Hitchen Group cover all aspects of design and manufacture of Thermal Insulation Installations With over 40 years’ experience in the insulation industry we have manufactured and installed a wide range of industrial, commercial, governmental, healthcare, pharmaceutical and educational projects.
All Customers of Hitchen Group Insulation receive a level of quality & service which has taken decades of National & International experience to achieve.
We undertake all types of thermal insulation, insulation of heating & ventilation installations, for new-build, renovation or maintenance contracts, with considerable experience in sheet metal & cold insulation, the insulation of boilers, pipe work and tanks.
We operate our own manufacturing facility at our headquarters business center, procuring sheet steel from local and producing custom-made units from a variety of types of finishes and gauges, to meet the highest possible Standard Specifications.
The company’s staff are experienced in work on all types of pipe works and tanks, including stainless steel, and are familiar with the particular installation & maintenance requirements of complex industries such as breweries, hospitals and manufacturing facilities.
We have also insulated pipework and tanks containing glycol, steam, chilled water and alcohol.
Why we use Thermal Insulation
Condensation control
Where pipes operate at below-ambient temperatures, the potential exists for water vapour to condense on the pipe surface. Moisture is known to contribute towards many different types of corrosion, so preventing the formation of condensation on pipework is usually considered important.
Pipe insulation can prevent condensation forming, as the surface temperature of the insulation will vary from the surface temperature of the pipe. Condensation will not occur, provided that (a) the insulation surface is above the dew-point temperature of the air; and (b) the insulation incorporates some form of water-vapour barrier or retarder that prevents water vapour from passing through the insulation to form on the pipe surface.
Pipe freezing
Since some water pipes are located either outside or in unheated areas where the ambient temperature may occasionally drop below the freezing point of water, any water in the pipework may potentially freeze. When water freezes, it expands due to negative thermal expansion, and this expansion can cause failure of a pipe system in any one of a number of ways.
Pipe insulation cannot prevent the freezing of standing water in pipework, but it can increase the time required for freezing to occur—thereby reducing the risk of the water in the pipes freezing. For this reason, it is recommended to insulate pipework at risk of freezing, and local water-supply regulations may require pipe insulation be applied to pipework to reduce the risk of pipe freezing
For a given length, a smaller-bore pipe holds a smaller volume of water than a larger-bore pipe, and therefore water in a smaller-bore pipe will freeze more easily and more quickly than water in a larger-bore pipe. Since smaller-bore pipes present a greater risk of freezing, insulation is typically used in combination with alternative methods of freeze prevention (e.g., modulating trace heating cable, or ensuring a consistent flow of water through the pipe).
Energy saving
Since pipework and ductwork can operate at temperatures far removed from the ambient temperature, and the rate of heat transfer from a duct/pipe relative to the temperature differential between the duct/pipe and the surrounding ambient air, can be considerable. The application of thermal insulation introduces thermal resistance and reduces this undesirable heat transfer.
Thicknesses of thermal pipe and duct insulation used for saving energy varies, but as a general rule, pipes and ducting operating at more-extreme temperatures exhibit a greater heat transfer and bigger insulation thicknesses are applied to achieve greater potential savings.
Control of noise
Pipework and Ductwork can operate as a conduit for noise to travel from one part of a building to another. A typical example of this can be seen with waste-water pipework routed within a building. Acoustic insulation can prevent this noise transfer by acting to damp the pipe wall and performing an acoustic decoupling function wherever the pipe passes through a fixed wall or floor and wherever the pipe is mechanically fixed.
Types
Ductwork
Fiber glass insulation products are used in the majority of today’s HVAC Duct systems and serve as key components in well-designed, operated, and maintained HVAC systems.
These insulation materials are carefully engineered and specified to help buildings maintain the intended indoor air temperature, control condensation, control noise, and contribute to the indoor environmental quality and comfort of the building.
We can supply and install mineral wool slab, lamella mat, duct wrap, or if a high temperature application ceramic fibre to the ducting. All sections will be securely fastened using self-adhesive pins, banding, or self-adhesive tape as appropriate and then finished either with a class ‘O’ finish or other requested claddings.
Phenolic Foam
Phenolic foam is used in process/petrochemical applications for the insulation of pipe work, tanks and vessels.
Phenolic foam is also used in a number of highly specialised applications including fire doors, highly fire resistant panels and for insulation in surface ships, off-shore installations and submarines. It is clear that phenolic foam is a very versatile material being suitable for a large range of applications where thermal performance, moisture resistance, fire performance and in certain cases structural strength are key performance criteria. Phenolic foam is the only material that can provide this unique range of benefits.
Glass Fibre & Mineral Wool
Preformed glass/ mineral wool sections will be installed, with Thickness and density appropriate to suit the application and duty requirements. Each section will be securely butted to its panel and fixed using Gaffer tape, lacing wire or similar. Bends, elbows, tees, etc. will be formed in carefully mitered segments to suit the joint configuration.
H&V Bright Class ‘O’
Rigid preformed mineral wool ‘H&V’ sections can be installed. Thickness as appropriate finished with a bright class ‘O’ aluminium foil face. Each section will be securely abutted to its neighbour and sealed circumferential with 50 or 75mm wide matching soft aluminium adhesive tape. Each section will be further secured with aluminium banding.
