Inspections of Industrial Chimney Appurtenances
During a thorough industrial chimney or smokestack inspection, appurtenances including access doors, access ladders, platforms, aviation warning light systems, breechings, lightning protection system, rainhoods, and chimney caps are examined. Although appurtenances may not directly affect the function of a stack or chimney, these components are still an important part of access and safety that should always be included in a regular inspection plan.
Here is a look at a range of appurtenances that our professional rope access crew monitors and examines during any level of inspection:
Access Doors – Our team will check the door seals for signs of leaks or degradation. We will also ensure that hinges and locking mechanisms are functioning properly.
Access Ladders – During an inspection, our crew will check the attachment points and ladder brackets to make sure the ladder is secured properly to the structure. The Safe-T climb rail & cage and the ladder rungs are checked for corrosion.
Access Platforms – All platforms are checked at the location of attachment to the chimney to ensure it is properly secured. Bolts are examined and tightened if necessary and structural steel members, grating, and hand rails are checked for corrosion problems and integrity.
Aviation Warning Lights (AWL) – AWLs are checked for functionality and replaced if they are not lit or operating properly.
Breechings – Our rope access team will inspect the condition of the steel breechings. If corrosion is spotted, ultrasonic testing may be used to determine the rate of corrosion. Expansion joints are checked for leakages and seals are examined.
Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) – Ports & openings in the liner are checked to ensure that flue gas is not escaping and damaging the concrete shell.
Lightning Protection – All lightning protection systems are examined for damage and attachment to the cap of the chimney. Grounding connections are checked to ensure they are connected to the chimney shell.
Liquid Collectors – Our rope access technicians will check any collectors for corrosion problems that can be worsened by a buildup of solids. This is extremely important since a buildup of solids can lead to acid moisture fallout from the industrial chimney or stack.
Rainhood – The crew will examine rainhood for corrosion or vulnerabilities where leaks can occur. We will also ensure that there is adequate space between the outside of the chimney shell and the lip of the rainhood overhang.
Shell/Lining Caps – We will determine the condition of the steel cap and the bolted connections between each segment.
If it’s time for an inspection of your industrial chimney or smokestack, call our professional rope access team. We will perform a thorough inspection, including all of the important appurtenances. Speak with one of our experts to find out how we can ensure an accurate inspection that will save both time and money in your maintenance budget.