Commercial and Industrial Safety and Energy Saving Tips Install Removable Insulation on Uninsulated Valves and Fittings Improve Your Boiler's Combustion Efficiency Reduce Pumping Costs through Optimum Pipe Sizing Eliminate Voltage Unbalance   During maintenance, insulation over pipes, valves, and fittings is often damaged or removed and not replaced. Uninsulated pipes, valves, and fittings can be safety hazards and sources of heat loss. Removable and reusable insulating pads are available to cover almost any surface. The pads are made of a non-combustible inside cover, insulation material, and a non-combustible outside cover that is tear- and abrasion-resistant. Materials used in the pads are oil- and water-resistant and can be designed for temperatures up to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit. The pads are held in place by wire laced through grommets or by using straps and buckles. Applications Reusable insulating pads are commonly used in industrial facilities for flanges, valves, expansion joints, heat exchangers, pumps, turbines, tanks, and other irregular surfaces. The pads are flexible and vibration resistant and can be used with equipment that is horizontally or vertically mounted or difficult to access. Any high-temperature piping or equipment should be insulated to reduce heat loss, reduce emissions, and improve safety. As a rule of thumb, any surface over 120 degrees Fahrenheit should be insulated for protection of personnel. Insulating pads can be easily removed for periodic inspection or maintenance and replaced as needed. Insulating pads can also contain built-in acoustical barriers for noise control. Availability Insulation supply companies are located regionally to expedite delivery and to meet site-specific job requirements. Most supply companies can take measurements on-site to ensure the best fit on irregular surfaces. Source: Office of Industrial Technologies, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy