Report Content

CorrView International provides the very highest level of ultrasonic testing services we know to be available anywhere, and we are constantly improving our investigative methods, level of inquiry, and report presentation.  We have strict field testing and reporting procedures which are explicitly followed in order to ensure the highest level of accuracy and reliability in every investigation. Based upon experience in the corrosion field beginning in 1981, we have advanced the level of our investigations well beyond just taking wall thickness measurements, and typically provide a full system assessment including recommendations and corrective measures.

Our reports are reviewed at multiple levels of detail.  From the senior property manager only interested in the extent of the problem and the cost of repairs, to the professional mechanical engineer tasked with full system replacement, to the attorney scrutinizing every word and comma, and everyone in-between.

• Thorough Piping Assessment

Unlike most other services that will provide a nearly worthless one or two page spreadsheet of often inaccurate wall thickness values for the client to decipher and attempt to derive some benefit, we provide a comprehensive report with all the support necessary to fully answer every question and concern.  A typical report addressing 50 or more examples of pipe for a condenser water or fire protection system will typically contain 125 pages of information in a 3 ring 2 in. hard cover binder.

Although not immediately apparent to new clients often questioning why it requires 14 or more days to complete a report, substantially greater data analysis, review, detailed explanation, and report preparation is required beyond the field work itself.  As we often explain to new clients – it is actually in their best interest for us to take as much time as we feel necessary to produce their report since we are then submitting a greater volume of useful information; more value for their dollar.  Since we never know the conditions present until the field work is completed, the time required to complete a report is always unknown.  In general, the more problems identified, or the more complicated the piping system, multiple pre-action fire zones for example, the greater amount of time required to fully explain all relevant issues to the client.  Given that we rarely get the chance to review a report face to face, we provide a narrative explanation equal to our full understanding of the issues.

We outlined five objectives of our ultrasonic investigations and believe that the final reports accomplish those objectives listed below:

1. Accurately assess the current condition of the system in terms of remaining wall thickness, wall loss, corrosion rate, and estimated remaining service life.

2. Identify any system weakness, and immediate and near term threats of leak or failure.

3. Document specific findings and observations contributing to such abnormally higher corrosion activity.

4. Offer recommendations toward a workable, safe, and effective solution to the problem, if possible, and depending upon the remaining condition of the pipe.

5. Establish whether current planning to correct corroded piping conditions, such as might be planned through chemical cleaning, can be safely carried out.

To offer some impression to the level of our work in this field, in addition to the content of this site, we have developed a database to automatically produce a single page statistical business resume of our work and experience in the ultrasonic testing field.  With each additional project completed, new data is automatically added and the resume updated.  We offer this statistical Business Resume on the above menu bar, and also provide further background information, client listings, and business references upon request.

• Report Contents Breakdown

A typical ultrasonic testing report is separated into ten discrete sections in order that we may best convey to the client the results of our investigation.  Since most of our piping investigations are out of state, thereby making a face to face explanation of our results impossible, we have made a special effort to ensure that the answer to all possible questions are provided in each report.

• • • • • Preface

This includes the cover page, tabs for each report section, a detailed table of contents to each section, and background data relating to the client, test subject, and the physical site location.

• • • • • Section One – Executive Summary

A one page condensed review of the entire report summarizing major findings, conditions, vulnerabilities, and any threats requiring immediate attention.

• • • • • Section Two – Background

This is a full explanation of the testing process, methodology, equipment employed, and measurement theory.   We cover all technical definitions used in the report, field testing and reporting procedures, investigative limitations, in addition to providing examples of the most common forms of corrosion.

This section is useful in understanding all aspects of the report and the underlying theories and calculations we have used in its generation.

• • • • • Section Three – Summary of All Test Results

This section provides a quick graphical and statistical summary of our findings per each piping system tested.  Where multiple piping systems have been addressed, a top graph presents the relative testing coverage for each.  Additional graphs are present as well as a corrosion summary of all test locations, statistics relating to the relative corrosion rates identified in comparison to normal expectations, and a quick comparison between original and measured wall thickness grouped according to piping system.

A summary of all corrosion rate statistics including wall thickness, percentage of allowable loss, pitting levels, examples approaching failure, and examples requiring immediate attention are all defined.  Finally, we provide a location breakdown of each area of the building property where testing was performed, and the number of examples of pipe tested in each such area.

