Mechanical Seal Field Checklist (Removal & Installation)

1. Pre-Work Safety Preparation

* ☐ Confirm equipment is shut down and isolated (Lockout/Tagout applied)
* ☐ Ensure zero pressure in pump and piping system
* ☐ Drain and flush pump casing completely
* ☐ Verify fluid is safe to handle (chemical/MSDS check)
* ☐ Wear proper PPE (gloves, goggles, face shield, protective clothing)
* ☐ Prepare clean working area to avoid contamination

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2. Pre-Disassembly Inspection

* ☐ Record pump operating condition (temperature, pressure, leakage history)
* ☐ Check seal leakage rate and location
* ☐ Inspect coupling alignment condition (if accessible)
* ☐ Mark relative positions of pump casing, gland, and shaft sleeve
* ☐ Take photos before dismantling for reference

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3. Mechanical Seal Removal

* ☐ Remove coupling guard
* ☐ Disconnect coupling and check shaft movement
* ☐ Remove pump cover / back pull-out assembly
* ☐ Loosen gland plate bolts evenly in cross pattern
* ☐ Carefully slide gland and seal assembly off shaft
* ☐ Avoid scratching shaft sleeve or shaft surface
* ☐ Remove stationary and rotating seal components separately
* ☐ Keep seal faces clean and protected from impact
* ☐ Inspect for abnormal wear pattern before cleaning

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4. Inspection After Removal

* ☐ Check seal faces for cracks, heat marks, or scoring
* ☐ Inspect elastomers (O-rings, gaskets) for swelling or hardening
* ☐ Check shaft/sleeve for wear grooves or corrosion
* ☐ Verify gland plate flatness and damage
* ☐ Inspect bearing condition if axial/radial movement is suspected
* ☐ Identify root cause of failure (dry running, misalignment, contamination, etc.)

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5. Preparation Before Installation

* ☐ Clean all components with approved solvent
* ☐ Ensure shaft/sleeve is smooth and burr-free
* ☐ Replace worn sleeve or damaged components
* ☐ Confirm correct seal type and material compatibility
* ☐ Check installation dimensions against OEM drawing
* ☐ Lightly lubricate O-rings (use compatible lubricant only)
* ☐ Ensure seal faces are clean and not touched by hands

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6. Mechanical Seal Installation

* ☐ Install stationary seat squarely into gland or housing
* ☐ Ensure no tilt or misalignment during insertion
* ☐ Install rotating seal unit onto shaft carefully
* ☐ Avoid damaging elastomers during sliding
* ☐ Position seal at correct installation length (per datasheet)
* ☐ Tighten gland bolts evenly in cross pattern
* ☐ Verify shaft rotation is smooth after assembly
* ☐ Ensure correct spring compression / seal setting distance

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7. Reassembly of Pump

* ☐ Reinstall pump casing and align components properly
* ☐ Reconnect coupling and perform alignment check (laser/dial indicator)
* ☐ Reinstall coupling guard
* ☐ Confirm all bolts are torqued to specification
* ☐ Reconnect flush / quench / barrier systems (if applicable)

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8. Pre-Start Checks

* ☐ Verify pump is filled and fully primed
* ☐ Confirm no dry running condition exists
* ☐ Check seal support system pressure (if dual seal)
* ☐ Ensure venting is complete
* ☐ Rotate shaft manually to confirm no binding
* ☐ Check instrument readings (pressure, temperature, flow)

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9. Start-Up Monitoring

* ☐ Start pump and observe leakage level (initial slight leakage may occur)
* ☐ Monitor vibration and noise
* ☐ Check seal area temperature rise
* ☐ Confirm stable operation within first 30–60 minutes
* ☐ Inspect for abnormal leakage continuously
* ☐ Record final operating parameters

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10. Post-Start Follow-Up

* ☐ Re-check alignment after thermal stabilization
* ☐ Verify seal chamber pressure stability
* ☐ Confirm no abnormal wear signs after 24–48 hours
* ☐ Log installation details for maintenance records