Apparently not all "fiberglass" pipe insulations were created equal. This particular straight-pipe insulation consists of multi-layered wrapping materials, which includes two layers of a thin black coating that contains asbestos, not especially discernible upon initial glance. The outer layer appears as an aged, slightly wrinkled paper covering adhered to a shiny metal-foil layer underneath. Then there is a thin black layer of an asbestos coating material on another layer of paper, but the bottom paper layer is more like a thin, dark colored felt. Some asbestos inspectors have missed finding the asbestos coating(s) in such a TSI system either by mistakenly assuming the insulation as "just fiberglass" through visual assessment alone or even by taking the extra step in physically squeezing the insulation but only to erroneously dismiss it as non-ACM (fiberglass only). Another point to consider about fiberglass straight pipe insulations that may contain asbestos is the age of the material. In the experience of this author, generally, the older the fiberglass insulation, the odds tend to increase that it might contain an asbestos component. Although by no means a definitive timeframe of when this type of asbestos-fiberglass pipe insulation was historically used, but this author has typically found similar insulation materials in buildings built from the early-1950's to the late 1960's era, sometimes earlier and sometimes later. The particular pipe insulation as shown above was in a large building constructed in 1958-60, which is consistent and fits perfectly with my field-experienced findings. Another point to consider about the historical development of "fibrous glass" or "fiberglass" insulations as construction materials (at least in the U.S.) is the fact that many asbestos insulation manufacturers slowly phased-out once traditional asbestos insulation materials, such as magnesia, "aircell", "woolfelt", duplex, etc., beginning in earnest around the early-1950's, and replaced them with fiberglass or mineral wool materials instead. This seems to be in direct correlation with the notable advancement of increased public awareness of asbestos-related health studies and associated legal liabilities in mainstream publications in the 1950's.

PT&P designed and manufactured a custom elevated shoe-clamps for part of a palletizer transfer line in a polymer plant. The custom supports were designed to prevent cracking in the welds and grout base due to severe vibration in the line. The assemblies have an overall height of 48" with an adjustable load column. The clamp-shoes are 13" wide by 14" long, and designed for a 12" diameter aluminum pipe. The assemblies are carbon steel with a hot-dipped galvanize finish and include a unique laminated vibration dampening lining for the clamp.