Every pressure-retaining assembly we despatch has been tested. This page states what we test, to what criterion, and what documentation you receive — so it can be checked against a project specification before an order is placed.
Standard on every pressure assembly
| Test | Criterion |
|---|---|
| Hydrostatic pressure test | 1.5 × working pressure, held; no leakage, no permanent deformation |
| Visual and dimensional inspection | Against the approved assembly drawing |
| Weld visual inspection | Full circumference, both ends |
| Material traceability | Every pressure-retaining component traced to its mill test certificate |
On request — in our own works
| Test | What it establishes |
|---|---|
| Pneumatic / air-under-water test | Leak tightness where hydrostatic testing is not acceptable |
| Positive material identification | Confirms the alloy of the finished assembly, not just the incoming material |
| Cycle / fatigue testing | Movement capability against a stated number of cycles |
| Burst testing | Destructive verification of the safety factor on a sample |
On request — subcontracted to a qualified third party
We do not pretend these are ours. They are placed with a specialist, the report comes back in your documentation pack, and the sub-supplier is named at enquiry if you ask.
| Process or test | What it establishes |
|---|---|
| Helium mass-spectrometry leak detection | Very low leak rates, for vacuum and critical containment duty |
| Radiographic examination (RT) | Sub-surface weld integrity |
| Ultrasonic examination (UT) | Sub-surface and thickness verification |
| Dye penetrant examination (PT) | Surface-breaking defects in welds |
| Electropolishing | Lower surface roughness and a passivated bore, for high-purity and hygienic duty |
| Orbital welding | Repeatable, crevice-free autogenous welds where a client specification calls for it |
| Oxygen cleaning | Cleanliness to the stated oxygen-service standard, with the certificate |
Third-party inspection
We work routinely with third-party inspection agencies and welcome witnessed testing. Nominate the agency and the hold points at enquiry so the inspection is planned into the production sequence rather than interrupting it. Our ISO certification is held with TÜV Rheinland; witnessed inspection by another agency is arranged to your nomination.
Documentation
| Document | Issued |
|---|---|
| Test certificate | With every pressure-retaining assembly |
| EN 10204 3.1 material certificate | On request — specify at enquiry |
| EN 10204 3.2 certificate | Where an independent inspector or your representative validates |
| Dimensional report | On request |
| Welder and procedure qualification records | On request |
| Manufacturing data book | For project orders, compiled to the specification's index |
Ask at enquiry, not at despatch. Every document above is
straightforward when it is planned into the order. Retro-fitting documentation to a completed
assembly is sometimes impossible — a 3.2 certificate cannot be created after the inspector has gone
home. On export and pre-qualification work this is the single most common cause of delay.