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What does a chimney and chimney inspection involve?

Industrial chimneys and chimneys are subject to deterioration over time and need to be inspected regularly to ensure they are working safely and properly. Factories and plants usually have heavy production schedules that can affect smokestacks and chimneys. In addition to aggressive use, a chimney or chimney can also experience degradation due to external factors, such as temperature variations, chemical attack, lightning, and wind loads. Having a chimney professional regularly inspect your industrial chimney can help identify early signs of problems before they become a health or safety hazard.

Because the areas most prone to damage are hard to see from ground level (interior, top, stairs, and decks), a qualified rope access chimney technician will be a great partner in maintaining your chimneys. industrial and chimneys in good working order. A regular maintenance and inspection program can help reduce costly repairs and facility downtime.

If you’re unfamiliar with industrial chimney or chimney inspection components or methods, here’s what to expect from a qualified chimney technician.

visual inspections

The first aspect of your chimney maintenance plan is a visual inspection. Before a chimney technician can determine the necessary maintenance requirements, a preliminary visual inspection is required. There are two types of visual inspections that can be performed.

Class I Inspections are done through the online system. A chimney technician will inspect the structure using binoculars from ground level, as well as obtain a close visual inspection from stairways and access platforms. These inspections should be done once a year to identify any potential issues that require further attention.

Class II Inspections are performed with the chimney or chimney offline. These inspections may use rope access techniques to give chimney technicians a close look at the structure, both inside and out. Technicians will install the rig at the top of the pier and then descend the full elevation of the pier. Detailed notes are taken along with photos regarding any anomalies, damages, or safety hazards. The inspection will include viewing as much of the chimney or chimney as possible from the foundation level, access platforms, and fixed access ladders. Rope access technicians will also descend into the structure so they can see the condition of the chimney and liner. Once the notes are compiled, the report is given to the facility manager to help identify any urgent concerns.

non destructive testing

During a Class II Inspection, a number of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods can be performed to determine the structural integrity of a chimney or industrial chimney. NDT methods are a means of examining the integrity of a structure without affecting the performance or usefulness of the material. Essential, NDT allows the measurement of physical characteristics such as the thickness of steel or fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) or the hardness of concrete without damaging the structure. Since inspection will not interfere with a product’s end use, non-destructive testing methods are an excellent option for balancing quality control with cost effectiveness and require little or no plant disruption.

Some types of non-destructive testing include:

  • laser surveys
  • Schmidt hammer tests
  • ultrasound test
  • hot chamber inspection

material sampling

There are a few circumstances that warrant a closer look at the physical condition of the fireplace or fireplace. If a deficiency is observed, material sampling could help determine the root cause. In these cases, samples of the materials will be taken for testing and analysis.

Material sampling tests may include:

  • Concrete sample/core sample: tests the resistance of a material, the extent of any acid attack and also the resistance to corrosion. The sample is collected using a special central saw that samples the structure at various elevations. The “break strength” test of concrete cores is commonly used to determine the integrity of the structure. Petrographic analysis can also be used. This examines the physical and chemical composition of the concrete sample to determine if it should be repaired or replaced.
  • FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) Test – If the structure contains fiberglass materials, an FRP test can examine the cladding layer, fiber layers, and resin to determine the condition of the material. These tests help determine the remaining life of the fireplace or chimney and can detect needed repairs.

Establishing a regular inspection and maintenance schedule will help maintain long-lasting structural integrity, ensure minimal maintenance expense, and prevent unplanned facility downtime that can cost a company significant money.

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