They are typically used: To repair and enhance deteriorated fiberglass insulation. To help restore an system that has been contaminated by smoke/fire. To help restore an system that has been contaminated by microbial contamination. NADCA s ACR 2013 has the following sections that deal with this question: Section 4.16 Surface Treatments: Surface treatments may be used to restore the integrity of material surfaces as an alternative to replacement. Surface treatments shall only be applied after confirming the system has been cleaned and has passed the specified level of cleanliness verification. Conclusion: The insulation must be cleaned first. If the insulation is in good enough condition to clean it is in good enough condition to coat. Section 4.19 Resurfacing Fibrous Glass Surfaces: Resurfacing may be considered when thermal acoustic fibrous glass components, including air duct liner or duct board in systems, are considered friable, or exhibit visual signs of abrasion, degradation, or other undesirable conditions. Resurfacing may also be considered when a project work plan request smoothing fiber glass surfaces to reduce future particulate collections within the system. 4.19.1: If resurfacing is to be performed, an assessment shall be made to determine whether the surface of the component will provide a strong, bondable surface for the coating material after undergoing proper mechanical cleaning. 4.19.2: If fibrous glass materials are beyond restoration and deemed unsuitable to support the proper application of a surfacing product or unable to provide a long term bondable surface, resurfacing shall not be performed. ACR 2013 is referenced several times in the publication. It stands for Assessment, Cleaning and Restoration of and it is the cleaning standard developed by NADCA. A free download of this document is available at www.nadca.com. Section 4.22 Non-Porous Material Restoration: If the surface conditions of non-pours components, following cleaning, reveal a surface that will continue to contribute particulate, odors or adversely affect the quality of the air moving through the system, restoration is recommended. We recommend that you review ACR 20213 Sections 4.15 through 4.25. Typical components that can be coated include: 1. Ductwork 2. Air handlers 3. Rooftop units 4. Heat pumps 5. VAV boxes 6. Diffuses What are coatings? Lets Look at what some of the manufacturers and suppliers say (this information is taken from the manufacturer/ suppliers spec sheets and web sites): Tough Coat All Purpose System Coating is tough latex designed to coat the different surfaces found in systems (sheet metal, fiberglass insulation, and ductboard etc.) After thoroughly cleaning the surface, the coating provides a new or enhanced surface that is more durable and resistant to the collection of dirt, debris and moisture. On insulation it locks down any remaining fibers and effectively controls fiberglass erosion.

An Safe Encasement 130 is a water based, high solids, flexible acrylic coating that is rust, mold, dirt, weather and fire resistant. Suitable for application over friable damaged insulation SE 130 forms a tough, seamless flexible protective enclosure. DP 2540 is a water based protective coating formulated with a preservative that prevents the growth of mold & mildew on the surface itself. DP 2540 forms a durable, flexible film over metal, fiberglass insulation and wood used in and general construction applications. Fiberlock 8000 is for duct remediation projects, apply Fiberlock 8000 to seal and resurface cleaned insulation. Fiberlock 8000 will help strengthen existing insulation material and also contains an EPA registered fungicide to prevent mold from growing on the surface of the coating. Foster 40-20 Fungicidal Protective Coating is a polyacrylate copolymer emulsion specifically formulated for longterm fungicidal activity, with no loss of activity on aging. It is formulated to effectively prevent the spread of molds and odor causing bacteria on its surface. It provides a tough, elastic, decorative finish that allows for movement without splitting to create lodging places for bacteria BioFlex Fungicidal Protective Coating contains fungicides that help stop the growth of molds on its surface, and helps prevent the migration of microbes through its coating. BioFlex testing include dermal irritation, inhalation, ocular irritation, ingestion and others. Typical Characteristics In reviewing the product data and spec sheets most of the coatings share the following characteristics: Water based Solid content: 45% to 70% Weight per gallon: 8.8 lbs to 12 lbs Color: Black and/or white All pass smoke & fire spread standards Most have anti-microbial components to protect the coating from mold and mildew. Some are LEED qualified. Most coatings cost between $40 and $55 per gallon. Suppliers Listed below are five suppliers and their web sites. You are encouraged to do additional research. The more knowledgeable you are the better you will be able to assist your customers: Tough Coat www.vacsysint.com Safe Encasement www.vacsysint.com Design Polymerics www.vacsysint.com Foster Products www.fosterproducts.com Fiberlock www.fiberlock.com BioFlex www.cleanac.com Contractor Concerns In trying to decide what coating to use many contractors will ask themselves the following. 