Insert the gasket carefully between the flanges.

The gasket has to be centralized in the flange.

Ensure that the gasket is installed in a dry state.

It is important that the gasket is not pinched or otherwise damaged when bringing the flanges together.

Lubrication of bolts                                   

Apply lubricant to the bolt and the nut threads as well as to the face of the nut to reduce friction  when tightening

Pay attention that the lubricant does not contaminate the gasket or the flange surfaces.

The recommended  service temperature of the lubricant has to be within the process service temperature limits.

Bolt tightening 

Make at least 4 stages to the required torque as follows:

finger tighten bolts

use 30% of the required torque

use 60% of the required torque use the full torque

Close the torquing  with one final pass in a clockwise sequence.

Retightening

If retightening is considered necesary, this should only be done at ambient temperatures before or during the first start-up.

Never retighten compressed fibre gaskets at higher operating tempera- tures and longer operating times.

Re-use of gaskets

For safety reasons never re-use a gasket.

The cost of a gasket is minimal compared with the costs which will come into being of a down time of the plant.

>>The End