Flange Protection and Sealing

Flanged connections are common throughout industrial piping systems, but a gasket failure or loss of joint integrity can release process fluid under pressure.

Where the medium is corrosive, hazardous, hot or flammable, a pressurised spray can create risks for personnel, equipment and the surrounding area.

Flange guards provide secondary protection around flanged joints by helping contain, control or redirect an unexpected release. They do not replace correct gasket selection, flange assembly or maintenance.

SensCore supports industrial flange protection through application review, flange surveys, mapping, customised flange guards and installation across industrial facilities in the UAE.

A flange guard is a protective cover installed around a flange connection.

If leakage occurs, the guard helps prevent an uncontrolled lateral spray from travelling directly into surrounding areas.

Different constructions are available depending on the process medium, temperature, pressure and operating environment. ARTEMA manufactures flange guards for aggressive chemicals, hydrocarbons, LNG and other demanding industrial applications.

The correct guard should therefore be selected according to the actual service rather than using one material for every flange.

Chemical processing facilities may handle acids, alkalis, solvents and other fluids that can create significant exposure risk if released from a pressurised joint.

Chemical flange guards are available using materials such as PTFE and PTFE coated technical fabrics, depending on the required chemical resistance and operating conditions.

ARTEMA also provides guards with transparent inspection areas that allow operators to inspect the enclosed flange and identify signs of leakage without removing the protection.

Typical applications include chemical transfer lines, dosing systems, storage areas, process piping and water treatment systems handling aggressive chemicals.

PTFE flange guards are particularly relevant where chemical resistance is a primary requirement.

ARTEMA offers safety flange covers manufactured from 100 percent PTFE for aggressive chemical applications. Selection must still consider the specific fluid, concentration, operating temperature and pressure.

PTFE based guards can be considered for chemical lines where compatibility with the process medium is more important than mechanical strength alone.

Technical fabric flange guards provide a lightweight approach to spray protection.

Depending on the construction, materials can include PTFE coated glass fabric and other engineered fabrics selected according to chemical and operating requirements.

Some configurations incorporate a transparent central section to support visual inspection of the flange while the guard remains installed.

Fabric construction can be useful where ease of installation, chemical resistance and regular visual inspection are important.

Metallic flange guards can be considered for demanding industrial applications involving hydrocarbons, elevated temperature, higher pressure or environments where a more robust mechanical construction is required.

ARTEMA manufactures stainless steel safety flange guards and specialised metallic designs for oil and gas applications.

The correct metallic guard should be selected according to the process conditions and the specific protection objective.

Some industrial environments require consideration of electrostatic charge and ignition risk.

ARTEMA provides antistatic flange guard constructions specifically intended for ATEX environments. These products use electrically conductive materials designed to dissipate electrostatic charges while providing chemical spray protection.

ATEX suitability should always be verified for the exact guard configuration and application before specification.

In some applications, containing the initial spray is only part of the requirement.

A flange protection system can also be configured to direct leaking fluid towards a controlled collection point.

Drain connections, stainless steel hoses or collection arrangements can help transfer released fluid away from personnel and surrounding equipment.

SensCore can support flange protection requirements involving measurement, mapping, customised guards, drainage arrangements and installation.

Pressurised leakage is not limited to flange joints. Valves can also contain several potential release points.

ARTEMA provides safety valve covers using PTFE, technical fabrics, antistatic materials and stainless-steel constructions for different chemical and operating conditions.

This allows flange and valve protection to be considered together where the process hazard requires a wider spray protection strategy.

Large industrial facilities can contain hundreds or thousands of flanged connections.

A structured flange protection programme should therefore begin by identifying which joints require protection and recording their dimensions, service and operating conditions.

SensCore supports onsite flange measurement surveys, mapping, customised guard selection and installation.

This allows protection to be selected around individual flange conditions rather than purchasing generic guards without confirming fit or application suitability.

Flange guards can be relevant across chemical processing, oil and gas, petrochemical facilities, water treatment, utilities, pharmaceuticals, power generation and other process industries where hazardous fluids are transported through flanged piping.

ARTEMA specifically provides solutions for aggressive chemicals, hydrocarbons, LNG and specialised hazardous environments.

SensCore supports industrial flange protection requirements across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain (UAQ).

Support can include application review, site measurement, flange mapping, guard selection, customised requirements and installation for new projects and existing industrial facilities.

The gasket remains the primary sealing element within a flanged joint.

Where required, SensCore can also support industrial gasket requirements including flat, spiral wound, cam-profile and ring joint constructions. ARTEMA manufactures these gasket types in a range of metallic, semi-metallic and non-metallic materials.

Flange guards and gaskets perform different functions and should not be treated as substitutes for one another.