1. Is this product suitable for the insulation and/or sheet metal surface on my project? 2. What is the coverage rate on hard surfaces or insulation? 3. What is the drying time of the coating? 4. What kind of odor does this product have? Does it have high or low VOC s? 5. How easy or hard is it to apply? Can I use a cart or robotic spray system? 6. What is the cost per gallon? 7. Is it available in black and white? 8. Is it LEED qualified? Application Tools Depending on the size of the project you should select the application tools that give you the coverage you want while maximizing your productivity. These can include: 1. Paint brush 2. Paint roller 3. Commercial airless sprayer 4. Cart Spray systems 5. Robotic spray systems Airless Sprayers The commercial airless spray system must be sized to handle the product you want to apply. Different coatings will require different size airless sprayer because some coatings are thicker than others. Check the Airless Sprayer/Coating charts at the end of this guide to help you to determine what size airless sprayer works the best for the coating you want to use. Airless sprayers range in price from approximately $1,400 to $2,500 depending on size and accessories. You can check the following airless sprayer manufacturers to see what they have to offer: Graco www.graco.com Titan www.titantool.com

An Cart Spray Most cart spray systems are used with a commercial airless sprayer. A typical cart spray system would include: Set of spray nozzles to handle different coatings Adjustable height capability to apply coating in ductwork ranging from 6 to 36 high. Set of push/pull rods give you a reach of 33 feet in each direction from an access opening. Fluid coupler for use with airless sprayer Remote on/off control for airless sprayer. Optional cameras are available on some systems that allow the operator to view the spraying operation which can help improve quality and productivity. Cart spray systems can range in price from $500 (for mini systems) to $1,800 (for deluxe systems) Robotic Spray Most Robotic systems that have spraying options that are used with a commercial airless sprayer. Others use a pressure pot type system. A typical Robotic spraying system would include: Set of spray nozzles to handle different coatings Adjustable height capability Reach of approximately 100 Fluid coupler for use with airless sprayer Remote on/off control for airless sprayer. Robotic systems can range in price from approximately $6,000 to $15,000 depending on capabilities and options selected. General coating procedures One of the most frequent questions we hear is, How do we know how much coating is enough? Since the condition of the insulation or sheet metal on each project is different there is no one answer. The best way to determine how much coating is enough is to do a test section for your customer on that project. By doing a test section (5 to 10 ) you and your customer can agree on what thickness is adequate. This can eliminate a potential dispute at the end of the project. Plus, it helps you to determine what spraying speed will give you the coverage you need and will verify that the airless sprayer you have can handle the coating you want to apply. Prior to Applying Coating 1. Check airless sprayer and other application tools to make sure they work. 2. Prep area (i.e. cut access openings where needed, cover furniture, cover sensors/dampers etc.) 3. Mix coating with drill and mixing paddle. 4. Strain coating to remove lumps that can clog airless spraying equipment. 5. Do a post cleaning visual inspection to verification proper cleaning was done before you start. 4. Keep area under negative pressure. 5. Apply product per manufactures instructions (on label). On small and medium ductwork (6 to 20 ) you typically would use a cart spray system or a robotic system that has the capability to spray up to 20 high. You would position the cart or robot at the far end of the duct and spray as you pull back on the cart system or drive the robot in reverse. Depending on the number and location of the access openings you made for cleaning the ductwork and the reach of the cart spray system or robotic system you may have to cut additional access openings.

Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Guidelines An On small and medium ductwork without a cart or robotic system you can use an airless sprayer with extension wands. You will have to cut additional access openings based on the length of your extension wand. On large ductwork (20 to 36 ) you can use cart and robotic systems with spinning spray capability. Like on smaller ductwork you would position the cart or robot at the far end of the duct and spray as you pull back or drive the robot in reveres. On large ductwork (20 and up) you can also put a person inside the ductwork with a respirator and apply the coating with a airless sprayer as they back out of the duct. You must take precaution not to damage any insulation. Also you must be sure that the ductwork can support a person inside safely. On a small to medium size air handler you would normally remove the panels and apply the coating with an airless sprayer to the insulation on the panels and other insulation inside the air handler. You must take precautions not to coat other items like fans, filters motors inside the air handler. On large (walk in) air handler you would normally put a person inside the air handler with a respirator and apply the coating with a airless sprayer. You must protect the other components from the spray. On small areas/components you would use a brush or a roller and you may have to take the component apart to coat the required surfaces. Remember to keep area ventilated to facilitate drying. You can do this by keeping your vacuum collection system hooked up to the ductwork and running after coating is com- pleted. Some coating will dry/ cure in 1-2 hours while other can take up to 16 hours or more depending on temperature and humidity. Post coating application visual inspection and documentation may also be required depending on the specifications on the project. It s a good idea to take photos or video anyway to show your customer what a good job you did. Lastly you would reinstall all the service panels over access openings. After coating you should always clean the airless sprayer, cart or robotic spray system and spray tips per the manufactures recommendations. If you have never done a coating project before start with a small project and then as you gain experience go after the larger projects. How to estimate a coating project Your estimate will have two parts; materials and labor. You will need to know the following to prepare a coating estimate: The total square footage of the area you need to coat. The coverage rate (square feet per gallon) of the coating you are using. The cost per gallon of the coating Production rate Labor rate Example estimate: Project Details: 200 of lined ductwork that is 24 x 12. 400 of lined ductwork that is 12 x 12. (1) air handler that is 8 x 8 x 8. Coverage rate of coating on insulated material is 70 square ft per gallon. Cost of coating is $40.00 per gallon. Accessibility is good. Square Foot Calculation: 200 of lined ductwork that is 24 x 12 = 1,200 sq. ft 400 of lined ductwork that is 12 x 12 = 1,600 sq. ft. (1) air handler that is 8 x 8 x 8 = 384 sq. ft. Total square feet of surface area to be coated is 3,184 sq. ft. Amount of coating required: 3,184 divided by 70 sq. ft. coverage rate = 45.5 gallons which we round up to 46 gallons. Coating Cost: Cost of the coating would be 46 gallons x $40. per gallon = $1,840. You may want to mark up the coating so you make some profit on it. In this example we will mark the up the cost by 15% = $ 2,116. Production Rate: Production rates can very from 175 to 375 sq. ft. per man hour. For this example we will use a production rate of 275 sq. ft. per man Divide 3,184 by 275 = 11.6 man hours rounded up to 12 man hours. Labor Cost: Using a labor rate of $60 per man hour x 12 man hours = $720. Total Estimate: $ 2,116 Coating cost $ 50 Other consumable material cost $ 720 Labor cost $ 2,886 Total This estimate would be in addition to your cleaning estimate for this project.

