ALEX HILL | INSULATION STANDARD Elevating insulation The revised insulation standard BS 5422:2023 will minimise heat loss in pipework and contribute to fire safety. Whitecodes Alex Hill summarises the main changes and outlines their regulatory impact T ALEX HILL managing director at Whitecode, worked with the BSI on revising BS 5422:2023 he revised BS 5422:2023 standard is a regulatory milestone, providing methods for specifying thermal insulating materials used in pipes, tanks, vessels, ductwork, and equipment operating within the temperature range of -40C to +=700C. It is essential the industry understands the impact of the updated legislation and what it must do to prepare for the changes. The full revision reflects the latest advances in thermal insulating materials and aligns with the evolving energy landscape. Its objective is to update insulation types and performance levels to those that currently dominate the market. The revised standard offers improved insulation options, and anticipates a greater future contribution from district heating systems. It also gives greater clarity on insulation fire performance, marking a departure from the former British fire classification method to bring British standards in line with more robust European ones. The standard gives a more comprehensive assessment of materials behaviour when exposed to fire, and states a minimum performance of Euroclass C-s3 d2 in dwelling applications and B-s3 d2 in non-dwelling applications. The legislation offers greater clarity than the previous edition. Tables have been simplified, removing thermal conductivity values for materials that are no longer supplied or rarely used. The revision also introduces the use of less than or equal to values for all pipe sizes, reducing the need for interpolation and increasing overall thermal efficiency. The updated standards for thermal insulating materials will have very limited effect on refrigeration and air conditioning applications, but there are major changes where heating is concerned. Perhaps the most significant is the impact of BS 5422:2023 on limiting heat losses and gains. The standard provides a method for compliance in limiting heat losses and gains from building services, and is referenced in Building Regulations Merged Approved Documents, Approved Document L Volume 1 and Volume 2. Consequently, it is likely to become the minimum standard in the future. The revised standard complements others, such as CIBSE CP1 Heat networks: Code of Practice for the UK (2020). For heating, it gives the consultant or specifier an option to have an enhanced insulation standard to substantially limit heat loss. Enhanced insulation thicknesses have been captured from the legacy Energy Technology List/Capital Allowances levels, offering further enhancements and aligning with other emerging pipework insulation standards. The revision enforces stringent heat loss standards, which will prove beneficial to district heating. As district heating relies on a network of insulated pipes, industry must familiarise itself with BS 5422:2023, as relevant organisations will be impacted by the changes. Organisations and their clients should consider carrying out a gap analysis to assess if their business meets the requirements of the new standard. BS 5422:2023, which is available at bit.ly/CJBS5422 is a significant step towards energy efficiency, safety and sustainability within the industry. Flexible and Efficient Nozzle Diffusers Stable and defined air distribution through set nozzle patterns Maximum induction, utilising the Coanda effect Quick mixture enabling adaptation to changing room conditions Adaptable and renovation-friendly via nozzle adjustment To learn more, visit www.swegon.com/uk/nozzles 50 October 2023 www.cibsejournal.com