Why Insulation?

Thermal Insulation is the method used to help prevent or reduce the flow of heat. Heat flow is an inevitable consequence of contact between objects of differing temperature. Thermal insulation provides a means to maintain a gradient of temperature, by providing a region of insulation in which heat flow is reduced or thermal radiation is reflected rather than absorbed. Thermal insulations are materials that insulate the components of mechanical systems in commercial buildings and industrial processes. In buildings such as shopping centers, schools, hospitals, and hotels, mechanical insulations are installed to improve the energy consumption of the buildings'' cooling and heating systems, domestic hot and chilled water supply, and refrigerated systems including ducts and housings.

BENEFITS OF INSULATION

• Conserves Energy by Reducing Heat Loss or Gain -Properly designed and installed insulation systems immediately reduce the need for energy, a costly ingredient of every product made.
• Controls Surface Temperatures for Personnel Protection and Comfort -Insulation reduces the surface temperature of piping or equipment to a safer level, resulting in increased worker safety and the avoidance of worker downtime due to injury.
• Facilitates Process Temperature Control -By reducing heat loss or gain, insulation can help maintain the process temperature to a pre -determined value. Insulation thickness must be sufficient to limit the heat loss in a dynamic system or limit the temperature drop, with time, in a static system.
• Prevents Condensationon Cold Surfaces -Specifying sufficient insulation thickness with a good vapor barrier is the most effective means of controlling condensation and limiting corrosion on cold piping, ducts, chillers and roof drains. Sufficient thickness is needed to keep the surface temperature above the dew point temperature of the ambient air.
• Prevents or Reduces Damage to Equipment from Exposure to Fire or Corrosive Atmospheres -When used in combination with other materials, fiberglass and rock and slag wool insulation help provide fire protection in fire stop systems; grease & air-duct fireproofing; & electrical and communications conduit and cable protection.
• Controls Noise -Special or standard insulation materials can be used to encase or enclose a noise generating source, forming a sound barrier between the source and the surrounding area. Insulation installed in walls and ceilings can provide a barrier to the entry of sound from the outside or other rooms.