PIPES
Right: A modern hospital design will incorporate IPSI on HVAC services. This example shows IPSI being installed at early stages on a large hospital project.
Far right: How heat is transferred to the support system when IPSI are not used.
specification is often missed at new build stage and opportunities for simple retrofit measures in existing hospitals are often neglected. By focusing first on thermal insulation of heating and hot water pipework as a passive energy reduction measure, certain overheating issues may be mitigated without having to adopt further energy consuming measures such as additional air conditioning or ventilation.
Pipe insulation standards There are two key standards pertaining to thermal insulation of pipework and ductwork in the UK:
n BS 5422:2023 (Thermal insulating materials for pipes, tanks, vessels, ductwork and equipment operating within the temperature range -40 °C to +700 °C. Method for specifying)
This standard specifies minimum performance criteria for pipe insulation, including reaction to fire and minimum thermal performance (i.e. maximum W/m heat losses on above ambient pipework). BS 5422 is directly referenced in Approved Document L (conservation of fuel and power) Volumes 1 and 2.
n BS 5970:2012 (Thermal insulation of pipework, ductwork, associated equipment and other industrial installations in the temperature range of -100°C to +870°C. Code of practice)
This is the installation code of practice for the installation or thermal insulation. A new version of BS 5970 is
currently under development, and we are expecting the standard to be publicly available before the end of the year. The standard is wider in range than the ‘industrial installations’ reference in title currently implies, and it is already referenced regularly by M&E Consultants.
The pipe insulation system The three main thermal insulation types we would typically see in a building services environment are flexible elastomeric foam, mineral fibre, and phenolic foam, with mineral fibre and phenolic foam being most prevalent on heating and hot water services. Pipe insulation selection is often driven by factors such as thermal conductivity and reaction to fire, and this should be clearly reflected in specifications. However, the thermal insulation is more than just the pipe section itself – insulated pipe support inserts (IPSI) should also be a key consideration. IPSI are high density thermal insulation products, specifically designed to take the load of the pipe. They isolate the pipe brackets from the pipework and help to prevent heat from transferring into the support system. IPSI need to be installed at the same time as the pipe and brackets – usually by the M&E Contractor or their chosen pipefitter – and therefore represent a trade junction that requires careful co-ordination and early engagement between specialist trades.
Insulation of pipe equipment such as valves is also a consideration. BS 5970 recommends that long spindled valves are used, because these will allow a continual run of insulation through the valve. However, in some instances this may not be possible, and an insulated valve jacket may need to be used.
Thermal Insulation is a recognised trade with an established competence framework. All installation work should be carried out by a suitably competent thermal insulation organisation.
64 Health Estate Journal November 2026
The new build specification case With the standardisation of Hospital 2.0 promised under the New Hospital Programme (NHP), we have a unique opportunity to build in a resilient thermal insulation specification that can counter future overheating issues, vastly reduce whole life carbon and save the NHS millions of pounds in future energy costs. Currently, the thermal insulation system specification is often no more than an afterthought. A general
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
