1. Knowledge library
  2. Application areas
  3. Optimize your shipyard standard
  4. How shipyards should prevent the risk of hydraulic pipe leakage

How shipyards should prevent the risk of hydraulic pipe leakage

Roxtec pipe seals do not require any time-consuming cutting and jointing.

Sometimes you need to look for better solutions than the traditional ones. Designers and installers in shipyards who constantly strive to cut costs and lead times while building tankers, container ships and carriers could ease their pain by including Roxtec pipe seals in their shipyard standard.  

It is well known that there is a risk of leakage due to all the cut and connection points along the hydraulic piping systems. There are also issues with condensation and vibration, and it is, to be honest, difficult to reinstall pipes after leakage detection, or add pipes whenever there is a need. To be able to benefit from some engineering flexibility, you should consider using Roxtec pipe transits.

Avoid welding and reduce installation time

One good reason is the time aspect. You can, for example, use the non-weld Roxtec SPM™ seal for single metal pipe entries. It is a patented sealing solution that helps you ensure safety, cost-efficiency and productivity without any downtime, cost or risk related to welding. The installation only requires work from one side of the section. According to a pipe seal installation comparison analysis featuring a traditional method and the Roxtec SPM™ seal, the traditional method required 5 people (2 welders, 2 assembly engineers and 1 painter) to complete 100 pipe penetrations. It took 100 manhours. The Roxtec SPM™ seal required 2 people (2 assembly engineers) for 100 penetrations. It took 12 manhours. We are talking time savings of up to 88 percent – showing that fast installation can dramatically reduce the costs for the shipyard.  

Roxtec seals are not only quick and easy to install – they also provide immediate protection since they are ready for use directly after installation without any need for curing or other measures.

Certified sealing solutions for single and multiple pipes

Another good reason is safety. It is crucial to avoid excessive cutting and connecting of pipes as all interruptions increase the risk of leakage. By using Roxtec seals, you can avoid cutting and secure tightness. The Roxtec SPM™ seal, for example, is Class A fire rated according to IMO 2010 FTP Code and certified to a catastrophic pressure of 0.67 bar gas and 1 bar water. Roxtec transits for sealing of multiple hydraulic pipes in each opening, such as the Roxtec S transit, are also tested to all relevant marine standards and certified by all major classification societies, including DNV, ABS, LR, CCS and KRS. Roxtec S is a multi-cable and pipe transit for welding, available in different materials and with a single or various combinations of openings. It is Class A fire rated according to IMO 2010 FTP Code and certified to a catastrophic pressure of 2.67 bar gas and 4 bar water.

Efficient protection of pipe penetrations

Roxtec transits withstand shockwaves as well, and the high-quality rubber in the seals can efficiently protect thin hydraulic pipes from vibrations. The multi-cable and pipe transits have all the required material classifications for use in harsh marine environments. With Roxtec seals, you can let a variety of uncut hydraulic pipes pass through safety structures onboard.   
How to save space while enabling late design changes Roxtec provides mechanical pipe seals that are extremely space efficient and reduce the footprint in comparison to methods that only allow sealing of single pipes. Roxtec seals enable routing and sealing of multiple hydraulic pipes in one opening, and they even offer the “future included” feature – which means they can be prepared with spare sealing modules to provide built-in spare capacity for sudden design changes during construction. When all sealing modules are already in place, there is no need for drilling new holes or purchasing any extra modules. The sealing modules are adaptable to hydraulic pipes of different sizes which helps installers in the yard handle any surprises regarding sizes. You can easily inspect and verify the installation quality visually. All in all, Roxtec pipe seals help shipyards increase speed of installation, reduce cost and enable better utilization of space onboard.  

Sealing expertise for hydraulic pipe applications nearby your shipyard

Besides efficient sealing solutions for hydraulic pipes that meet all current and future requirements, Roxtec provides local technical support online and onsite, installation training in the field, and practical installation tools. The complete sealing solution provider Roxtec has also developed a suite of software that simplifies design, engineering and the installation process as well as the set up and maintenance of a mandatory class compliant cable transit seal systems register. The Roxtec Transit Build™ software in the suite is especially developed for shipyards searching for efficiency through digitalization. It helps you monitor the installation of hydraulic pipe penetration seals during construction and at the same time meet class requirements regarding watertight cable transits. It enables you to hand over an approved register and inspection report to the owner.    

Roxtec has extensive resources for product development, pre-certification testing and preparation of customized sealing solutions to help shipyards overcome specific challenges, for example when it comes to hydraulic pipes. Roxtec often performs special customer requested tests to fulfill all possible demands. With global coverage, strong local presence, and regional distribution centers and local warehouses strategically located, Roxtec can always offer technical support and swift deliveries.

Updated: