| Center the gasket on the flange. This is extremely vital where raised faces are involved. Note: Standard ANSI ring gaskets, when properly cut, should center themselves when the bolts are in place. Use a torque wrench and well-lubricated fasteners with hardened flat washers to ensure correct initial loading. Tighten bolts to compress gasket uniformly. This means going from side to side around the joint in a star-like crossing pattern. See Figure 3 below. All bolts should be tightened in one-third increments, according to proper bolting patterns. Retorque 12 to 24 hours after start-up, whenever possible. All applicable safety standards including lockout/tagout procedure should be observed. Never use liquid or metallic based anti-stick or lubricating compounds on the gaskets. Premature failure could occur as a result. |