Rant: Had to pick between a 3/8-inch and a 1/2-inch backing ring for a 300 PSI job

Last week on a retrofit in Cleveland, the spec sheet was a mess. The old flange was worn, and the new valve had a different face. I had to choose on the spot: use the thicker 1/2-inch ring for extra meat, or the 3/8-inch that matched the original print. My boss said 'just get it sealed,' but the pressure rating had me worried. I went with the 1/2-inch, thinking better safe. Big mistake. It threw the bolt alignment off just enough that we had to re-drill three holes on site. Lost half a day. When have you guys gone against the print because it felt wrong, and how did it turn out?

2 comments

2 Comments

faith_thomas19d ago

You said going with the thicker ring was a big mistake, but I gotta disagree. Sometimes the print is the real problem. I've seen old specs that were just wrong for the actual conditions. That extra half day you lost drilling holes? That's nothing compared to a blowout later because the thinner ring couldn't handle a pressure spike. I'd take a rework any day over a call back for a failed seal.

charlie_roberts8719d ago

You're right about the specs, @faith_thomas, but the thicker ring actually fit fine.