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