+GF+ Stress Less Pipe Clamps Are Here!
Mechanical stress on plastic piping systems is one of the leading causes of premature leaks. Typical pipe clamp and hanger products often create unintended fixed points throughout piping systems that permanently lock in stress. To address this challenge, GF Piping Systems has introduced a new Stress Less Pipe and Valve Hanger system. This new system is specifically designed to eliminate stress transfer to plastic pipe caused by normal thermal expansion and contraction, improper installation, or seismic events.
New Pipe and Valve Support System Helps Thermoplastic Piping Achieve Maximum Service Life
Georg Fischer Stress Less Pipe and Valve Support System
“The new system is designed specifically for plastic and offers tremendous benefits to anyone involved with designing, installing and owning thermoplastic piping systems,” explains Alphonse Anderson, Engineered Piping Systems Product Manager for GF. “The pipe guides can be used for any manufacturer’s thermoplastic piping system in IPS (inch) or metric sizes. The valve supports are specifically for GF valves,” he adds.
Using the new guide system, the pipe only comes in contact with a low friction, molded HDPE insert. This allows it to slide easily with minimal stress or wear during each thermal expansion cycle. The pipe never touches any metal bracket, which could potentially cause wear on the piping because of sharp edges. The pipe guide inserts are designed to have a 3 mm gap around the OD of the pipe, which allows unrestricted movement of the pipe in the axial direction. It also lets engineers design for lower accelerations and forces caused by seismic or water hammer events.
Traditional clamps create mechanical stress points that can lead to premature failure.
An outer steel hoop provides the necessary strength to support the weight of the piping in normal operating conditions – even during a strong earthquake. Additionally, the design does not allow tightening of the guide insert against the pipe at all. Only the steel hoop can be tightened. This prevents imparting mechanical stress on the pipe during installation. Offering complete installation flexibility, pipe guides can be mounted in a variety of positions including on flat surfaces, on strut channels, horizontally as a hanger, or vertically.
Innovative Valve Support System
Stress Less valve supports complete the system. Valves are able to move in two directions as the pipe expands and contracts. This is accomplished by means of an innovative valve support base and slide set made of low friction PP. Valves slide easily with virtually no resistance at a travel range of ±3 inches. Like the pipe guides, the valve support base can also be mounted on any flat surface or on standard strut channel.
All GF valves Type 546, 523, 543 and 5-series diaphragm valves come with integrated mounting inserts that directly line up with the sliding portion of the valve support and the included fastening hardware, making installation simple.
For more information on this new pipe support system contact RHFS Customer Service at 800-848-1141.