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Installation Guide for Single Sphere Rubber Flexible Joints with Floating Flanges

Supplier: RUBASIA RUBBERTECH INDUSTRIES

The Single Sphere Rubber Flexible Joint with Floating Flanges is designed for easy installation, especially in piping systems across Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei. Proper installation ensures long service life, vibration absorption, leak prevention, and maximum performance.

Step-by-Step Installation Method

1. Preparation Before Installation

• Inspect the rubber body for cracks, cuts, or deformities before use.
• Confirm flange size, pressure rating, and drilling standard (Table E, JIS 10K, ANSI150, PN16) match your pipeline.
• Check piping alignment — the joint is designed to absorb misalignment, but severe misalignment must be corrected.
• Clean pipe ends and flanges to remove dirt, rust, or oil.
• Verify installation location: near pumps, chillers, valves, compressors, or marine pipelines.

2. Flange Alignment & Positioning

• Place the rubber joint between two pipe flanges.
• Adjust the floating flanges (Vanstone type) — rotate freely to match the bolt holes with pipeline flanges.
• Ensure the pipe ends are parallel and centered with the rubber joint.

 Tip for Sabah & Sarawak sites: In remote towns like Kapit, Mukah, Sipitang, Lawas, pipeline welding may not be precise. The floating flanges help in such cases, but do not force the joint to absorb extreme misalignment.

3. Bolt Installation & Tightening

• Insert bolts through flange holes — ensure bolt length and diameter match the flange standard.
• Tighten bolts gradually in a cross/star pattern to achieve even pressure.
• Do not overtighten — overtightening may damage the EPDM rubber bead.
• Use flat washers and spring washers for better sealing and vibration resistance.

 Local Tip: In humid and coastal areas like Sandakan, Tawau, Bintulu, Seria, Kuala Belait, always use stainless steel 304 bolts & nuts to prevent corrosion.

4. Support & Anchoring

• Install pipe supports or hangers near the joint to reduce stress.
• For high-pressure lines (water treatment in Kuching, oil pipelines in Miri, refinery lines in Brunei Seria), use limit rods/tie rods to prevent over-extension.
• Expansion joints should not carry the weight of pipes — piping must be self-supported.

5. Pressure & Movement Check

• Slowly pressurize the system and check for leaks.
• Verify the joint moves freely in axial, lateral, and angular directions.
• Do not twist or torsion-load the joint during pressurization.
• For hot water and HVAC systems in Kota Kinabalu, Bandar Seri Begawan, Sibu, allow the system to expand gradually during first run.

6. Final Inspection & Maintenance

• Ensure flange connections are tight but not overstressed.
• Inspect for leaks after 24 hours of operation.
• Schedule maintenance checks every 6–12 months, especially in palm oil mills, petrochemical plants, and marine applications where conditions are harsh.

Installation Precautions (SEO Optimized)

• Do not install near sharp bends or where heavy loads may fall on the joint.
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and ozone for outdoor installations in Sabah rural towns (Tenom, Nabawan, Beaufort, Ranau).
• In marine and coastal areas (Semporna, Kudat, Muara, Tutong) apply protective coating to flanges against saltwater corrosion.
• For chemical plants in Sarikei, Kapit, Jerudong, ensure EPDM compatibility with the chemicals being transferred.