Assembly Extension Procedure

In some installations of restrained joint pipe, it is desirable to pull-extend (or take the "slack" or movement out of) installed restrained joints. In traditional backhoe or bulldozer push-on pipe assembly, it is most common for the installer to push-assemble the latest installed pipe into the line. In applications where restrained joints are to be extended, however, and particularly in some exposed lines, the pushing operation can unnecessarily disturb previously extended joints. In such cases, some very simply designed rigging (using the same heavy equipment) can ensure that only pulling loads are applied to previously extended joints as new joints are assembled. One such rigging method, utilizing a snatch block (with pulley and hook), a wire rope pulling cable, and a pipe end hook is illustrated in the above photograph. Of course, a simple wire rope "choker cable" can be substituted for the chain around the pipe bell shown in the above photograph.

Note: Care should be taken in such operations at connections of restrained piping to unrestrained piping. One should securely anchor the first restrained pipe installed, so as not to unintentionally separate the last unrestrained (Fastite or MJ, etc.) joint installed. Also, care should be exercised to avoid damaging pipe (as by beam loading to branch lines or laterals, etc.) in pulling operations.

AMERICAN manufactures 4" through 12" Mechanical Joint Ductile Iron pipe in accordance with AWWA C151 and AWWA C111 and Mechanical Joint fittings up through 48" in accordance with AWWA C153, AWWA C110, and AWWA C111, as described therein. However, AMERICAN does not warrant the performance of third-party mechanical retainer glands or joints using third-party retainer glands, since the design, manufacturing, and installation methods are beyond our control. Furthermore, we do not recommend the use of retainer glands on minimum classes of ductile iron pipe. AMERICAN does manufacture a number of restrained joints such as Fast-Grip®, Flex-Ring®, Field Flex-Ring®, Lok-Ring®, Flex-Lok®, and other devices, where we warrant the joint as well as the associated pipe and fittings of our manufacture.