The most important reasons for insulation in shipping are:
Protection against fire:
- Fire hazards in engine rooms through oil injectors coming into contact with hot exhaust pipes.
- Insulation regulations by order of the shipping inspectorate and insurance companies.
Improving the working conditions of crew:
- Preventing burn hazards through coming into contact with hot pipes and ancillaries.
- Reducing the ambient temperature.
Controlling the temperature of the cargo:
- When products in transport must not condensate, solidify or vaporise, insulation is of vital importance.
- Steam pressure and temperature are directly dependent on each other. If too much energy is lost, the requisite steam pressure level
will not be attained and more stoking will be required. Insulation contributes directly to energy savings.
In the shipping industry, insulation must meet 3 requirements:
- It should be possible to insulate parts easily and quickly because stationary ships cost money
- Insulation must be removable and easy to refit so that crew can access the insulated parts for maintenance and repairs during
the voyage.
- Insulation must be effective.