Pepco Pipe Services specializes in hydrotesting and pneumatic testing of fabricated pipe. Diligence and experience has allowed us to have failure rates of 0.01 with no failures in over 7 years. Pepco uses modern techniques and technology while having familiarities in CSA requirements and all hydro tests comply with ASME B31.3 standards.
Ensuring the integrity of the pipeline is a key part of our commitment to safety, and hydrostatic testing is one tool used by us to do just that.
Hydro testing is a method used to reconfirm the structural integrity and safety of a piping system. When a pipeline is designed it must be tested to ensure that it can withstand the internal pressure before being put into service. The test involves filling a pipeline segment with water until it is at a pressure that is 1.5 times higher than the pipeline will ever operate and holding that pressure for a period of four to eight hours. This allows our customer the opportunity to validate safe operations of the pipeline, design standards, specifications and ensure that the line does not leak while in service.
Hydro testing plays a significant role in the non-destructive evaluation of a piping system because it allows our customer to validate the safe operations of the piping system. The information obtained through this verification process evaluates as the structural integrity of the welds performed and that all the connections have be properly joined when the line does not leak.
It is used as the basis for establishing its maxim operating pressure. Pressure tests could result in test failures in the form of ruptures, with an associated risk of property damage and a risk to personnel safety, and it is considered that the use of pretested piping can reduce those risks. It is used to reveal and eliminate imperfections that could cause leaks or ruptures during operation.
Pepco’s policy is to use two calibrated gauges for each hydro test session ensuring accuracy, and also includes these records within a client’s quality package. We have test ranges up to 10,000 PSI with the Crystal Engineering Model 15KPSIXP2I. Additionally by using the nVision Reference Pressure Recorder we are able to visualize measurements graphically in real time, as it is being recorded with up to 0.025% accuracy. It has 500,000 data points and does 10 readings/second from 2 independent modules. This allows us to identify trends or anomalies visually and display the results in tables or spreadsheets for our clients.
nVision 10,000 PSI: +/-(0.1% of reading)
This instrument is calibrated in compliance with Canadian Standards Association CAN3-Z299-3-85, A.N.S.I. 840-1 and API 60.
Testing in the field is a service we also offer. During winter is added to the water to allow for testing. It prevents water from freezing. Fire water at the mine.
High Density Polyethylene was tested in Ontario at the gold mine.
Neil has 40 years of experience and has tested over 5,000 miles of pipeline. With materials including Poly-Plastics, Fiberglass, Steel, Aluminum, and Composite. Applying this expertise full-time, Neil is a leader in our Hydro Department and is valued member of our team.