Inspections
and Testing

DE Consulting Engineers is one of New Zealand’s leading non-destructive testing specialists that carry out a wide range of conventional and advanced non-destructive testing, inspection, hazardous substances, API standards for oil tank storage and asset integrity services.

API

API 653, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction, is a standard developed and published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and covers the inspection, repair, alteration, and reconstruction of steel above ground storage tanks used in the petroleum and chemical industries.

DE CEI Inspection’s specialised range of storage tank inspection services assists our customers in maintaining their tank inspection activities, maintenance and repair schedules, to ensure maximum availability while complying with New Zealand / Australian and International Standards as well as EPA requirements.

A thorough inspection is crucial to prevent leaks, tank failures, and unexpected maintenance costs.

We have experienced API 653 tank inspectors who can evaluate the inspection data, perform remnant life calculations, design weld repairs and prepare weld procedures.

API 570, Piping Inspection Code: In-Service Inspection, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems, is an inspection code developed and published by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The inspection code covers in-service inspection, rating repair, and alteration of metallic and fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) piping systems and their respective pressure relieving devices.

API 510 covers the inspection, repair, alteration, and rerating activities for pressure-containing vessels as well as the pressure relieving devices that protect the equipment covered in the code.

Hazardous Substances

Hazardous Substances Reforms

On 1 December 2017 the rules around managing hazardous substances in the workplace transferred from the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) to the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations. You can find out more about what’s changed and how it might affect you on the WorkSafe New Zealand website.

What is a hazardous substance?

The term hazardous substance refers to any product or chemical that has properties that are explosive, flammable, oxidising, toxic, corrosive or toxic to the environment.

Explosive – explodes or causes explosion.
Flammable – ignites easily and burns rapidly.
Oxidising – could be gaseous, solid or liquid and can cause or intensify fire and explosion.
Toxic – can harm people if it enters the body through contact, being inhaled or ingested. The effects can range from mild to life threatening, and can be immediate or long term.
Corrosive – can cause severe skin burns and eye damage.
Ecotoxic – is toxic to the environment.

Classifications

The hazardous properties of a substance are classified to determine how the risks can be managed. There are eight key hazard classes:

Class 1: explosives
Class 2: flammable gases
Class 3: flammable liquids
Class 4: flammable solids
Class 5: oxidising substances
Class 6: substances toxic to people
Class 8: corrosive substances
Class 9: substances toxic to the environment

(Class 7 is missing as it covers radioactive materials which are regulated under the Radiation Safety Act 2016.)

Locations – Class 3.1
Locations where class 3.1 substances are present [Regulation 10.34, Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017]
Conditions: The certification of locations where class 3.1 substances are present is authorised for storage in above ground stationary container systems only.

Locations – Classes 6 or 8
Locations where classes 6 or 8 substances are present [Regulation 13.38, Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017]
Conditions: The certification of locations where classes 6 or 8 substances are present is authorised for storage in above ground stationary container systems only.

Stationary Container Systems – Installation
The installation of Stationary Container Systems [Regulation 17.91(2)(b), Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017]

Stationary Container Systems – Transfer Point pipework
Stationary Container Systems that include transfer line between ship and stationary tank [Regulation 17.91(2)(i)(iii), Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017]

Stationary Container Systems – Repair, Alteration and Maintenance
The repair, alteration and maintenance of Stationary Container Systems including above ground or below ground tanks [Regulation 17.91(2)(l), Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017]

Existing Stationary Container Systems –Compliance Plan
Existing Stationary Container Systems for which a compliance plan is in effect [Regulation 17.91 and Schedule 1 Clause 45, Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017]

Non Destructive Testing

DE Consulting Engineers are specialists in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT Testing) in New Zealand. We offer Radiography, Ultrasonic, Phase Array, Magnetic Particle and Visual Welding Inspections and Welder Qualifications.

Starting in 1991 the Design Engineering team has over 100 years combined experience with the latest and best equipment for NDT and welding testing. This means we are one of the most efficient and experienced NDT inspection companies in New Zealand. You can be assured of first class service to look after your valuable assets, staff and inspection work.

