How close to boiler to insulate pipes?

Al Roethlisberger

I've noticed that a lot of new boiler installations don't have pipe insulation "close" to the boiler, while of course old boilers may have even had asbestos plastered up to and on the boiler itself.  Many seem to now have insulation on the secondary/system loops, but often not on the near boiler or primary loop piping.



I was wondering if there was a general rule or best practice of how close one should install typical fiberglass pipe insulation to the boiler?



Thanks,

Al

Jamie Hall

in my humble...

opinion, if it's hot, insulate it -- unless it's just too darn complicated to get the insulation around!  Then it's not worth the effort...

Al Roethlisberger

That's what I was thinking....

*laugh*



I was thinking along the same lines, although wondered if the poly/paper based jacket on the fiberglass insulation was a combustion hazard if too close to the boiler, flue, etc and perhaps that was why I didn't see it installed "close" to the boiler these days  *shrug*



Thanks,

Al

The Steam Whisperer (Formerly Boilerpro)

The casing usually is flammable..

so you do have to be careful when insulating near the boiler.  The shell used around old asbestos is also usually flammable too.



Boilerpro