ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 24
TECHNICAL FEATURE
PHOTO 1 Pipe section left unsealed.
PHOTO 2 Insulator failed to seal top seam.
Controlling Condensation
On CWP Insulation
BY ED LIGHT, MEMBER ASHRAE; JAMES BAILEY, P.E., MEMBER ASHRAE; AND ROGER GAY
Although pipe sweating is the major source of dampness and mold growth in many
buildings, control efforts during renovation and maintenance are often ineffective.
Condensation from chilled water piping (CWP) is generally overlooked because it is
hidden behind ceilings and walls or in mechanical spaces. Sweating occurs where
there are insulation deficiencies.
Cooling is provided by a central plant in approximately
15% of commercial building floor space in the U.S., with
cold water distributed to terminal units in occupied
spaces through CWP. Buildings with CWP are used for
offices, education, health care, shops, public assembly,
lodging and storage.1 Mechanical equipment conveying
chilled water (i.e., pipes, fittings, tanks) is insulated to
improve thermal efficiency and to control condensation.2
The most common types of CWP insulation consist of
resin-bonded fiberglass with a foil and Kraft paper vapor
barrier or closed-cell elastomeric rubber material. Other
insulating products are available with higher moisture
resistance, but are beyond the scope of this study.
Condensation forms where insulation is missing or
insufficient, or vapor barriers are not fully sealed (Photos
1 and 2). Condensation wets the insulation and this
moisture can wick through fibrous pipe insulation for
considerable distances. During the construction process,
new insulation is often not inspected closely and thus,
insulating deficiencies are often not repaired. As the
building ages, insulation deteriorates and/or also can be
damaged during repair work by maintenance personnel
or renovation by contractors.
Energy codes generally dictate minimum insulation
thickness. The amount of insulation needed to avoid
condensation on outer surfaces is also an important consideration. Insulation design calculations are based on
keeping surface temperature above the dew point temperature of surrounding air at a specified pipe temperature and space humidity.3 When insulation thickness
Ed Light is president, James Bailey, P.E., is vice president and Roger Gay is senior industrial hygienist at Building Dynamics, LLC, Ashton, Md.
24
ASHRAE JOURNAL
ashrae.org
D ECEM BER 2014
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal - December 2014
Contents
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - Intro
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - Cover1
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - Cover2
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 1
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 2
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - Contents
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 4
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 5
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 6
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 7
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 8
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 9
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 10
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 11
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 12
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 13
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 14
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 15
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 16
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 17
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 18
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 19
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 20
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 21
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 22
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 23
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 24
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 25
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 26
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 27
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 28
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 29
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 30
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 31
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 32
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 33
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 34
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 35
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 36
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 37
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 38
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 39
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 40
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 41
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 42
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 43
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 44
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 45
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 46
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 47
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 48
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 49
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 50
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 51
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 52
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 53
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 54
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 55
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 56
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 57
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 58
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 59
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 60
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 61
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 62
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 63
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 64
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 65
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 66
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 67
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 68
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 69
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 70
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 71
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 72
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 73
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 74
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 75
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 76
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 77
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 78
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 79
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 80
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 81
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 82
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 83
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 84
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 85
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 86
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 87
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 88
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 89
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 90
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 91
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 92
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 93
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 94
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 95
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 96
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 97
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 98
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 99
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 100
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 101
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 102
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 103
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 104
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 105
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 106
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 107
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 108
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 109
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 110
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 111
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 112
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 113
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 114
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 115
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 116
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 117
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 118
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 119
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 120
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 121
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 122
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 123
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 124
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 125
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 126
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 127
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 128
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 129
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 130
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 131
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 132
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 133
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 134
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 135
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 136
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 137
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 138
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 139
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 140
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 141
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 142
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 143
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 144
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 145
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 146
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 147
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 148
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 149
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 150
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 151
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - 152
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - Cover3
ASHRAE Journal - December 2014 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_MCDEBX
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_WNYSQY
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_XATVOD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_FJSHSS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_CCBZDS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_XDEFVG
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2023november_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2023november
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_VHGNBL
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_WPKBNJ
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_UUVCDE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_RTGDEW
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraemexico_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_LKRFXS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_AZSOFG
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_ERCDBH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_QWDFRV
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_JHGVDF
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_OPUYHG
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_SREIBM
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_LRTGLK
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_OKRFGH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2022november_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2022november
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_TZSERA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_LVRUIX
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_RPTVYZ
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/mini_pub_catalog
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_XIYTGD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraemexico_2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_RFGDOB
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_PABXNU
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_REMKLS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_PICVBT
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_AOYTVW
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_JQOPLS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_IOYTBC
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_SGAJJF
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_IGHYER
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_PDRKLS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2021november
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2021november_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_XCODFR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_QSLFGO
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_ILKVNM
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraemexico_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_OPDJKD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_VJKSRY
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_SDHUTC
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_JPPKRR
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_SDLTTH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_CKLLES
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_SLDOX
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_HJETUK
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_OLUHGE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2020october
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2020october_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_ZERDGH
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_QVMNEO
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_RTPOKE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_BBATRE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_STUBMW
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_TPEMPE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_JNMKDS
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_FBTTPA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_WQMMNE
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_TVBRYN
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_showguide2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_KTUZMA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_ABEDGD
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2019septmeber_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2019september
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_2019april
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_2019march
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_showguide2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_2018december
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_2018november
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2018fall_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_2018october
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraemexico_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraeinsights_201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2017fall_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashrae_meetinginsert_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2016fall_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_acrexindia
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2015summer_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_amca_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/amca/2014summer2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/amca/2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_acma_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_acmasupp_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/pubcatalog_2013winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/achr_expo_mexico2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201208_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201208_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/pubcatalog_2012summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/pubcatalog_2012winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201111_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/ashraejournal_201109_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/pubcatalog_2011summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ashrae/meetingplanner_201103
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com