Dangers of Not Using Proper Pipe Supports
The installation of pipe supports, such as a clevis hanger or a loop hanger, can go horribly wrong if you don’t take extra precautions. Consider a pipeline incident that happened in Alberta, Canada, in 2013. 16.5 million cubic meters of natural gas were released into the area when an elbow joint on the pipeline burst.
The reason?
Sadly, thermal expansion was not taken into account when the joint was installed. Pipe temperature variations increase the pressure at the elbow. In the end, the joint ruptured, production stopped, and pipeline owners were left to deal with the fallout.
This is only one example of how poorly installed pipe supports led to serious issues.
Here are some common installation dangers to watch out for:
- Loose supports: can lead pipes to appear to be sagging or bouncing, which can cause pooling, pressure buildups, and ruptures
- Stripping and breaks: Poor pipe support installation may lead to bolts becoming stripped & making the supports to become unhinged. Watch out for this in high-pressure systems as it can cause pipes to swing or slide into surrounding objects.
- Corrosion: installing supports without corrosion protection or insulation between specific dissimilar metals can set off galvanic corrosion, a corrosive electrochemical reaction that can corrode the pipes or supports.
Benefits of Using Clevis Hangers
Clevis hangers let pipes move naturally while keeping them from collapsing or crashing into surrounding objects. These hangers also allow for vertical adjustment. That means you can adjust pipes to avoid sagging or corrosive pooling.
Main benefits to using clevis hangers:
1. Suspend Piping
Suspending piping can be effective for:
- Preventing fires
- Promoting drainage
- Conserving space.
- Suspending pipes above corrosive substances, such as dirt or grime, to extend their lifespan.
The corrosion process can be accelerated by liquid and bacteria. Even worse, corrosive soil can accelerate the deterioration of metal. You can maintain the surface and extend the life of pipes by suspending them.
2. Encourage Drainage
Without proper drainage, water can create stagnant pools that are still or etch grooves into the surfaces of pipes. Erosion corrosion can remove metal if you’re not careful. These corrosive parts may eventually burst, resulting in severe damage. In order to create a safer flow and prevent corrosion, you can suspend and angle pipes using clevis hangers.
3. Secure Dangling Pipes
Pipes have the potential to hit other nearby objects or drop to the ground as they move, expand, or vibrate. Pipes suspended on clevis hangers are kept safe while still being able to move freely.
4. Stay Strong in the Extremes
Piping can be exposed to hot temperatures and thermal movement, particularly when it is elevated. Supports that aren’t designed to resist the extremes can be damaged by these extremes. Clevis hangers are designed to hold up well and support pipes even when exposed to intense heat.
Features of Clevis Hangers
The Clevis Hanger is a 3-piece fastener system consisting of:
- A clevis – U-shaped piece that has holes at the end of the prongs to accept clevis pin
- A clevis pin – similar to a bolt, but is only partially threaded or unthreaded with a cross hole for a split pin
- A yoke – piece that fits in the space within the clevis and is held in place by clevis pin. Also had a hole to be positioned by a threaded rod & 2 nuts.
How to Install Clevis Hangers
- Drill hole into installation area
- Place a threaded metal rod into the hole & secure it.
- Insert a nut into the threaded rod.
- Attach the yoke onto the threaded rod, & add the 2nd nut below the yoke to hold it in place.
- With the U-shaped clevis cradling the pipe, position said pipe in the appropriate level by aligning its holes in the side with the yoke.
- Once positioned properly, attach the clevis pin to join both the U-shaped clevis & yoke.
Application
- Farming equipment
- Sailboat rigging
- Plumbing systems
- Fire suppression systems
- HVAC Systems
- Automotive industry
- Aircraft industry
- Construction industry
Technical Details
Coating: White Zinc Electroplated or Hot Dip Galvanized
NORMAL PIPE | HT | HO | WT | S | BREAKING |
2" | 133.0 | 10.0 | 2.00 | 63.40 | 1920.00 |
2 1/2” | 144.00 | 13.50 | 2.50 | 78.90 | 4040.00 |
3” | 157.00 | 13.50 | 3.00 | 91.80 | 4920.00 |
4” | 217.00 | 16.00 | 4.00 | 113.40 | 4800.00 |
6” | 289.00 | 19.00 | 5.00 | 173.00 | 6000.00 |
8” PVC | 360.00 | 20.00 | 6.00 | 220.00 | 7200.00 |
8” Steel Pipe | 410.00 | 20.00 | 7.00 | 255.00 | 8400.00 |
10” | 455.00 | 25.00 | 9.40 | 315.00 | 11280.00 |
12” | 585.00 | 25.00 | 9.40 | 390.00 | 11280.00 |
Load test results for our Clevis Hangers for reference.
