steam pipe fiberglass insulation inside boiler room

Hi, I am planning to insulate all steam pipes in the basement of a brownstone using fiberglass insulation. I wonder if it is OK to insulate the steam pipes in the bioler room or should these stay uninsulated and only the piping system outside of the boiler room should get insulated?? Thanks, chrisemma

chrisemma

in Plumbers and Plumbing 12 years and 4 months ago

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Master Plvmber | 12 years and 4 months ago

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Code calls for a minimum of 1″, but when you use 1.5″ or 2″ it ends up looking better because of the way the fittings get wrapped. The reality is that most insulation manufacturers will tell you the difference in heat loss between 1-1.5″ is only about 15% but the cost for materials can be nearly double, so there is some point of diminishing return.

chrisemma | 12 years and 4 months ago

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Hi, thanks for your comments. Yeah, so you seem to be indicating that it is safe to use this kind of material in the boiler room and very close the boiler, i.e. essentially on the pipes coming out of the boiler. Are you sure 2” is necessary? Is 1” or 1 1/2” not enough?   Thanks

steam_man | 12 years and 4 months ago

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Insulate it all. Use a minimum thickness of 2″. Make sure to wrap all the joints (elbows, tees, etc).

Master Plvmber | 12 years and 4 months ago

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It’s highly advisable to insulate the steam pipes immediately around the boiler as well as the system piping.