It used to be Rome, but now it’s mechanical insulation. Why? Well, the recognition, importance, and contribution to energy savings and GHG reduction that mechanical insulation makes has become more and more evident. There are several roads leading in the same direction, and our industry is on all of them. Let’s take a look…
NECB-2015 & ASHRAE 90.1-2010
Both of these documents are finding their respective ways into provincial building codes and engineering specifications. It’s a very slow process, but the interest and forward momentum is there. Some jurisdictions are early adaptors and others lag behind, relying on five-year code cycles before changes are made.
The significant impact for mechanical insulation in both documents has been the increases in minimum pipe insulation thicknesses and the mandated clarification in National Energy Code for Buildings 2015 (NECB-2015) that these minimum thicknesses must be maintained throughout the entire piping system. The same goes for minimum duct insulation thicknesses. The interesting aspect to note is that in reality, the minimum thicknesses required are, in fact, optimum thicknesses.
NECB-2020 (yet to be published), and the recently released ASHRAE 90.1-2016 do not require greater thicknesses. The Law of Diminishing Returns applies.
The Specified Thickness is the Installed Thickness
This statement is our theme during 2018 for our series of engineering presentations and any webinars we are invited to give. Mechanical engineers believe the thicknesses they specify are what will show as up installed on a job site. Unfortunately, this is not often the case.
Job site conditions and clearances impact the ability to install full-thickness insulation. In addition, the esthetics of a uniform look to a pipe run as the insulation covers various fittings is important to some people. If, however, this means the insulation was reduced in thickness to achieve this appearance, and the insulation value was compromised, “ugly” trumps “beautiful”. Bottom line is you have to build up the insulation to its full and specified thickness.
The codes don’t stipulate what type of insulation to use. What is stipulated is compliance with flame spread and smoke development requirements, low VOC emissions, etc. As an example, if flexible blanket is installed on an elbow, it is expected the R-value of the installed thickness will be equivalent to that of the adjacent pipe insulation.
To illustrate this point, if the k-factor of glass fibre pipe insulation is taken as 0.23, the R-value per inch will be 4.35. Should duct wrap be installed on an elbow, the installed closest equivalent R-value (4.5), requires 1.0 pcf, 1 1⁄2” thick, compressed to a full 1” thickness. NECB-2015’s intent is that the installed R-value on the elbow not end up less than that of the pipe insulation.
The message to mechanical engineers and subsequently mechanical contractors is you have to leave enough space to accommodate full insulation thicknesses everywhere. The message to insulation contractors is that the code requirements must be followed.
Renewable Energy Sources
Pick your flavour: wind, solar, biogas, tidal, and a few others. Use any of these methods to heat and cool water in a building, and we end up in basically the same place—energy costs. If the energy source requires costly infrastructure, this cost has to be recognized in whatever delivery system is used. We look to piping and ducting to do this, and with piping and ducting there is the requirement to properly insulate these pieces of the equation.
A costly energy source must rely on an efficient means of delivering what you require to the point you require it, and mechanical insulation is an integral part of an efficient delivery system.
Zero Carbon Building
We are beginning to hear more about this building concept. Actually, it’s no longer a concept since there are plenty of buildings worldwide designed and functioning as zero carbon. Let’s take a look at how zero carbon is defined by Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) Zero Carbon Building Standard:
“A zero carbon building is defined as one that is highly energy-efficient and produces onsite, or procures, carbon-free renewable energy in an amount sufficient to offset the annual carbon emissions associated with operations.”
The demands of a zero carbon building are such that every component used to deliver heating and cooling must work to its maximum efficiency. Under-insulated and uninsulated systems cannot deliver the peak efficiencies demanded of zero carbon buildings.
Again, we see potential for our industry to engage consultants and developers at a stage where mechanical insulation becomes part of the design process.
Benchmarking Energy and Water Use
Ontario is the first jurisdiction in Canada to mandate reporting on yearly energy and water consumption. Look to the City of Vancouver and the province of Manitoba to follow with similar legislation. The Ontario requirement focuses on commercial, institutional, multi-residential, and industrial buildings that will eventually cover buildings of 50,000 square feet (4,645 sq. m) and over.
The big-ticket items to reduce energy use have been done or are in the process of being addressed: lighting, envelope, HVAC equipment, plug loads, etc. To reduce water use, we see low-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads and faucets.
TIAC’s point to anyone who will listen is that it makes absolutely no sense to install high-efficiency boilers and chillers and all the bits and pieces that go with these installations without at the very least assessing the condition of the mechanical insulation on piping and ducting going into and out of this equipment. This is where we see tremendous potential to engage building owners and managers in how and why improvements in mechanical insulation can serve to lower energy and water usage.
LEED v4
This version of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is more stringent than LEED-2009. In both editions there are references to ASHRAE 90.1-2010 and NECB. The specific wording is as follows:
Comply with mandatory requirements of ASHRAE 90.1-2010
ASHRAE 90.1-2010 mandatory requirements must be met, in addition to the performance path limitations referenced in the NECB 2011 Sections 3.4.1.2, 5.4.1.2, and 6.4.1.2. In cases where ASHRAE and the NECBC reference requirements concern the same item, the more stringent requirement shall be adhered to.
The italics are to emphasize that should there be a difference between ASHRAE and NECB, the more rigorous requirement prevails. This takes us back to the first section of this article.
Conclusion
Taken independently or collectively, we see how integrated mechanical insulation is when it comes to key factors relating to energy efficiency. Add to that the compelling story that mechanical insulation can help save water, help reduce the impact of Legionella disease, stop people from getting burnt, and address corrosion and mould growth.
Will consultants, building owners, and managers give us an ear? I believe they will and TIAC can help. Get in touch and find out how we can participate in the discussion.
