Every expansion joint that leaves the factory is provided with installation instructions. These instructions describe the simple, straightforward requirements that must be followed to insure a trouble-free installation.

• Shipping Bars - These are temporary attachments that "hold" the expansion joint at its correct installed length during shipping and installation. Angle iron or channel section is used and is always painted bright yellow. Shipping bars must never be removed until after the unit has been correctly welded or bolted into the piping system. Caution: Tie rods or limit rods are sometimes mistaken for shipping bars. NEVER TAMPER WITH THESE ATTACHMENTS.

  NOTE: Great care must be taken when removing the shipping bars. If a welding or burning torch is used, ALWAYS protect the bellows element from burn splatter with a flame-retardant cloth or other shielding material.

• Liners - When expansion joints are fitted with liners or internal sleeves, the unit is marked with an arrow indicating the direction of flow. The expansion joint must be installed in the system with flow in the correct direction.

• Flanged Assemblies - These should be correctly aligned with their mating flanges (vanstone flanges permit some rotational misalignment). If a bellows is subjected to torsional forces due to hole misalignment, then reduced cycle life and/or bellows failure can occur.

• Weld End Assemblies - The bellows elements should always be protected during the welding process with flame retardant cloth or other shielding material. Weld splatter, arc strikes, or cutting torch sparks can cause serious damage to the thin bellows element.

• Final System Check - After installation has been completed and shipping bars removed, check all anchors, guides, and pipe supports. Slowly apply test pressure to the system, checking for any unusual movement of the bellows anchors or guides. If movement is observed, immediately lower the pressure and re-examine the system for damage.

  NOTE: Unless otherwise specified, all expansion joints are designed for a test pressure of 1.5 times the design pressure.