EDITORIAL REVISION

May 2008

Process Industry Practices

Insulation

PIP INSA1000
Acoustic Insulation Systems Specification
 PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES

In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has
been prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major
industrial users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these technical
requirements into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, and engineering
costs to both the purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While this Practice
is expected to incorporate the majority of requirements of most users, individual
applications may involve requirements that will be appended to and take precedence
over this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness for purpose and particular matters
or application of the Practice to particular project or engineering situations should not
be made solely on information contained in these materials. The use of trade names
from time to time should not be viewed as an expression of preference but rather
recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having the same specifications
are equally correct and may be substituted for those named. All Practices or guidelines
are intended to be consistent with applicable laws and regulations including OSHA
requirements. To the extent these Practices or guidelines should conflict with OSHA or
other applicable laws or regulations, such laws or regulations must be followed.
Consult an appropriate professional before applying or acting on any material
contained in or suggested by the Practice.

This Practice is subject to revision at any time by the responsible Function Team and will
be reviewed every 5 years. This Practice will be revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn.
Information on whether this Practice has been revised may be found at www.pip.org.

© Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute, The

University of Texas at Austin, 3925 West Braker Lane (R4500), Austin,
Texas 78759. PIP member companies and subscribers may copy this Practice
for their internal use. Changes, overlays, addenda, or modifications of any
kind are not permitted within any PIP Practice without the express written
authorization of PIP.

PIP will not consider requests for interpretations (inquiries) for this Practice.
PRINTING HISTORY
March 2001 Issued February 2007 Editorial Revision
June 2006 Complete Revision May 2008 Editorial Revision

Not printed with State funds

 EDITORIAL REVISION
May 2008

Process Industry Practices

Insulation

PIP INSA1000
Acoustic Insulation Systems Specification
Table of Contents
INSA1003 – Piping – Sheet and Mastic
1. Introduction................................. 2 Barrier Layer Attachment
1.1 Purpose............................................ 2 INSA1004 – General Arrangement –
1.2 Scope ............................................... 2 Piping Insulation
INSA1005 – Piping – Flange Insulation
2. References .................................. 2 INSA1006 – Valves without Extended
2.1 Process Industry Practices .............. 2 Bonnets

3. Definitions ................................... 2
4. Requirements.............................. 3
4.1 Acoustic Insulation – General
Design Information........................... 3
4.2 Installation of the Absorptive
Layer ................................................ 5
4.3. Installation of the Barrier Layer ........ 5
4.4 Data Sheets ..................................... 7
4.5 Inspection......................................... 7
4.6 Documentation................................. 7

Data Forms
INSA1000-D1 – Documentation
Requirements Sheet

List of Details
INSA1001 – Various Acoustic Insulation
Configurations
INSA1002 – Piping – Layer Staggering &
Overlapping of Absorptive Barrier

Process Industry Practices Page 1 of 7

PIP INSA1000 EDITORIAL REVISION
Acoustic Insulation Systems Specification May 2008

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose
This Practice provides requirements for acoustic insulation systems.

1.2 Scope
This Practice describes the requirements for the design, application, and extent of
acoustic insulation on piping and equipment operating at high and low
temperatures. Systems requiring additional insulation specifications beyond PIP
Practices shall be covered by purchaser’s documentation.
Listing of or reference to supporting documents within this Practice does not
imply suitability for specific designs.
Comment: Use of this Practice for contractual purposes requires the
purchaser to make specific choices and assemble additional
supporting documents.

2. References
Applicable parts of the following Practices should be considered an integral part of this
Practice. The edition in effect on the date of contract award should be used, except as
otherwise noted. Short titles will be used herein where appropriate.

2.1 Process Industry Practices (PIP)

– PIP INEG1000 - Insulation Design and Type Codes
– PIP INTG1000 - Insulation Inspection Checklist
– PIP INSC1000 - Requirements for Cold Service Insulation Materials
– PIP INSH1000 - Hot Service Insulation Materials and Installation
Specification
– PIP INSA1001 - Various Acoustic Insulation Configurations
– PIP INSA1002 - Piping-Layer Staggering and Overlapping of Absorptive
Barrier
– PIP INSA1003 - Piping-Sheet and Mastic Barrier Layer Attachment
– PIP INSA1004 - General Arrangement - Piping Insulation
– PIP INSA1005 - Piping-Flange Insulation
– PIP INSA1006 - Valves without Extended Bonnets

3. Definitions
absorptive layer: Porous, resilient, low-density (48 to 128 kg/m³) (3 to 8 lb/ft³) material
such as glass or mineral fiber applied to a sound-radiating surface to absorb sound

outer barrier layer: Impermeable, dense material such as loaded vinyl, elastomer, or
mastic installed over the absorptive layer to provide a sound barrier

