Once cast iron radiators get over a certain length, usually
around 1.2m, they are too long to be put on a pallet for transportation and
become difficult to move around within a property. Therefore most cast iron
radiator suppliers deliver radiators that are longer than this in more than one
part for joining on site. This step-by-step guide explains the process of
making the final join, which is easy and straightforward to complete.
1.
Lay the
radiator sections down: Place the radiator sections that need to be joined,
laying down on a clean flat surface, making sure the machined faces and
internal threads are clean.
2.
Check the
direction of the threads: Make sure that you are coupling the right threads
together; each radiator section has a right-handed thread connection at one end
and a left-handed thread connection at the other. Similarly, each connection
nipple has a left-hand thread on one end and a right-hand thread on the other
end.
3.
Make sure
you have the right parts: Each join requires one connection nipple and one
gasket and there is a join required at both the top of the radiator and at the
bottom of each section. A “joining tool”
comprising of a nipple key and tommy bar are required to rotate and then
tighten each join and they are specific to the model of radiator you have.
These are only available from the supplier, not from stores or merchants.
4.
Screw the
nipples into the first section: You will need to identify which radiator
assembly has the right handed thread connection and which has the left handed
thread connection, then gently screw
in the matching connection nipples. Do not use force. Only
screw in by one single rotation. Do not
screw in fully.
5.
Add a
gasket at each join: Place a gasket over each connection nipple,
approximately at the mid-point of the nipple. There is normally a space cut out
for this.
6.
DO NOT
use a sealant: Do not apply any jointing paste or tape (e.g. Boss White,
PTFE, hemp, etc) to the gasket, threads of the connection nipples, or the
radiator. This will not improve the seal, but will instead prevent a seal.
7.
Line up the next section: Gently position the section of radiator to be
joined next to the host section, ensuring the connection assembly points of the
joining section are lined up with the nipples of the host section, and also
take care to ensure the correct thread orientations are in place. You may need to turn the adjoining sections
over or upside down to utilise the right or left threaded connections as
appropriate.
8.
Insert
the nipple key part of the joining tool: To work out how far to insert the
nipple key - lay the nipple key over the top of the radiator so that the head
is in line with the relevant section.
Make a mark on the key to indicate the how far it needs to be inserted
(ie. where the head of the key engages inside the relevant nipple). Slide the
key in from the open end of the top waterway until it engages into the nipple
that is to be tightened. Check that the end of the key engages in the internal
lugs inside the top nipple.
9.
Turn the
nipple key using the tommy bar: Turn the nipple key to rotate the nipple so
that it pulls the top 2 matching radiator assembly points together. At this stage only rotate the nipple by one
turn.
10.
Do the
same with the bottom join: Repeat this operation with the remaining 2
matching assembly points at the bottom of the sections.
11.
Repeat
this process to pull the sections together: Repeat both of these operations
in turn, gradually pulling the top assembly points together and then the bottom
assembly points together, ensuring they are kept parallel.
12.
Tighten
the joins: Finally, tighten the joints to compress the gaskets. Ideally a tightening torque of 200 Nm (20
kgf-m, 150 lbf-ft) should be applied.
If you need further advice on joining one of our cast iron
radiators, then please call our technical team on 01274 567789 or email contact@featureradiators.co.uk
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