Insulation System for Cold and Dual Temperature Equipment -73 to 121 °C (-100 to 250 °F)

1. SCOPE ……………………………………………………………………………….2. REFERENCES
3. GENERAL
4. MATERIALS ………………………………………………………………………..5. CYLINDRICAL EQUIPMENT INSULATION PREPARATION
5.1 General
5.2 Guidelines for Insulation Support ……………………………………….6. INSULATION APPLICATION
7. VAPOR
BARRIER
8. JACKETING ………………………………………………………………………..
9. CAULKING
FIGURE
1 Angle-Iron Support Detail
2 Preferred Insulation System for Vertical Tank – Top – Flat, Conical,
or Dished ……………………………………………………………………………..3 Alternative Insulation System for Vertical Tank – Top Head Flat,
Conical, or Dished
4 Horizontal Cylindrical Equipment Insulation – Single Layer
5 Horizontal Cylindrical Equipment – Double Layer……………………….6 Vertical Cylindrical Equipment with Structural Angle Leg Support 7 Vertical Cylindrical Equipment with Skirt Support
8 Vertical Equipment – Flanged ………………………………………………….8A. Upper Detail of Flanged Vertical Equipment
8B. Lower Dished Head Where Straight Tangent is Bolt Length
Plus 25 mm or More
8C. Lower Dished Head Where Straight Tangent is Less Than
Bolt Length Plus 25 mm …………………………………………………….9 Block Pattern for Cylindrical Equipment – Single Layer or Inner
Layer of Double Layer Using Curved Block
10 Block Pattern for Cylindrical Equipment – Outer Layer of Double
Layer Using Curved Block
11 Equipment Insulation Method for Small Diameter ………………………12 Use of Corner Angles
13 Deep-Corrugated Metal Sheeting
14 Closure Strip for Vertical Seam Smooth Metal Only……………………15 Flashing at Nozzles
16 Vertical Cylindrical Equipment – Leg Supported from Head or
Lug Supported
TABLE
I Equipment Insulation and Finish Combinations …………………………II Finish Systems
III Bands and Wire
IV Bands and Spacing for Metal Jacket………………………………………..

1. Scope
This standard describes the materials for, and the application of, thermal insulation systems for cold and
dual temperature equipment in the temperature range -73 to 121 °C (-100 to 250 °F).
2. References
Reference is made in this standard to the following documents. The latest issues, amendments, and
supplements to these documents shall apply unless otherwise indicated.
SABIC Engineering Standards (SES)
N01-F30 Cutting and Roll Forming Insulation Jacket
N01-F43 Fastening of Aluminum Jackets
N01-F47 Rigid FRP Finish
N01-F48 Rigid RTP Finish Epoxy Resin
N01-S01 Material Specification – Code Index
N01-S06 Insulation – Materials and Thickness
N01-S11 Insulation – Preformed Blocks
N01-S14 Insulation – Fluid and Plastic
N01-S15 Insulation – Coatings and Coverings
N01-S16 Insulation – Fasteners and Miscellaneous Items
N01-S19 Insulation – Adhesives and Sealers
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
E 84 Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
3. General
3.1 Tables I and II list the insulation and finish materials in the combinations acceptable as the minimum
essential for normal conditions. Abnormal conditions require individual consideration.
3.2 Installations shall meet flame-spread rating limitations specified in ASTM E 84. A flame-spread rating
of 75 is the maximum installed rating for any combination of insulation and finish specified, except for FRP
and RTP finishes listed in Table II.
3.3 Thickness of insulation materials shall be stated in inches. See SES N01-S06.
3.4 Insulation shall not be applied until equipment has been protected with sodium silicate.
3.5 Dual-temperature stainless steel equipment that cycles to above 60 °C (140 °F) in areas that can get
wet and deemed critical shall be protected with sodium silicate.
3.6 The initial application of low-temperature insulation systems shall meet the requirements of this
standard, and the integrity of the vapor barrier shall be maintained.
3.7 Proper lifting points shall be provided prior to preinsulating equipment, to avoid damaging the
insulation system.
3.8 Preinsulated equipment shall not be stored outdoors without taking adequate precautions to prevent
moisture from entering the system.
3.8.1 Caution: When preinsulated items are stored outdoors, they shall be placed on supports of sufficient
height to keep them above flooding during rain.
