Pipe Clamps: Species Overview and Installation Instructions

Fixing by installing a clamp is one of the most affordable and at the same time inexpensive ways to fix the pipe to the structure or to the support. With their help, it is easiest to achieve a strong and reliable fixation of the pipeline. To correctly select the device, you need to know what options the market offers. Do you agree?

We will tell you what to look for when choosing pipe clamps. The article presented by us sets out in detail how to choose the best option and how to install it. The technology is described in detail and recommendations are given, the observance of which will provide an ideal result.

Varieties of pipe fittings

According to the principle of fixation, the pipeline can be fixed to the support rigidly or freely.

Blind rigid fastening is designed for maximum loads. It is chosen when installing “cold” pipelines and strengthening in places where there is a high risk of damage to structures.

Floating type of fixation is used in pipe sections where the probability of expansion of the structure under the influence of temperature fluctuations is high

For fastening elements subject to thermal expansions, devices with a floating mount are chosen. They give the structure minimal mobility in the direction of the axis.

Fixing the pipeline by means of a clamp is achieved by tightening the pipe body with fasteners, the role of which is played by locks, threaded pairs or worm gears.

Regardless of the type of fixation, the use of clamps makes it possible to unload the pipeline, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to its individual sections under the weight of its own weight and vibrations arising from the movement.

According to the material of manufacture

The main requirement for the materials used in the manufacture of the clamp body is high mechanical strength. After all, the body of the product is designed to provide points of transmission of mechanical forces to the supporting structure. Universal in this regard are metal and plastic products.

Metal clamps are suitable for fastening pipes of various types and sizes. Plastic fasteners - only for pipes of small diameter made from polymeric materials. To prevent damage to the surface of the hollow pipe, the clamps are equipped with seals made of elastic materials.

The presence of a rubber gasket ensures the most snug fit of the semicircular holders to the pipe and eliminates the noise and vibrations that occur during the transportation of liquid

The basis for sealing the clamps is a profiled rubber with a cellular structure. When working with pipelines to which increased hygiene standards are presented, food rubber is chosen as a sealant.

Steel fasteners are capable of providing floating free fixation. They are recommended for installation of chimneys and heating systems. They reliably fix the structure and reduce vibration, but do not compress the pipeline when it expands at the time of heating.

Regarding the aesthetic side, metal fasteners, although famous for their high strength and long service life, do not differ in special presentability

Metal fasteners are best placed in areas partially hidden from prying eyes. Plastic clamps practically do not spoil the appearance of the pipeline. They are convenient to use when installing internal communications.

By design

If you focus on the design, then the clamps for fixing the pipe are of several types.

But still they can be conditionally divided into two types:

• one-piece - one-piece designs;
• detachable - connections from several segments, for the assembly of which threaded pairs or special locks are used.

One-piece fasteners include U-shaped designs. They have the form of simple arcs, which are fixed to the pipes with nuts.

Some models of clamps, made in the form of arcs, can be additionally equipped with rigid mounting strips, the main purpose of which is to increase the strength of the product

To install such fasteners, the ends of the strip are routed to the side so that they can be freely put on the pipe. After that (to increase the pressure of the seal), the ends of the tape are fixed and tightened with a locking or threaded connection.

Another example of one-piece fasteners are mounting clips. Clip-on holders are used to fix lightweight PVC or polypropylene pipes small diameter.

The clip holder is a design in the form of a monolithic circle, equipped with a snap fastener for easy fixation to the pipe

Mounting clips are mainly installed for unloading the pipe body from mechanical forces, and therefore they do not require a tight connection of the ends of the strip.

Band clamps have the form of a detachable ring, which, due to the movable connection element, opens on one side. They are made from strips of bendable sheet material. They are fixed to the pipe by means of special fasteners.

