Perma-Pipe International (PPIH) 10-K 28 Apr 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and entity information

Document and entity information Document - USD ($) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Apr. 22, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	MFRI INC.
Entity Central Index Key	914,122
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,404
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 35,417,613

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Statement - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Net sales	$ 122,696	$ 126,923
Cost of sales	95,955	96,149
Gross profit	26,741	30,774
Operating expenses:
General and administrative expense	18,869	19,202
Selling expense	4,994	5,725
Total operating expenses	23,863	24,927
Income from operations	2,878	5,847
Income from joint venture	602	1,960
Interest expense, net	470	519
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	3,010	7,288
Income tax expense	1,375	3,051
Income from continuing operations	1,635	4,237
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(6,044)	(4,418)
Net loss	$ (4,409)	$ (181)
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic	7,280	7,251
Diluted	7,371	7,324
Earnings per share from continuing operations
Basic and diluted	$ 0.22	$ 0.58
Loss per share from discontinued operations
Basic and diluted	(0.83)	(0.61)
Loss per share
Basic and diluted	$ (0.61)	$ (0.02)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Net loss	$ (4,409)	$ (181)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(481)	(1,718)
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax	822	(1,612)
Unrealized gain on marketable security, net of tax	118	0
Interest rate swap, net of tax	91	(40)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	550	(3,370)
Comprehensive loss	$ (3,859)	$ (3,551)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 16,631	$ 9,900
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	2,324	428
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $33 at January 31, 2016 and $31 at January 31, 2015	36,090	34,332
Inventories, net	15,625	13,685
Assets of discontinued operations	15,733	41,476
Assets held-for-sale	3,062	3,378
Cash surrender value on life insurance policies	3,049	3,255
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,744	2,550
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	2,463	700
Income tax receivable	327	0
Total current assets	97,048	109,704
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	25,400	24,165
Other assets
Note receivable from joint venture	1,905	3,931
Investment in joint venture	9,112	8,514
Other assets	4,658	1,760
Total other assets	15,675	14,205
Total assets	138,123	148,074
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	11,026	6,933
Commissions and management incentives payable	4,169	5,628
Deferred Compensation Liability	6,167	213
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes	4,274	4,021
Revolving line domestic	5,237	11,353
Current Maturities of long-term debt	8,769	4,817
Customers' deposits	3,690	4,271
Liabilities of discontinued operations	15,465	21,379
Liabilities held for sale	3,439	3,342
Other accrued liabilities	965	1,100
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	1,176	681
Income tax payable	2,339	1,688
Total current liabilities	66,716	65,426
Long-term liabilities
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,493	2,355
Deferred compensation liabilities	495	6,560
Deferred tax liabilities - long-term	160	734
Other long-term liabilities	231	199
Total long-term liabilities	2,379	9,848
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 50,000 shares; 7,306 issued and outstanding at January 31, 2016 and 7,291 issued and outstanding at January 31, 2015	74	73
Additional paid-in capital	53,031	52,655
Treasury Stock 45 shares at January 31, 2016 and none at January 31, 2015	(290)	0
Retained earnings	20,193	24,602
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,980)	(4,530)
Total stockholders' equity	69,028	72,800
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 138,123	$ 148,074

Balance Sheet (Parentheticals)

Balance Sheet (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 33	$ 31
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	7,306,000	7,291,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	7,306,000	7,291,000
Treasury Stock, Shares	45,000	0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		0
Total stockholders' equity at Jan. 31, 2014	$ 75,839	$ 72	$ 52,144	$ 24,783	$ 0	$ (1,160)
Net loss	(181)			(181)
Stock options exercised	330	0	330
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	0
Stock-based compensation	124		124
Shares issued from common stock less shares used for payroll taxes	58	1	57
Interest rate swap	(51)					(51)
Pension liability adjustment	(1,611)					(1,611)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,632)					(1,632)
Tax expense on above items	(76)					(76)
Total stockholders' equity at Jan. 31, 2015	72,800	$ 73	52,655	24,602	0	(4,530)
Balance, Shares at Jan. 31, 2014		7,168,537
Shares issued		122,039
Balance, Shares at Jan. 31, 2015		7,290,576
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		(44,566)
Net loss	(4,409)			(4,409)
Stock options exercised	117	$ 1	116
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	(290)				(290)
Stock-based compensation	278		278
Shares issued from common stock less shares used for payroll taxes	(18)		(18)
Interest rate swap	119					119
Pension liability adjustment	821					821
Marketable Security	118					118
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(486)					(486)
Tax expense on above items	(22)					(22)
Total stockholders' equity at Jan. 31, 2016	$ 69,028	$ 74	$ 53,031	$ 20,193	$ (290)	$ (3,980)
Shares issued		59,915
Balance, Shares at Jan. 31, 2016		7,305,925

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Operating activities
Net loss	$ (4,409)	$ (181)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	5,929	5,897
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations	(8,099)	(188)
Impairment expense on discontinued operations	6,480	0
Deferred tax (benefit) expense	(249)	1,231
Income in joint venture	(602)	(1,960)
Stock-based compensation expense	278	124
Cash surrender value on life insurance policies	206	(145)
Provision on uncollectible accounts	(59)	(80)
Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets	101	(17)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts payable	5,819	(4,612)
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes	299	(3,055)
Inventories	4,027	3,250
Customers' deposits	(2,400)	(28)
Income taxes receivable and payable	620	(687)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,914	1,000
Accounts receivable	(2,809)	3,314
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	(1,268)	(765)
Notes receivable	273	849
Other assets and liabilities	(8,948)	(449)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(2,897)	3,498
Investing activities
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	16,373	109
Capital expenditures	(6,457)	(5,878)
Payments on loan from joint venture	1,890	0
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	2,059	24
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	13,865	(5,745)
Financing activities
Proceeds from revolving lines	105,636	85,270
Proceeds from debt	918	661
Proceeds from borrowing against life insurance policies	1,916	0
Payments of debt on revolving lines	(105,378)	(83,150)
Payments of other debt	(2,544)	(3,641)
Payments on borrowing against life insurance policies	(1,916)	0
Decrease (increase) in drafts payable	(467)	629
Payments on capitalized lease obligations	(998)	(704)
Repurchase of Common Stock	(290)	0
Stock options exercised and restricted shares issued	98	389
Net cash used in financing activities	(3,025)	(546)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,212)	(702)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	6,731	(3,495)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	9,900	13,395
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	16,631	9,900
Supplemental cash flow information
Interest paid	749	1,288
Income taxes paid	970	2,988
Fixed assets acquired under capital leases	0	680
Funds held in escrow related to the sale of Filtration assets	$ 1,905	$ 0

Business and segment informatio

Business and segment information	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Business and segment information [Abstract]
Business and segment information [Text Block]	Note 1 - Business and segment information MFRI, Inc. ("MFRI", the "Company", or the "Registrant") was incorporated in Delaware on October 12, 1993 . As of January 31, 2016, MFRI is engaged in the manufacture and sale of products in one distinct segment: Piping Systems. As described below, prior to January 29, 2016, the Company was also engaged in the manufacture and sale of products in the Filtration Products segment. Fiscal year. The Company's fiscal year ends on January 31. Years and balances described as 2015 and 2014 are the fiscal years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Nature of business. Piping Systems engineers, designs, manufactures and sells specialty piping and leak detection and location systems. This segment's specialty piping systems include (i) industrial and secondary containment piping systems for transporting chemicals, hazardous fluids and petroleum products, (ii) insulated and jacketed district heating and cooling piping systems for efficient energy distribution to multiple locations from central energy plants, and (iii) oil and gas gathering flow and long lines for oil and mineral transportation. Piping Systems' leak detection and location systems are sold with many of its piping systems and on a stand-alone basis, to monitor areas where fluid intrusion may contaminate the environment, endanger personal safety, cause a fire hazard, impair essential services or damage equipment or property. Prior to January 29, 2016, the Company had a Filtration Products segment. This business is reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements and the notes to consolidated financial statements have been restated to conform to the current year reporting of this business. For further information, see Note 4 - Discontinued operations, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . Segment information was as follows: 2015 2014 Net sales Piping Systems $122,696 $126,923 Gross profit Piping Systems $26,741 $30,774 Income (loss) from operations Piping Systems $10,537 $12,740 Corporate (7,659) (6,893) Total income from operations $2,878 $5,847 Segment assets Piping Systems $112,161 $99,065 Corporate 10,229 7,533 Total segment assets $122,390 $106,598 Capital expenditures Piping Systems $4,762 $3,953 Corporate 289 485 Total capital expenditures $5,051 $4,438 Depreciation and amortization Piping Systems $3,735 $3,635 Corporate 469 552 Total depreciation and amortization $4,204 $4,187 Geographic information. Net sales are attributed to a geographic area based on the destination of the product shipment. Sales to foreign customers was 52% in 2015 compared to 50% in 2014 . Long-lived assets are based on the physical location of the assets and consist of property, plant and equipment used in the generation of revenues in the geographic area. 2015 2014 Net sales United States $58,707 $64,063 Middle East 60,749 50,430 Europe 73 372 Canada 2,581 3,248 India 372 5,099 Other Americas 72 3,657 Other 142 54 Total net sales $122,696 $126,923 Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation United States $13,822 $12,166 Middle East 11,211 11,608 India 367 391 Total $25,400 $24,165

