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BLINDING & ISOLATION GUIDELINE

1.0 PURPOSE

This guideline specifies vessel and line blinding methods to be used within this facility by
employees and contractors.

2.0 SCOPE

This guideline applies to all Valero and contractor employees involved in blinding within
this facility.

3.0 DEFINITIONS

 Blinding - The absolute seal off of a pipe, duct, vessel, exchanger, tower or
other refinery equipment using a properly designed metal plate inserted between
two flanges or bolted onto the end of a flanged pipe and vessel.
 Blind List - A written record listing where blinds have been or must be inserted
to isolate specific pieces of equipment. This guide or list includes the location,
size and flange rating of each blind to be installed.
 Slip Blind Spacer ("Spidering") - A space created between a blind and the
equipment being blinded by insertion of appropriately designed spacers to allow
draining or venting during flushing, steam-out, etc.
 Blind Tags - weatherproof, red and yellow tags which are numbered in pairs that
are used to identify the location and size of blinds installed. (See Attachment IV)
 Blind Book - the master record book in which blinding is recorded. This book
contains the blind tag numbers, a description of the blind, its location, the blind
size, date installed, operator responsible for installation, date removed, and
operator responsible for removal. This book will remain in the Control
Room/Pumpers Office at all times and will be kept for a minimum of two years
after the last entry (See Attachment III)
 Permanently Installed Blinds - Blinds intended to remain installed and in
service indefinitely. These will appear on P&I Diagrams.

4.0 POLICIES

4.1 General Blinding Policies/Exceptions

 Process equipment to be cleaned, inspected, repaired or tested is typically

isolated from other refinery equipment by the use of blinds. Closing single block
valves is usually not sufficient, even with lockout.

 Vessels are normally blinded at the first flange. If blinding at the first flange
poses more hazard to the personnel involved than blinding at a second or
alternate flange, the first flange practice can be waived but only with operations
supervision approval. With this approval, the blind can then be installed in the
next accessible piping flange. This alternate blind location can only be used if
there is a bleeder on the vessel side or if blind spacers are installed to allow the
line to be gas tested prior to issuing entry or hot work permits.
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 The requirements of SHG #11 Lock, Tag and Try must be followed when
installing blinds and working on equipment that has been blinded.

 Blinding exceptions may be made where it is more hazardous to install blinds

than to perform work or where locked and chained double block valves and
bleeders are present which allow verification of isolation. Specific exceptions
must be approved by agreement of operations and maintenance supervision.

 For situations where flanges are not available or appropriate such as tubing or
threaded pipe, capping or plugging shall be used for isolation.

4.2 Labeling of Blinds

 Blinds to be used must be stenciled with size, flange rating and thickness.
Blinds manufactured in-house shall be stenciled before use.
 When purchasing new blinds they shall be stenciled with proper size, flange
rating and thickness prior to shipment.
 When a blind is removed from service confirm proper size, flange rating and
thickness and stencil if needed before reinstalling.

