Technical Library

STANDARDS & NORMS

• ISO 12241:2022 — Thermal insulation for building equipment and industrial installations — Calculation rules.

  Used as a reference for steady-state heat-transfer related calculations and insulation performance assessment, where required by project specification. (Includes a simplified approach for thermal bridge effects.)

  • ISO 13787:2003 — Thermal insulation products for building equipment and industrial installations — Determination of declared thermal conductivity.

  Reference for establishing and verifying declared thermal conductivity values as a function of temperature for insulation materials and products.

  • ISO 23993:2008 — Thermal insulation products for building equipment and industrial installations — Determination of design thermal conductivity.

  Reference for converting declared thermal conductivity values to design thermal conductivity values for thermal performance calculations (valid for operating temperatures from −200 °C to +800 °C).

  • EN ISO 10211:2017 — Thermal bridges in building construction — Heat flows and surface temperatures — Detailed calculations.

  Numerical calculation framework for thermal bridge modelling (building-construction scope; used only when referenced by the project methodology/specification or applicable to the analysis approach).

  • ASTM C177 — Standard Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measurements and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus.

  Reference method for laboratory measurement of steady-state thermal transmission properties.

  • ASTM C518 — Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus.

  Comparative laboratory method for determining steady-state thermal transmission properties (requires calibrated apparatus).

  Note: References listed for guidance only. Applicability and acceptance depend on current project specifications, client/EPC requirements, and manufacturer documentation.

Industrial insulation is typically specified against international standards and manufacturer documentation.
This page lists common ISO, EN, and ASTM references used across insulation systems, materials, and installation practices.

ApexQuin uses these references as technical guidance and aligns execution with project specifications, approved detail drawings, and client/EPC QA requirements (as applicable).

Thermal Performance & Calculation

Product & Material Standards

• EN 14303 — Factory made mineral wool (MW) products for building equipment and industrial installations — Specification. Svenska institutet för standarder, SIS+1

• EN 14304 — Factory made flexible elastomeric foam (FEF) products — Specification. Keymark

• EN 14305 — Factory made cellular glass (CG) products — Specification. Svenska institutet för standarder, SIS

• EN 14306 — Factory made calcium silicate (CS) products — Specification. BSI Knowledge

• EN 14307 — Factory made extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) products — Specification. Svenska institutet för standarder, SIS

• EN 14308 — Factory made rigid polyurethane (PUR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam products — Specification. Svenska institutet för standarder, SIS

• EN 14314 — Factory made phenolic foam (PF) products — Specification. Wolseley

Common ASTM references (materials & test methods):

• ASTM C552 — Cellular glass thermal insulation (specification). ASTM International | ASTM

• ASTM C533 — Calcium silicate block and pipe thermal insulation (specification). ASTM International | ASTM

• ASTM C591 — Unfaced preformed rigid cellular polyisocyanurate thermal insulation (specification). ASTM International | ASTM

• ASTM C177 — Guarded-hot-plate method (steady-state heat flux / thermal transmission). ASTM International | ASTM

• ASTM C518 — Heat flow meter method (steady-state thermal transmission).

• ISO 15665 / EN ISO 15665 — Acoustics — Acoustic insulation for pipes, valves and flanges.

  • ASTM C921 — Practice for determining properties of jacketing materials for thermal insulation.

  • ASTM C920 — Specification for elastomeric joint sealants.

  • EN 13472 — Determination of short-term water absorption by partial immersion of preformed pipe insulation.

  • EN 13469 — Determination of water vapour transmission properties of preformed pipe insulation.

  • EN 13468 — Determination of trace quantities of water soluble ions and pH (insulation products).

  • ISO 8497 — Determination of steady-state thermal transmission properties of thermal insulation for circular pipes.

Installation & Fabrication

Quality, Safety & Inspection

• ISO 9001 — Quality management systems — Requirements (quality management framework supporting controlled delivery and documented QA/QC practices).

• ISO 45001 — Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements (HSE management framework for site execution).

• EN 13501-1 — Fire classification of construction products and building elements — Reaction to fire classification (used for insulation/jacketing reaction-to-fire rating references where applicable).

• ASTM C168 — Standard terminology relating to thermal insulation (terminology reference for QA/QC documentation and specifications).

Cryogenic & LNG-Specific References

• EN 14707 — Thermal insulating products for building equipment and industrial installations — Determination of maximum service temperature for preformed pipe insulation.

• EIGA Doc 170 — Safe design and operation of cryogenic enclosures (including insulation-related safety considerations for cryogenic equipment and piping systems).

• ASTM C1729 / ASTM C1767 — Specifications for aluminum and stainless-steel jacketing for insulation (including moisture retarder provisions where applicable).

MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS (VERIFIED DATA)

Cryogel Z – Aerogel Blanket (Aspen Aerogels)

Service range: −270 °C … +90 °C (some datasheets quote +125 °C max use).
λ (typical): ≈ 0.016 W/m·K @ 0 °C.
Flexible composite blanket with integrated vapor-retarder layer.
Source: Aspen Aerogels Datasheet 2021.

Pyrogel XTE – High-Temperature Aerogel

Service range: −40 °C … +650 °C.
λ (typical): 0.020 @ 0 °C → 0.089 @ 600 °C (per TDS curve).
For hot-service piping, reactors, and process vessels.
Source: Aspen Aerogels Datasheet 2020.

FOAMGLAS ONE – Cellular Glass (Owens Corning)

Service range: −180 °C … +300 °C.
λ (EN ISO 13787): 0.040 @ 0 °C; 0.046 @ 40 °C; 0.061 @ 120 °C; 0.107 @ 300 °C.
100 % closed-cell, non-absorbent, compressive strength ≈ 900 kPa.
Source: Owens Corning FOAMGLAS ONE Datasheet 2023.

