NO: 19

SECTION: SAFETY BULLETIN

TITLE: FLANGE BLINDING GUIDELINES
PAGE: 1 OF 3
DATE: 12/84

FLANGE BLINDING GUIDELINES

1 PURPOSE:

To provide guidelines to insure that adequate material is used for blinding flanged
lines, or that adequate measures are taken to prevent overpressuring blind
material of questionable strength.

2 PROCEDURE:

The owner of the equipment which is to be isolated by blinding will coordinate

with the Maintenance Department as to where to locate the blind and the method
to use.

3 METHOD A - When the line or equipment can be vented, upstream of the blind,
then the following will be used.

3.1 Blind will be of minimum 1/8" thick steel.

3.2 Openings for venting (physical separation of the blind and flange) will be
provided between the blind and the flange on the upstream side of the
blind from the work. Donut shaped venting spacers, metal wedges, or
similar suitable venting material must be a minimum of 1/8" thick.

3.3 In the event that it is not feasible to install venting as in #2 above,

alternate venting must be provided. Such venting method will be
approved by the equipment owner's supervision. On backshift or
weekends such approval will be obtained from the Operating Shift
Supervisor.

When alternate venting is used, such venting will be tagged as a control

point in order to maintain the integrity of the venting, i.e., if an SRV or
spool piece is removed to provide such venting, the flange where the SRV
or spool piece was connected will be tagged to prevent premature
reinstallation.

4 METHOD B - When the blind can be subjected to line pressure and no provisions
are made for venting the line (Method A), then the blind must be tailored to the
chemical being held back, the temperature, the duration that the blind will be
employed and the pressure. In such cases, the equipment owner can
employ the attached chart to determine the blind thickness for temperatures
between 20'F and 650'F, using A-36 carbon steel plate and holding back non-
corrosive chemicals for a short duration. To effectively use this blinding, all
flange bolts must be tightened.
 NO: 19
SECTION: SAFETY BULLETIN
TITLE: FLANGE BLINDING GUIDELINES
PAGE: 2 OF 3
DATE: 12/84

In situations in which the restrained fluid is corrosive or when the blind is to be

used for an extended period in a slightly corrosive atmosphere, suitable metal
and corrosion allowances must be considered. In these or in doubtful cases,
Industrial Engineering can supply the necessary information.

5 NOTE: When venting a blind by either vented spacers or alternate venting,

consideration must be given to how that will affect other work in the area, i.e.,
possible venting of a flammable material in the proximity of an ignition source.

In the event of special circumstances or application, consult Industrial

Engineering for additional information.
 NO: 19
SECTION: SAFETY BULLETIN
TITLE: FLANGE BLINDING GUIDELINES
PAGE: 3 OF 3
DATE: 12/84

Minimum Thickness of Process Blinds

Nominal Plate Thickness (inches)
Material: A-36 Carbon Steel
Temperature –20oF through 650oF

Pressure Nominal Flange Size (inches)

PSIG Kg/cm2 1 1½ 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 20 24 30
20 1.4 .125 .25 .25 .375 .5 .5 .75
40 2.8 .125 .25 .375 .375 .375 .5 .75
60 4.2 .125 .25 .5 .75 1
80 5.6 .125 .375 .5 .75 1 1.25
100 7 .125 .25 .5 .75 1 1.5
150 10.5 .125 .375 .5 .75 1 1.25 1.75
200 14 .25 .75 1.25 1.5 2
250 17.5 .5 1 1.25 1.75
300 21 .375 .75 1 1.5 2 2.25
400 28 .25 1 1.25 1.5 1.75 2.25
500 35 .375 1.25
600 42 .5 .75 1.5 1.75 2
700 49 .25 1 2.25
800 56 1.25 1.5
900 63 1.75 2
1000 70 .5
1100 77 1.5 1.75 2.25
1200 84 .375 1 1.25 2
1300 91 .75
1400 98 .25 2
1500 105 1.75 2.25
1600 112
1700 119 .375 1.5
1800 126 .75 1 .25 2.25
1900 133 2
2000 144 .5 1 1.75
2500 175 .375 1 .5 2.25
3000 210 .5 2