Cutting and assembling EQOfluids aluminium pipe

The EQOfluids system assembles without welding or threading: cut the aluminium pipe square (90°), deburr inside and out, then push the pipe into the push-fit fitting up to the mark and hand-tighten the nut. Insertion depth ranges from 35 mm (DN20) to 96 mm (DN63). That is what makes the network fast to install and fully reconfigurable.

Cutting tools

The pipe is cut with any saw giving a clean, square cut: mitre saw, band saw or hand saw (mitre box). After cutting:

Cut square at 90° — an angled cut compromises the seal.
Deburr the internal and external edges carefully.
Wipe away all cutting debris (chips, aluminium dust).

Pipe insertion depth

Mark the pipe at the insertion depth to guarantee full engagement: the mark must sit flush with the fitting face (visible in the inspection window).

Nominal diameter	DN20	DN25	DN32	DN40	DN50	DN63	DN90
Insertion depth (mm)	35	38	49	60	76	96	93

Assembling a DN20 – DN90 fitting

Fitting components: nut, identification ring, clamping ring, O-ring, body.

Loosen the nut until the clamping ring is loose.
Insert the pipe into the fitting until the mark lines up with the fitting face. Pipe and fitting must stay in axis (aligned).
Tighten the nut — water-tightness and axial clamping are then ensured.

EQOfluids video — fitting assembly steps

EQOfluids video — pipe preparation and insertion

DN110 – DN160 fittings (bolted flanges)

Large diameters use bolted-flange fittings: half blocking ring, lip seal, clamping ring, identification mark holder, body and bolts. Before assembly, check the integrity of the pipe section being inserted: shallow scratches on the paint are removed with fine emery paper (grit 300–600); a deep dent or scratch means changing the fitting position or replacing the pipe section.

Key point — Three mistakes cause most leaks: an angled cut, a burr that nicks the seal, and a poorly inserted pipe (mark not reached). Marking the pipe at the correct depth and checking the inspection window solves all three. CAGI lists leaking fittings among the common sources of pressure drop and waste — careful assembly avoids them.

Size before you build

Pipe diameter is chosen from the flow, pressure and network geometry. The network estimator computes the EQOfluids aluminium diameter and builds the bill of materials (pipe, takeoffs, outlets, supports). Pipe and fittings are in the network accessories catalogue.

References

EQOfluids — technical manual (DN20–DN90 and DN110–DN160 assembly instructions; insertion depths)
CAGI — Compressed Air & Gas Handbook (7th ed., 2021), Ch. 4 — fitting tightness (a common source of leaks), smooth-bore aluminium pipe
Branching off the line — saddle branch and branch
Supports and fixing the pipework

Frequently asked questions

Do you need special tools to assemble EQOfluids?

No. A saw giving a clean cut (mitre, band or hand saw), a deburring tool and a wrench are enough. Assembly is push-fit: insert the pipe into the fitting and tighten the nut. No welding, no threading, no glue.

What is the pipe insertion depth into the fitting?

It depends on diameter: DN20 = 35 mm, DN25 = 38 mm, DN32 = 49 mm, DN40 = 60 mm, DN50 = 76 mm, DN63 = 96 mm. Mark the pipe at that distance to confirm full insertion: the mark must sit flush with the fitting face (inspection window).

Why must the pipe be deburred?

A burr or a square-cut sharp edge can nick the O-ring during insertion and cause a leak. Cut square at 90°, deburr both inside AND outside, and wipe away debris before fitting.

Can an EQOfluids fitting be dismantled and reused?

Yes — it is a demountable mechanical fitting. Loosen the nut, withdraw the pipe, and reassemble elsewhere. Fittings ship assembled; only dismantle them for installation, keeping the internal components in order.