IN-PROCESS COATING INSPECTION

Seventy-Five Percent of all coating failures are attributable to deficient surface preparation and/or application. The unit cost of repair is normally two and one half times higher than the original coating application unit cost and frequently results in lower quality due to adverse application conditions. This analysis does not include the potentially staggering cost of down-time and loss of facility production.

Formal coating inspections vastly increase the probability of achieving a successful coating application that will protect for the design life of the system.

S.G. Pinney & Associates, Inc. provides field experienced Inspectors trained to follow established guidelines and procedures. Personnel are trained in the handling and application of protective coatings as well as in the use of appropriate instrumentation. The majority of our inspectors are certified as NACE International Coatings Inspectors. This training and experience allows problems to be handled by anticipation rather than reaction. Engineering backup is constantly available to all field personnel to provide advice on problems as they occur. Documentation is designed for each project to provide the degree of traceability required for that project.

Instrumentation is provided which monitors many conditions not readily observable. These conditions include sibstrate cleanliness, adhesion, cohesion, coating thickness, thickness per coat, ambient conditions, and more.

The net result of independent coating inspection is conformance to the specification, resulting in substantial returns to the owner in the form of improved Quality and the elimination of premature failure due to improver surface preparation and application.

S.G. Pinney coating inspectors are knowledgeable and experienced in a wide variety of industries, including:

TRANSPORTATION

Proper performance of the specified coating system will help extend the service life of transportation infrastructure such as bridges and related components. SGPAI has extensive expertise in the industry and works closely with the National Highway Institute and numerous State Departments Transportation.

MARITIME/SHIPPING

Thorough application of specifications for surface preparation and coating application is of particular importance to this industry due to the harshly corrosive marine environment. SGPAI Inspectors ensure quality work within the new building or dry docking schedule.

PETROCHEMICAL

From Alaska to the Middle East, SGPAI Inspectors maintain proper quality control procedures despite dramatic changes in climate and environmental conditions to assure the integrity of the coating system.

PULP and PAPER

The highly corrosive atmosphere and constantly changing environmental conditions typically found at pulp and paper facilities requires detailed adherence to coatings specifications. These conditions are carefully monitored and analyzed by SGPAI Inspectors to assure quality control procedures are met.

POWER GENERATION

Coatings and linings are generally applied during planned outages. Aware of the financial losses possible by extended outages due to unforeseen problems, the SGPAI Inspector assures time schedules are followed and specifications and procedures are maintained. SGPAI, through its subsidiary Underwater Engineering Services Inc., extends inspection capabilities to power facility immersion areas.

CONDITION SURVEYS
Condition Surveys are accomplished to assess the existing condition of coatings with respect to the criticality of the various areas of the plant, bridge, ship, pipeline or offshore structure. The survey becomes the basis for planning the most economical approach to achieving long term coating life. Surveys may be characterized as minimal or overview, visual detailed or complete physical detailed. The degree of detail varies based on the purpose of the survey and the amount of information already available from the client. Condition surveys may include photographic and/or video documentation of existing conditions, coating sampling and laboratory analysis to confirm coatings type, condition, and the probable cause of any premature failures.