Smith-Blair Service Saddle

Smith-Blair service saddles are the foundation of every new water service connection. Installed directly onto the distribution main, they provide a leak-free tapping boss that accepts a corporation stop or tapping valve β€” allowing a new service line to be tapped into a live main without shutting down the system. Correct saddle selection is non-negotiable: a saddle that doesn't match the pipe OD, pipe material, or tap size will leak, damage the tap drill, or fail at pressure.

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Smith-Blair Style 311 Service Saddle - Single Bale, Galvanized
Smith Blair Style 311 single bale electro-galvanized ductile iron service saddle

Smith Blair

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Smith-Blair Style 311 Service Saddle - Single Bale, Galvanized

Price
From $41.73
Smith-Blair Style 372 Service Saddle - Double Stud, All Stainless
Smith Blair Style 372 double stud all stainless steel service saddle for water main tapping

Smith Blair

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Smith-Blair Style 372 Service Saddle - Double Stud, All Stainless

Price
From $155.52
Smith-Blair Style 397 Service Saddle - PVC Pipe, SS Strap
Smith Blair Style 397 ductile iron service saddle with double wide stainless strap for PVC pipe

Smith Blair

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Smith-Blair Style 397 Service Saddle - PVC Pipe, SS Strap

Price
From $181.27
Smith-Blair Style 317 Service Saddle - Double Strap, 304 SS
Smith Blair Style 313 double bale ductile iron service saddle with galvanized bales

Smith Blair

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Smith-Blair Style 317 Service Saddle - Double Strap, 304 SS

Price
From $181.16
Smith-Blair Style 315 Service Saddle - Single Strap, 304 SS
Smith Blair Style 315 single strap ductile iron service saddle with stainless steel strap

Smith Blair

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Smith-Blair Style 315 Service Saddle - Single Strap, 304 SS

Price
From $102.88
Smith-Blair Style 357 Service Saddle - Large Tap 3" & 4" NPT
Smith Blair Style 357 ductile iron service saddle with large 3in and 4in NPT taps for steel or PVC pipe

Smith Blair

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Smith-Blair Style 357 Service Saddle - Large Tap 3" & 4" NPT

Price
From $428.17
Smith-Blair Style 371 Service Saddle - Single Stud, All Stainless
Smith Blair Style 371 single stud all 304 stainless steel service saddle for water main tapping

Smith Blair

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Smith-Blair Style 371 Service Saddle - Single Stud, All Stainless

Price
From $138.79
Smith-Blair Style 362 Service Saddle - Concrete Cylinder Pipe
Smith Blair Style 362 epoxy coated ductile iron service saddle for concrete cylinder pipe

Smith Blair

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Smith-Blair Style 362 Service Saddle - Concrete Cylinder Pipe

Price
From $804.02
Smith-Blair Style 377 Wide Range Service Saddle - All Stainless
Smith Blair Style 377 wide range all stainless steel service saddle for multiple pipe sizes

Smith Blair

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Smith-Blair Style 377 Wide Range Service Saddle - All Stainless

Price
From $255.42
Smith-Blair Style 325 Bronze Service Saddle - Double SS Strap
Smith Blair Style 325 bronze service saddle with extra wide single stainless strap for PVC pipe

Smith Blair

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Smith-Blair Style 325 Bronze Service Saddle - Double SS Strap

Price
From $272.46
Smith-Blair Style 325 Bronze Service Saddle - Single SS Strap
Smith Blair Style 325 bronze service saddle with extra wide single stainless strap for PVC pipe

Smith Blair

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Smith-Blair Style 325 Bronze Service Saddle - Single SS Strap

Price
From $272.46
Smith-Blair Style 366 Service Saddle - Large Diameter, Epoxy
Smith Blair Style 366 large diameter ductile iron service saddle with epoxy coated straps

Smith Blair

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Smith-Blair Style 366 Service Saddle - Large Diameter, Epoxy

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From $1,111.89

Smith-Blair Service Saddle

Description
Authorized Smith-Blair Distributor Β· Houston, TX

Smith-Blair
Service Saddles
& Tapping Saddles

The leak-free tapping boss for every new water service connection. Bolted onto a live distribution main, a service saddle lets you tap a new corporation stop or service line without shutting the system down. Thirteen styles β€” ductile iron, bronze, and all-stainless β€” covering 1" through 42" pipe and 5/8" through 4" taps in both NPT and CC thread. Same-day quote response from Houston stock.