4.3 Installation of Blinds in Uncleared Lines/Vessels

Normally, blinds will be installed in lines that have been emptied, purged and/or
washed. However, the practice of installing blinds with hydrocarbons or other
refinery products in the lines can be allowed. Each installation in an uncleared
line or vessel will be reviewed by the operations and maintenance/contractor
supervision coordinating the work. A safe procedure to install these blinds,
including the personal protective equipment required, will be agreed on before
the work is allowed to start. Generally, this equipment will be maintained under a
slight positive pressure to prevent influx of air into the process system. If the
system must be maintained at a slight positive pressure (with nitrogen, steam,
etc.), this condition will be noted in the blank space following "Other" in Section
B, Checklist, of the safe work permit issued for the work.
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5.0 RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible
Responsibilities
Group/Individual
Operations Supervision  Implement and enforce proper blinding procedures.
 Be thoroughly familiar with their equipment and proper blinding
procedures.
 Approve deviations to blinding guideline.
 Assist Reliability Inspectors in scheduling the inspection of
“permanently” installed blinds.
 For shutdowns, turnarounds, and confined space entries of vessels:
 Prepare necessary blind lists with marked drawings or an
adequate description of location.
Operations Personnel  Be thoroughly familiar with equipment and proper blinding guidelines.
 Prepare equipment for installation of blinds, including using proper
lockout/tagout procedures for appropriate valves upstream and
downstream of the blind insertion location.
 Issue safe work permits, specifying proper PPE for blind insertion.
 Inform appropriate maintenance or contractor supervision of any
special hazards involved and the precautions to be taken,
especially to identify equipment/lines containing toxic gases or
means used to maintain equipment under slight positive pressure.
 Identify location where blinds need to be installed or removed based
on blind lists. Locations of blinds for running maintenance activities
will be jointly identified with maintenance/contractor personnel.
 Assure that blinds are spidered and gasketed, when needed, on the
correct side.
 Field verify against equipment blind lists or drawings that blinds and
gaskets of the proper size and flange rating are installed in the proper
location(s).
 Sign the blind list when blinds are installed and removed.
Maintenance/ Contractor  Ensure that this SHG and Maintenance Craft Blinding Procedures are
Supervision followed.
Maintenance/ Contractor  Obtain safe work permits from operating personnel prior to blinding
Personnel vessels or lines.
 Inspect blinds for size, flange rating, condition and material of
construction prior to installation.
 Install blinds according to prescribed craft procedures or standard
industry practice.
 Sign the blind list when blinds are installed and removed.
 Before opening any flanged joint for the installation of a blind refer
to SHG #57, Safe Line Breaking Guideline. Flanges should be left
open a minimum length of time consistent with the safe installation
of the blind.
 Follow refinery guidelines for installation of blinds in flare lines or
blowdown systems. See Section 6.3 of this guideline.
Reliability Inspectors  Develop and implement a written plan to periodically inspect
“permanently” installed blinds.
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6.0 REQUIREMENTS

6.1 Blinding Guidelines By Type of Service

Equipment Type Blinding Requirements
Reactors, Towers & General
Drums  All vessel drain piping which is connected or sufficiently near in-service
process sewer systems will be either blinded or physically disconnected before
entry permits are issued.
 For gauge glasses, displacers, sight glasses, bridles and other chemical or oil
bearing traps, blinding will be required if evidence of thorough steam-out and
water wash is not present. Caps should be removed, low point bleed valves
should be wide open and free flowing, and steam-out/purge connections
should be disconnected or blinded before entry or hot work permits are issued.
Entry and Hot Work
 When towers and drums are opened for entry or out-of-service hot work, blind
all lines except sight glasses, pressure gauge, liquid level columns, trycocks or
connecting lines that have been removed or disconnected prior to entry.
Relief valves venting to a closed system need to be blinded. Relief valves
venting to atmosphere need not be blinded.
Furnaces/ Boilers  For ID tube cleaning, repairs in firebox, including hot work or any activity that
will risk the integrity of the tubes, the charge lines, transfer line or lines,
blowdown lines, fire box steam, fuel gas, burner steam out lines, flare lines
and pilot gas lines shall be blinded.
 For routine jobs in firebox, i.e. fire brick or refractory repair, ultrasonic testing
the tubes, etc. fuel gas, pilot gas and the firebox steam shall be blinded.
 Whenever the burner and pilot fires are out in a furnace or boiler, for an
extended period of time, the fuel gas lines to the burners must be blinded.
Fuel gas line blinds will be removed only when the furnace is ready to be fired.
 When working in a furnace fire box which has a common stack with another
furnace in service, some means to blind or isolate the flue gas duct must be
provided.
Exchangers  When the tube or shell side of an exchanger is to be opened to the
atmosphere during operation of the unit, the lines to the tube or shell sides,
except cooling water lines shall be blinded.
NOTE - An exchanger may be required to be blinded on both sides if there is a
potential of a leaking tube that would allow hydrocarbon or chemical leakage.
Lines  When hot work is to be performed on a line, the section involved will be
(Out of Service) blinded from connecting equipment (i.e., pumps, furnaces, towers,
exchangers, other lines, etc.) and made hydrocarbon free.
 Lines that have contained hazardous chemicals or hydrocarbons shall be
safely prepared prior to blinding.
 Refer to refinery Hot Tap Guidelines when performing hot taps or in-service
welding.
 Blinding may not be necessary for fire water and potable water lines if it can
be confirmed by operations that the line has been adequately secured by
block valves and proper lockout/tagout.
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Pumps  If hot work is to be performed.

