Fabric Maintenance
Fabric maintenance is a critical aspect of ensuring the long-term integrity and reliability of industrial structures and equipment. The process involves regular inspections, cleaning, and repair to maintain the surface and structural integrity of equipment and structures, especially those operating in harsh environments, such as those found in the oil and gas, marine, and petrochemical industries.
Proper fabric maintenance is essential to ensuring the longevity and safety of structures. Regular inspections and maintenance can help prevent small problems from turning into large and costly repairs, as well as ensuring that the structure continues to meet safety standards and regulations.
MAINTENANCE SERVICES
At Gecric, we offer a comprehensive range of fabric maintenance services designed to meet the specific needs of our clients. Our services include:
Surface inspection is an important aspect of fabric maintenance. We use advanced inspection techniques, including NDT, and visual inspection to detect and diagnose surface defects, including wear and tear, cracks, corrosion, and other forms of damage. Our experts analyze the results and provide detailed reports to help clients make informed decisions about maintenance and repair. Proper surface inspection can help identify potential problems before they become major issues, allowing for timely repairs and maintenance to be performed.
Before applying a coating, it is important to prepare the surface of the fabric by cleaning it thoroughly and removing any dirt, debris, or stains. This will ensure that the coating adheres properly to the fabric surface. Our team of experts uses state-of-the-art blasting equipment to prepare surfaces for coating application, repair work, or inspection. We offer a range of blasting methods, including UHP, grit blasting, and abrasive blasting.
We provide high-performance coating solutions that offer superior protection against corrosion, erosion, and other types of surface degradation. Our coating solutions include epoxy, polyurethane, among others. Coating application is an important aspect of fabric maintenance that helps to protect the fabric from wear and tear, as well as from environmental factors such as moisture, UV radiation, and staining. There are various types of coatings available for fabric maintenance, including water-resistant coatings, stain-resistant coatings, and UV-resistant coatings based on the specific needs of the fabric.
Our team of engineers and technicians is skilled in designing, installing, and maintaining engineered composite repair solutions and cladding systems for various structures and equipment. Our solutions specifically ICR’s TECHNOWRAP™ engineered composite typically consist of composite materials, such as fiberglass and carbon fiber that are applied in a wrap or sleeve form to the damaged or weakened area. The wrap is then bonded with a high-strength adhesive or epoxy resin, creating a strong and durable bond. TECHNOWRAP™ holds Lloyds, DNV and ABS approvals, and is compliant with ISO 24817 and ASME PCC-2 401
Advanced Fabric Maintenance
We offer Dustless blasting, an advanced surface preparation technique that uses water and abrasive media to remove coatings and surface contaminants without damaging the underlying surface. It is ideal for industrial structures and offshore platforms, and is a popular and eco-friendly fabric maintenance technique. Dustless blasting generates minimal dust and waste, making it safe for the environment and workers, and it can be used on a variety of surfaces. It is a faster, more efficient, and versatile option for maintenance projects that require gentle and non-abrasive methods. Incorporating dustless blasting in fabric maintenance services can lead to better results, meet tight timelines, and promote a safer and more sustainable working environment.
We also offer Dry ice blasting, an advanced fabric maintenance technology that utilizes solid carbon dioxide pellets (dry ice) as the blasting media, which sublimates on contact with the surface being cleaned. This process generates minimal waste and leaves no secondary contaminants, making it an eco-friendly option for fabric maintenance. One of the main advantages of dry ice blasting is its ability to clean surfaces without damaging them. Unlike traditional blasting methods, dry ice blasting does not create surface erosion or remove coatings, making it ideal for delicate surfaces that require gentle cleaning. The method is effective in removing stubborn contaminants, such as paint, grease, and oil, leaving a clean and residue-free surface. Dry ice blasting is also a safe and non-toxic method, as it does not use harsh chemicals or solvents. The blasting process produces no dust or other harmful by-products, making it safe for workers and the environment.
Comparison of Advanced Fabric Maintenance and Traditional Methods
Traditional techniques for surface preparation and blasting such as UHP and grit/sand blasting have several drawbacks in terms of safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance. UHP creates high risks of incidents and accidents, particularly in confined spaces and when working at height, and generates visibility issues and operator fatigue. Grit blasting is effective but generates significant amounts of dust, mess, and waste, and requires costly disposal.
In contrast, advanced techniques such as dustless blasting and dry ice blasting:
- Offer a safer and smarter alternative with similar pressures but optimized air, water, media ratio resulting in powerful blasts with 92% less airborne dust and up to 5 times less media.
- Generates less noise, water and diesel consumption, and waste, and is easier to operate and maintain, making it a more reliable and environmentally compliant option for surface preparation and blasting.
- Is faster and more efficient, reducing the overall downtime of the asset.
- Is more versatile, allowing us to apply the method to a wider range of surfaces and structures.
Partnership with ICR announcement
We are excited to announce our strategic partnership with ICR, a global leader in providing asset integrity, inspection, repair and maintenance solutions to the oil and gas, petrochemical, and marine industries. Our partnership will enable us to offer our clients a more comprehensive range of fabric maintenance services and solutions. With this partnership, we can leverage ICR’s global expertise and innovative solutions to deliver the highest quality of service and expertise to our clients.
At Gecric Integrity, we are committed to providing our clients with the best possible fabric maintenance solutions and services. Our team of experts works closely with clients to understand their unique needs and provide tailored solutions to help them achieve their goals. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you protect your assets.