Push-On Fitting Assembly

Assembling AMERICAN Fastite®, Lok-Ring®, and Flex-Ring® fittings is simple. It is very similar to the assembly of Fastite pipe shown in Pipe Joints (Section 2). (For instructions on complete assembly of Fast-Grip®, Flex-Ring, Field Flex-Ring® and Lok-Ring joints, check Restrained Joint Pipe (Section 9.) Fast-Grip gaskets may be used in lieu of standard Fastite gaskets in the bells of same size (4"-30") Fastite and Flex-Ring joint pipe or fittings where easy, field-adaptable restraint is desired in pipelines with working pressure from 150-350 psi, depending on size. No Flex-Ring restraining mechanism is necessary when using Fast-Grip gaskets in Flex-Ring bells.

Push-on fittings may be assembled on individual pipe aboveground, or assembled onto the pipeline belowground. Many installers, however, do prefer to pull restrained joint fittings, in particular Fast-Grip, Flex-Ring, etc., onto a piece of pipe aboveground. This is sometimes accomplished by simply bracing one end of the pipe against a heavy piece of equipment (e.g. backhoe) and pulling the fitting onto the far end of the pipe using the method shown below. Then the pipe and fitting can be lowered as a single unit into the trench. Fastite fittings may be assembled aboveground if a situation arises which would make trench assembly difficult. However, in this case the assembly yokes and pulling sling must be kept safely in place and the sling must remain taut while the Fastite assembly is lowered into the ground. This should prevent the Fastite fitting from slipping off the end of the pipe.

While it may be possible to "rotate" some push-on fittings (after they are assembled to fixed/in-situ piping), AMERICAN recommends that fittings be assembled in their actual service orientation.

