2. Follow sound installation procedures: see ANSI/ASTM B31.3 Code for Pressure Piping, Chemical Plant & Refinery Piping.
3. Always protect bellows against mechanical damage until installation.
4. During installation protect the PTFE faces from cutting, abrasion, welding splatter, etc..
5. Prevent overtightening of the connection bolts by limiting the bolt torque's to the values given in Table 1.
| Table 1: Recommended Bolt Torque |
| Size |
Ft-Lbs. |
Size |
Ft-Lbs. |
Size |
Ft-Lbs. |
Size |
Ft-Lbs. |
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/4
1-1/2
2
|
5
5
10
10
15
25
|
2-1/2
3
4
5
6
8 |
30
40
30
40
45
60 |
10
12
14
16
18
20 |
50
60
70
65
90
80 |
24
28
30
32
36
42 |
90
90
100
120
120
100 |
6. In straight runs Flexijoints mat be alternated with anchoring points, the spacing depending on expected motion and allowable Flexijoint movements. Generally, the system should be anchored wherever it changes direction or branches, such as at a elbows, tees or crosses. No more than one(1) Flexijoint should be put between any two(2) anchors.
7. Provide vertical support for piping at any point where weight might cause misalignment of the piping system.
8. The life of any flexible coupling, expansion joint or bellows depends largely on the degree of misalignment. Life increases as misalignment decreases. For maximum Flexijoint life keep misalignment minimal and certainly within the maximum rated movements of the bellows.
9. If expanded beyond the recommended limits, the unit may be damaged. For this reason Flexijoint bellows are usually supplied with Limitlinks which are flexible wire cables between the flanges. When a Limitlink is stretched taut the Flexijoint has reached it's maximum extended length. Limitlinks guard against damage but must not be depended upon to compensate for faulty pipe alignment, anchoring or guiding. Corrective steps must be taken.
10. Mating bolts should be re-torqued after 24 hours, the first full thermal cycle and then again after 72 hours.
11. The Flexijoint must not be subjected to any torsional loads( twisting about the bellows centerline).
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