PRESSURE VESSEL

LIFTING,
HANDLING &
INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS
CONTENTS

Receiving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Basic Handling Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Approved Lifting Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Installing Pressure Vessel with Fiberglass Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Flange Cover Assembly and Torque Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Side Flange Support Strength . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

UV Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Vacuum Protection Flex Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Flexibility in Piping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Vertical Base Removal and Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Install the New Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

RECEIVING
Pressure vessels from SWT are protected during shipment
by custom-size cradle skids. All pressure vessels are placed
horizontally on the skid.

A pressure vessel with an integral

fiberglass base should be placed in a
vertical upright position before removing
its skid.

3
BASIC HANDLING RULES

This guide is designed to help install pressure vessels properly.

Improper handling or installation can result in damage or pressure
vessel failure.

1. If pressure vessels are being stored prior to installation, leave

them in their protective shipping skid until ready to install.

2. Never roll or slide

a pressure vessel
on its side.

4
3. Never drop a pressure
vessel or allow hard
impact or abrasion of
the pressure vessel from
contact with walls,
partitions, tools, or
equipment.

4. Lift the pressure vessel

using a crane or forklift
and the approved methods
shown on pages 8 and 9.

5
BASIC HANDLING RULES
(continued)

5. Operators of hoist equipment

must follow proper rigging
procedures.

6. Avoid use of hooks

or equipment on the
inside of the
pressure vessel.

6
7. Set rigging to lift
from the outside,
otherwise the lining
could be damaged.

8. Never fasten cables

or chains around
pressure vessel.
Use canvas or nylon
straps to avoid damage
to the flange area.

7
APPROVED LIFTING METHODS

By Flange
The empty pressure vessel is lifted by
placing a user-supplied, webbed nylon
reinforced sling, Penco, or rated steel
cable around the top flange. The sling
must be rated at a minimum of
10,000 lb (4,500 kg).

CAUTION: Steel cable must have a

protective coating to prevent scratching
of the flange’s Teflon coating.

By Lift Strap 1/2 INCH THICK

USE MINIMUM STEEL LIFT STRAP
Attach a 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) TWO (2) HOLES
PER SIDE
thick, user-supplied steel
lift strap to the top flange,
using at least two (2)
holes per side. Then connect
to a rated eyehook and RATED EYEHOOK
AND CABLE
cable. The eyehook and cable 10,000 LB
MINIMUM
must be rated at a minimum
of 10,000 lb (4,500 kg).
1/2 INCH
MINIMUM

8
 By Lifting Lugs
Bolt lifting eyes to the
pressure vessel’s integral
lifting lugs (if specified)
and attach a rated steel
cable to the eyes. The
steel cable must be rated
at a minimum of 10,000 lb
(4,500 kg).

CAUTION: Protect the

flange’s protective coating
from being scraped by
the cable.

By Forklift
When unloading and installing a
pressure vessel with I-beam base,
the pressure vessel may be lifted
using a forklift unit.

CAUTION: Use only the approved

sling rig methods. DO NOT place
chain or cable around, or inside, the
pressure vessel. Be sure the forklift
is designed to handle the pressure
vessel’s weight at the height the
pressure vessel is to be lifted above
the floor.

9
INSTALLING PRESSURE VESSEL WITH
FIBERGLASS TRIPOD OR SKIRT BASE
To prevent breakage of the fiberglass base, the following procedure is
recommended for handling, unloading, and installing these pressure
vessel types.

1. When delivered, the

pressure vessel and
skid may be in a
horizontal position.
The first step is to
stand the whole
assembly upright.
All precautions
described earlier
should be observed
to protect the
pressure vessel
from damage.

2. When the pressure vessel and

skid are upright, remove the lag
bolts which are holding the skid
to the base of the pressure vessel.

10
3. Using one of the approved lifting
methods shown on pages 8 and 9,
lift the pressure vessel from the
skid, and remove the skid.

4. Lower the pressure vessel to the floor, level the pressure vessel,
and anchor it with 3/8 inch lag bolts to the floor.

TRIPOD BASE
3/8 INCH (9 MM) LAG BOLT X 6 PLACES *
FOUNDATION

* BOLTS AND ANCHORS SUPPLIED BY CUSTOMER.

NOTE: IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE ANCHORS BE LOCATED AFTER THE PRESSURE VESSEL IS IN PLACE.

