Mechanical Insulation Design Guide - Resources

by the National Mechanical Insulation Committee (NMIC)

Last updated: 12-27-2007

Relevant Standards and Guidelines

American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers

90.1-2004 — Energy Standard for Buildings except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004
90.2-2004 — Energy-Efficient Design of Low-Rise Residential Buildings. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.2-2004

Architectural Computer Servces Inc (ARCOM)

ARCOM MasterSpec 230700 HVAC Insulation

ASTM International

C 165 — Standard Test Method for Measuring Compressive Properties of Thermal Insulations
C 168 — Standard Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
C 177 — Standard Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measurements and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
C 195 — Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Thermal Insulating Cement
C 335 — Standard Test Method for Steady-State Heat Transfer Properties of Pipe Insulation
C 411 — Standard Test Method for Hot-Surface performance of High-Temperature Thermal Insulation
C 423 — Standard Test Method for Sound Absorption and Sound Absorption Coefficients by the Reverberation Room Method
C 447 — Standard Practice for Estimating the Maximum Use Temperature of Thermal Insulations
C 449 — Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Hydraulic-Setting Thermal Insulating and Finishing Cement
C 450 — Standard Practice for Fabrication of Thermal Insulating Fitting Covers for NPS Piping and Vessel Lagging
C 518 — Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Apparatus
C 533 — Standard Specification for Calcium Silicate Block and Pipe thermal Insulation.
C 534 — Standard Specification for Preformed Flexible Elastomeric Cellular Thermal Insulation in Sheet and Tubular Form
C 547 — Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Pipe Insulation
C 552 — Standard Specification for Cellular Glass Thermal Insulation
C 553 — Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Commercial and Industrial Applications
C 578 — Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
C 585 — Standard Practice for Inner and Outer Diameters of Rigid Thermal Insulation for Nominal Sizes of Pipe and Tubing (NPS System)
C 591 — Standard Specification for Unfaced Preformed Rigid Cellular Polyisocyanurate Thermal Insulation
C 592 — Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Insulation and Blanket-Type Pipe Insulation (Metal Mesh Covered)(Industrial Type)
C 610 — Standard Specification for Molded Expanded Perlite Block and Pipe Thermal Insulation
C 612 — Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Block and Board Thermal Insulation.
C 667 — Standard Specification for Prefabricated Reflective Insulation Systems for Equipment and Pipe Operating at Temperatures above Ambient Air
C 680 — Standard Practice for Estimate of the Heat Gain or Loss and the Surface Temperature of Insulated Flat, Cylindrical, and Spherical Systems by use of Computer Programs
C 755 — Standard Practice for Selection of Water Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation
C 892 — Standard Specification for High-Temperature Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation
C 921 — Standard Practice for Determining the Properties of Jacketing Materials for Thermal Insulation
C 945 — Standard Practice for Design Considerations and Spray Application of a Rigid Cellular Polyurethane Insulation System on Outdoor Service Vessels
C 1029 — Standard Specification for Spray-Applied Rigid Cellular Polyurethane Thermal Insulation
C 1045 — Standard Practice for Calculating Thermal Transmission Properties under Steady-State Conditions
C 1055 — Standard Guide for Heated System Surface Conditions that Produce Contact Burn Injuries
C 1057 — Standard Practice for Determination of Skin Contact Temperature from Heated Surfaces using a Mathematical Model and Thermesthesiometer
C 1071 — Standard Specification for Fibrous Glass Duct Lining Insulation (Thermal and Sound Absorbing Material)
C 1086 — Standard Specification for Glass Fiber Felt Thermal Insulation
C 1094 — Standard Guide for Flexible Removable Insulation Covers
C 1126 — Standard Specification for Faced or Unfaced Rigid Cellular Phenolic Thermal Insulation
C 1136 — Standard Specification for Flexible Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation
C 1290 — Standard Specification for Flexible Fibrous Glass blanket Insulation used to Externally Insulate HVAC Ducts
C 1303 — Test method for Estimating the Long-Term Change in the Thermal Resistance of Unfaced Rigid Closed-Cell Plastic Foams by Slicing and Scaling Under Controlled Laboratory Conditions
C 1393 — Standard Specification for Perpendicularly Oriented Mineral Fiber Roll and Sheet Thermal Insulation for Pipes and Tanks
C 1410 — Standard Specification for Cellular Melamine Thermal and Sound-Absorbing Insulation
C 1423 — Standard Guide for Selecting Jacketing Materials for Thermal Insulation
C 1427 — Standard Specification for Extruded Preformed Flexible Cellular Polyolefin Thermal Insulation in Sheet and Tubular Form
C 1482 — Standard Specification for Polyimide Flexible Cellular Thermal and Sound-Absorbing Insulation
C 1534 — Standard Specification for Flexible Polymeric Foam Sheet Insulation used as a Thermal and Sound Absorbing Liner for Duct Systems
C 1594 — Standard Specification for Polyimide Rigid Cellular Thermal Insulation
C 1639 — Standard Specification for Fabrication of Cellular glass Pipe and Tubing Insulation
D 1621 — Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics
E 84 — Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E 96 — Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
E 119 — Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials
E 136 — Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750°C
E 795 — Standard Practice for Mounting Test Specimens During Sound Absorption Tests
E 1222 — Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of the Insertion Loss of Pipe Lagging Systems
E 1529 — Standard Test Methods for Determining Effects of Large Hydrocarbon Pool Fires on Structural Members and Assemblies
E 2231 — Standard Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Pipe and Duct Insulation Materials to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics

