RMC Cap Locks

[ron]

I want to install some empty RMC sleeves installed through an exterior wall, and they will be capped for future use.

I am trying to find a way to temporarily lock the caps on the exterior so no kids remove them.

Any products you've used?

 

[LarryFine]

I want to install some empty RMC sleeves installed through an exterior wall, and they will be capped for future use.

I am trying to find a way to temporarily lock the caps on the exterior so no kids remove them.

Any products you've used?

You could drill and tap holes for set-screws.

 

[augie47]

I agree with Larry but if you want "off the shelf" a bond bushing (normally they have set screws) with a metal push penny will do the trick.

 

[MattG0311]

Coupling and a plug? As long as the hooligans aren’t carrying channellocks or Allen’s I think you’ll be ok

 

[infinity]

You said RMC, if there is a thread a wrench tight threaded cap will be very hard to remove.

 

[synchro]

You could put caps on both ends of the RMC sleeve, and with a long carriage bolt joining the caps through clearance holes drilled in them. A nut would be placed on the interior end of the carriage bolt to retain it. The rounded end of the carriage bolt would not provide any surface to get a wrench onto it.

One option would be to use two nuts tightened back-to-back with a lock-washer between them. The nuts could then be adjusted to allow the external cap to be rotated a few turns to disengage the tapered threads, but beyond that the cap would still be retained with any further turns. That would limit how much torque could be applied by a pipe wrench to the RMC through the pipe cap, unlike the case when the cap is locked onto the RMC somehow. This would probably not be an issue if the RMC is set in concrete.

 

[MattG0311]

If the kid can pull off a coupling snugged up with channellocks get them in the apprenticeship

 

[Todd0x1]

Giving away an invention here..... you could have a metal cutting + welding place make you something like the drawing I made. The ring goes over the pipe before the cap, then the other piece covers the cap and locks to the ring with an appropriately sized padlock. No access to the pipe cap and this thing would just spin freely.

Actually I am not giving my invention away ©2023 Todd0x1 Patent Pending all rights reserved. License hereby granted to OP to have <10 units fabricated.

 

[ron]

All good ideas, thanks

 

[zbang]

Could also just tack-weld the caps on, I'm surprised nobody else has mentioned that .

 

[Todd0x1]

Another idea is mount a 3R pullbox with a locking hasp to the exterior wall and land the pipes into the back of it.

 

[rbalex]

Could also just tack-weld the caps on, I'm surprised nobody else has mentioned that .

Section 300.18(B) may be of interest.

 

[LarryFine]

All of these suggestions are easier than mine?

 

[Todd0x1]

All of these suggestions are easier than mine?

Wouldnt the setscrews damage the pipe threads and make removal and reinstallation difficult? I like my custom cap thing but I think the easiest is the 3R pullbox w/ padlock.

 

[LarryFine]

Wouldnt the setscrews damage the pipe threads and make removal and reinstallation difficult?

I would think not with the sizes likely to be used as sleeves, and sleeves don't need good threads.

 

[synchro]

I like my custom cap thing but I think the easiest is the 3R pullbox w/ padlock.

And even if someone breaks into it, they will be disappointed that there's no copper wire in there to take.

 

[drcampbell]

Red (high-strength) anaerobic thread-locking sealant is likely to be effective enough.

 

[zbang]

Section 300.18(B) may be of interest.

Not sure how that would apply to an empty sleeve.

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

Red (high-strength) anaerobic thread-locking sealant is likely to be effective enough.

Dang, beat me to it. Then heat up pipe to break bond when you need to remove.