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Chapter Three ASME B16.5

ASME B16.5-1996 – Pipe Flanges and

Flanged Fittings

. . . . . . . . . .

Do Not Duplicate
These course notes have been prepared by TWI, strictly for the use of attendees to this TWI API-
570 Examination Preparation Course. This manual is to be used as an aid to assist those persons wishing
to take the API-570 Piping Inspector Certification Examination. This manual is not all-inclusive and may
not be used in place of any recognized Code or Standard. This manual may not be reproduced by any
means without the express written consent of TWI.
 THE WELDING INSTITUTE

SECTION 1 – SCOPE

1.1 General

ASME / ANSI B 16.5 covers:

• pressure-temperature ratings,
• materials, dimensions,
• tolerances,
• marking,
• testing, and
• methods of designating openings for pipe flanges fitting NPS ½ through NPS
24.

NOTE: NPS – Nominal Pipe Size, below 6 inch = o.d. above 6 inch = i.d.

Definitions

No definitions are present in ASME / ANSI B 16.5 so the following is a non-

exhaustive list of common flange and fitting terminology.

Flange: A single disc or a protruding disc

extension on a body with holes
to accept bolts or with holes
drilled and tapped into its
surface with Tap End Studs
installed, with a sealing means,
used to join pressure containing
equipment.

Flange, ANSI: A flange specified in American

National Standards Institute
published standards.

Flange, API: A flange specified, now or in the

past, in American Petroleum
Institute published standards.

Flange, Any flange that will connect

Adapter: between two other flanges that
would otherwise not connect.
Usually a Double Studded
Adapter (DSA), or a Single
Studded Adapter (SSA).

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Flange, Blind: A flange with no centre opening,

designed to close off an outlet or
end connection.

Flange, End A flange integral with a body

Connection: (e.g. spacer spool, etc.) with an
opposite integral connection.

Flange, Flat Most common uses are for

Face: mating with non-steel flanges on
bodies of pumps etc.

Flange, A flange, usually made as a

Instrument: spacer with a ring groove on
both sides to go between two
other flanges, with special
tapped connections through its
side (O.D.), to facilitate the
injection or sampling of fluid or
the measurement of pressure.

Flange, A flange made as part of a Body

Integral: or attached to a body by
welding. The flange Material
conforms to specification
requirements for integral
flanges.

Flange, MSS: A flange specified in

Manufacturing Standardization
Society, Standard Practice SP-
44. Used by manufacturers of
Diverters in 30" 500 and 30"
1000 psi working pressure.

Flange, Open A flange connection with

Face: through bolt holes. An open face
flange will mate with another
open face flange or with a
Studded Face Flange.

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Flange, RTJ: A flange that utilizes a Ring

Gasket has the designation "Ring
Type Joint", abbreviated "RTJ"
in flange standards other than
API Spec. 6A. All API Spec. 6A
flanges have "Ring Type Joint"
sealing surfaces.
Flange, The raised face is used in 80% of
Raised Face: all flanges. The face height
varies depending on certain
ranges in pressure.

Flange Series: An out of date term, applied in

the past to API flanges now
described in terms of working
pressure.

Flange, Slip A flange fillet welded to the pipe

On:

Flange, A flange, made with a ring joint

Spacer: connection on both sides, to go
between two other flanges to
space them apart for some
special purpose.

Flange, A flange connection with the

Studded Face: bolt circles drilled and tapped
into its face so as to accept Tap
End Studs (e.g. the connections
on a Studded Cross). A studded
face flange will mate only with
an Open Face Flange.

Flange, Test: A flange with a tapped port in its

centre or side to allow
application of pressure or
attachment of a gauge.

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Flange, A flange with an internal or

Threaded: external thread opposite its Ring
Groove side to mate with
standard threaded pipe.

Flange, Weld A flange with a butt weld neck

Neck: for welding attachment to pipe
or tubing. Material may vary
from that required for Integral
Flanges in order to facilitate
field welding.

SECTION 2 – PRESSURE-TEMPERATURE RATINGS

This section is general information on flange temperature and pressure ratings based on the
type of flange, bolting and gasketing.

SECTION 3 – SIZE

3.1 Nominal Size

The size of flanges are covered by the nominal pipe size, NPS.

NOTE: The new form for this designation is NPS 6, which was commonly 6” pipe.

SECTION 4 – MARKING

4.1 General

Flanges shall be marked as required in MSS SP-25.