• • • • • Section Four – Detailed Analysis of Individual Test Sites­

This is the most important core component of the report containing our test results.  One page is produced for every example of pipe tested showing all wall thickness measurements, corrosion rate, percentage of pipe wall loss, and remaining service life.  For that reason, some reports addressing 250 or more pipe sections will require a 4 in. binder.

Alternate statistics are produced for the average case as well as minimum case and even theoretical case scenarios.  A final assessment of pipe condition is provided taking into account all relevant issues.  Bar graphs instantly illustrate the level of wall loss and pitting present, as well as the relative condition of the pipe in comparison to when it was new.

• • • • • Section Five – Trend Analysis Graphs

Here we provide graphical summaries of all examples of pipe tested showing various characteristics such as:

• • • • • • Pie chart of current pipe condition with categories ranging from near new condition to failure possible
          • A comparison of original pipe wall thickness to current lowest, average, and highest wall thickness, grouped by pipe service
          • A comparison of current lowest, average, and highest corrosion rates for each example of pipe tested, grouped by pipe service
          • A comparison of remaining service life based upon varying corrosion conditions for each example of pipe tested, grouped by pipe service
          • A comparison of pitting activity based upon variance in wall thickness measurements for each example of pipe tested, grouped by pipe service

Given that our reports are typically sorted according to pipe size, the above graphs will provide a quick understanding to a main problem location – such as at the smaller threaded pipe rather than larger diameter mains.  Depending upon our findings and whether the information is helpful to a better understanding of the piping system, graphical summaries may be produced relating to:

• • • • • • Corrosion rate vs. pipe age
            
          • Corrosion rate vs. floor location
            
          • Corrosion rate vs. pipe material or source
            
          • Corrosion rate vs. pipe orientation

• • • • • Section Six – Priority Listing of All Sites Tested

A descending list of all areas tested in the order of most serious threat to the least concerns, and grouped according to individual piping system.  Useful in defining repair priorities, or as a sign-off worksheet of pipe replaced or other actions taken.

• • • • • Section Seven – Conclusions and Recommendations

A detailed narrative summary of the entire report, and including grouped and individual findings, relationships or correlations between different areas of the system and corrosion levels, and recommendations toward corrective actions.  This summary, which typically exceeds five pages, provides the reader a full understanding of all test results equal to our own, and approaches the level of a personal one-on-one review.  The findings of the report are discussed in detail, vulnerabilities defined, and any immediate priorities highlighted.

Depending upon piping system and our findings, we will offer recommendations to improve corrosion control and extend system service life.  Product or service recommendations may be provided for the client to pursue independently.

• • • • • Section Eight – Piping Addendum

Further detail and explanation to the calculations used in producing the report, and specifically related to the Barlow formula used in calculating minimum acceptable wall thickness.

• • • • • Section Nine – Appendix

We include various relevant articles and handouts useful in providing the best understanding of the report.  This section also includes the raw wall thickness data, photo documentation of problem areas, related technical bulletins, relevant publications, and ASTM pipe wall thickness schedules.  Additional handouts and advisories are provided which are relative to the problems found or solutions suggested.

• • • • • Section Ten – Product Recommendations

This section contains useful and proven solutions to the corrosion problems and conditions identified in the report.  This may be related to water filtration, pipe cleaning, emergency leak repair, exterior rust preventative coatings, drain systems for fire service, or any of the many companies we know to be a valuable resource.  Products and /or service data sheets and contact information for review and direct follow-up by the client.

• Further Analysis

At request, we can provide an export of the entire data analysis section of the report for further analysis and data modeling by the client or client’s representatives, engineering firm, etc.  This can be provided for MS Excel, Quattro Pro, ASCII, or any computer format.

• Interactive Sample Report

We provide a further and more detailed view of a typical report in the following link.  https://www.corrview.com/full-report-sample/

The above report outline and interactive sample report is typical of the services CorrView International provides.  Although the subject matter may change, condenser water instead of fire sprinkler for example, our investigative procedures and report remains the same.  We can provide sample ultrasonic testing reports related to specific services such as condenser water, fire sprinkler, and domestic water on request.  Please contact CorrView for further information.

© Copyright 2024 – William P. Duncan, CorrView International, LLC