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What is a Floor Flange?

Paul Scott
Paul Scott

A floor flange is a term that describes a fitting used in construction and plumbing industries to secure decorative, structural, and sanitary fixtures. In the case of construction elements, floor flanges typically consist of a flat disc equipped with a number of mounting holes and a shaped, hollow socket. The disc is screwed or bolted to the floor via the mounting holes and the column or upright supported by the flange is locked into the socket. Sanitary fixture floor flanges serve as mounting points for toilets as well as an interface fitting between the trap outlet and soil pipe. Floor flanges may be made of metal or plastic or a combination of both.

A commonly used construction and plumbing fitting, the floor flange secures poles, columns, beams and sanitary ware to the floors of buildings. Construction flanges typically mount flush on the floor surface while plumbing flanges penetrate the floor, thereby forming mounting points for sanitary fittings and unions between them and soil or wastewater pipe systems. Construction floor flanges provide floor mounting points for any number of upright elements which include hand rails, flag and light poles, decorative columns, and structural beams. These flanges generally consist of one piece flange and socket combinations. The flat flange is drilled with several mounting holes and the socket may also be drilled to accept locking bolts.

Floor flanges are locked into place on wood or concrete floors.
Floor flanges are locked into place on wood or concrete floors.

These flanges are locked into place on wooden or concrete floors by means of screws, bolts, or anchors which pass through the flange mounting holes. The upright which the flange supports is then slipped into the socket and locked in place with grub screws, bolts, adhesive, or even welded seams. In the case of structural steel beams, the floor flange may be no more than a flat, square metal plate welded onto the end of an I beam and then bolted to a concrete floor. The sockets on a construction floor flange can be shaped to support almost any profile of upright, the most common types being round or square profiles.

The plumbing floor flange is used as a mounting point and union fitting for toilets. Also known as a closet flange, it typically consists of a one piece or modular pipe fitting/flange combination designed to connect the toilet trap to the soil pipe line and offer mounting points for the toilet bowl. There are a wide range of materials and finishes used in the construction of floor flanges. Most construction flanges are made of stainless steel, brass, or cast iron and are often finished with decor complimenting decorative plating and embellishments. Plumbing floor flanges are generally made of ABS or PVC plastics with the frequent inclusion of metal flange elements.

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    • Floor flanges are locked into place on wood or concrete floors.
      By: Lilyana Vynogradova
      Floor flanges are locked into place on wood or concrete floors.