Quality Tool Box Talk

Mechanical – General Information for Preservation of Equipment

Discipline : Mechanical Doc No : QC-TBT-MEC-007
Activity : Preservation Sub Activity : General Information for Preservation
of Equipment
Date : 05/11/2014

Topics for discussion:

A) Jobsite Receiving/Protection
B) Nozzle Flanges
C) Desiccant/Silica Gel Bags
D) Vapor Phase Inhibitors/Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors
E) Inert Gas (Nitrogen) Purging
F) Temperature Control
G) Shaft Rotation
H) Insulation Resistance (IR)
I) Protection of installed anchor bolts
J) Providing protection against rough weather conditions
K) Summary

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A) Jobsite Receiving/Protection:
1) Visually inspect components for physical damage or contamination by opening packages and craters.
Hermetically sealed containers shall not be opened but visually inspected for damage and the hermetic
seal maintained. Record and report damage.
2) Verify shipping protection has been applied and is still effective.
3) Verify proper identification of components and that special handling instructions are provided and
carried out.
4) Verify plugs and caps are in place, desiccants are in unsaturated state and equipment is lubricated as
required. Check desiccant bags for expiry date.
5) Verify inert gas purged equipment still has the required applied pressure.
6) When specified, impact measuring devices shall be inspected to determine if the equipment has been
exposed to excessive shock loads.
7) Ensure nozzles are not left open for ingression of foreign material.

Jobsite Protection:

8) Ensure project preservation procedures and manufacturer’s/vendor’s storage and preservation

instructions are followed. Record preservation activities accordingly.
9) All equipment shall be stored free from direct ground contact and away from areas subject to water
ponding.
10) For outdoor storage, even cross-cut timber must be used for lay down with consideration to equipment
weight.
11) Depending on space considerations, indoor storage should be used wherever possible.
12) Temporary protective coverings shall allow free air circulation to prevent humidity condensation and
collection of water.
13) Ensure nozzles are not left open for ingression of foreign material.
14) All special parts and tools shall be tagged, protected and stored as per vendor instruction and project
procedures.
15) Painted surfaces do not require additional protection but shall be examined periodically for signs of
rusting. All items with machined surfaces shall be stored so that the machined surfaces can be
examined periodically for signs of rusting.
16) All equipment cavities shall be drained of all water to prevent damage due to freezing temperature.
Desiccant bags shall be replenished/replaced as required. Check desiccant bags for expiry date.

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B) Nozzle Flanges
Nozzle flanges shall not be left open. Blind them to avoid ingression of moisture, smoke, dust and dirt.
Secure the blind properly and do not leave them loose. If a metal blind is used, ensure the gasket
seating face is not damaged.

C) Desiccant Bags/Silica Gel

Desiccant/Silica Gel bags/sachets are used in enclosed spaces to absorb atmospheric moisture which
may otherwise lead to surface corrosion.
Wet or saturated bags/sachets shall be removed and replaced with clean and dry bags/sachets.
Bags/sachets beyond expiry dates shall be removed from the equipment and shall be replaced by fresh
bags/sachets.

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Desiccant Bags in textile bags Desiccant Bags in paper sachets

D) Vapor Phase Inhibitor (VPI)/Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI)

These generally come as solids (powder, crystals) and the volatility ensures that the protective vapors
are transported and disseminate in an enclosed space to the surface to be protected. The inhibiting
process starts when the vapors condense on the surface to form a thin film which acts as a barrier to
onset of corrosion.
This type of protective coating is applied on metal surfaces before shipping to site and should be
retained as practically close as possible to installation/run-in stage.

E) Inert Gas (Nitrogen) Purging

Depending upon equipment manufacturer/vendor preservation requirements, nitrogen purging is

carried out to protect internal surfaces from corrosive elements. Unless otherwise noted, the purge
pressure should be maintained at 0.3 to 0.5 bar.
Heat exchanger tubes including Air-cooled heat exchangers are also subjected to nitrogen purging if
specified by manufacturer/vendor.

F) Temperature Control
In-built space heaters are used to maintain the required temperature for a given application, e.g.
certain electrical panels, distribution boards, electric motors (as applicable). To achieve a certain
room temperature (sub-stations, control rooms, etc) in extreme temperatures, room heaters and air-
conditioners are also used. In order to verify the temperature achieved, a temperature gauge is
required.

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G) Shaft Rotation
Pump shafts are rotated by hand. However, as in the case of heavy compressors etc and when it is
specified to use a turning device, use a strap wrench or any other non-marring tool that has been
supplied by manufacturer/vendor.
Never use a pipe wrench to turn a shaft and never use excessive force.
Pump shafts are usually turned 5¼ rotations on a frequency indicated by the applicable preservation
procedure. Mark a reference point on the shaft to facilitate correct rotation.

H) Insulation Resistance (IR) of Electric Motors

IR is checked with a megger (illustrated below) periodically and recorded accordingly.

IR Check in progress Hand held Megger

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I) Protection of installed anchor bolts

J) Providing protection against rough weather conditions

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K) Summary

Field preservation of installed items

All vulnerable items

Bearings of motors, pumps

•Damage protection
•Shaft rotation
•Surface protection Against corrosion
•(motor) Heater
•Capping Against condensation
•N2 blanketing corrosion

Against ingress debris

Against corrosion

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