Page 2 of 7 Process Industry Practices

EDITORIAL REVISION PIP INSA1000
May 2008 Acoustic Insulation Systems Specification

acoustic insulation: Insulation that attenuates acoustic energy radiating from surfaces by
absorption and containment. Acoustic insulation can be used to reduce surface radiation
from many different types of piping and equipment and to comply with regulatory
requirements. Acoustic insulation is composed of a resilient sound-absorptive layer and
an outer-barrier layer applied to noise-radiating surfaces.

transmission loss: Reduction in magnitude between the incident and transmitted sound
for a given acoustic material

Noise Reduction (NR): Difference in noise, also known as sound pressure level, at a given
point before and after acoustic treatment, measured in dBA

4. Requirements

4.1 Acoustic Insulation – General Design Information

4.1.1 The acoustic insulation type code is AC as defined in PIP INEG1000.
4.1.2 The general requirements for design and installation of insulation
contained in PIP INEG1000 and PIP INSH1000 shall be followed.
4.1.3 Additional acoustic insulation type codes shall be required if two or more
combinations of materials, layers, thicknesses, absorptive layers, or
thermal designs are required.
4.1.4 Acoustic insulation is normally composed of a resilient sound-absorptive
layer and an outer-barrier layer applied to noise-radiating surfaces.
4.1.5 Different combinations of absorptive layers, barrier layers, thermal
insulation, and weatherproof finishes can be used.
Comment: PIP INSA1001 illustrates possible combinations.
4.1.6 The ultimate goal for installing acoustic insulation is to obtain a
satisfactory noise reduction. In designing acoustic insulation treatments,
care shall be taken to ensure that the absorptive layer adequately isolates
the outer-barrier layer from surface vibrations at the frequencies of
interest, which is the key factor in obtaining the required noise reductions
at low frequencies.
4.1.7 The best material combination shall be one in which the transmission
loss properties are matched to the sound spectrum of the source
(i.e., attenuation is highest at the frequency having the highest sound
pressure level.).
Comment: A method of matching material properties to the noise to
be controlled is to use laboratory test results of noise
reduction for various insulation systems and field
measurements of the sound to be reduced.
4.1.8 The following are general rules for predicting noise reduction that may
be expected in actual field installations:

Process Industry Practices Page 3 of 7

PIP INSA1000 EDITORIAL REVISION
Acoustic Insulation Systems Specification May 2008

a. Normal thermal insulation systems or acoustic insulation with

absorptive and standard weatherproof finish layer only: 5 dBA to
7 dBA
b. Acoustic insulation with absorptive, barrier, and weatherproof
finish layers or thermal insulation with absorptive, outer barrier,
and weatherproof finish layers: 7 dBA to 11 dBA
c. Multiple layers of absorptive and barrier material (two layers
each) where it is known that all relevant radiating surfaces are
covered, the outer barrier layer is adequately isolated from the
vibrating surface and the system is completely sealed: 11 dBA to
15 dBA
Comment: These values assume that background noise has
been compensated for and that the dominant
noise is not at or below 250 Hz.
4.1.9 If the noise reduction properties cannot be rigorously matched to the
noise source, the following rules may be used:
a. If the peak octave band sound pressure level is above 1000 Hz,
use a 25 mm thick (1-inch) absorptive layer.
b. If the peak octave band sound pressure level is between 250 Hz
and 999 Hz, use a 50 mm thick (2-inch) absorptive layer.
c. Use a nominal 2.4 kg/m² (0.5 lb/ft2) outer barrier layer if the
peak octave band sound pressure level is at or above 2000 Hz.
d. Use a nominal 7.3 kg/m² (1.5 lb/ft2) outer barrier layer if the
peak octave band sound pressure level is below 2000 Hz.
4.1.10 If insulation is required for reasons other than for acoustic control, the
appropriate thickness table in PIP INEG1000 shall be used to determine
the minimum insulation thickness. Acoustic requirements may call for
additional thickness.
4.1.11 For cold service installations, the complete thermal system shall be
applied according to the appropriate PIP cold service Practice before any
acoustic absorptive material is applied.
4.1.11.1 Alternatively, the acoustic absorptive layer may be applied
before the complete cold service thermal system is applied,
followed by the outer barrier layer.
4.1.11.2 The complete thermal system shall be applied according to the
appropriate PIP cold service Practice.
4.1.12 For hot service, the acoustic absorptive material may be applied directly
to the piping or equipment if its maximum service temperature is not
exceeded.
4.1.12.1 If surface temperatures exceed allowable service temperatures
of the selected absorptive layer, a layer of appropriate thermal
insulation shall be applied to reduce the interface temperature to
within the range of the selected absorptive layer.

