FMC Technologies’ Integrated Services team is always looking for new ways to promote safety, increase productivity, and improve efficiency in order to help customers worldwide achieve the maximum value from their flowline products. One of various services that Integrated Services’ mobile units perform is hydrostatic pressure testing of flowline equipments. This process used to be performed in a semi-enclosed environment using test barriers, which can create some problems if not done properly.
All FMC Integrated Services mobile units will be equipped with enclosed test cells. With these cells, pressure testing of customer’s assets will be done in a completely enclosed environment.
- Safety - Personnel injury suits could easily reach several thousands of dollars even with minor injuries. The enclosed test cell environment eliminates any accidents due to loose debris flying out of the test cell during pressure testing and causing injury to other people working close to the testing area. Having total containment of parts minimizes the personnel injuries and customer's property damage.
- Compliance with regulations - Total water containment during pressure testing, recycling the excess water, and properly disposing the polluted water prevent potential EPA fines, which can reach thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the noncompliance. In locations that have storm water drainage regulations, capturing this water will prevent the possibility of local fines as well.
- Increased personnel productivity - In very cold temperatures, test lines will freeze. A typical mobile unit location can lose up to 10 percent of its productivity trying to keep the lines flowing. New test cell can house and heat its own water source providing better control over environmental issues by eliminating freeze ups prior to pressure tests.
- Increased personnel efficiency - With lights located on the top and inside of the test cell, work can continue during nighttime without the hassle of finding portable lighting.
- Elimination of test barriers - Since the walls of the test cell act as safety barriers, other on-site test barriers are unnecessary. Moving test barriers is a time consuming and daunting task, which reduces efficiency during the testing procedure.