General

Can you quote the cost of pressure testing services as a one-off cost, daily rate and in different currencies?

Yes. We can quote the cost of our services and the use of our testing equipment as a one-off cost, or as a daily rate depending on your requirements. We can also quote in different currencies.

What does the cost of a full turnkey service include?

Pressure testing costs for our full turnkey service includes: bay/chamber rental, skilled labour, test rig, consumables, specific tooling requirements and a final documentation pack. We can also include written test procedures if required and arrange third party certification through companies such as Lloyds Register and Bureau Veritas.

What sectors do you provide pressure testing services to?

We can provide our pressure testing services to any sector. Please get in touch with one of our experts to submit an enquiry or view relevant case studies here.

Can I rent your hyperbaric chambers to conduct independent testing?

Yes. As part of our flexible approach to supporting clients, we will gladly support requirements to conduct independent testing should there be a requirement to rent a bay or chamber only.

Do you have facilities for our employees to be on-site whilst testing takes place?

Yes, our clients have complimentary access to dedicated offices with wi-fi, as well as breakout areas, and use our conferencing facilities to allow them to work on-site whilst overseeing testing.

Hyperbaric testing

What is hyperbaric testing?

Hyperbaric testing is the application of external pressure to a component and is carried out in a specialist hyperbaric chamber to simulate extreme pressure environments. The component may be retained inside of the hyperbaric chamber by its own weight where heavy industrial products are concerned.

Retaining straps are used to hold buoyancy modules in place, or racking where separation is required for fragile components. Bespoke tooling can also be manufactured for specialist items.

How does hyperbaric testing work?

Products are placed in hyperbaric chambers, which are often cylindrical in shape, before water is injected and then pressurised using pumps.

For every 10 metres below sea level, a water pressure of 1 bar is exerted. So, if a product was going to be deployed at 1,000 metres below sea level, the weight of the pressure on that product would be 100 bar.

How is pressure created in a hyperbaric chamber?

High pressure instrumentation and pumping systems, rated over and above the maximum pressure of each individual chamber, are used to feed inhibited water into each chamber from on-site storage tanks. This water creates the desired pressure inside of the chamber.

What is the difference between hyperbaric and hydrostatic testing?

Hyperbaric testing concerns the application of external pressure to a product. The product is housed within a pressure vessel/chamber which acts as the barrier to retain the external pressure around the test subject.

The primary reason for doing this is to replicate actual conditions an assembly will see in installed life, meaning the external pressure will first and foremost validate the structural integrity of the component. Secondary to that, any ingress of pressure into the component would highlight a leak path(s) which may compromise areas such as sealing arrangements or welded joints.

The principle of hydrostatic testing is very similar to hyperbaric testing in that this will also verify structural integrity and any leak paths, as well as utilising water as the test medium. The fundamental difference is that a hydrostatic test concerns the internal pressurisation of a component, rather than subjecting it to external pressure. The likes of a product sealing arrangement will still very much but scrutinised but with pressure effectively pushing ‘in-to-out’ rather than ‘out-to-in’.

Certain components may be subjected to a hydrostatic and hyperbaric test simultaneously e.g. subsea pipeline equipment. These products would typically feature primary, secondary and tertiary sealing barriers to withstand excessive levels of internal and external pressure.

Hydrostatic testing

How is hydrostatic testing done?

Hydrostatic testing is performed by filling a component with water and pressurising it to test its integrity. Appropriate connections are required to connect the pressure inlet of the product to the on-site instrumentation comprising pumps, regulators, accumulators, valves and pipework. This system is then used to increase the water pressure until the desired specification is reached. Calibrated pressure transducers are used to monitor the internal pressure as it rises. The pressure is taken up and held. If the pressure drops, this indicates that there is a leakage.

If there is a requirement to monitor visible leakage, submerged gas testing can be used as an alternative to hydrostatic testing as leak paths are identified through the presence of bubbles. Submerged gas testing can also be performed at Tyne Pressure Testing.

Is hydrostatic testing destructive?

This method of testing is generally known as non-destructive testing and it is very rare that the product is destroyed, but it can happen.

Hydrostatic testing is used to prove that a product is fit for purpose and that it can retain its working pressure without any leaks. Therefore the worst case is generally that we will see a leak path, rather than the product being completely destroyed.

How much does hydrostatic testing cost?

Hydrostatic testing costs can vary depending on the size of the component and how comprehensive the test schedule is. The price is usually calculated based on an hourly rate and a lump sum quotation can be provided during the product development stage to help with budget forecasts.

We recommend that you contact us early in the project for a quotation.

How often should hydrostatic testing be done?

Hydrostatic testing is mostly used to test that a prototype or new design tweak is functional and leak free. It is also common for this testing to be carried out on a production batch sample test or if the standard dictates every production unit. Testing can be carried out on existing components in the field and this is dictated by the maintenance schedule of an application normally by the end user.

Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)

What is factory acceptance testing?

Factory acceptance testing is a common method used after the design and fabrication stage to verify that the product operates properly and helps to identify any problems before the final stages.

How do you perform factory acceptance testing?

Factory acceptance testing (FAT) at Tyne Pressure Testing can be a simple gas test or hydrostatic test with minimal hold period at pressure or can encompass a series of back-to-back tests that will verify each independent sealing system within a final product assembly. We will fill the component with either water or nitrogen and check for any leakage.

