---
title: "Creating Flanges - Overview"
slug: "creating-flanges-overview"
tags: ["FCM"]
updated: 2026-10-27T23:12:05Z
published: 2026-10-27T23:12:05Z
canonical: "ims-handbook.cenosco.com/creating-flanges-overview"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ims-handbook.cenosco.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating Flanges - Overview

> [!NOTE]
> This Section of the Handbook describes the process of creating Flange FLOCs and Equipment in FCM

It should be noted that non-Flange FLOCs and Equipment, or Level 4 items, are visible in FCM but they cannot be created in FCM. For example, to create a pressure vessel, exchanger or piping system, the main Equipment needs to be created in SAP (if interfaced) or in IMS PEI (or IMS RCM).

In turn, Flanges (Flange-FLOCs & Flange/Clamp Equipment) can only be created in IMS FCM.

## FLOC Level 4 & Level 5 Equipment Relationship

The relationship between FCM FLOCs and Equipment and other IMS FLOCs and Equipment is shown in the hierarchy figure below.

![null](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image(170).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A36%3A33Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A36%3A33Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=QtErwK8L%2FhBIGeS5UGTuetGCYcWflQACifvVOo4xgXc%3D)FCM Hierarchy Levels.

Flange-FLOCs are where the IMS Flange Connection Module (FCM) starts. Relationships between Flanges and Equipment are determined on the FLOC level. This means that:

- A FLOC from IMS PEI (Level 4) always has a Unit for its parent.
- A Flange-FLOC (Level 5) usually has a FLOC (Level 4) for its parent.
- A Flange-FLOC can also have a “FLOC 2” connection, this references another FLOC to which the Flange is connected.
- Equipment always has a FLOC for its parent and can never have another Equipment for its parent. Equipment on level 4 FLOCs are from IMS PEI.
- In FCM, Flange and Grayloc Equipment are created on Flange-FLOCs.

An example of the relationship between Level 4 Equipment and Level 5 Flange connection is shown below.

![null](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/floc-level-4-(equipment)-and-level-5-(flange)-relationship-image-wlmc3hcq.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A36%3A33Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A36%3A33Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=QtErwK8L%2FhBIGeS5UGTuetGCYcWflQACifvVOo4xgXc%3D)Equipment (Level 4) and Flange Connection (Level 5).