Storage and Maintenance Handling and storing plastic-lined pipe To obtain maximum performance from Plastic-Lined Piping Products, it is important that the flared or molded end faces of the plastic are protected from damage during storage, handling and installation. The following should be considered when storing and handling Plastic-Lined Piping Products. Products are shipped with a high performance, two component, epoxy primer protective coating. This coating in only a primer and is not meant for outdoor exposure without a suitable topcoat. Protective end caps are not designed for prolonged outdoor exposure. The protective end caps on all pipe and fittings should be left in place until the pipe is ready to be installed. Do not damage the plastic sealing faces when removing the end caps. Avoid rough handling of plastic-lined pipe in temperatures below 40°F. Plastic becomes brittle in low temperatures, and is more susceptible to cracking during rough handling. Do not put the lifts of a forklift inside of the pipe to transport. This can damage the plastic liner. The following temperature guidelines should be followed for Plastic-Lined Piping Products: Do not store PP, PVDF, or PTFE-lined pipe in temperatures below 0°F. Avoid storing Plastic-Lined Piping Products where they will be exposed to ultraviolet light for long periods of time. The center of gravity of MULTI-AXIS® pipe may not be readily apparent. Be sure to hand carefully. Safety precautions for plastic-lined pipe Plastic-lined pipe can be fabricated on-site by properly certified personnel. When field fabricating, adequate ventilation (such as exhaust fans) should be used. Overheating of the plastic can cause it to degrade and generate vapors. Avoid breathing vapors. Vapors can cause severe irritation to skin, eyes and respiratory tract. When field fabricating, never heat the plastic with a torch or open flame. Welding Plastic-Lined Piping Products Welding should not be performed on swaged plastic-lined pipe and fittings. Heat generated from welding will cause extensive damage to the plastic liners. If welding is necessary, use THERMALOK plastic-lined pipe, since the liner can be moved back and out of the way from the heat source during welding. Any welding should be performed by a welder who is trained and certified to ASME Boiler and Vessel Code, Section IX. Plastic-lined pipe and fittings should not be used as a ground for electrical welders or other equipment. Painting Plastic-Lined Piping Products All pipe, fittings, and valves supplied by Resistoflex have a grey protective coating applied to minimize oxidation during shipping and handling. Refer to NACE guidelines and recommendations for sandblasting and selection of an appropriate primer and topcoat suitable for your plant environmental conditions. It is important that the raised plastic face on all plastic-lined piping components is protected from damage during sandblasting and painting. Make sure that the protective end caps remain in place at all times during these operations, and direct the sandblasting away from the face of the flange. As an extra precaution, you may want to remove the protective end cap, apply protective tape over the plastic face, then replace the cap before sandblasting and painting. If the exterior of the pipe is to be treated with a head curable protective coating, exercise caution during the heating process. Never apply heat in excess of the liner's maximum temperature rating. PTFE venting collars on swaged pipe and vent holes on PTFE THERMALOK pipe and PTFE-lined fittings should not be plugged with paint. The collars and holes are part of the venting system needed to prevent possible gas buildup behind the liner and possible liner collapse. Pipe, fittings, and valves can also be special ordered without paint, but longer lead times are necessary. Lined Pipe and Fittings are to be stored under cover until the time of installation.