USING A PROPER MAINTENANCE PROGRAM TO ENSURE FACILITY EFFICIENCY, STAFF SAFETY & MORE

Regardless of industry, regular expansion joint inspections
by Proco could help improve your systems.

Expansion joints are flexible connectors used in every industry, typically installed with pumps and valves, that allow movement through rigid systems. This flexibility and movement help the joints protect pumping systems and other critical equipment from damage by absorbing vibration and thrust forces. This also helps prevent excess sound. These joints are available in a wide range of materials, from rubber to stainless steel to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Failure of these joints can lead to equipment damage, downtime and environmental issues, creating lost production and excess costs. Worse, joint failure can endanger facility personnel and end users, especially if the media in the system is toxic or dangerous.

The main goal of any expansion joint maintenance program should be to prevent failure and extend the lifespan of the joint. This helps keep the system up and running, avoid downtime, prevent equipment failure and damage and ensure plant personnel stays safe.

Developing a Thorough Maintenance Program

Maintenance programs are important for making sure that all components and parts in a facility are in good working order and will continue to be for a while. Downtime, part failure, and even user injury can all be catastrophic and affect staff well-being as well as productivity and the bottom line. So, planning a thorough maintenance program is of the utmost importance.

When facilities are creating a maintenance program for expansion joints, they need to make sure the joints are being inspected regularly and that they are in good condition. This is also a great time to ensure that the joints were installed properly to make sure failures will be minimized later.

Every five to seven years, all the expansion joints in a plant should be inspected. All engineering and maintenance staff should be involved in this assessment so personnel can be certain of the facility’s current condition, the locations and quality of expansion joints, and what may be needed in the future.

It is important that spare parts are also thoroughly checked and inventoried during this inspection. Spare expansion joints that are too old or outdated can become inelastic and perform poorly.

Aside from keeping users safe and avoiding downtime and failures, keeping up on maintenance can help plant personnel understand the issues going on with the expansion joints within the facility.

Safety Practices

Expansion joints may transport hazardous materials. Precautions should be taken to protect personnel in the event of leakage or splash. Rubber joints should not be installed in areas where inspection is impossible. Make sure proper drainage is available in the event of leakage when operating personnel are not available. Always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when working on any machinery.

How Proco Can Help

Proco Products offers free plant surveys to inspect rubber expansion joints, PTFE-lined expansion joints, PTFE expansion joints and ducting joints by technical experts. These experts will provide a detailed inspection of all expansion joints in a facility, including a written report, photos and information on size, temperature, application, movement, pressure/vacuum, end fittings and delivery (STAMPED).

Proco’s industrial sales managers’ availability and willingness set them apart in their commitment to ensuring your facility stays up and running. These team members can also suggest expansion joints during the survey process as well as possible options for personnel: change immediately, monitor closely, etc.

Proco team members’ expertise can help resolve issues before they become catastrophes, educate plant personnel on proper joint maintenance and failure avoidance, and help keep your facility running on time and users safe.

About Proco

Years in business: 36 years

Headquarters: 2431 North Wigwam Drive, Stockton, CA 95205, USA

Product Offering: rubber expansion joints, PTFE pipe expansion joints, ducting expansion joints, braided flexible metal connectors, pipe penetration seals, rubber
pipe connectors, rubber check valves

Industries: water & wastewater, chemical/petrochemical, HVAC, industrial, marine, mining, oil & gas, power generation, pulp & paper, steel

Website:www.procoproducts.com

Facebook: facebook.com/ProcoProducts/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/proco-products-inc

Twitter: @ProcoProducts

Members of: Fluid Sealing Association (FSA)
Water Environmental Federation (WEF)
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Cooling Technology Institute (CTI)
National Association for Hose and Accessories Distribution (NAHAD)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)