11
FLANGE COVER ASSEMBLY AND
TORQUE RATINGS

1
7 11

3 5 12-bolt Flange Cover

6 inch (152 mm) flange
10 9 Tightening sequence for 5/16 inch (7.9 mm)
stainless steel bolts
6 4
Torque to 11 ft-lb (15 NM)
12 8
2

7 5
8-bolt Flange Cover
4-1/2 inch (114 mm) flange
3 4 Tightening sequence for 3/4 inch (19 mm)
stainless steel bolts
Torque to 130 ft-lb (176 NM)
6 8
2

12
 For All Vessels Larger than 24 inch Diameter
23 1 5
19 9
15 13
11 17
24-bolt Manway Flange Cover
7 21
16 inch (406 mm) manway SNA
3 4 Tightening sequence for 1/2 inch (12.7 mm)
22 8 stainless steel bolts
18 12 Torque to 45 ft-lb (61 NM)
14 16
10 20
6 2 24

7 5
8-bolt Flange Cover
4 inch (102 mm) ANSI flange
3 4 Tightening sequence for 5/8 inch (15.9 mm)
stainless steel bolts
Torque to 90 ft-lb (122 NM)
6 8
2

7 5
8-bolt Flange Cover
6 inch (152 mm) ANSI flange
3 4 Tightening sequence for 3/4 inch (19 mm)
stainless steel bolts
Torque to 130 ft-lb (176 NM)
6 8
2

13
SIDE FLANGE SUPPORT STRENGTH

Valves, piping, and hardware all

contribute to the weight loads put on
side flanges. Side flanges are rated
for a maximum bending torque (M)
of 50 ft-lb. This means that:
d x F must be ≤ 50 ft-lb
Thus, for d = 1 ft, Fmax = 50 lb
Where d = distance in feet from flange
face to center of the load (such as a
valve)
Fmax = maximum support load in
pounds

To support greater loads, a

support kit is available for
upper side flanges only.
With the support kit, the side
flange is rated for a bending
torque (M) of 300 ft-lb.

Thus, for d = 1 ft,

Fmax = 300 lb.

NOTE: Lower side flanges are not available when the upper side flange
support kit is used.

14
UV PROTECTION

Painting a Composite Pressure Vessel

for UV Protection
1. Wash the pressure vessel with detergent and water, using a scrub
brush. Use the brush actively over the pressure vessel surface to
remove oil and grime.

2. Rinse the pressure vessel several times with water to remove soap
residue and let dry.

3. Using a clean rag wetted with acetone, rinse the pressure vessel
thoroughly with the acetone. Make sure the rag does not become
grimy, and use as much acetone as is practical to perform a “wet
rinse” over the pressure vessel surface. NOTE: Acetone is extremely
flammable; should not be inhaled; and requires the use of gloves.

4. Spray paint or paint with a roller or brush.

5. A 100% interior/exterior acrylic latex enamel is preferred. The paint
has a good adhesion and will not chalk. This is a one-step paint with
water clean-up. The 100% acrylic latex enamel can be purchased at
a paint store.

6. Coat the UV areas first, such as the top of the pressure vessel and the
side, where sun rays directly hit the pressure vessel.

7. A light-colored, pigmented paint is preferred. White paint is best.

15
VACUUM PROTECTION
FLEX CONNECTORS
The pressure vessel is rated for an internal negative pressure of 5 inch Hg
(17 Pa) vacuum below atmospheric. If negative pressure could ever
exceed 5 inch Hg (17 Pa), an adequate vacuum breaker must be installed
between the pressure vessel inlet and any valves, as shown here.

System connections to the pressure vessel must accommodate vertical

expansion between side, top, and bottom openings. Either flexibility in
piping, as shown on pages 17 and 18, or flex connectors, as shown here,
are recommended.

Flex connectors and vacuum breakers are available from SWT. Contact
us for more information at 847-888-6900 or [email protected], or
visit our website at www.swtwater.com.

NOTICE
VACUUM BREAKER

FLEX CONNECTOR

EXPANSION

FLEX CONNECTOR

16
FLEXIBILITY IN PIPING

3 FT (900 MM) MIN.

ANCHOR

90º

4″ DIA (DIN 200)

OR LESS (PLASTIC PIPE)

ANCHOR

3 FT (900 MM) MIN.

An effective alternative to flex connectors uses the inherent flexibility of

right angle system design. By calculating the amount of cantilever
overhang needed to absorb the torsional effect created by the pressure
vessel’s vertical movement, it is possible to build the needed flexibility
right into the piping system. This can be done with both top/bottom and
side flow piping setups.

