Retirement plans Assumptions (Details)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015 Rate	Jan. 31, 2014 Rate
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Prohibited Investments		The plans hold no securities of MFRI, Inc.
Discount rate		3.35%	4.50%
Net periodic benefit cost, discount rate	4.00%	4.50%	4.50%
Net periodic benefit cost, expected long-term return on assets		8.00%	8.00%

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The interest rate used to adjust for the time value of money for the plan.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The interest rate used to adjust for the time value of money.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

An assumption as to the rate of return on plan assets reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the benefit obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 30

-Glossary Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Plan Assets

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512013

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (k)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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- Definition

Description of prohibited investments that are pertinent to an understanding of the plan investment policies and strategies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (d)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (c)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2446-114920

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