Pipe Integrity Testing: Ensuring Compliance and Preventing Environmental Contamination
Need for testing
Leaks from pipes can remain undetected for years, especially if the pipes are underground. Where hazardous substances are leaked, the potential clean-up cost could be significant and may not be covered by insurance. For many sites there will be a legal requirement to periodically test the integrity of pipes.
Where pipes have leaked, Environmental Efficiency can undertake soil and water monitoring to determine the extent of contamination and propose appropriate clean-up methods.
We have over 25 years of experience in assessing pipe integrity. Our pipe assessment service is designed to ensure that your pipes are compliant with current regulations. Our team of experienced professionals can undertake hydrostatic testing, air over pressure testing and CCTV testing as appropriate.
All inspection data is recorded using a customised smartphone app that also collects time-stamped and annotated photos of any defects.
Inspection methods
In some cases sites have arranged CCTV inspections of their pipelines instead of air pressure or hydrostatic testing. However, whilst a CCTV inspection will identify many visual defects, a CCTV inspection will not determine if a pipe is watertight. The only way to prove water tightness is by an air pressure or hydrostatic test. In cases where a pipeline has failed the test, a CCTV inspection can then be used to identify the location of the defects. It is possible that an integrity assessment report based just on CCTV inspection will be rejected by the regulator.
Overground pipes
Where pipes run above ground, it is possible that ground and surface water contamination can be caused by leaks from valves, flanges, and other fittings. Often the EPA require an assessment to determine whether retention of leaks from valves and other fittings is required. Environmental Efficiency can carry out these assessments. It is often the case that the assessment determines that either no retention is required as the site is fully bunded, or minimal remediation work is required.
Some of Our Clients
Hear What Our Customers Say
"George and his team supported the CBRE ESG Consultancy team on a number of commercial high profile WELL projects, targeting Gold or Platinum ratings within the UK and Ireland. Their knowledge and technical testing skills also supported us on BREEAM and Fitwel projects. It is always a pleasure to work with Environmental Efficiency as the team is very responsive, technically prepared and has years of experience in the testing industry.”
Giulia Mori
CBRE | ESG Consultancy
"I found Environmental Efficiency very professional in their approach and in their evaluations of the issues. Very efficient and cooperative with tight schedules. We would highly recommend Environmental Efficiency."
Fergus O’Keeffe
Kerry Mechanical Engineering, Ireland
"Since 2013, we have collaborated with Environmental Efficiency Consultants Ltd on a number of ‘resource efficiency’ projects. They have consistently demonstrated themselves to be very professional, client-oriented and project-focussed."
Dr Herb Castillo, Director
FuturoFirma Sustainability Consulting, UK
Glennon Brothers, Ireland
glennonbrothers.ie
Chris Martin
Alert Packaging, Ireland
"We have worked with Environmental Efficiency, and in particular Bob Sutcliffe, for the past 11 years. Environmental Efficiency have always provided us with good, practical advice. They are proactive in their approach which is important to us in dealing with the EPA and environmental matters on our site. They have also recently helped us obtain ISO accreditation. We would have no hesitation recommending Bob and his team."
David O’Connell
Woodfab Timber, Ireland
Sinead Cullen
Molex Ireland
John T. Burke
Burke Joinery, Ireland
"I came across your videos which were very useful for the ‘Management of Hazardous Materials and Processes’ module that I teach, which includes a section on containment. As many of our students have never worked in industry it always helps to have good visuals/videos to help explain material."
Edel Costello, Lecturer
Sligo IT, Ireland