NIA / Training & Tools / NIA’s Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification™ / Recommending Inspectors

Recommending Inspectors

Certified Insulation Inspectors

Suggested Language for Manufacturer Guideline Specification or Installation Guidelines

The National Insulation Association recommends the use of a Certified Insulation Inspector and requests that its members add the following language to their product guideline specifications or installation guidelines.  Together, we can improve the quality and professionalism of the insulation industry.

 

Recommending Inspectors—Suggested Language Options:

  1. The use of certified mechanical insulation inspectors who maintain current certification by the National Insulation Association is recommended throughout the project to inspect and verify the materials are and the total insulation system has been installed correctly in accordance with the specifications.
  2. The use of certified mechanical insulation inspectors who maintain current certification by the National Insulation Association, or other certified mechanical insulation certification association, is recommended throughout the project to inspect and verify the materials are and the total insulation system has been installed in accordance with the specifications

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Manufacturers Who Have Committed To or Recommend NIA Certified Insulation Inspectors

Aeroflex USA  (March 2020)

1.6 QUALITY ASSURANCE, C. Inspection & Verification, 1: The use of certified mechanical insulation inspectors who maintain current certification by the National Insulation Association, or other certified mechanical insulation certification association, is recommended throughout the project to inspect and verify the materials are and the total insulation system has been installed in accordance with the specifications.

The language, in CSI MasterFormat 2018, has been incorporated into their guide specifications

  • 220716 Plumbing Equipment Insulation
  • 220719 Plumbing Piping Insulation
  • Section 270713 HVAC Duct Insulation
  • Section 230716 HVAC Equipment Insulation
  • Section 220719 HVAC Plumbing Pipe Insulation

Alpha Engineered Composites, LLC  (April 2020)

For guide specifications and or installation guidelines, Alpha Engineered Composites, LLC  suggests the use mechanical insulation industry guidelines and the engagement of a certified Thermal Insulation Inspector who maintains a current National Insulation Association (NIA), or other certified mechanical insulation association certification, during construction and throughout the project. Such inspectors may inspect and verify the materials are, and the total insulation system has been, installed in accordance with the specifications.

Armacell  (February 2020)

Following language has been incorporated in Paragraph 1.1.B Quality Assurance  of “Armacell’s Master Specifications” on the website which applies to both their elastomeric and polyethylene products.

Inspection: A certified mechanical insulation shall be performed by inspectors who maintain current certification, by the National Insulation Association or other certified mechanical association, throughout the project to inspect and verify the materials and the total insulation system has been installed correctly in accordance with the specifications and material manufacturer’s instructions. 

  • Section 270713 HVAC Duct Insulation
  • Section 230716 HVAC Equipment Insulation
  • Section 220719 HVAC Plumbing Pipe Insulation

March 2020: They are updating Armacell Master Specifications—Sections 233113 Low Pressure Ductwork, Division 22 Plumbing, and their aerogel product master specification. The inspection language in those sections will mirror the language above.

 CertainTeed Corp.  (May 2020)

The following language has or will be incorporated in CertainTeed’s mechanical insulation guide specifications.

“The use and involvement of certified mechanical insulation inspectors who maintain current certification by the National Insulation Association, or other certified mechanical insulation certification association, is recommended throughout the project to inspect and verify the materials, are and the total insulation system has been installed in accordance with the installation specifications and industry standards.”

DUNA USA, Inc.  (June 2020)

The following language  has been added to their cryogenic foam brochures and the on-line versions of their insulation design guides.

“The use of certified mechanical insulation inspectors who maintain current certification by the National Insulation Association is recommended throughout the project to inspect and verify the materials are and the total insulation system has been installed correctly in accordance with the specifications. “

Dyplast  (September 2019)

Following language has been incorporated in:

  • Installation Guidelines: Iso-C1 ® Polyisocyanurate Mechanical Insulation for Chilled Water Systems
  • Installation Guidelines: Iso-C1 ® Polyisocyanurate Mechanical Insulation for LNG, Cryogenic & Refrigeration Applications
  • Iso-Ht® Installation Guidelines: Polyisocyanurate Insulation for Higher Temperature (Up To 350f) Applications
  • Dyplast “Qwik Guides”

Dyplast also recommends the engagement of a certified mechanical Thermal Insulation Inspector who maintains a current National Insulation Association (NIA) or other certified mechanical association certification. During construction and throughout the project such inspectors may inspect and verify the materials are, and the total insulation system has been, installed correctly in accordance with the specifications

H.B. Fuller  (October 2019)

The following language is added to their data sheets as they updated:

Where available, it is suggested to use a National Insulation Association (NIA) certified (or other similarly certified) mechanical insulation inspector throughout the project to inspect and verify the materials and total insulation system have been installed correctly in accordance with the specifications.

Examples can be found at Foster 60-25/26 or Foster 60-38/39 and other Foster or Childers brand products.

