Small Bore Tubing Safety

Never attempt to tighten (or loosen) fittings that are under pressure.

Always assume a leak is caused by more than an under tightened fitting and fully investigate.

Fitting disconnection and reconnection

• Ensure all pressure is purged from system.
• Loosen the fitting nut a few turns but do not remove nut from the body, tap or shake tube, checking for gas release.
• Disconnect fitting (only once system is purged and no gas release after check).
• Prior to reconnection ensure all sealing surfaces and threads forms are free from contamination and the thread forms are checked for any damage.
• A check should also be made for tube insertion depth, to ensure that the tube.
• had been correctly inserted upon initial make up, this can be done using a gauge.

SBT joints are vulnerable due to:

• Joints under-tightened / over-tightened.
• Mixing of non-compatible or dissimilar fittings (imperial / metric, different materials & manufacturers).
• Cut ends of poor quality (not straight / too rough).
• Incorrect thread sealants & lubricants (tapes, liquids).
• Joints made too close to bends (poorer seal & stress raisers).
• Damaged or not re-made properly after maintenance, venting, purging, leak testing, positive isolation activities.
• Vibration damage.