Insulating the Interior of Structural Steel Tube Shapes 1

[bigmig]

I have a project with a significant amount of HSS (tube) shapes. The steel is located on the exterior walls of the building, with one face exposed to the elements, and the other face exposed to the heated interior. The insulation contractor is pointing out that this is not such a great scenario in terms of heat transfer, sweating, and premature deterioration caused by condensation which is a result of one side of the steel being exposed to winter, and the other exposed to a nice humid interior.

They want to drill an ungodly amount (and size) of holes so they can squirt in insulation after installation. I asked them why can't they install the insulation in the steel shop prior to welding on the cap or baseplates. They responded that the insulation would catch on fire. After some quizzing, I figured out that the insulation does not catch on fire, it is just a pain for the steel shop to deal with the insulators running around "their" shop squirting and filling their steel and getting in their way.

How have other dealt with this issue in the past?

I am posting this under "structural" because I do not want to have 3/4" diameter holes drilled every 16" on center in my tube column supports to satisfy this insulator's request.

 

[jayrod12]

I don't feel this will even stop the condensation issues even if it is fully of insulation. If you have one face directly exposed to the outside, and the other directly exposed to the warm interior, that temp gradient is going to flow straight through the two faces of the column. The column is still going to be frosty and cold on the interior face.

 

[canwesteng]

I agree with jayrod. I do structural steel buildings, and the insulation goes between wall panels, which attaches to girts, which attach to columns, so that is how the problem is usually dealt with. I'd say insulate the outer or inner face of the steel and locate the vapor barrier approriately.

 

[bigmig]

I agree. The walls are still continuous from hot to cold. I will contact the architect and let them know.