Method Statement for Bolt Tightening

Construction & Rehabilitation Department

DOC NO :
Project Name:
Location : Riyadh - KSA Rev : 00
LTOM PACKAGE #5 MANFOUHA
Date : Page 1 to 6

1. Purpose
2. Scope of Work
3. References
4. Man Power
5. Tools and Equipment
6. Procedures
7. Quality Control
8. Safety
9. Attachment
1- Purpose
 The purpose of this procedure is to provide the methodology and testing of bolt tightening (bolt
torquing) of structural steel work in all supply mechanical equipment to the commercial
buildings, plants and refinery project and its equipment structures

2- Scope of Work
 The scope of work includes bolt tightening requirements of all mechanical equipment structural
joints and sections showing the bolt size to be used, field inspection, and implementing safety
precautions during work execution to prevent accidents.
3- References
Work shall be performed according to project applicable standards and project specifications:

High Strength Bolt Tightening Inspection and Testing (ASTM A325/A490 Bolts)
Pre-Installation Procedure Verification Testing Turn-of-Nut Method (ASTM A325/ASTM A490 bolts)
Pre-Installation Procedure Verification Testing of Calibration Wrench (ASTM A325/ASTM A490 bolts)
Structural alignment inspection during erection
Correcting structural alignment errors
Pipe Racks, Steel Supports, and Miscellaneous Steel Structures

4- Manpower
 Structural Steel Foreman/Mechanical Foreman
 Structural/Mechanical Skilled Workers
 Manlift Operator

Page 1of 6
  Flagman
 QC Inspector

5- Tools and Equipment

 Torque Calibrator
 Calibrated Torque Wrench
 Hammer Wrench
 Impact Wrench
 Spud Wrench
 Manlift

6- Procedure – Method Statement for Bolt Tightening

6.1 Site and Materials preparation.
6.1.1 Determine which type of bolt materials are to be used, unless otherwise specified by the contract
documents.

6.1.2 All primary structural frames and some secondary framing require high strength A-325 or A490
Bolts.

6.1.3 Requisition of pre-determined bolts.

6.1.4 Steel members to be jointed must be free from oil, grease or any loose adherent materials.

6.1.5 Any circumstances discovered by the DEC that affect progression, performance, or completion of
work activities such as discrepancies between drawings and delivered steel members to be jointed,
incorrect fabricated steel members, incomplete or unacceptable material shall be reported in writing.

6.1.6 Before bolt tightening DEC shall check the connection points to confirm their location, orientation,
elevation and condition.

6.1.7 Contractor shall place a scaffolding access, ladder, wood boards or floor plates for the people who
will conduct the activity to prevent injury while commencing the work.

6.2 Structural Stability

6.2.1 DEC shall at all times be responsible for the adequacy and installation of any temporary bracing or
guy cables required to counteract loadings imposed. This responsibility shall also extend to temporary
bracing required to ensure safe and stable conditions of partially completed structural assemblies.

6.2.2 The structure shall be plumbed, levelled and braced before final bolting connections are made.

6.3 Bolt Connections

Page 2of 6
6.3.1 Where structural joints are made using high-strength bolt assemblies, the materials, method of
installations, tension control, types of wrenches to be used and inspection methods shall conform to
AISC Specification for Structural Joints using ASTM A325 or A490 Bolts.

6.3.2 When used, direct tension indicator washer shall be installed according to the manufacturer’s
given specifications.

6.3.3 All bolts shall be as noted on the shop drawing, erection drawings or other contract documents.

6.4 Bolt Tightening

6.4.1 After aligning the holes in a joint; sufficient bolts shall be placed and brought to a SNUG – TIGHT
condition to ensure that all parts of the joints are brought to full contact with each other.

6.4.2 “SNUG-TIGHT” as defined is the effort of a person using SPUD WRENCH or tightness attained by a
few impacts of an IMPACT WRENCH.

• Manual operation using SPUD Wrench Method

In this case, full efforts of a man using an ordinary spud wrench would bring the bolt to a snug tight
position. No wrench extension or long wrenches should be used to avoid tensioning; the normal spud
wrench is usually 12 inches (300mm) long.

• Using IMPACT Wrench Method.