Significant accounting policies

Significant accounting policies	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant accounting policies	Note 2 - Significant accounting policies Use of estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenue recognition. The Company recognizes revenues including shipping and handling charges billed to customers, when all the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the seller's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. All subsidiaries of the Company, except as noted below, recognize revenues upon shipment or delivery of goods or services when title and risk of loss pass to customers. Percentage of completion revenue recognition. All divisions recognize revenues under the above stated revenue recognition policy except for domestic complex contracts that require periodic recognition of income. For these contracts, the Company uses the "percentage of completion" accounting method. Under this approach, income is recognized in each reporting period based on the status of the uncompleted contracts and the current estimates of costs to complete. The choice of accounting method is made at the time the contract is received based on the expected length and complexity of the project. The percentage of completion is determined by the relationship of costs incurred to the total estimated costs of the contract. Provisions are made for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions and final contract settlements, may result in revisions to costs and income. Such revisions are recognized in the period in which they are determined. Claims for additional compensation due the Company are recognized in contract revenues when realization is probable and the amount can be reliably estimated. Shipping and handling. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales, and the amounts invoiced to customers relating to shipping and handling are included in net sales. Sales tax. Sales tax is reported on a net basis in the consolidated financial statements. Operating cycle. The length of piping systems contracts vary, but are typically less than one year. The Company includes in current assets and liabilities amounts realizable and payable in the normal course of contract completion unless completion of such contracts extends significantly beyond one year. Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company accounts for the investment in joint venture using the equity method. Translation of foreign currency. Assets and liabilities of consolidated foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at year-end. Revenues and expenses are translated at average weighted exchange rates prevailing during the year. Gains or losses on foreign currency transactions and the related tax effects are reflected in net income. The resulting translation adjustments are included in stockholders' equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Contingencies. The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business, including those involving environmental, tax, product liability and general liability claims. The Company accrues for such liabilities when it is probable that future costs will be incurred and such costs can be reasonably estimated. Such accruals are based on developments to date, the Company's estimates of the outcomes of these matters, and its experience in contesting, litigating and settling other similar matters. The Company does not currently anticipate the amount of any ultimate liability with respect to these matters will materially affect the Company's financial position, liquidity or future operations. Cash and cash equivalents. All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents were $16.6 million and $9.9 million as of January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. At January 31, 2016 , $0.2 million was held in the U.S. and $16.4 million was held in the foreign subsidiaries. Accounts payable included drafts payable of $0.3 million and $0.6 million as of January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Restricted cash. Restricted cash held by a foreign subsidiary were $2.3 million and $0.4 million as of January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Accounts receivable. The majority of the Company's accounts receivable are due from geographically dispersed contractors and manufacturing companies. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of a customer's financial condition, including the availability of credit insurance. In the U.S. collateral is not generally required. In the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia, letters of credit are obtained for material orders. Accounts receivable are due within various time periods specified in the terms applicable to the specific customer and are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for claims and doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated using a percentage of sales method based upon collection history and an estimate of uncollectible accounts. Management may exercise its judgment in adjusting the provision as a consequence of known items, such as current economic factors and credit trends. Past due trade accounts receivable balances are written off when the Company's collection efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting the amount due. Accounts receivable adjustments are recorded against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Concentration of credit risk. The Company maintains its U.S. cash in bank deposit accounts at financial institutions that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). Cash balances may exceed FDIC limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company has a broad customer base doing business in all regions of the U.S. as well as other areas in the world. At January 31, 2016 , one customer accounted for 10.3% of the Company's net sales. At January 31, 2015 , one customer accounted for 17.2% of the Company's net sales. Two customers accounted for 46.4% of accounts receivable at January 31, 2016 , and and one customer accounted for 37.4% of accounts receivable at January 31, 2015 . As of April 1, 2016, these customers have paid 40.4% of their receivables outstanding at January 31, 2016 . Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Represents the change in equity from non-owner transactions and consisted of foreign currency translation, minimum pension liability and interest rate swaps. 2015 2014 Equity adjustment foreign currency ($2,208 ) ($1,722 ) Minimum pension liability, gross (2,303) (3,124) Marketable security, gross 118 0 Interest rate swap, gross 0 (119) Subtotal excluding tax effect (4,393) (4,965) Tax effect of foreign exchange (69) (74) Tax effect of minimum pension liability 482 481 Tax effect of interest rate swap 0 28 Total other comprehensive loss ($3,980) ($4,530) Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method for all inventories. 2015 2014 Raw materials $15,291 $13,150 Work in process 1,168 887 Finished goods 722 715 Subtotal 17,181 14,752 Less allowances 1,556 1,067 Inventories, net $15,625 $13,685 Long-lived assets. Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Interest is capitalized in connection with the construction of facilities and amortized over the asset's estimated useful life. Long-lived assets are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If such a review indicates impairment, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to an estimated fair value. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to 30 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the remaining life of the lease or its useful life, whichever is shorter. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization. Depreciation expense was approximately $4.2 million in 2015 and in 2014 . 2015 2014 Land, buildings and improvements $14,758 $13,704 Machinery and equipment 41,534 38,509 Furniture, office equipment and computer systems 5,632 5,945 Transportation equipment 40 43 Subtotal 61,964 58,201 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 36,564 34,036 Property, plant and equipment, net $25,400 $24,165 Impairment of long-lived assets. The Company evaluates long-lived assets (including intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. An asset is considered impaired if its carrying amount exceeds the undiscounted future net cash flow the asset is expected to generate. There was no impairment of long-lived assets in continuing operations as of January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015. The Company's headquarters' building in Niles, Illinois is reported as held for sale at January 31, 2016 . There are no indications of impairment related to this asset. Other intangible assets with definite lives. The Company owns several patents including those covering features of its piping and electronic leak detection systems. Patents are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over a period not to exceed the legal lives of the patents. The Company expenses costs incurred to renew or extend the term of intangible assets. Gross patents were $2.6 million and $2.7 million as of January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately $2.3 million and $2.3 million as of January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Future amortizations over the next five years ending January 31 will be $42,900 in 2016 , $39,900 in 2017 , $30,900 in 2018 , $27,900 in 2019 , $21,700 in 2020 , and $88,207 thereafter. Investment in joint venture. In October 2009 , the Company invested $5.9 million , which consisted of $2.0 million for a 49% interest and $3.9 million for a note receivable, in a Canadian joint venture with The Bayou Companies, Inc., a subsidiary of Aegion Corporation. The joint venture operates in Camrose, Alberta, Canada. During the first six months of 2015, the Company received $1.9 million in principal repayments on the note receivable. On December 31, 2015, MFRI entered into a purchase agreement with its joint venture partner Aegion Corporation to acquire 100% ownership of BPPC, which acquisition closed on February 4, 2016 . The purchase price was approximately $9.6 million in cash and debt at closing and is subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The Company accounts for the investment in joint venture using the equity method. The financial results are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. 2015 2014 Share of income from joint venture $602 $1,960 The following information summarizes the joint venture financial data: 2015 2014 Current assets $8,274 $13,820 Noncurrent assets 12,284 14,023 Current liabilities 2,438 4,499 Noncurrent liabilities 3,908 9,013 Equity 14,212 14,331 Revenue 22,228 40,397 Gross profit 3,465 8,451 Income from continuing operations 1,938 6,397 Net income 1,228 4,000 Research and development . Research and development expenses consist of materials, salaries and related expenses of engineering personnel and outside services for product development projects. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expense was approximately $1.1 million in 2015 and $1.2 million in 2014 . Income taxes. Deferred income taxes have been provided for temporary differences arising from differences in the basis of assets and liabilities for tax and financial reporting purposes. Deferred income taxes on temporary differences have been recorded at the current tax rate. The Company assesses its deferred tax assets and liabilities for realizability at each reporting period. The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. For further information, see Note 9 - Income taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . Net loss per common share. Earnings per share ("EPS") are computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (basic). The years 2014 and 2015 had net losses; therefore, the diluted loss per share was identical to the basic loss per share rather than assuming conversion, exercise, or contingent issuance of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share. The years 2014 and 2015 had earnings from continuing operations. The EPS from continuing are computed by dividing income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (basic). The dilutive shares are in the following table: Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding 2015 2014 Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding 7,280 7,251 Dilutive effect of stock options, deferred stock and restricted stock units 91 73 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming full dilution 7,371 7,324 Weighted average number of stock options not included in the computation of diluted EPS of common stock because the option exercise prices exceeded the average market prices 710 261 Canceled options during the year (77 ) (64 ) Stock options with an exercise price below the average stock price 10 503 Equity-based compensation. The Company issues various types of stock-based awards to employees and directors: restricted stock, deferred stock and stock options. Compensation expense associated with restricted and deferred stock is based on the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant. Stock compensation expense for stock options is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of the award. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model is utilized to estimate the fair value of option awards. Determining the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes model requires judgment, including estimates for (1) risk-free interest rate - an estimate based on the yield of zero-coupon treasury securities with a maturity equal to the expected life of the option; (2) expected volatility - an estimate based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock; and (3) expected life of the option - an estimate based on historical experience including the effect of employee terminations. Fair value of financial instruments . The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are reasonable estimates of their fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying amount of the Company's short-term debt, revolving line of credit and long-term debt approximate fair value because the majority of the amounts outstanding accrue interest at variable rates. The Company holds a marketable equity security of approximately $0.1 million at January 31, 2016 , which it classifies as available-for-sale and recorded in other non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. This security is carried at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses reflected in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The assessment for impairment of marketable equity securities as available-for sale is based on established financial methodologies, including quoted market prices for publicly traded securities. If the Company determines that a loss in the value of the investment is other than temporary, any such losses are recorded in other expense (income), net. Reclassifications. Reclassifications were made to prior-year financial statements to conform to the current-year presentations.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
New accounting pronouncements. [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	Recent accounting pronouncements . In 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance related accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. In addition, the FASB clarified guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance on the consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU requires entities to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases on their balance sheets. It also requires additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that this standard will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The ASU requires entities to classify deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The adoption of this guidance by the Company did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to business combinations. The new guidance requires that adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination be recorded in the period such adjustments are determined, rather than retrospectively adjusting previously reported amounts. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this new accounting guidance on the consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to simplify the balance sheet presentation of debt issuance costs. Under the new guidance, debt issuance costs will be presented as a reduction of the carrying amount of the debt liability. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning February 1, 2016 and will be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. As of January 31, 2016, the Company had $0.2 million of deferred debt issuance costs. The Company does not expect adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements. In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, ("FASB"), issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) - Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This new standard provides for a single comprehensive model and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry specific guidance, and provides for enhanced disclosure requirements. The objective of the new guidance is to improve the consistency, comparability and usefulness to users of financial statements. On April 1, 2015, FASB decided to defer the effective date of the new revenue standard by one year. As a result, public entities would apply the new revenue standard for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU 2014-09 provides for two implementation methods (1) full retrospective application to each prior period or (2) modified retrospective application with the cumulative effect as of the date of adoption. Early application is not permitted. The Company is evaluating the financial statement impacts of the guidance in this ASU and determining which transition method will be utilized. The Company evaluated other recent accounting pronouncements and does not expect them to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Correction of immaterial errors

Correction of immaterial errors (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Text Block]	Note 3 - Correction of immaterial errors. In the fourth quarter of 2015, management discovered prior period inventory errors relating to excess and obsolete inventory. The cumulative adjustment for the inventory errors covering the period from February 1, 2013 to January 31, 2015 was approximately $0.9 million . The adjustment applicable to the fourth quarter of 2013 was approximately $1.0 million , no adjustment to the first three quarters of 2013. The $0.1 million adjustment was applicable to the fourth quarter of 2014, and no adjustment was applicable to the first three quarters of 2015. Pursuant to the guidance of Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 99, Materiality, the Company concluded that the errors were not material to any of its prior period financial statements. Although the errors were immaterial to prior periods, the prior period financial statements were revised, in accordance with SAB No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements , due to the significance of the out-of-period correction. A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported balance sheet at January 31, 2015 follows: As Reported Adjustment As Adjusted Inventories, net $14,613 ($928) $13,685 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,345 205 2,550 Total current assets 110,427 (723 ) 109,704 Total assets 148,797 (723 ) 148,074 Retained earnings 25,325 (723 ) 24,602 Total stockholders' equity 73,523 (723 ) 72,800 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 148,797 (723 ) 148,074 A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported statement of operations for the year ending January 31, 2015 follows: As Reported Adjustment As Adjusted Cost of sales $96,247 ($98) $96,149 Gross profit 30,676 98 30,774 General and administrative expense 19,179 23 19,202 Total operating expenses 24,904 23 24,927 Income from operations 5,772 75 5,847 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 7,213 75 7,288 Income from continuing operations 4,162 75 4,237 Net loss (256 ) 75 (181 ) A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported statement of cash flows for the year ending January 31, 2015 follows: As Reported Adjustment As Adjusted Net loss ($256) $75 ($181) Inventories, net 3,348 (98 ) 3,250 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 977 23 1,000 A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported statement of stockholders' equity for the year ending January 31, 2015 follows: As Reported Adjustment As Adjusted Net loss ($256) $75 ($181) Retained earnings 25,325 (723 ) 24,602 Total comprehensive loss (3,626 ) 75 (3,551 ) A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported statement of stockholders' equity for the year ending January 31, 2014 follows: As Reported Adjustment As Adjusted Retained earnings $25,580 ($797) $24,783 Stockholders' Equity 76,636 (797 ) 75,839

Discontinued Operations (Notes)

Discontinued Operations (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Discontinued operations [Abstract]
Discontinued operations	Note 4 - Discontinued operations On January 29, 2016 , the Company sold certain assets and liabilities of its TDC Filter business based in Bolingbrook, Illinois to the Industrial Air division of CLARCOR, a NYSE-listed company based in Franklin, Tennesse. On January 29, 2016, the Company also sold its Nordic Air Filtration, Denmark and Nordic Air Filtration, Middle East businesses to Hengst Holding GmbH. The purchase price of these Illinois and international filtration businesses was $22.0 million , including cash proceeds of $18.4 million , of which $1.9 million is held in escrow until July 2017. The remaining domestic fabric filter business, which is included in held for sale, is operational and selling product as of January 31, 2016 . These businesses are reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements and the notes to consolidated financial statements have been revised to conform to the current year reporting. There was $0.1 million of tax expense for the period ended January 31, 2016 . Loss from discontinued operations net of tax was $6.0 million and $4.4 million for the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Impairment. The Company evaluates assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An asset is considered impaired if its carrying amount exceeds the undiscounted future net cash flow the asset is expected to generate. In the fourth quarter, Filtration Product's recorded a $6.5 million impairment expense relating to the Virginia facility Results of the discontinued operations were as follows: 2015 2014 Net sales $64,975 $68,110 Gain on disposal of discontinued operations $8,099 $188 Impairment expense from discontinued operations (6,480 ) — Loss from discontinued operations (7,569 ) (4,282 ) Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (5,950 ) (4,094 ) Income tax expense 94 324 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax ($6,044 ) ($4,418 ) Components of assets, and liabilities from discontinued operations consist of the following: January 31, 2016 2015 Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $5 $608 Trade accounts receivable, net 5,720 7,516 Inventories, net 2,000 15,157 Other assets 349 2,003 Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 6,456 14,477 Non-current assets 1,203 1,715 Total assets from discontinued operations $15,733 $41,476 Current liabilities Trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and other $7,514 $10,016 Current maturities of long-term debt 5,322 806 Long-term liabilities 2,629 10,557 Total liabilities from discontinued operations 15,465 21,379 Cashflows from discontinued operations: January 31, 2016 2015 Net cash used in discontinued operating activities ($7,113 ) ($2,629 ) Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued investing activities 17,026 (1,425 ) Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued financing activities (3,025 ) 4,219

Retention

Retention	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Retention [Abstract]
Retention	Note 5 - Retention Retention receivable is the amount withheld by a customer until a contract is completed. Retention receivables of $2.8 million and $5.7 million were included in the balance of trade accounts receivable as of January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Retention receivable of $3.2 million was included in the balance of other long-term assets as of January 31, 2016 due to the long-term nature of the receivables.

Costs and estimated earnings on

Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts [Abstract]
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	Note 6 - Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts 2015 2014 Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts $78,843 $66,547 Estimated earnings 46,359 31,082 Earned revenue 125,202 97,629 Less billings to date 123,915 97,610 Costs in excess of billings, net $1,287 $19 Balance sheet classification Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts $2,463 $700 Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts (1,176) (681) Costs in excess of billings, net $1,287 $19

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Debt [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 7 - Debt 2015 2014 Revolving line domestic $5,237 $11,353 Mortgage notes 1,443 1,530 Revolving lines foreign 8,131 2,774 Term loans 246 1,808 Capitalized lease obligations 442 1,060 Total debt 15,499 18,525 Less current maturities 14,006 16,170 Total long-term debt $1,493 $2,355 The following table summarizes the Company's scheduled maturities at January 31: Total 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Thereafter Revolving line domestic $5,237 $5,237 $— $— $— $— $— Mortgages 1,443 97 102 107 112 117 908 Revolving line foreign 8,131 8,131 — — — — — Term loans 246 165 81 — — — — Capitalized lease obligations 442 376 66 — — — — Total $15,499 $14,006 $249 $107 $112 $117 $908 On September 24, 2014, the Company entered into a credit and security agreement with a financial institution (as amended, "Credit Agreement"). Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, which matures on September 24, 2019 , the Company can borrow up to $25.0 million , subject to borrowing base and other requirements, under a revolving line of credit. The Credit Agreement covenants restrict debt, liens, and certain investments, and require attainment of specific levels of profitability and cash flows when reaching certain levels of availability . Interest rates are based on options selected by the Company as follows: (a) a margin in effect plus a base rate, if below certain availability limits; or (b) a margin in effect plus the Eurodollar rate for the corresponding interest period. At January 31, 2016 , the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement. The domestic revolving line balance as of January 31, 2015 and January 31, 2016 was included as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheets. At January 31, 2016 , the Company had borrowed $5.2 million at 3.25% and 1.5% and had $8.3 million available to it under the revolving line of credit. In addition, $0.3 million of availability was used under the Credit Agreement primarily to support letters of credit to guarantee amounts committed for inventory purchases. Cash required for operations is provided by draw-downs on the line of credit. On February 29, 2016, the Company reduced the amount that can be borrowed under the Credit Agreement to $15.0 million . Revolving lines foreign. The Company also has credit arrangements used by its Middle Eastern subsidiaries. These credit arrangements are in the form of overdraft facilities and project financing at rates competitive in the countries in which the Company operates. The lines are secured by certain equipment, certain assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory, and a guarantee by the Company. Some credit arrangement covenants requires a minimum tangible net worth to be maintained . At January 31, 2016 , the Company was in compliance with the covenant under the credit arrangement. Interest rates are 4.0% per annum below National Bank of Fujairah Base Rate, minimum 3.5% per annum and Emirates Inter Bank Offered Rate (EIBOR) plus 3.5% per annum. The Company's interest rates range from 3.5% to 6.0% at January 31, 2016 . At January 31, 2016 , the Company can borrow $43.8 million under these credit arrangements. The Company borrowed $8.1 million and had $28.7 million available under these credit arrangements as of January 31, 2016 . In addition, $7.0 million of availability was used to support letters of credit to guarantee amounts committed for inventory purchases. The Company has a revolving line for 50 million Saudi Riyal (approximately $13.3 million U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a Saudi Arabian bank. The loan has an interest rate of approximately 6% and matures September 2016 . The Company has a revolving line for 40 million Dirhams (approximately $10.9 million U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a bank in the U.A.E. The loan has an interest rate of approximately 6% and matures June 2016 . The Company has a revolving line for 71.6 million Dirhams (approximately $19.5 million U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) from a bank in the U.A.E. The loan has an interest rate of approximately 6% and matures November 2016 . The Company guarantees the subsidiaries' debt including all foreign debt. Mortgages. On June 19, 2012 , Perma-Pipe, Inc. borrowed $1.8 million under a mortgage note secured by its manufacturing facility in Lebanon, Tennessee. The proceeds were used for payment of amounts borrowed. The loan bears interest at 4.5% with monthly payments of $13 thousand for both principal and interest and matures July 1, 2027 . On June 19, 2022 , and on the same day of each year thereafter, the interest rate shall adjust to the prime rate, provided that the applicable interest rate shall not adjust more than 2.0% per annum and shall be subject to ceiling of 18.0% and a floor of 4.5% . On March 4, 2008 , the Company borrowed $5.4 million under a mortgage note secured by the Filtration Products manufacturing facility located in Bolingbrook, Illinois that matures March 2033 . The 25 year mortgage resets its interest rate every five years based on a published index. The interest rate is 4.04% with monthly payments of $30 thousand for principal and interest combined. This mortgage is reported in liabilities of discontinued operations. On January 18, 2008 , the Company borrowed $3.7 million under a mortgage note secured by its manufacturing and office facility in Niles, Illinois. The loan bears interest at 6.3% with monthly payments of $23 thousand for both principal and interest based on an amortization schedule of thirty years with a balloon payment at maturity in January 2018 . This mortgage is reported in current liabilities held for sale. Term loans. Between March 2015 and September 2015, the Company obtained loans in the amount of 1.3 million Dirhams (approximately $341 thousand U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the transaction dates). The loans bear interest at 5.0% and 6.0% with monthly payments of $17 thousand for both principal and interest and mature between April 1, 2017 and October 31, 2017 . Capital leases. On May 1, 2012 , Piping Systems borrowed $0.4 million under an equipment loan secured by equipment. The loan bears interest at 6.5% with monthly payments of $8 thousand for both principal and interest and matures June 2017 . On January 31, 2012 , Perma-Pipe, Inc. borrowed $1.2 million under an equipment loan secured by equipment. The loan bears interest at 6.7% with monthly payments of $24 thousand for both principal and interest and matures January 2017 . In 2013 and 2014, Piping Systems obtained two capital leases totaling 1.5 million Indian Rupees (approximately $24 thousand U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the transaction date) to finance vehicle equipment. The interest rates for these capital leases range from 12.8% to 18.2% per annum with monthly principal and interest payments of $1 thousand , and the leases mature in 2016 and 2017.

