The Mechanical Insulators Labor Management and Cooperative Trust (LMCT) is a labor and management joint organization, which advocates for the mechanical insulation and firestopping industries.
The Mechanical Insulators LMCT was established in 2007 by the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (HFIAW) and NUICA, the National Union Insulation Contractors Alliance, which is a professional group of contractors. The goal of this labor-management organization is to advocate for the mechanical insulation industry to be an essential component of construction and energy sustainability.
The 23,000 plus insulators, who work for signatory contractors, have completed or are in the midst of completing a U.S. Department of Labor or Canadian Ministry of Education registered apprenticeship program. For years, this rigorous program has prepared workers to help in the advancement of the mechanical insulation industry by creating the most highly trained and highly skilled insulation workforce.
Mechanical Insulation
Mechanical insulation can be used for a number of different applications. In most cases, it is used to help boilers, pipes, HVAC systems, chillers and other temperature dependent systems run efficiently and effectively by preventing temperature loss.
Aside from the use of new mechanical insulation, it is important to remember and educate others about past methods of insulation.
In the past, materials such as asbestos and lead were considered acceptable to use in insulation. Today, research has proven these materials are harmful, and there is an ongoing effort within the mechanical insulation industry to replace those systems containing lead or asbestos with safer, modern systems.
Firestopping
Firestopping is part of effective compartmentation: “boxes” built within a building or other structure to keep fire from spreading from the room of origin to other parts of the building or other structure.
Compartmentation will only be complete, however, when doors, hardware and glass are fire and smoke resistance-rated; penetrations, head-of-wall and perimeter and expansion joints are sealed with firestopping insulation; and ductwork has fire, smoke, or fire-smoke dampers installed in walls.
The Mechanical Insulators LMCT will continue to advocate for education, research and the overall wellbeing of the mechanical insulation and firestopping industries.
