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Cold Pipe Insulation

Install ROCKWOOL’s pipe insulation around chilled and low-temperature water pipes, as well as wastewater soil vent pipes.

Find products Download Guide to BS5422 Hot pipes
RockLap H&V Pipe Section

Install ROCKWOOL’s pipe insulation around chilled water pipes, wastewater, and pipework.

Pipe lagging helps prevent condensation, slows down freezing of pipe contents when temperatures drop and can prevent water being transported at low temperatures from heating up. 

Our pipe insulation products are suitable for both domestic and commercial use, whether you are working on a retrofit project or a new construction.

Learn more about ROCKWOOL’s pipe insulation products and the expertise, support, and resources we offer to our customers.

 

Table of contents

  1. Why do we need cold pipe insulation
  2. Calculator and savings
  3. Why choose ROCKWOOL solutions
  4. Installation
  5. Downloads and resources
  6. Financial support
  7. FAQ
  8. Other relevant applications

The benefits of cold pipe insulation 

We all know that cold pipe insulation offers a range of benefits. 

As well as keeping pipes that transport water at a low temperature, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of cold water, stone wool pipe lagging can:

  • Help maintain the integrity of compartmentation in fire stopping - suppressing the spread of fire throughout a building
  • Minimise noise by being acoustically absorbent
  • Prevent condensation from forming with the aluminium foil acting as a vapour barrier
  • Prevent freezing of pipe contents over a set period
  • Create energy savings by reducing heat gain, which reduces wasted water.

Building regulations for insulating cold pipework

BS 5422:2023 guides designers, specifiers, contractors, and manufacturers of thermal insulation, helping them determine the minimum insulation thickness required to control and reduce heat loss and gains from building services. It also covers the importance of insulating pipes and ductwork to maintain the integrity of compartmentation in fire stopping. 

Architects and specifiers face a significant challenge keeping up with ever-evolving regulations and guidance documents to ensure full compliance and construct buildings that withstand the test of time.

However, we’re here to help and support you with CPD learning modules and advice from our team of experts to help you specify the right product to comply with the regulations, as and when they change. 

 Find out more:

Regulations

Refer to and use BS 5422 to meet the requirements outlined in the following guidance:

England: Approved Document L
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Wales: Approved Document L
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Scotland: Technical Handbook Section 6, Building Services Guide
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Northern Ireland: Technical Booklet F
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Ireland: Technical Guidance Document L
Learn more

Cold Pipe Insulation Products

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HVAC

RockLap H&V Pipe Sections

ROCKWOOL RockLap H&V Sections are pre-formed sections of stone wool insulation for pipes. Manufactured pre-slit and with a self-adhesive foil lap for ease of application.

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RockLap H&V Pipe Supports

RockLap H&V Pipe Supports are designed for use with pipe hangers, reducing heat loss at support locations. Specify in conjunction with RockLap H&V Pipe Sections for an uninterrupted non-combustible thermal solution.

Why do we need cold pipe insulation?

Insulation for cold piping can help to keep pipes that transport cool air and drinking water at their desired low temperature.

When these pipes travel through hot areas of a construction with little or no protection, the contents inside can soon warm up. This is especially true during intense periods of warm weather or in the hottest climates, when they are needed the most. Such temperature increases impair their effectiveness. 

By installing effective insulation, less money needs to be spent powering air conditioning, cold water and ventilation in a building, in order to cool down its occupants. 

It also helps minimise the carbon footprint of a construction, creating an environmentally friendly way of maintaining a healthy indoor climate.

Relevant resources
Why stone wool?
Learn more
HVAC Systems Guide
Download here
CPD: A guide to HVAC standards and applications
Book now
CPD: EN Tested Fire Duct Systems
Book now
HVAC Calculator
Access here

Calculator and savings

Adding effective insulation around cold pipes can result in significant energy savings. This is because it acts to lower the amount needed to cool businesses, properties and operations, providing a cost-effective way to cut carbon emissions caused by excess cooling1.

For our HVAC RockLap range, we have also created an easy to use calculator tool for working out the required insulation thickness.

Learn about energy efficiency
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Why choose ROCKWOOL solutions?

Our RockLap H&V Pipe Sections have been specifically designed to insulate cold pipes and hybrid systems, and are:

  • Widely effective – usable in piping with operating temperatures from 0°C up to 250°C, with humidity levels up to 80 percent.
  • Tested to high standards – at the FIW laboratory in Germany. 
  • Non-combustible - (A2, s1, d0 RtF according to EN13501-1) for optimal protection in case of fire.
  • Robust – an aluminium laminate creates a high-level vapour barrier (Sd >1.500M).
  • Easy and fast to install – with a mounting time that can be reduced by more than 30 percent compared to conventional non-combustible systems.
  • Dimensionally stable – ensuring no shrinking or expanding. 
  • Thermally stable – all ROCKWOOL components will keep the same thermal performance over a period up to 70 years.
  • Aesthetically pleasing – once installed, ROCKWOOL RockLap provides a clean and identifiable look which deserves to be visible.

HVAC product components are designed to create the ‘perfect match’ for a complete system. Hangers take care of the piping load and insulation factor, while Ductwrap & Duct Slab are ideal for insulating circular, rectangular or square ductwork.

 

In addition, all of our insulation solutions are: 

 

  • Robust – ROCKWOOL cold pipe insulation remains stable and at peak performance for a lifetime when used, with no shrinking or expanding2.
  • Thermally resilient – the smart fibre structure of stone wool ensures no gaps for passing airflow, maintaining a steady temperature3.
  • Fire resilient – our products are made from fire resilient stone wool, which is non-combustible and protects against fire hazards4 5.
  • Noise reducing – stone wool reduces the impact of noise produced by pipes, making the indoor environment more comfortable, and aiding concentration and productivity6.
Find ROCKWOOL products
Installing our solutions to prevent piping from heating up can provide one of the best returns on investment, especially when trying to reduce building energy costs and carbon footprints.

Rob Kooiker

ROCKWOOL Group Product Manager

Installation

Our products are designed for easy installation, speeding up application time.

 

Key tips:

  • Gaps and joints in-between sections of insulation can be secured with self-adhesive overlap and special aluminium tape.
  • When insulation needs to be cut precisely, a long-bladed knife or insulation saw will provide a clean and even cut7.
Installation guides for professionals
To be updated
PDF
13.0 MB

HVAC Systems Guide

Download
To be updated
PDF
1.1 MB

HVAC Specification Guide

Download
To be updated
PDF
1.2 MB

RockLap H&V Pipe Section Packaging Guide

Download
To be updated
PDF
1.4 MB

Thickness of ROCKWOOL Insulation

Download

Download our HVAC Systems Guide

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PDF
13.0 MB
21 Sep 2023

The ROCKWOOL HVAC Systems Guide

A comprehensive guide to our full range of HVAC solutions

Financial support

Check the Energy Savings Trust website to see whether there are any financial support schemes available for cold pipe insulation.

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FAQs

What is the best pipe insulation for outside pipes?
At what temperature do pipes freeze?
Does pipe insulation stop condensation?

Other relevant applications

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Insulation

Hot Pipe Insulation

Quality hot pipe insulation can prevent heat loss in HVAC systems and offer fire protection for piping at high temperatures.

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Insulation

HVAC Insulation

HVAC insulation reduces energy loss for central heating systems, piping and ventilation ducts in large constructions.

References

ROCKWOOL Group