Tape clamps, due to the insufficiently high strength index, are recommended to be installed only on corrugations and plastic pipes of small diameter

Most often, the basis for the manufacture of such products is perforated metal or plastic tape, equipped with a lock with a worm screw. To install such parts, the gear track is deployed in order to put on the pipe. Then the end of the strip is locked and gradually pulled by rotating the screw.

Clamps with studs are more complex fastening designs. Such elements are available with a rubberized inner surface. "U" -shaped fasteners and clamps with studs are considered the most reliable. They are used to fix heavy metal pipelines.

The fixing structure of the clamp with the pin consists of 3 elements: two semicircles interconnected by bolts and directly the pin itself with a pointed threaded tip

For fastening closely spaced pipes, manufacturers offer double clamps. On sale you can even find clamps equipped with grounding elements. Their design provides rods with pointed ends, designed to create reliable electrical contact of the mounted pipe with ground loops.

By product size

The key parameter when choosing a mounting device is the conditional diameter of the product - “Du”. It indicates the diameter of the pipe for which the mounting structure is used.

Fixing collars are made for pipes of almost any diameter. The diameter range of fasteners available for sale is from 14 to 540 mm. To simplify the task of choosing the dimension of the product will help the table below.

Correspondence table of the size of the selected mounting clamp with the diameter of the mounted pipes made of steel, copper and polymeric materials

Metal clamps used for fixing pipelines are produced in accordance with GOST 2413780. Parts from polymer materials - in accordance with parameters 17679-80. The technical parameters of the holder are most easily recognized by the marking applied to the surface of the product.

For device silent sewage, with the features of the device which introduces the article recommended by us, produce special types of shock-absorbing clamps. These devices dampen the movement of pipes and prevent the propagation of sound waves.

Features of mortise models

In places where it is supposed to create a branching point for the pipeline without using fittings, mortise pipe clamps are installed.

The main difference between mortise fasteners is a special design coupling, which is equipped with a threaded nozzle that allows you to embed a discharge line to the main

Clamps for tapping in the pipe body are installed on a pre-drilled hole.

The mounted threaded pipe allows you to connect an additional section of the pipeline in a matter of minutes. The gasket attached on the inside of the clamp housing is responsible for the tightness of the connection.

Variants of the mechanical part of the couplers

Any model of fixing screw is equipped with a fixing unit. There are models with fastening at one point and those that are fixed in two or more places.

Products with fixation at several points are solid parts in which holes have been made for installing bolts or screws

Devices with fastening at one point can be equipped with a pin with a pointed end and threaded thread, or have a hole for mounting screws. The fastening of such clamps is carried out using polymer dowels.

DIY clamp making

In the absence of the opportunity to purchase a production bracket, a mounting device can be made on its own. Consider how to correctly make and put a metal clamp on the pipe.

It is easiest to crimp the bandage from a strip of sheet steel. For this purpose, it is best to use a sheet with a galvanized surface 1 mm thick. M6-10 bolts will also be required to connect the ends of the strip.

A set of tools necessary for the manufacture of fasteners:

• hammer;
• vise;
• calipers;
• spanners;
• pliers;
• scissors for metal;
• Bulgarian.

Drilling of fixing holes will also require a drill with a set of drills of the appropriate diameter. To prevent the rubber gasket from moving relative to the metal staple, building glue can be used.

Using a caliper, measure the diameter of the pipe to be attached.

If the dimensions of the pipeline do not allow measurements with a caliper, use a ruler and angle, but be prepared for the fact that the measurements will give a small error

A strip of 4-8 cm wide is cut from a sheet of steel sheet. To correctly calculate the strip length, the obtained pipe diameter value is multiplied by the number Pi, i.e. by 3.14. This will be the length of the product. But, in order to be able to make ears for fixation, another 3-4 cm should be added to the length value.

Using scissors, the workpiece is cut out to metal, giving the strip the necessary shape. In the vicinity of the ears, the brackets drill 2 holes.