Page 4 of 7 Process Industry Practices

EDITORIAL REVISION PIP INSA1000
May 2008 Acoustic Insulation Systems Specification

4.1.12.2 The thermal-insulating properties of the absorptive layer may be

utilized to minimize overall insulation thickness.
4.1.13 An acoustic absorptive layer may be applied directly over existing
thermal insulation without modification to the thermal system. Hangars
or other supports shall be covered with the absorptive material.

4.2 Installation of the Absorptive Layer

4.2.1 Acoustic insulation shall cover all relevant radiating surfaces and shall be
acoustically sealed.
Comment: Acoustic sealing means the insulating materials are free
from gaps or open areas, which permit leakage of
undiminished noise from the surface being insulated.
Leaks can render acoustic insulation treatments
ineffective.
4.2.2 All joints and interruptions of outer-barrier material at protrusions such
as valve bonnets, hangers, etc., shall be sealed.
Comment: PIP INSA1004 shows the general arrangement for
acoustic insulation applied to piping. PIP INSA1005
shows the acoustic insulation of piping flanges, and
PIP INSA1006 shows the acoustic insulation of valves
without extended bonnets.
4.2.3 Unless otherwise specified, all surfaces shall be covered, including valve
bodies, flanges, fittings, supports, etc., on the piping or equipment to be
acoustically insulated.
Comment: PIP INSA1002 shows the installation detail of the
absorptive layer.

4.3. Installation of the Barrier Layer

4.3.1 When specified, a barrier layer shall be applied over all absorptive layer
surfaces. The barrier layer shall be an impervious, dense sheet material
or loaded mastic and shall not contain lead.
4.3.2 Sheet barrier materials shall be applied in a watershed fashion and
stagger all joints of barrier material and absorptive material.
4.3.2.1 Circumferential and longitudinal joints of sheet barrier material
shall be overlapped a minimum of 50 mm (2 inches).
4.3.2.2 On horizontal transitions between sheet barrier material and
loaded mastics, sheet material shall be extended a minimum of
50 mm (2 inches) over the mastic.
4.3.2.3 If sheet barrier is applied after mastic has dried or if adhesion
between sheet and mastic is in doubt, a suitable joint sealer shall
be applied in the overlap area between sheet barrier and mastic.
4.3.2.4 On vertical transitions, mastic shall be extended 50 mm
(2 inches) over the sheet material to provide proper watershed.

Process Industry Practices Page 5 of 7

PIP INSA1000 EDITORIAL REVISION
Acoustic Insulation Systems Specification May 2008

4.3.2.5 All sheet barrier materials shall be applied in an airtight, gapless

fashion.
4.3.3 The continuity of the barrier layer shall not be broken. If it is impossible
to fit the entire specified thickness of absorptive and barrier layers, the
thickness of the absorptive layer may be decreased to provide clearance.
4.3.4 On sheet barrier materials and vinyl or elastomeric barrier materials over
which an additional weatherproof finish is to be applied, bands, wire,
tape, or adhesive bonding shall all be acceptable means of attachment.
4.3.5 If vinyl or elastomeric sheet material is the finished surface, bands shall
be used for attachment.
4.3.5.1 If metallic jacket and barrier material laminate is to be applied,
bands shall be used for attachment.
4.3.5.2 All joints in the laminate shall be sealed with a suitable joint
sealer to ensure an airtight installation.
4.3.5.3 To ensure gapless joints on vinyl or elastomeric sheet
applications, all joints shall be adhesively bonded.
4.3.5.4 Sheet metal screws shall not be used on vinyl or elastomeric
sheet barrier materials.
Comment: PIP INSA1003 shows the barrier layer
attachment detail.
4.3.6 Loaded mastic shall be applied directly to absorptive materials and
reinforced with glass cloth following the manufacturer’s recommended
procedures.
4.3.6.1 Conflicts between this Practice and the manufacturer’s
recommended procedure shall be submitted in writing to
Purchaser for clarification and resolution before proceeding with
the installation.
4.3.6.2 A tack coat of mastic shall be applied to approximately half the
desired finish thickness with sufficient pressure to assure
impregnation of the absorptive layer.
4.3.6.3 Reinforcing fabric shall be embedded in the wet tack coat, and
then the final coat shall be applied to the specified wet thickness.
4.3.6.4 Adjacent pieces of reinforcing fabric shall be lapped a minimum
of 50 mm (2 inches).
4.3.6.5 The installed reinforcing fabric shall be free of wrinkles and
protruding edges.
4.3.6.6 In multiple coat applications, the reinforcing fabric shall be
applied to the middle coating.
4.3.7 Barrier layer applications of loaded vinyl or elastomers can be left
unfinished if all lap joints are adhesively bonded, and the insulated item
is not exposed to direct sunlight or the weather. If such layers are so