 When block valves are leaking.
 If the functional location of the pump is unattended by maintenance for more
than 8 hours.
Compressors  When compressors are opened, blind the process lines if they are under
pressure or if hot work is to be performed.
Tanks  Before tanks are opened for entry, all hydrocarbon, chemical and steam lines
connected directly to the tank must be blinded.
 Foam lines connected to tank roof drain lines shall be blinded.

6.2 Blinding Guidelines

Blinding Steps Action List/Responsibilities
Blind List/Location  Prior to blind list approval, maintenance and operations supervision will
Identification identify all blind and energy source isolation locations.
 Operations supervision will furnish maintenance planning with an approved
blind list and marked P&IDs, drawings or adequate descriptions of locations.
 The approved blind list and marked P&IDs, drawings or adequate
descriptions of locations, can then be issued by maintenance planning. A
master copy will be supplied to appropriate control rooms.
 For priority 1 and 2 work orders, maintenance planning may not be furnished
an approved blind list. Maintenance and operations supervision will field
identify all blind and energy source isolation locations. Follow record keeping
per section 7.
 The master copy of the blind list and the marked P&IDs must remain in
the control room.
 Any changes required in the blind list must be approved by operations
supervision. The changes must be noted and initialed on the master
blind list by the person approving the changes.
Blind Selection  The flange will be in accordance with the piping into which the blind will be
installed.
 Blind thickness shall be determined according to the maximum pressure
& temperature the blind must contain. Blinds which must contain
pressure may be selected according to Attachment V.
 Note Attachment V is only applicable to blinds in ambient temperature
service. Thicknesses for blinds which may encounter temperature higher
than 700 degrees must be recommended by Inspection personnel.
 Thinner blinds than recommended by Attachment V may be used for
isolation-only applications.
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Blinding Steps Action List/Responsibilities

Blind Installation  Company or contractor craftsman will obtain the required permits after energy
source control has been achieved per refinery safe work permit procedures.
 Company or contractor craftsman will then begin installation of approved
blinds.
 Blinds are to be installed at the nearest accessible flange, consistent with
safety and practicality, of any equipment to be isolated.
NOTE: OPERATORS MUST ENSURE THAT ALL BLINDS ARE INSTALLED
IN THE CORRECT LOCATION AND THAT LINES OR EQUIPMENT UNDER
PRESSURE, OR THOSE CONTAINING HYDROCARBONS, ARE NOT
INADVERTENTLY OPENED DURING INSTALLATION OF BLINDS.
 After blinds are installed, company or contractor craftsman will initial the
master blind list for each blind they installed.
 Red tags shall be attached to each blind after installation by operations
personnel. The corresponding yellow tag will be posted in the control room.
 Upon completion by craftsmen, an operations supervisor or his designee will
visually check each blind and verify installation. This representative will then
initial the master blind list for each blind they installed.
Blind Removal  Upon completion of work requiring blinds, company or contractor craftsman
will obtain the required permit for removal of blinds.
 When blinds are removed new gaskets will be installed.
 Company or contractor Craftsman will remove blinds, then initial the master
blind list.
 Operations will visually check each blind for removal and initial the master
blind list upon completion.
 After craftsmen and operations have completed blind removal and initialed
the master blind list documenting visual verification, operations supervision or
their designee will visually check that all blinds have been removed and
remove any blind location identifiers. After verification that all blinds have
been removed, an operations supervisor or their designee will initial the
master blind list as complete.
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6.3 Opening of Flare Lines While in Service

Notes: (1) Any invasive work involving active flare systems requires the use of fresh
air.
(2) CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL SHALL NOT INSTALL BLINDS IN
ACTIVE FLARE LINES UNLESS VALERO SUPERVISION IS PRESENT
AND DIRECTING THE WORK AT THE BLINDING SITE.

