Introduction  

• Introduction
• Background
  • NIA's Mechanical Insulation Design Guide Objective
  • Mechanical Insulation Market Definitions
• Scope of the Design Guide
  • Using the Mechanical Insulation Design Guide
  • Why?, What?, Where?, How?, How To?, How Much?
• Example Design Problems
  • Example 1
  • Example 2

Design Objectives

• Introduction
• Design Objectives
  • Condensation Control
    •   Condensation Control Calculator for Horizontal Pipe
  • Energy Conservation - Financial Considerations
    •   Energy Calculator for Equipment (Vertical Flat Surfaces)
    •   Energy Calculator for Horizontal Piping
  • Economic Considerations - Return on Investment
    •   Mechanical Insulation Financial Calculator
  • Economic Thickness Considerations
  • Environmental Considerations - Sustainability
  • Fire Safety
  • Freeze Protection
    •   Estimate Time to Freezing for Water in an Insulated Pipe Calculator
  • Personnel Protection - Safety
    •   Personnel Protection Calculator for Horizontal Piping
  • Process Control
    •   Temperature Drop Calculator for Air Ducts
    •   Temperature Drop Calculator for Hydronic Piping
  • Noise Control
• Other Design Considerations
  • Abuse Resistance
  • Corrosion Under Insulation
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • Maintainability
  • Regulatory Considerations
  • Service and Location
  • Service Life

Materials and Systems

• Introduction
• Categories of Insulation Materials
• Physical Properties of Insulation Materials
  •   Performance Properties Guide For Insulation Materials
  • Material Selection
• Product Characteristics of Thermal Insulation Materials
  • Cellular Insulations
    • Elastomeric
    • Cellular Glass
    • Polystyrene
      • Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
      • Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)
    • Polyisocyanurate
    • Polyurethane
      • Sprayed Polyurethane Foam
      • Poured-in-Place Polyurethane
    • Phenolic
    • Melamine
    • Polyethylene/Polyolefin
    • Polyimide
  • Fibrous Insulations
    • Mineral Fiber (Fiberglass and Mineral Wool)
      • Fiberglass
      • Mineral Wool
    • Mineral Fiber Pipe
    • Mineral Fiber Blanket
    • Mineral Fiber Block and Board
    • Textile Glass
    • High Temperature Fiber
  • Granular Insulations (Flexible and Rigid)
    • Calcium Silicate
    • Molded Expanded Perlite
    • Microporous Insulation
    • Silica Aerogels
    • Poured-In-Place Insulation
  • Reflective Insulation
• Categories of Weather Barriers, Vapor Retarders, and Finishes
• Physical Properties of Weather Barriers, Vapor Retarders, and Finishes
• Product Characteristics of Weather Barriers, Vapor Retarders, and Finishes
  • Metal Rolls and Sheets
  • Polymeric (plastic) rolls or sheets
    • PVC Jackets
    • PVDC Film
  • Laminates
    • Laminated Foil jacketing (ASJ/FSK/PSP/FSP)
    • Synthetic Rubber Laminates
    • Multi-ply Laminates
  • Fabrics
  • Mastics and Coatings
    • Mastic Characteristics
      • Vapor Retarder Mastics
      • Weather Barrier Mastics and Coatings
    • Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Mastic Systems
  • Insulating and Finishing Cements
• Fabrication of Insulation Products
  • Insulation Fabrication Standard
  • Removable/Reusable Insulation Covers (Industrial and Commercial)
• Accessory Products
  • Adhesives
  • Reinforcements for Cements and Mastics
  • Sealants
  • Other Accessory Products

Installation

• Introduction
• Pre-work Considerations
• Securing Methods
  • Pipe and Tubing
    • Insulating Pipe Hangers
  • Tanks, Vessels, and Equipment
  • Ducts
• Finishes
• Special Considerations
• Inspection and Maintenance
  • Risk Assessment Discussion
  • Maintenance "Check List"
  • General Guidelines for the Repair of a Below Ambient Insulation System After Substrate Inspection
  • General Guidelines for the Repair of Above Ambient Insulation System After Substrate Inspection
  • Example Installation Plates

Design Data

• Introduction
• Estimating Heat Loss and Heat Gain
• Controlling Surface Temperatures
• Dimensions of Standard Pipe and Tubing Insulation
• Heat Loss from Bare Pipe and Tubing

Specifications

• Introduction
• Formats
• Methods of Specifying
• Defining the Scope of Work
• Specification Language and Writing Style
• Coordination with Drawings
• Coordination with Other Specification Sections
• Adequate Clearance for Proper Insulation Application

NIA's Insulation Basics Online Training Course

• Mechanical Insulation Basics (Coming Soon)

Simple Insulation Calculators

Resources

• Relevant Standards and Guidelines
• Manufacturer by Product Type
  • Mechanical Insulation Manufacturer by Product Type
  • Mechanical Insulation Weather Barrier, Vapor Retarders, and Finish Manufacturers by Product Type
  • Mechanical Insulation Accessory Product Manufacturer by Product Type
• References
• Educational Resources
• Other Resources

Insulation Science Glossary