Preformed, tube lagging is the most convenient and effective way to insulate pipes. Most products are suitable for various pipe diameters. Although they will need to be cut to the required length, new products are easy to cut and fabricate, so you will still realise significant savings on installation time. The benefits far outweigh any labour required.

Lagging not only enhances the safety and comfort of building occupants, proper installation will ensure essential plumbing systems are working efficiently and protected from the elements. Among many benefits, lagging helps to conserve heat in pipes, avoid condensation and also forms a vapour barrier, resisting water vapour transmission.

When copper pipe is exposed to the elements, the pipe temperature will fluctuate based on external influences and the efficiency of water heating and cooling will suffer. Using a product such as Thermobreak lagging will ensure pipes keep water temperatures even and are ready to heat or cool at any moment. The Thermobreak product is supplied in 2 metre lengths for quick installation, is clean and doesn’t create mess onsite like polystyrene.

For extra outdoor protection, Thermobreak No-Clad is one of the toughest products on the market. We advise customers to use Thermobreak No-Clad for rooftop installations, when a high resistance to corrosion, weather and UV is required. The exterior is reinforced to maintain puncture resistance from birds and other elements that would otherwise destroy conventional lagging.

Adding lagging to pipework is a necessity to conform with national standards in fire safety and building regulations around noise. While thermal insulation has some acoustic properties, and some products can manage both heat and noise transmission, you may find the need to use sound lagging for specific acoustic applications.

Acoustic or sound lagging is essential in the construction of multi-level buildings to ensure sound from pipework is transmitted with the least amount of noise possible. Even when using acoustic piping, which may be 5-7ml thick, consultants specify the use of sound lagging to achieve acceptable sound levels.

Water flow can be turbulent and the aim is to reduce pipe-wall vibrations to a minimum. More vibration also means more wear and tear, so lagging not only brings a reduction in sound, it can also contribute to a longer life-span of the pipework. Sound lagging comes in different performance grades, so you can choose based on the building requirements.

A product such as Pyrotek Soundlag 4525C from ACURA Group gives a cost effective way to reduce waste noise by up to 25 dBA when installed correctly. Superior sound absorption delivers an excellent acoustic performance due to the highly flexible and dense mass layer. This product can easily be cut and formed to any shape or bend, eliminating potential flanking noise through the joints and overlaps.

As we have explained, pipe insulation is a major consideration for compliance, safety and efficiency. With the ever-increasing focus on Green Star rated construction, this is one way the plumbing trade can contribute. Lagging can reduce the impact of climate change and enhance the health and quality of life for building occupants.