13 Styles
311Β·313Β·315Β·317Β·325Β·331Β·357Β·362Β·366Β·371Β·372Β·377Β·397
1"–42"
Nominal Pipe Size
150 PSI
Working Pressure
NSF 61
Certified Gaskets
What a Service Saddle Is

The Foundation of Every Service Connection

A service saddle (also called a tapping saddle) clamps around a water main and provides a reinforced, gasketed outlet boss through which the main can be drilled and tapped β€” under pressure, without interrupting service β€” to start a new service line.

When a utility needs to connect a new customer, fire line, or branch to an existing distribution main, it does not cut the main. Instead, a service saddle is bolted around the pipe, a corporation stop (or tapping valve) is threaded into the saddle outlet, and a tapping machine drills through the corp stop and the pipe wall while the line stays pressurized. The saddle’s gasket seals the connection; its body gives the corporation stop enough thread engagement to hold against system pressure and the torque of the tapping drill.

Correct saddle selection is non-negotiable. A saddle that does not match the pipe outside diameter (OD), the pipe material, and the tap size and thread will leak, damage the tap drill, or fail at pressure. The three pieces of information that determine the right saddle every time are: actual pipe OD, pipe material, and the tap size + thread type (NPT or CC).

Specs Common to All Smith-Blair Saddles
Working PressureUp to 150 PSI
Temperature Rangeβˆ’20Β°F to +180Β°F
SealDouble O-ring, positive seal
GasketNitrile (Buna-N), NSF/ANSI 61 βœ“
Standard (saddles)AWWA C800
Tap ThreadsNPT and CC (corporation cock)
Lead TimeMade to order, ships 5–10 business days
Start Here

Which Service Saddle Do You Need?

The styles look similar but differ by pipe material, strap configuration, body metal, and pipe diameter. Match your situation below to narrow to the right style, then confirm OD and tap thread.

Standard residential / commercial tap on DI or steel
Single-strap configuration for typical service connections. Galvanized bale for normal soils; stainless strap where corrosion resistance is required.
β†’ Style 311 (galv) or 315 (SS strap)
Larger main (8"+) or higher clamping force needed
Double-bale or double-strap for greater circumferential grip and sealing on bigger pipe and irregular surfaces. Often spec-required on mains 8" and up.
β†’ Style 313 (double bale) or 317 (double strap)
PVC pipe (C-900 / C-905)
PVC needs even load distribution on a softer wall. Use a DI body with a double-wide stainless strap, or a bronze saddle sized to PVC OD.
β†’ Style 397 (PVC) or 325 (bronze)
Copper service tubing / all-bronze wetted spec
Bronze body for galvanic compatibility with copper tubing and brass corporation stops, or where the utility mandates all-bronze wetted surfaces.
β†’ Style 325 Bronze
Corrosive environment β€” full stainless required
Offshore, desalination, salt-marsh soils, or long-term asset programs. All-304 stainless construction from strap to boss.
β†’ Style 371 (single stud) or 372 (double stud)
Large tap (3" or 4") for fire line or big branch
A standard 5/8"–2" saddle cannot carry a large-diameter tap. The 357 provides a 3" or 4" NPT tapping boss.
β†’ Style 357 Large Tap
Concrete cylinder pipe (CCP)
Standard DI saddles cannot seal against a concrete OD. Epoxy-coated body and straps resist the alkaline concrete surface.
β†’ Style 362 Concrete Pipe
Large-diameter transmission main (18"–42")
Strap geometry built for big mains, with epoxy-coated straps for long-term buried service.
β†’ Style 366 Large Diameter
Mixed-vintage pipe / want fewer SKUs to stock
A single wide-range part number spans a broader OD band, simplifying inventory across mixed pipe systems. All stainless.
β†’ Style 377 Wide Range
New tap next to a pipe defect
Repair service saddle: establishes a new service outlet while sealing a nearby crack, pulled tap, or stripped thread in one device.
β†’ Style 331 Repair Saddle
Education

