IS 9842 : 1981Code of practice for thermal insulation of cold storage

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ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration (I-P and SI) · BS EN ISO 12241 · IIAR Industrial Refrigeration Design & Engineering Handbook

CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMMEP · Insulation Materials

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IS 9842:1981 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for thermal insulation of cold storage. This code provides guidelines for the thermal insulation of cold storages to ensure energy efficiency and maintain required low temperatures. It covers the selection of insulating materials, calculation of required insulation thickness, and recommended application practices, including the installation of vapor barriers.

Provides a code of practice for the thermal insulation of cold storage facilities.

Overview

Status: Current
Usage level: Specialized
Domain: MEP — Insulation Materials
Type: Code of Practice

International equivalents

ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration (I-P and SI) · American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), USA BS EN ISO 12241:2022 · British Standards Institution (BSI) / International Organization for Standardization (ISO), UK/International IIAR Industrial Refrigeration Design & Engineering Handbook · International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR), USA BS 5422:2009 · British Standards Institution (BSI), UK

Typically used with

IS 3346 IS 4671 IS 8183

Also on InfraLens for IS 9842

5Key values 4Tables 4FAQs

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

Practical Notes

! The integrity of the vapour barrier is the most critical aspect of cold storage insulation. It must be installed on the warm side of the insulation to prevent moisture ingress, which degrades performance.

! Pay close attention to sealing all joints, corners, and penetrations for pipes/conduits to avoid thermal bridges, which are major sources of heat gain.

! This 1981 code is dated; modern insulation materials (like PIR) and manufacturer-specified k-values often provide better performance than the values listed in Table 2. Always use current data.

Frequently referenced clauses

Cl. 4Design Considerations Cl. 5Insulating Materials Cl. 6Application of Insulation Cl. 6.6Vapour Barriers Appendix A - Calculation of Insulation Thickness

polystyrenepolyurethane foamcorkboardmineral woolglass woolvapour barrier

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards

ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration (I-P and SI)American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), USA

HighCurrent

ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration

Provides comprehensive design guidance, material properties, and calculation methods for refrigerated facility insulation.

BS EN ISO 12241:2022British Standards Institution (BSI) / International Organization for Standardization (ISO), UK/International

HighCurrent

Thermal insulation for building equipment and industrial installations — Calculation rules

Focuses on the calculation methods for heat transfer and insulation thickness, a core component of the IS code's practice.

IIAR Industrial Refrigeration Design & Engineering HandbookInternational Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR), USA

MediumCurrent

IIAR Industrial Refrigeration Design & Engineering Handbook

Covers design for industrial refrigeration systems, including detailed guidance on building envelope and insulation for ammonia-based cold stores.

BS 5422:2009British Standards Institution (BSI), UK

MediumCurrent

Method for specifying thermal insulating materials for pipes, ductwork and equipment

Focuses on the specification of insulation materials, which is a key part of the broader practice covered by IS 9842.

Key Differences

≠IS 9842:1981 lists a limited range of traditional insulation materials (cork, EPS, mineral wool). Modern standards like the ASHRAE Handbook cover a wider array of high-performance materials like Polyisocyanurate (PIR), Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), and various spray foams, providing detailed properties for each.

≠The Indian standard specifies prescriptive vapor barriers like bitumen and 0.25 mm polythene sheets. International standards define performance-based classes (e.g., Class I, II, III vapor retarders) based on permeance ratings, allowing for a wide range of advanced membrane and mastic systems.

≠Modern international standards incorporate sophisticated energy performance modeling, life-cycle cost analysis, and specific requirements to meet energy codes (e.g., ASHRAE 90.1). IS 9842's approach is based on simpler steady-state calculations without explicit energy performance targets.

≠IS 9842 has minimal guidance on fire safety. Contemporary standards provide extensive requirements for the fire performance of insulation systems, referencing specific test methods and classifications (e.g., ASTM E84, EN 13501-1) for smoke development and flame spread.

≠International standards, particularly recent ones, address the environmental impact of insulation, including the Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and Global Warming Potential (GWP) of blowing agents in foam products. This is absent from the 1981 Indian code.

Key Similarities

≈All standards are based on the same fundamental physics of heat transfer (Fourier's Law) for calculating insulation thickness required to limit heat gain.

≈Both IS 9842 and its international counterparts stress the absolute necessity of a continuous, well-sealed vapor barrier on the warm side of the insulation to prevent interstitial condensation, which compromises thermal performance and structural integrity.

≈All codes of practice emphasize the importance of meticulous construction detailing to prevent thermal bridges at junctions (e.g., wall-floor, wall-roof), corners, and around structural penetrations.

