A few simple precautionary measures must be observed during installation to ensure the most satisfactory joint.

• Center the gasket on the flange. This is extremely vital where raised faces are involved.
• Be sure surface finish and flatness are satisfactory.
• Tighten the bolts to compress the gasket uniformly. This means going from side to side around the joint. See Figure 1.
• Use a torque wrench, well-lubricated fasteners, and hardened flat washers to ensure correct initial loading.
• All bolts should be tightened in one-third increments, according to proper bolting patterns.
• Make a final check pass at the target torque value moving consecutively from bolt to bolt.
• Retorque 12 to 24 hours after initial installation, whenever possible. All applicable safety standards including lockout/tagout procedures should be observed.
• Never use liquid or metallic based anti-stick or lubricating compounds on the gaskets. Premature failure could occur as a result.