Midwest Insulation Contractors Association

Midwest Insulation Contractors Association, 2006 National Commercial and Industrial Insulation Standards MICA, Omaha NB

NACE International

NACE 1998. Standard Recommended Practice, the Control of Corrosion Under Thermal Insulation and Fireproofing Materials—A Systems Approach. Standard RP0198-98, Item No. 21084.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA, 2002. Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems. NFPA Standard 90A. National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
NFPA, 2003. Standard for the Installation of Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Systems. NFPA Standard 90B National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
NFPA, 2000. Standard Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials. NFPA Standard 255, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
NFPA, 2003. Standard Test Method for Potential Heat of Building Materials. NFPA Standard 259. National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.

Process Industry Practices

Process Industry Practices, Insulation Practices, Construction Industry Institute, The University of Texas, Austin TX

Underwriters Laboratory

Underwriters Laboratories 1996. Standard for Factory-Made Air Ducts and Air Connectors. Standard UL 181. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Northbrook, IL.
Underwriters Laboratories of Canada, 1989. Standard Methods of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials Standard CAN/ULC-S101. Toronto, ON.
Underwriters Laboratories of Canada 2003. Standard Method of Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and Assemblies. Standard CAN/ULC- S102. Toronto, ON.
Underwriters Laboratories of Canada 1997. Standard Method of Test for Determination of Non-combustibility in Building Materials. Standard CAN4-S114-1980 (Rev 1997). Toronto, ON.

U.S. Government Agency Guide Specifications

GSA PBS P-100 Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service
UFGS 23 07 00 Thermal Insulation for Mechanical Systems
UFGS 23 07 13.00 40 Duct Insulation
US Dept of Veterens Affairs 230711 HVAC Plumbing and Boiler Plant Insulation

References

Brower, G., 2000. A new solution for controlling water vapor problems in low temperature insulation systems. Insulation Outlook, National Insulation Association, September, 2000.
Crall, G.C.P., 2002., "The use of wicking technology to manage moisture in below ambient insulation systems", Insulation Materials, Testing and Applications: 4th Volume, ASTM STP 1426:326-334, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA.
Gordon, J., 1996. An investigation into freezing and bursting water pipes in residential construction. Research Report 90-1. University of Illinois Building Research Council.
Economic Thickness of Thermal Insulation. 1976 GPO No. 041-018-0015-8, Federal Energy Administration, Washington, D.C.
Incropera, F and DeWitt, D, Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer, John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Korsgaard, V., 1993. Innovative concept to prevent moisture formation and icing of cold pipe insulation. ASHRAE Transactions 99(1): 270:273
Kuntz, H.L. and Hoover, R.M., 1987. "The interrelationship between the physical properties of fibrous duct lining materials and lined duct sound attenuation", ASHRAE Transaction 93(2), 3082 (RP-478).
Marion, W. and Urban, K., 1995. User's manual for TMY2's typical meteorological years. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden Colorado.
Miller, W.S., Acoustical lagging systems, Insulation Outlook, National Insulation Association, April 2001, pp. 41-46.
Mumaw, J. R., 2001. Below ambient piping insulation systems, Insulation Outlook, National Insulation Association, September, 2001.
Mumaw, J. R., 2002. "A test protocol for comparison of the moisture absorption behavior of below-ambient piping insulation systems operating in hot-humid environments", Insulation Materials: Testing and Applications: 4th Volume, ASTM STP 1426:176-186, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA,.
Russell, A., 2007, The Basics of Life Cycle Assessment and Insulation, ASTM C 16 Forum, April 2007.
Turner, W.C. and Malloy, J.F., 1981. Thermal Insulation Handbook. Robert E. Kreiger Publishing Company, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York.

