Installing HVAC, plumbing, refrigerant or even conduit piping comes with its share of issues. Often, a wrong part or a missing tool can quickly derail an install. If the installation is faulty from the beginning, often bigger problems can occur for the owner later on down the road. Fortunately, Armacell’s Insuguard® pipe support products are designed to protect insulated pipes. Its unique curved-edge design effectively cradles and protects pipes, allowing them to expand and vibrate without damaging insulation. This eliminates problems of rotation, displacement and thermal insulation damages that plague traditional pipe saddles. Insuguard Multi is a versatile pipe saddle that provides all the advantages of Insuguard, and is also compatible with different types of suspension systems. Interchangeable adaptors make Multi compatible with any chosen saddle size on various sizes of struts, H-Beam, I-Beam, steel angles, Clevis hangers and even floor mounts.

Frequent Problems Associated with Inadequate Pipe Suspension Systems

Armacell has a solution for some of the most common problems listed below associated with installing and maintaining pipe systems.

Problem #1

You don’t have the right tools, parts, glue, etc. to complete the installation.

Solution:

Lighten your load and shorten your time up on the ladder because with Insuguard there are no tools or glue. Saddles, supports, etc. can all be installed completely and reliably by hand as they simply “click” in place.

Problem #2

You don’t have the proper parts or the correct sized components to connect the pipe saddles to a given support system.

Solution:

Insuguard Multi clip-on adaptors make it possible to adapt any Insuguard saddle to any type of suspension or mounting system, regardless of size.

Problem #3

Normal pipe movement and expansion has caused conventional saddles to slip out of place, exposing insulation to pressure and compression and causing safety concerns.

Solution:

Hot and cold piping must be allowed to move freely as it expands and contracts. Insuguard is the only pipe support system that fully accommodates this movement without compromising the insulation or displacing the saddle based on design.

Problem #4

Finding space for refrigeration lines, electrical and communication cables within ceiling spaces that are already crowded with other hanging pipe.

Solution:

Use the existing piping support system (and the unused space inside existing Clevis hangers) to install piping or conduit. InsuClip® dual strap pipe fasteners are an inexpensive, time-saving way to fasten refrigeration lines, communications cables, etc., within the open space above the cross-bolt portion of a Clevis hanger. 

Problem #5

Pipe and insulation damage has occurred due to friction caused by undetected water hammer.

Solution:

Detect water hammer issues before costly damage occurs by installing Armacell’s ShockTech® magnetic shock detectors. These simple yet ingeniously designed devices fit right into bottom compartment of the Insuguard Multi pipe support. When a shock event occurs, the “swinging flag” detectors drop down to visually alert facility personal that a hammer condition exists.

Advantages to Armacell’s Solutions

Insuguard provides solutions to problems of falling saddles, condensing mold growth, thawing and condensation, refrigerant leaks, insulation tear-off and inefficient labor and material use. Insuguard is also UL listed in the US (UL-723 (ASTM E84) and ULC listed in Canada (ULC-S102.2). There are also many advantages to using Insuguard versus a traditional pipe saddle. Insuguard and Multi prevent thermal bridging, which eliminates condensation from forming on the pipe. Its unique design supports the piping while protecting the insulation from damage and compression. Installing Insuguard is quick and easy saving time during installation. On top of that, Insuguard products save time later down the road by avoid problems initially.