B OLT TENSIONING

C RITICAL B OLTING

R ING 01642 610845 FOR M ORE I NFORMATION

Meeting the needs and expectations of service users is of the highest priority to
our staff. Therefore if you have any concerns or wish to make a comment about
the service please contact: Barbara Seddon email b.seddon@neta.co.uk

25/10/2010 This information was correct at the time of publication

3 day course I NTRODUCTION
• Introduction
It's easy to apportion blame when a joint won't seal or when a flanged bolted
• Health and Safety legislation connection leaks.
• Identification of flanges Usually, the blame is placed on the gasket and in an attempt to seal the
connection extra torque/load is often applied without considering the
• Identifying the correct bolts. consequences to the components involved,.
• How bolts work and the importance of the correct tensioning via different methods. However although the gasket plays an important part in the seal, other factors
very often are the cause of the failure.
• Identifying the correct gasket
In fact damaged components, misaligned equipment and improper joint
• How the gasket functions assembly as a whole, cause more seal failures than gaskets.
• Correct tool selection and its safe operation Fundamental to joint integrity is the competence of the personnel involved in the
process of inspection/assembly and tightening of flanged bolted connections.
• The importance of correct bolt loading
Compare the skill requirements of a welder and that of a technician who has
• The principles and techniques used for direct bolt length measurement assembled and tightened a flanged connector. Legislation now recognises the
• The principles of preparing bolted joint connections for assembly skill levels have to be compatible, and there has to be a clear audit trail of
competence within the Quality Management System.
• The need for seal face cleanliness and for nuts to be free-running
• The effect of joint alignment and gap uniformity on residual bolt loading
C AUSE AND E FFECT
Day 4 (Optional) Born of the concept that all pipe joints in petrochemical and other high value,
high investment installations should be deemed critical. Failure of even the most
• Legislation relative to the safe use of high pressure hydraulic equipment mundane joint can lead to loss of containment of product or other mediums.
• The principles and requirements for the safe selection, calibration, installation and Loss of containment is the greatest documented cause of petrochemical
use of bolt hydraulic torqing equipment accidents.
Services, water, steam, etc can have profound effects on the outcome of any
• Check the compatibility of the selected torque tools and equipment capacity prior to incident and therefore should also be deemed critical.
use
Loss of production, increased maintenance costs, penalties for excess fugitive
• Correct operation and maintenance of hydraulic equipment emissions, or even more disastrous consequences can arise from lack of
integrity in pipe joint assembly.
Day 5 (Optional)
• Legislation relative to the safe use of high pressure hydraulic equipment R ESPONSIBILITY
• The principles and requirements for the safe selection, calibration, installation and
The flanged joint appears deceptively simple but in fact the science of flanges
use of hydraulic tensioning equipment and joint sealing is complex and continuously developing.
• The correct sequence and number of tightening passes required for torque and Sound joints are critical to piping integrity and plant safety. A pipe joint thus
tensioned bolts relies on the skill and application of the fitter who puts it together.
Correct selection of materials, application of procedures, correct uses of tools
• The principles of carrying out bolt de-tensioning and joint breakout safely and
combined with the fitter’s skill are all required to ensure a joint of maximum
correctly integrity.
• Correct operation and maintenance of hydraulic equipment The purpose of “Critical Bolting” is intended to increase the understanding of
pipe joints.
From pipe specifications and how to use them, to studbolts and how to identify them. Course Objectives
Correct gasket selection and the correct bolting procedures. With increased
knowledge and awareness, mistakes can be prevented. On successful completion of the 3 days course, delegates will: -
• Be aware of the relevant health & safety legislation

• Understand the correct methods of pipe joint assembly, gaskets, bolts and
T HE S OLUTION
flanges
Bolt tensioning - “Critical Bolting” is the ideal training solution for anyone needing to • Be able to identify and select the correct flanges, joints and bolts for the
assemble (or have knowledge of) pipe joints to ensure maximum integrity and safety.
task in hand
This includes mechanical fitters, pipefitters, process operators and their supervisory
staff. • Know the correct sequence and procedure of bolting up joints
Modular in form “Critical Bolting” covers every aspect of pipe joint assembly, • Use and set the tools correctly for the task in hand.
gaskets, bolts, and flanges. All methods of assembly, bolt tensioning and gasket
selection, are reinforced by practical exercises and written assessment .

On successful completion of the 4 days course, delegates will, in addition to

Aim all of the above: -
The aim of this course is to focus delegates on Joint integrity and the adoption of
best practice, in ensuring a leak-free ‘right first time’ joint. • Understand the safe and correct use of hydraulic torque wrenches.

• Be able to assemble a pipe joint using hydraulic tensioning equipment

Pre-Requisites
Candidates best suited to assembling and tightening bolted connections are
mechanically minded, such as mechanical fitters and pipe fitters. These tend to have
a basic working knowledge of the principles and practice of piping/flanged systems,
which provide a foundation for the course.

