The pipe groove is made by forming or machining an actual groove into the ends of two pipes. A gasket wraps around and on top of the pipe ends, the housings wrap around the gasket and sit in the pipe grooves, and the bolts and nuts are tightened with a wrench to hold it all together. Today, grooved couplings, along with grooved fittings, valves, and accessories, are found in seemingly endless piping applications worldwide.
The benefits of grooved pipe couplings include being fast and easy to install, but it’s also safer than any other pipe joining method. Grooved mechanical coupling systems are installed without a flame, eliminating the fire hazards typically associated with welding/brazing or soldering. Welding is one of the most dangerous industrial activities; its hazards include fire risk, electric shock, compressed gasses, and toxic fumes. As such, welding requires personal protection for the eyes, hands, feet, and body. Welding activities also require a fire watch during and after work, which can slow the construction schedule and increase costs. Grooved mechanical piping is inherently faster to install than any other pipe joining method because the gasket and coupling housings simply need to be positioned onto the grooved pipe ends. The bolts and nuts are tightened with standard hand tools. Following installation, most grooved systems can be visually inspected.
The grooved pipe joining method conforms to industry practices when accommodating thermal expansion and contraction in a piping system. Simultaneously, it provides design flexibility, reduces stress on the mechanical piping system, and provides a more compact, easy-to-inspect, and productive method of installation over other pipe joining methods.