Key Terms Explained

Service saddle datasheets assume waterworks fluency. Here is what each term means so you can read a spec sheet and order right the first time.

Most Important
Tap Thread
NPT vs CC β€” the #1 ordering error
  • NPT threadTapered; for gate/ball valves & threaded fittings
  • CC threadAWWA taper; for corporation stops
  • Also calledCC = Mueller / AWWA / corp cock thread
  • Wrong threadWon’t seal or damages the corp stop
  • Most commonCC for service taps in North America
Strap Configuration
Bale vs Strap
How the saddle clamps the pipe
  • BaleU-bolt style band over the pipe
  • StrapFlat band wrapping the pipe OD
  • SingleOne band β€” standard service taps
  • DoubleTwo bands β€” more grip on larger/rough pipe
  • Double-wideSpreads load β€” used on softer PVC wall
Order By This
Pipe OD
Order by actual OD, not nominal size
  • 6" Ductile Iron6.90" actual OD
  • 6" PVC C-9006.63" actual OD
  • 6" Cast Iron~6.90" (class dependent)
  • 6" Steel (IPS)6.625" actual OD
  • Measure withCaliper or mill certificate
Body Metals
DI / Bronze / SS
Why the body material matters
  • Ductile IronStrong, rigid boss; the standard
  • BronzeGalvanic match to copper/brass
  • All-stainlessFull corrosion immunity
  • Galv. baleCost-effective, normal soils
  • Epoxy-coatedBuried/alkaline (concrete) service
The Tap Fitting
Corp Stop
What threads into the saddle outlet
  • Corporation stopShutoff valve at the main tap
  • Common brandsMueller, Ford, A.Y. McDonald
  • Inlet threadUsually CC β€” match the saddle
  • Tapping valveLarger alternative for big taps
  • OutletTo service line / meter setter
Approvals
AWWA & NSF
The standards on every datasheet
  • AWWA C800Service line threads & fittings
  • AWWA C223Fabricated steel repair clamps
  • NSF/ANSI 61Potable water material safety
  • Gasket materialBuna-N, NSF 61 certified
  • Pressure150 PSI working
Critical Distinction

CC Thread vs NPT Thread

Every Smith-Blair saddle outlet is offered in two thread types. Choosing the wrong one is the single most common service-saddle ordering mistake β€” and it cannot be corrected in the field.

NPT β€” National Pipe Thread (Tapered)
β€’
What it is
The general-purpose tapered pipe thread used across plumbing and industrial fittings.
β€’
Mates with
Gate valves, ball valves, brass nipples, threaded adapters β€” standard NPT-threaded fittings.
β€’
Use when
The tap connects to a valve or fitting with NPT threads, or for large 3"/4" taps (Style 357).
CC β€” Corporation Cock Thread (AWWA Taper)
β€’
What it is
The waterworks-specific tapered thread standard β€” also called AWWA/CC taper or Mueller thread.
β€’
Mates with
Corporation stops from Mueller, Ford, and A.Y. McDonald β€” the most common service tap fitting in North America.
β€’
Use when
Starting a standard residential or commercial service connection with a corporation stop. This is the default for most utilities.
⚠ NPT and CC Are Not Interchangeable

CC and NPT taper angles and pitch differ. An NPT corporation stop threaded into a CC saddle (or vice-versa) will either fail to seal under pressure or strip and damage the corporation stop. Always confirm the corporation stop’s inlet thread and order the matching saddle outlet. When in doubt, CC is the most common service-tap thread.

