1.1 This specification covers flexible watertight joints for circular concrete sewer and culvert pipe and precast manhole sections, using rubber gaskets for sealing the joints, where infiltration or exfiltration is a factor in the design. The specification covers the design of joints and the requirements for rubber gaskets to be used therewith, for pipe conforming in all other respects to Specification C 14 or Specification C 76, and precast manhole section conforming in all other respects to Specification C 478, provided that if there is conflict in permissible variations in dimensions the requirements of this specification for joints shall govern.

1.2 A complete metric companion to Specification C 443 has been developed-C 443M; therefore, no metric equivalents are presented in this specification.

Note 1 - This specification covers the design, material, and performance of the rubber gasket joint only. Joints covered by this specification are normally adequate for hydrostatic pressures up to 13 psi (30 ft) without leakage, when tested in accordance with Section 10. Infiltration or exfiltration quantities for an installed pipeline are dependent upon many factors other than the joints, and allowable quantities must be covered by other specifications and suitable testing of the installed pipeline and system.