EXPANSION JOINT DESIGN GUIDE - Metraflex …

1 METRALOOP EXPANSION JOINT DESIGN GUIDES pecial production Metraloops are certified by theAMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATIONfor use on gas pipe factory for moreinformation. Catalog LOOP93 Certified by theAMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATIONfor use on gas pipe lines. NO THRUST LOADS MINIMAL ANCHOR LOADS MINIMAL GUIDING SEISMIC RATINGS2323 W. HUBBARD ST CHICAGO, IL 60612 800-621-4347 312-738-3800 FAX 312-738-0415 METRALOOP ADVANTAGE .. DESIGN FREEDOM!XXX6' - 6"13'36"46"AnchorLoads12800 GuideBellows EXPANSION JointHard Pipe LoopDesign ConditionsPipe -6 inch Schedule 40 Movement -4" Axial CompressionPressure -150 PSIT emperature -300 FLength of Run -177 feet 98% less anchor load thanBellows EXPANSION JOINT 83% less anchor load thanHard Pipe Loop 75% less space required thanHard Pipe LoopDrawn to ScaleXXXA nchorLoads12800 EFITS: Movement in all directions - absorbing seismic energy withlow activation forces, standard seismic bracing is adequatefor adjacent piping.

2 Ball or bellows joints havesignificant breakaway torques or thrust loads that exceedstandard seismic bracing. Fire Sprinkler Systems - UL listed, the Fireloop providesseismic protection in a compact, easy to install compo-nent. See the Fireloop DESIGN GUIDE or for full details. Gas - Protect against devastating fire by certified Metraloops in gas lines asthey cross the building's seismic joints or at theconnection to gas-fired equipment. Reduce Costs - Metraloops are far less expensive thanalternative seismic EXPANSION joints, particularlyball-joints. Protect Equipment - Metraloops allow equipmentsuch as boilers and chillers to move independentlyfrom the building during an earthquake. Preventnozzles from cracking or shearing in earthquakesby installing Metraloops at the Seismic Installations,see Page by theAMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATIONfor use on gas pipe lines.

3 YOU R FI RST CHOICEBECAUSE .. Path of Least Resistance - which is why GUIDESare not always required. With an incredibly low force tocompress, the Loop is the path of least resistanceabsorbing thermal movement before the pipe begins tobow. Long before thermal EXPANSION develops enoughforce to start to compress traditional bellows type jointsor hard pipe loops, the column loading strength of pipeis exceeded and the pipe begins to bow. Hence theneed for numerous and specifically placed pipe guidesup and down the pipe run in traditional piping systems. Anchor Loads - Almost None - compared to bellows orhard pipe loops. Bellows type joints exert tremendousanchor loads, requiring answers to: is the concretethick enough, what size anchor bolts, is the steel strongenough, where do I make the attachments??? TheMetraLoop anchor loads are so low; these questionsmay be immaterial. Amount of movement - virtually any.

4 Stock sizes areshown on pages 4-5, however movements greaterthan 3 or 6 FEET! are not L L M E TA L L I C C O N S T R U C T I O NTYPICAL SPECI FICATIONP rovide flexible EXPANSION loops of size and type notedon drawings. Flexible loops shall consist of two flexiblesections of hose and braid, two 90 elbows, and an180 return assembled in such a way that the pipingdoes not change direction, but maintains its coursealong a single axis. Flexible loops shall have a factorysupplied, center support nut located at the bottom of the180 return, and a drain/air release plug. Flexibleloops shall impart no thrust loads to system supportanchors or building structure. Loops shall be installedin a neutral, pre-compressed or pre-extended conditionas required for the application. For steam service,loops must be installed with flexible legs horizontal toprevent condensate buildup. Install and GUIDE permanufacturer s recommendations.

