10 Questions You Should to Know about OEM cast iron flange

Flange standards used on Viking pumps have been in place for over a century so EVERYONE should be experts on this now…right? It turns out not so much. There are various standards and various design differences in each standard. AND the standards have evolved over the years, leading some to use obsolete terms which only compounds the confusion. The following should help clear up some of this confusion as well as give you a resource to help answer questions for others.

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Let’s start simple. The word “flange” can have a lot of definitions but in the pump industry it refers to a style of pipe

connection consisting of machined faces that are joined with bolts where a gasket between them provides the seal. This type of connection offers a key advantage over threaded connections; should the pump or sections of pipe need to be removed for inspection, cleaning, or replacement, the bolts can be removed to pull out individual components or sections of pipe. (see fig. 1)

And of course, it’s critical that Viking pumps connect with commercially available pipes and fittings. Viking Pump follows a few widely adopted flange standards. It’s important to note which flange standard is being followed to ensure the pump supplied will connect correctly with your pipes and equipment. Here are the 3 most common standards followed by Viking Pump:

• ASME
• DIN
• SAE

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) maintains a set of flange standards commonly used in North America. These standards have evolved since they were first introduced over 100 years ago by the AESC (American Engineering Standards Committee). The AESC was later renamed the ASA (American Standards Association), which was later renamed the USASI (United States of America Standards Institute), which was later renamed ANSI (American National Standards Institute). Confused yet?

The important thing to remember is that while the name has changed, the set of standards has stayed the same (basically). But this has led to confusion…you’ll find documentation online at various sites for ASA flanges, ANSI flanges, ASME/ANSI flanges, and ASME flanges. ASME is the current, and technically correct designation for these standards. Don’t panic when your specification asks for ANSI flanges…they’re the same thing.

“#” or “lb” or “pound” ratings are an old designation. Today ASME prefers the term “class”. If your specification is asking for 150# flanges, that’s the same as Class 150 flanges. Just like the old “ANSI” terminology, “#” ratings yet to be updated can still be found in a lot of online resources.

The term “class” is preferred because using “150#” can lead to the false assumption that the resulting flange connection would be limited to 150 PSI (pounds per square inch). ASME Class 150 flanges are rated to pressures higher than 150 PSI at ambient temperatures. And at very high temperatures these flanges would be rated to pressures lower than 150 PSI. Using the current “class” designation helps clear up this misconception.

These old “#” designations date back to steam ratings which are at elevated temperatures. For example, Class 125 flanges are rated to 125 PSI at 450°F (232°C) but are rated to 200 PSI at ambient temperatures.

Common ASME flange classes used by Viking pumps include:

Pump Casing Material

ASME Standard

Standard

Optional

Cast Iron

ASME B16.1

Class 125

Class 250

Ductile Iron

ASME B16.42

Class 150

Class 300

Carbon Steel

ASME B16.5

Class 150

Class , Class

Stainless Steel

ASME B16.5

Class 150

Class 300, Class

1 Some Viking Pump steel pump series are fitted with Class 300 flanges as standard (i.e. Series™)
2 This is an uncommon option for Viking Pump and limited to only a few series

Are you interested in learning more about OEM cast iron flange? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

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Flanges can be offered flat or with a raised face (see fig. 2). Flat face flanges (commonly noted as “FF”) are machined flat across the entire mating surface. Raised face flanges (commonly noted as “RF”) feature a raised ring near the middle where the gasket is compressed and sealed. The surrounding surface, where the bolt holes are located, is machined back. This creates more sealing pressure due to less area of the gasket.

Even though the flange is machined slightly thinner than its flat face counterpart, this does not affect the rating.

Raised face flanges should not be used with Class 125 flanges as overtightening of the bolts can lead to cracking of the cast iron flange.

ASME is certainly the most common flange standard used in North America. But in Europe the most common flange standards are DIN (Das Deutsche Institut für Normung or German Institute for Standardization). As you could have likely guessed, these are like ASME flanges in general design, but with metric dimensions and ratings in BAR rather than PSI. One nice change is that the ambient temperature ratings are clearer in the class names for DIN. For example, PN16 flanges are rated to 16 BAR at ambient temperatures.

SAE flanges accommodate higher pressures than ASME or DIN connections. These flanges utilize adaptors that are welded to the pipes or adapt to another connection type. An O-ring in the adaptor creates a seal between the mating surfaces (see fig.3).

• What foundry produces which products?

