Non-Destructive Testing Services in Hudson Falls, NY
ANST Level I and Assistants
Becoming certified or learning about Nondestructive testing can be achieved in two ways. Enrolling in a school that provides a certificate or degree or getting hired on with a company with no knowledge of the industry and learning on the job. Typically 40hrs of radiation safety is the first step/certificate that is needed to get started. Once the Assistant has had some time in the industry the company will provide them with classroom training either in house, computer based or sending them to a course provided by a known 3rd party. When the Assistants meets the required OJT hours and classroom time. They will test with the company they are with by completing a specific, general and practical exams. When this is completed, they are now a Level II technician.
Traditional Film, Computed Radiography and Digital radiography in Hudson Falls, NY
Integrity Testlabs currently utilizes traditional film and computed radiography (CR) film. Traditional film is still loaded under safe lights and developed using a 5-step process in the back our darkrooms. Once dry, the filmed in viewed under a high intensity viewer looking for defects. Traditional film comes in several different sizes and leaves the client with a physical piece of film to view for years to come. Computer Radiography or CR uses plates that are phosphor. When these plates are exposed to radiation, the plates emit a blue light that is interpreted by the film processor and then transmitted into an image and viewed on the computer screen. This process is efficient and plates can be used multiple times, no chemicals are needed to process the film. Digital radiography is newer to the industrial and keeps gaining popularity each year. Limited in film size and mobility. The biggest advantage is shorter x-ray times, less radiation, wire or wireless capabilities, and instant images that are displayed on the computer screen.
Hudson Falls, NY Visual Testing (VT)
Probably the most important inspection technique and one we are gifted with is visual testing with our eyes. This is a very common, low cost, quick and effective way to inspect welding, equipment, and coatings. Visual testing is the most important tool for a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), It’s a certification you can acquire through ASNT or with your company by ASNT TC 1A. Defects commonly found using visual inspection is excessive reinforcement, underfill, undercut, porosity, cold lap. If able to access the inside or root of the weld its possible to see lack of fusion, or incomplete penetration.
Hudson Falls, NY API 580
API 580 was developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) in 2002. It is primarily adopted in oil and chemical refineries for developing programs to track and maintain inspections in keys areas of the piping or equipment that is affected by the process it contains. API 580 is program will keep workers and communities safe from releases or catastrophic failures. Integrity Testlabs has provided support for API 580 by providing Radiographic inspections and Ultrasonic Thickness inspections on piping, shells of exchangers, towers and drums. Radiography provides an actual imagine of the corrosion that is occurring and UT grids can provide a visual by numbers on where wall loss is happening.
Turnaround or Outage Support
Every year in the Energy and Refinery industry have their planned and or unplanned outages. Typically planned for the spring or fall. The plant will shut down typically for a week to 4 weeks for maintenance. These outages require a number of skilled workers to accomplish the planned work. Typically working around the clock to accomplish this work. These tasks can include replacing equipment, valves, pumps, and piping. They may also overhaul the equipment or overlay the piping or shells to help with corrosion. Integrity Testlabs has the staff to support the needs of the mechanical contractors or the owner operators. We can provide RT, UT, MT, PT and QC/QA support.
API 570
The American Petroleum Institute (API) 570 is a in-service inspection code. Designed for the natural gas, chemical and oil refineries piping systems to prevent failures before they happen. This code covers inspection, rating, repair, and alteration procedures for applicable piping systems. This code applies to metallic and fiberglass-reinforced plastic piping systems, also pressure-relieving devices associated with the systems. Inspectors are tasked with ensuring compliance with this code is followed. Integrity Testlabs has in-house and contract API 570’s to cover any needs that fall under the API 570.