3.8.2 If a project delay appears likely, in-progress insulation work shall be checked to make sure that the
points of possible moisture penetration are adequately sealed before work is halted.
3.9 Insulation materials shall be handled as specified in the manufacturer’s recommended safety
procedures.
3.10 If insulation is wet, or moisture is found between the insulation and equipment surface, all wet
insulation shall be removed and replaced with dry material.

3.11 Polyurethane and polyisocyanurate are deteriorated by ultraviolet light.
3.12 Polyurethane foam shall not be used for service temperatures above 82 °C (180 °F).
3.13 Code 118 and 118.1 insulation shall not be used indoors without sprinkler protection.
4. Materials
4.1 Materials and temperature ranges shall be in accordance with applicable SES. See SES N01-S01.
4.2 Preformed Block and Pipe Insulation: SES N01-S11.
CODE DESIGNATION
111
Cellular glass
111.4
Cellular glass – hi temp.
118
Polyurethane foam – rigid
118.1 Polyisocyanurate foam – rigid
4.3 Fluid and Plastic Insulation: SES N01-S14.
CODE DESIGNATION
503
Polyurethane, foamed-in-place, poured
4.4 Accessory Materials
4.4.1 Coatings and Coverings: SES N01-S15.
CODE DESIGNATION
709
Fibrated asphalt cutback
710
Glass cloth – open weave
718
Fire-resistive fibrated asphalt cutback
721
Asphalt aluminum coating
731
‘Hypalon’ mastic
741
Vapor-barrier membrane
743
Synthetic organic fiber cloth, open weave
751
32-mil smooth aluminum jacket
751.1
32-mil smooth aluminum jacket, coated
752
24-mil smooth aluminum jacket
752.1
24-mil smooth aluminum jacket, coated
752.2
24-mil deep-corrugated aluminum jacket
752.3
24-mil deep-corrugated aluminum jacket, coated
752.4
32-mil deep corrugated aluminum jacket – ‘Tedlar’ coated
752.5
32-mil smooth aluminum jacket – ‘Tedlar’ coated
753
Smooth stainless steel jacket
753.4 Deep-corrugated stainless steel jacket
Smooth steel jacket, Galvalume coated
4.4.2 Adhesives and Sealers: SES N01-S19.
CODE DESIGNATION
807
Nonsetting sealer
813
Caulking compound
815
Anchor adhesive (107 °C (225 °F))
817
Anchor adhesive (93 °C (200 °F))
4.4.3 Fastenings and Miscellaneous: SES N01-S16.
CODE DESIGNATION
921
Stainless steel wire (18 gage)
926
Stainless steel bands and seals (10 mm)
927
Stainless steel bands and seals (20 mm)
929
Seals and racks
Corner angle

980
All-weather breather springs
Masking tape
997
S-clips (stainless steel)
5. Cylindrical Equipment Insulation Preparation
5.1 General
5.1.1 Insulation supports shall be indicated on equipment drawing and shall be installed during equipment
fabrication, in accordance with Figures 2, 6, 7, and 8.
5.1.2 Caution: Written approval shall be obtained from authorized personnel before welding on tanks or
vessels.
5.1.3 Where welding is prohibited, a segmented bolt-on angle shall be installed, as detailed in Figure 1.
5.2 Guidelines for Insulation Support
5.2.1 Vertical Tank – Flat Bottom on Foundation
Insulation systems under flat bottom tanks shall be defined in plant or project specifications.
5.2.2 Vertical Tank – Top Head Flat, Conical, or Dished
5.2.2.1 Vertical tanks shall be designed to prevent moisture migration from the top head insulation to the
shell insulation.
5.2.2.2 The preferred method shall be to install a 5 mm thick angle, with a continuous seal weld at the top
of the vertical wall of the vessel and the horizontal leg of the angle, that is 13 mm longer than the insulation
thickness, see Figure 2. Exposed surfaces of angle shall be coated with bedding sealer (Code 709).
5.2.2.3 Bedding sealer, shell insulation, vapor barrier, and jacket shall be installed before starting the head
insulation. Vertical side insulation shall be extended up under vertical angle leg and sealed with flashing
compound. Metal jacket shall not extend under insulation over weathershed angle, see Figure 2.
