9 02/18 BEDDING: Bedding material should be sand or other materials free of sharp objects, heavy clods, boulders or frozen lumps as specified by the Design Engineer. The approved bedding should be used 6" under, around, and over the pipe. Utilize good practices that apply to buried pressure piping. ASSEMBLY: 1. Check to make sure rings are in coupling grooves and make certain they are faced properly and completely seated. 2. Check the pipe ends to be sure it is clean, and wipe with a clean, dry rag if necessary. 3. Dig a slight bell hole to keep the joint area clean and free of loose soil during assembly. 4. Lubricate the pipe ends - soap lubricant supplied by Thermal Pipe Systems, Inc. should be applied to the entire outside circumference of the pipe back to the end seal. 5. Start the coupling on by hand, and then holding it straight push the coupling home against the pipe casing using a bar and block. In larger sizes a come-along may be used. TESTING: All carrier pipe joints shall be tested in accordance with the contract specifications. If no test is specified, it should consist of a hydrostatic test of 150 psi or 1 ½ times working pressure, which ever is greater, for a period of two hours. CLOSURE OF JOINTS: After completion of testing, apply the factory supplied Casing-Tite Seal circumferentially around the seam between the coupling and pipe casings. Overlap seal 3 inches. BACKFILLING: Backfilling of trenches shall progress as rapidly as construction, testing, and acceptance of work permits. Uniformly compact and grade bottom of trenches. After installation of pipe and bedding material, backfill as follows: Place initial backfill in layers to a depth of 12" over the top of the initial bedding. Compact the material to a density equivalent to the surrounding undisturbed soil or to 90% of maximum density (ASTM D1557, Method D). For trenches excavated in roads, streets, or located under structures, place backfill in 6" layers to top of trench and compact each layer to at least 95% maximum density (ASTM D1557, Method D). FLANGED JOINTS: Flanged joints shall be faced true, provided with gaskets and made perfectly square and tight.