≈Both the Indian and international standards recommend the application of a durable wearing surface, such as a concrete slab on floors or cladding on walls, to protect the insulation from mechanical damage.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IS Value	International	Source
Vapor Barrier Specification	Prescriptive material: Bitumen Grade 85/25 or polythene sheet (0.25 mm thick).	Performance-based: Class I vapor retarder with a permeance of ≤0.1 Perm (≤5.7 ng/Pa·s·m²).	ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration
Thermal Conductivity (k-value) of EPS (15 kg/m³)	0.033 W/m·K (at unspecified mean temperature)	~0.034 W/m·K at 24°C mean temp (Varies with density and temperature, specified by ASTM C578).	ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration
Safety Factor in Heat Load Calculation	A general safety factor of 10% is added to the total calculated heat load.	Arbitrary safety factors are discouraged; advocates for accurate calculation of all load components (infiltration, motors, lights, etc.) instead.	ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration
Design Ambient Conditions (Example: Mumbai)	34°C Dry Bulb, 85% Relative Humidity.	More detailed data provided, e.g., 0.4% annual cooling design conditions: 33.4°C DB, 28.5°C Mean Coincident Wet Bulb.	ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals
Floor Insulation Protection	Reinforced cement concrete wearing course, 75 mm to 100 mm thick.	Reinforced concrete wearing slab, typically 100 mm to 150 mm (4 to 6 inches) thick, depending on forklift loads.	ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration
Consideration of Thermal Bridges	Qualitative recommendation to avoid thermal short-circuits at structural members.	Provides detailed calculation methods (e.g., finite element analysis) and prescriptive details for mitigating thermal bridges.	BS EN ISO 12241:2022

⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values

Maximum permissible heat gain10 W/m² (8.6 kcal/m²h)

Thermal conductivity (k-value) of Expanded Polystyrene (15 kg/m³)0.033 W/m.K

Recommended storage temperature for frozen fish-23 to -29 °C

Recommended storage temperature for fresh vegetables0 to 7 °C

Design ambient dry-bulb temperature for Delhi43 °C

Key Formulas

t = k/q * (T_o - T_i) — Simplified formula for calculating insulation thickness (t), where k is thermal conductivity, q is permissible heat gain, and (To-Ti) is the temperature difference across the insulation.

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables

Table 1 - Outdoor Design Conditions for Major Cities in India

Table 2 - Physical Properties of Some Insulating Materials

Table 3 - Recommended Thickness of Insulation for Cold Storages

Table 4 - Recommended Storage Conditions for Perishable Commodities

Key Clauses

Clause 4 - Design Considerations

Clause 5 - Insulating Materials

Clause 6 - Application of Insulation

Clause 6.6 - Vapour Barriers

Appendix A - Calculation of Insulation Thickness

Frequently Asked Questions4

Where should the vapour barrier be placed?+

On the warm side of the insulation to prevent moisture from ambient air condensing within the insulation (Clause 6.6).

What is the maximum recommended heat gain for designing insulation?+

The insulation thickness should be designed for a heat gain not exceeding 10 W/m² of the surface area (Clause 4.2).

What is the recommended storage temperature for ice cream?+

-23 to -26 °C, with a relative humidity of 85-90% (Table 4).

How is the required insulation thickness determined?+

It is calculated based on the temperature difference, k-value of the material, and the maximum permissible heat gain, as detailed in Appendix A.

QA/QC Inspection Templates

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QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.

Browse all 300 templates →

IS 9842 : 1981Code of practice for thermal insulation of cold storage

PDF Google Compare BIS Portal

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration (I-P and SI) · BS EN ISO 12241 · IIAR Industrial Refrigeration Design & Engineering Handbook

CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMMEP · Insulation Materials

PDF Google Compare BIS Portal

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

Provides a code of practice for the thermal insulation of cold storage facilities.

Overview

Status: Current
Usage level: Specialized
Domain: MEP — Insulation Materials
Type: Code of Practice

International equivalents

Typically used with

IS 3346 IS 4671 IS 8183

Also on InfraLens for IS 9842

5Key values 4Tables 4FAQs

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

Practical Notes

! Pay close attention to sealing all joints, corners, and penetrations for pipes/conduits to avoid thermal bridges, which are major sources of heat gain.

! This 1981 code is dated; modern insulation materials (like PIR) and manufacturer-specified k-values often provide better performance than the values listed in Table 2. Always use current data.

Frequently referenced clauses

Cl. 4Design Considerations Cl. 5Insulating Materials Cl. 6Application of Insulation Cl. 6.6Vapour Barriers Appendix A - Calculation of Insulation Thickness

polystyrenepolyurethane foamcorkboardmineral woolglass woolvapour barrier

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards

ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration (I-P and SI)American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), USA

HighCurrent

ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration

Provides comprehensive design guidance, material properties, and calculation methods for refrigerated facility insulation.