Type of Action Precautions

Precautions  Before work is started, a meeting will be held between Operations and
Maintenance supervision to verify the following:
 All sources of gas to the flare have been identified.
 A communications system is established so that there is direct contact
between the workers at the site and any unit that could release gas into
the flare.
 Operations of the units connecting to the flare line have been reviewed to
anticipate potential problems; production rates will be adjusted as
necessary.
 A work platform, where possible, with proper access and egress shall be
provided.
 During the work, Operations will be present to monitor the progress of the
work and to assure communications with affected units is maintained. A fire
watch with a charged fire hose line will also be standing by during this work.
 Craftsmen performing the work will use supplied air respirators and clothing
suitable for flash fire protection. Flash fire protective clothing (bunker pants,
coat, gloves & Nomex hood) meeting NFPA 600 requirements will be worn.
Deviations  Any deviations must be discussed and agreed to at a work planning meeting
between Operations, Maintenance and Safety supervision. Refer to Section
6.4.

6.4 Blinding Deviations

 All deviations from these guidelines must be discussed and approved by

Operations, Maintenance and Safety supervision before the job begins.

 Deviations can be considered by Maintenance and Operations supervision if they

agree on the following points:

 The hazard involved in blinding for the jobs is greater than

performing the work.
 Any leakage could be managed safely.
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 Deviations may also be considered by Maintenance and Operations supervision

if all of the following apply:

 The temperature of the material is < 140oF

 The process pressure of the material is < 40 psig
 The vapor pressure of the material is < atmospheric pressure (14.7 psia)
 The product temperature is below the flash point
 The material is not considered toxic
 The material is not considered corrosive

All deviations from blinding except those situations listed in Attachment I

(Approved Blinding Deviations) shall be documented using the "Blinding
Deviation Form", Attachment II, by the Unit Superintendent or Shift Supervisor
and the Maintenance Supervisor. The Operations, Maintenance, and Safety
department heads will determine which deviations will require system
modifications. Attachment I (Approved Blinding Deviations) cannot be modified
without approval by the Plant Director.

7.0 Recordkeeping

Records of multiple blind installations must be kept to verify that all appropriate blinds
have been installed or removed. These records must contain the following information
as a minimum:

 Blind tag number

 Equipment/system identification
 Blind size and description
 Date installed and removed
 Identification of the operations, maintenance (or contractor) personnel who verifies
installation and/or removal of blinds
 Identification of operations person who verifies that the final blind removal is
complete.
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ATTACHMENT I
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF APPROVED BLINDING DEVIATIONS THAT ARE VALID IF PROPER ENERGY
SOURCE CONTROL PROCEDURES ARE FOLLOWED.
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY/TYPE OF SERVICE
Level Column/Sight Glass  Clean or repair in place.
Control/Relief/Check/Block  Repack/work in place without exposing process to the atmosphere.
/Valves  Removing a valve and immediately replacing it with a new or different
valve.
Strainers  Pulling basket and immediately replacing it.
Turbines  Governor work
 Replace sentinel valve/bleeder/utility piping
 Inlet strainer cleaning
 Bearing replacing where split lines are not separated
 Overspeed trip assembly removal and immediate replacement
Compressor  Non process side work
 Utility air services
 Repairing or replacing utility piping
General  Closed, locked, block valves on both sides of an open bleeder afford
protection equivalent to a blind if proper energy source control
(lockout/tagout) procedures are followed.
 Changing out pressure gauges
 Working on valved instrument taps
 Working on utility air systems, utility water below 140 degrees F
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ATTACHMENT II

BLINDING DEVIATION FORM

DATE:________________

TIME:________________

DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT & SERVICE:

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

REASON FOR THE BLINDING DEVIATION:

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

DO YOU RECOMMEND THIS AS BEING AN ACCEPTABLE LONG TERM PRACTICE?

