Pipe clamps, or pipe fixings, are best defined as the support mechanism for suspended pipes, whether that be horizontal overhead or vertical, adjacent to a surface. They are vital in ensuring all pipes are fixed securely while also allowing for any pipe movement or expansion that may occur.
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Pipe clamps come in many variations as the requirements for pipe fixing can range from simple anchoring in place, to more complex scenarios involving pipe movement or heavy loads. It is essential that the right pipe clamp is used to ensure the integrity of the installation. Pipe fixing failure can cause significant and costly damage to a building so it is important to get it right.
Standard pipe clamps
Standard clamps are typically fixed using two screws – one on either side of the clamp. They can be lined or unlined, depending on the application and there tends to be a wide range of sizes to choose from.
These clamps have evolved and Walraven now offers a single screw pipe clamp with a quick-locking system that is fixed in place simply by pushing the clamp together by hand.
Best for straight-forward installations of metal or plastic pipes.
Standard pipe clamps ➤
Traditional pipe clamps
Traditional clamps include split bands, U Bolts and Saddle Clamps, most commonly used to hold steel or copper pipes. They have no internal lining so are best suited to pipes where there are no additional variables to be considered such as temperature or noise insulation. Take a look at our blog which analyses traditional pipe clamps versus heavy duty pipe clamps, to see which is best.
Best for large diameter steel and copper pipes where a basic, traditional bracket is preferred and there are no special requirements for rubber lining.
Saddle clamps ➤
Plastic pipe clamps
Plastic clamps are mainly used on plastic pipes or domestic copper pipes. They are perfect for light loads and smaller diameter pipes. They are also great for jobs where lots of clamps are required due to their quick installation time.
Plastic clamps, such as the Walraven starQuick®, are now being manufactured for ultra-fast installation. You can simply fix the pipe in place without any additional fixings.
Best for sanitary, heating and electrical installations as well as corrosive environments.
Plastic pipe clamps ➤
Heavy duty pipe clamps
Heavy duty clamps have a high safe working load, so are designed for use where a heavy load support is required. They can be used indoors and outdoors and are available both with and without lining. They have modern features to make them easier to fit than traditional clamps. Take a look at how our heavy duty pipe supports were used to secure district heating pipes to the underside of a bridge.
Best for safe fixing of heavy load pipework indoors or outdoors.
Heavy duty pipe clamps ➤
In most instances, pipe clamps work by fixing securely around the pipe and suspending it from a surface or rail system. They simply lock around the pipe to clamp it in place so that it is secure. Since there are many different types of pipe clamp, however, you will find that they can work slightly differently.
When looking for a simple and fast pipe clamp installation, a single screw clamp is the answer. The Walraven BISMAT Flash is a unique, state of the art product that requires no tools to fix the clamp in place. You simply use one finger to push the screw and lock it in place. The BISMAT Flash is particularly useful when fixing long runs of pipe as you can save up to 40% fixing time.
The images below show you just how easy the Flash is to use.
When it comes to selecting the best pipe fixings for a job, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. In fact, selecting the best fixings depends on each unique installation environment and application requirements.
Temperature:
Temperature variations can cause pipes to expand and contract. If the correct fixings and clamps are not used to take into account the pipe movement due to temperature changes, the installation could fail and cause damage to the building.
Before you can select the right clamps to deal with thermal expansion, you first need to calculate the level of thermal expansion on the pipework.
Weight:
All pipe clamps have a maximum load bearing capacity, which means you need to select a clamp which is suitable for supporting the load required.
As an example, you may require special heavy duty pipe clamps with a high safe working load to ensure the pipes are secured properly. These can also help you achieve maximum bracket distances between clamps as they are able to take more force.
Materials:
Pipes made from different materials will react very differently in certain scenarios. For example, there are many different types of plastic pipe (PE, PVC, PA, PP etc). Each has a different temperature resistance, and different resistance levels to chemicals such as oils, greases, acids, chlorine etc. This can affect what type of clamp should be used. For example, plastic pipes should usually be secured with a lined metal clamp or plastic clamp. An unlined metal clamp can lead to corrosion if used on a plastic pipe.
Then there are different types of metal pipe – steel, iron, copper and so on. This can determine what kind of pipe clamp can be used, for example, stainless steel pipe clamps cannot be used to fix a copper pipe as the two metals will react. So a nylon coated or plastic clamp must be used.