We use an extensive range of modern techniques and procedures applicable to your industry sector to help you achieve total plant integrity.

Radiographic Examination of Metals

1. Welded Joints

Aluminium Alloys
Ferrous Metals

2. Castings

Stainless Steel

Ultrasonics (UT) & Phase Array (PA)

Ultrasonic Examination of Metals

1. Wrought Products

Aluminium Alloys
Ferrous Metals

2. Welded Joints

Aluminium Alloys
Ferrous Metals (incl. Stainless)

3. Castings

Aluminium Alloys
Ferrous Metals

4. Forgings

Ferrous Metals

Surface Methods

Penetrant Testing (fluorescent & Visible)

1. Water Washable Method

2. Solvent Removable Method

Magnetic Particle Testing (fluorescent & Visible)

1. Magnetic Flow Method

Welded Joints
Forgings
Castings
Other Machined Products

2. Current Flow Method

Welded Joints
Forgings
Castings
Other Machined Products

Eddy Current

Non Destructive Tests by Eddy Current Testing (Al, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mg, Zn)

(a) Surface flaw detection

(b) Metallic coating thickness measurement

(d) Sub surface flaw detection

(e) Weld Testing

Visual Methods

Visual Inspection of metals

(i) Welded Joints

Aluminium Alloys

Ferrous Metals (incl. Stainless Steels)

(ii) Castings

Aluminium Alloys
Ferrous Metals

Corrosion Inspection

Prevent the harmful effects of corrosion

The National Association of corrosion Engineers (NACE) International standards apply to corrosion prevention and control and are used by a multitude of industries where corrosion is a key concern. These guidelines assist industries during the design, building and operation of systems and minimize the negative impacts of corrosion. NACE standards enable you to:

Reduce operation interruptions
Improve safety
Increase revenue

Without proper monitoring, big industrial containers like boilers or pressure vessels can slowly wear down due to corrosion, causing leaks or failures and contributing to poor performance and reliability.

In extreme cases, if corrosion is left unmonitored it can lead to the all-out failure of an asset, and even explosions, posing safety risks to personnel, huge equipment costs, and subsequent environmental damage.

Corrosion Inspection

A great coating Inspector ensures that structures, surfaces, and materials are all correctly coated to meet manufacturing standards. Inspectors examine samples for compliance with specifications by conducting visual and physical inspections for thickness, adhesion, chip resistance, edge coverage, and other properties

What is a NACE coating inspector?

NACE inspectors look at the coatings on water tanks, refineries, pipelines, military installations, nuclear power and natural gas plants, wastewater treatment plants, shipyard and marine structures, bridges, and other structures.

Weld Testing

Welder Qualifications

Welding Qualification Examining Body Inspections required to verify compliance with the process for qualifying welders for fusion welding of steels in accordance with AS/NZS 2980

Welder qualifications in accordance with specifications such as:

IQP

IQP stands for Independent Qualified Person. These people are authorised by a territorial authority to carry out any inspection, maintenance and reporting on the specified systems of a building as related to that building’s compliance schedule. Once their inspection and all that it entails are complete, they can certify that these procedures have been carried out correctly in accordance with said compliance schedule.

All independently qualified persons must be familiar with the Building Act 2004 and all other relevant obligations under the nation’s Building Warrant of Fitness (BWoF) rules and regulations. Additionally, they must have a trade background in the particular specified system that they are qualified to inspect, maintain, repair, and report on.

IQPs are officially certified to carry out the following procedures:

Inspect, maintain, repair and report on any kind of specified building system (which exact system determines which professional you engage the services of, for it is unlikely that one person is knowledgeable of every kind of specified system, impressive though this would be)
Follow the appropriate requirements that are outlined in the compliance schedule of your building
Supply the required, relevant documentation which confirms your building’s compliance, such as any certifications of compliance you may have
Repair and maintain the systems (if necessary) so that they perform and operate to the highest possible standard

We can inspect:

If you would like to find out more about our services, or you have an opportunity for Design Engineering to assist with your engineering service requirements on any given project, and/or require a free quotation, please contact us

Contact Us

Send a message.

careers

Feedbacks

Inspections
and Testing