Structural Surveys

Industrial Abseiling can provide a comprehensive inspection package creating reports designed to highlight a variety of building defects, which cannot be viewed from either the ground or from within the building. Rope access is a quick and easy method to access a building and observe any damage or defects which are often caused by water ingress or old brickwork. This means the process of carrying out any repairs can be carried out as soon as possible in order to minimise the damage.

Reports can be generated in the form of DVD recordings, audio feedback or photographic stills. This allows the client to make an instant assessment of the results. Copies of all survey source data can be conveyed to the client accompanied with a written summery report which can include our suggestions for repair. Photographic support is provided by digital cameras and camcorders, which allows instant access to the images, so that the client can agree the relevant pictures prior to the production of the report if necessary.


Other services that Industrial Abseiling can provide include:

• Collection of dust samples and subsequent laboratory testing
• Hammer testing
• Water penetration testing
• Ferro scan/cover meter surveys
• Removal of loose concrete
• Carbonation testing
• Horoscope surveys
• Half cell testing
• Magnet weld testing
• Ultrasonic thickness testing
• Dimensional surveys

Non Destructive Testing by Rope Access (Abseiling)

What is NDT?
The field of non-destructive testing (NDT) is a very broad, interdisciplinary field that plays a critical role in assuring that structural components and systems perform their function in a reliable and cost effective fashion. NDT technicians and engineers define and implement tests that locate and characterise material conditions and flaws that might otherwise cause planes to crash, reactors to fail, trains to derail, pipelines to burst, and a variety of less visible, but equally troubling events. These tests are performed in a manner that does not affect the future usefulness of the object or material. In other words, NDT allows parts and material to be inspected and measured without damaging them. As NDT allows inspection without interfering with a product's final use, it provides an excellent balance between quality control and cost-effectiveness. Generally speaking, NDT applies to industrial inspections. Technology that is used in NDT is similar to those used in the medical industry; yet, typically nonliving objects are the subjects of the inspections.

Magnetic Particle Testing

Magnetic particle inspection involves the magnetisation of a component, followed by the application of ferromagnetic particles. The particles align along discontinuities in the surface, or shallow sub-surface discontinuities. This Magnetic particle method is used to test welds, castings, etc for surface or subsurface defects.

Visual Testing
Visual testing is a non-destructive testing method which is basically done by the human eye. Industrial Abseilingrope access uses live video documentation, fiber-optic investigation, photographs (digital format and colour prints), and rectified photography, with letters of report.

Liquid (Dye)
Penentrant Testing
Liquid dye testing involves applying a visible or fluorescent dye to the surface. The dye enters the discontinuities via capillary action. This Liquid Dye Penentrant method can be applied to any non-absorbent material with uncoated surfaces

Ultrasonic Testing

Ultrasonic high frequency sound pulses are emitted from a transducer above the sample or test area. The sound waves propagate through the sample, and reflect at interfaces. The reflected waves are monitored using a detector above the sample or test area. The thickness of the sample, and the depth and type of flaw can be ascertained using this method.

Eddy Current Testing

Eddy current is when a magnetic field cuts through metal. If a magnetic field cuts a wire in a closed circuit, a current is induced round the circuit. However if a magnetic field cuts through a sample of metal that is not connected to a circuit, an 'Eddy Current' is produced. Eddy Current testing is a quick method and no contact with the metal is required. All metals may be subjected to Eddy Current testing.

ASBESTOS TESTING

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos – “the greatest single cause of work related deaths in the UK”

statement taken from HSE web site

Asbestos diseases are caused by inhaling asbestos dust, a mineral commonly used in the construction industry until the 1970s. The main diseases caused by asbestos inhalation are asbestosis - the scarring of lung tissue, lung cancer, mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the chest and lungs) and pleural disease. Pleural disease includes calcification of the lungs and pleural effusion (fluid on the lungs).

Over 3,000 people a year die due to Asbestos in the UK and numbers are predicted to rise to 10,000 a year by 2020. Those infected are mainly builders, plumbers and shipyard workers, but teachers, children and nurses are believed to have been put at risk since asbestos was used in the construction of many schools and hospitals.

Families of those who work with asbestos can also be infected if asbestos particles are brought into the home on clothes. It can take up to 40 years for symptoms to show.

Do you know where asbestos is in your buildings?

Thousands of tons of asbestos were used in the building industry well before the ban on its use back in the 1970s. Some forms of asbestos were still used until 1999. An estimated 5 million commercial premises in England have Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) within them. The disturbance of these ACMs, during maintenance, refurbishment or demolition work can result in the dispersal of asbestos fibers.

Who is the duty holder to this killer problem?

All those who have responsibility for the maintenance and/or repair of non-domestic premises have duties under this regulation. The extent of the legal duty is determined by the terms of the tenancy agreement or contract that applies. In the absence of any such agreement the duty holder will be determined by the degree of control the party has over the premises.

Depending on the contract or tenancy, the duty holder could be the landlord or tenant or even a facilities manager. In some cases two or more parties could share the duty.

The regulation also includes a duty to co-operate, which applies widely. This will, for example, require a landlord to pass information on asbestos to a new tenant. Similarly a tenant must co-operate by allowing a landlord to gain access to a building, for example to carry out a survey. Also any building surveyor or architect who has plans which show information on the whereabouts of asbestos would be expected to make these available to the duty holder at a reasonable cost.

How can Industrial Abseiling help?

All Industrial Abseiling’s rope access (abseiling) surveys and sampling techniques are carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety Executive guidance document ‘MDHS 100’. All samples obtained can be sent to an independent, UKAS accredited laboratory for analysis.
Industrial Abseiling can offer an asbestos survey to locate any suspected Asbestos Containing Material (ACM's) in the building and assess the risk. All areas must be accessed and inspected or they will be presumed to contain asbestos. Samples are taken from each suspected ACM and analised to confirm or deny the suspected material. All samples obtained are sent to an independent, UKAS accredited laboratory for analysis. During this survey any potential ACMs will be identified and an estimate made of their volume and surface area. The survey may be then used as the basis for tendering the removal of ACM's from your property.