What is ASME B16.5 flange?
ASME was founded decades before ANSI in 1880 and is one of the oldest standards to develop organizations in existence. ASME Flange is an abbreviation of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a non-profit and private organization created for bringing uniformity in voluntary standards used in engineering and industrial disciplines. ASME serves as one of the leading international developer codes and standards to regulate the mechanical engineering industry.
In the industry, especially the ASME code, it is also called ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code. The main reason for its establishment is to regulate the manufacturing, development, and design of boilers utilized in various industries.ASME has been defining piping safety since 1922.
This standard covers pressure-temperature ratings, materials, dimensions, tolerances, marking, testing, and methods of designating openings for pipe flange and flanged fittings. ASME B16.5 standard covers Steel Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings from NPS 1/2 through NPS 24 Metric/Inch in pressure class 150 to class 2500.
The term “B16.5” or “B16 5” are used interchangeably and refers to the same standard. However, the standard ASME B16 5 (ANSI B16 5) only covers sizes up to 24 inches. For bigger sizes, the ASME B16.47 standard covers pressure-temperature ratings, materials, dimensions, tolerances, marking, and testing for pipe flanges in sizes NPS 26 through NPS 60 and in rating Classes 75, 150, 300, 400, 600, and 900.
ASME B16.5 is limited to:
Flanges and flanged fittings made from cast or forged materials
Blind flanges and certain reducing flanges made from cast, forged, or plate materials.
Flange bolting, gaskets, and joints.
ASME B16.5 Included is:
(1) flanges with rating class designations 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, and 1500 in sizes NPS 1/2 through NPS 24 and flanges with rating class designation 2500 in sizes NPS 1/2 through NPS 12, with requirements given in both metric and U.S. Customary units with a diameter of bolts and flange bolt holes expressed in inch units;
(2) flanged fittings with rating class designation 150 and 300 in sizes NPS 1/2 through NPS 24, with requirements given in both metric and U.S. Customary units with a diameter of bolts and flange bolt holes expressed in inch units;
(3) flanged fittings with rating class designation 400, 600, 900, and 1500 in sizes NPS 1/2 through NPS 24 and flanged fittings with rating class designation 2500 in sizes NPS 1/2 through NPS 12 that are acknowledged in Non-Mandatory Appendix E in which only U.S. Customary units are provided.
This Standard is to be used in conjunction with equipment described in other volumes of the ASME B16 Series of Standards as well as with other ASME standards, such as the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and the B31 Piping Codes.
This ASME B16.5 Standard is Intended for manufacturers, owners, employers, users, and others concerned with the specification, buying, maintenance, training, and safe use of valves with pressure equipment, plus all potential governing entities.