If you are in the piping business, you know outdated components can lead to catastrophic accidents, severe injuries, and property loss. According to Reuters, over 2,600 dangerous gas pipeline leaks are responsible for about 122 fatalities annually in the US. Additionally, the incidents cause more than $4 billion in emergency services and damage. One of the main suspects in leakage incidents is faulty flanges and fittings. So, to avoid such damage, here are the signs that your business needs to upgrade its flanges and fittings.
Moist Patches
It’s easy to identify faulty pipeline signs by simply using your eyes. Simply look for moist patches or liquid pools within your pipeline vicinity and bubbling or sheen on nearby water bodies. Other signs include ground frosted patches during warm weather and dead vegetation. If your business deals with oil, update flanges and fittings less than ten years old to minimize spillage. According to the NRDC, newer pipelines less than ten years tend to cause most incidents.
Audible Signs
Most signs of leaks are pretty much visible, but there are a couple of audible telltale signs. Typically, the loudness depends on the leakage’s size. You might hear a low hissing, a moderate blow, or an ear-deafening roar. Such alerts indicate potential gas leaks, so you must quickly update your flanges and fittings. Ideally, a low hissing sound is an early sign of a simmering leak. Don’t wait for a big roar to act as it might be too late, and the damage will be done.
Olfactible Signs
Different leaks have different odors. In other words, you can differentiate the kind of leak by its smell. For instance, an oil leak will produce a petroleum smell and natural gas has a rotten, sulphurous odor. Although many pipeline products don’t have any particular scent, they can produce a hydrocarbon odor when leaking. Don’t ignore subtle smells in your premises and inform a professional to conduct a thorough inspection.
Now that you’re aware of detecting gas or oil leaks, preparing to deal with the challenge is equally important. To do this, you should be keen to update flanges and fittings regularly. This is where a reputable pipeline supply company comes in handy. They can guide you in purchasing quality flanges and fittings. Call us here at Lynco Flange & Fitting today to learn more.