Lease information

Lease information	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Lease information [Abstract]
Lease information [Text Block]	Note 8 - Lease information Property under capitalized leases 2.015 2.014 Machinery and equipment $1,747 $1,803 Transportation equipment 22 24 Computer equipment — 92 Subtotal 1,769 1,919 Less accumulated amortization 726 691 Total $1,043 $1,228 The Company has several significant operating lease agreements as follows: • Nine acres of land in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is leased through 2030. • Land for production facilities in the U.A.E. of approximately 80,200 square feet is leased until June 30, 2030. Office space and land for production facilities of approximately 21,500 square feet in the U.A.E. is leased until July 2032. The Company leases its administrative offices in the U.A.E. from a partnership in which a Company employee is a partner. Total rent paid to the partnership was $0.3 million in 2015 and 2014 , respectively. At January 31, 2016 , future minimum annual rental commitments under non-cancelable lease obligations were as follows: Operating Leases Capital Leases 2016 $1,944 $1,386 2017 1,640 67 2018 1,378 — 2019 1,311 — 2020 1,327 — Thereafter 10,066 — Subtotal 17,666 1,453 Less Amount representing interest 22 Future minimum lease payments $17,666 $1,431 Rental expense for operating leases was $0.7 million and $0.8 million in 2015 and 2014 , respectively.

Income taxes

Income taxes	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Income tax [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 9 - Income taxes Income (loss) from continuing operations 2015 2014 Domestic ($2,066) $1,968 Foreign 5,076 5,320 Total $3,010 $7,288 Components of income tax expense (benefit) 2015 2014 Current Federal $12 $49 Foreign 1,541 1,851 State and other 71 (80 ) Subtotal 1,624 1,820 Deferred Federal — — Foreign (249 ) 1,231 State and other — — Subtotal (249 ) 1,231 Total $1,375 $3,051 The determination of the consolidated provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the related valuation allowances requires management to make judgments and estimates. As a company with subsidiaries in foreign jurisdictions, the Company is required to calculate and provide for estimated income tax expense for each of the tax jurisdictions. The process of calculating income taxes involves estimating current tax obligations and exposures in each jurisdiction as well as making judgments regarding the future recoverability of deferred tax assets. Changes in the estimated level of annual pre-tax income, in tax laws, and resulting from tax audits can affect the overall effective tax rate ("ETR"), which impacts the level of income tax expense and net income. Judgments and estimates related to the Company's projections and assumptions are inherently uncertain; therefore, actual results could differ materially from projections. ETR in 2015 was higher than the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate, mainly due to the impact of the full valuation allowance maintained against domestic deferred tax assets and the recognition of foreign earnings resulting from the dispositions of certain foreign operations. The Company remains in an NOL carryforward position. During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company sold its foreign filtration operations, the gain from which was taxable in the U.S. As such, the Company no longer considers the earnings of the remaining Denmark subsidiary permanently reinvested. Therefore, the Company has recorded a deferred tax liability of $0.2 million related to the U.S. federal and state income taxes on approximately $0.7 million of undistributed earnings. The Company has not provided Federal tax on remaining unremitted earnings of its Middle East subsidiaries. The Company does not believe that it will be necessary to repatriate earnings from these subsidiaries. The Company intends and has the ability to reinvest these earnings for the foreseeable future outside the U.S. If these amounts were distributed to the U.S., in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company could be subject to additional U.S. income taxes. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liabilities on these earnings is not practicable, because such liability, if any, is dependent on circumstances existing if and when remittance occurs. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company concluded that not all of the undistributed earnings of Perma-Pipe India Ltd, will remain permanently reinvested outside the U.S. and are available for use in the U.S. or in entities in other foreign countries. As such, the Company recorded a deferred tax liability of $0.2 million and $0.9 million for the periods ending January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to the U.S. federal and state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on approximately $2.8 million and $4.2 million of undistributed earnings. The decrease in deferred tax liability primarily relates to a $2.0 million dividend paid during January 2016 along with a decrease in accumulated earnings and profits. Future earnings related to this subsidiary are not deemed permanently reinvested. No U.S. cash tax payments will be made upon distribution of these foreign earnings as long as the Company has sufficient tax attributes in the U.S. to reduce the cash tax consequences of potential repatriation. The difference between the provision for income taxes and the amount computed by applying the Federal ETR of 34% was as follows: 2015 2014 Tax benefit at federal statutory rate $1,023 $2,478 Permanent differences management fee allocation 619 1,946 Domestic valuation allowance 804 — Permanent differences other 214 (540 ) Valuation allowance for state NOLs 88 (318 ) Differences in foreign tax rate (780 ) (291 ) Foreign tax credit (761 ) (793 ) Domestic deferred tax true ups (346 ) — Research tax credit (54 ) (29 ) Repatriation 821 1,530 Valuation allowance for foreign NOLs 32 35 Nontaxable income from the Canadian joint venture (205 ) (666 ) State taxes, net of federal benefit (58 ) (131 ) All other, net expense (22 ) (170 ) Total $1,375 $3,051 The Company has a Federal operating loss carryforward of $11.5 million that will begin to expire in the year ending January 31, 2030 . In addition, there are suspended excess tax benefits of $0.3 million . The deferred tax asset ("DTA") for state NOL carryforwards of $1.4 million relates to amounts that expire at various times from 2016 to 2031 . The amount that expired in 2015 is approximately $1 thousand . The Company has a DTA foreign NOL carryforward of $0.1 million for its subsidiary in Saudi Arabia that can be carried forward indefinitely and does not have a valuation allowance recorded against it. The ultimate realization of this tax benefit is dependent upon the generation of sufficient operating income in the foreign tax jurisdictions. The Company periodically reviews the adequacy of its valuation allowance in all of the tax jurisdictions in which it operates, evaluates future sources of taxable income and tax planning strategies and may make further adjustments based on management's outlook for continued profits in each jurisdiction For the year ending January 31, 2016 , the Company has determined that there is not a greater than 50% likelihood that all of the domestic DTAs will be realized based on the available evidence. The Company recorded a full valuation allowance against the remaining domestic net DTAs as of January 31, 2013 net of uncertain tax positions ("UTP"). The Company continues to have a valuation allowance on its domestic DTAs since domestic losses continue to be generated. The Company has a deferred tax asset of $2.9 million for U.S. foreign tax credits attributed to repatriated foreign earnings. The excess foreign tax credits are subject to a ten-year carryforward and will expire in January 31, 2022 . As of January 31, 2016, the Company has not made a provision for U.S. or additional foreign withholding taxes on approximately $40.4 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S., mainly in the Middle East. Components of deferred income tax assets 2015 2014 U.S. Federal NOL carryforward $3,044 $3,156 Non-qualified deferred compensation 2,382 2,363 Research tax credit 2,057 2,032 Foreign NOL carryforward 231 483 Foreign tax credit 2,861 2,088 Stock compensation 1,061 1,033 Other accruals not yet deducted 438 901 State NOL carryforward 1,419 1,291 Accrued commissions and incentives 723 584 Accrued pension — 735 Inventory valuation allowance 73 430 Other 106 561 Inventory uniform capitalization 10 94 Deferred tax assets, gross 14,405 15,751 Valuation allowance (13,333 ) (14,201 ) Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances $1,072 $1,550 Components of the deferred income tax liability Depreciation $633 $851 Foreign subsidiaries unremitted earnings 412 863 Prepaid 88 310 Total deferred tax liabilities $1,133 $2,024 Deferred tax liability, net $(61) $(474) Balance sheet classification Long-term assets $99 $260 Long-term liability 160 734 Total deferred tax liabilities, net of valuation allowances $(61) $(474) The following table summarizes UTP activity, excluding the related accrual for interest and penalties: 2.015 2.014 Balance at beginning of the year $1,288 $1,358 Increases in positions taken in a prior period 11 17 Increases in positions taken in a current period 14 — Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations — (42 ) Decreases due to settlements — (45 ) Balance at end of the year $1,313 $1,288 Included in the total UTP liability at January 31, 2016 were estimated accrued interest of $28 thousand and penalties of $17 thousand and at January 31, 2015 , accrued interest was $17 thousand and penalties were $15 thousand . These non-current income tax liabilities are recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company's policy is to include interest and penalties in income tax expense. At January 31, 2016 , the Company did not anticipate any significant adjustments to its unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months. Included in the balance at January 31, 2016 were amounts offset by deferred taxes (i.e., temporary differences) or amounts that could be offset by refunds in other taxing jurisdictions (i.e., corollary adjustments). Thus, $1.3 million of the amount accrued at January 31, 2016 would impact the ETR, if reversed. The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states and foreign jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. In July 2014, the Company received a notice from the Internal Revenue Service that it had concluded the tax audit for the years ended January 31, 2012 and 2013. No changes were made to the reported tax . Tax years back to January 31, 2011 are open for federal and state tax purposes. In addition, federal and state tax years January 31, 2002 through January 31, 2009 are subject to adjustment on audit, up to the amount of research tax credit generated in those years. The Company's management periodically estimates the probable tax obligations of the Company using historical experience in tax jurisdictions and informed judgments. There are inherent uncertainties related to the interpretation of tax regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company transacts business. The judgments and estimates made at a point in time may change based on the outcome of tax audits, as well as changes to or further interpretations of regulations. If such changes take place, there is a risk that the tax rate may increase or decrease in any period. Tax accruals for tax liabilities related to potential changes in judgments and estimates for federal, foreign and state tax issues are included in current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