Standard Configurations

Single & Double Bale / Strap Saddles

Strap count drives clamping force. Single-strap saddles handle the majority of standard service taps; double-strap and double-bale saddles add grip and sealing for larger or higher-pressure mains and irregular pipe surfaces.

Style 311 & 315 β€” Single Bale / Single Strap, Ductile Iron

The most widely used configuration for standard residential and commercial connections. A rigid ductile iron body (ASTM A536) gives the corporation stop enough thread engagement to withstand tapping torque and system pressure. The two styles share the same DI body and differ only in the clamping band.

  • Style 311 β€” single bale, electro-galvanized carbon steel bale. Cost-effective for typical soils. 1"–12" nominal, 5/8" CC through 2" NPT taps.
  • Style 315 β€” single strap, 304 stainless steel strap replaces the galvanized bale for aggressive soils or where utility specs require stainless. Same DI body. 1"–12" nominal.
Body: Ductile Iron A536 311 Band: EG carbon steel 315 Band: 304 SS Sizes: 1"–12" Taps: 5/8" CC–2" NPT
Style 311 / 315 β€” Specifications
BodyDuctile Iron ASTM A536
311 BaleElectro-Galvanized steel
315 Strap304 Stainless Steel
GasketNitrile (Buna-N) NSF 61 βœ“
Bolts/NutsAlloy steel
Pressure150 PSI
StandardAWWA C800
Style 313 & 317 β€” Double Bale / Double Strap, Ductile Iron

Two clamping bands provide greater circumferential force and better sealing on larger diameters, higher-pressure systems, and pipe with irregular or deteriorated surfaces. Many utility specs require double-strap or double-bale saddles for taps on mains 8" and larger.

  • Style 313 β€” double bale, DI body, available with Epoxy-Coated, 304 Stainless, or Galvanized bales to match the environment. Covers small through large taps; large-diameter ranges to 24"+.
  • Style 317 β€” double strap, DI body, dual 304 stainless straps for maximum corrosion resistance and grip. 4"–24" nominal; 5/8" CC through 4" NPT taps. Preferred in coastal and industrial systems.
Body: Ductile Iron A536 313 Bales: Epoxy / SS / Galv 317 Straps: Dual 304 SS 317 Sizes: 4"–24" Taps: up to 4" NPT
Style 313 / 317 β€” Specifications
BodyDuctile Iron ASTM A536
313 BalesEpoxy-coated, 304 SS, or galvanized
317 StrapsDouble 304 Stainless Steel
GasketNitrile (Buna-N) NSF 61 βœ“
317 OD Range4.40" to 18.88"
Pressure150 PSI
StandardAWWA C800
Body Material Selection

Bronze & All-Stainless Saddles

Beyond ductile iron, two premium body materials solve specific corrosion and compatibility requirements.

Style 325 β€” Bronze Service Saddle

Bronze body saddles are specified where galvanic compatibility with copper service tubing and brass corporation stops is required, or where the utility’s material standard mandates all-metallic / all-bronze wetted surfaces. A premium product for high-value residential developments and copper service systems. Sized to fit PVC pipe at steel or ductile-iron OD.

  • Single 304 SS strap β€” extra-wide stainless strap for 3/4"–2" taps on smaller mains.
  • Double 304 SS straps β€” dual straps for larger mains; extra-wide body increases seating area for improved gasket compression.
Body: BronzeStraps: 304 SS (single or double)Sizes: 4"–12"For: PVC / copper systems
Style 325 β€” Specifications
BodyBronze
Straps304 Stainless Steel
GasketNitrile (Buna-N) NSF 61 βœ“
Taps3/4" through 2", NPT & CC
ApplicationPVC pipe (steel / DI OD)
StandardAWWA C800
Style 371 & 372 β€” All 304 Stainless Steel

Where full corrosion immunity is required β€” offshore installations, desalination plants, aggressive salt-marsh soils, or long-term asset-preservation programs β€” the all-stainless saddles provide a completely non-corroding assembly from strap to boss, including body, straps, studs, and nuts.

