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ME990-IH-Section 2a - LongBoltFlangeDesignProblems

Pipe flanges: long-bolt flange design problems.

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Luis M. Luis
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58 views15 pages

ME990-IH-Section 2a - LongBoltFlangeDesignProblems

Pipe flanges: long-bolt flange design problems.

Uploaded by

Luis M. Luis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Flange

Management

The Problems
with
Long Bolt
Flanges in
process pipe
connections
when exposed
to a fire!!

Section 1 Haward Technology Middle East 1


Flange
Management

Section 1 Haward Technology Middle East 2


Flange
Management

Section 1 Haward Technology Middle East 3


Flange
Management
 Long Bolt Flangeless Valves
Also called long bolt valves, sandwich, or wafer valves. Devices such as
control valves, butterfly valves, check valves, etc. with no integral flanges for
bolting to the pipe or vessel flanges, and thus having
exposed bolts of >3-inches. The long bolts will likely
receive direct flame contact
(Impingement) if there is a fire
in the area. The direct flame
contact causes the bolts to
expand rapidly and lengthen,
allowing both gaskets to leak
product in <<20 minutes. The
leaking material then adds fuel
to the fire and if under pressure
it causes a
large spraying fire that
results in much more
damage.

Section 1 Haward Technology Middle East 4


Flange
Management

Section 1 Haward Technology Middle East 5


Flange
Management

Section 1 Haward Technology Middle East 6


Flange
Management

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Flange
Management
A Long Bolt Flangeless Valve =

A special fire impingement hazard


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Flange
Management
 Standard Bolted Flanges

Direct Flame Exposure (Impingement)


Impingement also causes the bolts to
expand BUT it occurs significantly slower, and the leak of the material in the piping

Section 1
to feed the fire is through only one gasket!
Haward Technology Middle East 9
Flange
Management
Bolted Flange Fires Note the larger fire at the
Long Bolt flange joint

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Flange
Management
Action = Identify Long Bolt Flanges
Assess Fire hazard from the contained material and location hazards.
Where possible they should be replace with normal flange valves;
BUT
The risk from fast failing Long Bolt Flangeless Valves can be reduced by
wrapping the long bolts with a fire resistant material and/or enclosing the
entire assembly with a 31gage (0.010") stainless steel covering.

Section 1 Haward Technology Middle East 11


Flange
Management

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Flange
Management

Summary

Welded Pipe Joints obviously are the best in a fire condition,


but Standard Bolted Flange Joints provide the best
resistance to Fire Exposure when a removable joint is needed.

Long Bolt Flange Joints on piping in Combustible,


Flammable or LPG service should not be installed in new
installations and existing joints should be kept properly
covered at ALL times
and removed/replaced when possible.

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Flange
Management

REFERENCES

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Flange
Management

End of Presentation

Section 1 Haward Technology Middle East 15

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