7/25/2019 GAP.2.4.1 Insulation of Heated Tanks

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GAP Guidel ines A Publication of Global Asset Protection Services

GAP.2.4.1September 1, 2006

 

20 Security Drive, Avon, Connecticut 06001-4226 Copyright© 2006, Global Asset Protection Services

Global Asset Protection Services and its affiliated organizations provide loss prevention surveys and other risk management, business continuity and facility asset

management services. Unless otherwise stated in writing, our personnel, publications, services, and surveys do not address life safety or third party liability issues. The

INSULATION OF HEATED TANKS

INTRODUCTION

Considerable interest has been expressed towards insulating various outdoor tanks, such as firepump suction tanks, thus reducing the heating requirement. Noncombustible insulation is naturallypreferred by Global Asset Protection Services, but the trend is towards using cellular plastics becauseof their excellent insulating characteristics. This section offers some basic guidelines on this subject.

POSITION

Do not use cellular plastics for fire exposure protection or where loss of the insulation could create ahazardous condition such as with cryogenic storage of flammable fluids, or potential overheating of aprocess. In addition, do not use cellular plastics in concentrated process equipment arrays where aflammable liquid or vapor spill is likely. Limit the use of cellular plastics as follows:

• Use prefabricated or laminated panel systems, which encapsulate polyurethane or

polyisocyanurate foam plastics within a metallic envelope. Use cellular plastic with an ASTM E 841 

flame spread of 25 or less in the panel construction. Insulation systems of this type are acceptable

for applications on single tanks or vessels, or on multiple groupings of tanks or vessels.

• Use sprayed-on polyurethanes and polyisocyanurates with a flame spread rating of 25 or less for

applications on single tanks or on tanks separated by a distance equal to 50% of their height.

Sprayed foam plastics on exterior surfaces normally require weathering protection that isachieved by some type of top coating. Coatings listed in the U.L. Roofing Materials And SystemsDirectory

2 under Roof Covering Materials (TEVT), for “Spray Applied Foam and Coating System”

suitable for a Class A rating, will be acceptable. Maximum roof deck inclines may be ignored inthis instance.

DISCUSSION

Cellular plastic insulation could be damaged by transient high temperatures that other insulation couldsurvive, and, as a result, produce an abnormally high property damage loss.

REFERENCES

1. ASTM E 84-2006, Test Method For Surface Burning Characteristics Of Building Materials, American Society for TestingMaterials, West Conshohocken, PA.

2. Roofing Materials And Systems Directory - 1995, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, IL.

 provision of any service is not meant to imply that every possible hazard has been identified at a facility or that no other hazards exist. Global Asset Protection Services and its

affiliated organizations do not assume, and shall have no liability for the control, correction, continuation or modification of any existing conditions or operations. We

speci ically disclaim any warranty or representation that compliance with any advice or recommendation in any document or other communication will make a facility or

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