ASME PCC-1 – 2013

Guidelines for Pressure Boundary Bolted Flange Joint Assembly

An American National Standard
The PCC-1 guidelines address the assembly of bolted joints for pressure vessels and piping. They discuss
advances in gasket technology, bolting assembly procedures, and calculation methods that have
improved the integrity and efficiency of bolted-joint assembly. Here is a summary of its parts:

1. Scope These guidelines apply mainly to pressure-boundary flanged joints using

ring-type gaskets that are entirely within the circle enclosed by the bolt
holes and with no contact outside the circle. However, the guidelines
may be selectively applied to other joint styles, and they may be used on
equipment constructed in accordance with other codes and standards.

2. Introduction PCC-1 Paragraph 2 relates to the assembly of bolted flange joint

assemblies. While the goal is leak-free service, complex joints often work
within narrow limits for success.

3. Training, Qualification, Training is the key to maintaining safety, quality and schedule. Workers
and Certification of Bolted must be able to comprehend goals and methods, measure achievement
Joint Assembly Personnel versus standards, identify and solve problems, and work safely. They are
the last link in the quality chain.

4. Cleaning and Examination
of Flange and Fastener
Contact Surfaces
Before assembly, inspect critical surfaces for measurements, fit and
defects. Use Appendix C to identify recommended surface finish for
gasket type, and Appendix D for gasket contact surface and defect
depth.
Remove any paint, dirt, or previous gasket material. However, residual
flexible graphite may remain in the surface finish grooves when using a
flexible graphite-clad or spiral-wound gasket with flexible graphite filler.
Avoid using steel brushes on stainless steel flanges when cleaning the
surface.
Always check procedures for reuse or refurbishing, and be aware that
rework can alter tolerances.

5. Alignment of Flanged If a joints starts out bad, it will end up bad. Align all joint members
Joints before bolting. Do not use bolts to correct misaligned flanges. Appendix
E provides guidelines for aligning flanges.

6. Installation of Gasket
Use new (or refurbished to new) gaskets only. Visual or physical
inspection of used gaskets cannot detect all defects.
Verify that the gaskets comply with specifications. Use care in
installation to avoid movement of the gasket, while protecting it from
adhesives or lubricants that might cause damage to it.

ASME PCC-1 Guidelines for Pressure Boundary Bolted Flange Joint Assembly 1
 7. Lubrication of “Working”
Surfaces
8. Installation of Bolts
9. Numbering of Bolts
10. Tightening of Bolts
11. Tightening Sequence
12. Target Torque
Determination
ASME PCC-1 Guidelines for Pressure Boundary Bolted Flange Joint Assembly
Use lubrication to reduce the coefficient of friction and lessen the
required torque to achieve a given tension, improve consistency of bolt
load, and assist with future disassembly.
Reference torque values for new, coated bolts and nuts do not consider
additional coating. If applying a lubricant to new or reused coated bolts,
the Nut Factor will change, and torque should be readjusted accordingly.
Be sure that coating and lubricants used have chemical and galvanic
compatibility. Teflon coated bolts are an exception. Lubrication should
‘not’ be added to these bolts, and they should not be reused because
the coefficient of friction can change dramatically on this type of bolt.
See Appendices J and K for torque calculations.
Follow fastener specifications and thread engagement minimums. Bolt
length should allow for washers, nut height and required threat
protrusion. Nuts must engage the bolt threads for the full depth of the
nut.
Make adjustments for ease of installation and access, and be aware of
the effect of grip length on joint performance.
Use a sequential and incremental tightening pattern as described in this
section.
The Legacy method involves numbering each bolt in the flange, and then
tightening the bolts according to a specified pattern, in groups as
outlined in Table 4. Use Table 4.1 as an alternative to the Legacy Pattern
when using a single tool. Appendix F provides other alternatives to the
Legacy tightening sequence and pattern.
This section discusses the tightening of bolts. Table 2 shows the torque
increments for tightening using a single tool; Table 3 contains load
control techniques based on service applications; and Appendix O
outlines a method to determine assembly bolt stress for a given flange
joint.
Tightening patterns follow the procedures for single-tool as shown in
Table 4, or use alternates located in Appendix F Alternatives to Legacy
Tightening Sequence/Pattern. Figures 3 and 4 show example tightening
sequences.
Individually determine the Target Bolt Pre-Stress for each joint. The
target torque should take into account the strength of the three primary
components of a bolted flange joint: the gasket, the bolts and the
flange. Excessive torque can damage any or all of these. Tighter is not
always better.
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 13. Joint Pressure and Test bolted joint assemblies to ensure leak tightness. Avoid the use of
Tightness Testing “temporary” gaskets for pressure or tightness testing. Refer to ASME
PCC-2, Repair of Pressure Equipment and Piping, Article 5.1 for general
good practices for pressure and tightness testing of pressure
equipment.

