In the Scottish Highlands
recent winters have been
severe, with temperatures
dropping to -15°C. The town
of Fortrose, about 10km
north east of Inverness, was
no exception. So when
Inverness-based mechanical
and electrical engineers
Commissioning Solutions
Scotland was asked to replace
failed process pumps for the
local waste water treatment
facility, careful consideration
was given to the insulation
material used to protect the
equipment and process flows.

David Hawthorn of
Commissioning Solutions
Scotland, working with
thermal insulation contractor
McDonald & Co, specified
Armacell’s Class O Armaflex
nitrile rubber insulation.

As a closed cell foam
material, Armaflex provides
an integral vapour barrier
against water ingress and
condensation, with no
additional water vapour
barrier required. The
material has a moisture
resistance factor of >7000µ so
even if the material is
damaged in places, it still
provides protection against
condensation and water
ingress as the closed cell
structure is built-up throughout
the material’s thickness.

At outdoor temperatures
of -15°C and initial line
temperatures of 7°C, a 25mm
layer of Armaflex will
provide 40+ hours of frost
protection on an 89mm dia
steel pipe or 52h on a 114mm
dia pipe when containing
static fluids. Armaflex sheet
can be cut and fabricated to
cover fittings, pumps and
valves.