Why PCCP Pipe Failures are Inexcusable Nowadays

Do you know the overall condition of the pipes within your water transmission network? If you don’t have an active plan in place to inspect your PCCP pipelines, you could be at risk for major failures that lead to significant damage including flooding, repair and clean-up costs, and more. As a leading provider of inline pipe inspections PICA Corp is your first choice for NDE results you can count on. Learn more about the importance of PCCP inspection, as well as why you should partner with PICA, below.

A Failure To Plan IS A Plan To Fail

Despite their well-earned reputation for being incredibly durable, concrete pressure pipes will, as with any type of pipeline, begin to degrade over time. Factors ranging from corrosives within the water in the pipe to the acidity of the ground water will degrade the concrete, leaving room for cracks to form and allow groundwater to make contact with the bar or reinforcing wires. Over time, this compromises the integrity of the pipe, leaving room for costly pipe failures.

Typically used to transport raw water, waste-water, and drinking water, PCCP pipe failures can be particularly catastrophic due to their tendency to cause extensive flooding at the fault site that extends to surrounding properties, roadways, and more. In addition to costing potentially millions of dollars to repair, pipeline operators run the risk of heavy environmental fines and significant repair costs.

Simply put, if you’re not scheduling regular inspections for PCCP pipes to check for indications of damage, you run the risk of unseen issues taking a catastrophic toll on your bottom line in the long run.

PICA Corp conducts thorough inspections that help identify the first signs of degradation before it has the chance to progress to failure, helping our clients save time, money, and operate with confidence. Learn more about our inline inspection tools below.

Meet RAFT and EMIT

PICA Corp is proud to be an industry leader in the pipeline inspection and condition analysis field. Our inspection services span a wide range of pipelines and water mains, specializing in the application of electromagnetic Remote Field Technology (RFT) to identify corrosion losses and more. The two main tools used for PCCP inspection are our RAFT (Restricted Access Flexible Tool) and EMIT (Electro-Magnetic Inspection Tool) devices.

The RAFT Tool is one of PICA’s latest additions to our state-of-the-art lineup of inspection tools. Designed to assess steel cylinders and wires embedded in concrete pipes using low frequency electromagnetics, RAFT features a unique collapsible design that makes it possible to insert the device through small access ports, such as manways. The ability to do so removes the need to excavate the pipeline and allows for a much faster inspection time with unparalleled results.

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 up to 2 kilometres of pipe per day, and provides exceptionally high resolution data to assess the condition of your line.

The EMIT Tool is assembled within the pipe to eliminate the need to excavate and cut into the line. The tool is completely self-contained, and is specially designed for use with large pipes (60”-78”) that are internally lined, including AWWA C-303 and C-301 Pipes.

PICA Inspection Services

PICA Corp has conducted condition assessments of pipelines throughout North America 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 the continent and is proud to partner with them for repeat projects. Learn more about our CCP and PCCP condition assessments by contacting us now.