Visual Inspection including RDVI and RPA / UAV

Visual Inspection (VI) is commonly a critical step in the inspection of the condition of any asset and frequently precedes many non-destructive tests.

In the hands of appropriately skilled staff, effective visual inspection can reveal important information and understanding of:

• The presence of significant flaws, including weld defects, cracking and corrosion.
• The compliance of welds and other components with specifications.
• Evidence indicating the reasons why unexpected events such as failures have occurred.
• The condition of the asset and an assessment, where appropriate, of its functionality and remaining life.

Through our teams of qualified:

• Pressure Vessel and Classified Plant Inspectors (AICIP and API)
• Tank Inspectors (API)
• Welding Inspectors
• Mechanical, Materials, Civil and Structural Engineers
• Materials Scientists

ALS provides the experience to maximise the value that visual inspection can provide in understanding asset condition. Furthermore, we equip these staff with effective visual inspection aids, tools and access solutions to ensure that:

• The quality of visual inspection is maximised.
• The cost of providing access for effective visual inspection is minimised.
• Our client's experience a high value outcome when engaging ALS for visual inspection services.

ALS inspection teams utilise Remote Digital Visual Inspection (RDVI) Equipment including:

• High resolution borescopes
• Telescopic access poles with attached high resolution video cameras.
• Crawlers and Rovers with the capacity to traverse most terrains.
• Remote Piloted Aircraft / Drones / UAV driven by CASA licensed qualified inspection staff.
• Submersibles or marinised cameras and rovers.

Remote Piloted Aircraft (Drones / UAV / RPA)

ALS Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPA), also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Drones, are transforming many inspections that for years required:

• Significant Scaffolding / Access Costs.
• Entry into confined spaces (CSE) by inspection staff.
• Shutdown of plant to allow inspections to occur.
• Access of staff to high risk locations, from a safety point of view, including working at heights.

With the use of RPA, some or all of these inspection concerns are being avoided, which typically leads to improved commercial outcomes for clients as well.

The advantage of engaging ALS for RPA inspections is ALS capacity to combine RPA inspections with highly experienced visual inspectors who can interpret the results of inspections in real time. This means:

• No need to revisit any areas not inspected suitably due to delayed review of images.
• Inspection can be tailored to areas of interest interpreted by the inspector in real time, potentially saving on inspection costs.

ALS has been successfully engaging remote piloted aircraft in many applications leading to significant savings and safety improvements for our clients, including;

• Tower Inspections.
• Flare tip inspections.
• Tank Inspections.
• Power Plant Boiler Inspection.
• And more!

ALS maintains CASA accreditation together with appropriately qualified pilots and inspection staff trained in utilising this tool for inspection.