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Insulated and clad pumps and pipework in a commercial plant room

Technical guide

Insulation materials, cladding finishes and the products we install, in one place.

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Materials

Insulation materials

Which material suits which service.

Polyethylene foam (PE)

Best for: Chilled and heating hot water, condenser water

Closed cell, so it resists moisture. The most common choice for commercial CHW and HHW pipework.

Elastomeric rubber (Armaflex)

Best for: Refrigeration, small bore chilled water, fan coil connections

Flexible and built in vapour resistance, good for tight runs and fittings.

Phenolic and PIR sections

Best for: Large chilled water mains, chillers, plant rooms

High performance for a thinner section, factory made to the pipe size.

Glasswool

Best for: Ductwork, heating hot water, hydraulic noise

Light and economical, foil faced for duct and pipe.

Rockwool

Best for: Steam, condensate, high temperature, fire and acoustic

Handles high temperatures and adds fire and acoustic performance.

Loaded vinyl and acoustic composites

Best for: Sewer and stormwater pipes, fans, fan coil units

Dense lagging that blocks noise from pipes and plant.

Cladding

Cladding finishes

What goes over the insulation, and where.

Zincalume

Use on: General external pipework and plant

Durable, economical and the most common external finish.

Galvanised steel

Use on: Plant rooms and to the 2 m mechanical damage height

Tough against knocks, foot traffic and trolleys.

Aluminium (plain or stucco)

Use on: Chillers, plant rooms, internal and external pipework

Light, clean and neat, and does not rust.

Stainless steel 304 and 316

Use on: Coastal sites, generators, food and pharmaceutical plants

Best for corrosion, heat and hygiene. 316 for marine air.

Colorbond

Use on: Rooftop duct and pipe, matching existing plant

Pick a colour to match the building or existing services.

PVC

Use on: Internal pipework, hospitals, clean areas

Smooth, washable and quick to install.

Products

Products we install

Brands our crews use every day. We install to each manufacturer's details and tested systems.

Thermobreak

Sekisui Foam

Closed cell sheet and pipe sections for chilled water, condensate and refrigeration, with a built in vapour barrier.

Manufacturer data

FlexiCell

Hira Industries

Cross linked polyethylene pipe sections for chilled and heating hot water and hydraulic services.

Manufacturer data

Rockwool

Pipe sections and blanket

Stone wool for steam, condensate and high temperature plant, and for fire and acoustic performance.

Bradford glasswool blanket

CSR Bradford

Foil faced glasswool blanket for external ductwork insulation.

Manufacturer data

FyreWrap

Trafalgar

Fire rated duct wrap for kitchen exhaust, smoke spill and fire rated ductwork, installed to the tested system.

Manufacturer data

Soundlag

Acoustic lagging

Loaded vinyl acoustic lagging for sewer and stormwater pipes, fans and fan coil units.

Good practice we build in

  • Continuous vapour seal on every chilled and refrigeration line, joints and fittings included
  • Cladding to the 2 m mechanical damage height in plant rooms
  • Falls, sealed joints and weatherheads on external duct and pipe so water runs off
  • Removable covers on valves, flanges, strainers and pumps
  • Fire rated systems installed exactly as tested, with records for the certifier
  • Acoustic lagging to the acoustic consultant's report, not a guess

Common questions

What thickness of insulation do I need?

It depends on the service, the pipe size, the climate zone and the NCC Section J requirements in the specification. Send us the specification and we will tell you what it calls for and price exactly that.

Why does chilled water need a vapour barrier?

Chilled pipes are colder than the air, so moisture in the air condenses on them. Without a continuous vapour seal the water gets into the insulation, it stops working and the pipe corrodes. In humid climates like Queensland it is critical.

When does insulation need cladding?

Outside, anywhere it can be knocked or walked on, and in plant rooms up to the 2 m mechanical damage height. Cladding keeps out weather, UV and damage.

Can insulated valves still be serviced?

Yes. We make removable insulated valve, flange and strainer covers so they can be opened and closed again without damage.

Need help with a specification?

Send us the drawings and we will tell you what we would install, and why.

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