tapping sleeves vs tees
tapping sleeves vs tees
(OP)
I read a 2007 post on this subject. Following up.
For now, I'm going to define a tapping sleeve as the stainless steel device and a tapping tee as a DI device with MJ gland to make the seal around the pipe.
My water crew insists that the DI tapping tees are the only thing they want used. Their claim is that the stainless device is not sufficiently rigid to resist deflection. If the branch pipe settles, the torsion pulls the sleeve out of round, breaking the seal, creating a leak along the existing pipe.
Another objection is that, when excavating for a repair, the excavator bucket will be sliding along the side of the pipe. If the bucket scrapes the DI flange, it will hold up. If the bucket scrapes the stainless sleeve, the first thing it hits is a bolt and damage ensues immediately.
I'd welcome input, especially water system operators.
For now, I'm going to define a tapping sleeve as the stainless steel device and a tapping tee as a DI device with MJ gland to make the seal around the pipe.
My water crew insists that the DI tapping tees are the only thing they want used. Their claim is that the stainless device is not sufficiently rigid to resist deflection. If the branch pipe settles, the torsion pulls the sleeve out of round, breaking the seal, creating a leak along the existing pipe.
Another objection is that, when excavating for a repair, the excavator bucket will be sliding along the side of the pipe. If the bucket scrapes the DI flange, it will hold up. If the bucket scrapes the stainless sleeve, the first thing it hits is a bolt and damage ensues immediately.
I'd welcome input, especially water system operators.





RE: tapping sleeves vs tees
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com
RE: tapping sleeves vs tees
Ductile iron tapping sleeves are not allowed in my local jurisdictions. I've never given any thought as to why.
The valve itself clamped onto the sleeve tee is ductile iron.
RE: tapping sleeves vs tees
RE: tapping sleeves vs tees
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com