The following shall be marked on the flange:

• Manufacturer’s name or trademark

• Material
cast - ASTM specification
plate - ASTM specification
• Rating Class
• Designation (B16 if conforms to this standard)
• Temperature (none required)
• Size
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• The letter R if Ring Joint Flange

SECTION 5 – MATERIALS

5.1 General

The materials for flanges and flanged fittings have been grouped, see Tables 1 and 2.

NOTE: the groups are not numbered consecutively.

5.2 Bolting

This section covers general bolting, (Table 1B) high strength bolting, intermediate
strength bolting, low strength bolting, bolting to gray cast iron flanges and gaskets,
Table 1B.

SECTION 6 – DIMENSIONS

Dimensions for wall thickness, local areas, center-to-center and center-to-end flanges
and fittings. Faces and types, lapped joints, raised face, tongue and groove, ring joint,
blind flanges and flanges facing finishes are generally discussed in this section. Bolt
holes, spot facing, welding end preparation reducing flanges, threads and gaskets are
also highlighted.

SECTION 7 – TOLERANCES

Tolerances for center-to-center and center-to-end flanges and fittings. Faces and
types, lapped joints, raised face, tongue and groove, ring joint, hub dimensions and
bore of flanges are generally discussed in this section.

SECTION 8 – TEST

General test information about testing flanged fittings. Flanges are not required to be
hydrostatically tested.

The rest of this document is tables and diagrams used for references and
dimensions of flanges and flanged fittings.

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ASME B16.5 – PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. ASME B 16.5 does not cover :
a. Class 150 flanges
b. Class 300 flanged fittings
c. Butt welded pipe caps
d. All of the above

2. The maximum hydrostatic test pressure permitted for a flange in a system hydrostatic test is :
a. Not required
b. Conducted at 1.5 x class rating @ 100 0 F
c. Conducted at 25 psi above class rating
d. Required only for welded flanges

3. "High strength" bolting is described as equivalent to :

a. ASTM A 193 B5
b. ASTM A 193 B7
c. ASTM 320 GR 8
d. Any high carbon steel bolt

4. The pressure class ratings covered by ASME B16.5 are

a. 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500, 2500
b. 150, 300, 400, 450,600,900,1500
c. 125, 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500, 2500
d. 150, 300, 400, 600, 700, 900, 1000, 1500
5. The standard finish for raised face flanges per ASME B16.5 is :
a. 250μ to 500 μ / inch
b. 125 μ to 250 μ / inch
c. 260 mm to 500 mm / inch
d. 250 μ / mm to 500 μ / mm

6. Socket weld and threaded flanges are not recommended for service beyond the following temperatures
if thermal cycles are involved :
a. –20 – 6500F
b. –30 – 6000 F
c. –50 – 5000F
d. –50 – 5000F

7. "Low strength " bolting is "

a. ≤ 30 KSI yield strength
b. ≥ 30 KSI yield strength
c. ≥ 30 KSI tensile strength
d. ≥ 100 KSI yield strength

8. Ring joint sidewall surfaces ( gasket groove ) must not exceed ______________roughness.
a. 50 μ / in
b. 63μ / in
c. 100 μ/in
d. 63 mm / in

9. Which of the following items must be marked on all flanges or flanged fittings?
a. Temperature
b. Actual working pressure
c. ASTM material specification
d. Hydrotest pressure

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10. When used above ________ 0F, class 150 flanges may develop leakage unless special precautions are
taken regarding loads or thermal gradients.
a. 150
b. 300
c. 600
d. 400

11. The three basic parts to a flanged joint are :

a. Flanges, welds, gaskets
b. Flanges, bolts, nuts
c. Flanges, bolts, gaskets
d. Flanges, gaskets, threads

12. Class 600 flanged joints may develop leakage, unless special considerations for thermal gradients are
applied at temperatures above ________ 0F.
a. 600
b. 800
c. 950
d. 750

13. A Class 400 flanged fitting must be hydrotested at what pressure, if the 1000F rating is 800 psig?
a. 1020 psig
b. 1200 psig
c. 1225 psig
d. Not required per ASME B 16.5

14. The maximum temperature for hydrotesting a fitting is :

a. 12 0F
b. 1250C
c. Per Construction Code requirements
d. Per Owner / User system requirements

15. The minimum duration for hydrotesting on NPS 12 fitting shall be:
a. 2 min
b. 1 min
c. 3 min
d. No requirements to test fittings

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ASME B16.5 ANSWER KEY

1 C
2 B
3 B
4 A
5 B
6 C
7 A
8 B
9 C
10 D
11 C
12 D
13 B
14 A
15 C
16
17
18
19
20

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