5 Materials ofconstruction and end fitting type shall be consistent withpipe material and equipment/pipe connection natural gas service, connectors shall be Flexible EXPANSION loops to be Metraloop asmanufactured by the Metraflex Company , Chicago, OF CONTENTSM etraLoop Drawing ..Inside Front CoverSeismic Benefits ..Inside Front CoverTypical Specification ..1 How the MetraLoop Works ..2 Typical Installations ..3 MetraLoop Selection Chart - Sweat, Thread & Flanged Ends ..4 MetraLoop Selection Chart - Weld & Grooved Ends ..5 Installation/Guiding Considerations ..6 Applications ..7-9 Thermal EXPANSION Applications ..10 Seismic Applications ..11 Test Report ..12 Pressure Drop Charts ..13 MetraLoop Drawings ..14-16 Terms and Conditions ..17 CARBON STEEL,COPPER ORSTAINLESS ENDSBRAZEORWELDMENTSTAINLESS STEEL ORBRONZE FLEXIBLEMETALLIC HOSESTRESS RELIEVINGWELD COLLARSTAINLESS STEELOR BRONZE BRAIDTHERMAL EXPANSION :The MetraLoop is simply a flexible variationof the tradition hard pipe loop.

6 For any givenlength of pipe and given temperature change,the amount of movement can be calculatedand the appropriate MetraLoop can bedesigned. When installed in a pipe run theMetraLoop s legs simply bend laterally tocompensate for the pipe s EXPANSION orcontraction. Unique to the loop is theincredibly low amount of force required tobend its legs, minimizing anchor loads,guiding and installation MOVEMENT:The two flexible legs connected by anunrestrained return bend, will allow apredetermined amount of pipe movement inany direction. (Typical DESIGN movement is 4 inches in any direction, howevermovement of several feet in any direction ispossible). With the loops extreme flexibilityand low force to move, the loop absorbs theseismic energy and imposes minimal loadson the adjacent pipe hangers, supports ornozzle loads on major equipment. See page11 for more OW T H E M E T R A L O O P WO R K SSEISMIC MOVEMENT: ALL DIRECTIONALTHERMAL EXPANSION : AXIAL MOVEMENT3 Illustrated below are the typical orientations for the MetraLoop.

7 No support is required for the 180 return bend for standard loops 2-1/2 diameter and smaller. However due to the weight of the return bend and the extreme flexibility of the loop, larger sizes require support toprevent the 180 from sagging in all orientations except when installed hanging down as shown in illustration #2. Guides are recommendedbut not always required see bottom of page 6 for more Note- For steam service minimizing the entrapment of condensateis crucial and loops should be installed as shown in illustration #1. Detailed installation considerations are noted on the following Y P I CA L I N S TA L L AT I O N SSUPPORT MUST BE PROVIDED TO PREVENT THE LOOP FROMDROOPING OR TORQUING PIPE. SUPPORT MUST ALLOW THE180 RETURN, TO MOVE HORIZONTALLY BACK AND FORTH 1/4",AS THE LOOP FLEXES.*RECOMMENDED INSTALLATION FOR STEAM. ANY OTHERORIENTATION MAY CAUSE CONDENSATE TO *#1M ETR ALOOPTMHORIZONTAL HORIZONTAL RUN LOOP SHOULD HANG STRAIGHT DOWN AND BE FREE TOFLEX.

8 #2M ETR ALOOPTMHANGI NG DOWN HORIZONTAL RUN SUPPORT MUST BE PROVIDED TO PREVENT THE LOOPFROM LEANING. PIPE HANGER ROD SHOULD BE LOOSEENOUGH TO ALLOW THE 180 RETURN TO MOVE UP ORDOWN, OR BACK AND FORTH, AS THE LOOP FLEXES.#3M ETR ALOOPTMSTR AIGHT U P HORIZONTAL RUN FOR TIGHT PIPE RUNS, ANY SIZE OR NUMBER OF LOOPSCAN BE DESIGNED TO NEST INSIDE ONE ANOTHER. TOORDER, SPECIFY SEQUENCE OF PIPE DIAMETERS ANDCORRESPONDING DISTANCES BETWEEN PIPECENTERLINES.#4M ETR ALOOPTM NESTED LOOP MUST BE SUPPORTED TO ALLOW THE 180 RETURNTO MOVE HORIZONTALLY BACK AND FORTH, AND UP ORDOWN, AS THE LOOP FLEXES.#5M ETR ALOOPTM VERTICAL RUN THE METRALOOP EXPANSION LOOP CAN BEMANUFACTURED IN THIS CONFIGURATION TO BE ASCOMPACT AS POSSIBLE. MULTIPLE OVER-UNDER LOOPSCAN ALSO BE INSTALLED IN NESTED CLUSTERS TOFURTHER TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS COMPACTARRANGEMENT.#6M ETR ALOOPTM OVER/UNDER 4 METRALOOP SELECTION CHART When ordering a Metraloop with double-braid, please include the letter D at the end of the Model #.

