PITSA service

On-site FRP inspection and audit

The same technical team that wrote the Quality Guide visits your plant to audit new, in-service, or in-production FRP equipment. Independent, actionable report.

How your FRP equipment is built

Every FRP laminate has two layers with different jobs. A good manufacturer designs them separately; a poor one blends them — and that's where problems start.

Chemical barrier (inner layer)

The layer in direct contact with the fluid. Its job is to resist the chemical. Typically 2.5–4 mm of resin-rich laminate (vinyl ester or specialty) reinforced with surface veil and mat. If this layer fails, the chemical attacks the structural fiber and the vessel eventually collapses.

Structural shell (outer layer)

The layer that handles pressure, vacuum, weight, and wind load. Built with continuous filament winding or mat + roving in cross-layered plies. Its job is mechanical, not chemical. If it's thinner than spec or has misaligned fiber, service life drops silently.

What we inspect

Six technical areas we cover on every inspection, with calibrated measurement gear.

Laminate quality

Fiber orientation, voids, porosity, and overall consolidation under technical lighting and magnification. We inspect both layers (chemical and structural).

Resin verification

We review lot certificates, reference color, and run solvent tests to confirm the resin matches what was specified.

Thickness and tolerance

Ultrasonic measurements at multiple points — body, heads, nozzles, reinforcements — with a signed report compared against the data sheet.

Barcol hardness and cure

Minimum 5 Barcol readings in representative zones. Low values indicate incomplete cure — the most common defect, invisible to the naked eye.

Lifting and anchor lugs

Critical points: we check alignment, secondary lamination, internal reinforcements, and bond quality. A poorly-laminated lug is an accident risk when handling the equipment.

Documentation and traceability

Nameplate, ASME RTP-1 / ASTM certificates, dimensional reports, hydrostatic tests, and resin COA for the lot used.

Common defects we document

If we find any of these, they're recorded with photos and measurements in the report.

Bubbles and voids

Air trapped during lamination. Creates points where chemical can reach the fiber and trigger progressive delamination.

Wrong or diluted resin

Substitution with a cheaper resin, or solvent added to reduce viscosity. Lower chemical resistance and shorter service life — not evident at delivery.

Thickness below spec

Laminate 10–15% thinner than the data sheet, typically at edges, heads or zones away from the inspector's line of sight. Reduces structural safety factor.

Low Barcol (incomplete cure)

Hardness below 35–40 indicates unreacted resin. Chemical can extract it, exposing fiber within months rather than years.

Poorly-laminated lifting lugs

Insufficient secondary lamination, missing internal reinforcements, or misaligned bonds. Risk of failure when lifting — lugs can literally tear off.

Deficient anchor lugs

Anchor lugs with incomplete chemical barrier at the base, or loose secondary bonds. Fatigue failure point under operating vibration.

How it works

Three steps, typically 1–2 weeks from request.

  1. 1

    Diagnostic call

    30 minutes to understand the equipment, process chemistry, and your concerns. You leave with a clear quote including scope and on-site duration.

  2. 2

    On-site visit

    Our engineer travels with calibrated measurement gear. A full inspection takes 4 to 8 hours per piece, depending on size and accessibility.

  3. 3

    Assessment, temporary repair, and report

    If we find defects we run a repairability assessment on site. When possible we apply a temporary seal so you can keep operating while planning a definitive fix. We deliver a PDF report with photos, measurements, severity-classified findings, and concrete recommendations.

Typical duration per piece: 4–8 hours. Large equipment or difficult access: up to 2 days.

We work with certifications and safety

You don't need to lend us anything — we show up ready to enter your plant.

DC-3 — Work at heights

Current DC-3 certifications per NOM-009-STPS for work at heights. Essential for inspecting heads, upper reinforcements, and vertical tanks.

Confined spaces

Personnel trained per NOM-033-STPS for entry into closed tanks, with rescue protocol and continuous atmospheric monitoring.

Full PPE

Helmet, harness, goggles, respirator with chemical cartridges, atmospheric monitors, and non-sparking tools for ATEX zones.

Liability insurance

Current liability policy covering any incident during on-site work. Documentation available before the visit.

When to call us

Receiving new equipment

Verify quality before signing acceptance and paying the balance. Protect your investment.

Evaluating suppliers

Factory inspection during a competitor's production — ideal when a price difference worries you.

Equipment already in service

Current-state audit for maintenance planning, replacement, or capacity expansion.

Frequently asked

Schedule an inspection

Tell us about your equipment or project and we'll get back to you the same business day with a clear proposal.

Contact the technical team