TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

FLANGE INSULATION SETS

MESC SPE 85/201

June 2007

MESC SPECIFICATION DOCUMENT

This document is restricted. Neither the whole nor any part of this document may be disclosed to any third party without the prior written consent of Shell Global
Solutions International B.V., The Netherlands. The copyright of this document is vested in this company. All rights reserved. Neither the whole nor any part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, reprographic, recording or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.
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June 2007
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PREFACE

MESC (Materials and Equipment Standards and Code) SPE documents reflect the views, at the time of publication, of:
Shell Global Solutions International B.V. (Shell GSI)
and/or
Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. (SIEP)
and/or
other Shell Service Companies.
They are based on the experience acquired during their involvement with the design, construction, operation and
maintenance of processing units and facilities, and they are supplemented with the experience of Shell Operating Units.
Where appropriate they are based on, or reference is made to, international, regional, national and industry standards.
The objective is to set the recommended standard for good design and engineering practice applied by Shell companies
operating an oil refinery, gas handling installation, chemical plant, oil and gas production facility, or any other such
facility, and thereby to achieve maximum technical and economic benefit from standardization.
The information set forth in these publications is provided to Shell companies for their consideration and decision to
implement. This is of particular importance where MESC SPEs may not cover every requirement or diversity of condition
at each locality. The system of MESC SPEs is expected to be sufficiently flexible to allow individual Operating Units to
adapt the information set forth in MESC SPEs to their own environment and requirements.
When Contractors or Manufacturers/Suppliers use MESC SPEs they shall be solely responsible for the quality of work
and the attainment of the required design and engineering standards. In particular, for those requirements not
specifically covered, the Principal will expect them to follow those practices, which will achieve the same level of
integrity as reflected in the MESC SPEs. If in doubt, the Contractor or Manufacturer/Supplier shall, without detracting
from his own responsibility, consult the Principal or its technical advisor.
The right to use MESC SPEs is granted by Shell GSI, in most cases under Service Agreements primarily with Shell
companies and other companies receiving technical advice and services from Shell GSI or another Shell Service
Company. Consequently, three categories of users of MESC SPEs can be distinguished:
1) Operating Units having a Service Agreement with Shell GSI or other Shell Service Company. The use of MESC
SPEs by these Operating Units is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the relevant Service
Agreement.
2) Other parties who are authorized to use MESC SPEs subject to appropriate contractual arrangements (whether
as part of a Service Agreement or otherwise).
3) Contractors/subcontractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers under a contract with users referred to under 1) or 2)
which requires that tenders for projects, materials supplied or - generally - work performed on behalf of the said
users comply with the relevant standards.
Subject to any particular terms and conditions as may be set forth in specific agreements with users, Shell GSI
disclaims any liability of whatsoever nature for any damage (including injury or death) suffered by any company or
person whomsoever as a result of or in connection with the use, application or implementation of any MESC SPE,
combination of MESC SPEs or any part thereof, even if it is wholly or partly caused by negligence on the part of Shell
GSI or other Shell Service Company. The benefit of this disclaimer shall inure in all respects to Shell GSI and/or any
Shell Service Company, or companies affiliated to these companies, that may issue MESC SPEs or require the use of
MESC SPEs.
Without prejudice to any specific terms in respect of confidentiality under relevant contractual arrangements, MESC
SPEs shall not, without the prior written consent of Shell GSI, be disclosed by users to any company or person
whomsoever and the MESC SPEs shall be used exclusively for the purpose for which they have been provided to the
user. They shall be returned after use, including any copies, which shall only be made by users with the express prior
written consent of Shell GSI. The copyright of MESC SPEs vests in Shell GSI. Users shall arrange for MESC SPEs to
be held in safe custody and Shell GSI may at any time require information satisfactory to them in order to ascertain how
users implement this requirement.
All administrative queries should be directed to the MESC SPE Administrator in Shell GSI.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................4
1.1 SCOPE........................................................................................................................4
1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS .........4
1.3 DEFINITIONS .............................................................................................................4
1.4 ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................................................4
1.5 CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION...................................................................4
1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE............................................................................4
PART II REQUIREMENTS FOR FLANGE INSULATION SETS..............................................5
1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................5
2. WASHERS ..................................................................................................................5
3. INSULATING SLEEVES .............................................................................................5
4. GASKET......................................................................................................................5
5. MATERIAL PROPERTIES..........................................................................................5
6. MARKING ...................................................................................................................5
PART III REFERENCES ...........................................................................................................6
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PART I INTRODUCTION

1.1 SCOPE
This MESC SPE specifies requirements for electrical insulation sets for flanges, consisting
of washers, insulating sleeves and a gasket.
This specification shall apply in addition to the applicable MESC Buying Description,
purchase order or requisition sheet.