Howred Corp.   (February 2020)

For guide specifications and or installation guidelines Howred Corp. suggest the use mechanical insulation industry guidelines from the Midwest Insulation Contractors Association (MICA), www.micainsulation.org, and the engagement of a certified Thermal Insulation Inspector who maintains a current National Insulation Association (NIA), or other certified mechanical insulation association certification, during construction and throughout the project. Such inspectors may inspect and verify the materials are, and the total insulation system has been, installed in accordance with the specifications.

Johns Manville  (June 2020)

The following language has been incorporated in:

  • THERMO-1200 TM CALCIUM SILICATE PIPE & BLOCK INSULATION I-SPEC CSI 3 PART SPECIFICATION SECTIONS: 15080, 15084 and 15086
  • SPROULE WR-1200® PIPE AND BLOCK INSULATION I-SPEC CSI 3 PART SPECIFICATION SECTIONS: 15080, 15084 and 15086
  • MINWOOL-1200® | MINFIBERTM-1000 PIPE INSULATION MINWOOL-1200® PREFORMED AND FIELD FORM PIPE INSULATION I-SPEC CSI 3 PART SPECIFICATION SECTIONS: 15080, 15084 and 15086
  • MINWOOL-1200® INDUSTRIAL BOARD INSULATION I-SPEC CSI 3 PART SPECIFICATION SECTIONS: 15080 and 15084
  • INSULTHIN TM HT PIPE & BLOCK INSULATION I-SPEC CSI 3 PART SPECIFICATION SECTION 15080
  • SPROULE WR-1200® PIPE AND BLOCK INSULATION

QUALITY ASSURANCE SECTION OF APPLICABLE GUIDE SPECIFICATION:  All work shall conform to accepted industry and trade standards for commercial and industrial insulations and shall conform to manufacturer’s recommendations. Where available, it is recommended to use a National Insulation Association (NIA) certified (or other similarly certified) mechanical insulation inspector throughout the project to inspect and verify the materials and total insulation system have been installed correctly in accordance with the Johns Manville guide specifications.

  • MICRO-LOK® HP & MICRO-LOK® HP ULTRA INCLUDING ZESTON PVC AND METAL JACKETING
  • Pre-formed Fiber Glass Pipe Insulation Specification SECTION 220700—PLUMBING PIPING INSULATION SECTION 230700—HVAC PIPING INSULATION

1.05.B.2 QUALITY ASSURANCE: All work shall conform with accepted industry and trade standards for commercial and industrial insulations. Where available, it is recommended to use a National Insulation Association (NIA) certified (or other similarly certified) mechanical insulation inspector throughout the project to inspect and verify the materials and total insulation system have been installed correctly in accordance with the Johns Manville guide specifications

May 2020: They are working on reviewing and updating where needed all Trymer PIR product literature and guide specifications. All indications are inspection language will be included in some form in the next publishing of the respective guide specifications.

K-Flex USA   (March 2020)

The use of an independent inspection agency to determine that insulation materials have been installed correctly is optional. Where so required, it is recommended that the inspection agencies be certified under the National Insulation Association certified insulation inspector program.

The language has been incorporated in Part 3-Execution, Section 3.01.H, Examination and Preparation.

Guide Specifications:

  • Duct Liner
  • Mechanical Systems
  • Refrigeration Systems

Knauf Insulation  (June 2019)

Following language has been incorporated in:

  • Section 230719 HVAC Piping Insulation – 1.4.F Definitions: NIA, National Insulation Association – Thermal Insulation Certified Inspector Program: a recommended certified mechanical insulation inspector program that utilizes inspectors who maintain current certification by NIA to inspect and verify the materials used are, and the total insulation system has been, installed correctly in accordance with the Specifications; throughout the project. —– 1.7.B Quality Assurance: Knauf Insulation recommend the use of the NIA, National Insulation Association, Thermal Insulation Certified Inspector Program (as defined in 1.4.F – above)

The same wording appears in the following Guide Specifications:

  • Section 230716 HVAC Equipment Insulation
  • Section 233119 HVAC Casings
  • Section 233113 Metal Ducts
  • Section 233116 Non-Metal Ducts
  • Section 220719 Plumbing Pipe Insulation
  • Section 220716 Plumbing Equipment Insulation
  • Section 210700 Fire Suppression Systems Insulation

Lewco Specialty Products  (April 2020)

The following language has been added to Lewco’s Super Mat Installation Guide:

Quality assurance.  It is recommended that throughout an insulation project, Facility Owners utilize third party inspectors who are trained and certified by an independent body such as the National Insulation Association (in the USA) or other certified mechanical insulation certification association.

Qualified third-party quality assurance inspection is critical to assure that not only is insulation installed in accordance with the project specification, but also that insulation is installed ONLY on surfaces which are deemed appropriate for insulation by the Facility Owner.  If insulation is applied to equipment and piping which are designed to release heat to the atmosphere when in operation, equipment damage, loss of containment, and/or personnel injury could result.

Owens Corning  (June 2020)

The following statement appears on the cover of the Mechanical Insulation Solutions website brochure with the inspection logo and the same language has been added to their individual product guide specifications under the Field Quality Assurance section.

