10 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 end 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 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 onto the end of the pipe by hand, then holding the coupling straight, push it home against the pipe casing with a bar and block. 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 1½ times working pressure, which ever is greater, for a period of two hours. CLOSURE OF JOINTS: After completion of testing, apply factory supplied Casing-Tite Seal circumferentially around the seam between 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 inches over the top of the initial bedding. Compact the material to a density equivalent to the surrounding undisturbed soil or to 90 percent of maximum density (ASTM D1557, Method D), whichever is greater. Backfill remainder of trench in one-foot lifts and compact to 90 percent maximum density (ASTM D1557, Method D). For trenches excavated in roads, streets, or located under structures, place backfill in 6-inch layers to top of trench and compact each layer to at least 95 percent maximum density (ASTM D1557, Method D).