Expansion Joints Division
The key, reputable manufacturers of expansion joint technology in the European market have come together to establish this Division during 1998 (see ... List of Division Members). Membership of the Division requires:
- a good track record in the industry (including at least 3 years trading under the same company identity)
- operation according to good business practices and ethics
- ISO 9000 accreditation or an equivalent, acceptable quality scheme
- at least a 75% majority vote in support by other Division Members
The Division will focus initially on non-metallic expansion joint technology, and will open out to cover metallic forms in due course.
Non-metallic expansion joints are flexible connectors designed to
provide stress relief in ducting systems by absorbing movement caused by thermal changes.
They also act as vibration isolators, shock absorbers and, in some instances, to
compensate for minor misalignment of adjoining ducting or equipment. They are fabricated
from a wide variety of materials, including synthetic elastomers, fabrics, insulation
materials and fluoroplastics, dependent upon the process environment in which they must
operate.
The objective of the Division is to serve as a focal point for all
efforts to improve the manufacture, understanding and application of expansion joint
technology. This will be achieved through:
- promotion of harmonised procedures in standards, specifications and terminology
- promotion of best practice in the design and manufacturing of expansion joints
- providing "user-friendly" guidelines for both manufacturers and customers
- encouraging engineering value in products and services
The Division aims to lead the entire industry towards a safer environment. For this reason, Members of the ESA Expansion Joints Division do not manufacture expansion joints using ceramic fibres which are classified by the IARC as Group 1, Group 2A or Group 2B.
Expansion Joints Engineering Guide
It is apparent that there is a wide ambiguity with the terminology used
in connection with expansion joint technology. Although there are a number of guides
describing expansion joints and their application, these are either biased on a particular
type of technology, or are overcomplicated. Consequently, the Division has focussed
initially on providing a comprehensive guide to European expansion joint technology, which
is easy to use and understand.