The number of bolts depends on the width of the strip:

• for holders up to 6 cm wide, a pair of fasteners is enough;
• if the width of the bandage is 6-8 cm, it is better to install three bolts.

If the purchased bolts have large caps, the diameter of the holes can be expanded by a couple of millimeters. Ideally, for fasteners, it is better to purchase metal washers.

After checking the coincidence of the holes made in the ears of the workpiece, it remains only to insert a sealing gasket into the mounting clamp and tighten the nut on the bolt

To make a rubber layer, a preform of a slightly larger size is cut from flat rubber than that made of steel. It is fixed to a metal bracket by applying a layer of building glue.

The finished bracket remains only to tie the pipe in the right place, connecting the ears together by means of bolts. A pipe clamp is attached to the wall.

How to install a pipe clamp?

There is nothing complicated in putting a clamp and securely fixing the pipe. Installation work can be performed even by a novice master.

General rules for the location of fasteners

Regardless of whether you have to install a plastic or metal collar, it is important to observe the distances prescribed by the standards when arranging the fasteners:

• For pipes with a diameter within 20 mm, provided that the temperature of the passing fluid does not exceed 60 ° C, the distance between the clamps should be 80 cm.
• For pipes designed to supply hot water with a size of more than 20 mm, fasteners are placed at an equidistant distance of 65 cm.
• When fixing pipes D 40 mm, designed for transporting cold water, with the arrangement of clamps withstand a step of 110 cm.
• For hot water pipes D 40 mm, the distance is reduced to 95 cm.
• If it is necessary to install pipes D 110 mm or more, then for “cold” pipelines the distance between the clamps should be about 180 cm, and for “hot” ones - 160 cm.

In addition, it is recommended to install clamps on the bends of the pipeline and in the places of installation of taps, gate valves and connecting fittings.

The process of blocking a small fistula on a water pipe will present the following photo selection:

Selection of required materials

In order to put the clamp on the pipe, you need a set of tools:

• roulette;
• electric drill;
• building level;
• a simple pencil;
• screwdriver;
• hammer.

To fix the fasteners, plastic restrictive dowels will also be required.

Technology of device mounting and pipe fastening

The main stages of work on fastening the pipe to the wall by installing clamps:

1. Along the entire length of the pipeline, adhering to the above standard distances, marking is indicated with the location points of the fasteners.
2. At designated points, an electric drill is used to drill holes for mounting clamps.
3. Plastic restrictive dowels are buried into the holes made using a hammer for this purpose.
4. Use a screwdriver to tighten the clamps. When tightening the clamps, it is important not to overdo it so as not to disturb the plane of attachment.
5. Trunk elements are inserted into the clamps, applying small pushing forces.
6. Bolts are pulled through the holes of the ears and the clamps are tightened by screwing, ensuring a snug fit to the wall.

When drilling holes for mounting fasteners, be aware that their size should correspond to the diameter of the mounting bolts.

If you have to install devices with mounting studs, the diameter of the hole is made so that they easily fit into them, but do not sway

Particular attention should be paid to the angle under which the holes are made, and the drilling depth.

If the fasteners are not placed in the same plane, then the pipeline will begin to bend over time. This will cause the appearance of noise "effects" during the passage of fluid. And in places of inflection, the probability of accumulation of mud sediment increases.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

A few useful recommendations from the videos will introduce you to the intricacies of fixing clamps.

One of the ways to fix the sewer pipe:

The following video will familiarize you with the intricacies of choosing a clamp for fixing the pipe:

Video guide to using the clamp as a repair element:

Properly approaching the choice of holder and fastening the clamp on the pipe according to technical standards, you can ensure the strength and reliability of the fixation of long and unstable sections of the pipeline.

If you have ever been able to fasten pipes using clamps, share your own experience with visitors to the site. It is possible that you know the technological subtleties that are not noted in the article. Please write comments in the block below, post a photo on the topic and posts with your opinion, ask questions.