ARE FLANGE COVERS NECESSARY?

 

Flange Shields or Flange Covers are designed as an important protection facility to workers, property and equipment by preventing dangerous spray-outs, hazardous leaks of corrosive fluids such as oil, acid or high-temperature steam. They are effective in reducing inspection costs, maintenance costs and downtime in factories by early leak detection and the ability to temporarily contain and limit hazardous leaks and sprays. Flange Covers are widely used on pipe joints including flanges, valves, bends, unions, expansion joints, fittings, elbows and strainers for most possible pipeline safety.

 

Using flange covers depends on the service and the risk level. Flange covers are not always legally required, but they are strongly recommended when a flange contains hazardous, corrosive, hot, or toxic fluids.

Typical applications where flange covers are considered necessary:

Sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, caustic soda, nitric acid, etc.

Hot steam or hot oil lines.

Toxic chemicals where a small leak could injure personnel.

Chemical dosing systems and transfer lines.

Flanges located near walkways, operators, or equipment.

 

They are often not considered necessary for:

Low-pressure water lines.

Non-hazardous utilities.

Air and inert gas systems where a leak presents little risk.

 

 

The main purpose is personnel protection, not leak prevention. If a gasket fails, the cover redirects the spray and helps prevent serious chemical burns or injuries.

For a chemical plant or process facility, many companies perform a risk assessment and install flange covers on:

Acid lines.

Caustic lines.

High-temperature services.

Flanges above eye level or near work areas.

 

Flange Shields are available in PVC or PTFE. The choice would depend on the chemicals being used. PVC Shields is often used for milder chemicals with very low to ambient temperatures, where PTFE Shields are used with aggressive chemicals with elevated temperatures or a safety hazard to staff.

 

Our PTFE flange Shields (RC) are made from satin weave, woven fibre fabric with a PTFE/Teflon thermal treatment coating. The PTFE fabric features a standard medium grey coating applied to a highly durable natural tan woven fibre glass base. Engineered with a targeted weight of 560 g/m², the uncoated natural reverse side ensures optimal flexibility, grip, and ease of handling during the industrial sewing processes required for custom removable insulation jackets.  This material is particularly designed for Thermal Cycling and harsh Chemical applications.