Generator Exhaust Blankets: What to Cover on a Diesel Genset

Standby and prime-power diesel generators sit in all kinds of places: generator rooms in hospitals and schools, enclosures behind office buildings, industrial plants, and engine rooms on boats. Wherever they are, the exhaust system is the hottest thing in the space. A generator exhaust blanket is a removable insulation cover made to fit one part of that system. Here's a part-by-part look at what to insulate and how to order covers that fit.

Why insulate generator exhaust at all

• Personnel protection. Generator exhaust runs hot whenever the set is under load, including during routine test runs. Bare pipe and mufflers are a burn hazard for anyone working nearby.

• Heat in the room. Radiant heat from bare exhaust raises the temperature of the generator room or enclosure and everything in it.

• Protecting nearby equipment. Wiring, controls and hoses near the exhaust last longer when they aren't sitting in radiant heat.

Removable blankets do all of this while still letting technicians reach flanges, gaskets and sensors during service.

A part-by-part look at the exhaust system

Every installation is different, but most diesel generator exhaust systems include some combination of these:

Turbo outlet and exhaust elbow

The first few feet after the engine are the hottest. Shaped covers for the turbo outlet and the first elbow are often the most valuable pieces. Leave clear anything your engine maker says to keep uncovered.

Flexible connector

The flex section absorbs vibration and movement between the engine and the rigid piping. A cover here needs to allow for that movement, so it's usually made as its own section rather than one piece with the pipe.

Muffler or silencer

Mufflers are large, hot surfaces. A muffler blanket is typically built in sections that wrap the body, with end caps shaped around the inlet and outlet, and openings for drains, hangers or brackets.

Exhaust piping, elbows and flanges

Straight runs, bends and flanged joints each get their own fitted section. Splitting covers at joints means a technician only removes the piece they need.

Where the pipe exits

Exhaust that passes through a wall, roof or enclosure is often a good place to define where covers stop. Tell us what's there and we'll plan around it.

How our generator exhaust blankets are built

Our generator exhaust insulation blankets are custom-fabricated in Blaine, Washington. For high-temperature exhaust builds:

• Inner insulation: rated 1,000°F continuous (1,200°F max).

• Gray outer cloth: silicone cloth rated 450°F continuous (500°F max).

• Hot face: stainless wire mesh on the side against the pipe.

• Closures: stainless lacing wire, snaps or D-rings, chosen to handle the heat and vibration.

Tell us the exhaust temperature if you know it, plus whether the generator is indoors or outdoors, and we'll match the build.

What to send for a quote

1. Generator make and model (and engine model, if different), plus any part numbers on the muffler or flex.

2. Photos of the whole exhaust run, start to finish, from more than one angle. Include the space around it.

3. Measurements of pipe size or circumference, lengths, and the heel and throat of each 90° elbow, plus the centers of anything that needs a cutout. Our measuring guide explains each one. Measure only when the system is cold.

4. Operating temperature and where the generator lives.

The owner then goes over everything with you by phone or video before we build. We make one-off covers as well as full sets, and ship nationwide, including anywhere in Alaska. We're a manufacturer only, so your contractor, technician or crew installs.

FAQ

Do I need to cover the whole exhaust system? Not always. Many owners start with the hottest, most exposed parts (the turbo outlet, first elbow and muffler) and the areas where people work. Send photos and we'll talk through it.

Can covers come off for generator service? Yes, that's the point of a removable blanket. Each section opens at its closures so technicians can reach flanges, gaskets and sensors.

Do you make covers for marine generators too? Yes. We build exhaust covers for generators on boats as well as on land.

Get a quote for generator exhaust blankets

Send your photos and measurements through the free quote form, call 360-383-6857 or email info@alltempsoftcovers.com.

All Temp Soft Covers · Custom removable insulation covers · Made in Blaine, WA · Shipping nationwide, including Alaska