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IS 7268 : 1993Recommended practice for hot application of thermal insulation

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BS 5970 · ASTM C1696 - 13(2018) · CINI Manual 1.1.01
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMMEP · Insulation Materials
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OverviewValues5InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 7268:1993 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for recommended practice for hot application of thermal insulation. This standard provides recommendations for the methods of applying thermal insulation to hot surfaces operating at temperatures above ambient. It covers material selection, surface preparation, application techniques for various insulation forms, and protective finishing to prevent damage and moisture ingress.

Provides recommended practices for the hot application of thermal insulation materials.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
MEP — Insulation Materials
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
BS 5970:2012 · BSI (British Standards Institution), UKASTM C1696 - 13(2018) · ASTM International, USACINI Manual 1.1.01 · CINI (Committee for Insulation of the Netherlands Industry), NetherlandsISO 12241:2008 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
Typically used with
IS 3144IS 8183IS 9842IS 14217IS 277
Also on InfraLens for IS 7268
5Key values2Tables4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! Thorough surface preparation is critical to prevent Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI), a major cause of asset failure.
! Ensure all joints in the outer metal jacketing are correctly overlapped and sealed to prevent water ingress, especially for outdoor installations.
! For multi-layer applications, ensure all seams are staggered to prevent direct heat paths and improve efficiency.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 3MaterialsCl. 4Surface PreparationCl. 5Application of InsulationCl. 6Finishing of InsulationCl. 7Insulation of Flanges, Valves and Fittings
Pulled from IS 7268:1993. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
thermal insulationmineral woolcalcium silicateperlitemetal jacketingcladding

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
BS 5970:2012BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighCurrent
Thermal insulation of pipework, ductwork and equipment (in the temperature range of -100°C to +870°C). Code of practice.
Provides a comprehensive code of practice for the application of thermal insulation on industrial equipment and piping.
ASTM C1696 - 13(2018)ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Guide for Industrial Thermal Insulation Systems
A broad guide covering the design, material selection, and installation of industrial thermal insulation.
CINI Manual 1.1.01CINI (Committee for Insulation of the Netherlands Industry), Netherlands
HighCurrent
Insulation for Industries - Section 1: Hot Service Systems
A detailed, practical industry handbook for the design and application of industrial insulation, widely used in Europe.
ISO 12241:2008ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
MediumCurrent
Thermal insulation for building equipment and industrial installations — Calculation rules
Focuses on heat transfer calculation methods that inform application design, rather than application practice itself.
Key Differences
≠IS 7268:1993 has limited guidance on modern insulation materials like aerogel or microporous insulation, focusing on traditional materials (e.g., 85% magnesia), whereas modern standards like BS 5970 provide extensive data on newer materials.
≠Modern international standards (ASTM C1696, CINI) have extensive, dedicated sections on preventing Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI), including coating specifications and advanced sealing techniques, which are not detailed in IS 7268.
≠IS 7268's guidance on energy efficiency is less developed, primarily focusing on prescriptive application. In contrast, ISO 12241 and ASTM C1696 emphasize calculations for economic thickness and lifecycle cost analysis.
≠International standards provide much more detailed, illustrated guidance for insulating complex geometries such as flanges, valves, and vessel heads (e.g., CINI Manual), while IS 7268 offers more general principles.
Key Similarities
≈All standards, including IS 7268, mandate core principles like applying insulation to clean surfaces, using multiple layers with staggered joints for high temperatures, and ensuring securement to prevent gaps.
≈The use of metallic jacketing (typically aluminum or stainless steel) for mechanical protection and weatherproofing is a common recommendation across IS 7268, BS 5970, and ASTM standards.
≈A fundamental goal shared by all standards is reducing the external surface temperature to a level safe for personnel, typically cited as being between 50°C and 65°C.
≈The basic methods for securing insulation, such as using steel wire and metal bands at regular intervals, are consistent across the Indian and international standards.
≈All standards recognize the need to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the underlying pipe or vessel, recommending the use of expansion joints in the insulation system.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Personnel Protection Surface TemperatureShould not normally exceed 65°C (Clause 5.3)Generally 50-60°C, subject to location and risk assessment.BS 5970:2012
Minimum Aluminum Jacketing Thickness (for pipe OD 300-600mm)0.71 mm (Table 3)0.7 mm (for insulation OD 356-610mm)BS 5970:2012
Spacing of Securing Bands on PipeworkCentres not exceeding 300 mm (Clause 8.2)Approximately 300 mm centres.BS 5970:2012
Minimum Jacketing Overlap (Circumferential & Longitudinal)50 mm (Clause 9.4.2)50-75 mm, with specific guidance for sealing the lap.CINI Manual / ASTM Practice
Max Service Temperature for 85% Magnesia Insulation315°C (Appendix A)≈315°C (600°F)ASTM C489 (Withdrawn)
Requirement for Staggering JointsLongitudinal and circumferential joints shall be staggered in multi-layer applications (Clause 7.1.3).Mandated for multi-layer systems to prevent direct thermal leakage paths.ASTM C1696
Weatherproofing Sealant SpecificationGeneral requirement for 'a suitable mastic' at laps (Clause 9.4.3).Specific requirement for non-setting butyl or silicone-based sealants compatible with service temperature.ASTM C1696 / CINI Manual
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values
Minimum overlap for longitudinal and circumferential jacketing50 mm
Maximum spacing of securing wires on pipes up to 300mm dia250 mm
Minimum thickness of aluminum jacketing for general use0.71 mm
Minimum thickness of galvanized steel jacketing for general use0.50 mm
Minimum end lap for blanket or mattress insulation25 mm

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Recommended Thicknesses of Galvanized Steel Wires for Securing Insulation
Table 2 - Recommended Thicknesses of Aluminum and Galvanized Mild Steel Sheet for Finishing
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Materials
Clause 4 - Surface Preparation
Clause 5 - Application of Insulation
Clause 6 - Finishing of Insulation
Clause 7 - Insulation of Flanges, Valves and Fittings

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 3144:1992Methods of test for thermal insulating materi...
→
IS 8183:1993Specification for rigid mineral wool thermal ...
→
IS 9842:1981Code of practice for thermal insulation of co...
→
IS 14217:2004Bituminous Black Paint for Use on Steel Work ...
→
IS 277:2018Galvanized Steel Sheets (Plain and Corrugated...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the recommended overlap for metal cladding?+
A minimum of 50 mm for both circumferential and longitudinal joints to ensure weather tightness (Clause 6.2.2).
How should insulation be applied in multiple layers?+
The joints of each successive layer must be staggered with respect to the joints of the underlying layer (Clause 5.3).
How is insulation secured on vertical piping?+
In addition to circumferential wiring/bands, insulation on vertical runs should be supported by angle iron rings welded to the pipe at specified intervals (Clause 5.2.2).
Are special provisions needed for flanges and valves?+
Yes, they should be insulated using removable and reusable boxes or covers to allow for maintenance and inspection without damaging the main insulation (Clause 7).

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