BVM Corporation Maintenance Manual

“C”, “T”, & “MP” SERIES SAFETY CLAMPS

For 1-1/8” through 43”

Part number: __________________ Serial Number: ________________

Safety
CAUTION: Practice safety in the operation and maintenance and use only approved
safety methods, materials and tools. Keep hands away from any pinch point or
undesignated areas; use only the provided handles for operating the Safety Clamp.

WARNING: Safety Clamps which have experienced wear beyond established wear
criteria set by OEM, or are found to have cracks must be replaced or repaired by a BVM
authorized repair facility.

WARNING: Only original BVM parts may be used. Safety Clamps are produced from
cast alloy heat treated steel and must not be welded in the field. Improper welding can
cause cracks and brittleness in heat-affected areas which can result in dramatic weakening
of the part and possible failure. Repairs involving welding and/or machining should be

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performed only by a BVM authorized repair facility. Using a Safety Clamp that has been
improperly welded or repaired is dangerous.

NOTE: The owner and user together with the manufacturer should jointly develop and
update inspection, maintenance, repair and remanufacture procedures consistent with
equipment application, loading, work environment, usage and other operational
conditions. These factors may change from time to time as a result of new technology,
equipment history, product improvements, new maintenance techniques and changes in
service conditions.

Confidentiality Statement
This document contains proprietary and confidential information, which is the property of
BVM Corporation. No use or disclosure is to be made without the express written consent
of BVM Corporation.

Note: Original Instructions are published in English; in the event the end-user may wish to
obtain a translation of these in the official language of the country in which the machinery is to
be used please contact your local BVM representative or BVM directly. Please note that this
service may not be free of charge. Original Instruction can be downloaded from
www.bvmcorp.com

Contents
Safety ............................................................................................................................................. 1
Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Description ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Operation ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Lubrication ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Inspection & Maintenance ............................................................................................................. 4
Wear data ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Critical Area Drawings .................................................................................................................. 7
Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................................. 7
Risk Assessment According to EN-ISO 12100:2010 .................................................................... 8
Assembly drawing and List of Parts .............................................................................................. 8

Purpose
This manual contains operation, inspection and service instructions for Type “C”, “T”, and
“MP” Safety Clamps.

Description
BVM offers safety clamps for tubing (T) and casing (C). Multipurpose (MP) safety clamps are
adjustable to a variety of tubular. The clamp has its own box with a nut wrench and an allen
wrench. Manual clamps are equipped with screw and nut combination. The nut secures the

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clamp around the pipe and should be tightened with the supplied nut wrench. The clamp grips
uniformly by design. The individual links give the clamp flexibility to wrap around the pipe and
the inserts are spring loaded.

CE Marking (if applicable):

Operation
To open the T and C type clamp, pull the end link pin. On the MP, loosen the nut, releasing
tension so it can swing open. Holding the handles, wrap the clamp around the pipe like a belt.
Insert pin or on MP, push the screw back into the screw latch link segment, turning the nut to
tighten. Use wrench to torque nut. The end user determines the clamping torque necessary to
prevent marking/damaging tubular.

With the clamp installed, the spring loaded tapered inserts are designed to firmly grip and
wedge against the tubular as the load increases or as the tubular slips down. As the load
increases, the spring tension will result in a tighter grip that prevents further travel.

Warning:
• Safety Clamps are not designed to hold or hoist the string weight – use in conjunction
with slips.
• Safety Clamps are made from cast alloy steel and should not be welded in the field.
Improper welding can cause cracks and brittleness in repaired area and can result in
drastic weakening of the Safety Clamp and Parts and possible Failure.
• Repairs which involve welding and or machining by others that is not authorized by
BVM will void the warranty.
• Using Safety Clamp which has been improperly welded can result in serious bodily harm
and property damage.
• Use the handles for lifting the Safety Clamp.
• Only use the Safety Clamp within the specified temperature rating, which is -4°F to
150°F unless otherwise specified.

Note: If a Safety Clamp is used despite the above warnings BVM voids all warranties.

Lubrication
Lubricate the Safety Clamp regularly during usage and storage to prevent corrosion. Use a high
grade multi-purpose lubricant which is compatible with the expected ambient temperatures on:
• Intermediate/End/Screw Pins
• Insert/link contact surfaces
• Screw

Unpainted surfaces should be coated with a rust preventing agent.

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Inspection & Maintenance
Safety should be practiced at all times when servicing the equipment always use BVM
Corporation, approved safety methods, material and tools. Always wear protective gear for
eyes, head and hands.
This is a suggested PM schedule. The tool owner has the responsibility to adjust the program
according to actual tool usage.

