Hot Pipe Insulation

ROCKWOOL’s hot pipe insulation can be installed around hot water pipes, heating and HVAC systems.

Find products Download guide to BS 5422:2023 Cold Pipes

Install ROCKWOOL's hot pipe insulation around hot water pipes which are widely used for heating and warm water distribution in buildings. The insulation is designed to carry substances at high temperatures between 0°C and 250°C.

Hot pipe insulation helps to reduce heat loss, maintain consistent temperatures, and protect against dangerous fire hazards.

Whether you're undertaking a new construction project or upgrading existing systems, ROCKWOOL's pipe lagging provides thermal protection and energy savings.

ROCKWOOL offers hot pipe insulation products that are effective for use in HVAC systems and building heating systems. These products can help improve energy efficiency and reduce heating costs.

Explore our range of hot pipe insulation solutions and discover the support, expertise, and resources available.

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Hot Pipe Insulation Products

HVAC

RockLap H&V Pipe Sections

ROCKWOOL RockLap H&V Sections are pre-formed sections of stone wool insulation for pipes. Manufactured pre-slit and with a self-adhesive foil lap for ease of application.

RockLap H&V Pipe Supports

RockLap H&V Pipe Supports are designed for use with pipe hangers, reducing heat loss at support locations. Specify in conjunction with RockLap H&V Pipe Sections for an uninterrupted non-combustible thermal solution.

The benefits of hot pipe insulation

Hot pipes can travel long distances through extremely cold spaces, so using pipe lagging is essential, especially during the autumn and winter months.

The benefits can include:

Thermal retention: Maintains consistent temperature of substances within pipes, reducing heat loss
Energy efficiency: Minimises energy consumption by preserving heat#
Freezing prevention: Prevents pipe contents from freezing in colder environments
Noise reduction: Helps minimise noise transmission from pipes
Versatility: Suitable for various applications including industrial processes, HVAC systems, and building central heating systems.

Building regulations for hot pipework

BS 5422:2023 guides designers, specifiers, contractors, and manufacturers of thermal insulation, helping them determine the minimum insulation thickness and insulation requirements to control and reduce heat loss and gains from building services. It also covers the importance of insulating pipes and ductwork to maintain the integrity of compartmentation in fire stopping.

With regulations and guidance evolving, architects and specifiers face a challenge to ensure full compliance and construct buildings that withstand the test of time.

However, we’re here to help and support you with thoroughly tested products, CPD learning modules and advice from our team of experts to help you specify the right product to comply with the regulations, as and when they change.

Find out more:

Download ROCKWOOL’s guide to BS 5422:2023
You can read our blog for a quick summary of how BS 5422 was changed in 2023
Read the guidance for the building regulations for hot pipework insulation.

Relevant resources

What you need to consider when choosing insulation for hot pipes

Efficient energy use, prevention of heat loss or gain, and maintenance of piping system integrity all depend on choosing the right hot pipe insulation.

Factors such as thermal performance, acoustic performance, and fire resistance, are all important and ROCKWOOL offers products that can help with all of these challenges.

The table below shows the issues and outlines why ROCKWOOL products provide the right solution.

Issues to consider	Why ROCKWOOL is the right solution
Thermal performance	ROCKWOOL products will keep the same thermal performance over the lifetime of a building.
Acoustic performance	We make our products from stone wool, which absorbs sound and reduces the impact of noise produced by pipes.
Fire performance	Our HVAC insulation products are made from fire resilient stone wool (A1 or A2, s1, d0 RtF according to EN 13501-1) which are the highest two Euroclass ratings (see table below), this ensures that they are non-combustible.
Durability	ROCKWOOL products are dimensionally stable – ensuring no shrinking or expanding over time and maintain the same thermal performance for the lifetime of the building.
Suitability	Our pipework insulation products are suitable for use in piping with operating temperatures from 0°C up to 250°C. An aluminium laminate creates a high-level vapour barrier (Sd >1.500M).
Water repellent	ROCKWOOL Stone wool does not absorb moisture when exposed to water. Stone wool is water-repellent, meaning it resists water absorption.

Installation

Our solutions can be installed across various types of piping with ease.

