Insulation for Mechanical Systems permesbility thickness, and quality ofthe mastic aplication. Also, some mastics may not be compatible with cerain insulation types. For this reason always consult the insulation manufacture fr tec ‘ommendations on the correct type of vapor retarder to use in the pplication, Weather bacrcr maslics are nol vapor retarder matics and should nat be used for below-amiient applications unless they also have a low vapor permeability or ae used in conjunction with separate vapor retarder. [Below-ambient piping and equipment in general, and below: fering applications in particule, are the most demanding appli- cations for an insulation vapor relarder. Even though extremely Jow-permeance [<0.3 np(s-m-Pa)] vapor retarder materials exist it is extemely difficult to achieve a perfec barter in system that is field installed and includes numerous joints and penetrations. It follows that adequate system design, proper insulation an jacket ing material selection, and eareful workmanship are all equally important Tr pipes operating at below-ambient temperatures, it is recom ‘mended that every 4.5 t06 lineal m, ora every fitting, «vapor stop {also called vapor dam) be installed. Should a leak'ovcur in the ‘vapor retard, a vapor stop isolates vapor intrusion o that pipe ins Jation section and thereby prevents vapor and condensed water intrusion into the adjacent section(s) of pipe insulation or adjacent fitting insulation, A vapor stop is made by applying a Vapacretarde| mastic Hberally tothe pipe surface, for 75 mm along its lengi> cent to the end of the pipe insulation section. After installing th pipe insulation section, the mastic is then applied liberally othe end| ofthe pipe insulation. Using a glass fiber or polyester sim allows visual confiemasion thatthe mastic is thick enough, For illustations of vapor stops, see MICA's (2011) National Commercial and Indus- trial Insulation Standards. ‘Air-Handling Systems. Vapor retarders for equipment and duct {ngulation take various forms. Because ofthe relatively less severe and demanding conditions in arshandling systems located in condi tioned spaces (because oftheir higher operating temperatures and| lower indoor ambient humidity), current vapor retarder material have been shown to adequately meet these performance require- ‘ments. In general, moisture problems are not often encountered if insulation design is adequate for the application, and some low permeability insulation materials are used without separate vapor retarders For fberplass duct wrap and duct board, a lamination of sluminum foil, scrim, and kraft paper (FSK) has long been the vaterial of ehoice, although flexible vinyl and other white or black facings are occasionally used. All ofthese facings can be procured| separately in oll form, and used oa any ‘ype of insulation, ASTM Standard C1136, type is atypical specification for factory-applied| vapor retarder on duct insulation (except flexible duct) Flexible (flex) ducting typically incorporates a plastic fm o il lamination that contains a metalized substrate as a vapor-etarding component, For outdoor ducts, laminate jacketing, manufacturer rated to have a low vapor permeance (0.3 ngi(s-m*-Pa] and for outdoor wse, can be installed over the previously mentioned types of duct insulation using’ compatible tape fo closures, to provide protection from both| weather exposure and vapor intrusion tothe duc insulation “Application-specific pressur-senstive tapes or mastic are typ ‘cally used to Seal joins, As in aay cold system where a vapor| relarder is required, design, selection of materials, and workman ship mast be propery addressed, The insulation manufacturer's =~ ‘ommendations shouldbe followed, INSTALLATION Pipe Insulation ‘Small pipes canbe insulated wth cylindrical alfseetions of rigid insulation or with preformed flexible material. Larger pipes can be| insulated with flexible material or with curve, flat segmented, of 23.13 cylindrical hal, hid, or quarter sections of rigid insulation Fitings (Galves, tees, erosses, and elbows) use preformed fitting insulation, fabricated Sting insultion, individual pieces eut from sectional straight-pipe insulation, or insulting cements. Fitting insulations should always be equal in thermal performance to the pipe insula- ‘Securing Methods. The method of securing varies withthe type of insulation, size of pipe, form and weight of insulation, ané type ofjacketng (Le, feld-o factory-applied. Insulation with factory- applied jacketing can be secured on small piping by securing the overlapping jacket, which usually includes a integral sealing tape ‘Additional tape around the circumference may be necessary. Large piping may zequite supplemental witing or banding. Insulation on large piping requiring separate jacketing is wired or banded in place, and the jackets cemented wired, o banded, depending on he type Flexible closed-cell materials require no jacket for most applica- tions and are applied using specially formulated contact adhesives, Tasulating Pipe Hangers. AIT piping is held in place by hangers and supports. Seleetion and treatment of pipe hangers and supports can significantly affect thermal performance ofan insulation sytem, Thus, tis important thatthe piping engineer and insalation specifier coordinate during project design to ensure that correct hangers are ‘used and sufficient physical space is maintained to allow forthe required thickness of insulation ‘A pica ring or ine size hangers illustrated in Figure 6A. This pS type of hanger is commonly used on above-ambient lines at mod: crate temperature. However, it provides a thermal short circuit ‘through the insulation, and the penetration is difficult to seal effec lively against water vapor, so i isnot recommended for below- ambient applications, Pipe shoes (Figure 6B) are used for hot piping of lage diameter (Qigh mass) and where significant pipe movement is expected. The design allows for pipe movement without damage tothe insulation or the finish, The design is not recommended for below-ambientappli= cations because of the thermal short circuit and dilficuly ia vapor sealing. A better solution isto use clevis hangers Figure 6C), which are sized oll clearance forthe specified thickness of inslation, and avoid the short circuit assovated with ring hangers and pipe shoes. Shields (or saddles) spread the load from the pipe ts contents, and ‘the insulation material over an area sufficient to suppor the system without significantly compressing the insulation material. Table 10 provides guidance on sheet metal sade lengths for glass fiber pipe insulation. For pipe sizes above 80 mm, itis recommended tat high- compressive-stength inserts (e.g, foam, high-density fiberglass, calcium silicate) be used. Table 11° gives recommended saddle lengths for 32 ken polyisocyunurate foam insulation. Prinsulated sadles are availabe, Note that wood blocks have poor thermal con- ductivity and are not recommended, especialy for cold pipe systems. ‘When the goal is avoiding compression of low-compressve- strength insulation products, ts recommended to use highstrength 6 Insulating Pipe Hangers