Industrial Piping: Three Critical Guidelines on Prolonging Pre-Insulated Pipe Lifespan

9 December 2017
 Categories: Industrial & Manufacturing, Blog

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Pre-insulated pipes are ideal for industrial and commercial operation fluid distribution because of their numerous beneficial properties. These products are built to withstand high temperature and pressures during operation. Therefore, they can be used in various processing, manufacturing, refining and plumbing applications. Also, they are pre-insulated; they will preserve the temperature of the conveyed fluid, ensuring optimal piping performance. If you have recently installed industrial pre-insulated pipes in your building or plants, you should be diligent in performing maintenance tasks. The upkeep practices will preserve the pipelines and minimise the risk of premature failure. Here are some guidelines to help you promote the long-term performance of your pre-insulated pipes:

Monitor the Piping Insulation

You should monitor the overall performance of your pre-insulated pipes after installation in your industrial or commercial setup. In general, keeping a close eye on the pipeline will help you manage potential defects and promote optimal productivity of your operation. You should be particularly keen on identifying weaknesses in the insulating layer. If there is a defect in the insulating material around the carrier pipe, the efficiency of your conveying network will be compromised. Your fluids will not be delivered in the desired temperature. Defects in the insulation can be caused by poor installation, mechanical impact or stress and poor design of the network. You should engage an expert for regular inspection for early detection of problems. 

Check for Leaks

Like other pipes, pre-insulated pipes can sustain damage and experience leakage. This problem can be detrimental to your entire industrial or commercial operation. Simply speaking, a leak will cause the loss of pressure and temperature in the piping. If these properties are critical for your conveyed fluid, you might have to deal with some downtime. In general, pre-insulated pipes are stronger than the standard bare or site-insulated pipes. Therefore, leaks are unlikely to occur from random parts of the pipeline. Most of the leaks will occur from valves which are weak points. You should check for this damage on a regular basis because leaking moisture or chemical vapours from your pipes will cause degradation of the insulation and surrounding structures.

Ensure Professional Repairs

Finally, you should commission repairs from an expert in industrial piping if you detect or identify anomalies in the pre-insulated pipes. Often, the piping network is compromised due to amateur repair and tinkering. With a professional contractor, you can preserve the integrity of the products. You should also ensure that your serviceperson is available for routine maintenance and upkeep processes recommended by the manufacturer.