Laboratory Services

IN-HOUSE TESTING

JOINT TESTING

We help utilities reduce leakage with our pipeline quality assurance products, maintained by our training and testing services for long term health of pipes.

Our custom-built in-house laboratory offers testing of electrofusion and butt fusion joints and material testing. All tests are created and undertaken in accordance with relevant industry standards.

We’re an independent and industry recognised ISO certified test house providing a range of expertise in materials and jointing best practice.

14% of leaks recorded have occurred on PE mains designed to last 200 years
Huge focus on leaks in AMP7 – 15% reduction target
Vast majority of leaks are preventable

WHY, WHEN, WHAT?

TESTING TO VERIFY THE FOLLOWING:

Man – Competancy and Skills, Machine – Equipment suitability, Material – Conformance to standards, Environment – Conditions

TESTING IS ADVISED FOR THE FOLLOWING:

As part of a routine Q&A program, Sampling, Benchmarketing and to investigation of a failure or event

TESTING OF PROCESSES AND MATERIALS:

Polyethelene (PE), Composite Materials, Ferrous e.g. Cast, Ductile, Steel, Glass Reinforced Pipe (GRP) and Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP)

OUR TESTING CAPABILITIES AND SERVICES:

PHYSICAL TESTING:

Tensile Testing – Mechanical performance of welded joints

C-Ring – Notch Testing, slow crack propogation, life time testing

Bead Testing – PE Joints

Three Point testing for CIPP lining to determine material fatigue

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS:

Infrared chemical signiture – undertaken on a FTIR

Time for materials to oxidise – undertaken on a DSC

Degraded polymers – undertaken on a DSC

Microscopy – Detailed surface examination and photography

SERVICES:

Research on new and emerging techniques – e.g. Shear testing

Large diameter pipeline testing

Subject Matter Expert and Expert Witness

UKWIR Project Support

Standards and Specification development

Training and Advice

IN HOUSE LABORATORY TESTING INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING STANDARDS:

WIS 4-32-08, ENWIS 4-32 12001, EN 12814-4, ISO 13953, ISO 13954, ISO 13955, ISO 13956

Our laboratory can perform a range of tests for electrofusion joints, including:

ISO 13954 – peel test for couplers.

ISO 13955 – crush test for couplers or saddles.

ISO 13956 – decohesion test for saddles.

EN 12814-4 – double peel test for couplers.

Sheer test for couplers – not currently within standards.

ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES:

Infrared analysis (FTIR) – used to identify contamination.

Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) – melting characteristics (melting temperature etc.), glass transition temperature and resistance to degradation of material.

BUTT FUSION TESTING:

Our in-house laboratory can perform the ISO 13953 – reduced section tensile test for butt fusion joints.

REVIEW OF FRACTURE SERVICES:

Macro Analysis – ductile and Brittle detection.

Micro Analysis – analysis of any contamination etc. that may cause joint to fail.

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