What are key clamp fittings and how do they work?

What do a busy warehouse floor, a bustling train platform, and a community park walkway have in common? In all of these locations, key clamp fittings are quietly operating behind-the-scenes, helping to keep people safe and ensure that structures remain solid. These clever connectors are the backbone of many modular systems, making it possible to create strong and adaptable frameworks, without the need for specialist welding or bespoke fabrication.

In this guide, we explore everything you need to know about key clamp fittings, so you can design the perfect safety system for your site.

The definition of key clamp fittings

Key clamp fittings, also known as tube clamp fittings, are robust, malleable components made from iron that are designed to connect lengths of tube or pipe together. Each fitting is carefully engineered for a specific joint or angle, such as a straight connection, a 90-degree corner, or a T-junction. The fittings are secured using high-strength grub screws and tightened with a simple hex Allen key.

This simple yet reliable system allows you to build a wide range of structures, from guardrails and handrails to display racks and safety barriers, without specialist training or equipment.

Common applications of key clamp fittings

Key clamp fittings are extremely versatile, meaning they can be used in almost any sector. Some of the most common uses include:

Safety railings to protect walkways, loading bays, and mezzanines.
Trackside railings to help prevent falls onto the railway.
Crowd control railings in stadiums and arenas to ensure spectator safety.
Public access handrails in parks, schools, car parks, hospitals, and public buildings.
Industrial barriers to separate machinery and hazardous areas.
Retail and display systems i.e. modular shelving and clothing rails.
Protective railings in marine environments and water treatment plants.

Benefits of key clamp fittings

Here’s why you should choose key clamp fittings for your upcoming project:

No welding or bespoke fabrication required

Tube clamp fittings are secured with grub screws and tightened with hex keys – there’s no need for any specialist tools or welding. This allows you to avoid the costs and safety risks associated with hot works, and you can easily adjust the fittings on-site as you please.

Fast assembly

The modular nature of key clamp fittings mean that you can install your new railings or barriers in a matter of hours rather than days. This helps to keep your project running on time and to budget, without any major disruption to your operations.

Versatile

You can disassemble and reuse your key clamp fittings in new locations as many times as you wish. This is particularly beneficial if you’re working on a temporary installation and need to change the layout frequently.

Strength

Despite their simplicity, key clamp fittings are incredibly strong. The grub screws are designed to grip tightly onto the steel fittings, creating secure joints that meet the requirements of BS EN 1562:2019 and BS EN 1563:2018.

Weather-resistant

The fittings themselves have a galvanised finish to protect them against rust and corrosion. This makes them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, and they can withstand even the harshest weather conditions.

How to choose the right tube clamp fittings

When selecting your tube clamp fittings, there are three main factors you need to consider:

Tube diameter – Your fittings are sized to match the outside diameter of the tube, so you need to measure your tubing accurately before placing your order.
Joint type – Determine whether you need straight, angled, corner, or swivel connections.
Load requirements – If your project needs to handle large loads, then we recommend choosing heavy-duty fittings where necessary.

Not sure which fittings to choose? Our expert team is always on-hand to help you find the right fittings for your project – and we can even assist with installation, if required.

Choose Ezi Klamp for all your key clamp fittings needs

At Ezi Klamp, we supply an extensive selection of over 60 key clamp fittings, available in a variety of sizes to suit different tube diameters. Our flexible key clamp fittings can be adapted to the layout of commercial sites in any industry, and they last up to seven times longer than the welded equivalent.

Explore our full range of key clamp fittings and get ready to start your next project with components you can trust.