Thermaxx Blog: Insulation, Energy Savings, & More

Flexible Insulation Blankets

Written by Thermaxx Jackets | Aug 2, 2019 4:42:00 PM

Flexible Insulation Blankets

Traditional stay-in-place thermal insulation for piping and other components is rigid, and if it's partially or fully removed for inspections or maintenance it usually can't be replaced. Insulation that isn't flexible, or rigid insulation, doesn't work for every application. There are some cases where insulation blankets, like Thermaxx Jackets, are a better solution. Our jacket insulation can be made with alternative insulation materials that are flexible, allowing for components of irregular shape to be insulated effectively.

What Are Flexible Insulation Jackets?

An insulation jacket is a custom designed pliable cover made from one or more layers of insulation materials and protected using coated materials. They are fastened onto a mechanical component to maximize its efficiency, regulate its temperature, prevent, improve workplace safety, among other benefits.  

Flexible insulation jackets are unique in that they are malleable rather than rigid. Typical rigid insulation is designed to stay in place for a long time. Flexible insulation jackets are easy to remove and reinstall, facilitating far easier maintenance and access.

We design insulation jackets with a few essential components — the outer protective layer, the insulation mat, and the inner liner. 

The outer layer protects the inner insulation from exterior damage (e.g. weather, chemical, or moisture) allowing the insulation material to operate as intended. The inner liner keeps the entire apparatus in place against the pipe while preventing water leaks from damaging the insulation. 

Our flexible insulation jackets also feature d-hooks, straps and hook-and-loop flaps for a secure hold and easy installation. 

Flexible Insulation Blanket Materials

Traditional insulation for pipes is typically made of a molded fiberglass, which provides little to no flexibility. Thermaxx Jackets can be designed to include various flexible insulation materials such as:

  • Pyrogel XT: Typically used for flexible insulation solutions on hot applications
  • Insul-Sheet: Typically used for flexible insulation solutions on chilled applications
  • Mass Loaded Vinyl: Typically used for flexible insulation solutions on sound reduction applications

Using these advanced flexible insulation materials, among others, allows for the application being insulated to swell, move, bend, swing, and function as intended.

Applications for Flexible Insulation Blankets

 There are many applications for flexible insulation blankets from Thermaxx Jackets. Some examples include:

  • Flexible Hose Insulation Blankets: Any large hose that takes an irregular bend shape and needs to be insulated such as a hot oil transfer hose
  • Large High Temp Components: Any large component that is rounded or has many edges and requires an insulation cover that is flexible
  •  Panel Systems: Any panel system that needs to be easily accessed for inspections and maintenance

 

How Can Flexible Insulation Jackets Benefit Your Business?

Water and steam pipe systems play critical roles in buildings across industries. It's crucial to the success of your daily operations at facilities of all sizes and when it doesn't operate as intended, it can also significantly hinder operations and performance. Flexible insulation jackets resolve issues related to efficiency and cost. 

The hot water and steam running through your pipes need to arrive at their destination at their required temperatures. Exposure to cold ambient air in unconditioned settings along the path will cause heat to fade, which means the boiler will need to kick back on and operate at a higher frequency. Insulation prevents heat loss so the boiler can easily maintain consistent water and steam temperatures. This leads to energy savings for every utility bill. 

Flexible insulation jackets also minimize the need for expensive repairs. Water running through the pipes can freeze without proper insulation and cause the pipes to burst. Insulation provides the warmth you need to ensure pipes stay above freezing, even in unconditioned spaces. 

Thermaxx produces some of the most effective reusable insulation blankets on the market. Businesses choose our products for: 

  • Simple, fast installation 
  • Extended equipment lifespans 
  • High energy efficiency 
  • Improved safety
  • More comfortable working environments

Installing Flexible Insulation Jackets

Thermaxx Jackets are some of the easiest flexible insulation jackets to install on any pipe or valve. We design these jackets to install quickly so that you can get them on fast when they first arrive and reduce downtime when you take them off for maintenance purposes. Here's how the installation process works: 

  1. Test that the jacket fits the equipment by laying it over the place where you intend to install it.
  2. Wrap the straps around the pipe or valve and pull them tightly before looping the straps through the D-hooks.
  3. Fasten the hook-and-loop flaps to secure the straps in place.  
  4. Repeat steps one through three for all valves and pipes you wish to insulate. 

Contact the Experts for Thermaxx Jackets

Covering your pipes and valves with flexible insulation jackets from Thermaxx will uncover new opportunities for your business to save. Our insulation jackets encourage safe, efficient operations with minimal downtime.

We encourage you to check our energy savings chart or use our savings calculator to better understand how these flexible insulation jackets can make a difference at your facility. For more information about flexible insulation blankets from Thermaxx Jackets, visit our products page or contact us!