Inspecting both CCP and PCCP Pipes plays a vital role in maintaining both the integrity of the pipe itself, and the efficiency of your entire water transmission network. Learn more about the importance of pipe assessment, as well as PICA Corp’s leading NDE inspection solutions and how they can protect your lines:
Fail to Inspect, Fail to Protect
Whether your concrete pipes are used to transport raw water, waste water, or drinking water, the cost of a sudden failure can be catastrophic. Extensive flooding of the fault site, surrounding properties, and roads can cost millions to fix; not to mention lost revenue and environmental fines. Despite being incredibly durable for multiple decades, concrete pipes that are exposed to the corrosive elements found in ground water, will eventually begin to degrade. As the concrete begins to shrink and crack, groundwater may gain access to the bar or reinforcing wire wraps, causing them to corrode. Eventually, even the steel cylinder beneath the concrete can corrode too. Should enough wires or bars break due to exposure to groundwater, it seriously compromises the strength of the pipe. Now there is a significant risk of pipe failure that could flood a small town or locality.
Without regular inspection, your pipes could develop unseen damage that becomes a ticking time bomb. Don’t wait until the first sign of a problem to take action: ensure both CCP and PCCP pipes are regularly assessed for signs of internal damage. PICA Corp conducts thorough inspections that help identify the first signs of degradation before it has the chance to progress to failure. Learn more our tools below.
Meet RAFT and EMIT
At PICA Corp, we partner with our customers to provide accurate and reliable inspection services on a wide range of pipelines and water mains utilizing electromagnetic Remote Field Technology (RFT) to identify corrosion losses and more. Two main tools used for CCP and PCCP inspection are our RAFT (Restricted Access Flexible Tool) and EMIT (Electro-Magnetic Inspection Tool) devices.
Our RAFT Tool is one of PICA’s latest additions to our state-of-the-art lineup of inspection tools. Specially designed to assess steel cylinders and wires embedded in concrete pipes in a non-destructive manner, RAFT features a unique collapsible design that makes it possible to insert the device through small access ports, such as manholes. This eliminates the need to excavate and cut the pipeline, and expedites the overall inspection time. RAFT is designed to be completely self-contained, with battery power, data recording, data storage and distance tracking all integrated on the tool itself. RAFT is capable of covering approximately 2 kilometres of pipe per day, and provides exceptional data to assess the condition of your line.
Our EMIT Tool is another recent addition to PICA’s resources, and like RAFT is assembled within the pipe to eliminate the need to excavate and cut into the line. The tool is completely self-contained, and is well suited to large pipes (60”-78”) that are internally lined, including AWWA C303 and C-301 Pipes.
PICA Inspection ServicesPICA has conducted condition assessments of pipelines throughout Canada and the USA since the early 1990’s. With a dedication to providing exceptional, reliable, inspections, our team has built lasting relationships with multiple counties, cities, and industry leaders throughout North America. Learn more about our CCP and PCCP condition assessments by contacting us now.