Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation

Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation — Premium Phenolic Foam

Kingspan Kooltherm pipe insulation is the UK's leading premium phenolic foam pipe insulation, manufactured by Kingspan and specified by mechanical engineers and HVAC contractors where the thinnest possible insulation wall is required without compromising thermal performance or Part L compliance. With a thermal conductivity of λ = 0.025 W/mK — significantly lower than elastomeric foam alternatives — Kooltherm allows thinner wall thicknesses to achieve the same or better thermal performance, saving space in congested plant rooms and service risers.

Kooltherm pipe insulation is Class O fire rated, foil faced and available in all standard UK pipe sizes from 15mm to 219mm OD, in wall thicknesses from 20mm to 60mm.

Why Kingspan Kooltherm?

Lowest thermal conductivity — λ = 0.025 W/mK, significantly lower than Armaflex (λ 0.033) or Rockwool (λ 0.034). Thinner walls achieve the same performance, saving space in congested risers and plant rooms
Class O fire rated — BS 476 Part 6 & 7, B-s1,d0 to EN 13501. Suitable for all commercial building applications and exceeds the standard Class O requirement with lower smoke production
Foil faced — factory-applied aluminium foil facing provides a clean, professional finish and additional vapour resistance at the outer surface
Part L compliant — thinner Kooltherm walls meet the same Part L requirements as thicker elastomeric or mineral wool insulation, reducing material costs and installation time in space-constrained applications
Heat network approved — specified for district heating and heat network pipework where thin-wall, high-performance insulation is required. See the Kingspan Heat Networks Technical Bulletin below
Rigid and dimensionally stable — maintains its shape and wall thickness under compression from pipe clamps and supports, unlike flexible foam which can be compressed and lose performance

Technical Specifications

Material: Rigid phenolic foam with aluminium foil facing
Fire classification: Class O (BS 476 Part 6 & 7), B-s1,d0 (EN 13501-1)
Thermal conductivity: λ = 0.025 W/mK (aged value)
Operating temperature: -180°C to +110°C
Facing: Aluminium foil (HVAC grade)
Density: Available in 37kg/m³, 60kg/m³ and 120kg/m³ grades

Kooltherm Density Grades

37kg/m³ (standard) — standard grade for most HVAC, heating and chilled water applications. The most widely specified Kooltherm grade for commercial building services
60kg/m³ (medium density) — enhanced compressive strength for applications where pipe supports or clamps may compress the insulation. Specified for district heating and heat network pipework
120kg/m³ (high density) — maximum compressive strength for heavy industrial, district heating and applications with high point loads on the insulation

Kooltherm vs Armaflex — Which Should I Choose?

Use Kooltherm when space is constrained and the thinnest possible wall is required, when the specification calls for phenolic foam, for district heating and heat network pipework, or when B-s1,d0 low smoke performance is required alongside thin-wall insulation
Use Armaflex EVO for chilled water and refrigeration where a built-in vapour barrier is essential (Kooltherm requires careful vapour sealing at all joints), for complex pipework with many fittings and bends where flexible foam is faster to install, or for standard HVAC and heating where space is not constrained

Common Applications

Commercial heating mains and primary circuits in space-constrained plant rooms and risers
District heating and heat network pipework (60kg and 120kg grades)
Chilled water mains where thin-wall specification is required (with careful vapour sealing)
LTHW and MTHW heating systems in commercial buildings
Hot water distribution and calorifier connections
Industrial process pipework up to +110°C

Installation Notes

Kooltherm pipe insulation is a rigid phenolic foam and requires different installation techniques to flexible elastomeric foam. All longitudinal joints and butt joints must be sealed with Kooltherm-compatible foil tape to maintain the vapour barrier. For chilled water applications, particular care must be taken to seal all joints, fittings and penetrations — any gap will allow moisture ingress and condensation on the pipe surface. Refer to the installation guide below for full installation instructions.

Shop by Pipe Size

15mm | 22mm | 28mm | 35mm | 42mm | 54mm | 76mm | 89mm | 114mm

For specification support, help selecting the right Kooltherm grade or wall thickness, or technical advice on district heating insulation, call our team on 0161 775 1190 (Mon–Fri 8am–4pm).