Abstract: A thermal expansion compensating device has a conduit with a first opening and a second opening for connection to a first pipe and a second pipe of a hot water system, respectively, the first and second pipes being formed by removing a section from a length of pipe of the hot water system. A pre-tensioning force is applied to the device to axially displace the first opening from the second opening until after connection of the openings of the pipes. A resiliently deformable pipe segment defines a portion of the conduit between the first opening and the second opening and is resiliently deformed to a tensioned position by the application of the pre-tensioning force. Once the hot water system is activated, the pipes axially thermally expand such that the first opening moves towards the second opening and the pipe segment moves from the tensioned position towards a rest position decreasing the stress on the device.

Abstract: A coupling and anchoring system for coupling lengths of pipe and anchoring the lengths of pipe to a structure comprise a pipe coupling having an external peripheral groove defined by axially facing axial clamp engaging surfaces, said groove receiving an anchoring clamp. The anchoring clamp has corresponding axial coupling engaging surfaces for engaging the axial clamp engaging surfaces of the pipe coupling to restrict axial movement of the pipe coupling when the anchoring clamp is fastened to the structure. The anchoring clamp is formed from arced bands having laterally extending connecting portions and laterally extending arced elements. The laterally extending connecting surfaces and arcs combine to form dual fastener openings for optionally receiving fastening elements perpendicular and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe coupling for optionally anchoring the system to perpendicular and parallel portions of the structure.

Abstract: A pipe fitting having a first body and a second body that together at least partially define a fluid flow passage. The first body defines a first portion of the fluid flow passage that extends from a first end of the fluid flow passage to a first internal opening. The second body defines a second portion of the fluid flow passage that extends from a second internal opening to a second end of the fluid flow passage. The first body has a first interface surface that surrounds the first internal opening, the first interface surface having a plurality of anti-rotation grooves. The second body has a second interface surface that surrounds the second internal opening and engages with the first interface surface. The first internal opening is in fluid communication with the second internal opening. The second interface surface has a plurality of anti-rotation fingers that are each received by and engage with a corresponding one of the anti-rotation grooves.

Abstract: A pipe fitting having a first body and a second body that together at least partially define a fluid flow passage. The first body defines a first portion of the fluid flow passage that extends from a first end of the fluid flow passage to a first internal opening. The second body defines a second portion of the fluid flow passage that extends from a second internal opening to a second end of the fluid flow passage. The first body has a first interface surface that surrounds the first internal opening, the first interface surface having a plurality of anti-rotation grooves. The second body has a second interface surface that surrounds the second internal opening and engages with the first interface surface. The first internal opening is in fluid communication with the second internal opening. The second interface surface has a plurality of anti-rotation fingers that are each received by and engage with a corresponding one of the anti-rotation grooves.

Abstract: A connection to releasably connect and disconnect to a pipe to a fitting provides a pipe fitting body for receiving a pipe and a retaining ring assembly located within the fitting body for retaining and releasing the pipe. The retaining ring assembly has axially extending inwardly angled resilient retaining tabs, each of which has a pipe retaining portion. When the pipe is inserted into the fitting body to an inserted position, the pipe retaining portions engage an indentation on the pipe to retain the pipe in the inserted position. Relative movement of the axially extending inwardly angled resilient retaining tabs with respect to the fitting body from the first locked position to a second unlocked position causes each axially extending inwardly angled resilient retaining tabs to disengage from the indentation on the pipe permitting removal of the pipe from the inserted position in the fitting body.

Abstract: A first firestop device and a second firestop device, each comprising a housing. The housing of the first firestop device has a connection side with a plurality of connection elements and the housing of the second firestop device has a complementary side with a complementary element. The connection elements are each arranged at a different location on the connection side of the housing of the first firestop device, so that a position of the first firestop device relative to the second firestop device, when the connection side of the housing of the first firestop device is interlocked with the complementary side of the housing of the second firestop device, is selectable by selecting which of the connection elements of the first firestop device is connected to the complementary element of the second firestop device.

Abstract: A connection to releasably connect and disconnect to a pipe to a fitting provides a pipe fitting body for receiving a pipe and a retaining ring located within the fitting body for retaining and releasing the pipe. The retaining ring has axially extending resilient retaining tabs, each of which has a radially inwardly extending portion for engaging the pipe, and, a radially outwardly extending portion which extends through corresponding radial openings in the fitting body. When the pipe is inserted into the fitting body to an inserted position and the retaining ring is in the first locked axial position, the radially inwardly extending portions engage and retain the pipe in the inserted position.

Abstract: A thermal expansion compensating device has a conduit with a first opening and a second opening for connection to a first pipe and a second pipe of a hot water system, respectively, the first and second pipes being formed by removing a section from a length of pipe of the hot water system. A pre-tensioning force is applied to the device to axially displace the first opening from the second opening until after connection of the openings of the pipes. A resiliently deformable pipe segment defines a portion of the conduit between the first opening and the second opening and is resiliently deformed to a tensioned position by the application of the pre-tensioning force. Once the hot water system is activated, the pipes axially thermally expand such that the first opening moves towards the second opening and the pipe segment moves from the tensioned position towards a rest position decreasing the stress on the device.

Abstract: A connection to releasably connect and disconnect to a pipe to a fitting provides a pipe fitting body for receiving a pipe and a retaining ring located within the fitting body for retaining and releasing the pipe. The retaining ring has axially extending resilient retaining tabs, each of which has a radially inwardly extending portion for engaging the pipe, and, a radially outwardly extending portion which extends through corresponding radial openings in the fitting body. When the pipe is inserted into the fitting body to an inserted position and the retaining ring is in the first locked axial position, the radially inwardly extending portions engage and retain the pipe in the inserted position.

Abstract: A non-return valve having an accumulation damper movable relative to a housing and shaped like a bowl to accumulate condensate running down from the chimney. The non-return valve has a smaller floating damper made of a material having a density less than water for resting against the accumulation damper when the appliance is in standstill and sealing the drainage holes in the accumulation damper when the condensate accumulation is below a threshold. Once condensate accumulates in the accumulation damper beyond the threshold, the floating damper is buoyed by the condensate thereby breaking the seal with the drainage holes and permitting the condensate to drain through drainage holes in the accumulation damper. When the appliance is operational, exhaust from the appliance lifts the floating damper and, in some cases, the accumulation damper also, to permit exhaust of combustion gases up the chimney.