Frequently Asked Questions

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About 3PI

  • 3PI is a New Zealand-based independent specialist inspection service. We offer comprehensive NDT solutions and quality assurance services to the oil and gas sector, mining, energy, maritime, and other industries of all sizes in New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Australia.

  • 3PI works in the oil and gas sector, mining, energy, maritime, and other industries of all sizes in New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Australia.

  • Yes, wherever you’re based in New Zealand, we can provide inspection services at your site.

  • 3PI is different from other inspection companies because we offer a full suite of inspection services orientated towards solving problems, not just identifying them. And as a locally based company able to be more responsive.

  • Yes, 3PI can assist you with both one-off inspections and ongoing inspection programmes.

  • It’s a requirement by New Zealand government departments, notably WorkSafe, that certain plant and machinery is independently inspected by a company like 3PI.

  • Yes, 3PI can support you at multiple worksites throughout New Zealand. We can also work at your sites in Australia and the Pacific Islands.

  • Contacting us is easy. Either use the contact form on this website or call us on 064 3 386 0097 or Email: info@3pi.co.nz

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

  • Non-destructive testing is the process of looking for defects and checking the integrity of an item without destroying or damaging it during evaluation.

  • Non-destructive testing is important for a number of significant reasons. Foremost is the safety of the people using the equipment, machinery or plant. Workplace safety is subject to government regulations which must be complied with at the risk of fines or interruption to business. 3PI can guide you in meeting the standards that are applicable to your industry, including process accreditation. Testing to avoid breakdown or failure is also important to maintaining the profitability and reputation of your business.

  • 3PI specialise in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, but we are also heavily involved in mining, energy, maritime, and other industries of all sizes in New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Australia.

  • We provide the full range range of NDT options, so whatever your requirement are we can assist: Ultrasonic Testing (UT, LRUT, PAUT), Radiographic Testing (RT), Computed Radiogrpahy (CR), Eddy Current (ET), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL), Dye Penetrant Testing, (PT, DPI, LPI), Visual Inspection (VT), Remote Visual Inspection (ROV, UAV, Borescope), Positive Material Identification, Hardness Testing, Vacuum Box Testing, Rope Access, Eddy Current Array Testing (ECA), Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD), Internal Rotary Inspection (IRIS), Remote Field Testing (RFT), Near Field Testing (NFT), Pulse Eddy Current Testing (PECT).

  • To perform NDT inspections in New Zealand, it’s necessary to hold ISO9712 certification. This is a worldwide certification held by 3PI’s inspectors individually. EPID and AINDT provide ISO certification courses.

  • NDT inspection is a highly specialised role. You should evaluate a provider based on their experience, reputation, ability to be flexible in how, when and where they can work with you, their ability to respond to complex situations, and knowledge. 3PI is able to work with a large number of different NDT testing platforms, making us a one-stop shop. Because we can cover all the bases, our clients find working with us is smooth and easy.

  • Ultrasonic testing is a means of testing the thickness of a material using sound waves.

  • Phased array ultrasonic testing is a non-intrusive test method used when we’re looking for corrosion in hard-to-reach places.

  • Radiographic testing is testing using X-Rays. We use this testing method to test structural steel and pipelines.

  • The best NDT testing method depends on the exact application and its size, shape, and accessibility. Experience is needed to know which is the most appropriate. In some cases, it might be necessary to use several different platforms to perform a comprehensive test.

  • Yes, NDT can detect corrosion before it becomes visible.

  • In most cases, NDT can be performed without shutting down operations.

  • The frequency of NDT inspections depends on the applicable standard, codes, and your level of acceptable risk.

  • Yes, NDT can help prevent equipment failures.

Asset Integrity & Risk Management

  • Asset Integrity Management is consistent monitoring of a facility to gauge the pace of deterioration in an asset, which is then used to plan a maintenance schedule. The objective is to prolong the life of the plant and to monitor its integrity.

  • The objective of a Risk-Based Inspection is to identify common damage mechanisms and evaluate the consequences of failure. API and EEMA codes provide guidelines for this type of inspection

  • Risk-Based Inspections can reduce maintenance costs by identifying things that can go wrong and enabling targeted maintenance schedules to be developed in response.

  • Asset Integrity Management can extend the life of equipment by gauging the pace of deterioration in an asset, which can then be used to plan a targeted maintenance schedule.

  • By employing Asset Integrity Management and Risk-Based Inspections, we can assist you in making a proactive maintenance plan.

  • Common causes of industrial equipment failures are lack of a maintenance plan, skipped inspections, changing processes without changing maintenance, and poor manufacturing and construction.

  • An EPI inspection programme can improve workplace safety at your business by making your equipment safer.

  • When you’re looking for an asset integrity provider you should consider their experience, knowledge of your field, qualifications and accreditations.

  • Yes, 3PI specialises in creating customised inspection programmes for our clients.

Pressure Equipment & Compliance

  • PECPR refers to the Pressure Equipment, Cranes, and Passenger Ropeways (PECPR) Regulations 1999, which govern the dangerous machinery that requires annual inspections.