Educational Resources

National Insulation Association (NIA), www.insulation.org

The National Insulation Association has developed a series of training programs for the mechanical insulation industry.

National Insulation Training Program (NITP): This is the only truly unbiased industry program that provides an overview of all aspects of designing, installing and maintaining a mechanical insulation system. The core goal of this hands-on interactive two day program is to provide attendees across all market segments and job functions with a working knowledge of mechanical insulation and system design that can help avoid costly mistakes that could result in system failure and injury to facility personnel. Participants receive 1.5 continuing education units for attending the program and array of tools and resource information.

Insulation Energy Appraisal Program (IEAP): For the first time, the mechanical insulation industry is endorsing a standardized approach to conducting mechanical insulation energy appraisals through an accredited training program. Accreditation and third party certification will ensure that any energy proposal made by a certified appraiser will be viewed with a lot more respect than an unsupported bid for products or services. The overall goal is to communicate the message that mechanical insulation is a powerful technology and inexpensive way to save tremendous amounts of energy and to promote the value of insulation performance in dollars - energy savings and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

3E Plus Insulation Software Training Seminar (3E Plus): This a 3.5 hour long hands-on training program focused on getting the user familiar with all aspects of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Associations (NAIMA) 3E Plus software program. The more a 3E Plus program user knows about the power of the program, the better, more accurate, and more informative his/her insulation recommendations can be. A proficient 3E Plus program user can provide valuable data for end users making critical system design and process performance decisions. Attendees work with a variety of system examples that are typically found in industrial and commercial - building settings.

Awareness Presentations: NIA has developed a series of business meeting presentations that can be tailored to the particular audience. These awareness presentations range from 45 minutes to 3 hours in length depending the meeting sponsor's objective. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and/or Professional Development Hours (PDHs) are normally offered with each presentation. Presentation subjects vary: "Insulation, the Forgotten Technology for Energy Conservation." - "Innovations in Insulation Materials and Systems," - "Putting the Power of Insulation to Work" and including various specifically tailored presentations. The presentations are offered to industry associations for annual or local chapter meetings or to individual companies for their in house educational initiatives.

American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc (ASHRAE) Learning Institute

ASHRAE's Learning Institute has developed a Professional Development an 8 hour seminar and 3 hour short course entitled Mechanical Insulation Training Program on How to Design & Specify Insulation Systems for HVAC Piping, Ductwork & Equipment. The program was developed via an alliance with the National Insulation Association and is modeled from the NIA's National Insulation Training Program. This hands-on program however focuses specifically on the HVAC market.

Other Resoures

Much of the information in this design guide was developed from material published in the ASHRAE Handbook. This four volume series is available as printed volumes or in CD form from ASHRAE. The Midwest Insulation Contractors Association's MICA Manual, the Process Industry Practices PIP and ARCOM MasterSpec® are also valuable sources of information.

The National Insulation Association (NIA) has published the "Insulation Estimator's Handbook". This handbook is a collection of information from manufacturers, trade associations, technical organizations, and other sources. It contains technical information for estimating insulation, as well as formulas and conversions, information on insulation accessories, and technical variables of an insulation project. It is available from the NIA Bookstore.

NIA also provides the MTL Product Catalog for immediate linkage to specific material data - submittal sheets and further linkage to the respective insulation manufacturers. This direct linkage provides "one stop shopping" and saves time in obtaining manufacturer information for their respective materials verses having to individually search a host of web sites.

The MTL Product Catalog is a searchable database that allows users to find products from the respective participating manufacturers easily, 24-7-365, and quickly online. It is a flexible, efficient and cost effective means to always have current information available when needed.

MTL is continually updated by the participating manufacturers and fabricators thus providing MIDG users with current and timely information.