Regularly, I am asked, “We have some FRP tanks, do they need to be inspected?” or “How often do I need to inspect my FRP tanks?” In a plant, all equipment needs a maintenance assessment program. FRP equipment is not any different.
Considering that many FRP tanks and vessels store aggressive chemicals and operate under pressure or vacuum, periodic visual inspections, ultrasonic thickness measurements, and acoustic emission testing are essential components of an effective integrity management strategy.
Developing a structured maintenance assessment schedule helps plant operators identify corrosion barrier degradation, liner blistering, and structural laminate micro-cracking long before catastrophic failure occurs.