Continuing Education for Insulation Industry Professionals and System Designers

May 1, 2022

NIA’s goals are to provide learning resources for engineers and every level of insulation
professional and to increase the understanding of proper insulation system design
and maintenance among its members, the construction industry, and insulation users.

Fundamentals of Insulation

This training program was developed jointly by NIA’s Associates and Distributors/Fabricators Committees to teach new employees about insulation and how to optimize their insulation industry-specific customer service skills. The program contains a DVD and workbook, split into 10 modules of approximately 3 to 4 minutes each, that cover Heat Flow Basics, Btu, Values (Ks, Rs, and Cs), Insulation Selection Criteria, Cold and Colder Environments, Normal to Hot Environments, Super Hot Environments, Protective Coverings and Finishes, Specifications and Codes, and Selling Tools. These learning tools give your team information they can apply in insulation sales situations, making for a better bottom line.
Resource Type: DVD and Workbook
Level of Training: Beginner
Learn More: www.insulation.org/products

Insulation Energy Appraisal ProgramTM (IEAP)

Focused on energy, insulation, and a project’s return on investment (ROI), this 2-day course teaches participants how to determine the optimal insulation thickness and corresponding energy and dollar savings for a project. This refreshed course is designed for participants who have industry experience and companies that want to expand their business capabilities by adding insulation appraisals to show insulation’s ROI to their customers. Participants will learn how to conduct a facility walk-through, understand the tools necessary to complete the appraisal, and create a final report for customers.
Resource Type: Course
Level of Training: Advanced
Learn More: www.insulation.org/training-tools/energy-appraiser-certification

Insulation Estimator’s Handbook

In its first revision since 1998, this resource is an essential tool for any estimator. The classic NIA reference guide has gotten a complete update, which includes brand new graphics and easier-to-read charts. It is available in both print and digital formats.
Known throughout the industry for providing the data needed for almost every type of mechanical insulation estimate, this handbook contains valuable technical information for estimating insulation, as well as formulas and conversions, and information on insulation accessories and technical variables of an insulation project.
Resource Type: Book (Print and Digital)
Level of Training: Intermediate
Learn More: www.programs.insulation.org/store/insulation-estimators-handbook/81

Insulation Outlook Magazine Article Archives

Did you miss an issue, or are you trying to explain a design concept you read about? As one of the only educational resources available for our unique industry, NIA maintains a free online archive of almost all past educational and technical articles, safety columns, and insulation product guides, listed by application type. Each month’s issue of Insulation Outlook magazine is dedicated to providing useful information for the insulation industry.
Resource Type: Online Tool
Level of Training: Beginner to Expert
Learn More: Visit www.InsulationOutlook.com to start incorporating decades of research into your training programs or project research.

Insulation Sampler

Can you identify the most common types of insulation? Are your employees or clients familiar with insulation materials beyond what your company works with most frequently? This learning tool provides samples of 20 generic mechanical insulation product types and accessories for your staff or clients to see firsthand. The small, portable sample boxes are designed for ease of use, with an illustrative product schematic guide that denotes the product type. Each sample has its own compartment space to remain organized and
undamaged within the sample box. In developing this kit, NIA sought to represent many major mechanical insulation types. The kit is an excellent visual tool for your internal education and resource library, as well as for external sales discussions and presentations.
Resource Type: Product Samples
Level of Training: Beginner
Learn More: www.insulation.org/products

Mechanical Insulation Basics—Now Available!

For anyone looking for basic insulation education, the mechanical insulation online training series is an excellent place to start. Available anytime, it contains five different modules ranging from 15 to 35 minutes in length. The content of each module is self-paced and fully outlined, so your team can choose how to pair modules with your company’s existing training program. In 2 hours, new hires and office support staff will have a great foundation to better understand the industry so you can explain your company’s role within it.

Users will learn:

  • The principles of understanding energy,
  • What the various types of insulation are,
  • How insulation works,
  • How to develop an insulation system design or specify materials,
  • How the insulation calculators work and how they are designed for the unique needs of insulation contractors and engineers, and
  • How overseeing maintenance can keep a facility running smoothly.

Formerly available on the National Institute of Building Sciences’ website and known as the Mechanical Insulation Education & Awareness E-Learning Series (or E‑Learning Modules), this training resource is available at www.insulation.org/basics. The series provides data on the science behind insulation, helps specifiers and system designers
construct insulation systems, explains design considerations, and offers practical data and case studies outlining potential energy savings. The course is a prerequisite for the Understanding Mechanical Insulation learning program, and a certificate and professional development hours (PDHs) are available from NIA upon completion.
Resource Type: Online Tool
Level of Training: Beginner
Learn More: www.insulation.org/basics

Mechanical Insulation Design Guide

Everyone has questions on how to design an insulation system because every application is unique. The Design Guide is one of the most comprehensive mechanical insulation resources on the web for design, project estimation, and/or product specifications. It answers the insulation designer’s basic questions—what, when, why, where, and how—and is useful for both beginners and experienced contractors, engineers, specifiers, and other professionals in the construction, design, specification, maintenance, and management fields. This advanced, detailed tool walks users through the steps to build an insulation system correctly, providing everything you need to know about the design, selection, specification, installation, and maintenance of mechanical insulation.
Resource Type: Online Tool
Level of Training: Beginner to Intermediate
Learn More: www.insulation.org/designguide