9 Example: MLW30200D* Spring Force: These values reflect the total force required to move the Metraloop its full rated movement for 150 at 70 higher pressures please contact Metraflex . 150# FLANGED ENDS FITTINGS - SCHED. 40 CARBON STEEL HOSE & BRAID - SERIES 300 STAINLESS STEEL SWEAT ENDS - FEMALE FITTINGS - COPPER HOSE & BRAID - BRONZE THREAD ENDS - MALE FITTINGS - SCHED. 40 CARBON STEEL HOSE & BRAID - SERIES 300 STAINLESS STEELP ressure ratings reflect standard ratings. Higher pressures are available, please contact #MOVEMENTEND TOENDLENGTHPSISINGLEBRAID PSIDOUBLEBRAID* (15mm)MLS30050 5 11-1/2 7061130452 MLS80050 4 8 15-3/8 (20mm)MLS30075 6 13-1/8 577923472 MLS80075 4 9-1/2 17-1/4 (25mm)MLS30100 6-1/2 14-5/8 4 10-1/4 19-1/4 31-1/4 (30mm)MLS30125 7-3/4 16-3/8 4 11-1/4 21-3/8 41-1/2 (40mm)MLS30150 9-1/4 17-1/4 329526704 MLS80150 4 11-3/4 22-1/2 (50mm)MLS30200 11-1/4 18-3/4 317507789 MLS80200 4 14 24-3/4 122-1/2 (65mm)MLS30250 13 19-3/4 2724358312 MLS80250 4 15 26-1/2 183 (80mm)MLS30300 14 21-1/2 2013229018 MLS80300 4 16-1/2 28-1/2 244 (100mm)MLS30400 18 24-3/4 14222712026 MLS80400 4 22 32 31 PIPESIZEMODEL #MOVEMENTEND TOENDLENGTHPSISINGLEBRAID PSIDOUBLEBRAIDMAXSTEAMPRESS.

10 * (15mm)MLT30050 12 10-1/4 10751720300453 MLT80050 4 15 15-5/8 (20mm)MLT30075 12-1/4 10-3/4 7921267300473 MLT80075 4 15-1/4 17-1/2 (25mm)MLT30100 12 12 571914300535 MLT80100 4 16 18-5/8 81-1/4 (30mm)MLT30125 13-1/2 13-3/8 531850300667 MLT80125 4 16-3/4 20 101-1/2 (40mm)MLT30150 15 14-3/4 4 17-1/2 21-1/4 (50mm)MLT30200 18 17-3/8 5007503007815 MLT80200 4 20 24-1/2 182-1/2 (65mm)MLT30250 21 21 3876193008323 MLT80250 4 21-1/2 28-1/4 293 (80mm)MLT30300 26 23-3/8 2884312169039 MLT80300 4 26 30 434 (100mm)MLT30400 32 28 23237118612055 MLT80400 4 32 35-3/8 59 PIPESIZEMODEL #MOVEMENTEND TOENDLENGTHPSISINGLEBRAID PSIDOUBLEBRAIDMAXSTEAMPRESS.* (50mm)MLF30200 12-1/2 17-3/8 5007503007821 MLF80200 4 14-1/2 24-1/2 242-1/2 (65mm)MLF30250 15-1/2 21 3876193008330 MLF80250 4 16 28-1/4 363 (80mm)MLF30300 18-1/2 23-3/8 2884312169046 MLF80300 4 18-1/2 30 504 (100mm)MLF30400 24-1/2 28 23237118312063 MLF80400 4 24-1/2 35-3/8 695 (125mm)MLF30500 30-1/2 32-1/4 19130615318691 MLF80500 4 30-1/2 40-1/4 1016 (150mm)MLF30600 36-1/2 36-3/4 165264132202148 MLF80600 4 36-1/2 45-3/8 1638 (200mm)MLF30800 48-1/2 44-1/2 212230115260287 MLF80800 4 48-1/2 53-1/2 30910 (250mm)MLF31000 60-1/2 53-1/4 175200100283453 MLF81000 4 60-1/2 63-1/4 48412 (300mm)MLF31200 72-1/2 61-3/4 16018894390636 MLF81200 4 72-1/2 72-3/4 66614 (355mm)MLF31400 84-1/2 71 11012563706636 MLF81400 4 84-1/2 80-1/2 66616 ** (400mm)