Pressure Equipment Inspection

Pressure equipment - including boilers, unfired pressure vessels, heat exchangers, columns, piping and pressure-relief devices - requires systematic in-service inspection to ensure continued safe operation and regulatory compliance. QMS Asset Integrity delivers pressure equipment inspection services in accordance with AS 3788:2024, the Australian Standard for in-service inspection of pressure equipment.

Our inspectors combine deep knowledge of AS 3788 requirements with hands-on NATA-accredited NDT capability, enabling us to perform both the inspection assessment and the supporting non-destructive testing as a single, coordinated service. This integrated approach reduces mobilisation costs, accelerates turnaround times and ensures consistency between the inspection findings and the NDT data that supports them.

We support both time-based inspection (TBI) programmes with standard intervals and risk-based inspection (RBI) programmes that tailor scope and frequency to the specific degradation mechanisms and consequence of failure for each item of equipment.

Inspection Planning: We review the equipment register, inspection history, process conditions and applicable degradation mechanisms to develop an inspection scope that targets the highest-risk areas. For RBI programmes, probability and consequence assessments determine the priority and extent of inspection.

External & Internal Inspection: Visual examination of pressure boundaries, nozzles, supports, insulation condition and external corrosion. Where access permits, internal inspection assesses surface condition, corrosion, erosion, cracking, bulging and fouling. Remote visual techniques (borescope, camera) are used where direct access is limited.

NDT Support: Ultrasonic thickness measurement, PAUT/ToFD weld inspection, MPI, PT, and radiography are deployed as required by the inspection scope. All NDT is performed within our NATA-accredited scope.

Fitness-for-Service: Where degradation is identified, we provide data to support fitness-for-service assessment under AS 3788 and API 579/ASME FFS-1, including remaining life calculations based on measured corrosion rates.