The Midwest Insulation Contractors Association (MICA) publishes the
North American Commercial & Industrial Insulation Standards Manual,
commonly referred to as the MICA Manual. A helpful resource for engineers, contractors, and all mechanical insulation industry professionals, it allows all users to speak the same language when it comes to insulation specification and installation, greatly reducing the chance of miscommunication or unintended consequences. The MICA Manual contains standardized system plates that show insulation materials, installation methods, and accessory details that reflect current codes and technologies.

The 10th Edition of the MICA Manual is set to be released in June 2026, continuing MICA’s long-standing commitment to providing the most up-to-date industry guidance. The upcoming edition will include updates to existing plates, the addition of new plates requested by industry professionals to show details for specific applications, and revised information for material specifications and standards.

The manual is published as a service to contractors, engineers, designers, facility owners, and the mechanical insulation industry in general. Conceived by MICA, the first edition was introduced in 1979. Since then, the resource has grown to be recognized as the authoritative source for specifying and communicating installation details for mechanical insulation systems across the United States and internationally. It remains the definitive guide for the design, specification, and installation of commercial and industrial insulation systems.

Many engineers use the manual to help them document and outline exactly what needs to be done on a project. In turn, contractors use the MICA Manual in their submittal packages to convey insulation information and installation plans to the mechanical engineer—helping to eliminate long punch lists of items flagged later as incorrectly installed. Taking the guesswork out of a project for both engineers and contractors helps streamline project planning and minimizes problems and delays during execution.

Using the MICA Manual can save contractors time and money by providing a detailed explanation of materials and installation processes to the engineer, who can identify any desired modifications before work begins. For engineers, incorporating the MICA Manual into the submittal process facilitates clear communication with contractors and installers, preventing miscommunications and streamlining the building and installation process. Fixing and rebuilding aspects of installation can be costly; preventing errors up front is far more efficient and cost-effective.

NIA has been a decades-long partner and promoter of the manual, demonstrating its use
as part of several NIA training and certification courses. In addition, the Thermal Insulation
Association of Canada (TIAC) endorses the manual throughout Canada. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, TIAC is the national industry association in Canada for contractors, distributors, and manufacturers of commercial, industrial, and institutional thermal insulation, asbestos
abatement, and firestop.

About the MICA Manual
The MICA Manual is available for purchase in print and electronic formats, along with a bundled package that allows purchasers to buy both at a discounted rate, at www.micainsulation.org. Individual system plates are also available for purchase on the website, offering professionals convenient access to specific details they may need for projects or training purposes.

About MICA
MICA (www.micainsulation.org) is based in Dayton, Ohio, and serves the entire Midwest. Since 1956, MICA has provided its members the opportunity to be part of a professional association of commercial and industrial insulation contractors, abatement contractors, associate manufacturer/distributor and material supply firms, and affiliate firms that interact with the insulation industry. For more information, email mica@micainsulation.org, or call 888-294-0084.