In-Service & Risk-Based Inspection

Visual and In-Service Inspection

Visual inspection is an important step in any in-service inspection routine, it is used to identify external anomalies and clues to anomalies such as rust staining on insulated pipe work, it also allows for a more focused use of NDT techniques to detect other internal anomalies such as fatigue cracks, corrosion, erosion, abrasion, cavitation, mechanical damage, wear and tear, distortion, and poor workmanship.

Risk Based Inspection

Risk based inspection is a method of defing the inspections requirements based on the risk posed by a particular plant item.

When implementing a risk based approach, safety concerns need to take precedence over other influences such as business interruption and loss of earnings. The RBI approach identifies the potential damage mechanisms and the required interval of inspection: high-risk items requiring frequent NDT; low risk items requiring infrequent or no NDT.

Information on plant integrity can be generated from the design, operational experience and NDT records, and from sound knowledge of the deterioration mechanisms and the rate at which deterioration will proceed. The approach is unreliable when there is lack of, or uncertainty in, the key information required to assess integrity.

NDT can then be planned at appropriate intervals using NDT methods that are able to detect the type and level of deterioration anticipated in order to allow an assessment of the current and future fitness-for-service to be made.

OTS are able to offer a full in-service and risk based inspection service carried out by experienced and competent inspection engineers and backed up by a full engineering service by our own Chartered Engineer. OTS can also act as the competent person and offer a full in-service inspection service in accordance with SI 128 - Pressure Systems Safety Regulations.