Hydrotesting

When hydrotesting and pre-commissioning cleaning services are handled by different subcontractors, it can lead to removing control valves, flow elements and other components multiple times to ensure they don’t sustain damage from these services. That’s why B&W seamlessly combines hydrotesting and pre-commissioning cleaning services: to make sure these activities only have to happen once and reduce project costs. Whether you need to squeeze a boiler or test underground lines, our team has you covered.

What is Hydrotesting?

Hydrotesting is a six-step process that tests the structural integrity of piping systems, boilers, gas systems, underground lines and other critical components to ensure they’re leak-free and ready for operation. For a more in-depth hydrotest definition, check out our blog.

Why is Hydrotesting Important?

A successful hydrotest on critical components is necessary in order for a facility to transition from construction to pre-commissioning.

As a result, the hydrotesting process eliminates safety hazards and ensures compliance with code requirements. However, the work isn’t over when your facility’s systems pass a hydrotest. Removing the water from piping systems and other components following a hydrotest is just as important as the hydrotesting process itself.

Stagnant water within your facility’s systems not only has the potential to cause corrosion or freeze (depending on the weather), leading to costly maintenance and repairs, but it also poses significant safety hazards.

For example, if water remains in a fuel gas system following a hydrotest, it could cause blockages or gas leaks, which can lead to fires, explosions or the production of carbon monoxide from incomplete combustion.   To protect your team and your facility’s systems, B&W integrates our hydrotesting services with air blowing services or pigging services to remove the water from your systems following any hydrotesting.

The B&W Hydrotesting Difference

• B&W gets the entire job done (and done right) by combining hydrotesting with pre-commissioning cleaning services
• Our engineers methodically plan your customized hydrotesting and pre-commissioning cleaning program on the front end to save you money and minimize change orders
• We’re committed to achieving zero safety incidents by:

How B&W Performs Hydrotesting

B&W performs hydrotesting services on your facility’s systems through a comprehensive six-step process (including dewatering your systems following the hydrotest).

When we engineer your custom hydrotesting package, we take your components’ varying maximum allowable working pressures, minimum and maximum test pressures, test volumes and other requirements into account.

B&W’s engineers develop comprehensive hydrotesting procedures to determine your systems’ pressure boundaries, temperature requirements, isolation notes, and, in some cases, required equipment removal. If your facility’s hydrotesting package requires a city inspector, our team will work alongside them to ensure compliance.

Our team ensures that your lines and vessels are tested to the accepted ANSI code, depending on the type of facility they’re installed in, and diligently follow B31.3 hydrotest pressure for chemical plants and refineries, while following B31.1 hydrotest pressure for power plants. When performing hydrotesting services on boilers and HRSGs, we make sure that your hydrotesting package conforms to boiler codes applicable in the state where your system is located.

Give us a call to learn how B&W’s integrated hydrotesting and pre-commissioning cleaning service packages can set your facility up for success for the rest of pre-commissioning and every stage after.