1. Control the surface temperature to protect personnel
Fiberglass and mineral wool insulation systems lower the surface temperature of pipes to a safer level. This helps to reduce the risk of burns and worker downtime due to injury.
2. Control and stabilize temperatures
Insulation reduces heat loss or gain, fiberglass, and mineral wool insulation. It also keeps the process temperature at a predetermined value. Insulation specified for the appropriate thickness can limit heat loss in a dynamic system or limit temperature drop over time in a static system.
3. Prevents condensation and subsequent corrosion on cold surfaces
Specifying sufficient insulation thickness with the appropriate vapor barrier is the most effective way to control condensation and limit corrosion in cold pipes, ducts, chillers, and roof drains. Sufficient thickness is necessary to maintain the temperature of the exterior surface above the dew point temperature of the ambient air.
4. Increase fire protection
Fiberglass and mineral wool insulation is inherently flame retardant.
5. Check for noise and vibration
Pipe insulation materials can be used to enclose pipe mechanisms that cause noise or vibration, forming an acoustic and vibration barrier between pipes and outdoor areas.
4 reasons to insulate!
1. Improved energy efficiency and effectiveness leading to lower energy bills
The value of energy efficiency is quite visible. It allows building occupants to save money on energy bills and reduce CO2 emissions from power plants to reduce the carbon footprint. The benefits become critical as energy bills rise, and the public becomes more aware of the carbon footprint. Recently, more than a dozen major metropolitan areas in the United States have adopted commercial and multi-family energy benchmarking requirements1, which means that existing buildings must report their annual energy consumption and obtain a score from 0 to 100 depending on your performance. Often, these scores are made public, and disclosure is required for any real estate transaction, which can affect potential buyers and tenants. Since energy efficiency figures prominently in real estate transactions, seasoned commercial construction professionals will recognize and take advantage of the opportunity by designing and constructing buildings that exceed the code and stand out from the competition.
2. Meet the comfort needs of customer
Thermal comfort is one of the essential factors in customer satisfaction. A building with the required temperature variations is likely to cause unhappy occupants. Insulation and waterproofing are key factors in thermal comfort, but code compliance does not guarantee occupant satisfaction. Without proper, airtight insulation, heat will still transfer to cold areas, meaning occupants will use even more energy to ensure adequate comfort.
3. Acoustic impact
A recent Cambridge Sound Management survey found that 30% of employees are distracted by the conversations of their colleagues.2 Likewise, another survey found that 60% of employees report being more productive when the office is quiet. .3 As the trend towards more open workspaces increases, floating walls, and glass elements continue to grow, as does the noise problem. Acoustic design is very complex and depends on many building factors, including building type, location, and occupancy. Insulation alone cannot provide a quiet workspace, but it should definitely be part of acoustic design and solutions. It is also necessary to compare and evaluate the acoustic properties of different types of insulation.
4. Sustainability and responsibility
Rental rates for ” green ” spaces can be up to 20% above average, which leads to higher rental prices, and low vacancy rates.
Comparing and choosing the types of insulation is an important part of sustainable design, as it helps reduce energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, and improve comfort. Some insulation can also contribute to recycled content requirements and minimize GHG emissions.
