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THERMAL INSULATION
Insulation is defined as any material that resists the transfer of heat energy. The purpose of
thermal insulation is therefore either to keep heat confined in the mechanical system or to keep it
excluded from the system by preventing or resisting heat transfer. Typical insulation details are
shown in Figure 11-1.
Glass Type insulation is available in several forms including glass wool, fiber board, and felted
glass fibers. Some forms of glass type insulation are designed for temperature services up to
o
1000 F.
Flange connections typically have removable sections or a flexible blanket assembly placed over
the joint which permit easy future removal. Nameplates, code plates, pipe plugs and blind nipples
should be left exposed or have a small removable section of insulation placed over them.
Constructed to prevent the entry of fluids or moisture into the internal insulating material
Constructed to fit snugly around the contours of the component being insulated, including
valves, flanges, straight pipe, and fittings
Constructed with no sharp edges or protrusions on the outer surface
Equipment Insulation
Equipment insulation blocks, boards, or blankets are normally attached to the equipment surface
with joints staggered and the edges tightly butted and sealed with insulation cement, except in
those cases where expansion or contraction joints are provided. Typical equipment insulation
details are shown in Figure 11-3. Insulation is normally attached by one of the following methods:
Vendor furnished and installed attachment devices
Welded attachments installed to secure the insulation
Stainless steel, copper coated steel, or aluminum steel wire
Stainless steel or aluminum bands
Prior to the installation of the insulation jacketing, the installed insulation must be verified to be
complete and properly installed. Joints provided for thermal expansion or contraction must be
filled with insulating mastic material or mineral fiber batting.
The jacketing on both piping and equipment insulation should be fastened with bands wherever
possible. When bands cannot be used due to the piping or equipment configuration, the
jacketing may be secured with sheet metal screws. Typical details for securing insulation to
piping is shown in Figure 11-2.
Jacketing joints and openings must be sealed with a caulking material when the insulation system
contains a moisture or vapor barrier and the system is installed outdoors. Removable insulation
jacketing must overlap adjacent pipe by an amount equal to the insulation overlap.
ACOUSTICAL INSULATION
Acoustical insulation, like thermal insulation has two layers. The absorptive layer typically
consists of a glass or mineral fiber and the barrier layer being loaded vinyl, such as Sound Fab
manufactured by Sound Coat Company or loaded mastic, such as Muffl-Lag manufactured by
Childress Products Company. Some installations will have thermal insulation already existing and
in those instances, the acoustical absorptive layer is applied directly over the thermal insulation
without modifying the thermal system.
HEAT TRACING
Electrical heat trace systems are installed by simply wrapping electrical trace around piping and
equipment to provide mild winterization protection. Some high temperature piping systems
require the use of a layer of insulation between the pipe and heat trace to avoid damage to the
heat trace.
Bare Heat Transfer Cemented Steam Trace and Hot Water Trace systems are applied by placing
and banding tubing along the piping runs and looping the tubing around equipment and valves.
The function of the steam trace is to maintain the process fluids at temperature levels that provide
proper flow characteristics.
Insulation Materials
Insulation materials made from asbestos and certain other fibers can pose serious health hazards
and special precautions must be taken when handling these materials. Check the manufacturer’s
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for special handling instructions.