The AMERICAN Fastite joint is a flexible, rubber ring compression-type joint used extensively in underground service for water, sewage or other approved liquids. It has the proven long-life and high-strength qualities inherent in joints produced in accordance with AWWA C111 and pipe produced centrifugally in accordance with AWWA C151.
The patented AMERICAN Fastite joint socket, which is scientifically designed with two gasket recesses and a dividing buttress, is manufactured to close tolerances so that the gasket is self-centered, securely confined, and firmly compressed for a permanent, tight, trouble-free joint. The Fastite joint seal, bubble-tight under vacuum and external pressure, becomes even tighter with the application of internal pressure due to a specially designed wedging surface in the socket.
The Fastite joint pipe bell opening is slightly tapered to provide easy entry of the pipe end; the flared socket design permits liberal joint deflection. The plain end of the pipe is tapered or rounded to facilitate entry into the bell and self-centering in the gasket. On pipe cut in the field, the plain end can be easily beveled and smoothed by the use of a portable grinding wheel or other suitable apparatus. A stripe is painted on the plain end of AMERICAN Fastite joint pipe to provide a visual means of checking the joint alignment and to assure proper insertion.
For piping installations that require restraint, AMERICAN Fast-Grip gaskets have been proven as a superior field-adaptable method of restraining 4” to 30” ductile iron pipe or fittings. The Fast-Grip gasket has the same basic shape as AMERICAN’s Fastite gasket, so it can be used in any 4" to 30" standard Fastite pipe or fitting socket. The gasket rubber is standard SBR1 and meets all the material requirements of ANSI/AWWA C111/A21.11.
The restraint provided by the patented2 AMERICAN Fast-Grip gasket is due to the development of wedging action between pairs of high-strength stainless steel elements spaced around the gasket. The outer metal element acts as a bearing member for the wedge-shaped inner element, which has sharp teeth on its inner surface for gripping the spigot.
Because of the wedging design utilized, the force between the spigot and the socket of the joint is essentially constant at any given pressure thrust regardless of the “tightness” or “looseness” of the joint fit or the joint deflection.
Fast-Grip gaskets are suitable for an allowable working pressure of 350 psi for 4”-18”3 pipe and 250 psi for 20” and 24”3 sizes. The 30” size is suitable for a 150 psi working pressure.
1.) Contact AMERICAN if other types of rubber are required.
2.) U.S. Patent No. 5,067,751
3.) Because the pressure rating of the joint cannot exceed that of the pipe, the 350 psi rating for 14” through 18” sizes and the 250 psi rating for 24” size are limited by the pressure class of pipe with which they are used. For example, an 18” Fast-Grip gasket used with pressure class 250 pipe would carry a rating of 250 psi instead of 350 psi. Contact AMERICAN for higher working pressure applications.
Flat-bottom trench.1 Loose backfill. (Not recommended for 14" and larger pipe.)
Flat-bottom trench.1 Backfill lightly consolidated to centerline of pipe.
Pipe bedded in 4” minimum loose soil.2 Backfill lightly consolidated to top of pipe.
Pipe bedded in sand, gravel or crushed stone to depth of 1/8 pipe diameter, 4” minimum. Backfill compacted to top of pipe. (Approximately 80% Standard Proctor, AASHTO T-99.)
1.) “Flat-bottom” is defined as undisturbed earth.
2) “Loose soil” or “select material” is defined as native soil excavated from the trench, free of rocks, foreign material and frozen earth.
3.) Granular materials are defined per the AASHTO Soil Classification System (ASTM D3282) or the Unified Soil Classification System (ASTM D2487), with the exception that gravel bedding/backfill adjacent to the pipe is limited to 2" maximum particle size per ANSI/AWWA C600.
