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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to our most frequently asked questions below. If you can't find what you are looking for please contact us.

Who do I call if I need to purchase a BS&B product?

A global network of factory trained sales representatives and distributors coordinates sales activity for BS&B products. Your local representative can be identified through the ‘contact by location’ function at our web site find a representative.

How can I figure out who the BS&B representative is for my location?

Visit find a representative and go to the ‘contact by location’ search function.

Are there a quantity discounts for BS&B products?

Rupture disk device and explosion vent panel pricing is generally quantity sensitive.

How often should a rupture disk (bursting disc) be replaced?

Recommendations are typically given in product specific installation instructions that can be viewed and downloaded from Catalogues-Publications page. Please check the model of BS&B rupture disk that you have and locate the corresponding installation instruction manual. Remember too that the function of a rupture disk device is determined by the relationship between the rupture disk and its corresponding holder. While holders are intended for reuse (unless part of a single use rupture disk assembly), if impaired by such as damage or corrosion, a safety head may need to be replaced.

BS&B offer products that assist the customer in tracking and optimizing service life of rupture disk devices, such as Rupture Disk Manager. Service support is always available to assist the user of any rupture disk device in the quest for answers to service life questions. A request for assistance may be sent through our sales representative or distributor, or through the messaging option at our web site find a representative. Please identify your request as ‘rupture disk service support’ for such requests.

Can I operate a rupture disk under vacuum?

Vacuum resistance depends upon the rupture disk product type and its burst pressure. Most (but not all) rupture disk devices having a burst pressure of 22psi (1.51 Bar) or higher will have an intrinsic ability to resist vacuum. BS&B identifies the vacuum resistance characteristics of each rupture disk type on the product specific web site pages and in downloadable catalogs – please check your application conditions against this data. Vacuum resistance is interpreted to mean the ability to resist a 1 atmosphere negative pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the rupture disk device.

Forward acting rupture disk types (also called tension loaded) will typically require an additional vacuum support. Composite type forward acting rupture disks will always require a vacuum support when exposed to any negative pressure differential in order to support the internal seal membrane of such multi layered products (refer Type D and Type AV rupture disk catalogs).

A pressure difference higher than 1 atmosphere due to such as back pressure acting upon the outlet of a rupture disk device requires further consideration. All rupture disks are differential pressure sensitive devices. The BS&B Type SKi reverse buckling disk has unique back pressure independence characteristics that can simplify safety system design.

How do I install my BS&B Burst Alert® rupture disk activation sensor?

Every shipment of Burst Alert® sensors is supplied with Installation Instructions that indicate recommended practices, and the latest information can always be accessed at the Catalogues-Publications of the ‘downloads’ section of our web. In general, the Burst Alert® sensor is placed between the outlet flange of the holder and the downstream companion flange. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that local electrical code requirements are met by typically using such sensors in an intrinsically safe monitoring circuit.

Note: Armored type BS&B Burst Alert® sensors are always recommended for use where higher piping loads or extreme ambient operating conditions may be present, and with larger nominal size rupture disk devices. The armored ring incorporated into the sensor provides strong anchoring of the cable to the device & avoids unwanted bending during handling and installation.

Can you help me size a rupture disk for my application?

Approximations for rupture disk sizing are available through the BS&B web site by selecting the ‘sizing’ tool from the home page and registering for use of this online tool. It is the responsibility of the user / specifier to ensure that appropriate relief system sizing is conducted within which the rupture disk device is just one component that must be considered according to international design codes.

Can BS&B provide alternatives to a competitor’s rupture disk product?

The breadth of BS&B’s product capabilities typically allows us to propose a choice of alternatives to competitor product. Remember that a rupture disk device comprises both the rupture disk and the holder (or safety head) in which it is used. The BS&B sales team will guide you through the selection of the best alternative or upgrade to your existing technology, and you can help yourself by using the selection tool on our web site which can be found at Selection-Guide . Ask us about Burst Alert® rupture disk / bursting disk sensors that assist in providing a signal to your process control system in the event of rupture disk activation.

At what temperature do you specify a rupture disk?

Rupture disks are temperature sensitive and therefore it is important to evaluate the operating temperature range of an application to verify material compatibility and then to select a ‘coincident temperature’ at which the burst pressure condition is designed to arise. Although some people specify rupture disks at the normal operating process temperature, disks should be specified at the temperature to which the disk will be exposed when required to rupture. The BS&B rupture disk certification process includes destructive burst testing at this coincident temperature. Both elevated and sub ambient temperature testing is conducted at BS&B and reported on the ‘burst test certificate’ that accompanies each rupture disk product shipment.

Do rupture disks on new pressure vessels after January 2, 1999 need to be "UD" stamped if they are installed under a safety relief valve?

ASME Code requires UD certified rupture disks for all new construction subsequent to January 2, 1999, regardless of the application. This applies to whether a rupture disk / safety relief valve combination is employed or a stand-alone rupture disk device. Many jurisdictions require compliance with the latest revision of the ASME Code which will trigger an upgrade to ASME UD certified rupture disks and safety heads. Both the rupture disk and the safety head, and rupture disk assemblies shall be ASME Code stamped when applied for the protection of ASME Code stamped pressure vessels.

Does a Fluoropolymer liner add to the burst pressure of a rupture disk?

This depends on the type of rupture disk and pressure. Whenever a Fluoropolymer liner is applied to a BS&B rupture disk, whether as a seal or an additional corrosion barrier, the liner is present for burst pressure verification testing.

What is PSID?

Pounds per square inch differential. This can be a useful pressure unit (also Bar d = Bar differential), reflective of the fact that rupture disk devices are differential pressure sensitive.

What advice can BS&B provide with respect to rupture disk installation?

BS&B product installation instructions are available from our web site at Catalogues-Publications and are identified by the product name which is always marked on the tag which is normally attached to the rupture disk and the holder (safety head). Please pay attention to the warnings and cautions identified in our instruction manuals. Rupture disk device installation should always be carried out by a suitably qualified individual with experience in the field of careful handling of instrumentation. It is recommended to store and keep rupture disks in their packaging until after review of the BS&B installation instructions and until site readiness; this will help protect your investment in this important safety device. In case of questions, please contact BS&B or your local Representative. Site training of your personnel with respect to safe handling and installation of rupture disk devices is available from BS&B.

I’ve heard that we should be installing rupture disks with a torque wrench. Does it really make much difference?

Yes! Installing a rupture disk device between companion flanges should always follow the manufacturer’s recommended torque instructions that are provided in the installation manual. This best engineering practice will optimize the users’ experience with respect to leak tightness, longevity and burst pressure precision. The performance of a rupture disk is a result of the relationship between the disk, its holder, and the mounting arrangement in which it is used (such as companion flanges). Accuracy and consistency of installation bolt torque values is an important contributor to this relationship. A rupture disk should be treated as an instrument and installed with proper torque alongside the other installation requirements of the manufacturer.