An Sealing In a typical house, according to Energy Star, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set. It s been said that sealing ductwork is the single most effective way to improve energy efficiency. If this is true or even partially true this looks like a tremendous business opportunity. Determining the Need There are air leakage testing systems available that let you conduct pre and post sealing conditions. The pre leakage test can help you sell the project and the post leakage test can show what a good job you did. This will make your customer not only happier about paying for the project but should generate some very good referrals! Sealing Methods: As an air duct cleaning contractor you may be asking How do you seal ductwork? Is it hard? There are several methods that can be used to seal ductwork including: Water based mastics (UL181) are readily available and easy to use. You can apply it with small paint brush on the outside of the ductwork and it does a good job on small leaks (under a ¼ ) If the leak is ¼ or bigger you need to use a mesh tape with the mastic for better strength and durability. There are several how to videos on You Tube. Foil back tape with UL logo or other heat approved tapes can also be used. Avoid cloth-backed, rubber adhesive duct tape this tends to fail quickly. Coatings with a high solid content and good bridging capability can be used to seal small leaks up to 1/8. You would apply the coating to the inside of the ductwork. To apply coatings you typically use a cart or robotic spray system with an airless sprayer that is powerful enough to handle these thicker coatings. Contact the coating suppliers to get information on airless sprayer requirements. The following coatings have proven to be successful in sealing systems: Safe Encasement, Design Polymericts DP1010, Hardcast RS 100. Coatings work well in commercial systems and when the ducts are underground. Aerosol based sealants also seal from the inside. The aerosol sealant finds the leaks and builds upon itself until the leak is sealed. This method works well in any ductwork except underground ductwork. Availability of aerosol based sealants is limited to the Contractors who have purchase a geographic territory from the supplier of this technology. There are several You Tube videos on this method also. Accessibility of the ductwork is an issue and can make duct sealing difficult. With mastic and foil tape you must have access to the ductwork. Coating from the inside or using aerosol based sealants can reach most of ductwork most of the time. Summary Coating and sealing systems provides a definite benefit to the building owner by extending the life of that ductwork and system. It also provides you, the contractor with a way to: Better serve your existing customers. Add new customers. Sets yourself apart from your competitors. Generates more revenue and grow your business. If you have any questions on anything in this Blueprint for Success document please contact: Peter Haugen, ASCS, CVI President Vac International. 11950 Riverwood Drive Burnsville, MN 55337 800-597-3955 952-808-1619 952-808-1617 (fax) phaugen@vacsysint.com www.vacsysint.com Our sole purpose is to help you succeed and we hope this document is helpful in reaching that goal! On the following pages you will find two reference charts: #1 is a list of coatings used in systems and their basic characteristics. #2 is a reference chart on what size airless sprayer and spray nozzle/tip should be used in conjunction with the Super Cart Spray System for each coating.

