Project Management and Construction Services

 
 
   

Design and Construction Standards

Technical Specification

SECTION 23 07 00

General HVAC Insulation Requirements

 
All renovation and new construction activities on The University of Texas at Austin campuses are required
to meet the UT Austin Design and Construction Standards (DCS). This includes the very first planning and
design stages through actual construction and facilities maintenance and management. They reflect the
planning, design, construction, maintenance, and other facilities asset expertise of University personnel.
These documents are to be used as a guideline on all UT Austin projects, and are not to be used for bidding,
permitting, construction or any other purpose. Any deviations must be approved by the respective Division
Champion, and will be submitted in writing by the Project Manager. The Design and Construction
Standards are controlled by Project Management and Construction Services, The University of Texas at
Austin. This document is the property of UT Austin, and use of this document, in part or in whole, for any
purpose other than for a UT Austin project may not be done without written permission of the University.
For any comments or questions related to UT Austin Design and Construction Standards, please contact
the Project Management and Construction Services Planning group at:
campus_standards@austin.utexas.edu or by phone at (512) 471-0665.
The issuance and revision history of this Section is tabulated below. Please destroy any previous copy in
your possession.

Rev Date Pages Remarks Documents

Referenced
6/28/2018 All New technical specification created. 23 07 00 HVAC
Insulation
8/31/2018 All Published section.

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SECTION 23 07 00 – GENERAL HVAC INSULATION REQUIREMENTS

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 RELATED DOCUMENTS

A. Drawings and general provisions of the Contract, including General Conditions and Division 01
Specification Sections, apply to this section.

B. Internal insulation for air units is specified in the sections on air handling units. The units do not
require external insulation.

C. Refer to the other specific Division 23 insulation sections for specific insulation types for pipe,
ducts, and equipment.

D. Refer to Division 09 specifications for painting requirements.

1.2 SUMMARY

A. This Section specifies the general requirements for furnishing and installing insulation. These
requirements apply to all other Mechanical Division sections specifying insulation.

1.3 REFERENCE STANDARDS

A. Refer to individual specification sections for applicable reference standards.

1.4 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. All equipment, duct and piping insulation used on the project must have a flame spread rating
not exceeding 25 and a smoke developed rating not exceeding 50, as determined by test
procedures ASTM E 84 18 and UL 723. These ratings must be as tested on the composite of
insulation, jacket or facing, and adhesive. Components such as adhesives, mastics and
cements must meet the same individual ratings as the minimum requirements.

B. Applicator shall be a company specializing in insulation application with minimum 5 years'

experience.

C. Mockups: Before installing insulation, build mockups for each type of insulation and finish listed
below to demonstrate quality of insulation application and finishes. Build mockups in the
location indicated or, if not indicated, as directed by Owner. Use materials indicated for the
completed Work. Mockups shall include piping insulation, ductwork insulation and equipment
insulation.

D. All the ductwork and piping in pump rooms, mechanical rooms and equipment rooms including
areas without ceilings is to be considered as exposed piping or ductwork. This also includes
penthouses, interstitial spaces, and crawl spaces, where applicable.

1.5 SUBMITTALS

A. Product Data. Submit product data on each insulation type, adhesive, mastic, and finish to be
used in the work. Include the following information:

1. Product description

2. List of materials

3. Schedule indicating insulation type, thickness, and location for each service (equipment,
duct, and pipe with size).

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4. Density

5. Compressive strength

6. “k” value at 75 deg F

7. Nominal “R” value

8. Mean temperature range

9. Manufacturer's installation instructions

10. Flame spread rating.

B. Shop Drawings: Show details for the following:

1. Application of protective shields, saddles, and inserts at hangers for each type of insulation
and hanger.

2. Attachment and covering of heat tracing inside insulation.

3. Insulation application at pipe expansion joints for each type of insulation.

4. Insulation application at elbows, fittings, flanges, valves, and specialties for each type of
insulation.

5. Removable insulation at piping specialties, equipment connections, and access panels.

6. Application of field-applied jackets.

7. Application at linkages of control devices.

8. Field application for each equipment type.

C. Record Documents:

1. Submit under provisions of Division 01.

D. Operation and Maintenance Data:

1. Samples. Make an application of each type of insulation to display the material, quality and
application method. Obtain approval of the sample application before proceeding with the
work.

