Mechanical Insulation Design Guide

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

Materials and Systems

  • Introduction
  • Categories of Insulation Materials
  • Physical Properties of Insulation Materials
  • 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