5.2.2.4 Head insulation shall be extended down over vertical angle leg, and the finished shell insulation
shall be overlapped a distance equal to the shell insulation thickness.
5.2.2.5 On flat or conical heads, an equivalent watershed can be provided by extending the head beyond
the tank shell and attaching a vertical flat bar with a continuous seal weld, see Figure 2. The bar shall be
coated with bedding sealer (Code 709).
5.2.2.6 When provision for the prevention of moisture migration has not been made and where field
welding is prohibited, the method illustrated in Figure 3 shall be used. Shell insulation and vapor barrier
shall be finished before starting head insulation. Shell vapor barrier shall be lapped 100 to 150 mm over
bedding seal coat on tank head.
5.2.3 Vertical or Horizontal Tanks – Heads Flat, Conical, or Dished – Intermediate Bracket or Saddle
Supported
5.2.3.1 Structural steel support or concrete foundation shall be separated from metal supports projecting
610 mm or less from the tank shell, with pressure-creosoted hardwood blocks. The exposed surfaces of
blocks, and the crevices between blocks, shall be coated and filled with bedding sealer. Sealer shall be
extended 50 mm over concrete surface beyond outside diameter of insulation. Insulation shall be installed
over all surfaces of metal supports and hardwood blocks. Hardwood block thickness shall be specified on
the tank or arrangement drawing.
5.2.3.2 Tanks supported by concrete saddles shall be separated from the saddle by a continuous layer of
pressure-creosoted hardwood blocks, having a minimum thickness equal to that of the insulation plus
25 mm. The exposed surfaces of blocks, and the crevices between blocks, shall be coated and filled with
bedding sealer. Sealer shall be extended 50 mm over concrete surface beyond outside diameter of
insulation.
5.2.3.3 Head and shell insulation shall be supported by a full bedding coat prior to banding.

5.2.3.4 Head insulation on both ends of horizontal, and the bottom of vertical tanks, shall be supported by
radial wires or bands attached to a twisted 18-gage stainless steel wire cable (minimum 6 wires) set into an
insulation groove 200 mm back from the head. Radial wires or bands shall be attached the cable. Radial
wires or bands shall be positioned to not overlay at the center of the head, see Figure 4.
5.2.3.5 For double-layer insulation on heads, the outer layer shall be cemented and sealed to the inner
layer with a full bedding coat, and radial wire cable or bands shall be installed, see Figure 5.
5.2.3.6 Metal in contact with the equipment, and that which protrudes through the insulation, shall be
insulated with the same thickness as the equipment insulation. The protrusion shall be covered for a
minimum of 305 mm from the equipment insulation surface.
5.2.4 Vertical Tank – Leg Supported from Shell
5.2.4.1 Short, slotted, flat-bar clips shall be tack welded to the tank legs for attaching segmented support
bands, see Figure 6. Clips shall project no more than is necessary to insert bands. Radial wires or bands
shall be attached to the twisted wire cable to support head insulation.
5.2.4.2 Cable or wires shall be fastened to the segmented bands to support the leg insulation and its finish.
Leg shall be insulated to the same thickness as the tank insulation. Insulation shall be extended down legs
a minimum of 305 mm from outer surface of head insulation.
5.2.5 Vertical Tank – Leg Supported from Head or Lug Supported
A 5 mm thick metal strip that is 13 mm less than the insulation thickness shall be tack welded at the
knuckle radius. See Figure 16.
5.2.6 Vertical Tank – Dished Head, Skirt Supported
5.2.6.1 Vertical shell insulation shall be supported by a solid 5 mm flat bar, tack welded around the skirt at
a minimum distance of 460 mm below the top of the skirt. Bar shall be 13 mm wider than the insulation
thickness, as in Figure 7. Skirt and upper surface of flat bar shall be coated with bedding sealers (see 6.6).
When possible, bottom head shall be insulated while vessel is in horizontal position prior to erection.
5.2.6.2 Insulation shall be cemented to bottom head and skirt with a full coat of bedding sealers (see 6.6).
Insulation shall fit firmly against head and skirt. Head segments shall be banded or wired to the rods
attached to equipment, see Figure 7. Head insulation shall be covered with reinforced vapor barrier, which
shall be extended down the inside of the skirt approximately 305 mm, see Figure 7.
