Hot Taps

Bob D._2

Neatest one of a bunch I've had done was a 12" tap on a 16" STD A106 400 PSI steam line in very tight quarters in a paper mill. Most thorough crew I've ever seen. That's all they do. Talk about "hiring a Pro!".

EBEBRATT-Ed

Hot Taps

What is the consensus on hot taps for water (Heating and Chilled water) systems? I won't mention the manufacturer who is in California and makes the saddle taps for steel pipe or copper tubing and the tool for drilling the pipe.

I am concerned with code issues and approvals for these type of products. Do they comply?

I picture myself in front of a judge explaining why I took the shortcut instead of draining the system. I suppose freezing is an option but you cant freeze a glycol system. Can you?

Every piping system is all about the joints, welded, propress, soldered, threaded grooved etc.

I am concerned with the saddle twisting on the pipe( for whatever reason) and uncovering the hole without anything other than the saddles clamping effect to hold it in place.

The larger saddles are fariely substantial but some of the smaller sizes are held on with gear (hose) clamps.

Anyone else use these? any comments?

Thanks,
ED

Al Letellier_21

hot taps

I have done 3-4 in my career, mostly on gas believe it or not....and on water. If you use UL approved fittings and install to manufacturers instructions, you should be OK. However, your concerns are real and hot taps, in my book, should be used only as a last resort. Nothing beats a solid threaded, welded or glued joint for strength and rigidity.

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Hvacman

No worries...

We use them all the time down to 1.25 inch... I think smaller than that the time/ cost to drain make sense to do it the conventional way. Can you even get taps smaller than 1.25"?

EBEBRATT-Ed

Al, the ones you used on gas were probably welded on and have a piercing valve. I beleive the gas companies use them in the street to add a tap. I wouldn't have a problem with those.

We have also taken a vic saddle and ground down the inner ring that protrudes into the pipe and used those for hot or chilled water.

I went on the manufacturers web site and nothing is mentioned about code approval or any type of approval just that "everbody does it" which makes me suspicous.

Maybe these things are not as widely used as I thoght.

Ed

Rich L.

Vic type

Ed There's a type of t out without the cast boss just like the Vic mechanical t's your describing that I've used before with great success. I'm not sure of the brand but could find out when I get back to work Monday if you want. I have a set on order right now to hot tap a service water loop in a commercial building to add a heat pump. There's many tenants in the building and we'd never be able to find a time to shut down everyone in the building long enough to drain down the system. This will allow us to install a new set of taps with out disturbing anyone else and save tons of time.

Pete_31

I have used the clamp type on copper, agree the hose clamps are scary, I doubled them on each side. On steel, welding is the only way I do it. I know some guys grind the vic saddles, they don't clamp tight enough for my liking. If I can't weld an o-let on, I always try to talk customer into draining. I will say, I never have had a failure with any of the designed for hot tapping clamp ons.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Rich if you have a chance please post the info. I would appreciate it

ED

Hvacman

Our supplier

We get ours here:

http://www.fergusonenterprisesinc.com/index.shtml

Any waterworks supplier should have them. Know your pipe OD, ask for "wet taps".

Rich L.

Saddles

This is what my local supplier got for me Ed and like I said they worked great.

http://www.romac.com/2006-Catalog/PDF/Service-Saddles/304-306.pdf

Good luck, Rich L

EBEBRATT-Ed

Thanks for all the replies!

ED

mtfallsmikey

Just had some done not long ago

On both condenser water and glycol systems. Company was very professional. Old-school welder, 30+ yrs. experience. Even made a drill using part of a 1" gate valve. Well worth the money...don't like any type of saddle fitting myself.