Tuesday, May 09, 2017

How to Weld Plastic Waterstop

An initial warm up time of approximately 15 minutes is required to heat up splicing iron to the required temperature. Preheat Iron up to the following:
• For TPV / TPER Waterstop: 410 to 430°F
• For PVC Waterstop: 350 to 380°F
It is recommended to verify temperature using an external thermometer.
NOTE: The Peel and Stick Teflon® Cover is to remain on the iron during the welding process. DO NOT REMOVE.
CAUTION: Too high of a temperature will result in damage to waterstop welds, splicing iron cover, and possibly splicing iron.
1. Always cut square ends before welding waterstops. Never weld to extruded ends. Use flat work table to create field splices. Work area should be solid and have access to power supply and have jigs and fixtures to aid splicing.
2. Cut ends square, using a razor knife or circular saw equipped with a carbide tipped blade (10” diameters with 40 teeth) to ensure matching edges.
3. Preheat the iron to the desired temperature ranges. Place iron between butt ends. Keep waterstops in place until approximately 3/16” bead forms on each side of waterstops. Quickly remove splicing iron and gently press waterstops ends together until they bond (approximately 3 to 5 minutes or cool to touch). Cold water may be sprayed on waterstops to expedite the bond.

Monday, May 01, 2017

Save Time and Money with Shop Made Fittings

Why the Engineer Should Specify Shop Made Fittings

Shop Made Fittings are recognized and specified worldwide by major engineering firms. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also specified Shop Made Fittings in the July, 1995 revision of CEGS Section 03250. Shop Made Fittings are specified because they work. Edge welding waterstop seriously compromises the integrity of any project. Even the limited movement of concrete during the coefficient of expansion and contraction can be too much for edge welded waterstop. The edge welded waterstop lacks the proper tensile strength and does not maintain the characteristics of the parent material (bulb or rib continuity). Consequently, the waterstop often tears at the most critical junction: the change of direction. Since all waterstops are designed to act as a continuous, fluid-tight diaphragm which fluids (generally water) traverse, the structure that uses edge welded waterstop will naturally leak, as fluids migrate to any tears in the weld and pass through to the other side of the joint.

Structures that use Shop Made Fittings will significantly reduce these waterstop failures. The tensile strength of the weld will be at least 80% of the parent material. Continuity of the bulbs and ribs shall be maintained across the weld. In other words, the waterstop will perform as intended and last the life of the structure.

CAD Drawings

J P Specialties has a large library of CAD drawings that illustrate the many uses of various Shop Made Fittings and explain waterstop's role in creating a fluid-tight structure.

Why the Contractor Should Use Shop Made Fittings

JP Specialties certified welding crew can efficiently manufacture large quantities of top-quality Shop Made Fittings with speed on our exclusive XLT-2000 Waterstop Splicing Tables. Therefore, we are able to pass the savings on to the end user: the contractor. Besides saving money, the contractor who uses Shop Made Fittings will save time. A standard flat cross has twelve cuts and seven welds. By using Shop Made Fittings, all of the cuts and three of the welds will be eliminated. The number of welds can be further reduced by using modules.

What are Shop Made Fitting Modules?

Modules are custom Shop Made Fittings that are delivered to the jobsite as a complete unit, rather than a collection of parts. For example: a box culvert with a longitudinal joint would typically require four vertical ells and two flat crosses. Even with Shop Made Fittings this would be sixteen butt welds (straight edge to straight edge) for the contractor in the field. With proper dimensions from building plans, J P Specialties will manufacture entire box culvert modules. In the box culvert example conveyed above, using modules, only four butt welds remain to be done in the field.

Modules work best when they are specified by the engineer during the design phase of the project, but they can also be used effectively during the construction phase with close collaboration between JP Specialties and the contractor. J P Specialties can clearly interpret project plans during any phase of construction and render how Shop Made Fittings or modules will improve the quality of your structure and save you money.

How Much Do Shop Made Fittings Cost?

Shop Made Fittings can be supplied at a cost savings to the contractor on most jobs, when compared to the time and labor necessary to fabricate the Waterstop in the field. Providing Shop Made Fittings will not only be more cost effective, but will ensure a timely installation, thus saving costly delays. In addition, our Shop Made Fittings will enhance your ability to meet stringent hydraulic tests required by engineers.