5.2.7 Vertical Tank – Intermediate or Top and Bottom Head Flanges
5.2.7.1 Insulation above flanges, other than top head, shall be supported with a 5 mm thick flat bar 13 mm
less than the shell insulation thickness, tack welded to the tank. Support shall be located one bolt length
plus 25 mm from back of flange to permit bolt removal. For support, the flange insulation shall be skewered
to the insulation above the flange, and secured with bands, see Figure 8.
5.2.7.2 For top head insulation support, a 6 mm diameter rod loop shall be installed. Loop shall be
attached to head with 25 mm long by 6 mm diameter rods, welded on 305 mm centers to provide 6 mm
clearance between head and loop, see Figure 8A.
5.2.7.3 Bottom flanged dished head insulation shall be supported by radial wires or bands, anchored to a
continuous loop of 6 mm diameter rod, see Figures 8B and 8C.
6. Insulation Application
6.1 Single-layer insulation shall be applied for temperatures above -18 °C (0 °F), as in Figure 9.
6.2 Double-layer insulation shall be applied for dual temperature services or for temperature services of
-18 °C (0 °F) or below, as in Figures 9 and 10.
6.2.1 Offset joint insulation may be used instead of double layer for service temperatures -18 °C (0 °F) or
below.
6.2.2 See Table IV for band requirements.

6.3 Crushed or damaged insulation shall not be used. It shall be returned to vendor or re-worked to
provide square ends for a tight fit.
6.4 Prefabricated curved and shaped segments are available to fit most cylindrical tank walls and
standard ASME flanged and dished heads. These preformed segments should be used for most
applications. On large diameter tanks, the 1220 mm x 1440 mm sheet of polyurethane or polyisocyanurate
insulation may be bent around the surface. Joints shall maintain tight fit.
6.5 Cylindrical vessels 610 mm or less in diameter shall be insulated with pre-formed pipe insulation.
Shell insulation shall be extended to permit installation of flat insulation covers at each end, see Figure 11.
6.6 Insulation Application to Cylindrical Sections
6.6.1 For temperatures above -45 °C (-50 °F), a full coat (wet thickness 3 mm) of bedding sealer shall be
applied on the equipment or on the inner surface of the insulation. Insulation shall be installed while
bedding sealer is wet.
6.6.2 A full coat of joint sealer shall be applied to all contact surfaces of adjoining blocks.
6.6.3 For temperatures below -45 °C (-50 °F) the first layer of insulation shall be installed without a
bedding coat or joint sealer.
6.6.4 Single-layer insulation shall be installed and banded with joints staggered and tightly butted, see
Figure 9.
6.6.5 Double-layer insulation shall be installed and banded in accordance with Figure 10. The outer layer
shall be sealed to the inner layer by a continuous coat of bedding sealer.
6.6.6 Reinforced bedding sealer shall be applied a minimum of 50 mm over the shell insulation vapor
barrier and over the equipment insulation terminations, including equipment body flanges.
6.6.7 Cuts for protrusions shall be tightly fitted and sealed.
6.7 Insulation Application to Dished Heads
6.7.1 Prefabricated engineered vessel head segments shall be preferred for dished head insulation. If
insulation with offset joints will be used on the side wall, then the segments shall also have offset joints.
6.7.2 Before applying insulation to dished heads, supports shall be checked to ensure their adequacy.
Insulation blocks can be laid in various patterns. In double-layer construction, the outer layer joints shall be
staggered with respect to those of the inner layer. A coat of bedding sealer shall be applied to support
insulation on overhead surfaces until wires or bands are applied (see 6.6).
6.7.3 Wires or bands shall be tightened firmly against the insulation. Wire twists shall be bent over tight
against the insulation. Radial wires or bands shall be positioned to not overlay at the center of the head,
with at least one wire or band crossing every block.
6.7.4 Metal in contact with the equipment, and that which protrudes through the insulation, shall be
insulated with the same thickness as the equipment insulation. Protrusions shall be covered for a
minimum of 305 mm from the equipment insulation surface.
6.7.5 Square corners of insulation on flat surfaces shall be protected with continuous corner angles
placed under wires or bands, as in Figure 12.
