

For example, an ASME flange will not mate against an ISO flange. In most cases, standards are interchangeable, as most local standards have been aligned to ISO standards however, some local standards still differ. Flanges larger than 24 inches are covered in ASME B16.47. ASME B16.5 covers flanges up to 24 inches size and up to pressure rating of Class 2500.

In the USA, the standard is ASME B16.5 (ANSI stopped publishing B16.5 in 1996). Common world standards include ASA/ASME (USA), PN/DIN (European), BS10 (British/Australian), and JIS/KS (Japanese/Korean). To allow easy functionality and interchangeability, these are designed to have standardised dimensions. There are many different flange standards to be found worldwide. Industries where flammable, volatile, toxic or corrosive substances are being processed have greater need of special protection at flanged connections.įlange guards can provide that added level of protection to ensure safety. Mechanical means to mitigate effects of leaks, like spray guards or specific spray flanges, may be included. Flanges are joined by bolting, and sealing is often completed with the use of gaskets or other methods. A cover plate can be connected to create a "blind flange". Flanges are used to connect pipes with each other, to valves, to fittings, and to specialty items such as strainers and pressure vessels. Piping components can be bolted together between flanges. The York and Warix flange have female adapters so that they fit onto a male tank, whereas the Surrey flange connects to a female tank.Ī closet flange provides the mount for a toilet. There is also a Warix flange which is the same as a York flange but the shower output is on the top of the flange and the vent on the side. An Essex flange requires a hole to be drilled in the side of the tank. They are often used to ensure an even flow of water to showers. Surrey and York flanges fit to the top of the hot water tank allowing all the water to be taken without disturbance to the tank. A flange joint is a connection of pipes, where the connecting pieces have flanges by which the parts are bolted together.Īlthough the word 'flange' generally refers to the actual raised rim or lip of a fitting, many flanged plumbing fittings are themselves known as flanges.Ĭommon flanges used in plumbing are the Surrey flange or Danzey flange, York flange, Sussex flange and Essex flange. A blind flange is a plate for covering or closing the end of a pipe. A flange can also be a plate or ring to form a rim at the end of a pipe when fastened to the pipe (for example, a closet flange).
