Viega, a company based in Broomfield known for its press fitting systems, has received additional approval from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) for press connect fittings (PCFs) to be used on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, meeting their rigorous testing standards. Previously, Viega had been granted NAVSEA approval for its MegaPress CuNi fittings, ranging from ½ inch to 2 inches in size.
“Aircraft carriers are the largest and most visible asset of the U.S. Navy. Each ship takes six years to build at a cost of $13 billion and has a design life expectancy of 50 years or more,” said Jesus Herrero, marine program manager. “For Viega to be approved for service on these ships makes a strong statement from the U.S. Navy in recognizing that our fittings meet the most stringent requirements.”
The latest NAVSEA approval encompasses MegaPress CuNi 90° elbows, 45° elbows, tees, reducing tees, reducers, and couplings in sizes from ½ inch to 2 inches. The assessment for this approval involved the Navy scrutinizing all Viega’s commercial application tests and incorporating 15 additional, tougher tests. These additional tests included shock, vibration, tension, flexure fatigue, and burst tests, pushing Viega’s fittings to the maximum stress and fatigue limits.
The further NAVSEA approval extends to 15 systems that can utilize Viega press connect fittings, including Potable Water, Electronic Freshwater Cooling, Chilled Water, Seawater-Washdown and the Countermeasure system, among others. Viega’s fittings systems appeal to the shipbuilding sector thanks to the reliable, quick connections they facilitate, in addition to eliminating hot work.
Viega has cooperated with the U.S. Navy in the design of a training program to comprehend installation requirements. Herrero noted, “Shipyards can have thousands of employees, with the largest having more than 23,000. We worked closely with the Navy to develop and launch a pilot training program to get all of their trainers certified to do ongoing training with Viega products.”
Viega, a subsidiary of The Viega Group, specializes in press technology for the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. It reports almost 5,000 employees and over 17,000 products and systems.
Source: Press Release