Shrink Sleeve Installation Tools

Shrink Sleeve Installation Tools

Question:  What tools are required for Covalence heat shrink sleeve installation?

Answer:  Ignoring the need to clean the pipe, Covalence heat shrink sleeves do not require

any special tools during installation.  Here is what is needed:

- A means of measuring preheat temperature.  This could range from something as 

sophisticated as a pyrometer with roller probe; to something

as simple as a temp stick.  

An example of temp sticks for different temperatures

 - A broad flamed torch (Covalence shrink sleeves cannot be shrunk

using an acetylene torch or a welding torch).  Our torches are sold as a kit

which includes a torch with a pilot lights; a regulator with a pressure guage

and a thirty foot long hose. 

A JS-2601 Torch Kit - available at JSI

- A long handled silicone roller.  This is used after installation to roll the overlap area

and can be used in the event that any air has become trapped (which could be

caused by poor application).  

A long handled roller; used during heat shrink sleeve installation

(Keep in mind that the contractor or end user will need to supply their own propane tanks for installation) 

Heat Shrink Sleeves: Most Dangerous Installation Error

  Question:  What is the most dangerous installation error when installing a heat shrinkable sleeve?

  Answer:  I'm going to overlook things like 'failing to clean the pipe' and 'failing to preheat the pipe'.  The most dangerous installation error is an installer who simply fails to care for the bottom of the pipe.

  Pipeline spreads are often NOT pretty.

A fairly typical (maybe even a 'good' pipeline spread.

 As you can see, there just isn't very much room underneath the pipe.  But still, the bottom half of the pipeline must still be cleaned and preheated.  In addition, the bottom of the sleeve must be shrunk and shrunk appropriately!  This same potential problem exists for any coating of course; working a liquid epoxy to prevent icicles can be even more challenging.

In any case, anytime an inspector asks me "what should I be looking for" one of the first things out of my mouth is that he's almost certainly going to need to get his knees dirty as he'll be crouching down under that pipeline to make sure the sleeve has been properly shrunk on the bottom of the pipe (and he/she needs to be familiar with this page!)