Romac Industries RFCA Installation Manual

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

ROMAC
INDUSTRIES,
INC.

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Read installation instructions rst before installing. Check parts to ensure that no damage has occurred during transit and that no

parts are missing. Also check the diameter of the pipe and the size marked on the coupling to ensure you have the proper size.

RFCA Restrained Flange Coupling Adapter

For use on: Ductile iron pipe 3" - 48", cast iron pipe 3" - 48" (same OD's as ductile iron),

IPS size and STD steel 3" - 12" with a minimum thickness of schedule 40.

NOTE: Not for use on polyethylene pipe, plain end

mechanical joint ttings or PVC pipe.

The "Stab-Fit" installation technique may also be
employed on 3"-10" sizes.

Step 1 • Check the RFCA parts to insure that no damage

has occurred during transit and that no parts are missing.

Step 2 • Clean pipe end for a distance of 2" greater than

length of the RFCA.

Step 3 • Place RomaGrip gland on pipe end.

Step 4 • Lubricate the gasket and pipe surface with soapy

water or other suitable gasket lubricant.

Step 5 • Place gasket over pipe with beveled edge toward

the ange adapter.

Step 6 • Slide the RFCA on to

the pipe. Position the pipe and
anged coupling against the
mating ange, inserting
ange gasket (14" and
larger) between the ange
faces. Assemble the ange
joint using ange bolts.

Step 7 • The pipe should

be centered such that the
space between the OD of
the pipe and the ID of the
RFCA is even all around
the pipe. Slide the RFCA
gasket into position with
the beveled edge engaging
the beveled end of the RFCA body.

Step 9 • Tighten T-bolts

evenly, alternating to
diametrically opposite
position at approxi­mately 20 ft-lbs
increments to the
r e c om m e nd e d
to rque for y our
size RFCA.

Recommended Torque:

3" RomaGrip - 45-65 ft-lbs.
4 - 24" RomaGrip - 75 - 90 ft-lbs.

Note:

90 ft-lbs. torque = 12" wrench w/90 lbs. force

For best results, wait 10 minutes and
retighten bolts to proper torque.

Step 10 • Hand tighten the restrainer bolts until the re-

straining pads touch the
surface of the pipe.
The bolts should
be tightened in a
uniform criss­cross pattern,
until the
heads break
off above the
notch.

NOTE: Do not turn a bolt more than one turn before alter­nating to the next bolt.

Document # 20-9-0032 01/22/2010

Step 8 • Slide the

RomaGrip into position
against the gasket, and
insert T-bolts.

21919 20th Avenue SE • Suite 100 • Bothell, WA 98021 • Phone [phone] • 1-800-426-9341 • Fax [phone]

Step 11 • Pressure test for leaks before backlling.

ROMAC
INDUSTRIES,
INC.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

RFCA Restrained Flange Coupling Adapter

PRECAUTIONS

1. Check ange to make sure the bolt holes match the RFCA.

2. Make sure a ange gasket is used between the mating anges on sizes 14" and larger.

3. Check diameter of pipe to make sure you are using the correct size RFCA; also check gasket to make sure it is the

size you think it is.

4. Be sure to clean pipe of as much dirt and corrosion as possible in the area that the gasket will seal.

5. Lubricate both the gasket and the pipe end with soapy water or approved pipe lubricant per ANSI/AWWA C111/

A21.11.

6. Make sure no foreign materials lodge between gasket and pipe.

7. Avoid loose tting wrenches, or wrenches too short to achieve proper torque.

8. Keep threads free of foreign material to allow proper tightening.

9. Take extra care to follow proper bolt tightening procedures and torque recommendations. Bolts are often not tightened

enough when a torque wrench is not used.

10. Be sure that the gland is centered around the pipe.

11. Pressure test for leaks before backlling.

12. Backll and compact carefully around pipe and ttings.

13. Some initial axial movement may occur in lug style restraints as the lugs seat. Movement is directly related

to the size of the piping system and the system pressure. In general terms movement of approximately

0.25" can be expected in restraints under 16”. For larger sizes, movement of approximately 0.4” may be seen. If
this is critical to your application please contact Romac Engineering for additional information.

COMMON INSTALLATION PROBLEMS

1. Flange gasket not installed on sizes 14" and larger.

2. T-Bolts are not tightened to the proper torque.

3. Rocks or debris between pipe and gasket.

4. Dirt or debris between pipe and restraining pad.

5. Dirt on threads of bolts or nuts.

6. Restraining bolt heads not snapped off.

7. Not enough pipe inserted into bell.

8. Using the RFCA on IPS size steel pipe with wall thickness thinner than schedule 40 steel pipe. (3-12 inch sizes)

IF RFCA MUST BE REMOVED

1. Make sure pipe is not pressurized. Removing the restrainer could cause the pipe joint to separate.

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2. To remove the RFCA, use a

3. To reassemble, follow installation procedures. Tighten the restraining bolts using a

minimum.

21919 20th Avenue SE • Suite 100 • Bothell, WA 98021 • Phone [phone] • 1-800-426-9341 • Fax [phone]

/8" hex wrench or socket.

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/8" hex wrench to 75-ft-lbs