PT&P manufactured Fig. 550B Sway Braces for preventing excessive loading on 12″ diameter flanged expansion joints leading into a containment shelter. The sway braces include our Fig. 30 Forged Turnbuckles, spring casing. and size 3 spring coils along with other internal components. They are fabricated from carbon steel, hot-dipped galvanized, and designed for a spring rate of 450 lb./in. These sway braces measure 91-3/8″ pin-to-pin and are suitable for full deflection forces from 200 to 1,800 lb. Initial pre-compressed spring forces are from 50 lb. to 450 lb. to dampen vibrations, oppose pipe sway and absorb shock forces.
Sway braces are recommended for controlling vibration, absorbing shock loadings; guiding or restraining the movement of the pipe resulting from thermal expansion; bracing a pipeline against sway. The vibration control and sway brace is shipped and ready for installation. The rod coupling rotates with slight resistance and the tension test collar can be rotated by hand while holding the rod stationary.
The sway brace should be in the neutral position when the system is hot and operating, at which time the tension test collar should be hand tight. If it is not, the sway brace should be adjusted to the neutral position by use of the load coupling. The screws in the tension test collar need not be loosened, since they serve only to secure it to the load coupling.
