Sudbury International expansion joints for ducting undergo stringent inspection

Sudbury International offers expansion joints for ducts.

When it comes to supplying expansion joints for ducting systems, a detailed quality-management process is highly recommended. Sudbury International Engineered Products Limited knows this. The Fluid Sealing Association (FSA) in the United States recommends a multi-step process in quality assurance for these joints – including material control, testing, inspection, and documentation.

The last step of this quality management process is final inspection and identification. Once Sudbury International completes this stage, its joints are ready for the customer.

Ensuring maximum product integrity

If an internationally approved quality-management system does not exist, a supplier should maintain written procedures as a minimum by each manufacturer for each of five different categories: identification and control of materials; drawing and document control; manufacturing processes and control; testing, inspection, and documentation; and final preparation for delivery.

In terms of this final preparation, before a supplier like Sudbury International ships out its expansion joints for ducting, it is a good idea to check the following items regarding the products, in order to make sure that they have maximum integrity:

• Dimensional compliance with manufacturing drawings, including the flange bolt pattern if applicable;
• The integrity of the splices in the fabric element, if applicable;
• The security of the nuts and bolts on the backup bars, flange assemblies, and shipping bars or restraining hardware;
• Adequate size, number, and placement of the shipping bars, lugs, or installation aids. The latter should be painted yellow if removal is required after the installation;
• Expansion-joint assemblies with baffles, or flow liners, should be shipped and stored with the upstream end uppermost to help to prevent any accumulation of rainwater;
• Identification markings, flow-direction arrows, and instruction should be stenciled clearly or permanently affixed;
• Shippers should include installation drawings with every assembly; and
• The general condition of the fabric element, frame fit-up, and paint must be in accordance with the customer’s requirements and with good manufacturing practices.

Expansion joints for ducting are far from the only product that Sudbury International distributes to many businesses. Other popular options include slide pads and control valves.

To learn more, contact Sudbury International.

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