MRPS surveys conducted using bespoke applications

Our key Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) clients have approximately 130,000 km of cast iron, ductile iron and steel pipes in use, which are required to be replaced on a continuous basis due to age and material degradation. Due to the sheer size of the projects, it was identified there was a need for an efficient way of prioritising these pipes for replacement.

MRPS works to prioritise pipes which require work, by allocating accurate risk values to the various types of pipes. The aim of this system is to correctly allocate investment budgets, while helping to reduce incidents occurring within the distribution network. This is carried out by entering MRPS survey information, which in turn allocates an individual risk score per metallic main.

Project Description/Approach

Previously, the long-term, traditional method of collecting MRPS data was using a survey measuring wheel with a paper plan and recording data manually. This approach created bottlenecks, due to the manual handling of data increasing the risk of error, versus an automated method. There were delays in delivering key data to stakeholders, with those carrying out the manual surveys having to report the data back to colleagues and clients, and there could be further issue with clients updating their own records.

SOCOTEC’s highly experienced MRPS surveyors carry out each survey with careful attention to several key factors, including:

· Proximity – the shortest distance between the gas main and property is assessed

· Cellars – a room, or void, below ground level

· Ground conditions – should there be a gas escape, the ground conditions could prevent the gas from dispersing

· Presence of a vulnerable property – high risk properties such as care homes, schools and hospitals

Solution

AssetTrak has been in place since 2015, having been designed and implemented specifically for SOCOTEC. It helps save Gas Distribution network clients hundreds of thousands of pounds a year in resource savings. SOCOTEC has successfully

trained a team of specialised operatives to conduct MRPS surveys throughout the UK.

These MRPS surveyors have been conducting surveys in the traditional way for the past 25 years, performing approximately 3,500 surveys per month on various assets nationwide.

The AssetTrak application is designed so that MRPS surveyors can capture and record data accurately, with protocols in place to protect data integrity.

AssetTrak allows for SOCOTEC’s surveyors to work more efficiently, with the automation of data processing reducing the need for manual intervention, as well as a digital reporting system for our client being built in.

The app has also removed the requirement to revisit site for data anomalies by 100 per cent. Prior to the app’s implementation, SOCOTEC would revisit approximately 10-15 per cent of survey work, due to incomplete and missing data.

This has meant that through an efficient planning process, including routed and efficiently planned workload batches, SOCOTEC has reduced its number of annual miles travelled by approximately 10 per cent.

Ultimately, the combined effect of this is a huge reduction in carbon footprint, due to reduced site revisits and more efficient routes taken during survey.

The result is a faster, more reliable data collection process which has led to enhanced client confidence and targeted replacement investment.

Conclusion

We developed and implemented a bespoke digital solution to capture and process the client data, enabling SOCOTEC’s MRPS survey team to deliver faster results without compromising accuracy.

Our digital solution, used by our expert MRPS surveying team, enables the client to access reliable data more quickly and make informed decisions sooner.