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AIR SOCKS
SOS Hygiene Air Socks provide a practical and hygienic solution for air distribution in food and beverage manufacturing environments, helping businesses manage airflow across production areas, processing rooms, chilled environments and other industrial spaces.
Also known as fabric ducting, textile air ducts or air distribution socks, Air Socks are designed to distribute conditioned air evenly through a purpose-designed fabric system rather than relying solely on conventional metal ductwork and individual air outlets.
For food and beverage manufacturers, effective air distribution can play an important role in maintaining a controlled production environment, helping manage temperature, humidity, condensation and air movement.
Whether you require air distribution for a new production facility, refurbishment or replacement ventilation system, SOS Hygiene can help identify a suitable Air Sock configuration for your application.
Our air socks can be produced with anti-bacterial fabrics, PVC or flame retardant fabrics to suit specialist applications. Colour coded options available on request.
To book a site survey or discuss in more detail call SOS Hygiene 0161 221 2231 or email info@soshygiene.com
Air Socks are flexible textile air distribution systems designed to deliver conditioned air into a room or production area.
Unlike conventional rigid ductwork, an Air Sock uses a specially manufactured fabric sleeve with strategically positioned air outlets or perforations. These openings are designed to distribute air across the required area.
The result is a more controlled method of introducing air into production environments while offering flexibility in terms of airflow direction, air volume and distribution pattern.
Suitable for a wide range of industrial applications
Hygiene is a critical consideration when designing ventilation systems for food production.
Air distribution equipment installed within food manufacturing areas should be considered as part of the site's overall hygienic design and cleaning strategy.
Textile Air Socks can provide an alternative to complex rigid ductwork in appropriate applications, with the system designed to provide accessible and controlled air distribution.
The exact fabric, construction, cleaning requirements and installation specification should be selected according to the application and the environmental conditions.
Temperature-controlled production is common throughout the food and beverage sector.
Air Socks can be designed for applications where conditioned air needs to be distributed throughout chilled or temperature-controlled spaces.
Potential applications include:
Air distribution should always be designed to suit the room dimensions, refrigeration or HVAC system, required air changes and production requirements.
Correct air distribution can be important when managing condensation and humidity in food manufacturing environments.
Poorly directed air can create areas of stagnant air or excessive airflow, potentially contributing to temperature variation and condensation issues.
A properly designed Air Sock system can help distribute conditioned air more evenly throughout the target space.
However, Air Socks should form part of a complete ventilation and environmental control strategy rather than being considered a standalone solution to condensation.
For food manufacturing applications, cleaning and maintenance should be considered at the design stage.
Depending on the system specification, textile Air Socks may be designed to be removed for cleaning, helping businesses incorporate the air distribution system into their hygiene programme.
Cleaning frequency and method will depend on the environment, fabric specification, contamination risk and manufacturer's recommendations.
A suitable cleaning procedure should be established before installation.
An Air Sock system typically connects to an existing or new HVAC/air-handling system and is suspended from the ceiling using a suitable support system.
The installation needs to consider:
Professional design and installation are recommended to ensure the Air Sock is correctly matched to the ventilation system.
The final specification will depend on the individual project and may include:
Specification | Consideration |
System Type | Textile air distribution |
Application | Food, beverage & industrial environments |
Fabric | Selected according to application |
Airflow | Designed according to HVAC requirements |
Outlet Design | Selected according to required air distribution |
Length | Project-specific |
Diameter | Project-specific |
Suspension | Project-specific |
Connection | Matched to air handling system |
Temperature | Application dependent |
Cleaning | According to fabric/system specification |
Installation | Suspended textile system |
Design | Bespoke/project specific |
Air Socks can be manufactured and configured to suit the requirements of individual rooms and production environments.
Depending on the system, design considerations can include:
A correctly designed system can help ensure air is distributed across the required area rather than creating concentrated airflow from a small number of conventional outlets.
Different perforation and outlet configurations can be used to achieve different airflow characteristics.
Depending on the application, Air Socks may be configured to provide:
Suitable where a controlled, low-velocity airflow is preferred.
Designed to direct air towards specific areas of the production environment.
Air can be introduced from overhead positions and distributed throughout the room.
Multiple outlets can be positioned along the length of the Air Sock to provide more uniform coverage.
The appropriate configuration depends on the HVAC system and engineering requirements.
Fabric options and plastic material to suit your production environment with beaded and easy fit hanging options.
Textile air distribution systems can offer several practical advantages compared with conventional rigid ductwork in appropriate applications.
Feature | Air Socks | Traditional Ductwork |
Air Distribution | Designed around outlet/perforation configuration | Typically uses fixed outlets/diffusers |
Installation | Lightweight textile system | Rigid ductwork |
Flexibility | Highly configurable | More permanent |
Cleaning | Fabric systems can be removable where specified | Requires access to fixed ductwork |
Airflow Direction | Configurable | Determined by duct/outlet design |
Weight | Lightweight | Heavier |
Appearance | Textile/fabric system | Rigid metal system |
Application | Particularly useful for large/open production areas | Broad range of applications |
The best solution depends on the building, HVAC system, hygiene requirements and engineering specification. Please contact us if you require fixed traditional metal ducting.
Food manufacturing environments can have demanding ventilation requirements.
Production areas may need to maintain controlled temperatures while also managing humidity, condensation and airflow. Poorly directed airflow can potentially contribute to uncomfortable working conditions or undesirable air movement across production areas.
Air Sock systems can be designed around the requirements of the individual facility, helping deliver conditioned air where it is required.
An Air Sock is a fabric-based air distribution system designed to distribute conditioned air throughout a room. It uses a textile sleeve with engineered openings or perforations to control the direction and distribution of airflow.
Yes. Air Socks can be designed for suitable food and beverage manufacturing environments, including production, processing, chilled and temperature-controlled areas.
Yes. Air Sock systems can be designed for suitable chilled and temperature-controlled applications. The fabric and system specification should be selected according to the operating temperature and environmental conditions.
Depending on the system and fabric specification, Air Socks can be designed to be removed for cleaning. The cleaning method and frequency should follow the manufacturer's recommendations and the site's hygiene requirements.
Correctly designed air distribution can contribute to temperature and humidity management and may help address some condensation issues. However, condensation can have multiple causes, so the overall ventilation, refrigeration, humidity and building conditions should be assessed.
In suitable applications, textile air distribution can provide an alternative to conventional rigid ductwork. Suitability depends on the building, HVAC system, airflow requirements and hygiene specification.
They can be considered for appropriate high-care applications, subject to the required hygienic design, fabric specification, cleaning regime and ventilation requirements.
Yes. Air Socks can be designed around the individual application, including length, diameter, connection, outlet configuration, airflow requirements and suspension system.
The required size and configuration depend on factors including room dimensions, airflow volume, air pressure, temperature, HVAC capacity and desired air distribution. We recommend discussing the application with our team before specifying a system.
Air Sock systems should be correctly designed and installed to match the HVAC system and building structure. Professional installation is recommended, particularly in food manufacturing environments.
Potentially, yes. The existing air handling system needs to be assessed to determine whether its airflow, pressure and connection arrangements are suitable for the proposed Air Sock.
If you are looking for a hygienic, flexible air distribution solution for a food or beverage manufacturing facility, SOS Hygiene Air Socks can be designed around the requirements of your production environment.
From chilled food processing and high-care areas to beverage production, food packing and industrial warehouses, a correctly specified textile air distribution system can provide controlled airflow across the required area.
Call SOS Hygiene on 0161 221 2231 to discuss your application and Air Sock requirements.
Please send us your enquiries via the following email form.