Retirement plans Retirement pla

Retirement plans Retirement plans (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 10 - Retirement plans Pension plan The defined benefit plan that covered Winchester filtration hourly rated employees was frozen on June 30, 2013 per the third Amendment to the Plan dated May 15, 2013. Per the third amendment, the accrued benefit of each participant was frozen as of the freeze date, and no further benefits shall accrue with respect to any service or hours of service after the freeze date. The benefits are based on fixed amounts multiplied by years of service of participants. The Company engages outside actuaries to calculate its obligations and costs. The funding policy is to contribute such amounts as are necessary to provide for benefits attributed to service to date. The amounts contributed to the plan are sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Asset allocation The plans hold no securities of MFRI, Inc. ; 100% of the assets are held for benefits under the plan. The fair value of the major categories of the pension plans' investments are presented below. The FASB has established a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below: Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates); and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Level 3 - Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. Level 1 market value of plan assets 2015 2014 Equity securities $3,062 $3,795 U.S. bond market 2,168 2,033 Subtotal 5,230 5,828 Level 2 significant other observable inputs Money market fund $351 $340 Equity securities 302 0 Subtotal 653 340 Total 5,883 6,168 At January 31, 2016 , plan assets were held 61% in equity, 31% in debt and 8% in other. The investment policy is to invest all funds not needed to pay benefits and investment expenses for the year, with target asset allocations of 52% equities (with a range of 40% - 65%), 30% fixed income (with a range of 20% - 35%) and 18% Alternative Investments (with a range of 15% - 25%) , diversified across a variety of sub-asset classes and investment styles, following a flexible asset allocation approach that will allow the plan to participate in market opportunities as they become available. The expected long-term rate of return on assets is based on historical long-term rates of equity and fixed income investments and the asset mix objective of the funds. Investment market conditions in 2015 resulted in $25 thousand actual return on plan assets as presented below, which increased the fair value of plan assets at year end. The Company did not change its 8% expected return on plan assets used in determining cost and benefit obligations, which is the return that the Company has assumed during every profitable and unprofitable investment year since 1991. The plan's investments are intended to earn long-term returns to fund long-term obligations, and investment portfolios with asset allocations similar to those of the plan's investment policy have attained such returns over several decades. Future contributions that may be necessary to maintain funding requirements are not expected to materially affect the Company's liquidity. Reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of plan 2015 2014 Accumulated benefit obligations Vested benefits $6,587 $7,626 Accumulated benefits $7,020 $8,129 Change in benefit obligation Benefit obligation - beginning of year $8,129 $6,827 Service cost — — Interest cost 266 299 Actuarial (gain) loss (1,115 ) 1,249 Benefits paid (260 ) (246 ) Benefit obligation - end of year $7,020 $8,129 Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets - beginning of year $6,168 $6,351 Actual (gain) loss on plan assets (25 ) 63 Benefits paid (260 ) (246 ) Fair value of plan assets - end of year $5,883 $6,168 Unfunded status $(1,137) $(1,961) Balance sheet classification Current assets $326 $352 Other assets 1,166 1,163 Other long-term liabilities (2,629 ) (3,476 ) Net amount recognized $(1,137) $(1,961) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss Unrecognized actuarial loss $2,303 $3,124 Net amount recognized $2,303 $3,124 Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net cost and benefit obligations 2015 2014 End of year benefit obligation 4.05 % 3.35 % Service cost discount rate 4.50 % 4.50 % Expected return on plan assets 8.00 % 8.00 % Rate of compensation increase N/A N/A The discount rate was based on a Citigroup pension discount curve of high quality fixed income investments with cash flows matching the plans' expected benefit payments. The Company determines the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by performing a detailed analysis of historical and expected returns based on the strategic asset allocation approved by the Board of Directors and the underlying return fundamentals of each asset class. The Company's historical experience with the pension fund asset performance is also considered. Components of net periodic benefit cost 2015 2014 Service cost $0 $0 Interest cost 266 299 Expected return on plan assets (479) (494) Recognized actuarial loss 210 69 Net periodic benefit (income) cost ($3) ($126) Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income Actuarial gain (loss) on obligation $1,115 $(1,249) Actual (loss) gain on plan assets (294 ) (362 ) Total in other comprehensive income (loss) $821 $(1,611) Other comprehensive income is also affected by the tax effect of the valuation allowance recorded on the domestic deferred tax assets. Cash flows Expected employer contributions for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016 $— Expected employee contributions for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016 — Estimated future benefit payments reflecting expected future service for the fiscal year(s) ending January 31,: 2017 326 2018 349 2019 348 2020 363 2021 363 2022 - 2026 $1,841 401(k) plan The domestic employees of the Company participate in the MFRI, Inc. Employee Savings and Protection Plan, which is applicable to all employees except employees covered by collective bargaining agreement benefits. The plan allows employee pretax payroll contributions of up to 16% of total compensation. The Company matches 50% of each participant's contribution, up to a maximum of 3.5% of each participant's salary. Contributions to the 401(k) plan were $558 thousand and $439 thousand for the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Deferred compensation plan The Company had a Supplemental Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plan ("Supplemental Plan"), pursuant to which key employees deferred compensation. Participants receive distributions from the plan at the later of age 65 or six months after separation from service. Life insurance contracts have been purchased and may be used to fund the Company's obligation under these agreements. Deferred compensation liability 2015 2014 Current $6,167 $213 Long-term 495 6,560 Total $6,662 $6,773 Deferred compensation expense $36 $270 On April 10, 2014 , the Company's Boar d of Directors terminated the Supplemental Plan and its Deferred Stock Purchase Plan, adopted on December 5, 2012 (collectively, the " Plans " ), effective April 10, 2014 ("Termination Date"). No additional contributions will be made by the Company or participants under the Plans after the Termination Date . All funds and Company stock remaining in participant accounts will be distributed not later than 24 months after the Termination Date . T he Company is obligated to deliver 9,991 shares of Company common stock under the Deferred Stock Purchase Plan. Multi-employer plans The Company contributes to a multi-employer plan for certain collective bargaining U.S. employees. The risks of participating in this multi-employer plan are different from a single employer plan in the following aspects: • Assets contributed to the multi-employer plans by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. • If a participating employer ceases contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be inherited by the remaining participating employers. • If the Company chooses to stop participating in the multi-employer plan, the Company may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. The Company has assessed and determined that the multi-employer plans to which it contributes are not significant to the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company does not expect to incur a withdrawal liability or expect to significantly increase its contribution over the remainder of the contract period. The Company made contributions to the bargaining unit supported multi-employer pension plans. Funded Zone Status FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented Contribution Plan Name EIN Plan # 2015 2014 Surcharge Imposed Collective Bargaining Expiration Date Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 572 Pension Fund 626102837 001 Green No 233 236 No 3/31/2019

Stock options

Stock options	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Stock options [Abstract]
Stock options [Text Block]	Note 11 - Stock-based compensation The Company has stock-based compensation awards that can be granted to eligible employees, officers or directors. 2015 2014 Stock-based compensation expense (benefit) $116 ($114 ) Restricted stock based compensation expense $470 $82 Stock-based compensation was a benefit year-to-date due to cancellations. A majority of these cancellations related to former employees from the discontinued operations. Stock options On June 20, 2013 , the stockholders approved the 2013 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan ("Omnibus Plan"). Under the Omnibus Plan, 350,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to employees, officers, and directors of, and other individuals providing bona fide services to or for, the Company and its affiliates. In addition, on January 31, 2014 and each January 31 thereafter until January 31, 2023, the aggregate number of shares that may be issued with respect to Awards pursuant to the terms of this Plan will be increased by the number equal to 2% of the aggregate amount of common stock outstanding as of such date, provided, however, the maximum number of additional shares that may be issued pursuant to this sentence will not exceed 400,000 . The Omnibus Plan permits the granting of stock options (including incentive stock options qualifying under Code section 422 and nonstatutory stock options), stock appreciation rights, restricted or unrestricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance awards, deferred stock awards, other stock-based awards, or any combination of the foregoing. Awards will be valued at the Company's closing stock price on the date of grant. Options vest ratably over four years and are exercisable for up to ten years from the date of grant. To cover the exercise of vested options, the Company issues new shares from its authorized but unissued share pool. The Company calculates all stock compensation expense based on the grant date fair value of the option and recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the four-year vesting period of the option. The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that used the assumptions noted in the following table. The principal variable assumptions utilized in valuing options and the methodology for estimating such model inputs include: 1. risk-free interest rate - an estimate based on the "Market yield on U.S. Treasury securities at the rate for the period described in assumption 3 below, quoted on investment basis" for the end of week closest to the stock option grant date, from the Federal Reserve website; 2. expected volatility - an estimate based on the historical volatility of MFRI common stock's weekly closing stock price for the expected life ; and 3. expected life of the option - an estimate based on historical experience including the effect of employee terminations. 2.015 2.014 1. Risk-free interest rate .74%-1.77% .74%-1.77% 2. Expected volatility 40.88%-57.02% 40.88%-59.39% 3. Expected life in years 5.0 to 5.1 4.9 to 5.1 4. Dividend yield — — The following summarizes the activity related to options outstanding under all plans for the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2016 : Options Weighted average exercise price Weighted average remaining contractual term Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding at January 31, 2014 776 $11.69 6.1 $3,859 Granted 97 12.41 Exercised (45 ) 7.27 194 Expired or forfeited (64 ) 18.92 Outstanding at January 31, 2015 764 11.45 5.7 — Options exercisable at January 31, 2015 532 $12.04 4.5 — Granted 51 6.38 Exercised (18 ) 6.48 3 Expired or forfeited (77 ) 9.93 Outstanding at January 31, 2016 720 11.38 5.1 34 Options exercisable at January 31, 2016 554 $11.94 4.2 $30 The weighted average fair value of options granted, net of options surrendered, during 2015 and 2014 are estimated at $2.54 and $4.73 , per share, respectively, on the date of grant. Unvested options outstanding Options Weighted-average grant date fair value Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding at January 31, 2015 232 $10.11 $0 Granted 51 6.38 Vested (92 ) Expired or forfeited (25 ) 9.65 Outstanding at January 31, 2016 166 $9.51 $3 Based on historical experience the Company expects 85% of these options to vest. As of January 31, 2016 , there was $0.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 2.1 years.

Deferred and restricted stock (

Deferred and restricted stock (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Restricted stock [Abstract]
Schedule of deferred and restricted Stock [Table Text Block]	Deferred stock On April 10, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors terminated the Deferred Stock Purchase Plan, adopted on December 5, 2012 , effective April 10, 2014 ("Termination Date"). No additional contributions will be made by the Company or participants under the Plan after the Termination Date. All Company stock remaining in participant accounts was required to be distributed not later than 24 months after the Termination Date, accordingly the Company delivered 9,991 shares of Company common stock under this Plan in April 2016. Refer to "Deferred compensation plan" in Note 9 - Retirement plans, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements In June 2015 under the Omnibus Plan described above, the Company granted deferred stock units to each non-employee director at the time of the annual meeting of stockholders equal to the result of dividing $40,000 by the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. The stock will be distributed to the directors upon their separation from service. As of January 31, 2016 , there were approximately 77,293 deferred stock units outstanding included in restricted stock activity below. Restricted stock In June 2015 under the Omnibus Plan described above, the Company granted restricted stock to Tier I and Tier II executive officers. The restricted stock vest ratably over three years . Until restricted stock becomes vested and nonforfeitable, it may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or disposed of in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise), except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. The Company issues new shares from its treasury stock or authorized but unissued share pool. The Company calculates restricted stock compensation expense based on the grant date fair value and recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The following table summarizes restricted stock activity for the years ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively: Restricted shares Weighted average grant price Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding at January 31, 2014 50 $14.52 $719 Granted 54 12.41 Issued (15 ) Forfeited (3 ) 11.25 Outstanding at January 31, 2015 86 $14.52 $1,242 Granted 108 6.38 Issued (26 ) Forfeited (5 ) 6.38 Outstanding at January 31, 2016 163 $6.40 $1,040 As of January 31, 2016 , there was $0.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 2.3 years .

Treasury stock (Notes)

Treasury stock (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock [Text Block]	Note 12 - Treasury stock / share repurchase program. On February 5, 2015 , the Company's Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program, which authorizes the Company to use up to $2 million for the purchase of its outstanding shares of common stock. Share repurchases were permitted to be executed through open market or privately negotiated transactions on or prior to December 31, 2015 . The following table sets forth information with respect to repurchases by the Company of its shares of common stock during 2015: Period Total number of shares purchased (in thousands) Average price paid per share February 28 $6.64 March 17 6.27 April to December — —

Stock rights

Stock rights	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Stock rights [Abstract]
Stock rights	Note 13 - Stock rights On September 15, 2009, the Company entered into the Amendment ("Amendment") to Rights Agreement dated as of September 15, 1999. Among other things, the Amendment extends the term of the Rights Agreement until September 15, 2019 and amends definitions to include positions in derivative instruments related to the Company's common stock as constituting beneficial ownership of such stock. On September 15, 1999, the Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend of one common stock purchase right (a "Right") for each share of MFRI's common stock outstanding at the close of business on September 22, 1999. The stock issued after September 22, 1999 and before the redemption or expiration of the Rights is also entitled to one Right for each such additional share. Each Right entitles the registered holders, under certain circumstances, to purchase from the Company one share of MFRI's common stock at $25 , subject to adjustment. At no time will the Rights have any voting power. The Rights may not be exercised until 10 days after a person or group acquires 15% or more of the Company's common stock, or announces a tender offer that, if consummated, would result in 15% or more ownership of the Company's common stock. Separate Rights certificates will not be issued, and the Rights will not be traded separately from the stock until then. Should an acquirer become the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the Company's common stock, Rights holders other than the acquirer would have the right to buy common stock in MFRI, or in the surviving enterprise if MFRI is acquired, having a value of two times the exercise price then in effect. Also, MFRI's Board of Directors may exchange the Rights (other than those of the acquirer, which will have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of MFRI common stock (and/or other securities, cash or other assets having equal value) per Right subject to adjustment. The Rights described in this paragraph and the preceding paragraph shall not apply to an acquisition, merger or consolidation approved by the Company's Board of Directors. The Rights will expire on September 15, 2019 , unless exchanged or redeemed prior to that date. The redemption price is $0.01 per Right. MFRI's Board of Directors may redeem the Rights by a majority vote at any time prior to the 20th day following public announcement that a person or group has acquired 15% of MFRI's common stock. Under certain circumstances, the decision to redeem requires the concurrence of a majority of the independent directors.

Interest expense, net (Notes)

Interest expense, net (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Interest expense, net [Abstract]
Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 14 - Interest expense, net 2015 2.014 Interest expense $950 $1,045 Interest income (480 ) (526 ) Interest expense, net $470 $519

Subsequent events (Notes)

Subsequent events (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent events [Text Block]	Note 15 - Subsequent events As previously discussed, MFRI, through its wholly owned subsidiary Perma-Pipe Canada, Inc., acquired 100% ownership of BPPC, a coating and insulation company located in Alberta, Canada. The Company had owned a 49% interest in BPPC since 2009. On February 4, 2016 , the remaining 51% interest in BPPC was acquired from a subsidiary of Aegion Corporation for consideration of approximately $9.6 million in cash and debt .