Few impacts of an impact wrench should be sufficient to bring the bolts into snug tight position. If the
impact wrench is strong enough, this operation should not take more than 30 seconds of application to
bolt which already tightened to full contact with the steel connection plates.

6.4.3 Once the SNUG tight position is achieved a straight line shall be marked by metal marker or pentel
pen on the bolt head continue to nut location. This will indicate the initial position of nut prior to its
final tightened position.

6.4.4 In critical-slip connection where the joint is subject to vibratory or fatigue loading, chance of bolt
to be loosened is very high. In this case, after bolts has fully tensioned an additional jamb-nut maybe
provided. Alternately, the threads can be spiked or marred or the nut can be tack-weld to the base metal
to prevent it from turning
6.5 Operations
6.6 All bolts in the joints must be further tightened using either the turn-off-nut or calibrated wrench
method after the initial tightening operation

6.6.1 Turn-Of-Nut-Method

Once the bolt is snugly tight, the amount of rotation required should be applied to further tighten it.
Refer to the table below for reference.

Table Disposition From

Page 3of 6
 Snug Tight
Condition
Bolt length Bottom face One face normal to bolt Both faces sloped not more
(underside head to normal to the bolt axis and other sloped not than 1:20 from normal to the
the end of the bolt) axis more than 1:20 (beveled bolt axis (beveled washer not
washer not used) used)
Up to and diameter 1/3 turn 1/2 turn 2/3 turn
but not exceeding 4
diameters
Over 4 diameters 1/2 turn 2/3 turn 5/6 turn
but not exceeding 8
diameters
Over 8 diameters 2/3 turn 5/6 turn 1 turn
but not exceeding 12
diameters
6.6.2 Calibrated Wrench Method
Following the initial tightening required, a calibrated torque wrench must be used to tighten bolts to a
tension that is at least 5% higher than the minimum bolt tension as per ASTM A325. See the table below
for reference.
For each bolt diameter, length, and grade being fitted, the wrench must be calibrated at least once a
year on a working day. Tightening in a device capable of indicating actual bolt tension is required for
calibration. For each diameter of bolts being installed, three typical bolts shall be tightened.
Bolt Tension
Nominal Bolt Size, inches A-325 Bolts A-490
Bolts

KIPS KN KIPS KN

1/2 12 53 15 67

5/8 19 85 24 107

3/4 28 125 35 156

7/8 39 174 49 218

1 51 227 64 285

1 1/8 56 249 80 356

1 1/4 71 316 102 454

1 3/8 85 378 121 538

1 1/2 103 458 148 659

Direct Tension Indicator Method

Page 4of 6
A standard impact wrench is used to tighten the bolt with the load indicator washer inserted.

Compressed air is the most common source of power. A sufficient amount of pressure must be applied
to the tool, with a minimum of 100 psi for bolts with a diameter of 7/8″ or less. Pressure must be
increased for larger bolts. Hose lines should be large enough to accommodate the number and size of
wrenches that will be utilized.

Load Indicator Gaps to Give Required Minimum Bolt Tension

Load Indicator Fitting A325 A490

Under Bolt Head Black Finish Bolts 0.025 in. 0.015 in.

Under Nut with Hardened Flat Washer Black Finish 0.015 in. 0.010 in.

With the gaps shown above, required minimum bolt tensions will be
induced as given in Table 2

7. Quality Control
7.1 Check the physical appearance and the material specifications to be used for bolting prior to the
work execution.

7.2 Ensure to follow IFC drawings for bolt specification requirements including sizes and
manufacturer’s recommendation. Observe as always SATIP activity, SAIC and SATR standard
requirements for compliance.

7.3 Check, verify and continuously monitor bolting works activities at site and lay down yard where
assembly and bolt tightening is on progress.

7.4 Request for SAUDI ARAMCO inspection for final acceptance.

8. Safety
8.1 Ensure that all personnel involved in the work are wearing standard personnel protective
equipment (PPE).

8.1.1 Maintain warning devices such as warning tapes, signboards and barriers around the work area to
prevent injury to all personnel affected by the operations.

8.1.2 Tools (Hand Tools and Machined Operated tools) and Safety Harnesses shall be monitored and
coded as per safety monthly monitoring guidelines for acceptance and compliance of these equipment
to daily site activities.

Page 5of 6
9. Attachment
9.1 JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS
9.2 Inspection Request Form

Page 6of 6