6.4 Building services - insulation of pipes, ducts and vessels
Functional standard
6.4.0 Introduction
6.4.1 Insulation of pipes and ducts
6.4.2 Insulation of vessels

standard 6.4
mandatory

In order to comply with standard 6.1 every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that temperature loss from heated pipes, ducts and vessels, and temperature gain to cooled pipes and ducts, is resisted.

Limitation

This standard does not apply to:

a. buildings which do not use fuel or power for heating or cooling either the internal environment or water services;

b. buildings, or parts of a building which will not be heated, other than heating provided for the purpose of frost protection;

c. pipes, vessels or ducts that form part of an isolated industrial
or commercial process;

d. cooled pipes or ducts in domestic buildings.

6.4.0 Introduction

Thermal insulation to cooling and heating pipes and ducts and hot water storage vessels will improve energy efficiency by preventing:

• uncontrolled heat gain or loss to or from such equipment.
• an uncontrolled rise or fall in the temperature of the parts of the building where such equipment is situated.

Conversions

In the case of conversions, as defined by Regulation 3, the building as converted must be improved to as close to the full requirements of this standard as is reasonably practicable, and in no case be worse than before the conversion (Regulation 12, Schedule 6).

Space heating pipes and ducts at low level

6.4.1 Insulation of pipes and ducts [J11.6]

Pipes and ducts used for space heating and space cooling (including pipes carrying chilled water and refrigerants should be thermally insulated to reduce heat loss in the case of the former and heat gain in the case of the latter. This will not be necessary where the pipes or ducts always contribute to the heating or cooling demands of the room or space and the pipes or ducts are located at a height of 3 m or less above the floor.

Hot water supply

Pipes that are used to supply hot water within a building should be insulated against heat loss. This is to conserve heat in the hot water pipes between frequent successive draw-offs.

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A way of achieving insulation for such pipes and ducts is to follow the guidance given for "environmental thickness" in BS 5422: 2001 "Methods for specifying thermal insulating materials on pipes, ductwork and equipment (in the temperature range —40^OC to +700^OC)".

It is recognised that complete insulation will sometimes not be possible, where such services pass through or around structural building components, floor joists, for example. A balanced approach will be needed with carefully thought out routes for services to ensure that buildability is achieved.

Industrial and commercial process

It is not necessary to follow any of the above guidance on pipe and duct insulation if the installation is part of a stand-alone system that serves only an industrial or commercial process.

Industrial and commercial process

6.4.2 Insulation of vessels [J11.7]

A hot water storage vessel should be insulated against heat loss. This can be achieved by following the guidance given for "environmental thickness" in BS 5422: 2001 ‘Methods for specifying thermal insulating materials on pipes, ductwork and equipment (in the temperature range —40^OC to +700^OC)’. This will not be necessary if the vessel is part of a stand-alone system that serves only an industrial or commercial process.

Unvented HW systems

Where an unvented hot water system is installed, additional insulation should be considered to reduce the heat loss that can occur from the safety fittings and pipework. Such insulation should not compromise the safe operation of the system, including the visibility of warning discharges.