Size:
The size of the pipe will influence the type of clamp you need, since all clamps will only be available in certain minimum and maximum diameters. For example, single screw clamps often have a more limited size range as they have to hinge open on one side, so are suited to smaller pipes.
Larger pipes will often need two screw clamps, traditional fixings or heavy duty clamps which are manufactured to suit larger sizes and heavier loads.
Environment:
The environment into which your pipe clamp will be installed can affect the type of clamp you should use. For example, if the installation is external and exposed to the weather, this is an important consideration and will more than likely require a pipe clamp with a special coating for corrosion resistance. Many of our standard pipe fixings are available with our special corrosion resistant coating Walraven BIS Ultraprotect for outdoor use.
If you are installing within a chemical environment or wet environment like a swimming pool, you may require a special kind of plastic clamp such as our Walraven starQuick.
Special requirements:
Some construction projects can have special requirements such as noise insulation or fast installation needs. In these cases, there are specialist clamps that can be used.
For example, if the requirement is to install the pipe clamps as quickly as possible, a one screw clamp that requires no tools would be better than a two screw clamp.
For noise insulation, pipe clamps with rubber lining will provide soundproofing. Many of Walraven lined clamps have certified levels of sound insulation. Find out more about soundproofing your installation.
To determine what size pipe clamp you need, the most obvious thing you need to take into account is the size of the pipe. This is usually measured in NB (Nominal Bore) or O/D (Outer Diameter). This will determine the diameter of the pipe clamp that you require. See our handy chart below for converting NB pipe sizes.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of pipe support clamp. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Secondly, you need to consider whether you are installing the clamp over insulation such as phenolic or wood block, as this will increase the diameter of the clamp you require.
At Walraven, we have a huge range of adjustable pipe clamps that fit 99% of known pipe sizes, including clamps suitable to install over insulation. The smallest clamp in our range is 12mm, the largest is mm. Even if your pipe is outside of these sizes we can manufacture custom pipe clamps. Get in touch with us to see how we can help your next pipe clamps project.
Conversion chart for NB pipe sizes
We have created a useful chart to help you convert standard pipe sizes from NB to O/D. This will help ensure you purchase the right size clamp for your pipe. The chart covers standard pipe sizes for steel and copper pipe.
You can get your copy by clicking the image below.
Some applications require pipe clamps to have a rubber lining. This is often a requirement due to the material or temperature of the pipe. Lined clamps also offer noise insulating properties. There are three main types of lined pipe clamps.
Black lined clamps:
The black, EPDM rubber lined clamps are suitable for steel pipes. This is because they have a series of ribs on the inside of the lining that grips the pipe so that they cannot move. They anchor the pipe securely. If required, pipe movement can be dealt with via fixing accessories such as ball swivels or expansion devices.
Green lined clamps:
Green, EPDM rubber lined clamps are specially made for plastic pipes. They are finished with a smooth surface, making it easy for plastic pipes to slide within them. This prevents any fixings being forced out of place.
Red lined clamps:
Red, silicone rubber lined clamps are used in extreme environments. The red lining on these clamps is made from silicone that is heat resistant up to 200°C, making it perfect for very hot pipes.
Top tip – storing pipe clamps
The storage environment for pipe clamps only rarely has an impact, especially if you are able to store them in dry, stable conditions. You should be careful, however, if you store clamps with EPDM linings in a location with temperature variations. Lined clamps have been known to become brittle at very low temperatures and can melt at very high temperatures. So it is best to avoid temperature extremes.
It’s always best practice to check the documentation on the recommended storage conditions for the clamps you’re using. Again, do talk to us if you have any concerns.
Extensive range of clamps
We have a vast range of pipe clamps and brackets for fixing pipework, that covers 99% of all known pipe sizes and pipe types. Even on the rare occasions when you have a pipe that our standard clamp range doesn’t cover, we can often manufacture bespoke clamps for your project.
We have technical calculation and design tools
As a global company, we have invested in state of the art technology which allows us to be as accurate as possible when making calculations and designing effective pipe fixing installations for our customers.
100% quality control
Unlike some other pipe clamp manufacturers, all of our pipe fixings are manufactured within our factories at Walraven. We don’t outsource anything, and so we control the manufacturing process from start to finish. This means we have 100% control over the quality of our products at all times.
