KUB one of few East TN utilities to use problematic pipe fitting

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http://www.wbir.com/rss/article/190869/2/KUB-one-of-few-East-TN-utilities-to-use-problematic-pipe-fitting


The fitting itself may not be bad, but state regulators still point to the "bolt-on saddle service tee" as a contributing factor in the deadly Whittington Creek house explosion.

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The type of fitting is known as a "mechanical" fitting, meaning the device is bolted together. They are different from the "fused" fittings, which are sealed together using heat.

The TRA report showed KUB had a history of problems with its mechanical settings, replacing more than 160 of them between 2000 and 2009 after leaks were discovered.

KUB has since replaced all of those fittings throughout its system, but the TRA concluded that it should have been done sooner, proposing a $250,000 fine for KUB because of the delay. KUB has 30 days to respond.

-snip of who is using bolted and who is using fused, and why-
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