RETA Breeze Jul-Aug 2025

POWER OF INSULATION

INSULATION OUTLOOK

By Ron King

T he National Insulation Association (NIA) has enthusiastically embraced its partnership with RETA and has enjoyed the opportunity to provide RETA Members with information on mechanical insulation systems through a series of articles in the RETA Breeze. The “Power of Insulation” series initially began with the January/February 2009 issue of the RETA Breeze, and we appreci ate the opportunity to, once again, provide information on mechanical insulation systems. We have discussed many subjects, but nothing is more important than increasing your knowledge of mechanical insulation systems. The column’s ultimate purpose is to educate facility owners, operators, service technicians, engineering firms and contractors in all fields, government agencies, code officials and more on the value of mechanical insulation. This is a technology that should not simply be taken for granted. The discussion as to the value of having clear, concise and complete mechanical insulation specifications; inspecting initial installations; having industry-endorsed application and repair/replacement standards; and maintaining insulation in a timely and proper manner is not new. But the importance of those discussions are more important now than ever before. Education at all levels of facility design and

and include your name and mailing address information. It’s that easy.

management is essential to address the deficit understanding of mechanical insulation systems, especially in below ambient applications. For years, a deficient understanding of mechanical insulation systems and how they can or should be utilized and maintained has been a barrier for the increased use and maintenance of mechanical insulation. RETA has led the way in addressing the need for basic and continuing education on the many aspects of mechanical insulation systems, includ ing how the proper design, installation and maintenance can benefit the refrigeration industry. We extend our appreciation for those efforts and look forward to continu ing our support of the RETA organization. The National Insulation Association (NIA) – www.insulation.org – is the voice of the mechanical insulation industry, and as such we encourage you to continue to stay up to date on news and trends in the mechan ical insulation industry. Your best resource for doing so is Insulation Outlook maga zine. To request your free subscription please email circulation@insulation.org

To the RETA organization nationally, and to the many chapters that have invited us in the past to participate in your meetings, thank you for your leadership, hospitality and friendship. The Insulation Outlook subscription offer is one small way of extending our appreciation. Take advan tage of it and we remain available as your mechanical insulation resource. Thank you! National Insulation Association Ron King passed away in July of 2024, after many years of servant leadership to the National Insulation Association and the insulation industry at-large. He was most recently serving as a Past President/ Consultant for NIA. This article is provided by the NIA as a RETA Member service. Please visit www.insulation.org for more informa tion related to all aspects of mechanical insulation. NIA has provided significant input to the insulation portion of RETA’s Industrial Refrigeration book.

18 RETA.com