Frequently Asked Questions

Click on any question below to obtain an appropriate answer:
Q. Can piping encased by a heat insulation layer such as air conditioning ducts be inspected? Normally the outer surface of the heat insulation layer is made of spiral aluminium sheet. The insulating materials are either polymer foam or rock wool.
A. Yes. The materials mentioned have no effect on the accuracy of inspection.
Q. Outer metal coatings are sometimes fitted as a protection for the product-carrying pipeline. Does this have an effect on the accuracy of the inspection?
A. We have inspected pipeline sections located under main roads (pipes in casing and pipe in pipe). The points of contact (eccentricity of casing) are identified by the system and, provided the product-carrying pipe is operating under pressure all anomalies can be identified.
Q. If one only pipe among a complex network of piping requires inspection (eg as seen at chemical plants) can the system behave reliably?
A. We have not worked on such plants but would expect complex networks would interfere with interpretation and that differentiation would be difficult
Q. If a pipeline is affected by a geomagnetic effect (telluric effect) can the pipeline be inspected?
A. Yes. The telluric effect does not impact on the accuracy of the inspection.
Q. If a pipeline has an inductance effect from a nearby overhead high voltage AC power line can the pipeline be inspected?
A. Yes. The power line effect is identified as a hindrance (anomaly) and theoretically the anomaly could be interpreted falsely as an intersection with a power line.
Q. Does the inspection include fittings (eg washout, valves, flanges)?
A. All fittings on the pipeline are inspected. There is no difficulty in differentiating defects and fittings if the pipeline technical scheme is available or the customer provides sufficient initial technical investigation. Without this information there is a theoretical possibility that mistakes in interpreting the nature of anomalies can be made.
Q. Can pipeline sections located under steel reinforced concrete be inspected?
A. Yes. We have successful experience in inspecting municipal pipeline distribution systems in such conditions.
Q. Ductile iron piping is not normally joined by welding but with spigot joints. This will result in electrical discontinuities along the pipeline and each section of pipe may become electrically isolated. Will this impact on the inspection accuracy?
A. Cast iron piping with spigot joints has been successfully inspected without encountering problems. However we have not inspected ductile iron pipes and would need to carry out tests to determine accuracy.
Q. Can the system inspect buried or aboveground pressurised bullet vessels used for gas storage (nominally 1 – 2,5m dia by 5 – 10 m length)?
A. The system has no difficulty inspecting such vessels up to 1.5m dia but for items larger than this we would recommend the use of a contact method of inspection.

If there are additional questions to which you would like answers please use the Contact Form and we will reply generally within 3 days. Alternatively, you may phone us on the lines quoted at the bottom of each page.