Full Encirclement/Reinforcing Saddles and Pipe Repair Sleeves

When the strength of pressure pipe is compromised by modification, physical damage, or defect, Topaz provides weld-on reinforcement solutions. Carbon steel tees, saddles, and sleeves can be supplied from stock, or with non-stock items, can be supplied with a short lead time.

 

Full encirclement saddles are similar in appearance to tapping tees, but perform a more limited function. The full encirclement saddle is split in half with a side outlet, but the outlet has no flange and is sized to fit around a separately welded branch pipe. The full encirclement saddle is not intended to hold internal pressure like the tapping tee, but rather to reinforce a branch to header connection. Various configurations are available, with extruded or fabricated branch outlets, and with longitudinal splits running through the branch outlet or 90° around from the branch (with the outlet contained within the top half of the fitting).  We can meet your needs on standard and special sizes and configurations, with non-stock saddles shipped direct to you from the factory.

 

 

Reinforcing saddles
Reinforcing saddles are like full encirclement saddles in that they reinforce the branch to header connection. The reinforcing saddle is a single piece forged skirt which fits around the branch pipe and only saddles over the top of the header in the immediate area around the branch. It is slipped over the welded joint of branch pipe to the header and then the skirt is fillet welded to the header and the branch pipe is welded to the outlet.  A vent hole prevents entrapment of gases during welding. The saddle is not designed to contain internal pressure, but is to be used as a reinforcement. Reinforcing saddles are available also for pressure vessel head applications.

 

Sole+Mates are full encirclement sleeves split longitudinally, with no branch outlet. They are designed to reinforce non-leaking, weakened, dented, or damaged pipelines.  PLIDCO Sole+Mates conform to ANSI/ASME B31.4 and B31.8 and the U.S. Department of Transportation requirements. Longitudinal butt-welding is required for all applications and back-up strips are furnished. For pressure containing applications, the sleeve must be fully seal-welded to the pipeline. Full encirclement sleeves can be supplied for any specified pressure, wall thickness and class location, and are available in various lengths and materials as specified.