Upcoming Insulation Industry Webinar: Introduction to ORNL's Building Science Advisor Tool

Join Andre Desjarlais on Friday, Jan. 30 at 12:00 p.m. ET for a free webinar introducing ORNL’s Building Science Advisor Tool. This session will provide an overview and live demonstration of the tool from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which enables users to compare the performance of various wall component combinations.

Attendees will learn how the tool delivers rapid feedback and design guidance using expert knowledge and thousands of pre-simulated hygrothermal models to support informed wall assembly decisions. Advanced registration is required.

Mechanical Insulation Installation Standards Working Groups Are Forming

NIA is seeking member volunteers to help draft insulation installation standard practices/guidelines for our industry. The topics for the first round of drafts, and the Document Project Managers (DPMs), include:

• Pipe Supports (Darrell Peil, Knauf Insulation)
• Vapor Retarders and Vapor Stops (Charlie Petty, Lamtec)
• Flanges (Lee Stuckenschmidt, Systems Undercover)
• Damaged Insulation (Scott Sinclair, Johns Manville)

Scheduling for the first formal meeting of each working group is currently underway.

If you are interested in participating in this important work, please sign up here. You will be notified of the dates of the group(s) you sign up for. 

Questions: Please contact Jeff DeGraaf (jdegraaf@insulation.org) or Kristin DiDomenico (kdidomenico@insulation.org).

Submit Your Articles for the 2026 Insulation Outlook Magazines

Do you have technical knowledge or industry insights to share? The 2026 Insulation Outlook editorial calendar is now available, and member companies are invited to submit articles that educate engineers and industry professionals on timely, relevant topics.

We’re seeking contributions for the following upcoming issues:

▶ March/April (Double Issue): State of the Industry, Insulation Materials Supply & Demand (Ads Due by Feb. 6)

▶ May: Maintenance & Inspections (Ads Due by April 1)

▶ June: AI Impacts (Ads Due by May 1)

Who Reads Insulation Outlook?

Insulation Outlook is written by insulation professionals to educate engineers, specifiers, architects, and insulation end users. About 72% of subscribers are engineers, making Insulation Outlook the publication that industry leaders turn to for reliable, actionable content.

Visit the 2026 Editorial Calendar to explore topics and dates and email editor@insulation.org to submit.

Upcoming Certification Course Dates

Take the next step in your professional development and bring certified expertise to your team with NIA's certification-level courses. Our virtual classes allow you to get certified from the comfort of home or office. See the 2026 course dates below:

NIA’s Insulation Energy Appraisal Program

▶ Apr. 22–23

▶ Nov. 4–5

Register Here

NIA’s Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification

▶ May 13–14

▶ Dec. 8–9

Register Here

OSHA Safety Update: Insights for Safer Workplaces

To improve the tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses, OSHA has released its 2023 injury and illness data using standardized codes, capturing details about how incidents happened and what caused them. These codes help OSHA organize and analyze similar cases, helping to identify trends and patterns and improve the foundation for effective prevention strategies. This update also highlights how artificial intelligence can enhance OSHA's reporting.

The 2023 Work-Related Injury and Illness Summary is available in PDF form. Read more about this recent update on OSHA's website, or click the button below to read the summary.

Product Focus: The MICA Manual

The North American Commercial & Industrial Insulation Standards Manual, also known as the MICA Manual, was developed by the Midwest Insulation Contractors Association (MICA) to serve as a useful resource for commercial and industrial insulation professionals. Widely accepted as the industry standard, the manual is a must-have guide for contractors, engineers, architects, and specifiers.

Available in both printed and interactive PDF versions, the MICA Manual includes 111 MICA Insulation Plates such as vapor dams and a new Cryogenic section, an updated Materials Property section, a revised glossary of terms, and more. See pricing and place an order here.

Quick Links to Access Your NIA Member Benefits

• Start building your skills–visit NIA's Education Center.
• Visit the NIA Member Portal for the NIA News archives, update your contact info, and more.
• Learn more about 2026 training courses.
• Access NIA's Online Store 24-7.
• Submit an Insulation Outlook article to editor@insulation.org. It is your forum to speak to engineers.
• Show your customers how insulation can immediately save energy and lower carbon emissions. Find the evidence on the Carbon Reduction web page.
• Have a project problem you're trying to solve? See if we have an article on it. Search and read the Insulation Outlook archives.

Need Additional Info? Reach NIA's Departments:

Advertising: ads@insulation.org

Editorial: editor@insulation.org

Events and Meetings: events@insulation.org

Membership: membership@insulation.org

Training and Education: training@insulation.org