← All standards & equipment
Insulation & Refractory

Cold Insulation — Polyisocyanurate (PIR) / PUR Foam

Rigid PIR / PUR foam insulation for refrigerated & cold service (down to ~ –180 °C).

Category
Insulation & Refractory
Subcategory
Cold / Cryogenic Insulation
Applicable standards
5
Issuing bodies
4

Description

Rigid PIR / PUR foam insulation for refrigerated & cold service (down to ~ –180 °C).

Applicable Standards (5)

ASTM — 2 standards

ASTM C591 Unfaced Preformed Rigid Cellular Polyisocyanurate Thermal Insulation
Edition: C591-23 Region: USA, Global
Rigid PIR/PUR insulation for pipes and equipment, typically −180 °C to +120 °C.
Key requirements (7)
  • Polyisocyanurate (PIR) rigid cellular foam insulation.
  • Service temperature: –183 °C to +149 °C.
  • Thermal conductivity: ~0.022 W/m·K at 24 °C (initial); ~0.026 aged.
  • Closed-cell, low water absorption.
  • Density: 32–50 kg/m³ typical; 40–96 kg/m³ for higher compressive grades.
  • Used widely for refrigerated piping, LPG/ammonia storage tank base insulation.
  • Combustible — needs fire protection in high-risk areas.
ASTM C585 Inner and Outer Diameters of Thermal Insulation for Nominal Sizes of Pipe and Tubing
Edition: C585-10 (R2021) Region: USA, Global
Standardized pipe-insulation sizing tables.

CINI — 1 standard

CINI Manual Insulation for Industries (CINI Manual)
Edition: Living manual Region: Europe, Global
Dutch industrial insulation manual — hot, cold, cryogenic, fire-protection, personnel-protection. Widely adopted across Europe and global EPC projects.
Key requirements (6)
  • Dutch / European specification for industrial insulation manual.
  • Sheet 2.1.01 onward: design data for hot insulation.
  • Sheet 3.1.01 onward: cold insulation including cryogenic.
  • Vapor barrier integrity test methods for cold service.
  • Materials: cellular glass, PIR, mineral wool, aerogel guidance.
  • Joint sealing details for cold insulation continuity.

BSI — 1 standard

BS 5970 Code of practice for thermal insulation of pipework, ductwork, vessels and equipment in the temperature range −100 °C to +870 °C
Edition: 2012 Region: UK, Global
Application code for hot and cold thermal insulation in industrial service.
Key requirements (6)
  • Code of practice for thermal insulation of pipework, ducts, vessels.
  • Covers hot insulation, cold insulation, personnel protection, frost protection.
  • Thickness selection charts based on heat loss / surface temperature targets.
  • Vapor barrier requirements for cold service detailed.
  • Cladding / metal jacketing specifications.
  • Personnel protection target: surface temperature ≤ 60 °C.

BIS — 1 standard

IS 14164 Industrial Insulation Work — Code of Practice
Edition: 2008 (R2018) Region: India
Indian application code for industrial insulation (hot and cold).