Subsequent events (Notes)	12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent events [Text Block]	Note 14 - Subsequent events The Company has evaluated the period after the balance sheet date up through April 16, 2015, which is the date that the consolidated financial statements were issued, and determined that other than noted below, there were no subsequent events or transactions that required recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements. On February 5, 2015, MFRI, Inc. executed the First Amendment ("Amendment") to the Credit and Security Agreement by and among BMO Harris Bank, N.A., the Registrant, and its subsidiaries. The Amendment allows the Company to use up to $2 million for the purchase of its outstanding shares of common stock on or prior to December 31, 2015. On February 5, 2015, the Company issued a press release reporting that its 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 may be executed through open market or in privately negotiated transactions, on or prior to December 31, 2015. At January 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement. Subsequent to January 31, 2015, the Company was not in compliance with the specific level of Borrowing Base availability for the period ended March 31, 2015. While not a covenant violation, the financial institution has the right in the Credit Agreement to have all domestic receipts deposited in a bank account from which all funds may only be used to serve the revolving line of credit under the Credit Agreement. The domestic revolving line balance as of January 31, 2015 has been classified as a current liability in the accompanying financial statements. On March 16, 2015,the Company signed a letter of intent to sell its idle facility in Cicero, Illinois to an unaffiliated third party. The Company does not anticipate that it will recognize a material gain or loss from sale upon closing the transaction. On April 1, 2015, the Company obtained a loan with no maturity date in the amount of $1.9 million, sourced from the cash surrender value of certain life insurance policies. The loan carries interest at a rate of approximately 5% and requires interest only payments annually.

Note 14 - Subsequent events

The Company has evaluated the period after the balance sheet date up through April 16, 2015, which is the date that the consolidated financial statements were issued, and determined that other than noted below, there were no subsequent events or transactions that required recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

On February 5, 2015, MFRI, Inc. executed the First Amendment ("Amendment") to the Credit and Security Agreement by and among BMO Harris Bank, N.A., the Registrant, and its subsidiaries. The Amendment allows the Company to use up to $2 million for the purchase of its outstanding shares of common stock on or prior to December 31, 2015.

On February 5, 2015, the Company issued a press release reporting that its 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 may be executed through open market or in privately negotiated transactions, on or prior to December 31, 2015.

At January 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement. Subsequent to January 31, 2015, the Company was not in compliance with the specific level of Borrowing Base availability for the period ended March 31, 2015. While not a covenant violation, the financial institution has the right in the Credit Agreement to have all domestic receipts deposited in a bank account from which all funds may only be used to serve the revolving line of credit under the Credit Agreement. The domestic revolving line balance as of January 31, 2015 has been classified as a current liability in the accompanying financial statements.

On March 16, 2015,the Company signed a letter of intent to sell its idle facility in Cicero, Illinois to an unaffiliated third party. The Company does not anticipate that it will recognize a material gain or loss from sale upon closing the transaction.

On April 1, 2015, the Company obtained a loan with no maturity date in the amount of $1.9 million, sourced from the cash surrender value of certain life insurance policies. The loan carries interest at a rate of approximately 5% and requires interest only payments annually.