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Multi-Craft Services
Bulk Material
Mechanical Services
Multi-Craft Services
Bulk Material
Mechanical Services

Brick Liners: What We Look for during an Inspection

Brick Liner InspectionLiner systems are an important component of any industrial chimney or smokestack. Most brick-lined chimneys were designed to operate as natural draft convection chimneys. High temperature differentials between the flue gases and the ambient air help to create a strong convection current that sufficiently forces & expels flue gases out of the industrial chimney to ensure appropriate atmospheric dissipation. This system is compromised when cracks or deterioration create openings in the liner that will result in an in-flow of fresh air from outside of the structure or flue gas leakage through the liner.

During an inspection of an industrial chimney that contains a brick liner, our rope access technicians are looking to identify degradation & modes of failure that could compromise the efficiency and safety of the structure. Degradation of mortar, bricks & masonry materials, flue ducts and reinforcing bands, along with blockage of drains are all concerns that must be addressed if found during a routine inspection.
At Industrial Access, we offer three types of inspections – Class I, Class II, & Class III. Here’s what you can expect from each level of inspection for a brick liner:

Class I Inspection

External Visual Inspection Only – Since contiguous or corbel-supported brick liners are not able to be viewed externally, performing a Class I inspection on them is not possible. Some independent liners provide access to the annual space for inspection, which should be check every 6 months to check for buildup of fly-ash deposits, fallen masonry, or broken reinforcing bands.
Any liner drains will be checked for blockages or accumulations of sludge, especially if the structure has elevated floors. A Class I inspection is recommended every 6 to 24 months depending on current chimney conditions and any recorded wear and tear. Our rope access technicians will observe as much of the exterior liner as possible and identify any missing or broken reinforcing bands, check the plumbness of the liner, and the concentricity within the shell at the top of the chimney.

Class II Inspection

External & Internal Visual Inspections – An external visual inspection of an independent brick liner will include everything in the Class I inspection, performed from access points like ladders, annulus, platforms, and ports, etc. Plus, our technicians will descend down the surface of the industrial chimney, on both the outside and inside of the structure to determine the condition of the brick liner.
Many times, the interior of the liner must be cleaned and hydroblasted before an inspection can occur. Caution must always be taken since some high pressure washing methods can actually be detrimental to deteriorated brick and masonry material inside the liner. A full height, internal drop provides our team with direct physical access and up-close examination of the flue and liner system. We will examine brick faces for evidence of scaling or flaking and check the mortar seam with a pick or scraper to check for softening or crumbling. If any cracks or vulnerabilities are found, the location, width and length are noted along with photographic documentation.

Class III Inspection

Special Circumstance Inspection – Class III Inspections are rare and not routine in the case of a brick liner. These inspections are generally only carried out when significant deterioration or an unusual event has happened. A Class III Inspection will also be performed when a change in design or addition to the structure is being considered.

A Class III Inspection is a full evaluation of the structure and begins with a basic Class II inspection. On top of a look at the interior and exterior of the brick liner and structure, NDT testing, physical sampling, and even destructive testing deemed necessary by a qualified engineer are carried out. In some cases, chemical analysis, core testing, or physical testing methods are used to establish material composition or strength of the structure, brick, and mortar.

If you have an industrial chimney that has a brick liner, contact our rope access maintenance specialists today. We can help ensure that your structure is safe, meeting EPA regulations, and functioning in an effective manner that does not negatively affect production schedules.

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