Entity information Document - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Sep. 08, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015
Document Information
Entity Registrant Name	MFRI INC.
Trading Symbol	MFRI
Entity Central Index Key	0000914122
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,539,568
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 35,417,613