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Introduction
Insulation is one of those ubiquitous techniques that
is always around, always impinging on our work, social
and domestic activities and yet for most of the time
is hardly noticed. Insulation is a passive product,
once installed it works efficiently, quietly and continually,
usually out of sight enclosed within a structure, a
casing or under cladding.
Insulation comes to the fore when new design of buildings,
plant, equipment or production processes is being considered.
It is at this stage that the right specification must
be made, any shortfall in the thickness, or error in
the type and application details will prove costly to
rectify at a later date.
There are many reasons why professional engineers,
architects and indeed laymen use insulation:
- to comply with mandatory legislation i.e. Building
Regulations or Standards;
- to reduce heat loss/heat gain;
- to reduce running costs;
- to control process temperatures;
- to control surface temperatures;
- to reduce the risk of freezing;
- to provide condensation control; and
- or to reduce heating plant capacity.
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