  • Style 371 β€” single stud, all 304 stainless. 4"–12" nominal; 1/2", 3/4", 1" CC and NPT taps.
  • Style 372 β€” double stud, all 304 stainless, for larger diameters and higher-pressure tapping. 4"–16" nominal; 1/2" through 2" CC and NPT taps. Recommended for new installs in corrosion-prone environments.
All wetted parts: 304 SS371 Sizes: 4"–12"372 Sizes: 4"–16"Taps: 1/2"–2" CC/NPT
Style 371 / 372 β€” Specifications
Body304 Stainless Steel
Studs / NutsStainless / alloy steel
GasketNitrile (Buna-N) NSF 61 βœ“
372 OD Range4.50" to 17.46"
Pressure150 PSI
StandardAWWA C800
Specialty & Application-Specific

Specialty Service Saddles

The specialty series covers non-standard tapping conditions found in aging or complex distribution systems.

Repair + Tap
Style 331 β€” Repair Service Saddle
Double bale, epoxy-coated DI body. Establishes a new service outlet while sealing a nearby defect β€” pulled-out or broken direct taps, stripped threads, or cracked pipe. 4"–12"; 5/8" CC through 2" NPT.
Large Tap
Style 357 β€” Large Tap (3" & 4" NPT)
DI body with stainless straps, engineered for large-diameter service and fire-protection taps that standard 5/8"–2" saddles can’t carry. 6"–12" pipe. NPT only. Not for ductile iron pipe.
Concrete Pipe
Style 362 β€” Concrete Cylinder Pipe
DI body with epoxy-coated straps for concrete cylinder pipe (CCP), where standard DI saddles can’t seal against the concrete OD. Epoxy resists the alkaline surface. 12"–36" nominal.
Large Diameter
Style 366 β€” Large Diameter
DI body, epoxy-coated straps, for transmission mains 18"–42" where standard strap geometry is insufficient. Long-term corrosion protection in buried service. Taps to 2-1/2".
Wide Range
Style 377 β€” Wide Range, All Stainless
All 304 stainless with wide-range OD accommodation β€” one part number covers a broader span of pipe ODs, simplifying inventory for utilities with mixed-vintage pipe. 4"–12".
PVC Pipe
Style 397 β€” PVC Pipe
DI body with double-wide 304 stainless strap, engineered for steel- and DI-sized PVC where C-900 / C-905 ODs differ from DI. The double-wide strap distributes load evenly on the softer PVC wall. 2"–12".
Also Stocked β€” Style 281 Full Circle Repair Clamp

For pure pipe repair (no service tap), the Style 281 full-circle wide-range repair clamp seals splits, cracks, and pinholes on 3"–12" pipe in gasket widths from 7.5" to 30". 304 stainless, conforms to AWWA C223. It is a repair clamp, not a tapping saddle β€” ask us if you need repair coverage rather than a new tap.

Side-by-Side Reference

Complete Style Comparison

All thirteen service saddle styles at a glance. Use this for selection and submittal prep, then confirm actual pipe OD and tap thread before ordering.

