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Monday, October 1, 2012

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) By Rope Access Companies Helps To Determine Structural Integrity

By Frits Van Daalen


Inexpensive, safe and clean, non-destructive testing by rope access is perhaps the easiest way to check the structural integrity of surfaces and components found in difficult-to-access places. Using a spread of time-proven testing methods, rope access specialists can put your fears to rest and help ensure you comply with industry safety and inspection requirements.

Based totally on systems perfected by mountain climbers, rope access consultant can perform a wide variety of NDT operations at your facility. They concentrate on areas too high or too unusually shaped to be reached by other techniques or found within tanks or vessels. Rope access testing apparatus can be swiftly installed and taken down without interrupting your operations.

NDT For Determining Structural Integrity

Many varieties of NDT procedures can be performed by the employees who repel onto your high or hard-to-reach surfaces. Used individually or together, the test results can decide if you have issues with welding cracks, corrosion or other integrity issues that might compromise the safety and effectiveness of your apparatus.

Among the tests that may be conducted are:

- Radiography inspection. X-rays and gamma rays can find corrosion under insulation and look for discontinuities in pipe welds, among other stuff.
- Ultrasonic inspection. Using high-frequency waves, ultrasonic apparatus can find issues in subsurface materials that are not noticeable in any alternative way.
- Magnetic particle inspection. Used for detecting discontinuities on the surface and near the outer layer of ferromagnetic materials, this reliable : method is quick to perform and effective in locating Problems.
- Eddy current inspection. A testing method that can be effectively performed thru paint, eddy current inspection uses electric currents to create a magnetic field in conductive materials. Where there's a problem, equipment spots a distortion in he field.
- Dry-penetrant inspection. The penetrant bleeds through the material in places where there are discontinuities, makes issues much easier viewable with the eye or under magnification equipment.
- Visual inspection. Perhaps the most useful technique available is visual inspection since trained inspectors can see many issues just by taking a look at a surface, then they can substantiate their observations using one of the other testing techniques mentioned above.

NDT's Major Advantages

NDT consultants who repel into your corporation's hardest-to-reach places can offer you several benefits over other systems of reaching and testing your elements. Most important, naturally, is the financial saving.

There are more advantages, however.

By confirming your suspicion of faults, NDT results can allow you to access the money you need to make repairs. When testing via rope access is the only real way to reach an area, it may end up in pictures and equipment readings you can take to your board or chief financial officer as proof of problems so that funds can be released for repair.

Perhaps even more vital than providing proof of issues you suspected is that NDT can offer proof of problems you could never have anticipated.

Also important to your bottom line is the proven fact that NDT may be called non-DISRUPTIVE testing because of the simplicity and speed with which the process will allow the testing to be finished with minimum disruption to your corporation's daily routine.




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