Structural Steel & Non Destructive Testing & Inspections
Structural steel rarely fails in open view. Issues start at details — connections, weld toes, brackets, interfaces and underside steel where water, vibration and trapped debris do the damage quietly. We provide rope access inspection and NDT access support on hard-to-reach steelwork so condition can be confirmed up close, defects can be located accurately, and follow-on repairs can be planned without heavy access scaffolds dominating the job.
Rope Access Inspections for critical steelwork
We target the places defects start — connections, brackets, weld toes, platform steel, ladders, pipe-rack members and hidden undersides. Rope access gives close, stable positioning for detailed inspection and NDT support without lengthy access builds. Findings are recorded clearly (photos, locations and priorities) so repairs, coating work or further examination can be planned quickly and confidently.
When access is difficult, steelwork tends to get “checked from a distance” or deferred — and that’s how early corrosion, coating breakdown, cracking indicators and movement at details get missed. Rope access allows controlled work positioning directly at the point of concern, making inspections more reliable and more repeatable across future visits.
We work methodically through agreed inspection zones and priorities, capturing defects with consistent photo records and clear location referencing (so your engineer, fabricator or coating team can find the same point again without guesswork). Where NDT is required, we support your appointed NDT technician by providing stable positioning, safe access and sensible sequencing so examinations can be carried out efficiently on awkward geometry and congested steelwork.
The output is built for action: what was inspected, what was found, what needs attention now, and what should be monitored — presented clearly enough to support maintenance planning, defect close-out and any statutory/asset integrity programmes you’re running.
Typical tasks
- Close visual inspections of steelwork, connections, bracing and underside steel
- Corrosion mapping and coating breakdown checks at hotspots (edges, bolts, drainage points)
- Access support for NDT such as ultrasonic testing (UT), magnetic particle inspection (MPI) and dye penetrant testing (DPI)
- Thickness gauging support: repeatable location marking and measurement point recording
- Defect capture: photo registers, location notes and prioritised snag/close-out lists
- Pre- and post-repair verification access for fabrication and coatings workpacks
- Dropped-object and loose-item checks on high-level grating, handrails and fixtures
Assets & locations
- Pipe racks, towers, gantries, walkways and stair structures
- Roof steel, plant supports, loading bays and service platforms
- Bridges and underside steelwork where rope access is suitable
- Ports and dockside steelwork: ladders, platforms, access towers and high-level fixtures
- Warehouses, industrial frames and external maintenance steel
- Congested zones where MEWPs/scaffold are impractical or disruptive
Planning, quality & safety
Steel inspections are delivered under task-specific RAMS with practical exclusion zones, clear communications and disciplined dropped-object controls. Rope access is planned and executed in line with IRATA good practice, using a two-rope, back-up approach and a site-specific rescue plan that is workable for the structure and the surrounding activity. We coordinate with your permit and operations teams, confirm access routes and sequencing, and keep reporting consistent so findings are easy to action and easy to compare across future inspections.
Arrange a steelwork inspection / NDT access plan
If you have inspection points due, corrosion concerns, suspected defects, or an upcoming maintenance window, we can support with rope access inspection and NDT access planning to suit your site constraints. Provide the asset type/location, any known problem areas, permit/SIMOPS constraints, and whether an NDT technician is attending — and we’ll recommend a practical access approach and inspection sequence.