Preventive maintenance is a critical aspect of ensuring industrial processes run efficiently and limit the amount of downtime experienced as well as unpleasant surprises.
That said, storage tanks are at the core of most facilities. They store anything and everything, including water and chemicals, fuel and food-grade liquids. For this reason, regular inspections of these tanks should be done to ascertain the structural integrity, cleanliness and safety standards. However, checking them is not always easy.
That is where tank inspection cameras come in. They are sophisticated equipment that is changing how industries undertake tank maintenance. These cameras provide a highly accurate, non-invasive method of checking the conditions inside tanks without having to empty their contents or risk the safety of workers.
Want to learn more?
Read on as we discuss the benefits of tank inspection cameras in promoting smarter preventive maintenance.
1. Improved Safety
Among the many essential advantages of using a tank inspection camera during preventive maintenance, the most outstanding benefit is the enhancement of worker safety.
In general, conventional inspection technologies involve sending technicians into confined spaces that are often dark, cramped, and hazardous to enter, with a high risk of accidents, poisoning, or slips and falls. Such manual inspections also require extensive safety measures, including ventilation, protective clothing, and standby rescue parties, which can be time-consuming and costly.
However, tank inspection cameras have replaced human entry into tanks, as they provide real-time and high-resolution visibility due to high-intensity lighting, allowing for a clear view inside the tank. These remotely operated cameras enable maintenance crews to evaluate structural integrity and identify the early onset of corrosion, cracking, leakage, or sediment buildup. All without having to take the system out of service and risk personnel safety.
In short, these device allows facilities to proactively respond to problems before they grow out of control by visually detecting a possible problem from a safe distance.
Therefore, facilities should get a tank inspection camera with such high-intensity lighting for operational efficiency and employee safety.
2. Faster Inspections
Quickness and effectiveness are critical elements of any efficient preventive maintenance program, and tank inspection cameras excel on both fronts.
Modern camera systems are designed to scan the interior of large tanks in a fraction of a second, with precision and detail, unlike manual inspections that may take hours or even days to complete.
Additionally, equipped with sophisticated pan-and-tilt features, the cameras can be remotely rotated and adjusted to change angles. It enables operators to see all areas of the tank without repositioning the device or going inside the area.
As a result, this dynamic range of motion guarantees comprehensive inspections in a small amount of time, impossible with traditional methods.
Furthermore, operators can easily maneuver around structural elements, zoom into critical areas of maintenance, and capture video that can be reviewed later. Consequently, facilities can perform routine maintenance more regularly and effectively without disrupting manufacturing, thereby avoiding long downtimes.
More importantly, tank cameras help maintenance crews manage resources more effectively by speeding up the inspection process and ensuring compliance with routine maintenance schedules. All in all, they can prevent operational bottlenecks which can occur due to maintenance.