Step 1:
Slide the coupler on to the end of the first piece of reinforcement steel to be joined. The central stop pin should make contact with the end of the bar to verify the correct insertion length. There is also a viewing hole in the coupler body enabling a visual check of the insertion length. Once satisfied of the insertion length and the orientation of the coupler, tighten the lock shear bolts by hand to stabilise the coupler on the bar. Note: When replacing damaged reinforcement, the central stop pin can be removed from the coupler with a hammer and a steel punch, this allows the entire coupler to slide over the bar when splicing in replacement steel.
Step 2:
Insert the second piece of reinforcement steel into the opposite end of the coupler, ensuring that it makes contact with the central stop pin. Once the second bar is fully inserted the lock shear bolts can be tightened by hand. Check the alignment of the coupler prior to the next stage.
Step 3:
After confirming that the coupler is correctly aligned use an impact wrench to tighten* the lock shear bolts, the bolts should be tightened on one side of the coupler first working from the central stop pin towards the outside edge of the coupler. When each bolt reaches the correct torque setting the head of the lock shear bolt will shear off. Complete this process for both sides of the coupler and all couplers at the joint.
Step 4:
The completed coupling will have all the bolt heads sheared off *, providing a visual indication of correct installation.
*To adequately tighten the lock shear bolts a suitable power tool with a torque capability twice that of the recommended torque requirements of the coupler should be used.
* In instances where the bolt head has not sheared off, normally when fixing with hand tools in confined spaces. To confirm correct installation the torque setting on the bolt should be verified with a suitably calibrated torque wrench.
