Insulation Workers, Mechanical

Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors.

Remove or seal off old asbestos insulation, following safety procedures.

Fit insulation around obstructions, and shape insulating materials and protective coverings as required.

Determine the amounts and types of insulation needed, and methods of installation, based on factors such as location, surface shape, and equipment use.

Install sheet metal around insulated pipes with screws to protect the insulation from weather conditions or physical damage.

Apply, remove, and repair insulation on industrial equipment, pipes, ductwork, or other mechanical systems such as heat exchangers, tanks, and vessels, to help control noise and maintain temperatures.

Read blueprints and specifications to determine job requirements.

Select appropriate insulation, such as fiberglass, Styrofoam, or cork, based on the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.

Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement, or asphalt mastic.

Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.

Distribute insulating materials evenly into small spaces within floors, ceilings, or walls, using blowers and hose attachments or cement mortar.

Move controls, buttons, or levers to start blowers, and to regulate flow of materials through nozzles.

Fill blower hoppers with insulating materials.