Mechanical insulation estimating is a complex process. A robust estimating system must have the capability to factor in nuanced elements that are unique to each construction project.
MIKE is the embodiment of innovation and provides a solution that comprehends and addresses these complexities. It minimizes takeoff time, optimizes bids, and increases the accuracy of bill of materials reports.
Pipe Calculator
In mechanical insulation projects, a dedicated pipe calculator that performs construction math is a time-saving tool for pipefitters on the job, mechanics in the fabrication shop and estimators in mechanical contracting offices. It can help them avoid common estimating mistakes and cut down on labor costs by eliminating the need to manually measure and calculate.
The NIA Pipe Calculator helps users quickly and easily determine the cost effectiveness of insulating a system by providing an estimate of energy savings, the amount of fuel saved per year and more. The tool also allows users to estimate the total investment for a system, the payback in years and other financial returns, such as internal rate of return (IRR or ROI), net present value (NPV) and annual and cumulative cash flow.
For contractors that want to take a step up from using a free online tool, MIKE Estimating Software is an easy-to-use program that shaves hours off the estimation process. This versatile computer management tool is designed specifically for mechanical insulation contractors, with built-in data sets that can be modified to fit each contractor’s project needs. It includes productivity factors that can be adjusted for each product application, and it also offers the ability to modify labor and material estimates by section, play with material prices or apply labor rates and other variables, including difficult job-site scenarios.
NIA Design Guide
The NIA Design Guide is an online resource for architects, engineers, specifiers, facility managers, project engineers, insulation contractors and others involved in the design, selection, specification, installation, and maintenance of mechanical insulation systems. The NIA Design Guide is a “living” document that is continuously updated and structured as a “vertical portal” – allowing the user to access more specific information as they move down the site.
The first section of the Design Guide answers the questions Why, What, and Where. This includes a discussion of the potential design objectives and considerations (such as energy conservation, condensation control, etc) for mechanical insulation systems.
After answering the why, what, and where questions, it is important to determine how much insulation is required. This can be done by performing a digital takeoff using software such as Planswift or FastPIPE and FastDUCT. A detailed easy to read report is then prepared that contains linear feet or square footage material costs, labor hours, material allowances, job factors, rentals, equipment, permits, overheads and profit margins.
The NIA Design Guide also provides valuable information on how to select the correct materials for a particular application as well as discusses best practices and safety concerns. Lastly, the Design Guide includes a financial calculator that allows the user to estimate simple payback in years, Internal Rate of Return or ROI and Net Present Value.
NIA Design Manual
The NIA Design Manual is a comprehensive and easily accessible reference for design, selection, specification, installation, and maintenance of mechanical insulation systems. It was created to help engineers, specifiers, facility owners, and insulation contractors with a variety of commercial and industrial applications.
It helps identify the correct insulation for each application and provides detailed guidance on determining the appropriate insulating value, duct size, and system pressure drop. It also includes information on safety considerations, such as potential exposure time to contact burn injuries and the duration of water-filled pipe freezing, along with details for achieving fire-resistance assemblies in walls, roofs, floors, columns, beams, partitions, ducts, joints, and through-penetration fire stops.
Mechanical insulation is a cost-effective, proven technology that can help limit heat gain or loss from surfaces operating above or below ambient temperature. These opportunities for energy and environmental savings are far greater in the industrial and commercial sectors compared to residential applications.
In addition, mechanical insulation can provide valuable protection for personnel and equipment by extending the time for water to cool to freezing, inhibiting condensation on surfaces, and providing a barrier against hot gases from a hot equipment or process. NIA’s online mechanical insulation calculators can help your customers identify these and other important design objectives and determine the best solutions to meet them. These tools can be found on the NIA website in the Design Guide section under a sub-heading labeled “Mechanical Insulation Calculators.”
MIKE Estimating Software
Mechanical insulation estimating software offers construction professionals the tools needed to calculate insulation requirements with meticulous precision. It takes into account factors like pipe configurations, material types, and environmental variables, resulting in an estimate that is highly accurate and precise. This type of software is also known for its ability to streamline project planning and enhance cost management. This is a result of its advanced algorithms and unparalleled level of detail.
Designed specifically for industrial and commercial contractors, this insulating estimating software can cut estimating time in half, prevent costly extension errors, and develop an accurate bill of materials. It can also help you prepare alternate bids, which are a vital component in any successful estimating process. It can be used with or without a digitizer, and it is easy to use.
This estimating software also includes a vast database of insulation materials, making it easier to choose the best options for your project. Its seamless integration with Building Information Modeling (BIM) elevates project planning to a whole new level. Moreover, it provides users with the opportunity to select insulation materials that align seamlessly with their project goals, budget constraints, and sustainability aspirations. In addition, this estimating software is backed by robust training and support initiatives that enable construction professionals to maximize its functionality. As a result, it is an essential tool for construction companies.