Fittings

Once the SureLoc® plug is installed, the tapping and plugging equipment can be removed and a blind flange installed to complete the process. If there is a need to reinstall the line stop at a future date, the system allows a return entry by easily removing the blind flange and plug in order to insert a plugging head.

All pressure containing welds of WeldFit’s SureLoc® fittings are 100% radiographically inspected. Our standard Line Stop fittings are offered for 4″ through 48″ pipe sizes with ANSI Class 150, 300, and 600 flanges.

Standard SureLoc® Line Stop fittings are supplied with size-on-size branch connections suitable for typical line stop operations. However, WeldFit can supply reduced branch SureLoc® outlets for by-pass applications or for use as Hot Tap fittings when a SureLoc® flow-through plug will be installed.

WeldFit’s SureLoc® flow-through plug is used in a standard hot tap procedure. It ensures product flow through the tapping outlet, while its pig guide bars enable clear passage for the pig to move past the hole cut into the pipeline during the tapping operation. A flow-through plug is also commonly called a guide-bar plug.

All pressure containing welds of WeldFit’s pipeline fittings are 100% radiographically inspected. Our standard Line Stop fittings are offered for 2″ through 48″ pipe sizes with ANSI Class 150, 300, and 600 flanges.

WeldFit’s standard hot tap fittings are designed to meet the requirements of ASME B31.3 and B31.4/8. Our hot tap fittings are made using a variety of material grades, from A234 Grade WPB or WPC with A105 flanges to high-yield X65 or better grades, when required. Other fitting and flange materials are available to match customer requirements and existing pipeline materials.

All of WeldFit’s hot tap fittings are manufactured in accordance with our ISO 9001:2015 quality program and are compatible with major models of hot tapping equipment. In compliance with most pipeline design codes, all pressure containing welds are 100% radiographed.

3-way hot tap tees typically offer improved operational efficiency and reduced project costs for completing tie-ins. The main advantage of using a 3-way tee is that it removes the need for a sacrificial valve, which would only be necessary during the hot tapping process.

All tees are manufactured with a controlled maximum carbon content to facilitate welding in harsh environments. Backing strips are standard and included with all fittings.

Split tees are welded according to welding procedures qualified by ASME IX. All pressure containment welds undergo 100% volumetric inspection.

3-Way Hot Tap Tees are designed, tested and manufactured under a rigorous quality control system.

Spherical 3-way fittings are equipped with SureLoc® Flanges that are drilled and faced to match ASME Class 150, 300 or 600 flanges. Other ASME Class ratings can be provided upon request. These fittings are available in sizes ranging from 4 inches to 24 inches.

Spherical 3-way fittings are designed to be compact and low-profile, featuring a side outlet that aligns with the main outlet. For sizes between 4 inches and 12 inches, the bottom half of the fitting can be repositioned 180 degrees from the flange to create a bottom outlet. For sizes 16 inches and larger, the fitting must be specifically ordered as either a side or bottom outlet. Regardless of whether the outlet is positioned on the side or the bottom, the plugging head can halt flow in the main line while allowing flow to continue through the outlet. These fittings are suitable for lateral line tie-ins, temporary relocations, or permanent relocation projects.

Each spherical 3-way fitting is stamped with a serial number to ensure complete material traceability. Material Test Reports are available upon request, and factory welding of these fittings is subject to 100% radiographic inspection.

Once work is completed, a SureLoc® Completion Plug can be installed in the neck of the fitting, allowing the tapping valve to be removed. A blind flange may then be installed to protect the plug.

• The SureLoc® double-hub fitting features the SureLoc® flange system
• Flow-through plug comes standard
• No fasteners buried underground
• All connections are welded
• Made using a variety of material grades, from A234 Grade WPB or WPC with A105 flanges to high-yield Y65 or better grades

P&E Fittings come in three sizes: 1-inch, 2-inch and 3-inch. The 2-inch P&E Fitting accommodates corrosion test coupons, thermometer wells, gauge adapters and other instrument probes.

• Purge: During a hot tap or line stop operation, these pipeline fittings are used to introduce a purging fluid, such as nitrogen or steam, into the isolated section of the pipeline. This purging fluid displaces the existing fluid, ensuring that the pressure is reduced to a safe level.
• Equalization: Once the pressure is reduced, the purge and equalization fittings help to equalize the pressure between the isolated section and the rest of the pipeline. This prevents sudden pressure surges or drops when the plugging heads are retracted.

When a welded tee connection is created on a pipeline run, the strength of the run section is decreased by the hole that is created. This loss of strength must be compensated for in one of two ways: either by initially selecting and utilizing pipe that includes excess wall thickness in the run section or the branch section or by adding additional thickness to the newly created connection. One way to add this additional thickness is to install a reinforcing saddle.

Full Encirclement Saddles
WeldFit’s precision-made, ready-to-ship full encirclement saddles are available in multiple sizes and configurations.

• Manufactured to meet ASME B31.3, B31.4, B31.8 and other industry codes
• Standard saddles available in ASTM A234 WPB and MSS SP-75 material grades
• Size-on-size or reduced branch outlets (from 2-inch to 42-inch)

Partial Saddles

Partial reinforcing saddles are typically used when the branch size is less than half of the run size. They are attached by filet weld.

• Available for the most common sizes, wall thicknesses and material specifications (carbon steel, alloy and high yield)
• Complies with ASME B31.3 and B31.4
• Large inventory for short lead times
• Less material means lower average cost

Flow tees comprise an oversized extruded outlet tee with forged end pieces and a slotted inner sleeve to guide the pig through the pipeline past the branch and allow a continuous flow of product around the pig as it passes. The design permits maximum product flow through the tee and branch connection with minimal pressure drop under normal operating conditions.

• End forgings machined down to “inline” dimensions
• Material selected to match pipeline materials and specifications
• Designed to specific customer requirements
• Pressure boundary welds are 100% radiographed
• Oversized annulus minimizes pressure drop as the sphere or pig passes the outlet
• Slotted inner sleeve allows for maximum fluid flow while maintaining sufficient restraint for the sphere or pig as it passes through the tee
• Available for all pipeline sizes, with size-on-size or reduced branch outlet
• Manufactured in compliance with WeldFit’s ISO 9001:2015 certified quality program and can be designed to any applicable pipeline code