Mechanical insulation is a vital component in nearly any industrial or commercial setting. While high thermal resistance is desirable, there are many other aspects that need to be considered when designing an effective insulation system.
Weather Protection
The location of a facility or structure is important. Is the insulation required indoors or outdoors? What kinds of elements will they need to hold up to? For example, pipes running outside through the Albertan countryside will have very different requirements than those running through a fully-insulated, closed building in the middle of the city.
Code Compliance
Canadian buildings must comply with certain codes. For the most part, each province governs its own set of standards. An installer must be familiar with the codes, as well as knowing how to integrate them into a building which also runs multiple other systems that require their own code compliance. For example, they must be mindful of electrical and plumbing specifications and how those may interact or conflict with their own installations.
Corrosion Under Insulation
Some buildings are more susceptible to corrosion under insulation, or CUI, such as high-temperature chemical processing plants. These will need special considerations to reduce the risk of CUI, and consistently monitor for damage.
Combustibility
Some chemicals such as strong acids, bases, or hydrocarbons can create the perfect environment for combustion when they come into contact with certain materials. If these chemicals are to be in direct contact with an insulation, it is important to avoid non-combustible alternatives.
Compressive Strength
Unlike your typical wall insulation, mechanical insulation involves protecting moving parts and the areas around them. Physical abuse, vibrations, and moisture can all compromise the effectiveness of insulation. Materials with a high compressive strength must be used in these areas to avoid degradation.
Acoustical Insulation
Industrial facilities can get loud. This is not just an annoying side effect of working machinery but can be a danger to personnel health and safety. Some insulation types can be used to effectively reduce noise to a reasonable level.
When designing a mechanical insulation system, professionals must take all of these factors into consideration. Selecting materials, installation methods, and locations for the insulation are all carefully decided based on the unique needs of any facility. In this way, mechanical insulation is definitely not a one-size-fits-all application. Contact us today to get started on an effective mechanical insulation system for your building.