(Notes)

(Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	Schedule II MFRI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS For the Years Ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 Balance at beginning of period Charged to costs and expenses Deductions from reserves (1) Charged to other accounts (2) Balance at end of period Year Ended January 31, 2016 Allowance for possible losses in collection of trade receivables $31 $6 $4 $0 $33 Year Ended January 31, 2015 Allowance for possible losses in collection of trade receivables $26 $10 $5 $0 $31 (1) Uncollectible accounts charged off (2) Primarily related to recoveries from accounts previously charged off and currency translation

Significant accounting polici26

Significant accounting policies Significant accounting policies	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
policies [Abstract]
Use of estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue recognition. The Company recognizes revenues including shipping and handling charges billed to customers, when all the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the seller's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. All subsidiaries of the Company, except as noted below, recognize revenues upon shipment or delivery of goods or services when title and risk of loss pass to customers.
Percentage-of-completion revenue recognition [Policy Text Block]	Percentage of completion revenue recognition. All divisions recognize revenues under the above stated revenue recognition policy except for domestic complex contracts that require periodic recognition of income. For these contracts, the Company uses the "percentage of completion" accounting method. Under this approach, income is recognized in each reporting period based on the status of the uncompleted contracts and the current estimates of costs to complete. The choice of accounting method is made at the time the contract is received based on the expected length and complexity of the project. The percentage of completion is determined by the relationship of costs incurred to the total estimated costs of the contract. Provisions are made for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions and final contract settlements, may result in revisions to costs and income. Such revisions are recognized in the period in which they are determined. Claims for additional compensation due the Company are recognized in contract revenues when realization is probable and the amount can be reliably estimated.
Shipping and handling, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Shipping and handling. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales, and the amounts invoiced to customers relating to shipping and handling are included in net sales.
Sales tax policy [Policy Text Block]	Sales tax. Sales tax is reported on a net basis in the consolidated financial statements.
Operating cycle, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Operating cycle. The length of piping systems contracts vary, but are typically less than one year. The Company includes in current assets and liabilities amounts realizable and payable in the normal course of contract completion unless completion of such contracts extends significantly beyond one year.
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company accounts for the investment in joint venture using the equity method.
Translation of foreign currency policy [Policy Text Block]	Translation of foreign currency. Assets and liabilities of consolidated foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at year-end. Revenues and expenses are translated at average weighted exchange rates prevailing during the year. Gains or losses on foreign currency transactions and the related tax effects are reflected in net income. The resulting translation adjustments are included in stockholders' equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Contingencies. The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business, including those involving environmental, tax, product liability and general liability claims. The Company accrues for such liabilities when it is probable that future costs will be incurred and such costs can be reasonably estimated. Such accruals are based on developments to date, the Company's estimates of the outcomes of these matters, and its experience in contesting, litigating and settling other similar matters. The Company does not currently anticipate the amount of any ultimate liability with respect to these matters will materially affect the Company's financial position, liquidity or future operations.
Cash and cash equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and cash equivalents. All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents were $16.6 million and $9.9 million as of January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. At January 31, 2016 , $0.2 million was held in the U.S. and $16.4 million was held in the foreign subsidiaries. Accounts payable included drafts payable of $0.3 million and $0.6 million as of January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.
Restricted cash, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Restricted cash. Restricted cash held by a foreign subsidiary were $2.3 million and $0.4 million as of January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.
Accounts receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounts receivable. The majority of the Company's accounts receivable are due from geographically dispersed contractors and manufacturing companies. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of a customer's financial condition, including the availability of credit insurance. In the U.S. collateral is not generally required. In the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia, letters of credit are obtained for material orders. Accounts receivable are due within various time periods specified in the terms applicable to the specific customer and are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for claims and doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated using a percentage of sales method based upon collection history and an estimate of uncollectible accounts. Management may exercise its judgment in adjusting the provision as a consequence of known items, such as current economic factors and credit trends. Past due trade accounts receivable balances are written off when the Company's collection efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting the amount due. Accounts receivable adjustments are recorded against the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Concentration of credit risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of credit risk. The Company maintains its U.S. cash in bank deposit accounts at financial institutions that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). Cash balances may exceed FDIC limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company has a broad customer base doing business in all regions of the U.S. as well as other areas in the world. At January 31, 2016 , one customer accounted for 10.3% of the Company's net sales. At January 31, 2015 , one customer accounted for 17.2% of the Company's net sales. Two customers accounted for 46.4% of accounts receivable at January 31, 2016 , and and one customer accounted for 37.4% of accounts receivable at January 31, 2015 . As of April 1, 2016, these customers have paid 40.4% of their receivables outstanding at January 31, 2016 .
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Represents the change in equity from non-owner transactions and consisted of foreign currency translation, minimum pension liability and interest rate swaps. 2015 2014 Equity adjustment foreign currency ($2,208 ) ($1,722 ) Minimum pension liability, gross (2,303) (3,124) Marketable security, gross 118 0 Interest rate swap, gross 0 (119) Subtotal excluding tax effect (4,393) (4,965) Tax effect of foreign exchange (69) (74) Tax effect of minimum pension liability 482 481 Tax effect of interest rate swap 0 28 Total other comprehensive loss ($3,980) ($4,530)
Inventories, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method for all inventories. 2015 2014 Raw materials $15,291 $13,150 Work in process 1,168 887 Finished goods 722 715 Subtotal 17,181 14,752 Less allowances 1,556 1,067 Inventories, net $15,625 $13,685
Long-lived assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Long-lived assets. Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Interest is capitalized in connection with the construction of facilities and amortized over the asset's estimated useful life. Long-lived assets are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If such a review indicates impairment, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to an estimated fair value. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to 30 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the remaining life of the lease or its useful life, whichever is shorter. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization. Depreciation expense was approximately $4.2 million in 2015 and in 2014 . 2015 2014 Land, buildings and improvements $14,758 $13,704 Machinery and equipment 41,534 38,509 Furniture, office equipment and computer systems 5,632 5,945 Transportation equipment 40 43 Subtotal 61,964 58,201 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 36,564 34,036 Property, plant and equipment, net $25,400 $24,165
Impairment of long-lived assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Impairment of long-lived assets. The Company evaluates long-lived assets (including intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. An asset is considered impaired if its carrying amount exceeds the undiscounted future net cash flow the asset is expected to generate. There was no impairment of long-lived assets in continuing operations as of January 31, 2016 and January 31, 2015. The Company's headquarters' building in Niles, Illinois is reported as held for sale at January 31, 2016 . There are no indications of impairment related to this asset.
Other intangible assets with definite lives, policy [Policy Text Block]	Other intangible assets with definite lives. The Company owns several patents including those covering features of its piping and electronic leak detection systems. Patents are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over a period not to exceed the legal lives of the patents. The Company expenses costs incurred to renew or extend the term of intangible assets. Gross patents were $2.6 million and $2.7 million as of January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately $2.3 million and $2.3 million as of January 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Future amortizations over the next five years ending January 31 will be $42,900 in 2016 , $39,900 in 2017 , $30,900 in 2018 , $27,900 in 2019 , $21,700 in 2020 , and $88,207 thereafter.
Investment in joint venture, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Investment in joint venture. In October 2009 , the Company invested $5.9 million , which consisted of $2.0 million for a 49% interest and $3.9 million for a note receivable, in a Canadian joint venture with The Bayou Companies, Inc., a subsidiary of Aegion Corporation. The joint venture operates in Camrose, Alberta, Canada. During the first six months of 2015, the Company received $1.9 million in principal repayments on the note receivable. On December 31, 2015, MFRI entered into a purchase agreement with its joint venture partner Aegion Corporation to acquire 100% ownership of BPPC, which acquisition closed on February 4, 2016 . The purchase price was approximately $9.6 million in cash and debt at closing and is subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The Company accounts for the investment in joint venture using the equity method. The financial results are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. 2015 2014 Share of income from joint venture $602 $1,960 The following information summarizes the joint venture financial data: 2015 2014 Current assets $8,274 $13,820 Noncurrent assets 12,284 14,023 Current liabilities 2,438 4,499 Noncurrent liabilities 3,908 9,013 Equity 14,212 14,331 Revenue 22,228 40,397 Gross profit 3,465 8,451 Income from continuing operations 1,938 6,397 Net income 1,228 4,000
Research and development, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Research and development . Research and development expenses consist of materials, salaries and related expenses of engineering personnel and outside services for product development projects. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expense was approximately $1.1 million in 2015 and $1.2 million in 2014 .
Income taxes, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income taxes. Deferred income taxes have been provided for temporary differences arising from differences in the basis of assets and liabilities for tax and financial reporting purposes. Deferred income taxes on temporary differences have been recorded at the current tax rate. The Company assesses its deferred tax assets and liabilities for realizability at each reporting period. The Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. For further information, see Note 9 - Income taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements .
Net loss per common share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Net loss per common share. Earnings per share ("EPS") are computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (basic). The years 2014 and 2015 had net losses; therefore, the diluted loss per share was identical to the basic loss per share rather than assuming conversion, exercise, or contingent issuance of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share. The years 2014 and 2015 had earnings from continuing operations. The EPS from continuing are computed by dividing income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (basic). The dilutive shares are in the following table: Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding 2015 2014 Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding 7,280 7,251 Dilutive effect of stock options, deferred stock and restricted stock units 91 73 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming full dilution 7,371 7,324 Weighted average number of stock options not included in the computation of diluted EPS of common stock because the option exercise prices exceeded the average market prices 710 261 Canceled options during the year (77 ) (64 ) Stock options with an exercise price below the average stock price 10 503
Equity-based compensation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Equity-based compensation. The Company issues various types of stock-based awards to employees and directors: restricted stock, deferred stock and stock options. Compensation expense associated with restricted and deferred stock is based on the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant. Stock compensation expense for stock options is recognized ratably over the requisite service period of the award. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model is utilized to estimate the fair value of option awards. Determining the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes model requires judgment, including estimates for (1) risk-free interest rate - an estimate based on the yield of zero-coupon treasury securities with a maturity equal to the expected life of the option; (2) expected volatility - an estimate based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock; and (3) expected life of the option - an estimate based on historical experience including the effect of employee terminations.
Fair value of financial instruments., Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair value of financial instruments . The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are reasonable estimates of their fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying amount of the Company's short-term debt, revolving line of credit and long-term debt approximate fair value because the majority of the amounts outstanding accrue interest at variable rates. The Company holds a marketable equity security of approximately $0.1 million at January 31, 2016 , which it classifies as available-for-sale and recorded in other non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. This security is carried at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses reflected in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The assessment for impairment of marketable equity securities as available-for sale is based on established financial methodologies, including quoted market prices for publicly traded securities. If the Company determines that a loss in the value of the investment is other than temporary, any such losses are recorded in other expense (income), net.
Reclassifications, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Reclassifications. Reclassifications were made to prior-year financial statements to conform to the current-year presentations.

Business and segment informat27

Business and segment information Segment information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Segment information [Line Items]
Segment information [Table Text Block]	Segment information was as follows: 2015 2014 Net sales Piping Systems $122,696 $126,923 Gross profit Piping Systems $26,741 $30,774 Income (loss) from operations Piping Systems $10,537 $12,740 Corporate (7,659) (6,893) Total income from operations $2,878 $5,847 Segment assets Piping Systems $112,161 $99,065 Corporate 10,229 7,533 Total segment assets $122,390 $106,598 Capital expenditures Piping Systems $4,762 $3,953 Corporate 289 485 Total capital expenditures $5,051 $4,438 Depreciation and amortization Piping Systems $3,735 $3,635 Corporate 469 552 Total depreciation and amortization $4,204 $4,187
Geographic information [Table Text Block]	Geographic information. Net sales are attributed to a geographic area based on the destination of the product shipment. Sales to foreign customers was 52% in 2015 compared to 50% in 2014 . Long-lived assets are based on the physical location of the assets and consist of property, plant and equipment used in the generation of revenues in the geographic area. 2015 2014 Net sales United States $58,707 $64,063 Middle East 60,749 50,430 Europe 73 372 Canada 2,581 3,248 India 372 5,099 Other Americas 72 3,657 Other 142 54 Total net sales $122,696 $126,923 Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation United States $13,822 $12,166 Middle East 11,211 11,608 India 367 391 Total $25,400 $24,165

Significant accounting polici28

Significant accounting policies Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Table Text Block]	2015 2014 Equity adjustment foreign currency ($2,208 ) ($1,722 ) Minimum pension liability, gross (2,303) (3,124) Marketable security, gross 118 0 Interest rate swap, gross 0 (119) Subtotal excluding tax effect (4,393) (4,965) Tax effect of foreign exchange (69) (74) Tax effect of minimum pension liability 482 481 Tax effect of interest rate swap 0 28 Total other comprehensive loss ($3,980) ($4,530)

Significant accounting polici29

Significant accounting policies Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Inventories [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	2015 2014 Raw materials $15,291 $13,150 Work in process 1,168 887 Finished goods 722 715 Subtotal 17,181 14,752 Less allowances 1,556 1,067 Inventories, net $15,625 $13,685

Significant accounting polici30

Significant accounting policies Long-lived assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Long lived assets [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	2015 2014 Land, buildings and improvements $14,758 $13,704 Machinery and equipment 41,534 38,509 Furniture, office equipment and computer systems 5,632 5,945 Transportation equipment 40 43 Subtotal 61,964 58,201 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 36,564 34,036 Property, plant and equipment, net $25,400 $24,165

Significant accounting polici31

Significant accounting policies Investment in joint venture (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Investment in joint venture [Abstract]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]	Investment in joint venture. In October 2009 , the Company invested $5.9 million , which consisted of $2.0 million for a 49% interest and $3.9 million for a note receivable, in a Canadian joint venture with The Bayou Companies, Inc., a subsidiary of Aegion Corporation. The joint venture operates in Camrose, Alberta, Canada. During the first six months of 2015, the Company received $1.9 million in principal repayments on the note receivable. On December 31, 2015, MFRI entered into a purchase agreement with its joint venture partner Aegion Corporation to acquire 100% ownership of BPPC, which acquisition closed on February 4, 2016 . The purchase price was approximately $9.6 million in cash and debt at closing and is subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The Company accounts for the investment in joint venture using the equity method. The financial results are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. 2015 2014 Share of income from joint venture $602 $1,960 The following information summarizes the joint venture financial data: 2015 2014 Current assets $8,274 $13,820 Noncurrent assets 12,284 14,023 Current liabilities 2,438 4,499 Noncurrent liabilities 3,908 9,013 Equity 14,212 14,331 Revenue 22,228 40,397 Gross profit 3,465 8,451 Income from continuing operations 1,938 6,397 Net income 1,228 4,000

Significant accounting polici32

Significant accounting policies Net loss per common share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding 2015 2014 Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding 7,280 7,251 Dilutive effect of stock options, deferred stock and restricted stock units 91 73 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming full dilution 7,371 7,324 Weighted average number of stock options not included in the computation of diluted EPS of common stock because the option exercise prices exceeded the average market prices 710 261 Canceled options during the year (77 ) (64 ) Stock options with an exercise price below the average stock price 10 503