1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

Unless otherwise authorised by Shell GSI, the distribution of this MESC SPE is confined to
Shell companies and, where necessary, to Contractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers
nominated by them.
This MESC SPE is intended for use in oil refineries, chemical plants, gas plants, exploration
and production facilities and, where applicable, supply/distribution installations.
If national and/or local regulations exist in which some of the requirements may be more
stringent than in this MESC SPE the Contractor shall determine by careful scrutiny which of
the requirements are the more stringent and which combination of requirements will be
acceptable with regards to safety, environmental, economic and legal aspects. In all cases
the Contractor shall inform the Principal of any deviation from the requirements of this
MESC SPE which is considered to be necessary in order to comply with national and/or
local regulations. The Principal may then negotiate with the Authorities concerned, the
objective being to obtain agreement to follow this MESC SPE as closely as possible.

1.3 DEFINITIONS
The Contractor is the party that carries out all or part of the design, engineering,
procurement, construction, commissioning or management of a project, or operation or
maintenance of a facility. The Principal may undertake all or part of the duties of the
Contractor.
The Manufacturer/Supplier is the party that manufactures or supplies equipment and
services to perform the duties specified by the Contractor.
The Principal is the party that initiates the project and ultimately pays for its design and
construction. The Principal will generally specify the technical requirements. The Principal
may also include an agent or consultant authorised to act for, and on behalf of, the
Principal.
The word shall indicates a requirement.
The word should indicates a recommendation.

1.4 ABBREVIATIONS
PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene

1.5 CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION

The previous edition of this MESC SPE was dated 15 February 2005. As part of the global
harmonisation initiative of Shell piping, valves and gasket specifications, this document has
been reviewed. Because of the large number of modifications, it is impractical to list all
differences here.

1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE

Comments on this MESC SPE may be sent to the MESC SPE Administrator at
standards@shell.com. Shell staff may also post comments on this MESC SPE on the
Surface Global Network (SGN) under the Standards folder.
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PART II REQUIREMENTS FOR FLANGE INSULATION SETS

1. INTRODUCTION
Electrical insulation sets for flanges consist of washers, insulating sleeves and a gasket.
This part covers the requirements for design, material, dimensions and marking.

2. WASHERS
- Dimensions shall be based on the flange standard, given in the MESC Buying
Description.
- Material shall be in accordance with NEMA LI-1, Grade 10 or Grade 11.

3. INSULATING SLEEVES
- Dimensions shall be based on the flange standard, given in the MESC Buying
Description.
- Material shall be in accordance with NEMA LI-1, Grade 10 or Grade 11.
- Design shall be in accordance with NACE RP 0286.
- Thickness shall be at least 0.5 mm (0.020 in).

4. GASKET
- Dimensions shall be based on the flange standard, given in the MESC Buying
Description.
- Material shall be in accordance with NEMA LI-1, Grade 10 or Grade 11.
- If a metal core is specified, the thickness shall be at least 3 mm (0.118 in).
- PTFE seals shall be spring energised to allow sealing at low pressures.
- The gasket sealing element shall be of a homogenous design and shall contain a
maximum of 1 joint.

5. MATERIAL PROPERTIES
The following additional requirements shall apply:
Properties NEMA LI-1 G-10 NEMA LI-1 G-11
Minimum compressive strength as per ASTM D 695 345 MPa (50 ksi) 345 MPa (50 ksi)
Minimum di-electric strength as per ASTM D 149 550 V/mil 550 V/mil
Tensile strength 345 MPa (50 ksi) 283 MPa (41 ksi)
Maximum water absorption as per ASTM D 229 0.10 % 0.10 %
Chemical resistance pH 0 - 14 pH 0 - 14
Minimum shear strength as per ASTM D 732 152 MPa (22 ksi) 152 MPa (22 ksi)
Compressibility range as per ASTM F 36 5 - 15 % 5 - 15 %
Minimum cold recovery as per ASTM F 36 > 50 % > 50 %
Minimum impact strength 12.0 ft·lb/in 10.0 ft·lb/in

6. MARKING
- Each insulating set shall be packaged as one complete set and shall include the
installation and bolt loading requirements.
- The package shall be marked with the manufacturer’s namen and symbol, trade name
of the gasket, MESC number, manufacturing date and shelf life.
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PART III REFERENCES

In this MESC SPE, reference is made to the following publications:

NOTES:
1. Unless specifically designated by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used, together with any
amendments/supplements/revisions thereto.
2. Most of the referenced external standards are available to Shell staff on the SWW (Shell Wide Web) at
http://sww05.europe.shell.com/standards.

AMERICAN STANDARDS
Standard Test Method for Compressibility and Recovery ASTM F 36
of Gasket Materials
Standard Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage ASTM D 149
and Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating
Materials at Commercial Power Frequencies
Standard Test Methods for Rigid Sheet and Plate ASTM D 229
Materials Used for Electrical Insulation
Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of ASTM D 695
Rigid Plastics
Standard Test Method for Shear Strength of Plastics by ASTM D 732
Punch Tool
Issued by:
American Society for Testing and Materials
100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken
PA 19428-2959
USA

Electrical Isolation of Cathodically Protected Pipelines NACE RP 0286

Issued by:
NACE International
1440 South Creek Drive
Houston, TX 77084
USA

Industrial Laminating Thermosetting Products NEMA LI-1

Issued by:
NEMA
1300 North 17th Street
Suite 1752
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209
USA