We offer full project support
We recognise that sourcing and specifying pipe clamps can sometimes be complex. Our team of Technical Support Advisers provide a FREE project support service to our customers including consultation and problem-solving.
High levels of corrosion resistance
Corrosive environments are graded from C1 (low levels of corrosion in the environment) to C5 (highest levels of corrosion expected). Walraven manufacture pipe clamps and fixings that are suitable for use in C1-C4 environments.
Products to deal with pipe movement
Our pipe clamps and associated fixings such as slide guides, expansion devices and fixing points can be used to ensure that pipe movement can be dealt with effectively, removing the risk of installation failure due to thermal expansion.
Extreme testing
We go above and beyond when testing our pipe fixings. Not only do we test to RAL approved standards, in-house we test our clamps to destruction, so we know exactly how good they are!
We can provide the entire pipe fixing system from anchor to clamp!
We can provide much more than just clamps for pipes, we manufacture every component you need for the complete pipe support system. From anchors to rails/strut and all the additional accessories required are all available from us. We can even prefabricate entire systems, eliminating hours of installation time.
Walraven’s CE and UKCA marked phenolic pipe support inserts (Walraven Phenblox®) are used in conjunction with unlined clamps to provide thermal insulation around pipes. Our special bore coating eradicates any possibility of pipe corrosion on copper pipes and stepped joint faces ensure a vapour seal and accurate location.
We’ve designed our phenolic insulation to be compatible with almost all unlined pipe clamps whilst retaining the best available thermal insulation properties available. Phenolic insulation is much more cost effective than wood, calcium silicate or foam glass alternatives due to a higher insulation value. Read all about insulated pipe supports here.
Take a look at our Walraven Phenblox® brochure which includes a handy table to help you select the right phenolic and pipe clamp combination.
To find out more about what the CE Mark means and why it’s important to have this accreditation.
See our Phenolic selection tables ➤
Many carpentry and building operations need the use of clamps. A clamp’s primary function is to securely hold two pieces together while being cut, shaped, or bonded. As you may already know, proper maintenance is crucial to ensure that all devices, including those requiring metal-cutting coolant-cutting oil suppliers in Dubai, UAE , function optimally. Similarly, it is essential to maintain pipe clamps regularly to ensure flawless performance.
In various installation circumstances, pipe clamps are straightforward fittings that are frequently employed as the support mechanism for suspended pipes. They can be applied to adjacent, vertical, or horizontal integrations. The most frequent uses for these channel support systems are in electrical, heating, plumbing, and drainage projects. In this discussion, we will highlight the numerous benefits of using pipe clamps in the market.
The safest and most dependable way to fasten pipes to walls, ceilings, or other buildings is with pipe clamps. These clamps are crucial to any dependable plumbing setup because they keep pipes from sagging or sliding, protecting the integrity of the entire plumbing or piping system.
Even for novices, installing and adjusting pipe clamps is a breeze. Typically, these clamps are made from a threaded rod and easily constructed and dismantled as needed. Pipe clamps can significantly increase the effectiveness of installation and maintenance procedures because of their intuitive design.
Pipe clamps are helpful because they make reaching particular areas of the piping system simple when maintenance or repairs are required. Pipe clamps allow you to rapidly undo tightening and perform repairs or changes without disassembling the system. You should be sure that you will be able to operate without any problems and fast and productively.
Even in commercial environments where fluid flow or machinery vibrations can result in severe damage, you can efficiently reduce pipe vibrations by employing pipe clamps. You can be sure that your system will be stable and free from vibration hazards if the pipes are securely fastened.
Because they are so adaptable and can easily fit various pipe sizes and positions, adjustable pipe clamps are necessary for every plumbing system. This flexibility guarantees that modifications may be performed with confidence and speed, whether during installation or maintenance, leading to a plumbing system that is more dependable and efficient.
Many pipe clamps are constructed from corrosion-resistant materials like galvanized or stainless steel. This corrosion resistance is essential, particularly in settings where pipes could be in contact with corrosive materials or moisture.
Using pipe clamps is necessary to ensure compliance with building codes and industry standards. Securely fastening pipes is essential to maintaining safety and meeting regulatory requirements in various applications.
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