Mechanical Insulation Installation Video Series

To help explain how to install insulation, these videos (available in English and Spanish on the Vimeo site) are a great supplement to your company’s training program. Each one provides a general product overview, safety information, and how-to guide for installing mechanical insulation for various applications. In addition, each video incorporates consensus recommendations from the sponsoring manufacturers, and the applications demonstrated are completed by experienced field mechanics on piping and equipment mockups representing project applications. The videos are a great industry resource to supplement existing craft training programs, use as educational programs for new or existing sales or insulation service employees, and for indirect users to obtain an overview of application practices for the respective insulation materials.
Resource Type: Videos (DVDs or Streaming)
Level of Training: Beginner to Intermediate
Learn More: www.vimeo.com/niainfo

NIA’s Online Training Portal at Vimeo

In 2020-22, NIA held 30 webinars viewed by almost 4,000 professionals, and these resources are now available on demand. You can stream NIA’s business management or educational offerings, which include how insulation contractors have responded
to COVID-19, sales strategies, long-term business planning, and health and safety topics like illness prevention on the job site and injury reporting and recordkeeping guidance. Videos also are available about the Design Guide and insulation calculators
that can help users with their insulation installation questions. Additionally, there are videos from past NIA Conventions and messages from NIA leadership.
Resource Type: Online Tool
Level of Training: Beginner to Expert
Learn More: www.vimeo.com/NIAinfo

Simple Insulation Calculators

These eight free calculators are uniquely designed to make common mechanical insulation calculations straightforward for users at all levels. The tools make it easy to discover proper insulation thickness, financial and energy savings, and the ideal insulation design.

  • Condensation Control Calculator for Horizontal Pipe: Estimates the thickness of insulation required to prevent condensation on the outer surface of an insulation system.
  • Energy Calculator for Equipment (Vertical Flat Surfaces): Estimates the performance of an insulated vertical flat surface given the operating temperature, ambient temperature, and other system details.
  • Energy Calculator for Horizontal Piping: Estimates the performance of an insulated horizontal piping system given the operating temperature, ambient temperature, and other system details.
  • Estimate Time to Freezing for Water in an Insulated Pipe Calculator: Estimates the time for a long, water-filled pipe or tube (with no flow) to reach the freezing temperature.
  • Mechanical Insulation Financial Calculator: Determines the simple payback period, annualized rate of return, and net present value for an insulation project.
  • Personnel Protection Calculator for Horizontal Piping: Estimates maximum contact exposure times on the outer surface of a horizontal pipe with and without an insulation system to help avoid the potential for contact burn injuries.
  • Temperature Drop Calculator for Air Ducts: Estimates the temperature drop (or rise) of air flowing in a duct.
  • Temperature Drop Calculator for Hydronic Piping: Estimates the temperature drop (or rise) of water flowing in a pipe.

Resource Type: Online Tool
Level of Training: Beginner to Expert
Learn More: www.insulation.org/calculators

Thermal Insulation Inspector CertificationTM Program

This 4-day, 2-part course educates participants on how to inspect and verify that the materials and the insulation system have been installed in accordance with the mechanical insulation specifications. The course is designed for experienced participants and can help companies extend their business offerings to include inspections. It is helpful for anyone responsible for contracts, maintenance, business development, quality assurance/quality control, project oversight, safety, inspections, estimating, management, product development, mechanical insulation system design, or specification development.
To become certified, participants must complete both parts of the course (the certification-level course and Understanding Mechanical Insulation) and pass the associated exams.
Resource Type: Course
Level of Training: Advanced
Learn More: www.insulation.org/inspector

Understanding Mechanical Insulation

Formerly called Introduction to Mechanical Insulation, and Part 1 of the Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification Program, this material is now available as a stand-alone course for industry members who have some experience in the insulation industry to provide more knowledge about mechanical insulation, the industry, and its products. The course includes a review of the insulation industry market segments; the need for and importance of inspection; the purpose of mechanical insulation systems, and why that is important to the inspection process; primary insulation materials and protective coverings; the importance of Safety Data Sheets; and codes, standards, regulations, and
guidelines, and how they are intertwined.
Resource Type: Course
Level of Training: Intermediate
Learn More: www.insulation.org/training-tools/understandingmi

Understanding Specifications

The course is designed to benefit multiple audience segments involved in the design, application, and use of mechanical insulation in both the commercial/building and industrial markets for new construction and maintenance. Course participants will learn how a specification is developed; how to identify challenges and opportunities created by specifications; how codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines are intertwined in specifications; how conflicting information in specifications may be problematic; how to understand and overcome the consequences of a “bad” specification; and how increased knowledge of mechanical insulation and insulation inspections can improve specifications.
Resource Type: Course
Level of Training: Intermediate
Learn More: www.insulation.org/training-tools/specifications

Understanding the Submittal Process

This course is designed to benefit multiple audience segments involved in the design, application, and use of mechanical insulation in both the commercial/building and industrial markets for new construction and maintenance. Participants will learn how to
identify the type and scope of submittal requirements, the components and importance of the submittal package, and the purpose of the submittal process. Students will review a submittal example and receive a submittal log template to use at their businesses. Also, as part of the course, each student receives a full-color printed course manual.
Resource Type: Course
Level of Training: Intermediate
Learn More: www.insulation.org/training-tools/submittals

NIA = Insulation Knowledge

Insulation is a proven means for saving energy, reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, increasing process productivity, providing a safer and more productive work environment, controlling condensation (thereby preventing mold growth and corrosion), supporting sustainable design technology, and realizing a host of other benefits. NIA resources can expand your team’s understanding of all the benefits insulation offers, going through the design process to ensure insulation is properly installed and maintained in your systems, leading to tremendous financial and energy savings, increased safety, and lower environmental impact. NIA’s website offers updates on other NIA programs, events, and insulation-related activities. Bookmark www.Insulation.org as your resource for insulation information.

Social Media

NIA invites you to connect through social media and stay up to date with all of NIA’s learning programs, resources, and products.