1. CLEANING OF SOCKET AND SPIGOT Clean the socket and plain end of the pipe thoroughly, removing mud, sand, gravel, ice, frozen material, or other matter which could prevent a proper joint seal. Material in the gasket grooves may cause the gasket to protrude into the path of the entering spigot. Therefore, it is important that all joint recesses be kept clean during insertion of the gasket and assembly of the joint to prevent gasket dislodgment and/or subsequent leakage.	photo 1
2. PLACEMENT OF GASKET Wipe the gasket clean. After flexing one or more "loops" in the gasket, insert the gasket in the gasket recess of the socket with the large sealing end of the gasket toward the rear of the socket (Photo 1). If Fast-Grip gaskets are used, the center of the gasket loops should be positioned between tooth locations. Press the gasket into the mating socket recesses so the metal-carrying retainer end of the gasket is seated completely and uniformly in the socket groove. Take care that no gasket loops or bulges protrude into the path of the entering pipe spigot. In extremely cold weather conditions, gaskets should be warmed before installing.	photo 2
3. LUBRICATION OF THE JOINT With a clean brush apply a liberal amount of regular Fastite lubricant completely over the exposed inner surface of the gasket after it is placed in the socket (Photo 2). Also, apply lubricant completely over the plain end of the pipe, the spigot radius, and the outer surface of the pipe up to the assembly stripe (Photo 3). Use only lubricant provided by AMERICAN. For underwater or very wet conditions, special AMERICAN underwater lubricant is recommended and is available upon request. This special lubricant for underwater service is relatively insoluble in water immersion or exposure to flowing water.	photo 3
4. INITIAL PLACEMENT OF BEVEL END INTO SOCKET+ The spigot end of the pipe should be in reasonably straight alignment when entered in the socket. Center the spigot in the installed gasket, so it makes firm and even contact with the inner surface of the gasket. Do not place pipe spigot in socket while in a substantially deflected position.	photo 4
5. PULL-ON ASSEMBLY OF FASTITE FITTINGS AND RIGGINGS Fastite fittings may normally then be pulled readily onto pipe ends by first firmly supporting the fitting in aligned assembly position, and then pulling on the center of a wire rope or chain sling attached to the fitting bell with any suitable pulling mechanism (such as a backhoe, comealong(s), pry bar, etc.) as in Photo 4 until the spigot is fully inserted into the socket. Larger diameter fittings can be assembled with field-made rigging similar in function to the smaller custom steel yokes, but instead using a chain or wire rope sling, etc., looped under the spigot to, in similar effect, direct a single point pulling force into two pulling sling legs straight at the springline (see Photo 10).	photo 5 photo 6
	photo 7 photo 8
6. COMPLETE ASSEMBLY OF PLAIN END INTO SOCKET Pull the sling with smooth, steady force until the fitting is "pulled up" and the plain end uniformly contacts the rear of the socket. It is best practice to make assemblies smoothly and progressively in one motion, without repeated "wobbling" (or joint deflection) back and forth. Desired joint deflection may then be set. Any abnormal joint assembly loads or behavior, such as unexplained exposure of the assembly stripe outside the bell, may indicate improper cleaning, gasket insertion, spigot placement, or lubrication. In any such case, it may be advisable to feel for correct gasket positioning by passing a thin (automotive or other) feeler gauge between the bell and spigot all around the assembled joint. Any joint with apparent problems (pushed gasket locations found by the probe, etc.) should be disassembled and corrected prior to filling or testing the pipeline. (See Restrained Joint Pipe (Section 9) for disassembly involving Fast-Grip gaskets or Field Flex-Rings.)	photo 9 photo 10
DOUBLE FITTING ASSEMBLY In areas involving short lengths of pipe between two fittings, it may be desirable to simultaneously assemble the two fittings onto a single piece of pipe. This may be accomplished with AMERICAN push-on joint fittings due to the self-centering nature of the joints.	photo 11
This "double assembly" procedure is similar to the single fitting assembly procedure mentioned earlier. In fact, Steps 1 through 4 are identical. For Step 5, place one yoke over the bell end of one of the fittings as shown in Photo 4. Then, place the second yoke under the bell of the other fitting (Photo 11). Attach a wire rope sling (or other similar device) to the yokes in a manner similar to Step 5 (Photo 12). Note that both yokes can also be placed on the bottoms of the fittings for the same effect, if desired. Complete the assembly by simply pulling the ends of the sling with a pulling mechanism as in Step 5.	photo 12
Another method for the "double assembly" may be more convenient for pipes of sufficient length and any in-trench applications where there may not be easy means for sufficient bracing of the fitting. This method involves the use of two come-alongs (one on each side of the pipe) in order to provide a reasonably steady, evenly distributed assembly force. The assembly procedure is similar to the previously mentioned procedure. Place yokes on the fittings in the same manner as the other "double assembly" procedure (Photo 9). Then, place one short assembly sling under each of the two fittings and attach the sling to the yokes. Position the come-alongs on each side of the assembly and attach the sling thimbles or loops to both sides of the come-alongs (Photo 13). Work the come-alongs simultaneously to make a smooth, even assembly.	photo 13

FIELD-CUT PIPE

When pipe is cut in the field, the cut end must be properly prepared prior to assembly into the push-on socket. Using a portable grinder, place an approximately 1/4"-1/2" long smooth assembly chamfer or bevel on the outside end of the pipe. This bevel should make an angle of 30-40° with the axis of the pipe. Care should be taken to ensure that all corners are rounded and no sharp or rough edges remain that might damage or dislodge the gasket. Finally, it is good practice to mark at least a rough assembly stripe on the newly beveled pipe. The distance from the beveled end of the pipe to the opposite edge of the stripe should be about 1/8" less than the socket depth. (See Table No. 4-1 for typical socket depths of pipe or fittings, or measure same in the field.) This stripe is helpful in confirming proper joint insertion and also as an indication of joint deflection.

Field Rigging Example
Assembly of a larger push-on joint fitting.

Final restrained joint pipe/fitting assemblies (connections to previously installed/fixed piping) should be assembled in proper orientation so as to avoid rotation of the fitting after assembly. See Fast-Grip Gasket Assembly Instructions in Restrained Joint Pipe (Section 9).