All work shall conform to accepted industry standards and to manufacturers

recommendations.  Owens Corning recommends the use of certified mechanical insulation inspectors who maintain current certification by the National Insulation Association (NIA) or the British Columbia Insulation Contractors Association Quality Assurance Certificate Program throughout the project.  They will inspect and verify that the materials and the total insulation systems have been installed correctly in accordance with the specifications. 

  • HVAC Piping Insulation Fiberglas Insulation, Guide Specification, Section 23-07-19
  • Plumbing Piping and Equipment Insulation Fiberglas Insulation, Guide specification , Section 22-07-19
  • Fiberglas HVAC Equipment Insulation – Section 23-07-16;
  • Fiberglas Plumbing Equipment Insulation – Section 22-07-16;
  • Fiberglas Duct Insulation – Section 23-07-13
  • Mineral Wool product line – General Specification Guide Sections 22-07-00. 23-07-00 and 40-42-00.

FOAMGLAS ® INSULATION SYSTEM SPECIFICATION: The following language has been incorporated in the listed guide specifications. (March 2020)

  • General Guidelines for FOAMGLAS® Insulation (I-GENERAL -PI-EQ 3/2020)
  • Applications of FOAMGLAS® Insulation to Systems Utilizing Heat Transfer Fluids or Hot Oils (I-HOT-HTF-PI-EQ 3/2020)
  • Applications of FOAMGLAS® Insulation to Above Ambient Stainless-Steel Piping and Equipment (I-HOT-SSPI-EQ 3/2020)
  • Applications of FOAMGLAS® Insulation to Chilled Water Piping (I-COLD-CW-PI 12/2019)
  • Applications of FOAMGLAS® Insulation to Dual Temperature and Cyclic Systems (I-DUAL-CYC-PI-3/2020)
  • Applications of FOAMGLAS® Insulation to Liquid Oxygen and Nitrogen Piping and Equipment (I-COLD-LOX-PI 02/2020)
  • Applications of FOAMGLAS® Insulation to LNG Piping and Equipment (I-Cold-LNG-PI 11/2019)

 FOAMGLAS® Insulation also have numerous specifications that address tanks, vessels and certain equipment. The same inspection language is also included in those specifications.

9.0 Inspection: 9.1 The general contractor, insulation contractor and owner shall provide sufficient inspection during the insulation and finish application. Continuous inspection of the application is not to be considered a responsibility of Pittsburgh Corning LLC. Pittsburgh Corning LLC recommends the use of certified mechanical insulation inspectors who maintain current certification through recognized industry certification agencies such as the National Insulation Association (NIA), the British Columbia Insulation Contractors Association, CINI, or another agency having appropriate jurisdiction throughout the project.

Polyguard Products, Inc.  (November 2019)

Polyguard has committed to add inspection language to their guide specifications via MasterSpec. The exact language is pending.

Proto Corporation  (June 2020)

Proto Corporation has added the following language to their installation guide, Quality Assurance Section:

  • Hot Pipe System – Above Ambient Temperatures and Indoor Conditioned Space
  • Cold Pipe System – Below Ambient Temperatures and Severe Service Conditions
  • FDA, USDA, and Pharmaceutical Piping Systems (Completely sealed systems) Indoor Conditioned Spaces

Proto Corporation recommends the use of the NIA Thermal Certified Inspector Program, which utilizes inspectors who maintain current certification by NIA to inspect and verify the materials used are, and the total insulation system has been, installed correctly in accordance with the Specifications; throughout the project.  

RPR Products, Inc.  (February 2020)

For guide specifications and or installation guidelines R.P.R. Products suggest the use mechanical insulation industry guidelines from the Midwest Insulation Contractors Association (MICA), www.micainsulation.org, and the engagement of a certified Thermal Insulation Inspector who maintains a current National Insulation Association (NIA), or other certified mechanical insulation association certification, during construction and throughout the project. Such inspectors may inspect and verify the materials are, and the total insulation system has been, installed in accordance with the specifications.

Rockwool Technical Insulation  (June 2020)

Rockwool Technical Insulation will be adding the following language to their Process Manual.

The use of certified mechanical insulation inspectors who maintain current certification by the North American National Insulation Association (NIA), or other certified mechanical insulation certification association such as the European Industrial Insulation Foundation (EiiF), is recommended throughout the project to inspect and verify the materials are and the total insulation system has been installed in accordance with the specifications.

Vimasco Corp  (March 2020)

Vimasco Corp. has added the following language to their website for each insulation related product line:

Vimasco Corp. suggest the engagement of a certified Thermal Insulation Inspector who maintains a current National Insulation Association (NIA), or other certified mechanical insulation association certification, during construction and throughout the project. Such inspectors may inspect and verify the materials are, and the total insulation system has been, installed in accordance with the specifications.

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Industry Guide Specifications:

NIA is currently working these organizations for inclusion of inspection language in their guide specifications.