How to install Sudbury International expansion joints for ducting systems

Installation of expansion joints in ducting systems should be done with care.

Sudbury International Engineered Products Limited is the source to trust for great expansion joints for ducting systems. The supplier wants every customer to get the most out of these products, and a big part of top results is proper expansion joint installation. The Fluid Sealing Association (FSA) in the United States offers expert advice on using ducting expansion joints correctly, including installing them the right way.

Installation at the proper dimension

First, users should be sure to install Sudbury International joints at the proper face-to-face dimension, as the manufacturer has specified. It is important not to extend, compress, or laterally distort expansion joints beyond the breach opening tolerances to compensate for dimensional errors before getting the manufacturer’s written approval. If a joint must be pre-compressed or laterally pre-set, follow the manufacturer’s detailed instructions for expansion joint installation.

Expansion joints with flow liners should also have flow arrows, or some other indication of how to orient the joint properly to the right flow direction. The user must also take care to ensure that backup bars mate up with a gap ranging from 1.5 to three millimetres between bar ends. Follow the manufacturer’s bolt-installation and toque recommendations carefully; any impact tools being used should have torque-limiting devices set properly before they are used.

Users must not install insulation over expansion joints or mounting areas, unless it is consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions. Additionally, protective shields may be necessary in environments where coal or sulfur dust can collect on a joint’s outer cover, as the dust can cause spontaneous combustion, which might burn the outer covers. Installation parameters are critical to the service of the joint, so the installer should check them carefully.

Other important considerations for expansion joint installation involve bolted flanges, welded flanges, tolerances, commissioning, post-commissioning inspection, and periodic in-service inspection. The FSA’s specific tips on these areas can be covered in another article.

About the supplier

Founded in 1975, Sudbury International is a privately owned company that provides expansion joints, recirculation valves, slide pads, and other industrial products. It is based in Guelph, Ont.

For more information, contact Sudbury International.

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