Delivering Efficiency Through Integration: SOCOTEC’s Combined Vibration and Gas Leakage Service Model

During these surveys for key Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) clients, we frequently encountered projects where vibration monitors had been installed by third-party contractors, necessitating coordination with multiple companies and clients.

There are several challenges that can be encountered in scenarios such as these. For starters, clients may feel overwhelmed or frustrated if they are asked to liaise with multiple contractors, especially if they are time-consuming or repetitive. This can lead to lower response rates or incomplete data.

If surveys are measuring similar data, clients may provide inconsistent answers due to the need of being a ‘spokesperson’, for both the company supplying the vibration monitor and the company supplying the gas leakage survey.

If there are two surveys carried out, too, it can be difficult for clients to know how to respond appropriately as one service provider might not understand the next stage of the survey required or lead to inconsistent data that is hard to analyse. And, of course, completing two separate surveys represents a far larger amount of time, particularly when dealing with two survey providers, which can be an inconvenience for clients, especially if they have busy timetables.

Solution

Our experts looked to provide gas leakage surveys and vibration monitoring as efficiently as possible.Socotec has successfully trained a team of specialised operatives to install vibration monitors in accordance with your specified vibration limits.

In order to achieve this, it is important to establish the key differences between the two types of surveys, and understand how SOCOTEC’S staff can be trained to provide both services.

Gas leakage surveys are systematic inspections carried out to detect and locate potential gas leaks in pipeline networks, particularly for Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs). SOCOTEC's gas leakage surveyors have been conducting these surveys for the past 25 years, performing approximately 2,500 surveys per month on various assets nationwide.

These surveys involve either driving or walking along high-risk assets to detect gas leaks using specialised equipment that measures gas concentrations in parts per million (PPM). The surveys are crucial for maintaining the safety and integrity of gas distribution systems, focusing on various categories of assets such as:

• Cast iron (CI) and ductile iron (DI) mains with high-risk values
• Intermediate pressure (IP) and medium pressure (MP) ductile iron mains near properties
• Mains following public reported escapes
• Specific steel mains in certain locations
• Deferred replacement mains
• High-risk structures like high-rise buildings, hospitals, and schools
• Areas with known or suspected failures in mains or services

Vibration monitoring is a process of measuring and analysing vibration levels from a range of sources. SOCOTEC’s Monitoring department has installed over 300 vibration monitor units across the UK in the last two years.

Vibration monitoring provides data on vibration levels from specific sources, allowing abnormalities in vibration patterns to be detected, as well as an opportunity to evaluate the overall condition of the monitored subject.

Compliance with vibration limits in sensitive areas can be ensured, and vibration monitoring on the whole is incredibly valuable in areas like:

• Construction sites, especially during refurbishments
• High-precision machinery installations
• Industrial plant operations

To enable it to stand apart from its competitors, SOCOTEC has successfully trained a team of specialised operatives to install vibration monitors in accordance with specified vibration limits.

Conclusion

By offering both gas leakage surveys and vibration monitoring in one service, SOCOTEC provides a comprehensive solution for risk management and asset integrity across various industries. This integrated approach allows clients to address multiple safety and compliance needs through a single experienced service provider.

SOCOTEC’s experts can provide comprehensive reports and detailed information on how ongoing work impacts the surveyed asset. These skilled surveyors are also equipped to promptly respond to any vibrations that exceed the recommended thresholds set by the customer.

This integrated approach offers significant advantages for SOCOTEC’s clients. By engaging a single team under one project manager, clients benefit from streamlined communication, consolidated reporting and a unified supplier experience.

This consolidation simplifies the client onboarding process, reduces administrative burden for finance teams handling purchase orders, and provides a single point of contact for all related inquiries. Furthermore, SOCOTEC’s ability to offer multiple services through one cohesive team allows for faster response times compared to engaging separate suppliers for each survey component.