PLANT EQUIPMENT ENGINEERING & INSPECTIONS

TURNKEY SOLUTIONS TO MAXIMIZE THE LIFE OF PLANT EQUIPMENT

As a full-service provider, IIA’s team includes licensed professional engineers who work closely with our non-destructive examination (NDE) experts to deliver turnkey solutions to maximize the life of plant equipment in a range of industries.

As a trusted provider of inspection and engineering services, clients in many industries turn to us for unmatched technical expertise and quick project turnaround to keep their plants running smoothly and reliably.

Our toolkit includes conventional and advanced non-destructive examination (NDE) to pinpoint and analyze cracks, corrosion, erosion and other damage in recovery boilers, piping systems, digesters, kilns — every corner of your plant.

And our services don’t stop there. Our team is also experienced with the mechanical lift devices inside and outside the facility that support your operations. As a full-service company, our experts can assist with outage planning on the front end and follow up inspections with repair recommendations and engineering solutions. Learn more. We can also provide QC/QA personnel to support major projects.

Certified Welding Inspectors

Our Certified Welding Inspectors make sure all necessary repairs are completed properly and that the repair contractor is performing repairs in conformance with the contract and applicable codes. Our team can also help locate materials and parts as well as assist in repair recommendations and inspection follow up.

Industries Served


Types of Inspections


Boiler Visual Inspections

We service natural gas, biomass, petroleum, chemical recovery, and heat recovery (HRSG) boilers. We direct ultrasonic thickness mapping to more effectively target problem areas of a boiler and to ultimately cut down on unneeded data points.

Dye Penetrant (PT)

A widely applied and low-cost inspection method used to locate surface-breaking defects in all non-porous materials (metals, plastics, or ceramics). PT is used to detect casting, forging and welding surface defects such as hairline cracks, surface porosity, leaks in new products, and fatigue cracks on in-service components.

Eddy Current Testing

An electromagnetic testing method used in NDT to detect near surface anomalies in conductive material.

Hardness Testing

Hardness Testing is performed in the field with a small hand-held device and is used to gauge the strength of the metal. This is useful when determining the correct welding electrode to use during structural repair.

Magnetic Lift Off Testing

Measurement of lift-off can be used to assess the thermal insulation thickness and it has the potential to reduce the lift-off effect in pulsed eddy current testing.

Magnetic Particle Testing (MPT)

A non-destructive testing (NDT) process for detecting surface and slightly subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and some of their alloys. The process puts a magnetic field into the part to facilitate flaw detection.

Metallographic Replications

A NDT method, duplicating the microstructure of a component in order to observe grain structure at high magnification.

Phased Array UT (PAUT)

An advanced method of ultrasonic testing used to determine component quality and detect flaws in manufactured materials, such as welds. In addition, it can be effectively used for wall thickness measurements in conjunction with corrosion testing. This NDT technique is minimally invasive, highly flexible, and offers multiple applications.

Positive Material Identification (PMI)

The analysis of a metallic alloy to establish composition by reading the quantities by percentage of its constituent elements. IIA has implemented X-ray fluorescence (XRF) which is a typical method for PMI.

Pulsed Eddy Current Testing

A non-destructive examination technique used for detecting flaws or corrosion in ferrous materials or measuring the thickness of objects. PEC is useful in situations where an object’s surface is rough or inaccessible. This method doesn’t require surface preparation or removing any insulation.

Ultrasonic Thickness Testing (UTT)

A volumetric non-destructive testing method that uses sound waves to propagate through an object.

Weld Procedure and Qualification (CWI)

Qualification to either American Welding Society (AWS) or American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards through Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI) with mobile capabilities for your convenience.

Visual & Optical Testing

For DA tanks, steam turbines, fans, pressure vessels, high energy piping, stack/tower, etc. We have highly skilled employees that will inspect for indications such as cracks, corrosion, erosion, damage, and structural integrity.

Engineering Capabilities


Structural Engineering

Our team can support industrial design and plant engineering projects such as:

  • Mezzanines, Equipment Access Platforms, Catwalks, Canopies, etc.
  • Loading Docks & Ramps
  • Overhead Crane Structure Design / Upgrading / Engineered Lifts
  • Other Shop Cranes / Below The Hook Design
  • Building Modifications and Expansions
  • Fall Protection Systems, Including
    • Horizontal & Vertical Lifeline Systems
    • Guard Railing
  • Pre-Start Health & Safety Reviews (PSR’s) for:
    • Lift Equipment
    • Industrial Racking
  • Heavy Machine Foundations and Bases
  • Rooftop Unit (RTU) Equipment Supports
  • Open Web Steel Joist Reinforcement (OWSR) Design
  • Smoke Stack Design
  • General Structural Steel and Concrete Design

Mechanical & Asset Integrity Inspections


API 653 / 510 / 570

A mechanical integrity program employing methods of non-destructive testing to detect structural flaws in process plant equipment can go a long way toward keeping your work environment safe. We specialize in inspecting the following types of equipment:

  • Above-Ground Storage Tanks
  • Pressure Vessels
  • Piping Systems
  • Heat Exchanger & Boiler Tubes

Storage Tank Inspection

In-Service

External inspections are carried out periodically to verify tank integrity using the following techniques:

  • Visual inspection of tank per API recommendations
  • Examination of tank foundation and compound area
  • Ultrasonic A-Scan thickness testing of shell walls and roof plates
  • Magnetic particle or liquid penetrant testing of suspect areas
  • Settlement surveys

Out-Of-Service

Internal inspections are carried out during outages using the following techniques:

  • Visual inspection of tank per API recommendations
  • Examination of tank foundation and compound area
  • Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) testing to locate top and bottom side corrosion on the floor plates
  • Ultrasonic A-Scan thickness testing of tank floor, shell and roof plates
  • Magnetic particle or liquid penetrant testing of suspect areas
  • Vacuum box leak testing of welds
  • Settlement surveys

Additional Services

We can also provide the following services as your total tank maintenance partner:

  • Tank maintenance program development and auditing
  • Quality assurance services for tank construction and repair monitoring
  • CAD services for as built drawings and modifications
  • Engineering support for lifting and rigging operations
  • Custom engineered structural support frames

Additional Resources


Plant Services
Plant Services Summary Sheet - Industrial Inspection & Analysis (IIA) is the go-to professional providing safe, quality inspections for outage and maintenance needs across North America including plant services. IIA’s breadth… Read More
Power Plant Video
IIA’s Plant Services, Power Plant Video - IIA's Plant Services division does everything from recovery boiler inspections, routine inspections, mechanical inspections, lifting inspections, and more. Read More

Certifications and Guidelines

  • All Certifications Based on Guidelines in SNT-TC-1A and CP189
  • Texas Department of State Health Services – Radioactive Materials Licensing (MC 2835)
  • New Mexico Environment Department Radioactive Material License
  • In Line Inspection Validation
  • American Welding Society
  • Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/UE (European Certification)
  • Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999
  • ASNT Level III
  • IRRSP