Correction of immaterial erro33

Correction of immaterial errors (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Schedule of Quantifying Prior Year Misstatements Corrected in Current Year Financial Statements [Table Text Block]	A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported balance sheet at January 31, 2015 follows: As Reported Adjustment As Adjusted Inventories, net $14,613 ($928) $13,685 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,345 205 2,550 Total current assets 110,427 (723 ) 109,704 Total assets 148,797 (723 ) 148,074 Retained earnings 25,325 (723 ) 24,602 Total stockholders' equity 73,523 (723 ) 72,800 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 148,797 (723 ) 148,074 A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported statement of operations for the year ending January 31, 2015 follows: As Reported Adjustment As Adjusted Cost of sales $96,247 ($98) $96,149 Gross profit 30,676 98 30,774 General and administrative expense 19,179 23 19,202 Total operating expenses 24,904 23 24,927 Income from operations 5,772 75 5,847 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 7,213 75 7,288 Income from continuing operations 4,162 75 4,237 Net loss (256 ) 75 (181 ) A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported statement of cash flows for the year ending January 31, 2015 follows: As Reported Adjustment As Adjusted Net loss ($256) $75 ($181) Inventories, net 3,348 (98 ) 3,250 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 977 23 1,000 A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported statement of stockholders' equity for the year ending January 31, 2015 follows: As Reported Adjustment As Adjusted Net loss ($256) $75 ($181) Retained earnings 25,325 (723 ) 24,602 Total comprehensive loss (3,626 ) 75 (3,551 ) A reconciliation of the effects of the adjustments to the previously reported statement of stockholders' equity for the year ending January 31, 2014 follows: As Reported Adjustment As Adjusted Retained earnings $25,580 ($797) $24,783 Stockholders' Equity 76,636 (797 ) 75,839

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Discontinued operations [Line Items]
Discontinued operations [Table Text Block]	Results of the discontinued operations were as follows: 2015 2014 Net sales $64,975 $68,110 Gain on disposal of discontinued operations $8,099 $188 Impairment expense from discontinued operations (6,480 ) — Loss from discontinued operations (7,569 ) (4,282 ) Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (5,950 ) (4,094 ) Income tax expense 94 324 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax ($6,044 ) ($4,418 ) Components of assets, and liabilities from discontinued operations consist of the following: January 31, 2016 2015 Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $5 $608 Trade accounts receivable, net 5,720 7,516 Inventories, net 2,000 15,157 Other assets 349 2,003 Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 6,456 14,477 Non-current assets 1,203 1,715 Total assets from discontinued operations $15,733 $41,476 Current liabilities Trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and other $7,514 $10,016 Current maturities of long-term debt 5,322 806 Long-term liabilities 2,629 10,557 Total liabilities from discontinued operations 15,465 21,379 Cashflows from discontinued operations: January 31, 2016 2015 Net cash used in discontinued operating activities ($7,113 ) ($2,629 ) Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued investing activities 17,026 (1,425 ) Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued financing activities (3,025 ) 4,219

Costs and estimated earnings 35

Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts [Abstract]
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts [Table Text Block]	2015 2014 Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts $78,843 $66,547 Estimated earnings 46,359 31,082 Earned revenue 125,202 97,629 Less billings to date 123,915 97,610 Costs in excess of billings, net $1,287 $19 Balance sheet classification Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts $2,463 $700 Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts (1,176) (681) Costs in excess of billings, net $1,287 $19

Debt Debt repayment (Tables)

Debt Debt repayment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	2015 2014 Revolving line domestic $5,237 $11,353 Mortgage notes 1,443 1,530 Revolving lines foreign 8,131 2,774 Term loans 246 1,808 Capitalized lease obligations 442 1,060 Total debt 15,499 18,525 Less current maturities 14,006 16,170 Total long-term debt $1,493 $2,355
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the Company's scheduled maturities at January 31: Total 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Thereafter Revolving line domestic $5,237 $5,237 $— $— $— $— $— Mortgages 1,443 97 102 107 112 117 908 Revolving line foreign 8,131 8,131 — — — — — Term loans 246 165 81 — — — — Capitalized lease obligations 442 376 66 — — — — Total $15,499 $14,006 $249 $107 $112 $117 $908

Lease information Property unde

Lease information Property under capital lease (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Property under capital leases [Abstract]
Schedule of capital leased assets [Table Text Block]	Property under capitalized leases 2.015 2.014 Machinery and equipment $1,747 $1,803 Transportation equipment 22 24 Computer equipment — 92 Subtotal 1,769 1,919 Less accumulated amortization 726 691 Total $1,043 $1,228

Lease information Future minimu

Lease information Future minimum lease payments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Future minimum lease payments [Abstract]
Future minimum rental payments for operating leases [Table Text Block]	Operating Leases Capital Leases 2016 $1,944 $1,386 2017 1,640 67 2018 1,378 — 2019 1,311 — 2020 1,327 — Thereafter 10,066 — Subtotal 17,666 1,453 Less Amount representing interest 22 Future minimum lease payments $17,666 $1,431

Income taxes (Loss) income befo

Income taxes (Loss) income before income taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
(Loss) income before income taxes [Table Text Block]	Income (loss) from continuing operations 2015 2014 Domestic ($2,066) $1,968 Foreign 5,076 5,320 Total $3,010 $7,288

Income taxes Components of inco

Income taxes Components of income tax (benefit) expense (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Income taxes [Abstract]
Components of income tax expense (benefit) [Table Text Block]	Components of income tax expense (benefit) 2015 2014 Current Federal $12 $49 Foreign 1,541 1,851 State and other 71 (80 ) Subtotal 1,624 1,820 Deferred Federal — — Foreign (249 ) 1,231 State and other — — Subtotal (249 ) 1,231 Total $1,375 $3,051
Effective income tax rate reconciliation[Table Text Block]	2015 2014 Tax benefit at federal statutory rate $1,023 $2,478 Permanent differences management fee allocation 619 1,946 Domestic valuation allowance 804 — Permanent differences other 214 (540 ) Valuation allowance for state NOLs 88 (318 ) Differences in foreign tax rate (780 ) (291 ) Foreign tax credit (761 ) (793 ) Domestic deferred tax true ups (346 ) — Research tax credit (54 ) (29 ) Repatriation 821 1,530 Valuation allowance for foreign NOLs 32 35 Nontaxable income from the Canadian joint venture (205 ) (666 ) State taxes, net of federal benefit (58 ) (131 ) All other, net expense (22 ) (170 ) Total $1,375 $3,051

Income taxes Components of defe

Income taxes Components of deferred income tax (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Components of deferred income tax [Line Items]
Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities [Table Text Block]	Components of deferred income tax assets 2015 2014 U.S. Federal NOL carryforward $3,044 $3,156 Non-qualified deferred compensation 2,382 2,363 Research tax credit 2,057 2,032 Foreign NOL carryforward 231 483 Foreign tax credit 2,861 2,088 Stock compensation 1,061 1,033 Other accruals not yet deducted 438 901 State NOL carryforward 1,419 1,291 Accrued commissions and incentives 723 584 Accrued pension — 735 Inventory valuation allowance 73 430 Other 106 561 Inventory uniform capitalization 10 94 Deferred tax assets, gross 14,405 15,751 Valuation allowance (13,333 ) (14,201 ) Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances $1,072 $1,550 Components of the deferred income tax liability Depreciation $633 $851 Foreign subsidiaries unremitted earnings 412 863 Prepaid 88 310 Total deferred tax liabilities $1,133 $2,024 Deferred tax liability, net $(61) $(474) Balance sheet classification Long-term assets $99 $260 Long-term liability 160 734 Total deferred tax liabilities, net of valuation allowances $(61) $(474)

Income taxes UTP (Tables)

Income taxes UTP (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Summary of income tax contingencies [Table Text Block]	2.015 2.014 Balance at beginning of the year $1,288 $1,358 Increases in positions taken in a prior period 11 17 Increases in positions taken in a current period 14 — Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations — (42 ) Decreases due to settlements — (45 ) Balance at end of the year $1,313 $1,288 Included in the total UTP liability at January 31, 2016 were estimated accrued interest of $28 thousand and penalties of $17 thousand and at January 31, 2015 , accrued interest was $17 thousand and penalties were $15 thousand . These non-current income tax liabilities are recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company's policy is to include interest and penalties in income tax expense. At January 31, 2016 , the Company did not anticipate any significant adjustments to its unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months. Included in the balance at January 31, 2016 were amounts offset by deferred taxes (i.e., temporary differences) or amounts that could be offset by refunds in other taxing jurisdictions (i.e., corollary adjustments). Thus, $1.3 million of the amount accrued at January 31, 2016 would impact the ETR, if reversed.

Retirement plans Plan assets (T

Retirement plans Plan assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	Level 1 market value of plan assets 2015 2014 Equity securities $3,062 $3,795 U.S. bond market 2,168 2,033 Subtotal 5,230 5,828 Level 2 significant other observable inputs Money market fund $351 $340 Equity securities 302 0 Subtotal 653 340 Total 5,883 6,168

Retirement plans Defined pensio

Retirement plans Defined pension disclosure (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of plan 2015 2014 Accumulated benefit obligations Vested benefits $6,587 $7,626 Accumulated benefits $7,020 $8,129 Change in benefit obligation Benefit obligation - beginning of year $8,129 $6,827 Service cost — — Interest cost 266 299 Actuarial (gain) loss (1,115 ) 1,249 Benefits paid (260 ) (246 ) Benefit obligation - end of year $7,020 $8,129 Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets - beginning of year $6,168 $6,351 Actual (gain) loss on plan assets (25 ) 63 Benefits paid (260 ) (246 ) Fair value of plan assets - end of year $5,883 $6,168 Unfunded status $(1,137) $(1,961) Balance sheet classification Current assets $326 $352 Other assets 1,166 1,163 Other long-term liabilities (2,629 ) (3,476 ) Net amount recognized $(1,137) $(1,961) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss Unrecognized actuarial loss $2,303 $3,124 Net amount recognized $2,303 $3,124

Retirement plans Assumptions (T

Retirement plans Assumptions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net cost and benefit obligations 2015 2014 End of year benefit obligation 4.05 % 3.35 % Service cost discount rate 4.50 % 4.50 % Expected return on plan assets 8.00 % 8.00 % Rate of compensation increase N/A N/A

Retirement plans Components of

Retirement plans Components of net periodic benefit cost (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	Components of net periodic benefit cost 2015 2014 Service cost $0 $0 Interest cost 266 299 Expected return on plan assets (479) (494) Recognized actuarial loss 210 69 Net periodic benefit (income) cost ($3) ($126)

Retirement plans Amounts recogn

Retirement plans Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income Actuarial gain (loss) on obligation $1,115 $(1,249) Actual (loss) gain on plan assets (294 ) (362 ) Total in other comprehensive income (loss) $821 $(1,611) Other comprehensive income is also affected by the tax effect of the valuation allowance recorded on the domestic deferred tax assets.

Retirement plans Cash flows (Ta

Retirement plans Cash flows (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	Cash flows Expected employer contributions for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016 $— Expected employee contributions for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016 — Estimated future benefit payments reflecting expected future service for the fiscal year(s) ending January 31,: 2017 326 2018 349 2019 348 2020 363 2021 363 2022 - 2026 $1,841

Retirement plans Deferred compe

Retirement plans Deferred compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Deferred compensation [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual Disclosure, Postretirement Benefits [Table Text Block]	Deferred compensation liability 2015 2014 Current $6,167 $213 Long-term 495 6,560 Total $6,662 $6,773 Deferred compensation expense $36 $270

Retirement plans Multi-employer

Retirement plans Multi-employer (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Schedule of Multiemployer Plans [Table Text Block]	Funded Zone Status FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented Contribution Plan Name EIN Plan # 2015 2014 Surcharge Imposed Collective Bargaining Expiration Date Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 572 Pension Fund 626102837 001 Green No 233 236 No 3/31/2019

Stock options Option activity (

Stock options Option activity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Option activity [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	2.015 2.014 1. Risk-free interest rate .74%-1.77% .74%-1.77% 2. Expected volatility 40.88%-57.02% 40.88%-59.39% 3. Expected life in years 5.0 to 5.1 4.9 to 5.1 4. Dividend yield — —
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	Options Weighted average exercise price Weighted average remaining contractual term Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding at January 31, 2014 776 $11.69 6.1 $3,859 Granted 97 12.41 Exercised (45 ) 7.27 194 Expired or forfeited (64 ) 18.92 Outstanding at January 31, 2015 764 11.45 5.7 — Options exercisable at January 31, 2015 532 $12.04 4.5 — Granted 51 6.38 Exercised (18 ) 6.48 3 Expired or forfeited (77 ) 9.93 Outstanding at January 31, 2016 720 11.38 5.1 34 Options exercisable at January 31, 2016 554 $11.94 4.2 $30

Stock options Unvested options

Stock options Unvested options (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Unvested options [Abstract]
Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block]	Unvested options outstanding Options Weighted-average grant date fair value Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding at January 31, 2015 232 $10.11 $0 Granted 51 6.38 Vested (92 ) Expired or forfeited (25 ) 9.65 Outstanding at January 31, 2016 166 $9.51 $3

Stock options Stock based compe

Stock options Stock based compensation expense (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Restricted stock [Line Items]
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	2015 2014 Stock-based compensation expense (benefit) $116 ($114 ) Restricted stock based compensation expense $470 $82

Deferred and restricted stock54

Deferred and restricted stock (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Restricted stock [Line Items]
Schedule of restricted stock award activity [Table Text Block]	Restricted shares Weighted average grant price Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding at January 31, 2014 50 $14.52 $719 Granted 54 12.41 Issued (15 ) Forfeited (3 ) 11.25 Outstanding at January 31, 2015 86 $14.52 $1,242 Granted 108 6.38 Issued (26 ) Forfeited (5 ) 6.38 Outstanding at January 31, 2016 163 $6.40 $1,040

Treasury stock (Tables)

Treasury stock (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Class of Treasury Stock [Table Text Block]	Period Total number of shares purchased (in thousands) Average price paid per share February 28 $6.64 March 17 6.27 April to December — —

Interest expense, net (Tables)

Interest expense, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Interest expense, net [Abstract]
Interest expense, net [Table Text Block]	Interest expense, net 2015 2.014 Interest expense $950 $1,045 Interest income (480 ) (526 ) Interest expense, net $470 $519

Schedule II Schedule II Allowan

Schedule II Schedule II Allowance for bad debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Summary of Valuation Allowance [Table Text Block]	Balance at beginning of period Charged to costs and expenses Deductions from reserves (1) Charged to other accounts (2) Balance at end of period Year Ended January 31, 2016 Allowance for possible losses in collection of trade receivables $31 $6 $4 $0 $33 Year Ended January 31, 2015 Allowance for possible losses in collection of trade receivables $26 $10 $5 $0 $31

