User Manual Q&AAnswer
Feb 28, 2025 - 11:52 PM
To properly install the Ti-SALES FTSS All Stainless Steel Tapping Sleeves with Removable Bolts, follow these steps:
1. Visual Inspection: Before installing, visually inspect the tapping sleeve to ensure there is no damage during shipment or storage.
2. Flange Cleaning: Clean any dirt, corrosion, or foreign material from the pipe.
3. Pipe Lubrication: Measure the pipe diameter and check it against the FTSS range stenciled on the sleeve. Lubricate the pipe under and beyond the gasket contact area with a thin coating of pipe joint lubricant. Pay extra attention to lubricating AC pipe due to its rough and absorbent nature.
4. Saddle Placement: Place the saddle section of the sleeve on the pipe and lightly lubricate the outside, smooth surface of the exposed gasket. Make sure the tapered ends of the gasket are not folded or rolled against the pipe, and ensure no foreign material is trapped between the pipe and the gasket.
5. Bolt Installation: Loosely install the lug bolts, position the sleeve, and hand tighten the nuts to hold the unit in place.
6. Bolt Tightening: Begin tightening the bolts using the pattern shown in the diagram provided in the manual. Ensure the gap between the sleeve sections is equal on top and bottom and equal from end to end. Tighten all the bolts several times with incremental torque settings, up to the recommended torque. Use a torque wrench to achieve proper torque. The recommended torque values for different bolt sizes are provided in the table in the manual.
7. Tapping Valve Attachment: Use a tapping valve flange gasket or a Ford CSFG style cap gasket to attach the tapping valve to the sleeve. Apply blocking to support the valve's suspended weight. Ensure proper mating and alignment between the valve and the sleeve to prevent the cutter from hitting the sides of the sleeve outlet.
8. Testing: Test the valve and sleeve assembly using the tapping sleeve test port. Hydrostatically water test the seal between the gasket and pipe. If a leak is observed, relieve the pressure, re-tighten the bolts to the recommended torque, and repeat steps 2 and 3 to reset the gasket against the pipe surface.
9. Drilling Machine Attachment: Attach the drilling machine to the tapping valve, block, and check for proper mating and alignment between the valve and the machine. Use blocks and shims as necessary.
10. Pre-Tap Checks: Before proceeding with the tap, ensure that gaps between the tapping sleeve saddle and the band sections are equal from side to side and from end to end. Confirm that all bolts are tightened to the proper torque, all blocking is in place and secure, and the valve, tapping sleeve, and drilling machine are properly aligned. Select the correct cutter size for the job.
11. Post-Tap Checks: Re-check tapping sleeve bolt torque after the tap and before backfilling. Stresses induced during tapping may relax bolt torque.
12. Bed Preparation: To prevent undue stress on the tapping sleeve and valve assembly, make sure the new water main will rest on a well-compacted bed with its center line axis matching the center line axis of the tapping valve.
For more detailed instructions and the most recent information, refer to the Ford website (www.fordmeterbox.com) or consult the Ti-SALES FTSS All Stainless Steel Tapping Sleeves with Removable Bolts Instruction Manual.
Add New Comment