ASME B16.

Leak
At temperatures above 200°C (400°F) for Class 150 and above 400°C (750°F) for other class designations, flanged joints may
develop leakage problems unless care is taken to avoid imposing severe external loads, severe thermal gradients, or both.

Hydrostatic Testing
Flanged joints and flanged fittings may be subjected to system hydrostatic tests at a pressure of 1.5 times the 38°C (100°F) rating
rounded off to the next higher 1 bar (25 psi) increment. Testing at any higher pressure is the responsibility of the user, taking into
account the requirements of the applicable code or regulation.

a. The pressure class ratings covered by ASME B16.5 are: 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500, 2500

b. The standard finish for raised face flanges per ASME B16.5 is: 125  to 250  / inch

c. Socket weld and threaded flanges are not recommended for service beyond the following temperatures if thermal
cycles are involved: –50 – 5000F

d. “Low strength bolting” is:  30 KSI yield strength

e. Ring joint sidewall surfaces (gasket groove) must not exceed roughness. - 63 / in

f. The three basic parts to a flanged joint are: Flanges, bolts, gaskets

g. The maximum temperature for hydro testing a fitting is: 1250F

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4.2 Identification Markings

4.2.1 Name. The manufacturer’s name or trademark shall be applied.

5.4 GasketsRing joint gasket materials shall conform to ASME B16.20. Materials for other gaskets are described in Annex C. The
user is responsible for selection of gasket materials which will withstand the expected bolt loading without injurious crushing,
and which are suitable for the service conditions. Particular attention should be given to gasket selection if a system hydrostatic
test approaches or exceeds the test pressure specified in para. 2.6.

8 PRESSURE TESTING

8.1 Flange Test

Flanges are not required to be pressure tested.

8.2 Flanged Fitting Test

8.2.1 Shell Pressure Test. Each flanged fitting shall be given a shell pressure test.

8.2.2 Test Conditions. The shell pressure test for flanged fittings shall be at a pressure no less than 1.5 times the 38°C (100°F)
pressure rating rounded off to the next higher 1 bar (25 psi) increment.

8.2.3 Test Fluid. The pressure test shall be made using water, which may contain a corrosion inhibitor or kerosene as the test
fluid. Other suitable test fluids may be used provided their viscosity is no greater than that of water. The test fluid temperature
shall not exceed 50°C (125°F).

8.2.4 Test Duration. The test duration shall be as follows.

8.2.5 Acceptance. No visible leakage is permitted through the pressure boundary wall.
Flanged fitting wall thickness

Rated working pressure

Fitting Local Areas. Local areas having less than minimum wall thickness are acceptable provided that all of the following
conditions are satisfied:
(a) The area of sub-minimum thickness can be enclosed by a circle whose diameter is no greater than 0.35 √dtm, where d is the
tabulated fitting inside diameter and tm is the minimum wall thickness as shown in the tables listed in para. 6.1.1.
(b) Measured thickness is not less than 0.75 tm.
(c) Enclosure circles are separated from each other by an edge-to-edge distance of more than 1.75 √dtm.