The work to draft mechanical insulation installation standard practices and guidelines is moving forward through a broad coalition of industry stakeholders as part of the Association
for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)/NIA mechanical insulation standards initiative. During NIA’s Fall Summit, outlines for the first four proposed standards were presented to NIA membership, to address pipe supports, vapor retarders and vapor stops, flanges, and damaged insulation. These four topics were selected based on survey input from owners, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, and other industry professionals. They highlight specific, real-world “pain points” actively encountered across the insulation industry today.

Pipe Supports

Improper pipe support selection is one of the most common causes of insulation system
failure. There are many types of pipe supports, and selecting the proper support is crucial to
provide the necessary platform and clearance to install the insulation system correctly. Too often, supports are chosen without considering the space requirements of the insulation. When adequate clearance is not provided, the insulation cannot be installed properly, guaranteeing a flawed system from the start.

Vapor Retarders and Vapor Stops

For below-ambient systems, proper selection and installation of vapor retarders and vapor stops can be even more critical than the insulation itself. If vapor is allowed to infiltrate an
insulation system, it degrades the insulation material, reduces thermal performance, and can promote corrosion under insulation, ultimately shortening the service life of the piping.

Flanges

Flanges are designed to allow access to the interior of the piping system, but this accessibility creates a unique insulation challenge. The insulation system around a flange must be carefully designed, installed, and maintained to keep the overall system effective. When insulation is removed for maintenance and not reinstalled correctly, the integrity of the entire insulation system is compromised.

Damaged Insulation

Damage to insulation in an operating facility can result from many causes, including routine access, foot traffic, and contact with ladders or equipment. This standard will explore practical strategies to eliminate or significantly reduce insulation damage to maintain long-term system performance.

Next Steps

Working groups are being assembled, and an informational session took place on
December 16, 2025. These first four installation standards will be classified as “supporting
standards.” Supporting standards are targeted recommendations providing deep technical
guidance on individual components of the installation process that fit within broader
primary standards, which look at the full scope of required actions for each temperature range. The coalition has already identified more than 40 supporting standards, and the more issues the group can address, the more comprehensive and useful the final set of primary standards will be. Insulation professionals and end users are invited to share their additional “pain points” for consideration.

The primary standards will be developed to address the complete insulation system design requirements based on operating temperature. The following temperature ranges will define
how each standard practice is organized:

• Cryogenic: −50°F and below
• Low Temperature: −49°F to 75°F
• Intermediate Temperature: 76°F to 450°F
• High Temperature: 451°F to 1,500°F

The intent is to begin writing the primary standards as soon as the supporting standards
are well underway.

NIA’s mechanical insulation installation standards working group kick-off meetings will provide a unique opportunity to develop installation standard practices and guidelines that truly reflect every aspect of the insulation industry. Owners, engineers, manufacturers, and contractors will continue to collaborate to create comprehensive standards that address the most common challenges and concerns across
the field.

The AMPP/NIA Standards Committee 27 invites everyone in the industry to consider
contributing a small portion of their time to help shape the AMPP/NIA insulation standards. The expertise and perspectives of all stakeholders will be invaluable; together, participants in the standards development process can build a resource that will benefit the entire industry for years to come.