Why is factory acceptance testing required?

Factory acceptance testing (FAT) helps assure the manufacturer and end user that there are no anomalies and the product meets all specifications. Manufacturers can save time and money when completing this type of testing before reaching the final stages and can feel confident when the product goes live.

How much does a factory acceptance test cost?

Factory acceptance testing (FAT) is bespoke, and therefore each test differs dependent on what is being tested. Some components require further testing, dependent on what they are being used for. This includes; calibration, equipment sealing and operating functions.

If you are unsure what your factory acceptance test requires, speak to a member of our team!

Temperature testing

What is temperature testing?

Temperature testing is a simulation of extreme operating conditions to verify that your components can safely function under these conditions.

We can test up to +300˚C and down to temperatures as low as -160˚C in our environmental bays while pressurising and operating. API 6A PR2 is conducted as part of this service.

Temperature testing is a great way to test that your product can function at extreme temperatures.

Do you provide cryogenic testing?

Yes! Cryogenic or low temperature testing can be done at our facility. This type of testing is beneficial for components that are intended for extreme environments such as the North Sea or high altitudes.

We store liquid nitrogen on-site to allow us to reach incredibly low temperatures. We can achieve temperatures down to -160°C in order to meet our clients’ needs.

Helium leak testing

What is helium leak testing?

Helium leak testing is a common method of testing when finding small leaks or leaks in larger volumes.

An example of this type of type test at Tyne Pressure Testing is fugitive emission testing. This is when helium is used to test and evaluate the integrity of the external leakage of valves.

What are the benefits of helium leak testing?

Commonly used for gas testing, helium leak testing can be over one thousand times more sensitive in the detection of leakage due to its smaller molecular composition than nitrogen, which is normally used.

How often should I helium leak test my product?

Helium leak testing is mostly used to test that a prototype or new design tweak is functional and leak free. It is also common for this testing to be carried out on a production batch sample test or if the standard dictates every production unit.

Testing can be carried out on existing components in the field and this is dictated by the maintenance schedule of an application normally by the end user.

Gas testing

How is gas testing done?

Gas testing is performed by filling a component with nitrogen and pressurising it to test its integrity. Appropriate connections are required to connect the pressure inlet of the product to the on-site instrumentation comprising pumps, regulators, accumulators, valves and pipework.

This system is then used to increase the nitrogen pressure until the desired specification is reached. Calibrated pressure transducers are used to monitor the internal pressure as it rises. The pressure is taken up and held. If the pressure drops, this indicates that there is a leakage.

Is gas testing destructive?

Gas testing is generally known as non-destructive testing and it is very rare that the product is destroyed, but it can happen.

Gas testing is used to prove that a product is fit for purpose and that it can retain its working pressure without any leaks. Therefore the worst case is generally that we will see a leak path, rather than the product being completely destroyed.

Buoyancy testing

What is a buoyancy test?

Put simply, a buoyancy test checks if a product is likely to float in fluid. This type of testing is done in one of our hyperbaric chambers to establish the effectiveness of the design and seals of a product when subjected to deep water pressures.

Buoyancy testing is a popular type of test for clients in the subsea and oil and gas sectors.

Will my product fit in your chambers?

Our hyperbaric chambers can fit products up to a length of 6.75 metres and a diameter of 2.50 metres.

Find out more about our chambers.

Endurance testing

Can you endurance test my product?

Yes! At Tyne Pressure Testing we can conduct hydrostatic or gas tests on repeated pressure cycles over a period of time. This type of testing is favourable as it demonstrates the effect a product is likely to experience in its life time.

I have a range of products that require endurance testing, how long can I hire your chambers?

For as long as you need! We offer our clients the capacity to book our chambers for as long as they require. If you have a range of products that require endurance testing, speak to a member of our team.

Destructive testing

I have a new product, is destructive testing right for me?

Typically conducted during the research and development process, destructive testing, also known as burst testing or collapse testing, is great for pin pointing weaknesses and improvements of a new product to ensure it is fit for purpose.

If you have a new product and you want to verify it will work in certain conditions, please get in touch.

How often do I need to conduct destructive testing?

Every time a new prototype is built or a current design has been amended, destructive testing should be completed. If a product passes a destructive test in the past and has had recent modifications, this should be tested again to ensure there are no weaknesses in the new design.

Flushing

What is flushing?

Flushing is a common cleaning process conducted at our site to remove any debris following the testing of a product. This minimises the risks of contamination both pre and post-test.

Does my product require flushing pre and post-test?

Not all clients request flushing both pre and post-test. The most common method is after a test to ensure the product is clean when sending back to the manufacturer. We normally include flushing post-test and it’s the client’s discretion to use this service before the test.

On-site testing

Do you provide on-site testing?

Yes! Not only can we test your product at our facility, we can come to you. We work closely with our clients to ensure they can test their product at their facility with the appropriate documentation, set up and deployment of skilled test technicians.

What are the benefits of on-site testing?

The benefits of on-site testing is when a product is too big for transport or can’t physically be removed from a facility. This service is often preferred by clients when hydro-gas testing is a mandatory requirement.

Hyperbaric Chambers

Our facility offers nine hyperbaric testing chambers ranging in size and pressure capability including the world’s largest, commercially available hyperbaric chamber which can simulate water depths down to 4,500 metres.

Download datasheets

Explore the chambers