7. Vapor Barrier
7.1 Tables I and II list the acceptable combinations of insulation and finish materials. Except as noted in
Table II, all finishes can be used outdoors. Insulation and vapor barrier shall be completely sealed around
protrusions, nozzles, and supports before application of final finish, or fitting covers.

7.2 Mastic Finishes
7.2.1 Reinforced Mastics
Tack coat shall be applied and then the reinforcing material embedded. Adjacent pieces of reinforcing
material shall be lapped a minimum of 50 mm. Wrinkles and protruding edges shall be eliminated. Second
coat shall be applied as soon as the first coat becomes ‘tack-free’. Both coats shall be applied the same
day. This system shall be used over heads and irregular surfaces as a vapor barrier.
7.2.2 If lower flame-spread value is required, mastic finish shall be allowed to dry thoroughly before
applying asphalt aluminum coating.
7.2.3 If insulation will be subject to foot traffic, see Table II, finish system 51.
7.3 Membrane Finish. Vapor-barrier membrane shall be installed on equipment circumferentially.
Membrane shall be cut to correct length with a minimum overlap of 75 mm. Release paper shall be
removed, and the membrane pressed or rolled to give full contact with the insulation surface, especially at
laps. Caution: Wind velocity and ambient temperature may limit the size of sheet that can be handled.
7.4 Prior to installing metal jacket on cylindrical walls of horizontal vessels, the mastic finish on the heads
shall be extended over the tank wall insulation so that the metal jacket, when applied, will overlap the
mastic finish by a minimum of 100 mm. A 10 mm bead of flashing compound shall be applied on the mastic
finish, positioned to be under the metal and 40 mm from the jacket edge. A circumferential band shall be
placed over the jacket 40 mm from the edge.
7.5 FRP will provide the most durable finish for heads. No additional jacketing will be required. FRP shall
be applied in accordance with SES N01-F47 or N01-F48.
8. Jacketing
8.1 Metal jacketing may be specified over mastic finishes to reduce the flame-spread rating or to provide
additional protection from mechanical abuse and weather. Finish shall be allowed to dry thoroughly before
installing jacket. The metal jacket shall be 6 mm thick for equipment up to 1066 mm OD. For 1066 mm OD
and above, the jacket shall be 0.8 mm thick. If deep-corrugated jacketing is used, 0.6 mm thick jacket is
satisfactory for all equipment ODs.
8.2 Metal jacket and bands shall be cut and applied in a way that avoids personal injuries from sharp
edges or burrs. For cutting and fastening instructions, see SES N01-F30 and N01-F43.
8.3 Deep-corrugated aluminum sheeting with 32 mm corrugations may be more economical on vertical
equipment and vessels over 1830 mm in diameter. It may also be used on smaller diameter vessels.
Deep-corrugated aluminum sheeting shall be lapped a minimum of 2
/2 corrugations. Succeeding courses
shall be supported with a minimum of two S-clips per sheet, see Figure 13. Corrugated panels or sheeting
1
shall not be used on horizontal cylindrical vessels or equipment.
8.4 FRP finish (see 7.5) shall be used on dished heads for normal conditions.
8.5 Smooth metal jackets shall be lapped a minimum of 75 mm on tanks up to 7620 mm in diameter and
100 mm on tanks over 7620 mm in diameter. Vertical seams shall be offset on succeeding courses. Each
course on vertical vessels shall be supported with stainless steel S-clips on approximately 915 mm
centers.
8.6 Closure strips, as in Figure 14, shall be required on smooth jacketing only at longitudinal joints of
vertical equipment, to provide a stiffened double joint for added wind resistance.
8.7 As each course of jacket is installed, bands shall be applied in as many sections as needed, with each
section not exceeding 9150 mm. Bands shall be tightened to pull evenly on all sections. See Table IV.
8.8 Where openings will be cut in the metal jacket to fit around nozzles and other protrusions, allowance
shall be made for the insulation thickness and finish, to ensure that no metal extends beneath, for example,
the nozzle cover. On large nozzles, the opening between the metal jacket sheets shall be split.

9. Caulking
Points of possible moisture penetration shall be sealed with a minimum 10 mm bead of caulking
compound. Edges shall not be feathered. See Figure 15.
TABLE I
Equipment Insulation and Finish Combinations