Quality Under Pressure
Ever seen the movie Men in Black? Agent K has a great line: "We are the best kept secret in the galaxy. We monitor, license and police all alien activity on the Earth. We're your first, last, and only line of defense. We live in secret, we exist in shadow."
To most of us—much like the fictional aliens in the movie—pipelines are a mystery, silently running beneath our feet while we go about our lives. However, industry professionals are very aware and know the seriousness of 24/7 pipeline monitoring, maintenance and inspection, which is why they take no short cuts. This is where quality testing proves to be important.
Why Quality Test?
Safety—for people and the environment—is of course the most important reason for thorough pipe testing. Failure to detect faulty pipes can have extreme operational and financial consequences. Quality testing is also a matter of compliance. The US Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has established rigorous safety standards which must be followed.
Types of Quality Testing
Primarily, pipe testing will certify that the pipe meets relevant quality and weld-reliability standards. It will validate standards for hardness, absence of leaks and the ability to withstand weight and pressure requirements. Testing must not harm or weaken the pipe in any way, and testing results must be reliable and precise. The goal? Ensure a safer solution by finding and correcting defects prior to delivery.
Common testing incorporates the following:
Radiography
Positive Material Identification (PMI)
Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI)
Ultrasonic testing
Hydrostatic Testing
All these tests should be performed on fittings to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
Improve Output & Quality with Certified Uni-forge Fittings
Uni-Forge meticulously maintains industry standards to ensure the safety and strength of our designs. All products are tested and certified by Bureau Veritas North America. It begins with manufacturing processes that are in accordance with all regulatory standards. Count on Uni-forge fittings, plugs, sleeves, saddles, pads, repair clamps, repair sleeves, and special fittings to keep your operations safe and running.
We're ready to prove what agent K said, "We are the best kept secret in the galaxy."
Check out the burst test below showcasing our fitting's ability to hold 3x the pressure requirement!
To learn more about Uni-forge pipe fittings and pipeline reinforcement products, contact the specialists at UNI-FORGE today.
Topics: taptee, hottap, htls, hottapping, linestopping,
