03,Nov 2024
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ASME B16.5 is a standard that specifies the dimensions, materials, pressure-temperature ratings, and other crucial requirements for the design and manufacturing of pipe flanges and flange fittings.
That said, ASME B16.5 sets down uniform guidelines for designing and manufacturing these components. This ensures consistency across industries and makes it easier for engineers and manufacturers to work together. This will also help you maintain safety and performance by preventing costly issues like component mismatches and system failures.
Read this article further to explore the scope of ASME B16.5 and how you can use it to help you meet compliance requirements.
ASME B16.5 covers recommendations regarding pressure-temperature ratings, materials, dimensions, tolerances, marking, testing, and methods of designating openings for pipe flanges and flanged fittings [1].
To work effectively with pipe flanges and flanged fittings, you should first understand what ASME B16.5 covers and where its limits lie.
Considering this standard’s full title, Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings: NPS 1/2 through NPS 24, Metric/Inch Standard, the first limitation is the nominal pipe size (NPS) range it covers. The specifications are as follows:
For Flanges:
For Flanged Fittings:
Additionally, the standard is specific about materials:
ASME B16.5 specifies pressure-temperature ratings for the applicable material the flange or flange fitting is composed of. Maximum allowable working gage pressures are in bar and psi units, while temperatures are expressed in both degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit.
Engineers and designers can reference these ratings to identify the suitable class designation of the flange or flange fitting based on the expected operating conditions (i.e. pressure and temperature) of the piping system.
Class designations are unitless and include the following ranges: 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500, and 2500.
ASME B16.5 sets out standardized dimensions for flanges and flange fittings based on two factors: the class designation and nominal pipe size (if you recall NPS earlier).
This means that, for example, all Class 300 flanges with an NPS of 4 – regardless of the material – will share the same bolt hole spacing, outside diameter, thickness, and other crucial dimensions.
Of course, there will be variations in the dimensions depending on the type of flange or flange fitting considered:
ASME B16.5 sets down the restrictions about the material used in the manufacturing of flange and flange fittings. It classifies accepted materials into groups with their corresponding nominal designations and applicable ASTM specifications.
These materials include (but are not limited to):
Engineers and designers will need to refer to these material specifications to determine the appropriate class designation of the flange or flange fitting they require.
ASME B15.6 requires manufacturers to place identification markings on flanges and flange fittings. These include:
This information helps engineers and quality officers easily identify the specifications of flanges during selection, installation, and maintenance, preventing the use of incorrect or incompatible components.
ASME B16.5 includes specific tolerances, which are the acceptable limits of variation in a flange or fitting’s dimensions, as well as its facings, thickness, bore diameters, and so on.
In any production process, minor size variations can happen due to machine limitations, material flexibility, or even small temperature changes.
By establishing set tolerances, ASME B16.5 gives manufacturers clear guidelines to ensure deviations fall within an acceptable range, allowing the flange or fitting to work as intended.
ASME B16.5 includes requirements for pressure testing for flange fittings.
Pressure testing is a way to confirm that flange fittings can handle the pressure levels they’re rated for without leaking or failing. This standard specifies the test conditions, test fluid, duration and criteria for acceptance.
This standard also includes requirements and recommendations for flange bolting, gaskets, and joints, as these parts are essential for reliable performance and correct assembly of flanges in piping systems.
The most common use of ASME B16.5 is to help select the “right” steel pipe flange — right in terms of performance, size, and preferred flange type. Here are steps for how to go about using this standard:
Go to the pressure-temperature ratings table that corresponds to your selected material group. Working your way from left to right, find the pressure rating that matches your operating temperature requirement. (This pressure rating must equal or exceed your operating pressure).
The intersection of these values will give you your class designation.
For this, you’ll need to know the nominal pipe size (NPS) and flange type (e.g., threaded, lap joint). ASME B16.5 provides dedicated tables with dimensions for each rating class designation.
You should use ASME B16.5 when selecting or designing steel pipe flanges and flange fittings specifically, since this standard sets the minimum performance criteria and standard dimensions of these components.
Piping codes, on the other hand, should be used when you need to know the rules and criteria for the broader piping system, including allowable materials, tests and inspections, and so on [2].
They don’t dictate the specific details for individual components like flanges or valves. Instead, they refer to standards like ASME B16.5 for this purpose.
As of writing, the latest version is the ASME B16.5 – 2020 (published 2021).
To check for the latest version, you can refer to the official ASME website or other industry publications that track these standard updates.
Yes, ASME B16.5 and ANSI B16.5 refer to the same standard that outlines specifications for pipe flanges and flanged fittings.
However, keep in mind that ASME and ANSI are two distinct organizations with different focuses. ASME specializes in standards for boilers and pressure vessels, while ANSI covers standards for products and services across a wide range of sectors [3].
ASME B16.5 covers pipe flanges and flange fittings made of steel and alloys while ASMBE B16.1 focuses on gray iron pipe flanges and flanged fittings [4].
ASME B16.5 applies to pipes with sizes from NPS 1/2 up to NPS 24, while ASME B16.47 is designed for pipes NPS 26 to NPS 60 [5]. That said, ASME B16.47 covers pipes with significantly larger diameters than ASME B16.5.
To know if your flange or flange fitting is ASMBE B16.5 compliant, simply check the product for certification marks. You may also consult manufacturers regarding their compliance with the standard and request material test reports.
Long’an Flange is dedicated to producing high-quality, ASME/ANSI-compliant flanges and a variety of other standard pipe flanges. We also:
[1] B16.5 – Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings: NPS 1/2 through NPS 24, Metric/Inch Standard
[2] Piping – Codes & Standards
[3] ANSI vs. ASME: What’s the Difference?
[4] B16.1 – Gray Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings: Classes 25, 125, and 250
[5] B16.47 – Large Diameter Steel Flanges: NPS 26 through NPS 60, Metric/Inch Standard
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