Fake flange protectors: How to spot the difference

We received some pictures with a simple question: have you seen this happen to a Rapid Soft Cover before? The answer was short. No, never.

The pictures showed flanges with damage to the flange face and the gasket on the flange protector having melted into the flange. The protectors had been installed, but they had not done their job. Upon closer inspection, the explanation was clear. These were not our flange protectors. They were a cheap copy.

What we actually saw in the pictures

The copy looked similar on the surface. Same shape and colors, same idea. But several important design details were missing, and those details are the whole point of the product, including:

• Wrong type of gasket material
• Wrong type of plugs
• Wrong quality of rigid plastic
  

You can see the result on the sealing surface. And a damaged sealing surface means hours of material removal and, in the worst case, re-machining.

The calculation nobody considers at purchase

A flange protector costs little. A flange costs much more. The hours spent cleaning and preparing flanges that should have been ready for use cost even more.

We thought about that when we saw the pictures. How many hours were spent saving those flanges? The savings on the purchase probably disappeared during the first workday.

Preservation is about avoiding surprises when the equipment is to be used. That principle is the basis for NORSOK Z-006, and it applies just as much to a single flange protector as it does to an entire packing procedure.

We make the original

Rapid Soft Cover is our own design, developed here in Norway for Norwegian conditions. We have adjusted the details over many years based on feedback from shipyards, offshore, and industry. That is why they fit as they should.

Together with Reál Rapid Bolt or EP230, they are attached in seconds without tools. The bolts are reusable, and the Rapid Bolt is also produced in Norway (EP230 is produced in Europe).

If you buy from us, you know what you are getting. If you buy from an unknown source at half price, you do not.

How to check that you have the original

Are you unsure of what is already in your inventory? Take a picture and send it to us. We can quickly tell the difference.

• Check for markings and logos on the product
• Feel the material; the original has a soft gasket but a rigid outer material
  
• Ask the supplier where the product comes from

Frequently asked questions about fake flange protectors

How do I know if my flange protector is a copy? Look for markings, feel the material quality, and check the fit against the flange. Copies typically sit loosely or are tight in the wrong places. Feel free to send us a picture.

What happens if I use a copy? A poor fit lets in moisture and dirt. This can lead to corrosion on the sealing surface, which must be machined or sandblasted before the flange can be used.

Who produces Rapid Soft Cover? We do. Rapid Soft Cover is Reál Marine's own design, produced in Norway.

Can flange protectors be used with VCI? Yes. A tight protector keeps the VCI vapor in place over the sealing surface. A leaky copy does not.

Is Rapid Soft Cover reusable? Yes. Both the protector and the Reál Rapid Bolt can withstand multiple rounds of normal use. We have customers who have used the same Rapid Soft Covers for years, across multiple projects!

Unsure about what you have?

Call us at 51 94 47 00 or send an email to post@realmarine.no. We will help you find the right size, and we will tell you if you have received anything other than the original.