17
FLEXIBILITY IN PIPING
(continued)

3 FT
(900 MM)
MIN.

ANCHOR

90º

ANCHOR

3 FT
(900 MM) 4″ DIA (DIN 200)
MIN. OR LESS (PLASTIC PIPE)

The figures shown here are the acceptable minimum for the pressure
vessel at its rated pressure of 150 psig. When using the pressure vessel
at a lower pressure, the minimum pipe run length can be reduced, using
this formula:

a. Multiply pressure vessel pressure in psi x 36

b. Divide above by 150
c. Result is minimum span of horizontal piping in inches

For example, if the pressure vessel pressure is 120 psi, then:

a. 120 x 36 = 4,320
b. 4,320 ÷ 150 = 28.8
c. Minimum span of horizontal piping is 29 inches

18
VERTICAL BASE REMOVAL AND
REPLACEMENT
For:

TRIPOD SHORT SKIRT FRP SKIRT

Removal Kit (P/N TS-11644)

A kit with the required tools and instructions is available for purchase
with the replacement base. The kit consists of (2) wooden wedges,
(3) saw blades with handle, adhesive (Bostic 1000), gloves, safety
glasses, and a rubber hammer. Contact your SWT representative for
details.

Removal
To remove the original base, the pressure vessel must be empty and in
the horizontal position. The pressure vessel must be lying on a protective
material, such as cardboard, to protect it.

WEDGES APPLIED TO CREATE CARDBOARD OR OTHER

AN OPENING FOR THE SAW BLADE PROTECTIVE MATERIAL

NOTE: SAFETY GLASSES AND GLOVES MUST BE WORN FOR YOUR SAFETY.

19
VERTICAL BASE REMOVAL AND
REPLACEMENT
(continued)

1. Drive a wooden wedge between the pressure vessel and the base
with the rubber hammer to create an opening to insert the saw blade.
If necessary, use the second wooden wedge to make an opening for
the saw blade. Hold the saw with the blade teeth facing your hand
so that you cut the adhesive with a pulling motion rather than a
pushing motion. Use extreme caution to avoid injury when
performing this step.
SAW CUTS BY PULLING

NOTE: Use extreme caution to avoid damaging the fibers. If fibers

are damaged, the pressure vessel must not be used.

2. As the adhesive is being cut, the wedges must be moved around the
outer diameter of the base to maintain a gap between the pressure
vessel and the base. This allows the saw blade to cut the adhesive
without getting bound up.

3. After the base is removed, the heavy excess adhesive on the

pressure vessel must be removed. Be careful not to damage the
exterior surface of the pressure vessel. It is not necessary to remove
all of the old adhesive, but just the heavy excess to allow room for
the fresh adhesive. Take your time. The base was installed for the
life of the pressure vessel, so it may take a great deal of effort and
patience to remove the old base without damaging the pressure
vessel.

20
INSTALL THE NEW BASE

1. You must first level the base on a concrete floor. If the floor is not
level, wooden wedges may be used to level the base by placing
them under the tripod legs.
LIFT TO INSTALL NEW BASE

LEVEL PRESSURE VESSEL

LEVEL THIS SURFACE

USE SHIMS TO LEVEL

2. The adhesive is applied to the base (with a caulking gun) in a

pattern that duplicates the area covered on the old base. The tip
of the adhesive tube must be cut to apply the adhesive in a 1/4 inch
diameter minimum.

3. The pressure vessel must be lifted vertically (see drawings on

lifting options) and set down onto the base.

4. Level the pressure vessel by using a level on at least four (4) points
around the outter diameter of the pressure vessel.

5. Once you are satisfied that the pressure vessel is level, the pressure
vessel must be allowed to set (undisturbed) for at least eight (8) hours.

6. Install the pressure vessel.

21
BASIC HANDLING RULES

Never roll or slide a pressure vessel on its side.

Never drop a pressure vessel or allow hard impact or

abrasion of the pressure vessel from contact with walls,
partitions, tools, or equipment.

Hoist operators must follow proper rigging procedures.

Avoid use of hooks or equipment on the inside of the

pressure vessel.

Never fasten cables or chains around the pressure vessel.

Use canvas or nylon straps to avoid damage to the flange
area.

S A F E W A T E R T E C H N O L O G I E S , I N C .
996 BLUFF CITY BOULEVARD, ELGIN, IL 60 120 USA
TELEPHONE 847 888 6900 • FACSIMILE 847 888 6924
E MAIL: [email protected] • WEB SITE: www.swtwater.com