Victaulic joints when fitted will have the sections abutted and finally finished with foil tape to provide an aesthetically pleasing final product.
Armaflex
Class O Armaflex is the flexible, closed cell, elastomeric, nitrile rubber insulation that offers reliable protection against condensation and effectively prevents energy loss.
A highly efficient method of insulating hot and cold water services, chilled water lines, heating systems, air conditioning duct work and refrigerated pipe work for frost protection, energy conservation and condensation control. Armafl ex is dust free, fibre free and CFC free with an ODP of zero which means an environmentally friendly product.
- Built in vapour barrier prevents condensation
- Reduces energy losses by up to 87%
- Lightweight and flexible, quick and easy installation with low maintenance requirements, resulting in time and cost savings
- Excellent resistance to the effects of ozone, oil and chemicals
Application
Outdoor applications: Class O Armaflex should be painted with Armafinish FR paint to the recommended thickness within 3 days. Two or more coats may be required.
Finishes / Cladding
Isogenopak
All sections will be securely fastened and then protected from both mechanical damage and moisture ingress by the provision of site fabricated 350 micron grey Isogenopak cladding, bends and fittings. All fixed by propriety methods, plastic rivets, sealing tape or adhesive as appropriate to the individual area.
Polyisobutylene (PIB)
All sections to be covered with 0.8mm black Polyisobutylene sheeting to provide a weatherproof finish. White spirit or other propriety fixing will be used as appropriate.
Metal
All sections will be securely fastened and all then protected from both mechanical damage and moisture ingress by the provision of 0.6mm (Plain or Stucco Aluminium, Aluzinc, Plastisol, Galvanised or Stainless Steel) sheeting, fabricated to follow the contour of the pipe work, fixed by banding and pop rivets as required.
The valves, flanges and other fittings would be supplied with purpose made removable aluminium boxes fitted with quick release toggle type fasteners or self tapping screws as appropriate.
All joints in the cladding will be suitably overlapped and arranged to shed water and if located outdoors sealed with waterproof mastic.
Venture clad
Venture Clad jacketing is a way of weatherproofing insulation as it is a completely self-adhesive product not requiring additional adhesive or mastics to create a seal. The materials bonds 100% to the surface of the insulation providing a zero-permeability barrier that moisture cannot penetrate, providing a neat, clean, and dependable weather barrier.
The unique adhesive system offers excellent resistance to moisture, UV exposure, and allows application in a wide range of weather conditions including cold temperatures. Additionally, Venture Clad is easily cut with a pair of standard scissors, eliminating the need for expensive off site fabrication and allowing a fast, on-site tailored installation which requires no special tools to install and dramatically reduces labour costs.
End Capping
Where valves, flanges or other fittings are to be left exposed for prudent operational reasons, the thermal insulation will be abutted up to these fittings and finished with preformed aluminium end capping fabricated on site to suit the pipe diameter and insulation thickness.
Vessels
We will supply and install mineral wool slab or Lamella mat to the vessel. All sections will be securely fastened using self adhesive pins and banding and then protected from both mechanical damage and moisture ingress by the provision of 0.6mm metal sheeting, fixed by banding, self tapping screws or pop rivets as required.
The valves and other fittings would be supplied with purpose made removable metal boxes fitted with quick release toggle type fasteners or self tapping screws as appropriate.
All joints in the cladding will be suitably overlapped and arranged to shed water and if located outdoors sealed with waterproof mastic.
We would recommend the use of metal cladding to vessels as opposed to PIB for longevity of service and general aesthetics.
Identification of Services
We shall include for the identification of those services both insulated and un-insulated. Identification on insulated pipelines shall be by means of BS 1710: 1984 painted non–ferrous colour bands, fastened around the insulation.
Directional arrows or other labels denoting flow and return (F & R) where specified, shall be either PVC adhesive tape or painted symbols as agreed with the consulting engineer.
Colour band identification, and when specified directional arrows and labels, shall be made at:
- 3 metre centres on exposed pipework;
- 6 metre centres on concealed pipework; and
- adjacent all valves, changes of direction, inlets
Valve Covering
We can provide flexible, removable, reusable jackets to all aspects of valves, pipes & fittings, for easy accessibility for inspection or maintenance. Each jacket has two layers of heat & flame resistant cloth enclosing a layer of insulating material, complete with fire retardant Velcro™ & string fasteners for simple removability. We can offer an initial on-site survey to the fitting of the completed product; we offer a variety of applications depending upon the circumstances e.g. temperature, internal/external, surroundings.
Insulation jackets have an immediate impact when it comes to cost savings and are widely acknowledged as an extremely effective way of temperature control of hot and cold applications, which in turn means less harm to the environment.
Benefits
- Immediate cost savings
- Energy saving
- Totally reusable
- Quick, easy fitting/removal
- High/Low temperature applications
- Water resistant
- Protection from hot surfaces
- Protection against frost damage
- Site survey
- Fitting service
- Full technical data available
By insulating your valves and flanges you can not only reduce you’re your carbon foot print but you will also reduce your fuel bill. We estimate that by insulating all the valve’s and flange‘s in an average size plant room you can recoup your initial expenditure within a very short period.