Key tips:

Joints in-between each section can be sealed with the self-adhesive overlap and special aluminium tape.
When insulation reaches the end of pipes, it can be cut precisely using a long-bladed knife or insulation saw.⁶
If you’re unsure how much insulation is needed for your application, contact our offices to get advice on the right quantity to order.⁷

Installation guides for professionals

Pipe insulation case studies

Commercial

27 Apr 2017

ROCKWOOL® helps development achieve BREEAM Excellent rating

The Aldgate Tower project required ROCKWOOL to meet a range of challenging product performance and service criteria. Non-combustible products provided thermal performance for the lifetime of the building.

Healthcare

23 Nov 2015

ROCKWOOL® helps Morriston hospital meet BREEAM Excellent rating - case study

With sustainability at the heart of the building's design and specification, ROCKWOOL insulation has played a significant role in the project which has achieved its target of a BREEAM Excellent rating.

Entertainment Venues

22 Sep 2022

The Erratics Exhibition case study

An exciting new exhibition by artist, Lubna Chowdhary, features an impressive 6.5m by 5.5m sculpture fabricated using ROCKWOOL® RockLap heating and ventilation pipe (H&V) sections.

ROCKWOOL is here to support you

Technical Support Tool

HVAC Calculator ROCK-EQ

ROCKWOOL’s online calculation tool ROCK-EQ, generates detailed, project-specific calculation reports and recommendations from the ROCKWOOL range of building services and HVAC products in a matter of minutes. Use ROCK-EQ to determine insulation thickness for requirements including:- Condensation control- Heat gain- Heat loss- Personnel protection- Protection against freezing.

Can our technical experts help?

Our dedicated team of highly skilled technical experts are available to help you with your cold pipe insulation calculations. With their extensive knowledge and commitment to excellence, our technical experts are not just problem-solvers but want to find ways for your project to succeed. Contact our team.

Email: technical.solutions@rockwool.com

Telephone: 01656 868 490

PDF

13.0 MB

HVAC Systems Guide

Download

PDF

8.5 MB

Guide to BS 5422

Download

PDF

13.6 MB

SoundPro Guide

Download

Download our HVAC Systems Guide

PDF

13.0 MB

21 Sep 2023

The ROCKWOOL HVAC Systems Guide

A comprehensive guide to our full range of HVAC solutions

FAQs

What is the best insulation for hot water pipes?

It can be challenging to determine the best insulation material as there are various types available, and the definition of "best" depends on specific applications.

We believe ROCKWOOL stone wool stands out due to its ability to minimize temperature loss during heat transfer from the source to heating units. Its unique structure enhances heat retention, making it highly effective for thermal insulation. Additionally, ROCKWOOL is non-combustible, with Euroclass A1 fire resistance ratings, which are crucial for ensuring fire safety in large buildings. These properties make it a strong contender for diverse insulation needs.

Does pipe insulation need to be tight?

How hot can pipe insulation get?

Other relevant applications

Insulation

References

_{[1] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/376181/ECA765_Pipework_Insulation_Equipment.pdf}

_{[2] FIW, Durability Project Mineral Wool (2016), p. 29, Chapter 7 “Conclusions and Outlook” + EN 13162 “Thermal insulation products for buildings - Factory made mineral wool (MW) products – Specification. https://fiw-muenchen.de/media/publikationen/pdf/fiw_jahresbericht_2016.pdf}

_{[3] https://www.rockwool.com/group/why-stone-wool/fire-resilience/}

_{[4] https://www.rockwool.com/group/why-stone-wool/acoustic-capabilities/}

_{[5] ROCKWOOL Group, Sustainability Report 2019, p. 17. https://www.rockwool.com/group/about-us/sustainability/sustainability-report/}

_{[6] https://www.rockwool.com/group/our-thinking/renovation/craftsmen-renovation/tips-and-tricks-installation/}

_{[7] https://www.rockwool.com/group/our-thinking/renovation/craftsmen-renovation/tips-and-tricks-installation/}

_{[8] FIW, Durability Project Mineral Wool (2016).https://fiw-muenchen.de/media/publikationen/pdf/fiw_jahresbericht_2016.pdf}

_{[9] IPCC 2018 Report, Chapter 2, p. 65. https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/download/}

_{[10] ROCKWOOL Group, Sustainability Report 2019, pp. 17, 35. https://www.rockwool.com/group/about-us/sustainability/sustainability-report/}

_{[11] FIW, Durability Project Mineral Wool (2016). https://fiw-muenchen.de/media/publikationen/pdf/fiw_jahresbericht_2016.pdf}