Course Duration
Duration of this training can be delivered in either 3, 4 or 5 days depending on the
customer’s requirements. (see course syllabus overleaf) Please not candidates must
have the relevant experience or have completed the 3 day course before
undertaking days 4 or 5

Optimum Number On successful completion of the 5 days course, delegates will, in addition to
all of the above: -
Optimum number for these courses would be: -
• Be able to safely and correctly use hydraulic bolt tensioning equipment
3 days - minimum of 4
• Be able to assemble a pipe joint
4 days and or 5 days– minimum of 4

(Please note maximum numbers may be restricted due to the high pressure
equipment used)
From pipe specifications and how to use them, to studbolts and how to identify them. Course Objectives
Correct gasket selection and the correct bolting procedures. With increased
knowledge and awareness, mistakes can be prevented. On successful completion of the 3 days course, delegates will: -
• Be aware of the relevant health & safety legislation

• Understand the correct methods of pipe joint assembly, gaskets, bolts and
T HE S OLUTION
flanges
Bolt tensioning - “Critical Bolting” is the ideal training solution for anyone needing to • Be able to identify and select the correct flanges, joints and bolts for the
assemble (or have knowledge of) pipe joints to ensure maximum integrity and safety.
task in hand
This includes mechanical fitters, pipefitters, process operators and their supervisory
staff. • Know the correct sequence and procedure of bolting up joints
Modular in form “Critical Bolting” covers every aspect of pipe joint assembly, • Use and set the tools correctly for the task in hand.
gaskets, bolts, and flanges. All methods of assembly, bolt tensioning and gasket
selection, are reinforced by practical exercises and written assessment .

On successful completion of the 4 days course, delegates will, in addition to

Aim all of the above: -
The aim of this course is to focus delegates on Joint integrity and the adoption of
best practice, in ensuring a leak-free ‘right first time’ joint. • Understand the safe and correct use of hydraulic torque wrenches.

• Be able to assemble a pipe joint using hydraulic tensioning equipment

Pre-Requisites
Candidates best suited to assembling and tightening bolted connections are
mechanically minded, such as mechanical fitters and pipe fitters. These tend to have
a basic working knowledge of the principles and practice of piping/flanged systems,
which provide a foundation for the course.

Course Duration
Duration of this training can be delivered in either 3, 4 or 5 days depending on the
customer’s requirements. (see course syllabus overleaf) Please not candidates must
have the relevant experience or have completed the 3 day course before
undertaking days 4 or 5

Optimum Number On successful completion of the 5 days course, delegates will, in addition to
all of the above: -
Optimum number for these courses would be: -
• Be able to safely and correctly use hydraulic bolt tensioning equipment
3 days - minimum of 4
• Be able to assemble a pipe joint
4 days and or 5 days– minimum of 4

(Please note maximum numbers may be restricted due to the high pressure
equipment used)
3 day course I NTRODUCTION
• Introduction
It's easy to apportion blame when a joint won't seal or when a flanged bolted
• Health and Safety legislation connection leaks.
• Identification of flanges Usually, the blame is placed on the gasket and in an attempt to seal the
connection extra torque/load is often applied without considering the
• Identifying the correct bolts. consequences to the components involved,.
• How bolts work and the importance of the correct tensioning via different methods. However although the gasket plays an important part in the seal, other factors
very often are the cause of the failure.
• Identifying the correct gasket
In fact damaged components, misaligned equipment and improper joint
• How the gasket functions assembly as a whole, cause more seal failures than gaskets.
• Correct tool selection and its safe operation Fundamental to joint integrity is the competence of the personnel involved in the
process of inspection/assembly and tightening of flanged bolted connections.
• The importance of correct bolt loading
Compare the skill requirements of a welder and that of a technician who has
• The principles and techniques used for direct bolt length measurement assembled and tightened a flanged connector. Legislation now recognises the
• The principles of preparing bolted joint connections for assembly skill levels have to be compatible, and there has to be a clear audit trail of
competence within the Quality Management System.
• The need for seal face cleanliness and for nuts to be free-running
• The effect of joint alignment and gap uniformity on residual bolt loading
C AUSE AND E FFECT
Day 4 (Optional) Born of the concept that all pipe joints in petrochemical and other high value,
high investment installations should be deemed critical. Failure of even the most
• Legislation relative to the safe use of high pressure hydraulic equipment mundane joint can lead to loss of containment of product or other mediums.
• The principles and requirements for the safe selection, calibration, installation and Loss of containment is the greatest documented cause of petrochemical
use of bolt hydraulic torqing equipment accidents.
Services, water, steam, etc can have profound effects on the outcome of any
• Check the compatibility of the selected torque tools and equipment capacity prior to incident and therefore should also be deemed critical.
use
Loss of production, increased maintenance costs, penalties for excess fugitive
• Correct operation and maintenance of hydraulic equipment emissions, or even more disastrous consequences can arise from lack of
integrity in pipe joint assembly.
Day 5 (Optional)
• Legislation relative to the safe use of high pressure hydraulic equipment R ESPONSIBILITY
• The principles and requirements for the safe selection, calibration, installation and
The flanged joint appears deceptively simple but in fact the science of flanges
use of hydraulic tensioning equipment and joint sealing is complex and continuously developing.
• The correct sequence and number of tightening passes required for torque and Sound joints are critical to piping integrity and plant safety. A pipe joint thus
tensioned bolts relies on the skill and application of the fitter who puts it together.
Correct selection of materials, application of procedures, correct uses of tools
• The principles of carrying out bolt de-tensioning and joint breakout safely and
combined with the fitter’s skill are all required to ensure a joint of maximum
correctly integrity.
• Correct operation and maintenance of hydraulic equipment The purpose of “Critical Bolting” is intended to increase the understanding of
pipe joints.
 B OLT TENSIONING

C RITICAL B OLTING

R ING 01642 610845 FOR M ORE I NFORMATION

Meeting the needs and expectations of service users is of the highest priority to
our staff. Therefore if you have any concerns or wish to make a comment about
the service please contact: Barbara Seddon email b.seddon@neta.co.uk

25/10/2010 This information was correct at the time of publication