2. Manufacturer’s Installation Instructions: Indicate procedures that ensure acceptable

standards will be achieved. Submit certificates to this effect.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.1 ACCEPTABLE MANUFACTURERS

A. Acceptable manufacturers are listed under individual specification sections.

2.2 INSULATION

A. Insulate in accordance with appropriate specification section.

B. Must meet all specified and listed environmental and air quality requirements for insulation
paint, primers, mastics, adhesives, vapor barriers and sealants.

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PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1 COMMON INSULATION REQUIREMENTS

A. Deliver materials to site in original factory packaging, labeled with manufacturer’s identification
including product thermal ratings and thickness.

B. All materials delivered to the site shall be dry, undamaged and maintained in good condition
throughout the progress of the project.

C. Store insulation in original wrapping and protect from weather and construction traffic. Protect
insulation against dirt, water, chemical, and mechanical damage.

D. Maintain ambient temperatures and conditions required by manufacturers of adhesives, mastics

and insulation cements.

E. Insulation shall not be installed until all testing and inspection of pipe, duct, vessel, etc. has
been completed and approved by Engineer/Owner’s representative.

F. Insulate valves, fittings, flanges and special items in accordance with the appropriate
specification section.

G. Replace insulation damaged by either moisture or other means. Insulation which has been wet,
whether dried or not, is considered damaged. Make repairs where condensation is caused by
improper installation of insulation. Also replace any materials damaged by the condensation.

H. Install insulation materials, accessories, and finishes with smooth, straight, and even surfaces;
free of voids throughout the length of equipment, ducts and fittings, and piping including fittings,
valves, and specialties.

I. Install insulation materials, forms, vapor barriers or retarders, jackets, and thicknesses required
for each item of equipment, duct system, and pipe system as specified in insulation system
schedules.

J. Install accessories compatible with insulation materials and suitable for the service. Install
accessories that do not corrode, soften, or otherwise attack insulation or jacket in either wet or
dry state.

K. Install insulation with longitudinal seams at top and bottom of horizontal runs.

L. Install multiple layers of insulation with longitudinal and end seams staggered.

M. Do not weld brackets, clips, or other attachment devices to piping, fittings, and specialties.

N. Keep insulation materials dry during application and finishing.

O. Install insulation with tight longitudinal seams and end joints. Bond seams and joints with
adhesive recommended by insulation material manufacturer.

P. Install insulation with least number of joints practical.

Q. Install insulation continuously through hangers and sleeves and around anchor attachments.

R. Where penetrating fire and/or smoke rated walls, partitions, barriers, or floors, provide UL-
approved pipe and duct penetration assemblies that maintain the rating of the penetrated wall,
partition, barrier, or floor.

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S. Insulation on all pipes or ducts conveying air or liquids below the ambient temperature is
required to have a continuous vapor barrier. On all insulation with a vapor barrier, seal the
joints, duct wrap seams, vapor retarder (ASJ) film seams and penetrations in insulation at
hangers, supports, anchors, and other projections with a vapor-barrier coating/mastic as
specified in the individual insulation sections.

1. For insulation application where vapor barriers are indicated, extend insulation on anchor
legs from point of attachment to supported item to point of attachment to structure. Taper
and seal ends at attachment to structure with vapor-barrier coating/mastic.

2. Install insert materials and install insulation to tightly join the insert. Seal insulation to
insulation inserts with adhesive or sealing compound recommended by insulation material
manufacturer.

3. Cover inserts with jacket material matching adjacent pipe insulation. Install shields over
jacket, arranged to protect jacket from tear or puncture by hanger, support, and shield.

T. Apply adhesives, mastics, and sealants at manufacturer's recommended coverage rate and wet
and dry film thicknesses.

3.2 ACCESSORIES

A. Installation of accessories such as jacketing, bands, adhesives, insulation shields, coatings,

finishes, etc. is specified under individual specification sections.

3.3 PAINTING OF INSULATION

A. Where indicated on the architectural construction documents, paint ductwork or piping in

exposed areas, not including mechanical and equipment rooms. Do not paint insulation located
in return air plenums.

B. FSK Jacket. Prior to painting, wipe clean insulation with FSK jacket with a mild cleaning
solution that will not leave a residue and allow to dry completely. Paint FSK jacket with oil based
or solvent based paint in accordance with insulation manufacturer’s recommendations and as
required in the Division 09 painting specifications.

C. ASJ Jacket. Prior to painting, dry wipe clean insulation with ASJ jacket to remove dust and
loose dirt. Paint ASJ jacket with water based (latex) paint in accordance with manufacturer’s
recommendations and as required in the Division 09 painting specifications.

END OF SECTION 23 07 00

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