Daily Inspection (when in use)

1. Check for any worn and damaged parts.
2. Check for loose and missing parts.
3. Check to make sure all cotter pins are in place and installed properly with the ends
spread out to prevent pull out.
4. Clean inserts and inspect for wear and missing teeth – if found, replace.
5. Inspect the contact surface of the insert slots.
6. Press inserts down and release – inserts should come up if springs are operational –
replace spring or clean further if necessary.
7. Check for any visible cracks.
8. Check for any corrosion.
9. Check state of lubrication.
10. Open and close the clamp completely several times to check for binding. The clamp
should open and close with little force. If binding does occur, isolate the area and check
links and pins for corrosion or excessive wear.

Semi-annual inspection
1. Perform daily PM.
2. Check for corrosion and breakage on pins and springs – if found, replace.
3. Perform MPI (magnetic particle inspection) on critical areas.

Caution:
• Use only parts manufactured and sold by BVM Corporation
• Re-machining of parts should be performed only at BVM Corporation. Improper
machining could result in increased stress (Decreased Load carrying capability) or
improper alignment of component parts. Either condition could be hazardous to
personnel and equipment.
• Always wear gloves and eye protection when striking or handling parts.
• Do not use any safety clamp with wear in link, pin, or insert areas. Wear in these areas
will cause Safety Clamp to function improperly and may cause failure.

Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI)

Carry out MPI according to ASTM E709 or ASME BPVC sub section A, article 7 and
subsection B, article 25; determine the type of defects and the degree by comparing defects to
ASTM E125 reference photographs to the acceptance criteria.

Only cracks may develop and as such need to be reviewed. All other indication types have been
addressed by the manufacturer during production. As such, the Safety Clamp has left the factory

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with indication (if at all) which were deemed acceptable. All cracks which have developed in
service are relevant and need to be examined.

Evaluation of indications:
Relevant indications: Only those indications with major dimensions greater than 1/16 Inch
(1.6mm) and associated with a surface rupture shall be considered relevant. Relevant indications
are indications that results from, discontinuities within the test part. Non relevant indications are
indications that results from excessive magnetizing current, structural design or permeability
variances within the test parts. Any indication believed to be non-relevant shall be regarded as
relevant and shall be re-examined to determine whether an actual defect exists. Linear
indications shall be considered as those having a length of more than three times the width.
Rounded indications shall be considered as those having a length less than three times the width.
A lined indication shall be considered as a group of three more indications which touch an
imaginary straight line connecting any two of the group.

For equipment certified in accordance with API 8A & 8C PSL 1:

Maximum Allowable Degree
Type Discontinuity Descriptions Critical Areas Non-critical Areas
I Hot tears, cracks None Degree 1
II Shrinkage Degree 2 Degree 2
III Inclusions Degree 2 Degree 2
IV Internal chills, chaplets Degree 1 Degree 1
V Porosity Degree 1 Degree 2

For equipment certified in accordance with API 8A & 8C PSL 2:

Maximum Allowable Degree
Type Discontinuity Descriptions Critical Areas Non-critical Areas
I Hot tears, cracks None None
II Shrinkage None Degree 1
III Inclusions Degree 1 Degree 2
IV Internal chills, chaplets None Degree 1
V Porosity Degree 1 Degree 2

Note: Only BVM authorized repair facilities are allowed to repair safety clamps with indications
outside the acceptance criteria.

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Wear data
The inspection data and maximum wear tolerances are only valid if the equipment is in
otherwise good condition and has not been mis-used, does not exibit excessive wear, cracks or
other defects. Additionally any weld repairs – not done at a BVM authorized repair facility –
shall require examination and re-certification by a BVM authorized repair facility before being
used further. These data and tolerances only apply to certain critical components and cannot on
their own determine the overall condition of the equipment or its suitability for continued use.
These data and tolerances are what is required to retain 100% ratings.

Table 1: Wear table

Type T C MP
Part Number 8800x Cx995xx 330xx
Size (") 1-1/8 - 4-1/2 3-3/4 - 43 2-7/8 - 36-1/8

Pin Clearance (A) .045 .045 .040

Insert Clearance (B) .060 .085 .060

Figure 1: Wear variables

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Critical Area Drawings

Figure 2: Link critical area (red) drawings

Troubleshooting
When problems cannot be solved, contact an authorized BVM repair facility.

Overview possible problems:

Problem Possible cause Possible solution
Clamp does not open Corrosion Pry open, clean, and lubricate
Bent/deformed pins Wear Verify pin clearance
Clamp does not hold Undersized tubular Select proper sized clamp
Damaged tubing Overtightened End user to establish suitable torque range

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Risk Assessment According to EN-ISO 12100:2010
The conclusion of the risk assessment is that in general, the crew must:
• Wear person safety protection like safety glasses, hard hats, etc.
• Follow instructions as stated in the manual.
• Have knowledge of rig procedures.
• Must have been instructed for safe use of the tool.
• Perform maintenance and inspection according to this manual.

Applicable standards:
• EN-ISO 12100:2010 Safety of machinery – Basic concepts, general principles for design
– Risk assessment and risk reduction
• Machinery Directive: 2006/42/EC
• API 7K

Assembly drawing and List of Parts

See data sheets at www.bvmcorp.com.

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