Security

General information zur Sicherheit beim Wasserstrahlschneiden

1. General information
   The water jet cutting process demonstrates in a fascinating way, what is physically possible by combining water with high pressure. The operating pressure needed for water jet cutting of up to 4150 bars/60,000psi naturally leads to questions about dangers and safety precautions. When we examine the subject from the point of view of safety, high pressure jets are as controllable as other techniques. In fact, in the history of water jet cutting we are not aware of any serious accidents caused by any of the 2,500 pressure transmission pumps used worldwide or by the pipelines connected to them.
   
   
2. Safety
   ALLFI fittings and high pressure pipes are produced to meet strict quality standards and their specific dimensions are set well within limits that ensure their safety. The burst pressure is more than double the necessary operating pressure. Quality controls include pressure tests, inspections and volume tests, eddy current tests and material mix tests. ALLFI fittings are monitored in accordance with ISO 9001 from melting to factory testing, with factory certificates. The useful lives of fittings and pipelines depend to a great extent on the number and intensity of vibrations. Thanks to self-reinforcement, the load over the useable life can be increased by 80% to 150%. Leaks from pipelines or fittings are caused by hairline cracks resulting from material fatigue, which are visible externally in the form of water droplets. In the majority of water jet cutting systems, the accompanying drop in pressure in the system causes a momentary stoppage of the high pressure pumps. The low compressibility of water of just 12% means that only a small amount of accumulated energy is available and it can be used up very quickly.
   
   
3. Special operating conditions and safety measures
   Temperatures
   A stable ambient temperature increases the usable life of fittings. Low and high temperatures must be avoided to prevent the risk of breakages as a result of brittleness or reductions in strength.
   
   Bending radii for high pressure pipes
   High pressure pipes must never be heated in order to bend them, since this reduces their strength. You will find instructions on permitted bending radii see Chapter 11-02.
   
   Vibrations
   High pressure pipes must be secured at frequent; these should not be greater than 0.5 m.