Style Configuration Body Strap / Bale Nominal Size Tap Threads Best For
311 Single Bale Ductile Iron Electro-Galvanized 1"–12" 5/8" CC–2" NPT Standard taps, normal soils
315 Single Strap Ductile Iron 304 Stainless 1"–12" 5/8" CC–2" NPT Standard taps, corrosive soils
313 Double Bale Ductile Iron Epoxy / SS / Galv 1"–24"+ 5/8" CC–4" NPT Larger / rough pipe; choose bale by environment
317 Double Strap Ductile Iron Double 304 SS 4"–24" 5/8" CC–4" NPT Coastal / industrial; large mains
325 Single/Double Strap Bronze 304 Stainless 4"–12" 3/4"–2" CC/NPT Copper systems; all-bronze spec
371 Single Stud All 304 SS All 304 SS 4"–12" 1/2"–1" CC/NPT Corrosion-prone environments
372 Double Stud All 304 SS All 304 SS 4"–16" 1/2"–2" CC/NPT Offshore / desal / salt marsh
331 Double Bale (Repair) Epoxy DI Galv / Epoxy 4"–12" 5/8" CC–2" NPT New tap beside a pipe defect
357 Large Tap Ductile Iron 304 Stainless 6"–12" 3" & 4" NPT only Fire lines, large branches (not DI pipe)
362 Concrete Pipe Epoxy DI Epoxy-Coated 12"–36" 3/4"–2" CC/NPT Concrete cylinder pipe (CCP)
366 Large Diameter Ductile Iron Epoxy-Coated 18"–42" 3/4"–2.5" CC/NPT Large transmission mains
377 Wide Range All 304 SS All 304 SS 4"–12" 1/2"–2" CC/NPT Mixed-vintage pipe; fewer SKUs
397 Double-Wide Strap Ductile Iron Double-Wide 304 SS 2"–12" 3/4"–2" CC/NPT PVC (C-900 / C-905) pipe
Selection by Pipe Material

Which Saddle Goes on Which Pipe?

Pipe material is the first filter. Narrow from thirteen styles to two or three, then apply tap thread and size.

Ductile Iron Pipe
Standard tap: 311 (galv) or 315 (SS strap)
Larger / 8"+ main: 313 or 317
Large diameter 18"+: 366
Corrosive site: 372 all-stainless
Large 3"/4" tap: not on DI β€” see note
PVC Pipe (C-900 / C-905)
Primary: Style 397 (DI body, double-wide SS strap)
All-bronze / copper system: Style 325
Always measure actual OD β€” C-900 and C-905 differ at the same nominal size.
Order by PVC OD, not nominal
Steel / Cast Iron Pipe
Standard: 311 / 315
Heavier grip: 313 / 317
Large diameter: 366
Large 3"/4" NPT tap: 357 (steel/PVC, not DI)
Concrete & Special
Concrete cylinder pipe: Style 362
Copper service tubing: Style 325 bronze
Mixed/unknown OD inventory: Style 377 wide range
Repair only (no tap): Style 281 clamp
Approvals & Materials

Potable Water Certification & Why Material Matters

Service saddles touch the drinking-water stream, so material safety and corrosion behavior both matter. Here is what is certified and why each body metal exists.

βœ“ Certified for Potable Water

Smith-Blair service saddle gaskets are Nitrile (Buna-N) certified to NSF/ANSI 61, the standard governing materials in contact with drinking water. All saddle styles in this collection conform to AWWA C800 for service-line threads and fittings; the Style 281 repair clamp conforms to AWWA C223. For project submittals or NSF 61 documentation on a specific style, contact us and we will coordinate with Smith-Blair’s technical team.

Why Different Body Materials Exist

Body metal is a corrosion and compatibility decision, not just a price one. The wrong metal in the wrong environment fails early β€” galvanic corrosion, soil attack, or alkaline degradation.

Material β†’ When To Use
Ductile Iron (A536)Standard; strong rigid boss for tapping
EG carbon steel baleLowest cost; normal soil conditions
304 Stainless strap/baleAggressive soils, coastal, spec-driven βœ“
All-304 Stainless bodyFull corrosion immunity βœ“
Bronze bodyGalvanic match to copper/brass βœ“
Epoxy-coated DI/strapsBuried large-dia. & alkaline (concrete)
Gasket: Buna-NNSF/ANSI 61 potable water βœ“
Ordering Reference

How to Read a Smith-Blair Saddle Catalog Number

Every saddle part number encodes the style, the pipe OD, and the tap size + thread. Understanding the structure makes ordering and cross-checking fast.