TRYMER 2000XP – Polyisocyanurate (PIR) (Johns Manville)

Service range: −183 °C … +148 °C.
λ (typical): ≈ 0.027 W/m·K @ 24 °C (75 °F).
Rigid foam for cryogenic and cold-service applications.
Source: Johns Manville Datasheet 2023.

Thermo-12 Gold – Calcium Silicate (JM/IIG)

Service range: up to +650 °C (1200 °F).
λ ≈ 0.06 – 0.08 W/m·K @ 100 °C (typical curve).
Rigid, non-combustible insulation for steam and high-temperature systems.
Source: JM / IIG Datasheet 2022.

Rockwool ProRox PS Series (Stone Wool)

Typical models: PS 960 / PS 970.
λ (typical PS 960NA): 0.036 @ 38 °C; 0.050 @ 150 °C; 0.068 @ 260 °C; 0.091 @ 371 °C.
Service range varies by model (PS 970 up to ≈ 680 °C).
Source: Rockwool Technical Insulation Datasheet 2023.

Paroc Pro Section (Stone Wool)

Service range: up to ≈ +650 °C.
Binder starts to degrade around +200 °C – mechanical integrity depends on construction.
λ = typical per product TDS (Pro Section 100, WR 100, WR 140 variants).
Source: Paroc Datasheets 2024.

ArmaFlex HT / HT Industrial (Armacell)

Service range: −50 °C … +150 °C.
Declared λd ≤ 0.042 W/m·K @ 40 °C (EN 14304).
Closed-cell elastomeric foam for HVAC and cold lines.
Source: Armacell HT Industrial TDS 2024.

K-Flex ST (Flexible Elastomeric Foam)

Tube service range: −165 °C … +110 °C; sheet −165 °C … +85 °C.
λ (typical): 0.033 W/m·K @ 0 °C (≤ 25 mm thickness).
Closed-cell structure, low water-vapour permeability.
Source: L’Isolante K-Flex Datasheet 2023.

VAPOR-STOP & SEALING SYSTEMS

Vapor-stop placement (guidance only):
Spacing and detailing are system- and specification-dependent. Vapor stops are commonly applied at breaks in continuity (flanges, supports, instruments, penetrations, and terminations) and at intervals defined by the project specification / approved detail drawings (often in the range of a few meters on cold service, where required).

Examples (project- and availability-dependent):

• Pittseal 444N — two-part mastic used on cellular glass systems

• Foster 90-66 — flexible vapor-stop coating for cold lines

• ArmaFlex 520 — contact adhesive for elastomeric joints

• ULVA plastic lagging — UV-stable jacketing for outdoor use

CLADDING & OVERLAPS

• Typical ranges (subject to project specification and manufacturer guidance):

  • Jacketing materials: Aluminum (with moisture barrier) or stainless steel; heavy-duty areas may require thicker gauges based on exposure and mechanical risk.

  • Overlap guidance: Typically ~50 mm on straight runs; up to ~75 mm on large-diameter elbows where required by detail. Small-diameter “fish-scale” fittings often use mechanical locking with minimal overlap.

  • Expansion management: Expansion joint spacing is system- and temperature-range dependent; confirm spacing via project details and thermal movement requirements.

QA/QC & INSTALLATION PRACTICES

• Core controls (ITP-driven):

  • ITP compliance: Hold/Witness points defined and recorded as required.

  • Joint management: Longitudinal joints staggered; cross-seams controlled to avoid alignment.

  • Multilayer offset: Layer joints offset (≥ 50 mm where applicable) to reduce thermal and vapor paths.

  • Vapor-barrier continuity: Full coverage across supports, fittings, penetrations, and terminations.

  • Surface readiness: Substrate condition verified before vapor barrier and before cladding closure.

  • Cladding integrity: Overlap direction, fastener spacing, and terminations verified per detail/spec.

  • Records & traceability: Installation checkpoints logged with traceability to area/system/package as required.

ApexQuin operates under project-specific QA requirements and documented installation controls.

PRACTICAL INSTALLATION TIPS

• Field-focused practices commonly used to reduce rework and improve handover quality:

  • Stagger longitudinal joints; keep cross-seams separated (four corners must not meet).

  • Keep insulation thickness and fit-up consistent around elbows, tees, valves, and supports.

  • Apply vapor-barrier mastics/tapes at every support, penetration, and termination per system detail.

  • Verify alignment and continuity before cladding closure (especially at transitions and interfaces).

  • Mark critical details for QA sign-off (supports, fittings, terminations, cladding laps).

  • Record key details in the QA/QC package using approved site documentation methods, subject to site security rules.

COMMON ISSUES & FIELD AUDITS

Common issues we often see on site:

• Incorrect joint staggering (cross-seams aligned)

• Incomplete vapor-barrier coverage at fittings

• Wrong cladding overlap direction leading to water ingress

• Incompatible adhesive / material pairing

• Improper support spacing causing deformation

Field audits / technical reviews:
ApexQuin provides on-site technical reviews and installation assessments for EPC teams, contractors, and QA/QC functions — focused on identifying risk points, workmanship gaps, and practical corrective actions.

DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE

Each package can include:

• ISO / EN / ASTM standard references (as applicable)

• Manufacturer datasheets and performance tables

• Vapor-barrier, sealing, and coating details

• QA/QC forms, checklists, and templates

• Installation notes and field best-practice guidance

REFERENCE NOTE

Values shown are for general reference and may vary by product variant, density, thickness, and test method.
Always confirm the latest manufacturer datasheet and project specification before use.