Page 6 of 7 Process Industry Practices

EDITORIAL REVISION PIP INSA1000
May 2008 Acoustic Insulation Systems Specification

exposed, an additional weatherproof finish cover shall be required over

vinyl and elastomer barrier materials.
4.3.8 A 6 mm (1/4-inch) bead of caulking compound shall be applied to all
joints in the outer weatherproof finish to prevent acoustic leakage or
moisture penetration.
Comment: Examples include any interruptions of the weatherproof finish
or barrier layer at joints or between finish or barrier layers and
protrusions such as valve bonnets, hangers, and instrument
connections.
4.3.9 Caulk shall be applied to all removable cover joints.

4.4 Data Sheets

Project specific requirements for acoustic insulation on piping and equipment
shall be specified on the purchaser’s data sheet(s) contained in PIP INSH1000 or
PIP INSC1000.

4.5 Inspection
Inspection of acoustic insulation shall be in accordance with PIP INTG1000.

4.6 Documentation
Documents required to define the scope of work shall be listed on Documentation
Requirements Sheet PIP INSA1000-D1.

Process Industry Practices Page 7 of 7

 PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES
INSA1001
ACOUSTIC INSULATION INSTALLATION DETAILS DATE 02-23-07

PAGE 1 OF 1
VARIOUS ACOUSTIC
INSULATION CONFIGURATIONS INSA1001

ABSORPTIVE ABSORPTIVE

LAYER LAYER

FINISH

PIPE PIPE

OUTER BARRIER

FIGURE 1A: FIGURE 1B: LAYER

ABSORPTIVE LAYER ONLY ABSORPTIVE AND

OUTER BARRIER LAYERS

OUTER BARRIER OUTER BARRIER

ABSORPTIVE
ABSORPTIVE LAYERS LAYER
LAYER
LAYERS

FINISH

PIPE PIPE

THERMAL FINISH ON DUAL

INSULATION AND COLD SERVICE

FIGURE 1C:
APPLICATIONS
MULTIPLE ABSORPTIVE/ FIGURE 1D:
OUTER BARRIER LAYERS
THERMAL/ ABSORPTIVE/
OUTER BARRIER LAYERS

OUTER BARRIER
THERMAL LAYERS
INSULATION
FINISH ON DUAL
AND COLD SERVICE
APPLICATIONS

FINISH

FIGURE 1E:
PIPE
ABSORPTIVE / THERMAL /
OUTER BARRIER LAYERS
ABSORPTIVE
LAYER

DIMENSIONS ARE GIVEN IN METRIC - MILLIMETERS. IMPERIAL DIMENSIONS

IN PARENTHESES ARE IN FEET AND/OR INCHES, UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE

 PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES
INSA1002
ABSORPTIVE/BARRIER INSTALLATION DETAILS DATE 02-23-07

PAGE 1 OF 1

PIPING-LAYER STAGGERING & OVERLAPPING

OF ABSORPTIVE BARRIER INSA1002

STAGGER JOINTS OF BARRIER LAYERS

AND ABSORPTIVE LAYERS

OVERLAPING CIRCUMFERENTIAL AND

LONGITUDINAL JOINTS OF BARRIER

LAYER 50 (2") MINIMUM

BARRIER LAYER

ABSORPTIVE LAYER

DIMENSIONS ARE GIVEN IN METRIC - MILLIMETERS. IMPERIAL DIMENSIONS

IN PARENTHESES ARE IN FEET AND/OR INCHES, UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE

 PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES
INSA1003
SHEET & MASTIC BARRIER INSTALLATION DETAILS
DATE 02-23-07

PAGE 1 OF 1
PIPING-SHEET AND MASTIC BARRIER
LAYER ATTACHMENT INSA1003

BARRIER LAYER

(LOADED MASTIC)
OVERLAP SHEET MATERIAL

50 (2") MINIMUM OVER MASTIC

ON HORIZONTAL RUNS

TAPE OR ADHESIVE BOND JOINTS

OF FLEXIBLE SHEET BARRIER MATERIAL.

BANDS OR WIRE (WIRE NOT ACCEPTABLE

WHEN NO FINISH TO BE APPLIED) MAY BE
USED TO SUPPORT BARRIER LAYER
WHEN NECESSARY.

