Pipe insulation

John Mills_3

We have a new customer in an office building. 2 pipe system with fan coils. Piping is copper, up to 2" diameter. They are having insulation trouble. Most of the pipes are in the false ceiling of the basement. They have standard Armaflex on them. In the winter with 150 degree water, the Armaflex gets brittle and cracks and the tape at the joints falls off. So in the summer they follow condensate drips and repair it only to lose more the next winter. What kind of pipe insuation and tape could they use to avoid this with 40 degree summer water and 150 max in the winter?

Bill_14

Wall Thickness

What is the wall thickness of the insulation? Are all the butt joints sealed completely, including the fittings?

Bill Russell

Bill_14

Taped Joints

Also, were the taped joints you mentioned taped with Armaflex Insulation tape or some other taping material?

John Mills_3

What I saw

was 3/8" and 1/2" wall. The tape looked like duct tape. I've told forget taping and use armaflex adhesive instead.

Bill_14

Armaflex Products

John,

You gotta use the Armaflex 520 adhesive or the Armaflex brand tape. The adhesive is the best. Joints have to be tight and thickness probably ought to be a minimum 1/2" wall thickness. Duct tape won't work long.

Check the Armaflex website for installation instructions.

Bill Russell