System Coatings Characteristics (This is a partial list coatings that can be applied using the Super Cart Spray System with an airless sprayer) Coverage Coverage Weight Dry Time Dry Time (sq. ft.) (sq. ft) % Solid (lbs.) per (hours) (hours) Smooth Porus Name Color Viscosity V.O.C. Weight Gallon to Touch Complete Surface Surface Tough Coat black 4,000-5,000 cps 2 g/l 59 11.6.5 to 2 4 to 16 400 75 Tough Coat white 4,000-5,000 cps 2 g/l 59 11.6.5 to 2 4 to 16 400 75 Safe Encasement 130 white 123-130 kreb units 80 g/l 54 12 1 to 2 4 135-160 50-125 DP 2540 black 4,000-5,000 cps 2 g/l 59 11.6.5 to 2 4 to 16 400 75 DP 2545 white 4,000-5,000 cps 2 g/l 59 11.6.5 to 2 4 to 16 400 75 DP 2510 black 4,000-5,000 cps 4.5 g/l 45 10.7.5 to 2 4 to 16 400 75 DP 2515 white 4,000-5,000 cps 4.5 g/l 45 10.7.5 to 2 4 to 16 400 75 DP 88 black 30 2-5 min 10-30 min 31 less Fiberlock 6000 white 90-95 kreb units 75 g/l 54.6 11.1 1 4 250-400 150-300 Fiberlock 6100 clear 85-90 kreb units 90 g/l 28.8 8.7 1 4 to 8 350-600 250-300 Fiberlock 6500 black 90-95 kreb units 77 g/l 34.8 8.9 1 4 250-400 150-300 Fiberlock 8000 white 105-110 kreb units 90 g/l 51.5 10.3 1 to 2 4 to 8 200-600 75-175 Fiberlock 8500 black 105-110 kreb units 89 g/l 50 10 1 to 2 4 to 8 200-600 75-175 Fiberlock 7000 white 60-75 kreb units 52 g/l 51.5 9.6 1 to 2 8 to 16 100-200 50-75 Fiberlock 7500 black 60-75 kreb units 54 g/l 48.7 9.1 1 to 2 8 to 16 100-200 50-75 Foster 40-20 white 6,000-12,000 cps? 67.2 11.9 4 16 80 less Foster 40-30 black 4,000-6,000 cps? 51 11 6 24 133 67 Foster 40-10 white 6,000-12,000 cps? 57 11.1 6 24 80-200 less Foster 40-11 black 4,000-6,000 cps? 51 11 6 24 50-150 less Foster 40-23 white 600-1,000 cps? 25 9 1 to 2 2 to 4 400-600 50-150 Flex Seal white 16,000-20,000 cps 1,438 g/l 58-62 10.7 1 to 2 3 to 4 65-100 less BioFlex white 118-131 krebs units 1,438 g/l 61.7 10.7 1 to 2 3 to 4 65-100 less Sealing Cracks & Seams DP 1010 gray 300,000-400,000 cps 0 g/l 68 24 to 72 80-90 RS100 blue 60,000-70,000 cps 48 g/l 67 11.3 24 to 48 75 Safe Encasement 130 white 123-130 kreb units 80 g/l 54 12 1 to 2 4 135-160 50-125

Super Cart Spray System - Coatings & Airless Sprayer & Spray Tip Reference Chart* (This is a partial list of airless sprayers that can be used with the Super Cart Spray to apply the following coatings) Coatings Airless Sprayers Spray Nozzles/Tips Titan Graco Ultra Titan Graco Ultra Titan Graco Ultra 360º Flat 640ix Max II 595 740ix Max II 695 840ix Max II 795 Spray Spray Tip for Spinning Assembly 1.5hp 1.4hp 1.8hp 1.75hp 2.1hp 2.0hp Nozzle for Ball,.58 gpm.70 gpm.72 gpm.80 gpm.95 gpm.95 gpm Mini, Basic (need two) Tough Coat yes yes yes yes yes yes 2-CSS02 (#6) CSS014 (.021) Safe Encasement 130 no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS10 (#8) CSS014 (.021) DP 2540 yes yes yes yes yes yes 2-CSS02 (#6) CSS014 (.021) DP 2545 yes yes yes yes yes yes 2-CSS02 (#6) CSS014 (.021) DP 2510 yes yes yes yes yes yes 2-CSS02 (#6) CSS014 (.021) DP 2515 yes yes yes yes yes yes 2-CSS02 (#6) CSS014 (.021) Fiberlock 6000 no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS10 (#8) CSS014 (.021) Fiberlock 6100 no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS10 (#8) CSS014 (.021) Fiberlock 6500 no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS10 (#8) CSS014 (.021) Fiberlock 8000 no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS10 (#8) CSS014 (.021) Fiberlock 8500 no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS10 (#8) CSS014 (.021) Fiberlock 7000 no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS02 (#6) CSS014 (.021) Fiberlock 7500 no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS02 (#6) CSS014 (.021) Foster 40-20 no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS10 (#8) CSS014 (.021) Foster 40-30 yes yes yes yes yes yes 2-CSS02 (#6) CSS014 (.021) Foster 40-10 no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS10 (#8) CSS014 (.021) Foster 40-11 yes yes yes yes yes yes 2-CSS02 (#6) CSS014 (.021) Foster 40-23 yes yes yes yes yes yes 2-CSS02 (#6) CSS014 (.021) Flex Seal no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS10 (#8) CSS014 (.021) BioFlex no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS10 (#8) CSS014 (.021) Sealing Consult coating manufacturer for required airless sprayer DP 1010 requirements RS100 Consult coating manufacturer for required airless sprayer requirements CSS014 (#3) CSS019 (.011) Safe Encasement 130 no no yes yes yes yes 2-CSS10 (#8) CSS014 (.021)