  Bibby-Ste-Croix (Sainte-Croix de Lotbinière):

  • Soil pipe and soil fittings for drain, waste and vent systems
  • Municipal frames, grates and covers
  • Valve box components
  • OEM products
  • Fonderie Laperle (Saint-Ours)
  • Municipal frames, grates and covers
  • OEM products

• Can Cast Iron Soil Pipe be used in any type of building classification?

  Yes. Cast iron is non-combustible and, therefore, has no restrictions as to the type of building it can be used in. Cast iron does not burn and doesn't give off toxic fumes or produce clouds of black smoke when subjected to heat. The same cannot be said for plastics, as they are combustible and have many restrictions placed on the within the building code.

• Does Cast Iron Pipe rust?

  Cast iron has unique corrosion-resistant characteristics. When cast iron is exposed to corrosion, the corrosion actually leaves behind an insoluble layer of corrosion products, which actually provide somewhat of a barrier against further corrosion. To find out the effects of specific chemicals or solutions, please contact your sales representative, and they will provide you with the information you require.

• How long can you expect a Cast Iron DWV System to last in a building?

  Cast iron will usually outlast the life of the building. Cast iron has been in use for centuries. One of the first installations was in Versailles, France, in to carry water some 15 miles to the palace and surrounding area. This system is still functioning after 300 years of service.

• I use a combination of Cast Iron and copper on my installation. How do I reduce my cost?

  Instead of using copper, which is used on the 2" and 1-1/2" pipe mostly, use 2" and 1-1/2" cast iron pipe. Not only is the cast iron less expensive in almost every case, more importantly, it reduces your cost on purchasing the tools required to install copper pipe. Cast iron is faster and easier to install. For more information on 2" and 1-1/2" pipe and fittings please visit the catalogue section of our website.

• Is a Cast Iron drainage system quieter than other DWV materials?

  Yes. Tests recently conducted in the Domtar Acoustical Laboratories by MJM Acoustical Consultants Inc. prove that cast iron is quieter. For a complete copy of this report, contact the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Association at 519-621-.

• What's the difference between air-tight and water-tight covers?

  Water-tight means that the frame has a gasket and four bolts or more in order to prevent infiltration.

  Air-tight means that by inserting a rubber o-ring between the cover and the frame, we reduce odors (covers weight, even with a rubber o-ring, is not enough to make a cover airtight.)

• What is the unrestrained pressure rating for SD Husky couplings and the Regular Duty Series No-Hub coupling?

  Our couplings are designed for drain, waste and vent, a gravity system. They are not pressure rated. However, Husky SD couplings conform to US standard for Heavy Duty Couplings (ASTM C ) and are certified to the Canadian standard CSA B602. The specified test pressure in the ASTM C standard is 30 psi for 1 ½” – 5”, 27 psi for 6”, 15 psi for 8”, 9 psi for 10” and 6 psi for 12” and 15”. 

  Our Regular Duty Series No-Hub couplings are certified to CSA B602. The specified test pressure in the standards are 20 psi for 1 ½” – 5”, 18 psi for 6”, 10 psi for 8”, 6 psi for 10”, 12” and 15”.

  These are laboratory tests and are not for use in the field.

• What kind of deflection can I expect out of the Regular Duty Series and the SD Husky couplings?

  Husky SD deflection range is 5 degrees per lineal foot. Our Regular Duty Series couplings deflection range is for sizes 1.5”-4” is 5 degrees, 5”-8” is 3 degrees and 10”-15” is 1.5 degrees.

• What is the required torque when installing Regular Duty Series and the SD Husky couplings?

  The Husky SD couplings are designed to be installed with a pre-set torque wrench calibrated at 80-inch pounds to accommodate the 3/8” hex head screw. There is a very important torque sequence that needs to be followed when installing the Husky couplings. You can view an installation video by going to our home page and clicking on the installation video.

  The Regular Duty Series No-Hub couplings are designed to be installed with a pre-set torque wrench calibrated at 60-inch pounds for sizes 1.5"-10" and 80-inch pounch for sizes 12"-15" to accommodate the 5/16” hex head screw.

• What is the temperature rating on the Regular Duty Series Coupling and Husky SD couplings?

  The gasket for both the Regular Duty Series Coupling and the SD Husky couplings are made of Neoprene. The maximum temperature that Neoprene will accommodate with continuous service is 203 degrees Fahrenheit with a maximum intermittent temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

  For more information, please visit OEM valve casting parts.