What is the background of FASTLOCK™ fittings?
What applications can FASTLOCK™ fittings be used for?
What is the warranty on FASTLOCK™ fittings?
What should I do if the fittings I'm using leak?
How do I verify that the pipe I'm using conforms to ASTM A53 standards?
Should special steps be taken when using old pipe?
Can a press connection be made on a curved pipe?
Will debris on the inside of the pipe affect the press connection?
How straight should the pipe be cut?
Without a stop in the fitting, how much weight can the joint take?
Will the jaws I use for copper and stainless steel press connections work with FASTLOCK™ fittings?
How do I know if FASTLOCK™ jaws will work with my press tool?
How can I detect unpressed connections?
How long will the EPDM gasket last?
What is the flow rate of a FASTLOCK™ fitting?
Is FASTLOCK™ approved for underground use?
Is FASTLOCK™ compatible with the cleaning agents used to disinfect a new plumbing system?
Is the Protoil 38 protective coating compatible with the EPDM gasket?
What is the background of FASTLOCK™ fittings?
FASTLOCK™ fittings are manufactured in Italy under the AFL trademark by IMS S.p.A., a division of the Casti Group. FASTLOCK™ fittings have been in use in Europe since 2002 under the name "Block Fittings" and are now sold in the United States through Cimberio Valve Co. Inc.
What applications can FASTLOCK™ fittings be used for?
Applications include water, HVAC, and compressed air. Click here for a more detailed list.
What is the warranty on FASTLOCK™ fittings?
IMS S.p.A. guarantees that the fittings will be free from defects in material and workmanship when properly installed and used under normal conditions for a period of fifty years from installation. Click here for a copy of the warranty.
What should I do if the fittings I'm using leak?
First, make sure that the fitting was pressed completely and correctly as described in the installation instructions. Afterwards, if you suspect the fitting is defective, contact Cimberio Valve Co. at 877-228-9246 within thirty days and create a warranty claim. You must remove the leaking fitting with at least 6" of pipe on each side (where applicable) and mail it at your expense to Cimberio Valve Company, 100 Quaker Lane, Malvern, PA 19355. AFL S.p.A. will inspect and test the returned product and will notify you in writing in a reasonable amount of time of the diagnosis.
How do I verify that the pipe I'm using conforms to ASTM A53 standards?
Be sure to measure the pipe with a gauge before use as described in the installation instructions. A gauge will be supplied with the fittings. In the event that the gauge is lost or missing, use another pipe gauge and make sure that the measurements equal those listed in the table below. Both the outer diameter and the wall thickness must be measured on the pipe being used to ensure that it conforms to ASTM A53 standards.
| Nominal Pipe Size | Schedule 10 | Schedule 40 | ||
| Actual O.D. | Wall Thickness | Actual O.D. | Wall Thickness | |
| 1/2" | 0.840" | 0.83" | 0.840" | 0.109" |
| 3/4" | 1.050" | 0.83" | 1.050" | 0.113" |
| 1" | 1.315" | 0.109" | 1.660" | 0.140" |
| 1-1/4" | 1.660" | 0.109" | 1.660" | 0.140" |
| 1-1/2" | 1.900" | 0.109" | 1.900" | 0.145" |
| 2" | 2.375" | 0.109" | 2.375" | 0.154" |
| Permissible Variations in Outside Diameter: ± 0.016" | ||||
Should special steps be taken when using old pipe?
Yes. Using a gauge, verify that the outside diameter and wall thickness of the pipe being used conforms to ASTM53 standards. Position the gauge against the pipe and rotate it at least 90 degrees to ensure the pipe's diameter is consistent to ASTM A53 standards. The pipe should be free of indentations, pits, and deformations. The pipe must also be clean and free of debris, rust, scale, paint, oil, grease, or excessive coating. Clean the pipe with a 4-3/8" x 3-1/8" piece of Gr. 100 sandpaper by holding the sandpaper against the pipe and buffing it in a back and forth motion with both hands 40 times. Repeat this procedure 3 more times, rotating the sandpaper 90 degrees each time, until the complete circumference of the pipe has been sanded. Once cleaned, re-measure the pipe to ensure that its diameter remains consistent with ASTM A53 standards.
Can a press connection be made on a curved pipe?
As long as the pipe end can be inserted into the fitting to the proper insertion depth, there should be no problem making a connection.
How clean should the pipe be?
The pipe should be clean and free of debris, rust, scale, paint, oil, grease, and excessive coating.
Will debris on the inside of the pipe affect the press connection?
It is important that the interior of the pipe be free of debris. Debris and metal shavings can damage the gasket of the fitting or cause further damage on other parts of the line once the plumbing system is in use.
How straight should the pipe be cut?
The pipe should be cut perpendicular to its axis. The cut’s diameter should be within 1/10 of the pipe’s diameter.
Without a stop in the fitting, how much weight can the joint take?
The weight should not exceed 2,000 lbs.
Will the jaws I use for copper and stainless steel press connections work with FASTLOCK™ fittings?
No. FASTLOCK™ fittings are for use with FASTLOCK™ approved jaws only.
How do I know if FASTLOCK™ jaws will work with my press tool?
FASTLOCK™ jaws must be used with a press tool for sizes up to 2" with a press force of at least 32kN (7193.8 lbf) and operating either at 110 volts or on battery power. FASTLOCK™ jaws are compatible with the press tools by Ridgid®, Rothenberger®, REMS®, and Stanley® VIRAX®. For more information, view the table here.
How can I detect unpressed connections?
Unpressed connections will leak when pressure tested at 45 psi. FASTLOCK™ jaws imprint a visible, detectable mark on fittings that have been pressed correctly. Look for this mark (circled below) on all connections to ensure that they have been completed correctly. Often a connection may be re-pressed if not pressed completely.
How long will the EPDM gasket last?
The EPDM gasket is guaranteed for 50 years and will last the life of the fitting.
What is the flow rate of a FASTLOCK™ fitting?
The flow rate of a FASTLOCK™ fitting is the same as for a comparable malleable cast iron threaded fitting. Refer to the “Pressure Drop” section of the Technical Manual for more detailed information.
Is FASTLOCK™ approved for underground use?
Yes, FASTLOCK™ can be used in underground installations as long as approval is received from the local plumbing inspector.
Is FASTLOCK™ compatible with the cleaning agents used to disinfect a new plumbing system?
Yes, as long as the procedure below is followed:
- The piping system must be flushed with potable water until the water runs clear from all outlets.
- The system must be completely sealed off and allowed to stand while filled with either a solution of water and 50 parts per million of chlorine for 24 hours or a solution of water and 200 parts per million of chlorine for 3 hours.
- After the system has stood with the water and chlorine solution for the proper amount of time, it must be flushed with water until the chlorine is completely purged from the system.
Is the Protoil 38 protective coating compatible with the EPDM gasket?
Yes, the Protoil 38 coating is compatible with the EPDM gasket. This has been confirmed by I.M.S. S.p.A., the manufacturer of the gasket, and the material supplier.
What is the minimum amount of air or water pressure that would cause an unpressed FASTLOCK™ fitting to leak?
Unpressed FASTLOCK™ fittings are certified to leak at pressures lower than 87 PSI. During lab tests, unpressed FASTLOCK™ fittings have leaked at pressures as low as 7 PSI for both air and water.
What is the minimum amount of air or water pressure that would blow an unpressed FASTLOCK™ fitting off of a pipe?
Under normal conditions, an unpressed FASTLOCK™ fitting will blow off of a pipe at 29 PSI for both air and water.
