FAQ's

Q: What is the benefit in specifying CoolDry Insulated Saddles when contractors can make their own insulated saddles in the field?

A: When a Mechanical or Insulation Contractor assembles insulated supports in the field, they must bring together support shields, insulation, inserts, mastics, tapes, etc. at the hanger or support location. Each additional step involves field-fitting materials that cost valuable time and money. The results are often inconsistent or less than desired due to craft labor shortages and schedule conflicts. Each Buckaroos Insulated Saddle is a complete composite assembly allowing for fast and simple installation. All Buckaroos CoolDry Insulated products are designed and manufactured by experienced professionals who understand how the product will be used. As a Buckaroos quality standard, all CoolDry Insulated Saddles for cold applications feature a 360-degree section of properly selected high-performance foam insulation. Whether the Pre-Insulated pipe support falls under the jurisdiction of the Mechanical or Insulation contractor, CoolDry Insulated Saddles enhance productivity and allow labor resources to be spent in other areas.

Q: Is there an efficient way to identify the CoolDry product before and after installation at the jobsite?

A: Yes. Each CoolDry system has a genuine “Quick Inspect” CoolDry sticker applied to the bottom exterior of each CoolDry Saddle. This CoolDry Sticker enables the jobsite engineer or inspector to easily identify the Buckaroos CoolDry Insulated Saddle Systems, a completed composite assembly system, before and after installation at the hanger location.

Q: Why not specify the higher density calcium silicate insulated saddle on chilled water pipe and other cold applications?

A: You should not; because you will have poor insulation performance and a shorter product life than if you use properly selected foam insulation. Calcium Silicate can absorb up to three times its own weight in water. Not only does Calcium Silicate pipe insulation become a poor insulator when wet, it also may create an unaccounted for stress loads on piping systems and create a potential environment for mold growth. Surface treatment of Cal-Sil with water-proofing compounds and the application of exterior vapor barriers do not solve the problem, but merely delays discovery of a very expensive removal and replacement repairs.

Q: Why are CoolDry Insulated Saddles superior to other types of insulation for cold applications?

A: CoolDry Insulated Saddle Systems are designed for chilled water, cold water, refrigeration and ammonia refrigeration piping. The CoolDry systems have very low (good) thermal conductivity. The CoolDry Phenolic foam pipe insulation provides a minimum of a 95% closed cell content coupled with the Alumaguard Lite White vapor barrier (not a retarder) assuring high moisture resistance necessary for superior long term service. The CoolDry Insulated Saddle systems do not contribute to mold, mildew bacteria or fungus problems. The CoolDry has an exceptionally low (25-50 flame smoke rated) flammability. These high density CoolDry systems, depending on the size of the pipe, range from 43 P.S.I. upwards to 90 P.S.I. compressive strength. The phenolic foam higher densities are over engineered for load bearing integrity. We recommend for cold applications the 3.75 P.C.F. density CoolDry on iron or copper pipe sizes starting at ½” to 10” I.P.S. and 5.0 P.C.F. CoolDry systems from 11” I.P.S. to 30” I.P.S.

Q: Are CoolDry Saddle systems offered in custom configurations such as longer or shorter lengths in insulation and saddles?

A: Yes, but as with all of the systems that we offer, modified or not, the pipe insulation support design is subject to the approval of the project engineer.

Q: I generally avoid specifying custom configurations such as Double Layer pipe insulation with staggered joints for extreme cold temperatures?

A: One of the exceptional benefits of the CoolDry Insulated Saddles Series of products that we offer is the single layer insulation wall application. Although double layer (nesting) with staggered joints are standard practice for many high density pipe insulations, the single layered CoolDry systems offers a wide range of insulation wall thicknesses eliminating the need for this labor-intensive “nesting” procedure which reduces the overall installation costs.

Q: Can a CoolDry Series Saddle be sized to accommodate heat tracing?

A: Yes. This is a design issue: Do not over-size the saddle as you might do the adjoining insulation. If you have an electrical cable traced system, the cables should run through the insulation above the lower 120 degrees (4 and 8 o'clock) to avoid support problems. To install heat tracing lines simply field-groove the insulation to accommodate the cables in this area.