Sector solution
Trace Heating for Industrial Facilities
Electrical trace heating with insulation over it — freeze protection and process temperature maintenance for long and external pipework at factory scale.
Quick answer
Why do industrial facilities need trace heating with insulation?
Industrial sites run long pipework routes outdoors and through unheated areas, where frost or temperature loss stops production. Trace heating cable keeps the pipe at temperature; insulation over it holds the heat in. SR Thermal Services installs both as one package, with controls and weatherproof finishes, nationwide.
Factories and process plants push pipework well beyond the plant room. Long external runs cross yards, rooftops and gantry routes between buildings. Any section exposed to frost can freeze during a cold snap, and a burst on a production line costs far more than the repair itself.
Trace heating provides the heat and insulation contains it. We install self-regulating heating cable along the pipe, then insulate over the top to the project specification. Thermostats and control panels switch the system on only when needed, keeping running costs proportional to the weather.
Process temperature maintenance works the same way at higher set points. The cable holds fluids at a working temperature along the route, so product keeps flowing and start-up delays disappear after weekends or shutdowns. Cable type and output are selected to suit the pipe size, temperature and ambient conditions.
External runs need a finish that survives the weather. We complete traced pipework with aluminium cladding, ProClad or PIB finishes, sealed so water cannot track under the insulation. Valves, flanges and supports are traced and insulated as part of the same package, not left as cold spots.
Final electrical connection and certification are carried out by a qualified electrical contractor, and we coordinate our work around theirs. We quote from your drawings, pipe schedules and specification, supported by a free site survey across the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Do you install the cable and the insulation?
Yes — we install the trace heating cable and the full insulation and weatherproof finish over it. Final electrical connection and certification are completed by a qualified electrical contractor.
Can trace heating be added to existing pipework?
Yes. We survey the existing installation, remove failed insulation where needed, fit the cable and reinsulate to specification. Controls and thermostats are added as part of the package.
Can you work around live production?
Yes. Work is phased around production and shutdown windows, agreed with your maintenance team. External runs can often be completed while systems stay live.
Do you work from our drawings and specification?
Yes. Quotations are prepared from issued drawings, pipe schedules and specifications, confirmed by a free site survey of the routes involved.
Do you work nationwide?
Yes. We are based in Milton Keynes and deliver trace heating packages across the UK as a subcontractor to main contractors and M&E contractors.
Next step
Have drawings or a specification?
Send us your project details and we'll prepare a tailored quotation. Free initial survey available across the UK.