5/5/2021 0 Comments The Importance Of Mechanical Integrity Audits In The Manufacturing And Construction IndustryFor many industrial and manufacturing applications, mechanical integrity audits are becoming more common as manufacturers attempt to reduce the potential environmental impact of their operations. Mechanical integrity assessments are performed by a trained, qualified person, such as an engineer or an AMS certified internal control auditor, who inspects the integrity of mechanical equipment and other manufacturing processes. These tests examine the following components: coolants, bearings, seals, couplings, clutches, flanges or unbraced threads, vanes, bushing, and mounts. A mechanical integrity audit typically includes more than one physical inspection and a few diagnostic tests. While it was previously believed that these tests were time consuming and costly, mechanical integrity programs can now be completed in less than an hour on a typical manufacturing floor. With the increasing complexity of today's manufacturing processes, it is not uncommon for equipment manufacturers and other process industries to invest thousands of dollars annually in the training of staff that perform mechanical integrity audits. Mechanical integrity programs are especially important for high-risk processes such as those that involve water, steam, or radioactive materials. However, the majority of Process Industries, including paper and wood processing, petroleum refineries, power generation, and coal processing, can benefit from improved process reliability and productivity through the implementation of a mechanical integrity program. One of the most common tests conducted is the detection of excess refrigerant gas or ammonia refrigeration residuals. This hot topic can bring serious regulatory penalties to companies that do not meet the standards set forth by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) under the National Manufactured Equipment Standards Board (MEMS). Because hot lines used to cool down tubes of certain metal components can transfer refrigerant to unattended areas, has determined that a mechanical integrity audit is necessary to detect and purge excess gas or ammonia refrigeration residuals. Excess refrigerant gas or ammonia is detected when the ambient air temperature is greater than atmospheric temperature, but the test is unable to determine whether or not the refrigerant gas or ammonia is escaping into the atmosphere. AMSOIL conducts an ozone detection where the hot line is shut off and a measurement of the ozone in the chamber is taken to determine the amount of refrigerant gas or ammonia escaping. Continue reading this article for more information about this service. Another mechanical integrity audit technique involves the detection of control solutions that provide with a cost-effective means of protecting its product quality, production, and operations. The controls can be complex or simple and include such aspects as non-magnetic attachments, electrical and mechanical parts, solenoid valves, pressure control solutions, and temperature and humidity alarms. These inspections help achieve its mission of exceeding customer expectations through the consistent application of proven and effective control solutions. This type of management systems audit is necessary for all processes and all types of facilities. A mechanical integrity audit is also necessary for all process industries that are subjected to government regulatory requirements. These inspections can be conducted to comply with regulatory requirements such as The Supply Chain Management Act (TCMA), The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), or The Chemistry Process Safety Act (CPSMA). These regulations require facilities to have established and maintained effective management systems that are consistent with the guidelines set forth in The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Domestic Facility Safety Guidelines for Environments. Mechanical integrity audits are conducted to ensure that these guidelines are met. Many regulatory requirements also specify that facilities maintain policies and procedures for preventing the transportation, storage, handling, and application of hazardous chemicals. Additionally, many areas have established requirements for the use and maintenance of key components and equipment associated with hazardous chemicals. These requirements are often not addressed in any significant manner by process industries, making these services critical for accomplishing regulatory compliance. Get more informed on this subject by clicking here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrity_engineering.
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