scope:

This Practice provides guidelines for specifying gaskets used with circular flanges for pressurized equipment and piping. It describes guidelines for use of gaskets with the following types of flanges:

a. Standard flanges in accordance with ASME B16.1, B16.5, B16.42, or B16.47

b. Custom flanges designed in accordance with Code, Division 1 Appendix 2 or Division 2, Paragraph 4.16 or Part 5

This Practice applies to all of the following:

a. Common gasket styles contained between flat (planar) flange surfaces

b. Double jacketed, spiral wound, grooved metal with covering layer, corrugated metal, and sheet gaskets

c. Design conditions not greater than the standard flange rating or the manufacturer's published gasket rating if more restrictive

This Practice does not address the following:

a. Confined gaskets, i.e., gaskets contained in grooves (e.g., ring joint, tongue and groove, male-female, spiral wound without retaining rings, etc.)

b. Self-actuated gaskets (e.g., "o"-rings)

c. Proprietary gasket styles

d. Other types of gaskets not specifically covered in this Practice

e. Cyclic service as defined for vessels in accordance with ASME Section VIII, Division 2, Paragraph 5.5.2, Screening Criteria for Fatigue Analysis (cyclic service is defined as requiring a fatigue analysis) and for piping by ASME B31.3 Paragraph 300.2, Severe Cyclic Service definition.

The guidelines in this Practice are intended to:

a. Improve process containment;

b. Reduce risk of personnel exposure;

c. Enhance blowout prevention;

d. Improve bolted joint reliability; and

e. Provide for gasket standardization

Specific services, environments, or situations may require considerations that take precedence over the guidelines of this Practice.