Being relatively thin, the bellows element should be protected on the outside from damage during plant construction and later maintenance activities. Falling tools, standing on the bellows, contact with pipes, hangers and equipment, and weld and burning spatter can render a bellows unsafe or unusable. PT&P offers, as an optional accessory, standard carbon steel removable covers attached to the upstream end connection, and sized to permit free flexing of the expansion joint.

In certain applications where fluids can collect on the bellows exterior, such as in steam extraction piping in turbine exhaust systems or special thick wall, welded type covers should be specified.