Grooved FAQs

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Grooved FAQ Document August

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Q:          Is Reliable grooved compatible with other manufacturers&#; grooved products?

A:           Reliable grooved products use the same AWWA C606 grooved standard common with most grooved products.  Any grooved product manufactured to this common standard should be compatible with Reliable grooved products.

Q:          Is Reliable grooved qualified on proprietary Sch 7 sprinkler pipe?

A:           Yes, we have worked with UL and FM to expand qualifications for coupling products beyond just Schedule 10 and Schedule 40 pipe to include:

• Youngstown Tube Fire-Flo
• Wheatland Tube Mega-Flow
• Bull Moose Eddyflow
• Nucor Hydroflow

Our product-specific technical bulletins contain details on pipe qualifications for every gasketed fitting. Reliable&#;s bulletins are constantly updated to reflect changing industry trends, evolving customer needs, and expanded 3rd party qualifications to ensure we deliver what our customers expect and need.

Q:          Are the coupling gaskets pre-lubricated?

A:           There are two types of pre-lubricated gaskets; a surface treatment applied to finished gaskets prior to coupling assembly (typically a white powder) or embedding a lubricant in the rubber mixture itself before molding so that it &#;blooms&#; out naturally. Reliable grooved couplings use both types of pre-lubrication, providing a double advantage to users of Reliable Grooved.

Q:          How do the Reliable grooved elastomer options compare to competitor products?

A:           We focus on using a standardized single elastomer type that is the most common in fire protection products, EPDM rubber. Most EPDM rubbers are very similar, and the specific chemistries provided by our manufacturing partner are fit-for-purpose for a grooved fire protection system application. The temperature range for our EPDM rubber is annotated in our product-specific technical bulletins; an end-user should evaluate the specific requirements of their application and municipality regulations to determine if our UL / FM qualified temperature range is appropriate. All gaskets are qualified by UL and FM just like our competitor&#;s products, so you can be assured that our grooved products will perform the same.

Q:          Are the takeout dimensions of grooved fittings and couplings the same as other grooved manufacturers?

A:           Some products (depending on the model number and NPS) use identical takeout dimensions, while others are slightly different. Most of the takeout dimensions that are not identical across the various brands are close enough that they should not impact installation; however, a qualified and experienced installer should review the takeout dimensions and assess any compatibility issues with Reliable grooved products.

Q:          Can I use two halves of a mechanical tee to make a mechanical cross?

A:           FM and UL require specific qualifications to utilize these products in this way; at this time, RASCO is not qualified for this configuration. While the products are physically capable of being assembled in this configuration due to the design of cast components, they lack FM and UL qualification in this configuration should be considered against industry and municipality requirements before installing in this configuration; and is not recommended.

Q:          Are u-bolt mechanical tees approved for use on branch lines, or just sprigs and drops?

A:           This is a complicated question to answer. FM allows the use of u-bolt mechanical tees with 1&#; outlets for connecting branch lines, but UL requires additional testing that has not been performed for Reliable u-bolt mechanical tees. If an installer wishes to use a u-bolt mechanical tee with a 1&#; outlet to connect a branch line, the lack of UL-qualification in this application should be considered by a competent technical authority. Reliable&#;s recommendation is that a conventional mechanical tee (MTT2 or MTG1) be used for branch line connections, as these products in all sizes are qualified for this type of use.

Q: My 1-1/4&#; x 1-1/2&#; RCD Reducing Couplings do not have a metal ring.  Is this a problem?

A:  Most sizes of RCD Reducing Couplings use a metal reinforcing ring to provide additional support to the gasket that allows it to resist pressure and maintain a seal.  The need for this reinforcing ring is dependent on the size difference between the two sides of the reducing coupling.  For the 1-1/4&#; x 1-1/2&#; size, the outlets are so close in size that a metal reinforcing ring is not necessary, and all UL / FM qualification testing has been performed without one.  The product is fit-for-purpose without the metal ring and can be installed just like any other grooved coupling.

Q:          I&#;m having difficulties with Reliable grooved installation; what do I do?