BS EN ISO 12241:2022British Standards Institution (BSI) / International Organization for Standardization (ISO), UK/International

HighCurrent

Thermal insulation for building equipment and industrial installations — Calculation rules

Focuses on the calculation methods for heat transfer and insulation thickness, a core component of the IS code's practice.

IIAR Industrial Refrigeration Design & Engineering HandbookInternational Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR), USA

MediumCurrent

IIAR Industrial Refrigeration Design & Engineering Handbook

Covers design for industrial refrigeration systems, including detailed guidance on building envelope and insulation for ammonia-based cold stores.

BS 5422:2009British Standards Institution (BSI), UK

MediumCurrent

Method for specifying thermal insulating materials for pipes, ductwork and equipment

Focuses on the specification of insulation materials, which is a key part of the broader practice covered by IS 9842.

Key Differences

Key Similarities

≈All standards are based on the same fundamental physics of heat transfer (Fourier's Law) for calculating insulation thickness required to limit heat gain.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IS Value	International	Source
Vapor Barrier Specification	Prescriptive material: Bitumen Grade 85/25 or polythene sheet (0.25 mm thick).	Performance-based: Class I vapor retarder with a permeance of ≤0.1 Perm (≤5.7 ng/Pa·s·m²).	ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration
Thermal Conductivity (k-value) of EPS (15 kg/m³)	0.033 W/m·K (at unspecified mean temperature)	~0.034 W/m·K at 24°C mean temp (Varies with density and temperature, specified by ASTM C578).	ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration
Safety Factor in Heat Load Calculation	A general safety factor of 10% is added to the total calculated heat load.	Arbitrary safety factors are discouraged; advocates for accurate calculation of all load components (infiltration, motors, lights, etc.) instead.	ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration
Design Ambient Conditions (Example: Mumbai)	34°C Dry Bulb, 85% Relative Humidity.	More detailed data provided, e.g., 0.4% annual cooling design conditions: 33.4°C DB, 28.5°C Mean Coincident Wet Bulb.	ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals
Floor Insulation Protection	Reinforced cement concrete wearing course, 75 mm to 100 mm thick.	Reinforced concrete wearing slab, typically 100 mm to 150 mm (4 to 6 inches) thick, depending on forklift loads.	ASHRAE Handbook—Refrigeration
Consideration of Thermal Bridges	Qualitative recommendation to avoid thermal short-circuits at structural members.	Provides detailed calculation methods (e.g., finite element analysis) and prescriptive details for mitigating thermal bridges.	BS EN ISO 12241:2022

⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values

Maximum permissible heat gain10 W/m² (8.6 kcal/m²h)

Thermal conductivity (k-value) of Expanded Polystyrene (15 kg/m³)0.033 W/m.K

Recommended storage temperature for frozen fish-23 to -29 °C

Recommended storage temperature for fresh vegetables0 to 7 °C

Design ambient dry-bulb temperature for Delhi43 °C

Key Formulas

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables

Table 1 - Outdoor Design Conditions for Major Cities in India

Table 2 - Physical Properties of Some Insulating Materials

Table 3 - Recommended Thickness of Insulation for Cold Storages

Table 4 - Recommended Storage Conditions for Perishable Commodities

Key Clauses

Clause 4 - Design Considerations

Clause 5 - Insulating Materials

Clause 6 - Application of Insulation

Clause 6.6 - Vapour Barriers

Appendix A - Calculation of Insulation Thickness

Frequently Asked Questions4

Where should the vapour barrier be placed?+

On the warm side of the insulation to prevent moisture from ambient air condensing within the insulation (Clause 6.6).

What is the maximum recommended heat gain for designing insulation?+

The insulation thickness should be designed for a heat gain not exceeding 10 W/m² of the surface area (Clause 4.2).

What is the recommended storage temperature for ice cream?+

-23 to -26 °C, with a relative humidity of 85-90% (Table 4).

How is the required insulation thickness determined?+

It is calculated based on the temperature difference, k-value of the material, and the maximum permissible heat gain, as detailed in Appendix A.

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋

QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.

Browse all 300 templates →

IS 9842 : 1981Code of practice for thermal insulation of cold storage

Overview

International Equivalents

Key Values5

Tables & Referenced Sections

Related Resources on InfraLens

Frequently Asked Questions4

QA/QC Inspection Templates

IS 9842 : 1981Code of practice for thermal insulation of cold storage

Overview

International Equivalents

Key Values5

Tables & Referenced Sections

Related Resources on InfraLens

Frequently Asked Questions4

QA/QC Inspection Templates