Contents

• 1. Document scheme 7
• 2. Introduction 8
  • Background to environmental legislation
  • The modern sealing challenge
• 3. Flange / bolt / gasket system overview 10
• 4. Flange / gasket arrangements 12
  • Common systems
  • Flange surface finish
  • Fasteners
  • Nuts
  • Washers
  • Live-loading
  • Flange protection systems
• 5. Gasket selection 20
  • Material selection
  • Gasket types
  • Thickness selection
  • Cutting soft gaskets
  • Gasket and gasket material storage
  • Handling of gaskets and gasket materials
  • Reuse of gaskets / fasteners
• 6. Assembly procedures 27
  • Tools required
  • Cleaning
  • Visual inspection
  • Lubrication
  • Gasket installation and centralisation
  • Calculation of torque
  • Bolt / stud tightening pattern
  • Tagging
  • Re-tightening
• 7. Disassembly procedures 33
  • Release compounds
• 8. Key recommendations 34
• 9. Guidelines to minimise joint failure 36
• • Failure due to the fastener
  • Failure due to the gasket
  • Failure due to the flange
  • Minimising the chances of joint failure
• 10. Health and safety aspects of gasket materials 38
• 11. Summary schematic 39
• 12. Overview 40
• 13. References 40