A:           Grooved couplings are sensitive to correct installation across all manufacturers and brands. The most common issue is uneven application of torque to the nuts, which results in pinching of the gaskets. If a coupling is demonstrating a leak, loosen and re-tighten the nuts in accordance with the Reliable grooved installation guide available on our website. Also, ensure that the coupling is properly seated in the grooves and that pipe ends do not have substantial damage or deformity that could impact the performance of the coupling gasket. Reliable technical support is available through our Technical Services Department to help customers resolve any challenges with Reliable grooved products.

Posted on November 2,

There are a handful of pipe joining methods that have been adopted by the construction industry, today.  These methods are accompanied by an overwhelming amount of resources to guide you through a practical and sustainable piping design. When it comes to Victaulic questions, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to find the answers you need. That is why Victaulic employs a global team of engineers from various backgrounds that support our customers and provide experienced guidance. On any given day, you will see them out in the field helping to demonstrate installations, taking calls from around the world, and writing letters to address potential application concerns. And they aren&#;t just answering Victaulic questions. Victaulic engineers are known around the world for their breadth of application engineering knowledge. But for today&#;s blog post we asked our engineers to give us the top 10 Victaulic questions they hear.

10 Answers to Your Top 10 Victaulic Questions

1. Which Victaulic pipe coupling should I use for vacuum applications?

For vacuum applications, any Victaulic pipe coupling that features our Installation-Ready&#; or FlushSeal&#; gasket profiles should be used.

2. Can Victaulic gaskets be used in drinking water applications?

Yes, Victaulic offers gaskets designed specifically for drinking water applications that hold a variety of agency approvals around the world. For a complete list of ANSI/NSF 61 and 372 approved gaskets for drinking water applications refer to submittal publication 02.06.

Link to CNG

3. Can Victaulic products be buried?

Yes, Victaulic products are designed to be buried, however, there are considerations that need to be made for each application such as soil conditions and available coatings. The selection is based on the requirement of the project.

4. What is the maximum coating thickness that can be applied to Victaulic products?

It is common to coat products to increase the corrosion resistance of the base metal. The maximum coating thickness that can be applied to Victaulic products is .010 &#;/.25 mm. This information can be found in the I-100 Victaulic Field Installation Handbook on page 20.

5. Are Victaulic gaskets compatible with glycol?

Yes, Victaulic EPDM gaskets are compatible with glycol. This information can be found in the Seal Selection Guide (05.01).

6. How do I confirm Victaulic&#;s gasket compatibility with a fluid?

To confirm Victaulic&#;s gasket compatibility with a fluid, please reference the Seal Selection Guide (05.01), or contact the Victaulic Applications Engineering Department.

7. What is the difference between a Victaulic rigid pipe coupling and a flexible pipe coupling? 

The answer to this question is a bit complicated, but simply put, the difference between a Victaulic rigid pipe coupling and a flexible pipe coupling is the movement capabilities of the joint. Flexible pipe couplings provide axial and deflection movement capabilities. Rigid couplings do not allow movement in the joint. Typical applications for flexible pipe couplings include thermal accommodation as well as seismic, vibration and noise attenuation.  For more information on the differences between rigid and flexible pipe couplings and the history of how they were invented, check out this recent blog post.  

8. Where can I find Victaulic pressure ratings?

You can find the pressure ratings of each Victaulic product in the individual product technical submittals. These submittals can be found here.

9. How do I know if my pipe grooves meet Victaulic specifications?

Victaulic offers numerous pipe groove profiles. To confirm your pipe grooves meet Victaulic specifications, reference one of the groove specification documents below. Victaulic Grooved Specifications can be found on victstage.wpengine.com.

Victaulic Groove Specification Submittals

10. Can I use Victaulic products on any pipe material?

Victaulic products are designed for use on several types of pipe including carbon steel, stainless steel, ductile iron, PVC, CPVC, HDPE, aluminum, and copper. To determine if a product may be used on any of those materials mentioned above, view the Victaulic Product Guide.

Victaulic wants to hear from you

Did we answer your question in this post? If not, contact the Victaulic Applications Engineering team who is standing by to field your questions. And be on the lookout for future blog posts where we try to capture more answers to some of your commonly asked Victaulic questions.

Are you interested in learning more about Grooved Pipe Fittings? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!