Business and segment informat58

Business and segment information Segment reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016USD ($)Segments	Jan. 31, 2015USD ($)
Segment information [Line Items]
Entity Incorporation, Date of Incorporation	Oct. 12, 1993
Number of reportable segments | Segments	1
Net sales	$ 122,696	$ 126,923
Gross profit	26,741	30,774
Income (loss) from operations
Income (loss) from operations	2,878	5,847
Segment assets	138,123	148,074
Capital expenditures	5,051	4,438
Depreciation and amortization	4,204	4,187
Piping Systems [Member]
Segment information [Line Items]
Net sales	122,696	126,923
Gross profit	26,741	30,774
Income (loss) from operations
Income (loss) from operations	10,537	12,740
Segment assets	112,161	99,065
Capital expenditures	4,762	3,953
Depreciation and amortization	3,735	3,635
Corporate [Member]
Income (loss) from operations
Income (loss) from operations	(7,659)	(6,893)
Segment assets	10,229	7,533
Capital expenditures	289	485
Depreciation and amortization	469	552
Operating Segments [Member]
Income (loss) from operations
Segment assets	$ 122,390	$ 106,598

Business and segment informat59

Business and segment information Geographic information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Geographic information [Line Items]
foreign sales	52.00%	50.00%
Net sales	$ 122,696	$ 126,923
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	25,400	24,165
United States
Geographic information [Line Items]
Net sales	58,707	64,063
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	13,822	12,166
Middle East [Member]
Geographic information [Line Items]
Net sales	60,749	50,430
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	11,211	11,608
Europe
Geographic information [Line Items]
Net sales	73	372
Canada
Geographic information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,581	3,248
India
Geographic information [Line Items]
Net sales	372	5,099
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	367	391
Other Americas
Geographic information [Line Items]
Net sales	72	3,657
Other
Geographic information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 142	$ 54

Significant accounting polici60

Significant accounting policies Cash and cash equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 16,631	$ 9,900	$ 13,395
United States
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	229
Middle East [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 16,402

Significant accounting polici61

Significant accounting policies Drafts payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Drafts payable [Abstract]
Drafts payable	$ 0.3	$ 0.6

Significant accounting polici62

Significant accounting policies Restricted cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Restricted cash [Line Items]
Restricted cash foreign	$ 2,300
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,324	$ 428

Significant accounting polici63

Significant accounting policies Concentration of credit risk (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
portion of customers accounts receivable paid	40.40%
Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Customer concentration risk, percentage	10.30%	17.20%
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Customer concentration risk, percentage	46.40%	37.40%

Significant accounting polici64

Significant accounting policies Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]
Equity adjustment foreign currency	$ (2,208)	$ (1,722)
Minimum pension liability, gross	(2,303)	(3,124)
Marketable security, gross	118	0
Interest rate swap, gross	0	(119)
Accumulated other comprehensive income before tax	(4,393)	(4,965)
Tax effect of foreign exchange	(69)	(74)
Tax effect of minimum pension liability	482	481
Tax effect of interest rate swap	0	28
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (3,980)	$ (4,530)

Significant accounting polici65

Significant accounting policies Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 15,291	$ 13,150
Work in process	1,168	887
Finished goods	722	715
Subtotal	17,181	14,752
Less allowances	1,556	1,067
Inventories, net	$ 15,625	$ 13,685

Significant accounting polici66

Significant accounting policies Long lived assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 4,204	$ 4,187
Land, buildings and improvements	14,758	13,704
Machinery and equipment	41,534	38,509
Furniture, office equipment and computer systems	5,632	5,945
Transportation equipment	40	43
Subtotal	61,964	58,201
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	36,564	34,036
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 25,400	$ 24,165

Significant accounting polici67

Significant accounting policies Other intangible assets with definite lives (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Patents, Gross	$ 2,600,000	$ 2,700,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	2,330,000	$ 2,280,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	42,900
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	39,900
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	30,900
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	27,900
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	21,700
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five	$ 88,207

Significant accounting polici68

Significant accounting policies Investment in joint venture (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
date of investment in joint venture	Oct. 18, 2009
initial investment in joint venture	$ 5,900
Payments to acquire interest in JV	$ 2,000
Ownership percentage of joint venture	49.00%
Advances to joint venture	$ 3,900
Payments on loan from joint venture	$ 1,890	$ 0
Subsequent event date	Feb. 4, 2016
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 9,600
Income from joint venture	602	1,960
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets	8,274	13,820
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Assets	12,284	14,023
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Liabilities	2,438	4,499
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Liabilities	3,908	9,013
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Equity or Capital	14,212	14,331
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	22,228	40,397
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss)	3,465	8,451
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Extraordinary Items	1,938	6,397
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	$ 1,228	$ 4,000

Significant accounting polici69

Significant accounting policies Net income (loss) per share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Basic	7,280	7,251
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment	91	73
Diluted	7,371	7,324
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	710	261
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements	10	503
Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period	(77)	(64)

Significant accounting polici70

Significant accounting policies Research and development (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Research and development [Line Items]
Research and Development Expense	$ 1.1	$ 1.2

Significant accounting polici71

Significant accounting policies Financial instruments (Details) $ in Millions	Jan. 31, 2016USD ($)
Marketable Securities	$ 0.1

New Accounting Pronouncements L

New Accounting Pronouncements Loan costs (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Deferred Costs [Abstract]
Deferred Finance Costs Disclosures	0.2

Correction of immaterial erro73

Correction of immaterial errors (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Inventory Adjustments	$ (928)		$ (928)	$ (1,026)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ (98)
Inventory Adjustments		$ (4,027)	$ (3,250)

Correction of immaterial erro74

Correction of immaterial errors Adjustments to the previously reported balance sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Inventories, net	$ 15,625	$ 13,685
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,744	2,550
Total current assets	97,048	109,704
Total assets	138,123	148,074
Retained earnings	20,193	24,602	$ 24,783
Total stockholders' equity	69,028	72,800	75,839
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 138,123	148,074
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Inventories, net		14,613
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,345
Total current assets		110,427
Total assets		148,797
Retained earnings		25,325	25,580
Total stockholders' equity		73,523	76,636
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		148,797
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Inventories, net		(928)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		205
Total current assets		(723)
Total assets		(723)
Retained earnings		(723)	(797)
Total stockholders' equity		(723)	$ (797)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$ (723)

Correction of immaterial erro75

Correction of immaterial errors Adjustments to the previously reported statement of operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Cost of sales	$ 95,955	$ 96,149
Gross profit	26,741	30,774
General and administrative expense	18,869	19,202
Operating Expenses	23,863	24,927
Income from operations	2,878	5,847
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	3,010	7,288
Income from continuing operations	1,635	4,237
Net loss	$ (4,409)	(181)
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Cost of sales		96,247
Gross profit		30,676
General and administrative expense		19,179
Operating Expenses		24,904
Income from operations		5,772
Income from continuing operations before income taxes		7,213
Income from continuing operations		4,162
Net loss		(256)
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Cost of sales		(98)
Gross profit		98
General and administrative expense		23
Operating Expenses		23
Income from operations		75
Income from continuing operations before income taxes		75
Income from continuing operations		75
Net loss		$ 75

Correction of immaterial erro76

Correction of immaterial errors Adjustments to the previously reported statement of cash flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net loss	$ (4,409)	$ (181)
Change in Inventories	(4,027)	(3,250)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 1,914	1,000
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net loss		(256)
Change in Inventories		(3,348)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(977)
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net loss		75
Change in Inventories		98
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		$ (23)

Correction of immaterial erro77

Correction of immaterial errors Adjustments to the previously reported statement of stockholders' equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net loss	$ (4,409)	$ (181)
Retained earnings	20,193	24,602	$ 24,783
Comprehensive loss	(3,859)	(3,551)
Total stockholders' equity	$ 69,028	72,800	75,839
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net loss		75
Retained earnings		(723)	(797)
Comprehensive loss		75
Total stockholders' equity		(723)	(797)
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net loss		(256)
Retained earnings		25,325	25,580
Comprehensive loss		(3,626)
Total stockholders' equity		$ 73,523	$ 76,636

Discontinued Operations (Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Discontinued operations [Line Items]
Assets of discontinued operations	$ 15,733	$ 41,476
Liabilities of discontinued operations	15,465	21,379
Long-term liabilities	$ 2,629	10,557
Disposal date	Jan. 29, 2016
Gross sales price	$ 22,000
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	18,400
Funds held in escrow related to the sale of Filtration assets	1,905	0
Discontinued operation, net sales	64,975	68,110
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations	8,099	188
Impairment expense on discontinued operations	(6,480)	0
Loss from discontinued operation	(7,569)	(4,282)
Loss from discontinued operation, before income tax	(5,950)	(4,094)
Discontinued operation, income tax expense	94	324
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (6,044)	$ (4,418)

Discontinued Operations Discont

Discontinued Operations Discontinued operations balance sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Discontinued operations [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5	$ 608
Trade accounts receivable, net	5,720	7,516
Inventory	2,000	15,157
Other assets	349	2,003
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	6,456	14,477
Non-current assets	1,203	1,715
Total assets from discontinued operations	15,733	41,476
Trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	7,514	10,016
Current maturities of long-term debt	5,322	806
Long-term liabilities	2,629	10,557
Total liabilities from discontinued operations	$ 15,465	$ 21,379

Discontinued Operations Cashflo

Discontinued Operations Cashflows from discontinued operations (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Cashflows from discontinued operations [Abstract]
Net cash used in discontinued operating activities	$ (7,113,000)	$ (2,629,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued investing activities	17,026,000	(1,425,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued financing activities	$ (3,025,000)	$ 4,219,000

Retention Retention receivable

Retention Retention receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Retention receivable [Line Items]
Retention receivable	$ 2.8	$ 5.7
Receivables, Long-term Contracts or Programs	$ 3.2

Costs and estimated earnings 82

Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts	$ 78,843	$ 66,547
Estimated earnings	46,359	31,082
Earned revenue	125,202	97,629
Less Billings to date	123,915	97,610
Costs in excess of billings, net	1,287	19
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	2,463	700
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	$ (1,176)	$ (681)

Debt Debt by type (Details)

Debt Debt by type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving line domestic	$ 5,237	$ 11,353
Mortgages	1,443	1,530
Revolving line foreign	8,131	2,774
Term Loans	246	1,808
Capitalized Lease Obligations	442	1,060
Total debt	15,499	18,525
Current maturities of long-term debt	14,006	16,170
Total long-term debt	1,493	2,355
United States
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving line domestic	$ 5,237	$ 11,353

Debt 5 year repayment (Details)

Debt 5 year repayment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving line domestic	$ 5,237	$ 11,353
Mortgages	1,443	1,530
Revolving line foreign	8,131	2,774
Term Loans	246	1,808
Capitalized Lease Obligations	442	1,060
Total debt	15,499	18,525
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	376
Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years without interest	66
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	0
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	0
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations	0
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	0
Current maturities of long-term debt	14,006	16,170
Total debt principal in Year Two	249
Total debt principal in Year Three	107
Total debt principal in Year Four	112
Total debt principal after Year Five	117
Total debt principal Thereafter	908
United States
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving line domestic	5,237	$ 11,353
Revolving line	0
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months	97
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	102
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	107
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	112
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	117
Total debt principal Thereafter	908
Other Debt Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months	165
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	81
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	0
Total debt principal Thereafter	0
Foreign Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving line foreign	8,131
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months	8,131
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	0
Total debt principal Thereafter	$ 0

Debt Narrative (Details)

Debt Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving line domestic	$ 5,237	$ 11,353
Revolving line foreign	$ 8,131	2,774
United States
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	Sep. 24, 2019
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms	require attainment of specific levels of profitability and cash flows when reaching certain levels of availability
Foreign Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving line foreign	$ 8,131
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 43,800
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms	Some credit arrangement covenants requires a minimum tangible net worth to be maintained
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Compliance	in compliance with the covenant under the credit arrangement.
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	Interest rates are 4.0% per annum below National Bank of Fujairah Base Rate, minimum 3.5% per annum and Emirates Inter Bank Offered Rate (EIBOR) plus 3.5% per annum. The Company's interest rates range from 3.5% to 6.0%
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months	$ 8,131
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	28,700
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 7,000
Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 1, 2016
Face value of debt in local currency	50 million Saudi Riyal
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 13,300
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	6.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jun. 1, 2016
Face value of debt in local currency	40 million Dirhams
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 10,900
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	6.00%
Middle East [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Nov. 30, 2016
Face value of debt in local currency	71.6 million Dirhams
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 19,500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	6.00%
United States
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving line domestic	$ 5,237	$ 11,353
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 25,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	(a) a margin in effect plus a base rate, if below certain availability limits; or (b) a margin in effect plus the Eurodollar rate for the corresponding interest period.
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	3.25%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$ 8,300
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	300
Line of Credit, Current borrowing capacity as of February 29	$ 15,000

Debt Mortgage (Details)

Debt Mortgage (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016USD ($)
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date	Jun. 19, 2012
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Face Amount of Mortgages	$ 1,800
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	4.50%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	$ 13
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Final Maturity Date	Jul. 1, 2027
mortgage loans on real estate date interest rate changes	Jun. 19, 2022
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.00%
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Maximum Interest Rate in Range	18.00%
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Minimum Interest Rate in Range	4.50%
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date	Mar. 4, 2008
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Face Amount of Mortgages	$ 5,400
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	4.04%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	$ 30
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description	P25Y
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms	P5Y
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Final Maturity Date	Mar. 31, 2033
Conventional Mortgage Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date	Jan. 18, 2008
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Face Amount of Mortgages	$ 3,700
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	6.30%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	$ 23
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description	P30Y
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Final Maturity Date	Jan. 31, 2018

Debt Term Loans (Details)

Debt Term Loans (Details) - Dirhams Vehicle loan [Member] $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016USD ($)
Face value of debt in local currency	1.3 million Dirhams
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 341
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	$ 17
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	Apr. 1, 2017
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Oct. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	5.00%

Debt Capital leases (Details)

Debt Capital leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capitalized Lease Obligations	$ 442	$ 1,060
Piping and Filtration [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date	May 1, 2012
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 400
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	6.50%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	$ 8
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jun. 1, 2017
Equipment loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capitalized Lease Obligations	$ 1,200
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date	Jan. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	6.70%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	$ 24
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jan. 31, 2017
Indian capital leases [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capitalized Lease Obligations	$ 24
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	12.80%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	18.20%
Face value of debt in local currency	1.5 million Indian Rupees
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	$ 1