BARRIER LAYER

(SHEET MATERIAL)

ABSORPTIVE LAYER

OVERLAP MASTIC

50 (2") MINIMUM
OVER SHEET MATERIALS
IN VERTICAL RUNS

DIMENSIONS ARE GIVEN IN METRIC - MILLIMETERS. IMPERIAL DIMENSIONS

IN PARENTHESES ARE IN FEET AND/OR INCHES, UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE

 PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES
INSA1004
ACOUSTIC INSULATION INSTALLATION DETAILS
DATE 02-23-07

PAGE 1 OF 1
GENERAL ARRANGEMENT - PIPING INSULATION
INSA1004

SOUND
ABSORBANT
INSULATION
FOR PIPE TEE

ACOUSTIC BARRIER

SUPPORT RING

PIPE INSULATION
SOUND SECUREMENT
ABSORBANT
INSULATION BAND

WEATHERPROOF JACKETING

VERTICAL PIPE
SOUND
ABSORBANT
INSULATION

VERTICAL INSULATION
SUPPORT RING

(SEE INIC0003/04)

SOUND
ABSORBANT
INSULATION
FOR ELBOW

(MITERED OR
PRE-FORMED)
BAND

ACOUSTIC BARRIER SUPPORT RING

WEATHERPROOF JACKETING

DIMENSIONS ARE GIVEN IN METRIC - MILLIMETERS. IMPERIAL DIMENSIONS

IN PARENTHESES ARE IN FEET AND/OR INCHES, UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE

 PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES
INSA1005
ACOUSTIC INSULATION INSTALLATION DETAILS DATE 02-23-07

PAGE 1 OF 1

PIPING-FLANGE INSULATION
INSA1005

WEATHERPROOF JACKETING

BAND (TYPICAL)
ACOUSTIC
BARRIER

MULTI-LAYER
SEE DETAIL 1

ACOUSTIC BARRIER
STUD LENGTH PLUS 25 (1")
SOUND
ABSORBANT
(BOTH SIDES OF FLANGE)
INSULATION

ABSORPTIVE LAYER

THERMAL INSULATION

ACOUSTIC BARRIER

DETAIL 1
WEATHERPROOF JACKETING
MULTI-LAYER

DIMENSIONS ARE GIVEN IN METRIC - MILLIMETERS. IMPERIAL DIMENSIONS

IN PARENTHESES ARE IN FEET AND/OR INCHES, UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE

 PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES
INSA1006
ACOUSTIC INSULATION INSTALLATION DETAILS
DATE 02-23-07

PAGE 1 OF 1

VALVES WITHOUT EXTENDED BONNETS

INSA1006

ACOUSTIC
CAULK

ACOUSTIC BARRIER
WEATHERPROOF JACKETING

SOUND
BANDS (TYP) STUD LENGTH
ABSORBANT
INSULATION PLUS 25 (1") MIN

DIMENSIONS ARE GIVEN IN METRIC - MILLIMETERS. IMPERIAL DIMENSIONS

IN PARENTHESES ARE IN FEET AND/OR INCHES, UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE

 ASSOC. PIP: DOCUMENTATION
INSA1000 REQUIREMENTS SHEET PIP INSA1000-D1

PAGE 1 OF 1
ACOUSTIC INSULATION SYSTEMS SPECIFICATION MAY 2008

NO. DATE REVISION DESCRIPTION BY CHECKED APPROVED

PROJECT NO. PROJECT DOCUMENT NO.

FACILITY NAME
LOCATION

NUMBER TITLE REV DATE NOTES

INSA1000 ACOUSTIC INSULATION SYSTEMS SPECIFICATION
INSC1000 COLD SERVICE INSULATION MATERIALS AND INSTALLATION
SPECIFICATION
INSH1000 HOT SERVICE INSULATION MATERIALS AND INSTALLATION
SPECIFICATION
INTG1000 INSULATION INSPECTION CHECKLIST

ACOUSTIC INSULATION INSTALLATION DETAILS

INSA1001 YES NO VARIOUS ACOUSTIC INSULATION
CONFIGURATIONS
INSA1002 YES NO PIPING – LAYER STAGGERING &
OVERLAPPING OF ABSORPTIVE
BARRIER
INSA1003 YES NO PIPING – SHEET AND MASTIC BARRIER
LAYER ATTACHMENT
INSA1004 YES NO GENERAL ARRANGEMENT – PIPING
INSULATION
INSA1005 YES NO PIPING – FLANGE INSULATION
INSA1006 YES NO VALVES WITHOUT EXTENDED BONNETS
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
NOTES: