Tips for Fastening Equipment to Bases

Tighten base bolts only after grout curing.
Use anchor bolts made for the job.
Anchor bolts must be installed perpendicular to the base for maximum holding.
Allow for anchor bolt stretch with the base design, the upper 3 to 4 inches under the base are to be sleeved.
Remove leveling bolts when tightening anchor bolts (no opposing loads).
Fill empty leveling bolt holes with RTV, to keep water from undermining the base.
Sound the base to be sure the grout is attached to the base primer.
Use F436 anchor washers, grade 8 double thick washers, or equipment washers that will not cup and deflect.
Torque to manufactures spec and avoid thread lubricants in pulsating equipment applications.
Threads are to extend 1 ½ to 2 threads beyond the nut.
Bolts used to screw into the base pad are to penetrate one bolt cross-section minimum for steel and 1 ½ cross-sections for cast iron.

Robert L. Matthews

Bob has 35 plus years reliability maintenance experience ranging from hands-on to supervision, plant maintenance management, consulting, and training. His training resume includes the development and presentation of courses on Advanced Pump Rebuilding, Lubrication, Mechanical Seals, Braided Packing, Operator Awareness, and other customized classes for diverse companies like Exxon, Phillips and Westinghouse as well as programs for Auburn, the University of Alaska, LSU, the Vibration Institute, ASME, FSA, and others.

Today, Bob is the reliability manager for Royal Purple, LLC where his role includes providing added value services to the maintenance industry and their customers with lectures, training, and plant visits for reliability recommendations. Bob is a graduate from Lamar University, and has authored several industrial publications.