  • The equipment that falls under PEPCR regulations in New Zealand Pressure Equipment. It includes any vessel, piping, steam boiler, or fired heater that holds or generates pressure. This includes air receivers, refrigeration vessels, and heat exchangers. All forms of load-lifting cranes used in industrial or commercial workplaces and passenger ropeways such as cable cars and ski chairlifts and gondolas. AUNZS3788 and AS4343 are applicable codes.

  • A Certificate of Inspection is an annual safety inspection.

  • The inspection of pressure vessels in New Zealand requires CBIP-certified inspectors. However, different endorsements are needed for different materials, so please contact us to discuss your situation.

  • To be compliant, your pressure vessel must have been inspected and signed off by an accredited inspector.

  • It depends on the particular situation, but all pressure vessels must be inspected at least once a year.

  • It depends on where the inspection is done. We will look at the items that need to be assessed - both internally and externally - and might recommend an NDT

  • Yes, a visual inspection can identify corrosion inside a pressure vessel.

  • Yes, 3PI can help your business meet its WorkSafe requirements.

  • Yes, 3PI can assist you with meeting your PEPCR compliance requirements.

Pipelines, Tanks & Industrial Assets

  • We follow the relevant API guidelines for inspection of pipelines. If your company doesn’t have a maintenance plan, we can help you create one.

  • We use the API guidelines for visual inspections and other NDT if necessary.

  • Corrosion in pipelines can be detected using X-rays and MFL pipe scanners.

  • Yes, NDT can be used on operating pipelines.

  • Your business can extend the lifespan of its pipelines and tanks with a well-designed inspection and maintenance plan.

  • There are a range of different signs that point to asset deterioration, including corrosion marks. Usually, 3PI can predict the rate of deterioration following an inspection.

  • Yes, inspections can most definitely help prevent costly equipment failures by detecting problems before they elevate to become failures.

Cranes, Lifting Equipment & Structures

  • Because cranes are governed by PEPCR regulations they must be inspected annually.

  • It is a visual inspection using a checklist provided under the government regulations.

  • Regular crane inspections are important because they are relevant to the safe operation of this dangerous equipment.

  • 3PI inspect lifting equipment and lifting structures if they meet the definition of a crane

  • The most common crane defects identified during inspections by 3PI are cracks, corrosion, and defective safety systems, including load sensors.

  • Yes, crane inspections can help reduce downtime and safety risks

Rope Access, Drone & Remote Inspections

  • Rope access inspections are inspections by technicians who are trained to carry out work while fully suspended. We can do a variety of different inspections by rope using a range of NDT platforms. It’s faster than erecting scaffolding and provides access to certain places that would be difficult to inspect by other means.

  • Drone inspections have a range of benefits, including lower cost, speed, accessibility, and safety. They eliminate the need for scaffolding and can give access to places where humans can’t fit or go safely. For example, drones can be used inside pipelines, storage tanks, and in tight spaces in the complex pipe structures in the oil and gas facilities.

  • Drones can be ideal for carrying out inspections in difficult-to-access structures.

  • ROV (remotely operated vehicle) inspections are used underwater. 3PI ROVs can be used in the sea and in storage tanks.

  • Yes, remote inspections by 3PI drones and ROVs can help reduce and even eliminate shutdown costs.

  • Yes, remote inspection technologies can reduce inspection costs.

Inspection Planning & Maintenance

  • How often industrial equipment should be inspected depends on its use, its age, its location and the applicable government regulations and in the case of the oil and gas industry, the relevant API guidelines.

  • The signs that your equipment requires inspection are any obvious deterioration, wear or corrosion. However, the best sign that an inspection is due is that its scheduled 3PI inspection date is nearly there.

  • Yes, inspections by 3PI can reduce maintenance costs by identifying what needs to be addressed before an item fails.

  • There is a significant difference between preventative and predictive maintenance. Preventative maintenance is usually based on a manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. Predictive maintenance is based on inspections where we evaluate the rate of deterioration in machinery or plant, and then recommend a maintenance schedule that reflects the real-world conditions that the equipment is operating under.

  • Yes, by identifying problems before they become catastrophic failures, inspections can help you avoid emergency shutdowns.

  • Yes, inspections can be completed during planned shutdowns, and it’s often an ideal time to carry them out.

  • Yes, in most cases inspections can be carried out while your equipment remains operational.

Working with 3PI

  • To request an inspection quote, please get in touch by phone, email or by using the contact form on this website.

  • Yes, 3PI provides detailed inspection reports and recommendations based on our inspections and testing.

  • Yes, 3PI is very experienced in providing assistance with compliance audits.

  • 3PI determines the best inspection method by speaking to you and evaluating the equipment to be tested on site. In some cases, several different test platforms might need to be used to conduct a thorough inspection.

  • The cost of an industrial inspection by 3PI depends on a range of factors including complexity, location, and access. To find out more, please get in touch.

  • Please provide any relevant information. Please get in touch, and we can let you know what we need.

  • The speed an inspection can be arranged depends on a range of factors including where the asset to be inspected is located, what it is, and the availability of our staff and any special testing equipment that’s required. However, we also do our best to accommodate requests as quickly as possible.

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