14. Records Keep records on the preparation of each joint assembly for quality
control as well as for descriptions of the parameters used and lessons
learned. This includes joint tags and a database for historical records and
planning references.

15. Joint Disassembly It is important to be sure that proper procedures are followed to be sure
that joints may be safely disassembled. Bolt removal should be gradual
and patterned. Check to be sure that excessive load is not being placed
on the remaining bolts.

16. References PCC-1 provides a list of publications from a variety of sources for
additional information, including:
• API Publications
• ASME Publications
• ASME Boiler Pressure Vessel Code, 2013 Edition
• ASTM Publications
• AWS Publication
• European Committee for Standardization Publication
• ISO Publications
• U.S. Department of Labor/Occupational Safety and Health
Administration Publication
• Japanese Standards Association Publication
• MSS Publication
• PIP Publication
• WRC Publications
 VDI Publication

Appendices PCC-1’s Appendices provide advisory information for the interpretation

and use of the Standard:
A - Training and Qualification of Bolted Joint Assembly Personnel –sets
uniform learning and competency objectives for assemblers, which
are portable and not company specific.
B - Description of Common Terms
C - Recommended Gasket Contact Surface Finish for Various Gasket
Types
D - Guidelines for Allowable Gasket Contact Surface Flatness and Defect
Depth

ASME PCC-1 Guidelines for Pressure Boundary Bolted Flange Joint Assembly 3
 E - Flange Joint Alignment Guidelines
F - Alternatives To Legacy Tightening Sequence/Pattern
G - Use of Contractors Specializing In Bolting Services
H - Bolt Root and Tensile Stress Areas
I - Interaction During Tightening
J - Calculation of Target Torque
K - Nut Factor Calculation of Target Torque
L - ASME B16.5 Flange Bolting Information
M - Washer Usage Guidance and Purchase Specifications for Through-
Hardened Washers
N - Definitions, Commentary, and Guidelines on The Reuse of Bolts
O - Assembly Bolt Stress Determination
P - Guidance on Troubleshooting Flanged Joint Leakage Incidents

Figures 1. Indicator-Type Bolting for Through-Bolted Joints

2. Indicator-Type Bolting for Studded Joints
3. Example Legacy and Alternative to Legacy Numbering Sequences for
12-Bolt Joint
4. 48-Bolt Flange Bolt-Grouping Example
5. Example Short Assembly Record
6. Example Medium-Length Assembly Record
7. Example Long Assembly Record

Tables 1M Reference Values for Calculating Target Torque Values for Low-Alloy
Steel Bolting Based on Target Pre-stress of 345 MPa (Root Area) (SI
Units)
1 Reference Values for Calculating Target Torque Values for Low-Alloy
Steel Bolting Based on Target Pre-stress of 50 ksi (Root Area) (U.S.
Customary Units)
2 Torque Increments for Legacy Cross-Pattern Tightening Using a
Single Tool
3 Recommended Tool, Tightening Method, and Load-Control
Technique Selection Based on Service Applications
4 Legacy Cross-Pattern Tightening Sequence and B

ASME PCC-1 Guidelines for Pressure Boundary Bolted Flange Joint Assembly 4