Buckley Industrial, the only GE supplier approved to test flexible metal hose (FMH) assemblies has developed an on-site  testing facility. The need for testing is well proven but geographical limitations have meant that only sites in the UK, Ireland  and Northern Europe can be serviced from the Buckley UK testing facility.

The mobile facility will enable Buckley to test on-site anywhere in Europe and indeed the pilot project was carried out at Skikda Power Station in Algeria.

The mobile test facility arriving in Skikda

Buckley Industrial was approached by the Contract Performance Manager for Skikda Power Station. He required the hose from both gas turbines at the power station to be tested in order to meet the requirements of the GE specifications. The specification mandates testing or replacement of hose at least every three years. This supplier was chosen as the only company whose testing methods fully comply with GE’s pressure testing guidelines.

The first stage of the test procedure is a visual inspection to detect any external damage.

Hydrostatic test rigs & monitoring

The second stage is a hydrostatic pressure test. BI Datatrack, Buckley Industrial’s bespoke testing software, monitors the pressure at specified intervals during the test so that even the smallest of leaks, where there is no evidence of water escaping, can be detected.

After the pressure test, the assemblies are thoroughly dried.

Internal Inspection using a videoscope

Additionally each hose is inspected internally using a videoscope.  This serves two purposes, firstly to check that each hose is completely dry inside as required by the specification and secondly to ensure there is no internal damage such as corrosion, foreign bodies or any other damage that could compromise the integrity of the hose. When the testing and inspection of each hose is complete, the hose is capped immediately using high visibility full-face flange protectors to ensure no foreign bodies enter the hose prior to installation.

Following the resounding success of this pilot, the on-site test facility is now available for deployment at any power station or any area in which hose requires testing.  Alternatively, it could be strategically positioned to service the hose from a number of power stations in the vicinity.

Buckley Industrial is delighted to announce that its Hose & Coupling Catalogue is now available on line. The catalogue is broken down into 12 sections with a contents page at the front. Customers will be able to select the required product and either phone or e-mail the product code for an instant quote.

An urgent order for 150 plus specialist hoses incorporating features such as ”series resistant trace heating”  for use on a project in China has recently been fulfilled by Buckley Industrial.

All hoses were pressure tested and inspected internally by videoscope after manufacture and delivered on time, complete with test certificates as appropriate.

In certain cases the testing specification called for nitrogen testing under water which was completed successfully and is a first at Buckley.

Buckley Industrial is among the first group of Companies to achieve the new ISO 9001:2008 quality standard, recently upgraded from the 2000 version. The new cerificate will shortly be added to the website.

E.ON UK plc has appointed Buckley Industrial to service the flexible pipework on the 4 9FA gas turbines at the Connah’s Quay site in North Wales.  The contract includes regular pressure testing and internal inspection of all stainless steel hose assemblies at the site.

Buckley has enjoyed a 12 year relationship with the Connah’s Quay plant and has been testing hose assemblies throughout that period.  During that time a “Quality Programme” has been agreed and has evolved over the years to reflect the level and detail of work carried out between the two Companies. This Quality Programme is an integral part of our “Flexible Hose Report” which is completed at the end of each piece of work and is accompanied by all the necessary certification.

All at Buckley are delighted that this work has been formalised in a 4 year service agreement.

Buckley Industrial has for several years vacuum tested flexible hose assemblies. We have recently acquired a new vacuum test rig which enables us to test to total vacuum (-29.92 inHg).  As with our hydrostatic test rigs, the vacuum test rig uses extremely sensitive tracking equipment which enables us to detect even the smallest leak in any flexible hose assembly that we test.  The new equipment allows us to test from small bore up to 300mm bore.

Buckley Industrial has purchased the latest technology videoscope from Karl Storz Industrial. The videoscope features interchangeable lens that provide various depths of field and view angles including a 90 degree direction of view.

General Manager, Steve Dransfield commented, our previous videoscope has served us well over the period but this new technology brings a whole new dimension to our work, the clarity of the photographs and the ability to measure any items found in the hose is helping to keep us at the forefront of the testing and inspection industry