Sample Report - Pipe Testing
The goal of every ECI piping inspection
is to thoroughly answer the question(s) which first prompted the inquiry, and
to provide a clear assessment of remaining service life. Due to the critical
role of all HVAC piping systems in day to day mechanical operations, many
operators of older building properties have the interest to identify their
current status. For others, it is a leak, of some other evidence of a corrosion
condition, which prompts special investigation.
Each final report provides a full
explanation of the testing procedure - including basic theory, background
information, unknowns, calculations, assumptions, and other informative
details. A summary section is offered in order to present our baseline
findings, and typically includes average and minimum calculations for corrosion
rates, wall loss, percent of allowable loss, pitting activity, and retirement
dates, etc. In addition, that information is also incorporated into an
executive summary section, and a final conclusions and recommendations
narrative.
Within the entire report, the detail
sheet for each test site holds the most valuable information. While some
individuals may never read a test report past the basic summary pages, in fact,
most of our clients take a keen interest in the details of our findings. For
that reason, ECI presents a comprehensive single page detail data sheet for
each location tested. This detail page provides all data and statistical
calculations associated with our investigation in a compact, well organized,
and understandable format.
A sample copy of a typical detail page is
represented below. Due to the limitations of reproducing an accurate copy of
the actual 8-1/2 x 11 page within this frame, we have broken out the page for
an expanded view. Simply move the mouse over any area and click to view it in
greater detail. Click the expanded image to return to this page.
Such detail is provided for each and
every test location. Typically, all test points are arranged in the order which
best illustrates the corrosion characteristics of the piping system. This may
be based according to supply vs. return flow, the age of the pipe, horizontal
vs. vertical orientation, an individual operating or physical parameter, but
most often - physical pipe size.
Various summary sections are provided.
Key information includes the number of individual locations tested for each
piping service, their low, medium and highest measured wall thickness values,
as well as their respective corrosion rates. Such a summary is shown
below.
The true benefit to any ultrasonic pipe
testing investigation is the ability to compare and model the field testing
data - a benefit simply not available by any other testing means. Sorting test
data according to different criteria will generally show any of the possible
trends which may exist. For every investigation, all data is graphed according
to various criteria, and presented in a separate graph section. Samples of such
graphs are offered below:
Above, the grey bar represents the
original wall thickness of the pipe in question, the blue bar the average of
all 12 thickness measurements taken, and the red bar the single lowest wall
thickness for each location. In this example, such information dramatically
illustrates the trends within each grouping of test sites, and in this example,
shows the slightly higher degree of wall loss at the hot water system.
In another investigation, initiated after
one pinhole leak occurred at some 3 year old Schedule 10 fire sprinkler piping,
we identified a very advanced corrosion problem at the foreign produced 4 in.
diameter piping, with little or no corrosion at the smaller size U.S. produced
pipe. In this case, shown below, ultrasonic testing clearly documented that the
pinhole leak was no isolated event, and that the piping was in need of
immediate replacement.
A side by side profile of measured
corrosion rates provides a look at a different piping system in the below
example. Here, an investigation prompted by heavy deposits found at the tower
pan shows uniformly high corrosion rates at the condenser pipe, while the
hydronic fluid filled chill water piping shows virtually no corrosion activity
at all. Again, the ability to run varying profiles of the data, based upon
different criteria, is a major benefit of ultrasonic piping analysis.
For every ECI ultrasonic testing report,
data is graphed according to:
- Wall Thickness Profile
- Corrosion Rate
- Remaining Pipe Service Life
- Percentage Of Allowable Loss
- Overall Test Result Status
When appropriate, and where sufficient
data exists to suggest a trend or contrast, test data will also be presented
for:
- Supply vs. Return Piping
- Horizontal vs. Vertical Piping
- Piping Age
- Physical Location
- Piping Service
- Floor Location
- Pipe Size
- Pipe Type, Grade, Or Schedule
The results from each ultrasonic pipe
testing investigation is presented in a variety of useful formats - from a
written executive summary, to the full set of statistics contained on each
location detail sheet. Grouping piping systems according to the type of service
provided allows us to provide a valuable summary of remaining wall thickness,
corrosion rate, percentage of allowable loss, retirement date estimates, and
other relevant statistics.
In addition, all test locations are
sorted according to their amount of pipe loss - highlighting the worst areas,
and providing a worksheet for further actions.
Overall, every ECI piping investigation
offers a tremendous amount of information and value. Whether planning the
purchase of a new property or the renovation of an old one, whether responding
to a suspected corrosion problem or just fulfilling a preventative interest to
know current piping conditions - East Coast Industries, Inc. can provide the
answers.
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