Mechanical Insulation: The Forgotten Technology Making Schools Safer

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Why are we here? ` Discover the benefits of mechanical insulation

` Provide the info you need to save your schools money over time

` Help protect kids, workers and equipmentFORGOTTEN

TECHNOLOGYM AKING SCHOOLSSafer & More Efficient

THE

Jason BarronPRESIDENT

North Country Mechanical Insulators

jason@ncmiinc.com

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Why are we here? ` Protect students, staff & equipment

` Create safer and more productive learning and working environments

` Save money & energy over time

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

What is mechanical insulation? Thermal insulation used on piping, equipment, and all types of mechanical systems to:

` Save energy

` Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

` Control temperature

` Control condensation

` Protect personnel

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Why is mechanical insulation the “forgotten technology?”

` In a 4-year mechanical engineering program, less than 1 hour is spent on thermal insulation

` Insulation is often “value engineered” as part of a mechanical contract

` Easy to forget about—no knobs, buttons, gauges or computer monitoring

` LEED and other green rating systems don’t allow mechanical insulation to be used on a standalone basis for credit

QUESTIONWhat percent of all mechanical insulation is missing or damaged?

10-30%of all installed mechanical insulation is missing or damaged

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Mechanical insulation saves schools

13 kBtu/sf/yearOF SITE ENERGY USAGE

The NIA estimates that properly maintaining mechanical insulation could save

$3.7 Billion in Energy Costs

37.9 Million Metric Tons of Carbon Emissions

3 Ways Mechanical Insulation Makes Schools Safer

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Protecting personnel from dangerous conditions

1

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Maintaining the health of building occupants

2

The mechanical system at the old high school was deteriorating due to shoddy installation and maintenance

of the mechanical insulation. this was not only causing corrosion, mildew, and mold growth in the mechanical rooms, but also causing mold dispersal throughout the school that was significant enough to cause sickness

to school personnel and students.

“

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The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Controlling condensation and related problems

3

CONSEQUENCES OF CONDENSATION CONTROL FAILURE:

` Loss of Insulation Value

` Pipe Corrosions

` Unsafe Conditions

Insulation System Design

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Main Considerations for Insulation Design

` Type of piping syst em

` Location of the system (inside, outside, washdown areas, etc.)

` Piping material (copper, steel, plastic)

` Jacketing needs

` Condensation control

` Personnel protection

` Customer’s budget

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Types of Mechanical Insulation ` Fiberglass

` High Temp Mineral Wool

` Cellular Glass

` Closed Cell Rubber

` Polyisocyanurate

` Aerogel

Insulation Energy Audits

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

What is an insulation energy audit?Calculates the energy and dollars a facility or process is losing with its current insulation system and demonstrates how a more efficient system can:

` Save hundreds of thousands of Btus

` Increase building safety

` Improve the process control and efficiency

` Reduce fuel costs

` Contribute to a cleaner environment through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Energy Audit Process?1. Meeting with facility personnel

2. Facility walkthrough

3. Custom calculations

4. Proposed insulation system

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Energy Audit Example ` 8" NPS steel horizontal pipe

` 350°F process and 375° avg. ambient temp

` 8 MPH avg. wind speed

` Fuel: natural gas @ $10/mcf

` Insulation: mineral wool system with aluminum jacketing

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

VARIABLE INSULATION THICKNESS

HEAT LOSS (BTU/FT/YR)

ESTIMATED INSULATION COST ($/LF)

ANNUAL COSTS ($/LF)

PAYBACK YEARS

CO2 EMISSIONS (LBS/FT/YR)

SURFACE TEMP

(°F)

Bare 23,180,000 3,376.0

1.5" 1,200,000 $17.87 $18.56 1.2 174.7 101

2" 954,900 $21.00 $16.27 1.4 139.1 92

3" 679,100 $29.35 $14.76 1.6 98.2 83

Energy Audit Example

Insulation Maintenance

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Consequences of not maintaining insulation:

` Decrease in personnel safety

` Increased energy costs and emission of greenhouse gasses

` Overall building health declines

` Corrosion Under Insulation

` Condensation, ice, mold or mildew could develop

` Sustainability and/or ROI objectives may not be met

The Forgotten Technology that Saves Money & Energy for Schools

Signs of damaged mechanical insulation:

` Damage to protective jacketing

` Missing sections of insulation

` Failing supports

` Ice, mold, condensation, mildew or discoloration on the system

` “Fish mouthing,” sagging or pulling away of the system

` Joints in the insulation appear to be opening; expansion or contraction joints appear to not be functioning correctly

` “Hot spots” are occurring in the system

Questions?

THANKYOUJason Barron

PRESIDENT North Country Mechanical Insulators

jason@ncmiinc.com