Flange Guards

Flange Guards

Flange Guards

16 Feb 2023

Flange Guards
What are flange guards? Otherwise known as spray safety shields are installed on pipe joints. These being the ‘weak points’ where leaks typically occur. For critical pressurised applications, they are the vital first line of defence to prevent fire, explosion, and toxic release. If not used plant and personnel could be endangered.

What do they do?

  • Prevent spray-outs; Generally, the most important requirement is to control the leak, create a safe release and thus avoid a dangerous spray-out, which would otherwise happen even at low pressure.
  • Avoid oil mist formation; For certain oil & fuel applications, oil mist formation is just as hazardous as a spray-out. Furthermore, ill-fitting safety shields can create mist formation.
  • Provide leak indication; It is important to identify leaks as quickly as possible, though the process will determine the urgency. For certain acid lines, some customers require that flanges must not be concealed. This is achieved using transparent shielding. Alternatively leak-indicator patches can be used. For other process liquids, leaks will be self-evident.
  • Contain leaks; Whilst standard safety shield designs generally do not provide secondary containment (indeed there should be a leak path to avoid pressure build-up), we can offer special designs incorporating drain nipples and a system to channel liquid releases.

There are different designs of flange guards, but we recommend the SUREBAND® Clear and SUREBAND® Steel, PTFE Safety Spray Shield, PTFE-CLEAR Safety Spray Shield and PVC Safety Spray Shield they are safer, quicker, and better.

SUREBAND® Clear

SUREBAND® Clear comprises a clear ECTFE outer and multi-layered PTFE mesh and stitching. This material provides unparalleled chemical resistance.

SUREBAND® Clear installation is quick and easy with incredibly strong, heavy duty Velcro fastener ensuring correct fitment.

Once installed, the internal mesh is compressed against the flange, preventing direct and lateral spray. The liquid pressure inside the shield is rapidly diffused, resulting in a safe drip-release.

SUREBAND® Clear incorporates a replaceable litmus leak indicator strip to provide visual warning of leaks of hazardous liquids.

In the event of a leak SUREBAND® Clear can be re-used thus providing a long-term solution.

SUREBAND® Clear has been pressure tested more than 50 bar, is suitable for maximum surface temperature of 200˚C and fits pipe sizes from ½” / 15mm upwards.

SUREBAND® Steel

SUREBAND® Steel comprises a 316 stainless steel band and an internal layer of 316 stainless steel mesh. This material provides unparalleled heat resistance.

SUREBAND® Steel installation is quick and easy with the metal quick-connection latch, ensuring correct fitment.

Once installed the steel mesh is compressed against the flange itself. This mesh, which is crimped along the centre to fill the gap between the two flange faces quickly and efficiently diffuses the spray-out, resulting in a safe drip-release.

SUREBAND® Steel is quick to install and typically used on high pressure pipelines.

In the event of a leak SUREBAND® Steel can be reused thus providing a long-term solution.

SUREBAND® Steel has been pressure tested to 335 bar, is suitable for maximum surface temperature more than 500 ˚C and fits pipe sizes from ½” / 15mm upwards.

PTFE Safety Spray Shield

Flangeguards PTFE shield is manufactured from three layers of woven Teflon coated fibreglass fabric (PTFE).

The addition of a central Teflon scrim gives superior strength.

Flangeguards PTFE shield is installed without the need for special tools using an easy fit, lock tight, fastening system comprising Velcro strip and braided 100% Teflon coated fibreglass draw string.

Once installed the fabric is drawn over the flange bolts toward the pipe wall enabling leaks to be released without danger, avoiding pressure-build up within the shield or lateral spray out.

Flangeguards PTFE shield incorporates a replaceable litmus leak indicator strip to provide visual warning of leaks of hazardous liquids.

In the event of a leak the Flangeguards PTFE shield can be re-used thus providing a long-term solution.

Flangeguards PTFE shield is compatible with flange, coupling, valve, elbow, and tees connections/joints.

Flangeguards PTFE shield is suited to maximum temperature exposure of 232° C and fits pipe sizes from ¼” / 10mm upwards.

PTFE-CLEAR Safety Spray Shield

Flangeguards PTFE-CLEAR shield is manufactured from Teflon coated fibreglass PTFE, with wide central band of clear Teflon (ECTFE). This material is resistant to hydrocarbons and chemical liquids.

Flangeguards PTFE-CLEAR shield is installed without the need for special tools using an easy fit, lock tight, fastening system comprising Velcro strip and braided 100% Teflon coated fibreglass draw string.

Once installed the fabric is drawn over the flange bolts toward the pipe wall enabling leaks to be released without danger, avoiding pressure-build up within the shield and lateral spray out

The clear ECTFE section permits visual inspection of the valve for any leaking fluid. In the event of a leak the Flangeguards PTFE-CLEAR shield can be re-used thus providing a long-term solution.

Flangeguards PTFE-CLEAR shield is compatible with flange, coupling, valve, elbow, and tees connections/joints.

Flangeguards PTFE-CLEAR shield suitable for maximum surface temperature of 150˚C and pipe sizes from ¼” / 10mm upwards.

PVC Safety Spray Shield

Flangeguards PVC shield is manufactured from two layers of Polyvinyl chloride laminate

The Flangeguards PVC shield is installed without the need for special tools using an easy fit, lock tight, fastening system comprising Velcro strip and braided 100% PVC draw string.

Once installed the fabric is drawn over the flange bolts toward the pipe wall enabling leaks to be released without danger, avoiding pressure-build up within the shield and lateral spray out.

Flangeguards PVC shield incorporates a replaceable litmus leak indicator strip to provide visual warning of leaks of acids.

In the event of a leak the Flangeguards PVC shield can be re-used thus providing a long-term solution.

Flangeguards PVC shield is compatible with flange, coupling, elbow, and tees connections/joints.

Flangeguards PVC shield is suited to maximum temperature exposure of 60°C and fits pipe sizes from ¼” / 10mm upwards.

 

For more information on choosing the right flange guard for your business needs please contact us by email or phone us in Dublin on (01) 4277900 or in Cork on (021) 5003555. We are always on hand to help.

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