Inspection supervision in industrial insulation

Industrial insulation is not just about installing materials on pipelines or installations - it is a process that must meet stringent quality and safety standards. The role of the insulation inspector is to ensure that every stage of the implementation - from the measurement, to the selection of materials, to the final installation - is carried out in accordance with international standards. In this article, we will show what the inspector's responsibilities are and what checklists are used in practice.

 

 The role of the industrial insulation inspector

• Quality control of the insulation installation.
• Checking that the works comply with the technical documentation.
• Receipt of materials and verification of quality certificates.
• Ensuring safety - the inspector is responsible for compliance with PPE standards and health and safety procedures.
• Preparation of reports and photographic documentation.

Inspector's checklist - what needs to be checked?

1. Insulation materials - whether they comply with the specification and have the required approvals.
2. Measurement and surface preparation - are the values in line with the design and is the surface clean.
3. Assembly - correctness of fixing, overlapping, sealing, maintenance of distances.
4. Drainage holes and sealers - checking their location and quality of workmanship.
5. Protective jackets - control of overlap direction and protection against CUI (corrosion under insulation).
6. Documentation - report, photos, signatures of contractors and inspector

 Norms and standards on which the inspector relies

• NORSOK M-004:2018 - Norwegian standard for industrial insulation.
• PN-B-20105:2024-04 - the current Polish standard for technical insulation.
• CINI - the European standard for technical insulation.
• FROSIO - international guidelines for surface inspection and protection.
• ZSK, ZRP - National Training and Vocational Framework.

 The most common inspector errors (and how to avoid them)

• Too cursory a check of material documentation.
• Lack of control of overlaps of the protective coat.
• Failure to consider drainage openings.
• Insufficient photo documentation.
• Omitting the element of ergonomics and occupational safety.

Inspector supervision is key to the quality and safety of insulation projects. It is through inspectors that employers can be confident that the project has been carried out to standards and will be sustainable.