In search of safe insulation for steam pipe

Nicole Finn

I live on the first floor of an old NYC tenement with steam heat. The steam pipe is uninsultated and gives off way too much heat. Can anyone suggest a simple and inexpensive insulation to wrap it with? The pipe runs through a super tiny bedroom where the occupant is asthmatic, so the insulation needs to be safe for breathing as well, (I'm not sure how fiberglass fares in this area). Thanks for your help.

Steamhead

Fiberglass pipe insulation

almost always includes a foil wrapping, and comes with foil tape strips to use on the joints. Once it's up and everything is sealed, I doubt if there would be a problem. But you'll want to talk to someone more familiar with his condition first.

The black foam insulation you sometimes see at the home centers won't last on steam pipes.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Boiler Guy

Once

the insulation is properly installed, it can be covered with a PVC jacket which can be completely sealed to prevent any airborne particulates.

Ernie

Insulation

How much length of pipe do you have to cover and what it is the diameter of of the pipe, I may be able to help you.

Nicole Finn

Solution found

We purchased some self-attaching vinyl foam tape with an aluminum outer covering and wrapped it in an overlapping manner, all the way up the pipe, (it's about 10 feet high and the diameter is 3-4 inches). The heat is still coming through, but much less, and there's no worry about airborne particles. The only drawback is that it's not very attractive, but that wasn't an issue for us. Thanks for your help!

Boiler Guy

Un fortunately

you will most likely end up with a sticky, smelly mess before long. Most of that type of product is not rated for direct application over 200*F. Best of luck.

Nicole Finn

What's your suggestion then?

michael_15

agreed

I don't think vinyl foam tape can handle steam pipes safely in general.

Rigid fiberglass with a foil jacket has worked well for me. There isn't any exposed fiberglass whatsoever if done correctly, so air quality shouldn't be an issue after installation.

I've heard that you can get preformed polyisocyanurate (iso) for steam pipes. This is a foam-type product that can be engineered to withstand up to 300 degrees F or so. I beleve that Dow has tagged it with a brand name Trymer. I've never actually seen this stuff before, however; I've just herad of it.

-Michael

Bob Harper

fire research

coming back is indicating ignition of wood that has gotten wet and rotted at around 220F. If you insulate these pipes near this type of wood, you could invite ignition. If you must insulate steam pipes, keep it a few inches away from the floors and any wood.
When checking temp. ratings, keep in mind there are numerous ways to rate things in fire. An ASTM E-84 Flame Spread is simply a comparison to red oak in a 25 ft Steiner Tunnel. It still burns, just not as fast as red oak. Same for fire wall ratings. They still burn, only it takes 1,2,3,4, etc hrs to burn through both sides of the wall. The only real test for truly non-combustible material is ASTM E-136. This means unless it is inorganic among other properties, it will fail. Firecode sheetrock fails miserably. A Mfr's max. temp rating may indicate the temperature at which the material begins to change its composition until it can no longer perform its intended function. Doesn't necessarily reflect fire rating.
HTH,

Jim_35

try the fiberglass

once its in, its in...

The one I installed has a sticky seal that you peel back and stick over the lenght of the opening so it looks nice when done.. never had or saw any fiberglass come off