Lease information Property un89

Lease information Property under capitalized leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital leases transportation equipment	$ 22	$ 24
Capitalized computer equipment	0	92
Capital leased assets, gross	1,769	1,919
Capital leases other accumulated depreciation	726	691
Capital leases, net	1,043	1,228
Fixed assets acquired under capital leases	0	680
Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital leases machinery and equipment	$ 1,747	$ 1,803

Lease information Rental expens

Lease information Rental expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Rental expense [Abstract]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$ 0.3
Rental expense for operating leases	$ 0.7	$ 0.8

Lease information Future mini91

Lease information Future minimum payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$ 1,944
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	1,386
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	1,640
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	67
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	1,378
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	0
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	1,311
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	0
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	1,327
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	0
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	10,066
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	0
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	17,666
Capital leases, future minimum payments, interest included in payments	1,453
Interest Portion of Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions	22
Capital Lease Obligations	$ 1,431

Income taxes Income (loss) befo

Income taxes Income (loss) before income taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
(Loss) income before income taxes [Abstract]
Domestic	$ (2,066)	$ 1,968
Foreign	5,076	5,320
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 3,010	$ 7,288

Income taxes Components of in93

Income taxes Components of income tax expense (benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Components of income tax expense (benefit) [Abstract]
Current federal tax expense	$ 12	$ 49
Current foreign tax expense	1,541	1,851
State and other	71	(80)
Current income tax expense (benefit)	1,624	1,820
Deferred federal income tax (benefit) expense	0	0
Deferred foreign income tax (benefit) expense	(249)	1,231
State and other	0	0
Deferred tax (benefit) expense	(249)	1,231
Income tax expense	$ 1,375	$ 3,051

Income taxes Reconcilation to t

Income taxes Reconcilation to the ETR rate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Tax benefit at federal statutory rate	$ 1,023	$ 2,478
Permanent differences management fee allocation	619	1,946
Permanent differences other	214	(540)
Differences in foreign tax rate	(780)	(291)
Foreign tax credit	(761)	(793)
Domestic deferred tax true ups	(346)	0
Research tax credit	(54)	(29)
Deferred tax liability on repatriation	821	1,530
Nontaxable income from the Canadian joint venture	(205)	(666)
State taxes, net of federal benefit	(58)	(131)
All other, net expense	(22)	(170)
Income tax expense	1,375	3,051
United States
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	804	0
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	88	(318)
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	32	35
Denmark
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Deferred tax liability on repatriation	200
India
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Deferred tax liability on repatriation	$ 200	$ 900

Income taxes Income tax narrati

Income taxes Income tax narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Components of deferred income tax assets [Line Items]
Deferred tax liability on repatriation	$ 821	$ 1,530
Foreign Earnings Repatriated	$ 2,800
Deferred Tax Liability Not Recognized, Determination of Deferred Tax Liability is Not Practicable, Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liabilities on these earnings is not practicable, because such liability, if any, is dependent on circumstances existing if and when remittance occurs.
Dividends, Cash	$ 2,000
Suspended excess tax (benefit) expense from stock options exercised	300
State NOL carryforward	1,419	1,291
Federal operating loss carryforward, gross	$ 11,500
Federal operating loss carryforward expires	Jan. 31, 2030
Operating Loss Carryforwards, expiration dates	expire at various times from 2016 to 2031
State NOL, subject to expiration	$ 1
Foreign tax credit	$ 2,861	2,088
Valuation Allowance, Methodologies and Assumptions	The Company continues to have a valuation allowance on its domestic DTAs since domestic losses continue to be generated.
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date	Jan. 31, 2022
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	$ 40,400
Income Tax Examination, Description	No changes were made to the reported tax
Open Tax Year	2,011
Open tax years up to the amount of research tax credit generated	January 31, 2002 through January 31, 2009
Denmark
Components of deferred income tax assets [Line Items]
Deferred tax liability on repatriation	$ 200
Foreign Earnings Repatriated	700
India
Components of deferred income tax assets [Line Items]
Deferred tax liability on repatriation	200	900
Foreign Earnings Repatriated		$ 4,200
Middle East [Member]
Components of deferred income tax assets [Line Items]
Foreign tax credit	$ 100

Income taxes Income tax disclos

Income taxes Income tax disclosure (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Components of deferred income tax assets
U.S. Federal NOL carryforward	$ 3,044	$ 3,156
Non-qualified deferred compensation	2,382	2,363
Research tax credit	2,057	2,032
Foreign NOL carryforward	231	483
Foreign tax credit	2,861	2,088
Stock compensation	1,061	1,033
Other accruals not yet deducted	438	901
State NOL carryforward	1,419	1,291
Accrued commissions and incentives	723	584
Accrued pension	0	735
Inventory valuation allowance	73	430
Other	106	561
Inventory uniform capitalization	10	94
Deferred tax assets, gross	14,405	15,751
Valuation allowance	(13,333)	(14,201)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances	1,072	1,550
Components of the deferred income tax liability
Depreciation	633	851
Foreign subsidiaries unremitted earnings	412	863
Prepaid	88	310
Total deferred tax liabilities, net	1,133	2,024
Deferred tax liability, net	(61)	(474)
Balance sheet classification
Deferred tax assets - long-term	99	260
Deferred tax liabilities - long-term	160	$ 734
Middle East [Member]
Components of deferred income tax assets
Foreign tax credit	$ 100

Income taxes UTP (Details)

Income taxes UTP (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of the year		$ 1,288	$ 1,358
Increases in positions taken in a prior period	$ 11	17
Increases in positions taken in a current period	14	0
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations	0	(42)
Decreases due to settlements	0	(45)
Balance at the end of the year	1,313
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest	28	17
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties	$ 17	$ 15

Retirement plans Plan assets (D

Retirement plans Plan assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Prohibited Investments	The plans hold no securities of MFRI, Inc.
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	100.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 5,883	$ 6,168	$ 6,351
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage	target asset allocations of 52% equities (with a range of 40% - 65%),  30% fixed income (with a range of 20% - 35%) and 18% Alternative Investments (with a range of 15% - 25%)
Defined benefit -plan, actual gain on plan assets	$ (25)	$ 63
Net periodic benefit cost, expected long-term return on assets	8.00%	8.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	61.00%
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	$ 3,062	$ 3,795
Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	31.00%
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 2,168	2,033
Money Market Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	8.00%
Money Market Funds, at Carrying Value	$ 351	340
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	5,230	5,828
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	302	0
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 653	$ 340

Retirement plans Reconciliation

Retirement plans Reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined benefit plan vested benefit obligation	$ 6,587,000	$ 7,626,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	7,020,000	8,129,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	7,020,000	8,129,000	$ 6,827,000
Service cost	0	0
Interest cost	266,000	299,000
Actuarial (gain) loss	(1,115,000)	1,249,000
Benefits paid	(260,000)	(246,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	5,883,000	6,168,000	$ 6,351,000
Defined benefit -plan, actual gain on plan assets	(25,000)	63,000
Unfunded status	(1,137,000)	(1,961,000)
Defined benefit plan, current assets	326,000	352,000
Defined benefit plan, assets for plan benefits, other assets	1,166,000	1,163,000
Defined benefit plans, other long-term liabilities	(2,629,000)	(3,476,000)
Defined benefit plan, net amount recognized	(1,137,000)	(1,961,000)
OCI unrecognized actuarial loss	2,303,000	3,124,000
OCI net amount recognized	$ 2,303,000	$ 3,124,000

Retirement plans Assumptions (D

Retirement plans Assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016Rate	Jan. 31, 2015Rate
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Prohibited Investments	The plans hold no securities of MFRI, Inc.
Discount rate	4.05%	3.35%
Net periodic benefit cost, discount rate	4.50%	4.50%
Net periodic benefit cost, expected long-term return on assets	8.00%	8.00%

Retirement plans Components 101

Retirement plans Components of net periodic benefit cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 0	$ 0
Interest cost	266	299
Expected return on plan assets	(479)	(494)
Recognized actuarial loss	210	69
Net periodic benefit (income) cost	$ (3)	$ (126)

Retirement plans Recognized in

Retirement plans Recognized in other comprehensive income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Actuarial gain (loss) on obligation	$ 1,115	$ (1,249)
Actuarial (loss) gain on plan assets	(294)	(362)
Total in other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 821	$ (1,611)

Retirement plans Cash flows (De

Retirement plans Cash flows (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016USD ($)
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	$ 0
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	326
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	349
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three	348
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four	363
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five	363
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	$ 1,841

Retirement plans 401K (Details)

Retirement plans 401K (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
401K employee pretax payroll contributions limit	16.00%
Employer contributions to 401K	$ 558	$ 439
maximum % of each participant's salary	50.00%
Company's matching contribution	4.00%

Retirement plans Deferred co105

Retirement plans Deferred compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Deferred compensation [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance	9,991
Deferred shares outstanding		85,554	50,000
Deferred Compensation Liability	$ 6,167	$ 213
Deferred compensation liabilities	495	6,560
Deferred Compensation Liability, Current and Noncurrent	6,662	6,773
Deferred compensation expense	$ 36	$ 270

Retirement plans Multi employer

Retirement plans Multi employer (Details) - Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 572 Pension Fund [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Entity Tax Identification Number	626,102,837
Multiemployer Plan Number	1
Multiemployer Plans, Certified Zone Status	Green
Multiemployer Plans, Funding Improvement Plan and Rehabilitation Plan	No
Multiemployer Plan, Period Contributions	$ 233	$ 236
Multiemployer Plans, Surcharge	No
Multiemployer Plans, Collective-Bargaining Arrangement, Expiration Date	Mar. 31, 2019

Stock options Fair value assump

Stock options Fair value assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Minimum [Member]
Expected volatility rate	40.88%	40.88%
Risk free interest rate	0.74%	0.74%
Expected dividend rate	0.00%	0.00%
expected term	5 years 1 day	4 years 10 months 24 days
Maximum [Member]
Expected volatility rate	57.02%	59.39%
Risk free interest rate	1.77%	1.77%
Expected dividend rate	0.00%	0.00%
expected term	5 years 1 month 12 days	5 years 1 month 12 days

Stock options Option activit108

Stock options Option activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Share-based compensation
Number of additional shares authorized	400,000
Initial number of options to grant under plan	350,000
Stock Option [Member]
Share-based compensation
Options, vested and expected to vest, outstanding, number	720,000	764,000	776,000
Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 11.38	$ 11.45	$ 11.69
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 1 month 6 days	5 years 7 months 36 days	6 years 1 month 24 days
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$ 34	$ 0	$ 3,859
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	554,000	532,000
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 11.94	$ 12.04
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 2 months 6 days	4 years 5 months 36 days
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	$ 30	$ 0
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures	51,000	97,000
Shares issued	(18,000)	(45,000)
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 6.48	$ 7.27
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	$ 3	$ 194
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period	(77,000)	(64,000)
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.93	$ 18.92
unvested option [Member]
Share-based compensation
Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.51	$ 10.11
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$ 3	$ 0
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 6.38	$ 12.41

Stock options Options additiona

Stock options Options additional text (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
increase number of shares that may be issued	2.00%
Initial number of options to grant under plan	350,000
vesting period for stock options	P4Y
unrecognized stock option expense	$ 0.5
cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period	2 years 1 month 24 days
Maturity period for stock option from issuance date	10 years
Stock Option [Member]
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$ 2.54	$ 4.73

Stock options Unvested optio110

Stock options Unvested options (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
percentage of options expect to vest	85.00%
unvested option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares	166	232
Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.51	$ 10.11
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$ 3	$ 0
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 6.38	$ 12.41
Vested options in the period	(92)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period	25
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.65

Stock options Stock Compensatio

Stock options Stock Compensation expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Share-based compensation
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 116	$ (114)
Restricted stock expense	$ 470	$ 82

Deferred and restricted stoc112

Deferred and restricted stock (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Restricted stock [Line Items]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance	9,991
Restricted stock grants	108,000	54,000
Restricted stock granted, weighted average fair value	$ 6.38	$ 12.41
Restricted stock issued	(26,000)	(15,000)
Restricted stock forfeited	(5,000)	(3,000)
Restricted stock, forfeitures, weighted average fair value	$ 6.38	$ 11.25
Deferred shares outstanding		85,554	50,000
share based compensation, other than options, weighted average, outstanding	$ 6.40	$ 14.52	$ 14.52
Restricted stock, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 1,040,000	$ 1,242,000	$ 719,000
unrecognized restricted stock expense	$ 500,000
cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period	2 years 1 month 24 days
Director [Member]
Restricted stock [Line Items]
Deferred shares granted value	$ 40,000
Deferred Compensation, Share-based Payments [Member]
Restricted stock [Line Items]
Deferred shares outstanding	77,293
Restricted Stock [Member]
Restricted stock [Line Items]
Deferred shares outstanding	162,500
vesting period restricted stock	3 years
unrecognized restricted stock expense	$ 600,000
cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period	2 years 3 months

Treasury stock (Details)

Treasury stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares	17,000	28,000	45,000	45,000	0
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$ 6.27	$ 6.64	$ 0
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired			0
Investment Repurchase Agreement, Date of Agreement				Feb. 5, 2015
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount			$ 2	$ 2
Stock Repurchase Program Expiration Date				Dec. 31, 2015

Stock rights Narrative (Details

Stock rights Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016$ / shares
Stock rights [Abstract]
Price of MFRI common stock with Right	$ 25
days to wait after a person or group acquires 15% of common stock	10 days
Change in control percentage	15.00%
redemption price per Right	$ 0.01
expiration date of Right	Sep. 15, 2019

Interest expense, net (Details)

Interest expense, net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Interest expense, net [Abstract]
Interest expense	$ 950	$ 1,045
Interest income	(480)	(526)
Interest expense, net	$ 470	$ 519

Subsequent events (Details)

Subsequent events (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent event date	Feb. 4, 2016
Subsequent event description	the remaining 51% interest in BPPC was acquired from a subsidiary of Aegion Corporation for consideration of approximately $9.6 million in cash and debt

Schedule II (Details)

Schedule II (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 33	$ 31	$ 26
Provision for Doubtful Accounts	6	10
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Charge-offs	4	5
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Other Accounts	$ 0	$ 0