EP Services

Brick Chimney Maintenance

A routine laddered inspection is recommended for this type of chimney every third year. Following the redundancy of an old boiler, a new model with economic, fan assisted on/off operations is often connected into an original factory chimney with adverse and detrimental effect to the internal lining.

Insulated small bore steel liners fitted into an existing brick chimney could be the answer, regarding heat loss, black smuts, and accelerated maintenance costs.

E.P. Services have designed, fabricated and erected various steel liners to large bore brick and concrete chimneys which are now operating successfully.

Conductors for the protection of structures against lightning, are designed, installed, maintained and tested by our experienced engineering division.

Concrete Chimneys

As with brick, concrete chimneys require routine surveillance to ensure trouble free operation. Concrete was, and still is a popular material for the construction of chimneys and silos. Unlike the defects associated with brick chimneys, concrete structures have created their own problems.

Hairline cracks stemming from wind movement, or shrinkage cracks originating from construction are to be found in the majority of concrete structures. Rain and snow are drawn through these cracks by capillary action onto the steel reinforcing causing spalling. Concrete is also prone to chloride/carbonation attack from our modern day environmental surroundings. Without a regular inspection the first noticeable signs are sections of loose concrete spalling falling to ground level.

An internal problem which may occur with concrete chimneys is acid attack. This is caused by failure of the acid resisting lining. Gas leaking through open mortar joints or defective refractory lining will condense and erode the internal face of the concrete chimney. Through time this defect will appear on the external elevation as rust coloured staining.

Steel Chimneys

Due to the nature of their construction steel chimneys are visually affected by weather more rapidly than any other type of chimney. Around the terminal cap, heat, weathering and acid attack are forever present.

Protection to the steel is a priority and requires a frequent maintenance programme.

Ultrasonic testing of the steel plate, flange bolts and joints, insulation and cladding are all included in our surveys.

E.P. Services have equipment and experience to maintain steel chimneys, record and repair defects as they arise.

Petroleum vent and gas stacks are maintained by our company, from the 30 metre cokeing plant to the 80 metre petrochemical plant stack.

Tips which require refurbishment can be taken down and replaced, understanding that minimum shutdown periods are critical to industry.

Guy wires which are a structural requirement for various steel chimneys can be greased insitu, or replaced. Guy wires which are fitted to a chimney require a regular programme of maintenance. Failure of the guy wire protection fluid will accelerate deterioration of the wire and weaken the stability of the chimney.