YES  NO 

IF NO, SUGGESTION FOR ELIMINATING THE NEED TO DEVIATE:

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

IF YES, SHOULD THIS TYPE OF DEVIATION BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF APPROVED

BLINDING DEVIATIONS? YES  NO 

_____________________________ __________________________________
UNIT/AREA SUPERINTENDENT MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

Route To: Operations Director

Maintenance Director
Safety Manager
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ATTACHMENT III

MASTER BLIND LIST

Blind Description / Location Size Date In Initial In Date Initial Out

Tag # Out
OPS Maint OPS Maint OPS
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ATTACHMENT IV

BLINDING TAGS

YELLOW RED

 
No. 5127 No. 5127

FIRST OPERATION FIRST OPERATION

________________________________ ________________________________

Operation ________________________ Operation ________________________

Line Size ________________________ Line Size ________________________

Location _________________________ Location _________________________

________________________________ ________________________________

Work Done By ____________________ Work Done By ____________________

a.m. a.m.

Date __________ Time _________p.m. Date __________ Time _________p.m.

BLIND TAG BLIND TAG

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ATTACHMENT V
BLIND THICKNESS SELECTION TABLE
Maximum temperature 700 degrees
Consult Reliability Inspectors for applications hotter than 700 degrees

Nominal Pipe Size

Pressure (PSIG)
1/2" 3/4" 1" 1 1/2" 2" 3" 4" 6" 8" 10" 12" 14" 16" 18" 20" 24"
50 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 0.375 ½ ½ ½ 0.625 ¾
100 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 0.625 0.625 ¾ ¾ 1
150 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 0.625 ¾ ¾ 0.875 1 1.125
200 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 ½ ½ 0.625 ¾ ¾ 0.875 1 1.125 1¼
250 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 ¾ 0.875 0.875 1 1.125 1¼ 1.375
300 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 ¾ 0.875 1 1.125 1¼ 1¼ 1½
350 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 0.625 ¾ 0.875 1 1 1.125 1¼ 1.375 1.625
400 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 ½ 0.625 ¾ 0.875 1 1.125 1¼ 1.375 1½ 1¾
450 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 ¾ 0.875 1.125 1.125 1¼ 1½ 1.625 1.875
500 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 ¾ 1 1.125 1¼ 1.375 1½ 1.625 2
550 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 0.875 1 1.125 1¼ 1.375 1.625 1¾ 2
600 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 ½ ½ ¾ 0.875 1 1¼ 1¼ 1½ 1.625 1¾ 2.125
650 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 ½ ½ ¾ 0.875 1.125 1¼ 1.375 1½ 1¾ 1.875 2¼
700 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 ½ ½ ¾ 0.875 1.125 1¼ 1.375 1.625 1¾ 2 2¼
750 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 ¾ 1 1.125 1.375 1½ 1.625 1.875 2 2.375
800 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 ¾ 1 1.125 1.375 1½ 1.625 1.875 2.125 2½
850 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 0.875 1 1¼ 1.375 1½ 1¾ 1.875 2.125 2½
900 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 0.875 1 1¼ 1½ 1.625 1¾ 2 2.125 2.625
950 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 0.875 1.125 1¼ 1½ 1.625 1.875 2 2¼ 2.625
1000 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 0.875 1.125 1¼ 1½ 1.625 1.875 2.125 2¼ 2¾
1050 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 0.875 1.125 1.375 1.625 1¾ 1.875 2.125 2.375 2¾
1100 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 ½ 0.625 0.875 1.125 1.375 1.625 1¾ 2 2.125 2.375 2.875
1150 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 0.375 0.625 0.625 0.875 1.125 1.375 1.625 1¾ 2 2¼ 2½ 2.875
1200 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 ½ 0.625 ¾ 1 1.125 1.375 1.625 1¾ 2 2¼ 2½ 3
1250 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0.375 ½ 0.625 ¾ 1 1¼ 1½ 1¾ 1.875 2.125 2.375 2½ 3