Whether you subscribe to Murphy’s Law (which cynically states that when something can go wrong, it probably will) or lean toward a more objective statistical analysis, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) tanks and pipes. According to the Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics Institute (FRPI), “industry failure analysis experts estimate that approximately a third of all fiberglass equipment in demanding service does not fulfill its initial design life without significant future investment in repair or replacement.”
If you know what to look for and keep an eye on potential problems (e.g. cracks that grow or change), you can usually prevent an issue from turning into serious expense as well as downtime. Leaks for example, if left unchecked, can damage the environment and impact operations upstream and downstream, bringing production to a halt.
If you need to call an experienced contractor, know what to expect from the repair process.
You should also be prepared to provide as much information as possible. For example, if you suspect a chemical attack or damage due to corrosion, gather details like:
Your service and repair contractor should also perform a thorough inspection of the inside and outside of your tank, including:
See our Repair Checklist if you have equipment in need of FRP repairs.