Catalog Number Structure

372 - 00 1110 14 - 000

372 = style Β |Β  1110 = pipe OD Γ—100 (11.10") Β |Β  14 = tap code (2" NPT) Β |Β  000 = configuration suffix. So 372-00111014-000 = Style 372, 11.10" OD, 2" NPT tap, standard config.

Tap Code Reference (the 2 digits before the suffix)
Code Tap Size & Thread Code Tap Size & Thread Code Tap Size & Thread
04 1/2" CC 09 1" CC 14 2" NPT
05 5/8" CC 10 1-1/4" NPT 15 2" CC
06 3/4" NPT 11 1-1/4" CC 16 2-1/2" NPT
07 3/4" CC 12 1-1/2" NPT 17 3" NPT
08 1" NPT 13 1-1/2" CC 18 4" NPT

Note the NPT / CC pairing: odd vs even codes within each tap size denote thread type (e.g., 14 = 2" NPT, 15 = 2" CC). Configuration suffixes vary by style (e.g., double-strap and stainless-bale lines). Always verify the final catalog number against actual pipe OD β€” call 281.664.8000 with pipe OD, material, tap size, and thread for confirmation.

Technical FAQ

Common Questions

What is a service saddle used for?
It provides a sealed, reinforced outlet on a water main so a new service line can be tapped β€” under pressure, without shutting the system down. A corporation stop threads into the saddle outlet and a tapping machine drills through it into the pipe.
Do I order CC or NPT thread?
Match the inlet thread of the corporation stop or fitting you are connecting. CC (corporation cock) is the most common for standard service taps and pairs with Mueller, Ford, and A.Y. McDonald corp stops. NPT is for standard valves and threaded fittings. The wrong thread won’t seal or will damage the corp stop β€” and it can’t be fixed in the field.
How do I know which size to order?
Order by actual pipe OD, not nominal size. A 6" ductile iron pipe is 6.90" OD; 6" PVC C-900 is 6.63". Measure with a caliper or check the mill certificate, and tell us the pipe material so we match the correct OD range.
Single strap or double strap?
Single strap/bale (311, 315) handles standard service taps. Double strap/bale (313, 317) adds clamping force and sealing for larger mains, higher pressure, and irregular or deteriorated pipe surfaces β€” and is often spec-required on mains 8" and larger.
Why are there different body materials?
Corrosion and compatibility. Ductile iron is the strong, standard choice. 304 stainless straps or all-stainless bodies (315, 317, 371, 372, 377) resist aggressive soils and coastal/industrial exposure. Bronze (325) is galvanically compatible with copper tubing and brass corp stops. Epoxy-coated bodies/straps (313, 362, 366) protect against buried and alkaline (concrete) environments.
Are Smith-Blair saddles safe for potable water?
Yes. The Nitrile (Buna-N) gaskets are certified to NSF/ANSI 61 for drinking-water contact, and the saddles conform to AWWA C800. We can provide NSF 61 documentation and submittals on request.
Which saddle goes on PVC pipe?
Style 397 is the PVC-specific saddle β€” a ductile iron body with a double-wide stainless strap that distributes load evenly on the softer PVC wall, sized for C-900/C-905 OD. Style 325 bronze is also used on PVC in copper/bronze systems. Always confirm the actual PVC OD before ordering.
Can I tap a 3" or 4" service?
Yes β€” use Style 357, engineered for 3" and 4" NPT taps on 6"–12" steel or PVC pipe (not for ductile iron pipe). Standard 5/8"–2" saddles cannot carry a tap that large.

Need a Saddle Sized or Quoted?

Send us pipe material, actual pipe OD, nominal pipe size, tap size, and thread type (NPT or CC). We confirm the catalog number and stock-check in minutes.

sales@watermainsupply.com
281.664.8000Free Sizing & Technical Support
sales@watermainsupply.comSame-Day Quote Response
Authorized DistributorSmith-Blair Β· Full Saddle Catalog