Checklist for Specifying Insulation

Rebecca Mayes

Rebecca Mayes has been Business Development Manager at MC&I-RIDGLOK (www.MCI-RIDGLOK.com) for 20 years and is a Certified Insulation Energy Appraiser. She has a Bachelor of Arts Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Southern Indiana, Magna Cum Laude. She can be reached at Rebecca@MCI-RIDGLOK.com.

February 1, 2020

There is a disconnect between engineering specifications and codes requirements when it comes to the mechanical insulation industry. Specifications can be developed from either outdated or non-compatible applications that can create confusion and lead to a faulty design for mechanical insulation equipment. Now is the time to help engineers bridge that gap by providing standardized resources. The information in this article is offered to help improve the way things are done.

Here is a checklist of clarifying questions to ask engineers when specifying insulation:

  1. What is the system used for?
  2. What is the intended life span of the system?
  3. What is the purpose of insulating the system?
  4. What is the surface material that the insulation system will be applied to?
  5. What is the operating temperature?
  6. Will the equipment have heaters or chillers?
  7. What are the extreme atmospheric temperatures and relative humidities at the location?
  8. Will the system need to provide the intended function at environmental extremes or average conditions?
  9. What insulation value is required and/or desired?
  10. What codes are applicable to this project?
  11. What are code requirements for the insulation system?

Resources for engineers to reference in developing specifications to include the following:

  • National Commercial and Industrial Insulation Standards
  • NIA Annual Buyer’s Guide: Insulation Products & Providers
  • NIA Insulation Material Specification Chart
  • NIA Guide to Insulation Specifications
  • NIA webinar: Insulation Calculators
  • 3E Plus® Program
  • Mechanical Insulation Design Guide: www.wbdg.org/guides-specifications/mechanical-insulation-design-guide
  • NIA’s Education Center: www.insulation.org/resources/nias-educational-center/
  • NIA’s Online Insulation Education & Awareness Modules: www.insulation.org/training-tools/e-learning-modules
  • North American Insulation Manufacturer’s Association Resource Library: www.insulationinstitute.org/tools-resources/resource-library/

An industry association such as NIA provides a resource for engineers, and they should feel free to reach out to those of us in the mechanical insulation industry for any documentation or clarification. Manufacturers are always eager to help engineering firms find solutions and to update boiler plate language and specifications.

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