What should be done to bolt connections on flanges prior to quality control verification?

To ensure the integrity and reliability of bolted connections on flanges, it is essential to have the bolts evenly distributed. This distribution is crucial for maintaining an even load across the flange, which helps prevent stress concentrations that could lead to mechanical failure. When bolts are appropriately spaced, it allows the flange faces to come together uniformly, ensuring a proper seal and minimizing the risk of leaks. This practice is especially critical in applications where pressure or temperature changes can affect the joint's performance.

While visual appeal can play a role in overall project quality, it should not take precedence over functional considerations like load distribution. Similarly, twisting bolts to check tightness isn't a standard practice, as it doesn’t accurately measure their tension or torque. Finally, while replacing any missing bolts is important, the focus in this context should be on the correct arrangement and distribution of existing bolts rather than merely ensuring that all bolts are present. Thus, ensuring that bolt connections are evenly distributed is the most critical step prior to quality control verification.